# Unity Triumphant: The Call of the Kingdom *Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-20 — 1 clipping.* --- > AZZ riphfs (inoktdk? thou of ~ a r r r h t i o nw) a d ks the Author. > > First Edition - , - 1923 > Second Edition - - 1925 > > Printed in Great Britain by KING & J A n m s n , LTD.,Blackfriars. London, 8.E. > - > . . - > ~. > > PAGE > > 16. RELIGION I N ACCORD > AND SCIENCE WITH > REASON . > . > 1. > .. > 20. THESPIRITOF INVESTIGATION. > 2 1. UNIVERSAL . > IIARNONY > 22. UNITYTRIUMP~ZANT. > 23. UNITYMEETINGS . > 24. SPIRITUAL > SPRINGI ~ M E S . > 25. NEEDOFYERSONAL~MANIFESTATION. > . 147 . > 26. THESUNOF TRUTH > > 1I . - > 27. THEFEAST OF R ~ V A N > > 29. OUTSTANDING > . > OF BAH/L'u'LLAE > 2 8 . - CHILDHOOD > EVENTI N THE > . > WORLD'S > 1. .PICTURE > 2. PICTURE > OF 'ABDU'L-Bd . > . . > OF MASJEIRIQU'L-ADHICAR > 3. L E ~ FFROM A CALENDAR > IN CONSTANTI- > 1 HISTORY > - . > I > i OF BAHA'U'LLAH. . > 30. TABLET ~. > Ii 31. A CHRISTIAIV > MISSIONARYAND BAHU > MARTYRDOMS : ~. > i 32. BAHA'~ > PRECEPTS. > I 33. KINDNESS > TO ANIMALS . > 1 OF THE MOSTR.ZERCIFUL . > t > 35. WORDSOF BAHA'u'LLAHAND 'ABDU'L- > > 1. 36. HISTORIC > NOTE . > NATIONS . > 38. B A ~ ' u ' L L ~THE > H , NEWNAME . > vi. > ". FOREWORD. > testimony and intrOOuction is written > under the impelling power of the Spirit, > '. to bear-witness to the Truth of the Reve~ > olBaha 'u 'llAh. > PRAYER OF JESUS. the desire to spread a knowledge of His ' > _ ...~/";" in the world, it is published as a thank- > in accordance with the directions of > "And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are > and the kindly help and encourage- > Mine, and I am glorified in them. > ment~f confirmed believers in the Baha'i Cause. > " Holy Father keep through thine own Name > :;Inasmuch as it is an introduction, the Sacred > those whom Thou hast given Me, that they all . > may be One, as we are. . . . . -_•.'. -' of the Baha'i Revelation are quoted With > " N?ither pray I for these alone, but for them . reference to those of previous .Revelations > . In order that readers may ,search for themselvesá' ' > also which shall believe on Me through their > -'1'OInthose sources, and fonn their own conclu- > word: > " That they all may be One; as Thou Father, sions. Those who do not wish to refer to Prophecy > 'are asked, for their own sake, and for the sake of > art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may > the world, to consider the righteousness of the > be One in us." > Baha'i 'Teachings, and decide after just investiga- > (John, Chap. xvii., verso 10, 11, 20.) . . ,tion, whether they do not meet the extreme need > of the present day, morally, intellectually, and > . • spiritually. ' > 'á:"Whom say Y e that I am? " was the question > . . which the Spirit put to the individual, throUgh > Jesus. And some were able to say: "Thou art > th~ Spirit of the living Goa." > Likewise, the Spirit puts that question to us, > to-day, through Bahil'u'llah. It is the same ques- > .~ ~- > > be asked : " ~ h e what > n more is there to > > with power to cast out evil spirits, which are not of > It. It knocks at the door of the heart of every in; me had not come for them to be > dividual; and each one who 'is.wise will answer his > own door to the Spirit, and not leave that t o any > ~ > > other. It is only the spirit within which can > answer the Visitation of the Spirit. For only > > not depend on acquired. cumbersome knowledge > which becomes rusty with age, and which is often > used as a blind to veil the Truth. That lesser > . knowledge which only serves Time, should -never > ' > > be allowed to obscure the greatest of all know- > ledge, which is the Knowledge of God. That is > the eternal Well of everlasting Life. Whatever > their outward privations-mqy be, those who drink Twenty thousand martyrs, in o w own day, for- > from it sever thirst. It - has power to quench the > " fires of animosity" ;for the hatred and animosity > which crucified Jesus are to-day quenched. H e is And some are even yet, in 1923, joyhlly making 9z3 > to-day honoured in every language, and in all the same reply, because some elders think they can > regions of the world. Enthroned in all hearts is - . extol themselves by putting God out of the Courts > He. His 'Teachings are a Standard of ~ u d ~ m e n t . of His own world. I f they believe they can, why > His Life inspires the resurrection of the individual. are not all the history books burnt? Nay, they > H e reigns in hearts the world over, and will ever cannot, for all that the Spirit saith is confirmed, > reign in His own Station, the Well-Beloved Son of - from everlasting to everlasting. And if history > books do not teach that; what is the use of them? > many brethren. " Spirit ever stands for Reality. > Many have testified, and are testifying, their > hith in the Revelation of BahA'u'lla. And it > will be readily seen that no one person, w k b v e r > his or her qualifications or worldly station may be, The obligation to propagate the Teaebines of > rested on His disciples, W b t , we may &, > will ever be able to deal exhaustively, or a&- > quately, with so great a subject. That is some- > * J- > J i B d dbe * state of the world, if instead of > Q a howledge of them, they had carefully con- > thing for which the world may be grateful, and it > is mentioned in order to convey the understanding c d e d , hidden, and idolised them? It is not the > that this present endeavour, inasmuch as it is a lack of knowledge concerning His Teachings, but > testimony, is a testimony of faith, that the writer, &e failure practise them, which has brought > after examining the Teachings of BahA'u'llAh, and calamities upon the world. > after investigating to some extent, by no means ex- w h a t its conditions would have been had they > haudively, the Prophecies relating to it, and after never been known is unimaginable. Those who > bringing the Teaching to bear upon the problems, havc practised them have been the salt of the earth- > spifitual, moral, intellectual, and social, which to- ms is Imndeniable. Jesus revealed the Fatherhood > day exercise her own mind and the mind of the , oi ~~d ;and throughout His lik, which is from all > world generally, has come to the joyful conclusion eternity, has prayed, and has taught men pray, > that Bahh'u'lIbh has brought Divine Light to the > * > for the coming of the Father's Kingdom on earth > world, and in This D a y is H e Whom God bath > sent, a Personal Manifestation of His Spirit, even > as Jesus was. The pen fails to define the Signs- m e slab3ect; dealt with, being of vital h p o h n c e > came of His Appearance. In brief, then, this - to the happiness of the whole world, should in- > testimony acknowledges Him to be what He terest all people, whatever their Religion, or Race, > claimed to be ; as Jesus to-day is acknowledged to or Nation. And as this becomes evident, readers > he what H e claimed to be. Whereas, in the begin. will know, that apology for not presenting i t would > ning, His claim was not openly acknowledged, save be more in place than any explanation for doing so- > by a few. > A Revelation comprehending a11 previous 33,eve- > It is hoped that this contribution, made by one latjons is given to the world by BahA'u'llAh. The > without claim to any special ability, may, perhaps quintffsence of ~ h i c his : that all Revelations of > for that reason, reach others, who believing, will the Tnlth, past and present, are in H a m o n y - > '- -."- --a > i l" =-nr * > z * > .; > - > i4 > > I > > Although many persecutions were heaped upon been revealed by the Prophets and > Him by worldly despots, Bahti'u'llhh has, during 40 tions of God, in accordance with the =Pa- > yeam of Exile and 'confinement, recorded the ut- e Age, at different stages of the world's > terance of the Holy Spirit in the rich and melodious > languages of Persia and Arabia. In face of aU > opposition H e has bequeathed to the world .the > Treasury of the Divine Will for this New Age. > And it is very necessary that those within and with- of ancient rulers and their kingdoms > out the Churches, of every Religion, should know eir failure to heed the Prophets and > what the Spirit saith unto them To-day. > > The Divine Will for To-day is revealed in the > Sacred Writings of BahA9u'11Ah, and expounded in > the Tablets of the Greatest Branch. Those Writ- > ings are gradually being translated into English > and other languages, and will be translated into > the universal auxiliary language; and whed the course of time have obscured the Light given > world becomes fully aware of them, they will be successive Revelations, Religion, through mis- > as eagerly read as the Holy Books preceding them ; d e h n d i n g , has often been the cause of divi- > for they prescribe the Divine Remedy for the Re- > ligious, Social, and Industrial troubles of our day. which stands so clearly for the promotion of Unity > There are many in the world to-day who, while 'and Brotherhood, some, as already mentioned, are > perceiving the need of Unity, are frankly confew sacrificing their lives, because opposers in their > ing the lack of spiritual power so essential to it. 1 biind desire to suppress it, instead of proving them- > To bring about TJnity, even in any one Religion * s be temples of the living God, have l ~ ~ o m e > ~ l v e to > or Nation, seems to them a .stupendous and i m p s - :as " whited even as Jesus found in > sible task. Whereas, the reason for their depres. His Day, when through lack of spiritual insight, > sion and failure is that their aim is not great those who should have welcomed, crucified Him. > enough. It is incomplete. For the Oneness of all The world is largely unconscious of the Divine > is the Truth of the matter, and knowledge of fiat Drama which has been witnessed since the appear- > Truth, the only Key to Harmony : glimpses of ance of the BBb, and is still being witnessed by > Ci 7 > angels in heaven and on earth, yet " H e that > watcheth over Israel slumbereth not, nor sleeps," > while to these things, many in the world, and of > it,. are heedless, or rushing to and fro after > ephemeral things. > > There are millions of Jews, Christians, and Mu- > bmmadans in the world, and it is not possible, > either by argument, persuasion, or the sword, > to get them to reject one Religion for another. > But it is possible for them all to arrive at the under- > standing that the aim of the Founders of all these > Religions is One and the same ;and that they each > serve specifically an Age in the progressive order > of the Divine Plan to create Harmony in the world. > They are the Supreme Concourse, moved by the > Spirit, to promote Unity. How pitiful, then, are > the misunderstandings which have blinded their > followers to such an extent that they have perse- > cuted each other most cruelly, believing it to be in > their Names ! Since each has given Light in > accordance with the capacity of the Age, and has > pointed to further Revelation in the hlness of time > to come; surely it is the disposition to idolatry > which has blinded the world to the simple truth of > the continuity of revelation. When it is seen and > understood, all will cease to worship the Lamp, > and abolishing prejudices, be able to walk in the > Light of Oneness, and glorify God by " consorting > with each other with fragrance," as to-day Bahb'u' > llbh exhorts them to do. > FAHA'U*LLAHTO CHRISTIANS : > CHRIST'S ENTRANCE INTO ;'~tProcloim: surely the Father hath come and > JERUSALEM : B t > hfulfilled that whereunto you were promised in > '"nd when H e was come nigh even now at the be Kingdom of God. Thisis the word which the > Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the a&- m veiled when H e said t o those around Him that > ciples began ki" $hey could not bear it ; but when the stated t i n e > "iLu r s ~ended and the Hour arrived, the Word shone > voice for all t > saying : @l forth from the Horizon of the Will . > k > ad > ... > , " Beware, 0 Concourse o f the Son, cast it not > " Blessed is the King that cometh in the Name ' Behind Y e , but hold thereunto! .... This > of the Lord. Peace in heaven, and glory in the [ Light hath appeared from the Orient and h t h > highest. " i journeyed toward the Occident until it came unto I > And some of the Pharisees from among the thee in these Latter Daus." > - I > I > > said unto H i m : "Muster, rebuke T h y > ;:. verily, H e the Son beareth witness to Me, and > " I bear witness t o H i m . . . . > ~ > disciples." > ,And He answered, and said unto t h e m : > Then tell Me : D o the children know the > " > ~ > I > > f i 7 f these should hold their peace, the stones > Father and confess H i m ? Or do they contradict > would immediate1y cry out." Him as the people contradicted H i m before? > Jesus t o Jerusalem : " In this Day it behoveth you t o proclaim in > Q Jerusalem, Jerwalerm, which kinest the this Greatest Name among the Nations. D o you > Prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto ~hooseto be silent whilst trees and stones are call- > thee ;how often would I have gathered thy children ing out,in the loudest voice : > together, as a hen doth gather her chickens, under " Surely the Lord hat?&come, the posses so^ oj > her wings, and Y e would not ! Great Glory ! > " Behold your house is left desolate : and verily verily, W e have opened unto you the Gates of I > I sag unto ?IOU, Y e shall not see Me, until the time the Kingdom ; > come when Y e shall say, Are closing the door of your houses before I > I > > " Blessed is Me that cometh in the Name of the M y Pace ? " > Lord. " ' > (" Lawh-el-Aqdas," > (The Gospel according t o Luke.) Bahci'z~'lZ6~h's > Message to Christians.) > THE LORD OF HOSTS. > '' THUSS P ~ K E T HTHE LORD > OF HOSTS, > SAYING, > BEHOLDTAR MAN WHOSE NAME IS TBE BRANCH : > AND HE SHALL GROW U P OUT OF HIS PLACE, AND BE > SHALL BUILD THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD : > > j// > -t > EVENHE SEIALL B ~ THE > D TEMPLE > LORD; AND HE SHALT, BEAR THE GLORY, > OF THE > AND SHALL > I > > 'ABDU'L-BAHA > THE GREATEST BRANCH > i SIT AND RULE UPON HIS THRONE : AND THE COUNSEL > II OF PEACE SHALL RE BETWEEN THEM BOTH." CENTRE OF THE COVENANT > (Zechariah, Chap. 6, ver. 11.) AMONG THE NATIONS. > i > t > THE GREATEST BRANCH. > -. > ra,**--ea& > > PROCLAMATION > 'ARnllTPT R A ~ ; > > THE ~ O R I Z O N SOF THE > THE WORLD WILL B > > ITIS THE HOUR > OF THE,UNITY > OF THE SONS OF > MEN, AND THE DRAWING TOGETHER OF ALL CLASSES. > > THE LIGHTOF KNOWLEDGE > HATH APPEARED > BEFORE WHICH THE DARKNESS OF EVERY SUPERSTI- > TIOUS FANCY WILL BE ANNIHILATED. > > 1% SHALL CEASE BETWEEN NATIONS, > AND BY > THE WILL > OF GOD > THE MOST GREAT PEACE > SHALL COME. > THE UNIVERSAL B A H ~ TEMPLE > I > THEFIRST MAS-EQQU'L AP_HKAR WAS BUILT AT > I--ABAD (CALLED BY THE RUSSIANS ASKHABAD), > IX RUSSIA.ONTHE PAGE FOLLOWING IS A PICTURE > OF THE SECOND B d ' f TEMPLE, OR MAS* > RIQU'L-ADII~R, TO BE BUILT ON THE SHORES OF > LAKE MICHIGAN,CHICAGO, ILL., U.S.A. DESIGN > BY LOUIS J. BOURGEOIS. > " INFORM THE TEMPLE IS NINE-SIDED. FROM > DOME T O FOUNDATION I T IS A UNIQUE CREATION. IT > IS SAID BY EXPERT ARCHITECTS T O REPRESENT T H E > F I R S T ORIGINAL IDEA IN ARCHITECTURE SINCE T H E > 1 3 T H CENTURY. INGEOMETRIC ORNAMENTATION I T THE FIRST MASHRIQU'L-A-AR > IS SAID TO CONTAIN ALL THE KELIGIOUS SYMBOLS O F TO BE BUILT IN AMERICA, > THE WORLD. BUTMORE THAN ALL THIS, THE NOBLE W I L L M E T T E , CHICAGO, ILL. > SYMBOL OF TEE SPIRITUAL ORB,OR SUNBEHLND THE > SAVIOUR > OF MANKIND. THE WONDERFUL NINE- FOUNDATION STONE LAID > POINTED ST.4R, FIGURING I N T H E STRUCTURE O F T H E BY 'ABDU'L-BAHA, MAY 1st. 1912. > TEMPLE ITSELF, AND APPEARING AGAIN AND AGAIN IN > ITS ORNAMENTATION, A S SIGYIFICANT O F T H E SPLRI- > TUAL GLORY IN THE WORLD TO-DAY. > '' THETEMPLE WILL BE A PLACE OF WORSHIP FOR > ALL MANKIND. ITSDOORS WILL NEVER BE CLOSED. > NO PRIESTETOOD W I L L E V E R OFFICIATE W I T H I N I T S > WALLS. ABOUT IT WILL BE GARDENS AND FOUN- > TAINS. BEYOND THESE, A SERLES OF BUILDINGS > DEVOTED TO TITE APPLICATIOY OF TRUE RELIGION > TO LIFE. OXLYWORSHIP AND PR-IISE CAN BE > VOICED IN T H E TEMPTS ITSELF." > (Literary Digest, Aug. 1920.) > WITH THE MOST MELODIOUS VOICES IN THE GAL- > LERIES BUILT IN THE TEMPLEOF THE MACERIQU'L > . AKKAR. THEPRAYERS OF THE LORD SHALL BE > 2- ' CHANTED IN A MANNER TO ATTRACT HEARTS AND > SOULS. " > "BLESSED IS HE WHO LISTENS TO THE > RIVER OF LIFE ! " > > REVELATION OF BAH~U'LLAH > IS UNITY TRIUMPHANT > > ALLAH'U'ABHA ! e SATISFACTION. > t > > " He who invi&th the people in My Name, > k W T may be assumed that in the M e r e n t schools > he is of Me." (BahA'uyW.) > a a:% spiritual s8tisfrction : and in our travels we have > found at times that we have hrd to let some things > "You &all put crowns on their heads : crowns % go in order to receive the satisfaction which belongs > set with brilliant jewels which shine like stars : to fuller pastures. Probably, in all fields of search > cram of everlasting brightness that will not :*%A > : we have found something we could not let go, > fall off." ('~bdu'l-B&&.) > > + > perceive it leads to Unity : for the things we have > . to let go are merely our prejudices---or the preju- > a- > : > dices of other people-against a further knowledge > of it. > : . Tmth is a280 satisfaction : And the utmost satis- > faction is to be found in the Teachings of > - i > i ' > .- > . ~... -. > . ..... . > -- > > Bahi'u'llih. They are a Lighthouse of Spiritual '&&&'i Revelation is the Qiblih* of Salva- > Guidance to those of all Religions, who are crying whole world, did the world but know it : > out for that promised Light, w5ich is the special > need of this Age : for many know, and confess, > they have it not. The Revelation of Bahb'u'llirh > is not exclusive. Coming to those who worship > God under different Names, and to those who > accept no Religion, it fulfils the Prophecies of God, > and meets the highest social aspirations of Humani- > tarianism. Securing all that is of the highest sight, rstanding; as friends and lovers, " of one > Bahi'u'lllh saves ,Religion from drowning in the n a house. " > Sea of Names : and elevates the Host by distin- have no greater Scriptural proof than that > guishing the Light from the lamp which holds it, ,-#I be found in " Hidden Words " (Bahh'u'llih), > calling upon all to worship God only. > agr Creator bespeaks joy and gladness, for all who > " There is no God, but God," says M&ammad, > and all the Prophets with one accord have ex- > claimed : " Glory be to God !" So the First Com- ~ ~ > > nature of things, have been expounded by His > mandment of Moses is confirmed in every New > !;.- Prophets, and are written i n the Sacred Scriptures > Dispensation of Ehe Spirit, to keep mankind in the > of all Religions, and all the " free thought " in > straight Path of accomplishment, away from the > the world cannot change those Laws. The Truth > ruts of fruitless idolatry. &: - cannot be overthrown, and nobody is wise who > FY > In this Day of the Lord, Bahii'u'llih brings thinks contrary t o it. Bahi'u'llHh assures each > essential Laws to establish the Kingdom of God, individual of God's Love, and of the ecstatic joy > on Earth, in order that the Glory of God may be- of life, which enables those who keep His Laws to > come manifest before all eyes. The Name of 5 rise triumphantly glorious, even over death itself. > BahH'u'llih stands for the Glory of God. For fulness of life in' Gad's Kingdom, on earth, > For this Jesus lived, and H e suffered crucifixion, and throughout eternity, is the prophecy of the > because religious men took offence at His claim to Religion of God. > hethe Son of His Heavenly Father. *"&iblih," the Point to which devoted ones turn in > reverence, as Christians to the East. > p. > - --*- s - p > > a- > p > > ---a- -- > > . > d - > I n an elementary Persian text book, used in o the fairminded > schools, it is written, " Justice half Religion is." k in God and in > The same little book states as a proof of God's m h other, is in all things provided, and > Love to individuals, that H e gives t o each " a be 'met with recognifion, responsive generosity, > Mother." This proof none can misunderstmd, for and true thankfulness on our part- > it is not a mere matter of words. It is written in Satisfaction, joy, and gladness will become i d - > many Scriptures that " God is Love," and by the vidud and universal experience, when all arise from > power of His Spirit, many have sacrificed their the bed of indifference, and by the power of the > lives to prove that Faith. Spirit of God, decide to take and to offer to > If then, Justice is half Religion, the other half the overflowing Cup of Generosity which > must be Mercy and Generosity : for it is God the Bahi'u'llith offers to Humanity, to-day. > Merciful, the Generous, the Giver, Who through The Day of Grace inaugurated by Jesus, has > Bahi'u'llith addresses each one of His children with had a long spell of centuries and has suffered con- > the utmost Divine Love and Courtesy : siderable abuse. And it will be remembered that > He was aware it would be so; for when it was > " 0 SONOF SPIRIT ! suggested by His disciples that the goodly disposed > Justice h loved above all. Neglect it not if thou should be separated from the evil doers, H e re- > desirest Me. By It thou zsilt be strengthened ether until the > to perceive things with thine own eyes and not > with the eyes of men, to know them b y thine This Day is the Harvest of the seed-sowing of > own knowledge, and not by the knowledge of Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, and of all the Mani- > any in the world, Meditate on this-how thou efore them, when > oughtest to be. Justice is of M y Bounty to * the wheat will be gathered into the barn of reality, > thee, and of My Providence over thee; therefore anJ the chaff scattered by the winds of circum- > keep it ever before thy sight." stance, or discarded as stubble. All that is not of > Seeing then, God's Love in the nature of things, > - reality will perish in the realms of forgetfulness, > or God willing, become purified in the fires of > hearing of it through His Moly Prophets, and each > experiencing it through a Mother's love, should remorse. > we be i~elvonsiveto the wonderful bounty of The Call of the Kingdom is Now ! Now is the > God ? Since Justice enables ~u to see things with > accepted time ! > 24 P > L3 > - > ... - .- -- - - - > > DIVINE PRINCIPLES THE FOUNDATION > AND TRUTH OF BEING. > T is now over fifteen years since the writer > of this grateful testimony was attracted by > the - Holy Fragrances of BrthB'u'llivh, > ' > > through a handful of His followers, who at that > time met at the Higher Thought Centre, in > London. A room had been engaged there for the > purpose of expounding the Bahb'i Teachings, and > many were the questions put by earnest students to > Miss Ethel J. Rosenberg, to110 had made the pil- 1 perception; for it i s a Divine out-pouring > grimage to Acca, and having sojourned in the .Spiet to meet the needs of Humanity, and > home of the Master, had many beautiful stories t o rs its own sacrificial proof to demonstrate its > tell of His constant kindness to all arouna Him, > as well as much important Teaching to impart, > which she herself had received direct from Him. > The beautiful and indefinable spiri'i peculiar to the > Bahd'i Dispensation was always evident in those > gatherings, and through our persistent questioning of-both ancient and modern Seers. > some of us sought, and found, intellectual satisfac- =. > ~ I t was natural that this magnanimous claim > tion, as well. should excite persistent questions, for some were > Most of the Teaching given at the. Higher present who thought they had found Truth in a > Thought Centre was of the nature of practical measure deliglitfully entrancing in one or other > modern metaphysics, pertaining to healing, and , we of' the different presentations of Metaphysical > individuil and general welfare. It was based on > the hypothesis of Divine Principles as the origin, > foundation, permanence, and Truth of Being, and > as aid to individual perception of Truth. > * (Ir Truth of Being." Grace Western). > ideas which had too long h a m p e d our spirit in > the name of theology. So being set h e from aU &~uld not grow in grace, " to the measure of the > that, and believing the Truth had set us free, we > rejoiced in a study of Divine Principles, with the > understanding that t h y were b r current e x p r e > sion-in all personalities. > There was no mere " divine immanence," or My Father's House are many mansions : I go, to > " spark " of divinity within us, not in our concep pkpare a place for you." > tion of ourselves, such as is now conceded by How lovable and tender this assurance concern- > theology, but potentially, the complete " image ing the Heavenly Kingdom, into which, through > and likeness " as stated in Scripture, which is His own mind, Jesus so graciously permitted His > natural and common between Father and Son, just > waiting to be discovered and demonstrated, as bit > by bit we unwrapped ourselves from the mental > " swaddling clothes " which bound us; so it was > with a " reverent recognition of our Divine birth- > right, that we claimed our kinship with the > ~ l m i g h t.y"* > The study of Divine Principles had sef us free > from the meshes of theology, and given us a deeper > insight into the Teachings of Jesus. W e took Him our sake, and for the sake of righteousness, because > to be the Word, t%e Light, the Truth, and the the tree of God's planting must bear fruit, and > Way of Life, expressed Personally, to lighten the the Manifestations of God in each Visitation are > Path of His followers throughout the Christian > Era ; sufficient, until the further Light which H e > promised in the fulness of Time, sfiould Come. ante, and sustainea by food some " know not of." > For the " Spirit within us " bore testimony to the : They always bear the fruits of reality, and they > fact, that H e had demonstrated Ris Divine quali- > ties to the utmost; and since we per-ceived, and '- never mock one by unacceptable propositions. > SO the children of the Kingdom have now a > con-ceived ourselves to be the children of the > (" The Builder and the Plan." Urrola N. Gestefeld). > C > right. we find that in the heart of God there is i?ofunderstanding, and is real, cannot be > a place for every one, and Glory be t o Him ! The w- > Call to His Kingdom, is Now ! *-&we brothers and sisters in the Heavenly > The prpohe of this endeavour is that some md Jesus has been named our Elder > who may read will become interested in that Call. her+,because He consciously demonstrated the > For it is to those who know not of it these words h of Being, and as far as is generally known, > e written, in the hope that their keen interest LefScst to be called the Son of God. At the > walked this earth H e was known as the > will be aroused in the Sacred Writings of their > own Day, and in the Divine Laws revealed through !&gotten Son of God, and men gnashed their > the Supreme Pen of Bahi'u'llHh. at such a claim. It mas accounted blas- > His Call to the Kingdom, is Now! Have we k n y in those dark days, but now, it is taken as > heard it? What is our reply? D o we pass it on, > b t t e r of course. For - > --- .," wnrJ ;n +he > - - the fin+ .."ill 1U W > > or remain deaf and dumb? The Kingdom of -ed all tl and nLOWwe kno > Heaven cannot be controlled by selfish seekers ear~enly ,ther, is real bla > after their own glory. The most honourable > ma t there should be children of the Spirit, was > places are filled-by those who can drink the Cup > of Sacrifice. Lqt us take a time of reverent > hard for men to understand. Hence theologi- > k4bbrications and the interminable discussions > silence, alone, sometimes, in remembrance of those > keen those who affirm, and those who deny, > who have drunk that Cup for us, if we cannot do > t Divinity of Christ ! > so in the fellowship Remembrance, to which their > The immaculate conception takes place in the > Sacred Hearts invited us. ind, when we are born of the Spirit, and is the > W e may not abase ourselves before Them. > lception which we have of ourselves and each > That is not what They came for. Such abase- > othep. There is a little clarifying verse which nlns : > ment has been in the past one of the greatest > religious mistakes, and contrary to the spirit of .%66 > Though Christ in Bethlehem a thousand times > resurrection : for They bave ever called us to be born. > fellowship with the Highest. There has never g > If He's not born in you, your hope is all for- > been any discourtesy from Them, to us. Quite $ lorn. y 9 > the contrary. They are blind imitators who feign- P1. > > ing obeisance, teach others to abase themselves ; The example of Jesus is naturally and essen- > but the holy, loving, and devoted reverence which tially the judgment, the resurrection, and the life > 30 IL 31 > - > of us all. For by His life H e brought us into con- > scious active communion with the Father, proved > the resurrection of His Spirit, and thus gave us ii > RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. > everlasting Life. :Am > > Early acquaintance with the Bahh'i Teachings, !. H R O U G H O U T the 19th century " Free- > will naturally, in a Christian country, find many so > entranced by the beatific vision of Jesus, which > * U dom " was the parrot cry of the unthink- > ing majority, and the constant watchword > makes clear such hossibilities for the children of g 4 . d high-minded men : yet this corxmon cry did > men, that they may hesitate to examine their own mt uf itself bring about political freedom to > Scriptures concerning the present-day Revelation, ;+. women. Women had to claim it. > which in them, is promised. But it is hoped, that With many, freedom becam; little more than a > when they remember Jesus promised it, they can- fetish, or a licence, a sort of beautiful doll which > not refrain from examining the matter. For . grown-up people liked to play with, and which > surely, all must soon become aware that the Light often led them into chains ; as idolatry of any kind > of Divine Intelligence illumines the path of C.: alysys does. W e know some statesmen have > k > * > > humanity with resplendent beauty, in our own actually gone so far as to say, they would rather > day. P see England " free " than " sober " ! Though > To turn aside from it is to court disaster, and to [ > ' havingit is clear there will not be much freedom worth > become lost i s the labyrinths and cross-currents for any country which does not get free > 7 % from the ravages of strong drink. And good > of mental confusion; for it is the Re-appearance > of that Spiritual Light, which lighteth the whole &: patriots of every land who have worked in the face > of ignominy to set humanity free from it, will re- > world. I t awakens the individual consciousness to F-"; > a knowledge of divine origin, and so con- joice to know that it is a Bahh'i Precept that > f i m s the claim of Jesus, I'lato, and Socrates; ac " alcoholic liquor shall not be used as a beverage" ; > and is the Divine response in the nature of things-- g for it has blighted many a brilliant career, and > to the need of this bewildered world. wrecked the happiness > - > of millions of homes. > Notwithstanding the many blessings of freedom, > which last century has bequeathed to this, the abuse > Ft of it has left us with such an undesirable c r o ~of > &a > > conditions, that the special work of this 20th cen- > *-'.*; > .:** > i > > Harmony, is exceedingly difficult : so difficult, icism of perso nal friendIs, wbLO showi > bejudice have rendereld conversati > that without clear Spintuul Guidance, such a task > could not be accomplished. > There are many organisations on foot to-day, , '' You are no child of mine," have fathers been > which, representing only partial good, gather their b w n to say to their children, " if you do not be- > armies together to attain supremacy and prefer- eve " this, or that. Or, '< out of my house you > ence over organisations representing other partial go, if you refuse to fetch my beer." And children > good. The natural result being that there is chaos who would have refused to go for beer, have had to > and unnecessary hardship for many good people in to the tap room for their father, because their > their efforts for religious, political, social and in- i$- mother's heart was breaking. Such episodes do > dustrial reform. Though as St. Paul told us, " all not help children to keep the Fifth Commandment > things work together for good to those that love E. of Moses. > God." And Bahi'u'llih looking out on such a ., Alas ! the hopes of many fathers even to-day are > world of confusion, has declared in the Name of ,- centred on the turf, and their minds concentrated > God, that Religious, Political, Social, and Indus- k@ on the beer glass; because, as the late Venerable > Dean of Peterborough (one time Vicar of St. > trial prejudices must be abolished. 'This will > mean the abolition of much futile slavery on the Matthews, Leicester,") used then so clearly to ex- > - - - -& a d e s i ~ e t ~ > plain with emphasis : " .-Gambling > part of those who wish to save the world from > destruction by inadequate means. For those who profit bzanothefs loss." > advocate them have often in the past been known How can anybody keep the Commandments of > to be cynical concerning the efforts of other people, God who claims the right of freedom in un- > - brotherly indulgences? Those who try can only > not knowing that all good is One. Temperance > societies, for instance, have ignored Industrial supply instances of the folly of making a god of > C C Freedom," which, like some other things, is > questions. Socialism has scorned Religion as > fraudulent, and Religion repudiated Socialism as good for good purposes and bad for bad ones. > materialistic. And it cannot be denied that each - > Many to-day regard the honour - - of > -- -- - the > - - - - turf > -- - --- - as > ld dismiss God as fictitious, and cl re there > -- in- > --. > > has had a measure of truth in its objections. This > only proves the impartiality of Truth, which can- 'are of their d u ti'~ to their own childrei > not be seen with a biassed mind. When belong- - > or to the nloth~rnf them- I t i q nmnnino that c ~ l f - > ing to more than one organisation for reform, & respecting persons can t u n away from that which > many a time have the hearts of some been stabbed > is really hono&able, and belittle their own i n W l i > gence by extolling honour which is a fictitious > affair, and, with the enemies of society, dismiss all > consideration of their solemn obligations made in > the presence of' witnesses, to their own chosen > partners in life. It is a pity there are both men > and women who so delude themselves. May the $HERE has been in times past, and very > spirit of understanding open the eyes of any who properly, a great outcry against the fierce- > ) > have not seen the truth in such matters. ness of industrial competition. Often it > ' > > " A man's only bondage is his word," says the US ask : " Are we on earth, or > Prophet Jeremiah, and it is for each to decide to bell? " And Kingsley, who was not him- > whom he gives his word. H e can give it to the @ tortured in the mills of industry, has wondered > truest and best of Friends, or to the Tempter. His behalf of his fellows, " if there will be any com- > Creator is benign, and i t is ordained in the nature %tition in heaven ? " > of things > - that Man has, for s test, the freedom of PZ Gmnting, of course, that heaven is a condition of > choice. %cart and mind, that it is essentially communal > h d not individualistic, the reality within should > &ow evidences without, and it would not then . --- > > could have any place. > that work don€:faithfully > a spirit of service is acceptable as an act of worship, > f seems to dispose of the spirit of competition, and > $ by giving a benevolent incentive to heavenlier > P > i- ' > :, graces, it suggests not only industrial harmony, > - . > but > the 2ossibility of bringil > ssed benedictioIn: "Pea > -- on earth, and Goodwill towards men." What- > ever one's religious, social, or political views may > ' be, no one would object to that most desirable state > > 'Br* d > b > things. > capable How > we are, much > when stranger, > happy in ourhow > workmuch more > ! Surely > such practicable demonstration of Religion would 1 reasonable beings-but to be always wanting to > win the adherence of all men, and very soon make &la,-, n t h ~ rnpnnle is to rob life of its courtesies > atheism, anarchy and rebellion obsolete; for we -- ---- > are raised by our ideals, and such thoughts would 'Jndustrial competition savows too much of corn- > then have no place in the common mind ; therefore L1~i > t-mtakes > - the ~ o e t r vout of life, and robs in- > honest lovers of humacity should not scoff at > idealists, for " High aims overleap the bounds of > F- -- > low successes." W e are brothers and sistersi and part in making the very universe ring with joy. > if we have not attained perfection, we shall inci- The iov of satisfaction-to be experienced by all : > dently help each other by aiming at it. There are > worlds of endeavour to conquer, which would give > men a rest from conquering each other. ,,break away refusing to be sharpened; and no > Competition lets loose the wolf spirit, and k b t s and shoes which cripple us. Pure food and > though " all the ways of man are right, in his own F nn a l h c t ; t l ~ t p a- hpnlltifirl fnlit: nuts. and other > eyes ; the Lord meigheth the spirits." The spirit > of envy, jealousy, and selfishness is engendered by > competition ;yet these are forbidden and despised, > and incompatible with peace. Spiritually, emo- > tionally and psychically, conlpetition is unmercihl, tbat"' all things which we need, will be added unto > unjust, vainglorious and unsound : a satanic de- Z" W,in measure pressed down and running over, be- > vice to oppress the so& of men. It has resulted yond anything which n-e can think, or speak." > in riches being heaped up superfluously upon the - That, we know, is the generous promise of God. > few, and too often left many deprived of the bare But alas ! The ravages of competition have not > means of existence. Even the young, in some , only been evident in industry. I n Science, Art, > countries, have been known to commit suicide, be- Literature, and even in Religion itself, the desire > cause failure to pass examinations in " the > clumsy dust of ancient knowledges " has doomed F: of the false to attain glory, and to dominate the > . true, has also been known. It is unnecessary to > them to military service and despair. They have I, dwell upon it. But in this time of re-construction > preferred not to live, rather than to live under such we should see to it that the true, in all lines of > cnlel and insane conditions. To do one's utmost > in the way of service and attainment should satisfy > - > > tion of the Religion of God is One. Therefore all h u g h which one passes from Washington > effort, whether it be religious, political, social, in- muare, into Fifth Avenue, New York. There > dustrial, or humanitarianshould be directed with &e rich have repaired. And it is hoped that the > due appreciation and regard to that Divine gich in this world's goods w i l l hasten to b m e the > Economy which has made all things One. Other- wisest and most honest of people, that they may > wise, heavenly zeal is consumed. Competitive achieve the feat which the Lord Christ said : " is > effort is selfish, separative, unsatisfactory, and is more difficult than the passing of a camel through > not in accord with the Divine Policy which cares a needle's eye." There are rich in all lands, even > for all, provides for all, and comprehends all. the poorest of lands. And when so many are in > F a r Truth being One and indivisible, spiritual extreme need, this requires csp'lanation. > values cannot be used in a spirit of rivalry and in- > dependence under separate banners, through failure > to appreciate their relation to each other and to > the Source from which they spring ;any more than > fractions can be used without regard to their rela-. > tive value to each other and to the Whole Number \%%en the rich cease to oppress the poor because > which governs them. - all, have inscribed George Washington's standard > But it is not all, we gratefully remember, who on heart and mind, we shall see the endeavour for > would trifle with the Oneness of natural and one Financial standard throughout the world. 1 > z > spiritual Law. Some there are who agonise even Then, neither the dollar, nor the pound, the 3 > > now in conflicting organizations which cry out franc, the mark, or the rupee, will have advan- > like locusts for sustenance : while many are broken - tage or disadvantage. For Life is One, and in > in the endeavour to support them. And this is their relation to each other they all represent life > bound to happen when that which is partly true values. The unfortunate will not always be sub- > does not relate itself with the wliole. The wise ject to further misfortune, by becoming the slaves > . of the money market as they are to-day. There > s > I > and the honest relate themselves with the whole > Truth. George Washington must have felt this, are different sorts of slavery which need to be I > > when he exclaimed : " Let us raise a Standard to > I > which the wise and the honest can repair. The > Event is in the hands of God." I f memory serves I > correctly those words are inscribed on the Arch standards in finance, morals, industry, religion, > 40 41 i > and in an human relationships. But it is not > enough to aspire separately. It is necessary for > individuals and natio~isto aspire together, in order > to secure the refreshing fairriess in these matters, > which is their heart's desire. 'ABDU LBAHA > Melodious individual voices have reverberated ON INDUSTRIAL UNREST. > through the centuries', and are now blended into > One Voice, which is calling all to Unity. BDU'I said ' You have > Jesus yearned in prayer for Unity. The Bahh'i tioxied me about strikes. This question > u- > Teachings come in answer to that prayer, calling is and will be the subject of great > - diffi- > all to gather in that ,which is the ripe Harvest of culties. Strikes are due to two causes. One is > His seed-sowing. the extreme sharpness and rapacity of the capi- > The Principles of BahbYu'lliH are Pillars of talists and manufacturers : the ,other, the excesses, > Strength, in establishing Unity. They enable us the avidities, and ill-will of the workmen and arti- > to see that to be free, is not enough; because sans. It is therefore necessary to remedy these > Humanity is One Family, and an all-comprehend- two causes. " > ing glance should enlist the practical help of every F " But the principal cause of these difficulties lies > one, in establishing Unity and Harmony the world in the I.aws of the present civilization : for they > ,-* > > over. i- lead to a small number accu~nulatingincomparable > fortunes, beyond their needs, whilst the greater > The Human Ideal, should be Hannony and number remains destitute, stripped, and in the > Oneness. Then will all see with God's Sight, and greatest misery. This is contrary to justice, to > the effort for Unity, will incidentally set indi- humanity, to equity; it is the height of iniquity, > 4.: > viduals free from the greatest of all bondage-the the opposite to what causes divine satisfaction. > bondage of self. 5 > t! " This contrast is peculiar to the world of man : > > e V i t h other creatures, that is to say with nearly all > ,. . animals, there is a kind of justice and equality. > Thus in a shepherd's flock of sheep, inva troop oE > deer in the country, among the birds of the prairie, > of the hill, or the orchard, almost every animal > - > \ > > \ > I > > receives a just share based on equality. With munity would be quite destroyed. Thus, there is > them such difference in the means of existence is a great wisdom in the fact that equality is not > not to be found : so they live in the most complete imposed by law; it is therefore preferable for > peace and joy. ". - moderation to do the work. The main point is, by > " It is quite otherwise with the human species, means of laws and regulations to hinder the con- > which persists in the greatest error, and in absolute stitution of excessive fortunes of certain indi- > iniquity. Consider an indindual who has amassed viduals, and to protect the essential needs of the > treasures by colonising a country for his ~rofit.He masses. For instance the manufacturers and the > has obtained an incomparable fortune, and has industrials heap up a treasure each day, and the > secured profits and incomes which flow like a river, poor artisans do not gain their daily sustenance; > whilst a hundred thousand unfortunate people, > weak and powerless, are in need of a mouthful of accept it. Therefore laws and regulations should i > bread. There is neither equality nor brotherhood. be established which would permit the workmen > So you see that general peace and joy are > destroyed, the welfare of humanity is partly anni- > hilated, arid that collective life is fruitless. > deed, fortune, honours, commerce, industry, are > In- > to receive from the factory owners their wages and > a share in the fourth or the fifth part of the profits, > according to the wants of the factory, and the > I I > in the hands of some individuals, while other people I n other words the workmen should receive wages > are subject to quite a series of difficulties and t o which assure them adequate support, and when > limitless troubles ; they have neither advantages, 1 > nor profits, nor comfort, nor peace." > " Then rules and laws should be established t o I > > regulate the excessive fortunes of certain private to satisfy the workmen with the amount they I > individuals and to limit the misery of millions of receive, so that they may be able to put a little > the poor masses ; thus a certain moderation would aside for days of want and helplessness." > be obtained. However, absolute equality is just as " When matters are thus fixed, the owner of a > impossible, for absolute equality in fortunes, factory will no longer put aside daily a treasure > honours, commerce, agriculture, industry, would which he has absolutely no need o f ; and, the work- > end in a want of comfort, in discouragement, in men and artisans will no longer be in the greatest > disorganisation of the means of existence, and in misery and want, and will not be subjected to the > llniversal disappointment : the order of the com- > greatest privations at the end of their life." > ~ > I > > D > l > - > > \I > > (G Without taking into consideration that the longer rebel and revolt, nor demand beyond their > fortune is disproportionate, the capitalist succumbs rights : they should no longer go out on strike, they > under formidable burdens, and gets into the should be obedient and submissive, and not ask for > greatest difficulties and troubles ; the administra- impossible wqes. Bct the mutual rights of both > tion of an excessive fortune is very difficult and associated parties will be fixed and established > exhausts man's strength. ") according to custom by just and impartial laws. In > ~tis then clear and evident that the repdition case one of the two parties should transgress, the > of excessive fortunes amongst a small number of courts of justice would have to give judgment and > individuals, while the masses are in misery is an by an efficacious fine put an end to the transgres- > iniquity and an injustice. I n the same way abw- sion ;thus order will be reestablished, and the diffi- > lute equality would be an obstacle to life, to wel- culties settled. The interference of courts of justice > fare, to order, and to the peace of humanity. I n and of the Government in difficulties pending be- > such a a just medium is prefernble. I t , tween manufacturers and workmen is legal, for the > lies in the capitalists being moderate in the ac- reason that current affairs between workmen and > qisition of their profits, and in their having 3 manufacturers cannot be compared with ordinary > for the poor and needy; that is to affairs between private persons, which do not con- > say, the workmen and artisans should receive a tern the public, and with which the Government > fixed and established daily wage, and have a share should not occupy itself. I n reality, although they > in the general profits of the fac.tor~." appear to be matters between private persons, > c c It would be wen, with regard to the social these difficulties between employers and workmen > rights of manufactulrers, workmen and artisans, produce geneml detriment : for commerce, in- > that laws be established, giving moderate profits to dustry, agriculture and general affairs of the > manufacturers, and to workmen the necessary country are all intimately linked together. If > means of existence and security for the future. one of these suffers an abuse, the detriment affects > Thus, when they become feeble and cease working, the mass. Thus the difficulties between workmen > get old and helpless, and die leaving children under and nlanufacturers become a cause of general > age, these children will not be annihilated by excess detriment. " > of poverty. And it is from the income of the "The Court of Justice and the Government have > factory itself, to which they have a right to derive therefore the right of interference. m e n a diffi- > the means of existence." occurs between two individuals with refer- > " I n the same way, the workmen should no > ence to private rights, it is necessary for a third to > - > &ap-$w-'.p .ail& > > \ > > i! & - ? > > f > i Laura Cliflord Barney. I t is contained in t b > 1i settle the question ; this is the part of the Govern- > ment; then the question of strikes-which causes A?'nel.ican edition of 1918, but inamtrial > 1 trouble to the country and is often connected ttVubh are wor1d-roide, it zs given here fm t b > with the excessive vexations of Ehe workmen, as benefit of those who might not o t h e 4 a e know of' > well as with the rapacity of manufacturers-how the Solution portmyed by 'Abdu'l-Bahd, the > could it remain neglected? " Semant of God. > " Good God ! I s it possible, that seeing one of > his fellow creatures starving, destitute of every- > thing, a man can rest and live comfortably in his > luxurious mansion? H e who meets another in > the greatest misery, can he enjoy his fortune? > Therefore, in the Religion of God, it is prescribed > and estaBIished that wealthy men each year give > a certain part of their fortune for the main- > tenance of the poor and unfortunate. This is the > foundation of the Religion of God, and the most > essential of the Commandments. " > " While man is not forced by the Government, > whenever by the natural tendency of his good > heart, and with the greatest spirituality, he makes > provision for the poor, it is most praiseworthy, and > well pleasing to God and man." > > " Such is the meaning of the good works in the > > Divine Books and Tablets."- > > The above dhcourse on " Strikes,'' is taken from > an " Appendix," to the London 1908 edition of > " Some Answered Questions," Collected and > Translated from the Persian of 'Abdu'l-Bahh, by > -- - - - ---- -- pp- - - > . > pp > > 7 c > * > - > > s*ra *r --4 * i r l i * ' . - , 7 - -. = --a,- *'C * 4aLL& ,<-A > 'j > * I > > I > > To bring mirthfulness to every weeping one ; > To become salubrious water to every thirsty > one ; > To be the cause of glory to every fallen one; > THE -BEWARE TABLET. And to be charitable to all the p r . > I > > HE Friends of God and Handmaidens of Beware ! Beware ! Lest ye offend any heart ! > the Merciful must render service to the Beware ! Beware ! Lest ye hurt any soul ! > (3 Oneness of the Human world, and 13eware ! Beware ! Lest ye deal unkindly to- > show love and a 5 i t y to all the children of men. ward any person ! > They must deal with the utmost devotion, good- Beware ! Beware ! Lest ye be the cause of > will, love, and kindness, towards all Humanity." hopelessness to any creature ! > His Highness, Bahi'u'llih, addressing the Should any soul become the cause of grief to any > World says : one heart, or of despondency to any one soul, it > " Ye are all the leaves of One Tree, the fruits of were better for him to hide himself in the lowest > One Branch." Therefore the law of relationship, strata of the Earth, than to walk upon the Earth. > brotherhood, kinship, fatherhood and motherhood, Should any soul desire the abasement of his Kind, > is established and proven amongst all the families undoubtedly nonentity were better for him : his > of the Human Race. nonexistence better than his existence, and his > Endeavour Ye, with a11 your heart and soul, so death better than his life." > that you may live and act in accordance with the " Therefore my advice to you is : Endeavour as > Teachings of Bahir'u'llih. much as you can to show kindness to all men, t o > To become a shelter and an asylum to every deal with perfect love, affection and devotion with > oppressed one ; all the individuals of Humanity. Remove from > To assist and uplift every vanquished one ; amongst yourselves, racial, patriotic, religious, > To be a skilled physician to every sick one ; sectional, political, commercial, industrial, and > To bestow a swjfi healing antidote to every agricultural prejudices ; so that ye may become > wounded one ; the founders of the structures of the Oneness of > To inspire with confidence every fearful one ; Humanity. All countries are One country; all > To grant tranquillity and composure to every nations are the children of One Father. The > agitated one ; struggle for existence among the ferocious wolves > To gladden the heart of every depressed one ; has become the cause of all these differences, and > 50 51 > > & > V > - > > strifes; otherwise the expanse of the World is and be assured of it, by evidences in the lives of > spacious, and the Table of the Bounties of the > Almighty is spread in all regions."" > Then, indeed, will the Glory of dod ';cover > Upon Ye, be Baha El Abha ! the earth." Have not the Prophets, of every > (Signed) 'ABDU'L-BQHA ABBAS. Age proclaimed that " these things shall be ? " > God's Will is good-will to all mankind, and > One can scarcely read this Tablet of Bahb'u9- this knowledge should incline all to attune their > llbh with concentrated attention without being hearts to the countless melodies of the Divine > conscious that the Voice of God is calling, or Message for To-day, and to recognize that the > without experiencing a baptism of the Holy > Spirit. Some Bahais have called it "The > Beware Tablet," not only for obvious reasons to THE LORD OF HOSTS > be found in the Tablet itself, but perhaps also I > > with an inner knowledge of the necessity of has been manifested in accordance with the ful- > exercising constantly that divine kindness to filment of Prophecy, and is calling all men to > which we have ever been called by the Messengers unite under the Banner of Universal Harmony. > of God, in every Age. Divine kindness has been made manifest to the > To-day, that Call is again made clear by world through Baha'u'llah and ‘Abdu'l-&ha, I > Bahb'u'llbh, the Nightingale of SignXcances. the Greatest Branch, even as in former Time, I > Divine kindness has been manifested by Him, and it has, been manifested by Jesus, the Christ, 1 > has been exemplified in the life of 'Abdu'l-BahA, Whose teaching and the teaching of the Prophets > I > I > the Greatest Branch. anticipated the appearance of Bahh'u'llah and I > When that kindness which blends the human 'Abdu'l-Bahit in the world. I > > with the divine is manifested the world over, It remains for each and all of us to manifest > from each to all, in accordance with the Divine good-will to each other by the power of the > Exhortation, all will become conscious of the Spirit which gives life to us all, in order that the I > presence of the living God, for we shall in each Kingdom of God may be realized on Earth. I > > other, see glimpses of God-likeness, face to face, > I > * Translated by Mirsa Ahmad Sohrab, Washington, D.C. > Nor. 11, 1910. > i > > I > 'i > \ > > I ance with the necessities of the Time it has become > I due, and the inclination to dismiss Prophecy with > its broader scope as something belonging to the > THE UNIVERSALITY realms of uncertainty, has hidden the all-embrac- > LI > I > OF ETERNAL TRUTH. ing Purpose of Religion from view. > So we may not forget, that Truth is indivisible. > OWARDS the end of His time on Earth, W e must know that it is the Spirit of Truth which > > i > I > I > I > (3 things > Jesus clearly said there were " other > " which H e had to say unto His > > disciples, which then, they could not bear : but > that at a time when no man knoweth, " Another > moves the Prophets and Saviours of the world to > deliver the ITniversal Messages of God. They > always invite individual co-operation : therefore > Prophecy cannot be dismissed, for i t is laden with > would come in the Spirit of Truth, and guide them just and righteous Purpose for the whole of > into all Truth." H e also said when offering the > Cup at the Feast of His own Passover, " I will The recognition of Divine Universal Principles > not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until . is necessary to the happiness of individuals and > that day when I drink it new with you in My Nations. This knowledge will incidentally > Father's Kingdom." (Matt., Chap. 26, ver. 29.) bridge that painful difference of opinion between > Nearly 2,000 years have passed since those words Christians of some denominations concerning > were spoken with a meaning which covered the whether they should take an interest in the right- > Passing of the Son on the cross of rejection, and eous government of the world ; for application ot > the coming of the Father's Kingdom to establish the principles of Righteousness to national and > the Glory of God on Earth. international affairs will naturally make it easier > Yet, free as we have believed ourselves to be, for every one to live up to their Religion. Where- > Christians, in common with those of other Reli- as unjust social relationship between individuals > gions, have confined themselves to the habit of not or nations deprives many of hope, either in this > looking beyond the Teaching of the Founder of life or the life to come. Righteous Principles are > their own Religion-as that Teaching relates to all-comprehending and will put party politics out > individual salvation. This tendency, together of court. > with the disposition to idolatry and place-seeking To-Day, the comnlanding Voice of God speaks > rather than to obedience, creates a difficulty in through BahA'u'llAh, and we know it to be the > accepting further Revelstion now, when in accord- same Volce of Righteousness which has spoken > - -- > > through all the Manifestations of God Who have > appeared under different Names : from 'Moses, > Abraham, Jesus, or Mlgemmd, who all saw afore- > time that Divine Event which has come to pass UNIVERSAL > through the travail of their Soul-the rising of the PRINCIPLES OF B A H ~ U ~ L L A H . > Sun of Righteousness in the world of Humanity > to make all men One-the establishing of the HICH are Rays from the Sun of Right- > eousness now penetrating the mind of > Kingdom of God, on Earth. > Mankind, for they represent important > Bahi9u'll& comes in the Spirit of the Father, > therefore all we hold dear for the individual in the Measures of Justice, now over-due, and are essen- > Name of Jesus, H e gives in overwhelming tial to the establishing on Earth, of > measure; but His Teachings, fulfilling Prophecy, THEMOSTGREAT PEACE. > contain also further Revelation of God's Will con- > cerning Universal affairs, and the Divine Will is > clearly expressed in the Principles given to the > world by Him. They are the Ropes of God given > for the world's salvation in this time of difficulty > and transition, and to which all who desire the > protection of God should cling. For they are > essential to establish on Earth, the Most Great > Peace. Being Principles of Righteousness, tbey > are easy to understand, and should readily find n > home in every heart. > GOTTEN. > > PO. SOLUTION > OF THE ECONOMIC > PROBLEM. > \ > \ > > / i I > > A list of BahB'i publications will be appended Handmaidens of the Merciful are moved by > for those interested in further study of the Bahb'i the power of the Spirit coming through > Faith, and in the Sacred Writings of Bahb'u'l- ~ ~ h b ' u ' l l i h ;(the same Christ Spirit which filled > 1Ah and cAbdu'l-BahB, seekers after Tmth may Jesus) to spread the knowledge of the Oneness of I > find that which is more prccious than rubies, be- God and the Oneness of Mankind. > cause it pertains to eternal life. I > > This is to be found through the Holy Books of As Jems, an earnest student of the Scriptures, > God's Revelation which have been given in the recognising Himself in them was undoubtedly the > past, is found in the present Revelation of Bahi- best exponent of them, in His Day, so Bahh'u'llbh > 'u'llbh, and will be found in as many more Revela- in accepting Him, makes clear that the same Spirit > tions as may be necessary to bring Mankind into is evident in all the Manifestations of God-that > complete rapport with the Laws of God, which being one and the same Spirit, It proceeds from > pertain to general resurrection from the deadness the only Source of Majesty. So H e delivers to > of trespasses and error. us His Message, containing the greatest of all > The mines of wealth contained in God's Revela- = Knowledge, the Knowledge of God. It is obvious > tions to Mankind are now opened up to us afresh, therefore, to those who see with the eye of the > and more than they have ever been, through the Spirit, that Bahh'u'llhh is the very Sunrise of > penetrating Sight of Bahb'u'llih, who, seeing > their Inner Meaning to be One Harmonious Whole, H e expounds God's Laws for to-day, in clear > courteo~lslyinvites us to investigate and consider and pristine purity, in order that His Covenant > it for ourselves, that we may participate in His with God amongst the Nations may be fulfilled. > Vision of Eternal Truth which the all-compre- and that Heavenly Kingdom, which Jesus earned > hending Generosity of our God has provided for for, be established on Earth. > us. Clearly, H e shows, we are the inheritors Bahi'u'llbh, manifesting the Spirit of the Father, > of the Kingdom of Heaven. I n Unity, we are left, in accordance with Prophecy, His own Be- > rich indeed, but by separations and divisions we loved Son, 'Abdu'l-RahB, to be the Centre of His > have made ourselves poor. Covenant amongst the Nations, to establish the > The Inner Meaning of God's Revelation is the Kingdoni of God on Earth. And by His hard and > Cup of Oneness which Bahd'u'llih offers. And loving labour of delight, 'Abdu'l-Bahb has be- > those who accept it with understanding are im- queathed to the world wisdom and guidance, neces- > pelled to offer it to others ; for the Friends of God sary to protect the Cause of God from error. > - - aa-rurrrw- > -- - 7 > > \ > > I n the lives, and through the Sacred Tablets and They have made sincere attempts, but without > ' > Holy Writings of BahH'u'llih and 'Abdu'l-Bahi, the Guidance which comes from God, Man cannot > the Spirit earnestly 'says to all : " Come !" And bring Peace to the world. H e has been trying > unless the world heeds this Divine Invitation, it ever since the world began, and has miserably > is inevitable that great calamities will overtake it. > Jesus was the clear exponent of the Sacred It will be seen by all who consider them that > Writings before Him, and it will be seen that the Principles of Bahd'u'llAh contain the very > Bahit'uYll& and 'Abdu'l-Bahb are clear exponents essence of Peace : individual and universal. They > of the Divine Scriptures given before their appear- are absolutely without prejudice. No se&h in- > ance. Their own Sacred Writings are therefore terest can be conserved when they are established. > as precious as the records concerning Jesus; for And with these Pillars of uprightness and guiding > they make His sayings perfectly plain-and fulfil lines of construction-with Christ Jesus the magni- > the promise of further Divine Guidance. Jesus ficent Corner Stone, the rich gift of our Generous > gave us a New Commandment, W e have not God-we can with perfect confidence proceed to > kept it very well. He was the Corner Stone, establish the Kingdom of God on Earth. > wbich the builders of His Day refused. He BahH'u'llih has Covenanted with God, for this. > prayed for the Kingdom of God to come. Gathering up the desires and aspirations of the > Bahi'u'llhh brings Laws and Principles of Guid- Heavenly Messengers TVho have appeared before > ance, of universal importance-which are essential Him, H e has made His Covenant with sacrifice, > to it. He, therefore, coming to proclaim the Glory in order t o establish the Most Great Peace. > of God, is the Desire of Nations to-day, and God's Therefore, in this Day, a New Dispensation of > i > own Answer to the prayer of Jesus-" Thy King- > dom come, Thy Will be done, on Earth, as it is > the Spirit of God has come to us through > Bahi'u'lldh, and leaves from the Tree of L i f e are > I in Heaven. " given for the Healing of suffering Nations. > I > I Statesmen of many lands are assembling, and > not knowing that H e Who is the " Desire of > A brief historic note will be given on another > page, indicative of the outline of this most thrilling > Nations " has come to declare Universal Princi- Event of all Time-the Coming of the Kingdom > ples which are the Will of God, they are acting of God on Earth. I t will be seen that the Rib, > on behalf of the Nations in a way which has not blessed be His Name, the Door ! through which > yet brought Peace. Light came, bears the same relation to Bahb'u'lldh > - -- > -- 7 > Ae'*%..@.k > > I ., > i > > as John the Baptist bore to the Conling of Jesus- > ~~h~ fllffered martyrdom for that reason, and like- > wise madyrdorn happened to the Bhb. But every > calamity which has occurred in the history of the A UNIVERSAL > B&A'i Cause, has proved to be a great blessing AUXILIARY LANGUAGE. > fraught with benign consequence. T is written of men and nations that " a > What, for instance, could have seemed a greater little child shall lead them." Yes ; and > misfortune to the English people, the French, the 1 > German, the Italian, or those of any country, than I > to have a Divine Revelation coming to the world I > in a tongue unknown to then1 ! How much trouble " They shall not hurt or destroy in all my Holy > has arisen to Christians, because they have been > unable to read exactly what Jesus said in the langu- > Mountain : I > For the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge I > > age in which H e spoke, or in which His sayings of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." I > were first recorded ! It is not impossible that some 1 > meanings have crept in which mere not exactly And we know it is the word which the Lord > His. So great is the power of His Spirit however, bath spoken, for it is coming to pass. Even at the > that it would have been impossible for any recorder time when men repudiate simplicity for leader- I > to conceal It. It is recognisable by the simple ship i t is significant that this is so, for ''although > minded, and is something we can each know and > be sure of, in spite of diiliculties. Yet, neverthe- > the leaders of the people cause them to err,"- > " the zeal of the Lord of Hosts doth accomplish > ! I > > less, it would have been joyous to have been able 1 > to read His meanings in the tongue in which He When Bahir'u'llhh in the zenith of His Man- > spoke to His disciples, or even for all the Nations hood, was confined with His companions in prison, > to be able t o read them in one and the same by despotic governments, and religious fanaticism, I > language. And indeed, we have the means for > this at hand. How true it is, that " there is > with the heavy chains of persecution around their > pecks-for teaching in God's Name that the > I > > nothing which we may think or speak, which the > Spirit has not power to accomplish !" > " bonds of affection and Unity between the song > > of m,en should be strengthened; that diverJity of . > religions should cease, and differences of race be * I > 0nnulled ;and proclaiming that fruitless strife and > 62 63 1i > ruinous wars should pass away-that all men should was 19 years of age, the language was more or less > live as brothers," and that the " most Great Peace ready, and Zamenof and his colleagues celebrated > shall come," God was preparing a little child (who its birth in a college festival; but the author was > listened at his mother's knee, in another part of > still too young to pubfish his work, and decided t o > the world)--to do a mighty work in furthering one > wait five or six years. While attending the univer- > of the Principles which the Divine Mind through > sity he gave all his spare time in those most precious > Bah6'uYllAhwas promulgating as essential to usher > years of youth to the study and perfection of his > in, and secure, Universal Peace. That child after- > invention. After many disappointments, he suc- -- > wards became Dr. Zamenof, who is now renowned > ceeded in publishing it at his own cost, in 1887." > for presenting to the world the International Auxi- > liary language, known as Esperanto. q, " Thus we see Esperanto > - is the outcome of years > " Dr. Zamenof was born in 1859, at Bielestock, of patient perseverance on the part of a man of > in Poland. The inhabitants there consisted of genius. Now, it can be learned at the cost of a > four different elements : Russians, Poles, Ger- few hours pleasant study per week, during a period > mans, and J ews : all speaking different languages, of six months. Of what national language can > and living at enmity with each other. The young this be said?"* > boy was strongly impressed with the fact that an How good it is to have, in the face of such > alien language is a primary cause of international apparently overwhelming difficulties, this practical > hatred, and at an early age he pondered over the assurance that there is, as Shakespeare wrote, " ,4 > strange dierence between the creed his mother Divinity which shapes our ends." And without > taught him, " the brotherhood of man," and the doubt many could point to other events, events > actual opposite of this, which he saw on all sides. which have contributed to '' The One far-off > Child as he then was, he acutely sorrowed for the Divine Event," of which Tennyson sang, and to > world, and gradually became filled with an un- which " the whole Creation," has now moved : > faltering ambition to change all this. From this For, even in the darkness of the night which the > determination he never swerved, although of world has known, it has approached us so nearly as > course, he found as he grew up, that the boy's t o have taken place in our own Dag ! > idea of unlimited power was exaggerated. Neter- Now He, Bahh'u'llhh, the Desire of Nations, has > theless, while at school and at college, he still fr Come, of necessity bringing with Him Divine > j > persevered in his endeavour to unite all men in a > . > common tongue . . . " " I n 1879, when he > * (Margaret L. Jones. 66 > Esperanto Manual.") > - - > ----'*l--~~-~"+"~Wa > > r k > > \ > > Laws and Principles which-will make all men One. > Is not this that to which all Ages have aspired? . > > Let us read'how His Beloved. Son, 'Abdu'l- > Bahh, b e * q set free from the bonds of oppression, > ABDU L-BAHA IN PARIS. > laboured throughout the world to promulgate those DDRESSING the Paris Esperanto Group, > Principles of salvation, and decide, when we February 12th, 1913, at a banquet given > have read, what we are going to do, now H e has left in his honour a t the Hotel Modern in that > us, toward spreading a knowledge of them, and city, after a brief introduction by M. Bourlet, the > what part we shall take in getting them established, President of the Paris Esperanto Society, > and what support and encouragement we shall give 'Abdu'l-Bahh said : > to those who are bent on this great Purpose? " One of the revealed Principles of the Universal > W e know we can do nothing of ourselves. It is, Religion is the establishing of a Universal > as BahA'u'lldh has taught us, " the Executive > R w e r of God's Spirit, which enables His servants > to perform His orders." undertakings are divided into two kinds-universal > and specific. The result of every universal effort > is infinite, and the outcome of every specific effort > > " I n this age, those human problems which > create a general interest are universal ;their r e d t s > are likewise universal, for humanity has become > interdependent. The international laws of to-day > are of vast importance since international politics > are bringing nations nearer to one another. It is > a general axiom that in the world of human endea- > vour, every universal affair commands attention > and its results and benefits are limitless. There- > fore let us say that every universal cause is divine, > and every specific matter is human. The universal > light for this planet is from the sun ; and the special > light here to-night, which is electric, illumines > - > w > -- --- - - -- --- - - > > ' > , > > >1 > > this banquet hall through the invention of man. the Arabic language grew to be the means of > In like manner the activities which endeavour to inter-communication. and thev became as one > establish solidarity between nations and to infuse nation. They all speak the Arabic language to > the spirit of universalism in the hearts of the chil- this day. In Syria if you ask any one of them he > dren of men'are like unto divine rays from the Sun will say, ' I am a n Amb,' thoUgh in reality he > of Reality, and the brightest ray is the coming of is not. Some are Greeks, others Jews, etc. W e > the Eniversal Language. Its achievement is the say, ' This man is a German, the other an Italian, > greatest virtue of the age, for such an instrument > will remove misunderstandings from amongst the > S > a Frenchman, an Englishman, etc. All belong > to the great human family, yet language is a barrier > C. > peoples of the earth and unite their hearts. This % > &I - > between them. The greatest working- basis for > mediunl will enable each individual member of the bringing about Unity and Harmony amongst the > human fanlily to be informed of the scientific nations is the teaching of a universal tongue. > accomplishments of all his fellow men. Writing on this subject, 50 (now 60) years ago, > " The basis of knowledge and the excellencies of His Holiness Bahi'u'llh said that complete union > endeavour in this world are to teach and to be - hetween the various sections of the world would be > taught. To acquire sciences and to teach them in an unrealised dream as long as an international > turn depends upon language, and when the inter- language was not established." > national auxiliary language becomes universal, it " Misunderstandings keep people from mutual > m - > > is easily conceivable that the acquirement of know- association and these misunderstandings will not > ledge and instruction will likewise become > s be dispelled except through the medium of a > universal. ' comnlon ground of communication. Every intel- > " NO doubt you are aware that in the past ages ligent man will bear testimony to this." > a common language shared by various nations " The people of the Orient are not Eully in- > created a spirit of solidarity amongst them. For formed of the events in the West, and the West > instance 1300 years ago, there were many diver- cannot put itself into sympathetic touch with the > gent nationalities in the Orient. There were East. Their thoughts are enclosed in a casket. > Copts in Egypt, Syrians in Syria, Assyrians and The Universal language will be the key to open it. > Babylonians in Baghdad arid Mesopotamia. Western books will be translated into that > There existed among these peoples rank language and the people of the East will be in- > hatred but as they were gradually brought nearer formed of the contents : likewise Eastern lore will > through common protection and common interests, become the property of the West. Thus also will > k > -- -- - > -*d*---*,%,k.nn*-*- 1 > \ > > i > X * > > those misunderstandings which exist between the the future conferences and congresses will be car- > different Religions be dispersed. Religious preju- ried on in Esperanto. I n the future two languages > dices play havoc among the peoples and bring - will be taught in the schools, one the native tongue, > about warfare and strife, and it is impossible to and the other the International Auxiliary > remove,them without a language in common." > "I am an Oriental and on this account I am shut "Consider to-day how difficult is human commu- > out from your thoughts and you likewise from nication. One may study fifty languages and yet > mine. A mutual language will become the travel through a country and be at a loss. I > mightiest means of universal progress towards the myself know several of the Oriental languages > union of East and West. It will make the earth but know no Western tongue. Had this Univer- , I > one home, and become the divine impulse for sal language pervaded the globe, I should have > human advancement. It will upraise the Standard studied it, and you would have been directly in- > of Oneness of the world of Humanity and make formed of my thoughts, and I of yours, and a > the earth a universal commonwealth. I t will be special friendship would have been established > the cause of love between the children of men and > create good fellowship between the various creeds." > . between us. > " Please send some Teachers to Persia, if you I > > " Praise be to God that Dr. Zamenof has con- > > structed the Esperanto language. It has all the > can, so that they may teach Esperanto to the young > people. I have written asking some of them to I > potential qualities of universal adoption. All of come here to study it. I > us must be grateful to him that in his noble efforts "I hope that it will be promulgated very rapidly, I > I > in this matter he has served his fellow men well. then the world of humanity will find peace. AU > H e has constructed a language which will confer the nations will associate with each other like I > divine benefits on all peoples. w i t h untiring mothers and sisters, fathers and brothers, and > effort and self-sacrifice on the part of its devotees each member of the body politic will be fully in- 1 > > i t gives promise of universal acceptance. formed of the thoughts of all. > " Therefore every one of us should study this "I am extremely grateful to you, and thank you I > language and make every effort to spread it, so for these lofty efforts, for you have gathered at I > that each day it may receive a wider recognition, ihis banquet to further this language. Your hope I > be accepted by all nations and Governments of the is to render a mighty service to Humanity and for I > > world, and become a part of the curriculum in all this great aim, I congratulate you from the bottom > the public schools. I hope that the business of of my heart." > THE HEALING OF THE NATIONS. > W O R L D made up of contending factions > is a world diseased and suffering ;because, > " a house divided against itself cannot > stand." Physically, this round globe is " One > Home " for Mankind ; a generous gift of the > Creator, containing wonder upon wonder, and > bounty upon bounty, yet to be discovered. All > the Designs of God are generous above the con- > ception of men, and His Ideal Man, who reflects > His Glory, the most glorious gift of all. > The reader now knows the Principles of Bahb' > u'llih, which come as God's gift To-day for the > Healing of the Nations, and we are all aware of > AnPIAlOC 11 AVRIL > the unrest in the world, and ~f the need for re-con- > struction, even in our o m country. But there > are other countries suffering more, and bearing > things which have long been too unbearable- > through religious, political, racial, social, agricul- > tural, industrial, commercial, and other prejudices. - > Therefore, every Nation would, if aware of it, Jeudi > welcome with a '' loud voice," and with " glad > hosannas," Hiin U'ho comes, in the Name of God, . . > - > to tell us that in this Day, f c Prejudices of all kinds > must be forgotten." > When we hear that whole nations are from time > UnlP bL f bL't.Zlll+lr > I/ Lever du !3oleil: 5.17 > t IL~urgbc. qKf. B/rz. flrtur- Coucher 8 6. 42 > yrtudd?: U~bn.U. UbbGh.. 12 h . & & I Tttrouc: 6.48 > > t o time well nigh massacred, or occasionally some > " 150 villages demolished," because of prejudices > -- -- - 7 > > ,w* > YU*" ~ ~ - ~ ~ A ~ d Y & F x i > > of one kind or another, we clearly see that nothing and the large figure below tells us i t is the 7th. > short of the abolition of prejudices could remedy The right section gives the name of the month as > such unhappy conditions ; conditions which were Rebi-ul-Akir, and the date as the 21st. These > more familiar to Bahi9u'll&, and others who live indicate respectively the official year and the > in the East, than they are to us, to whom they ordinary M+ammadan year. W e also learn that > only become known through those who have the month of Nisan has 30 days, and Rebi-ul-Akir > travelled and sojourned in those regions. Let us 29. The small characters beneath the large 21 tell > take note of some of the differences which tend us that it is the 164th day of Ksssim. This is the > to perpetuate them, bearing in mind while we do reckoning of the Turkish peasant, who knows > SO that " Order is Heaven's first law." nothing of months. The year for him has two > " A striking instance of the confusion arising divisions, Kassim, which begins on the 8th of > from conflicting chronologies and modes of reckon- November, and Hidrelis, on the 8th of May. The > ing time appears on the previous page. It is the Hebrew characters at the foot of the page inform > replica of a leaf taken in 1911 from an ordinary us that it is Thursday 22 Nisan 5671. Thus our I > > " tear off " calendar in every-day use in business indicator has four dates for the year, four names > houses at Constantinople." for the month, and six numberings of the day for I > > " A glance will suffice to show that it is not the this particular Thursday. But we have not pene- > simple affair to which we are accustomed at home ; trated all its mysteries. I n the French section > but a closer examination reveals complexities to ' > we meet with the startling assertion that noon is > which the six languages in which it is printed are 11 minutes past 5 to the Turks, and that 12 o'clock > but the threshold. " Turkish time is 49 minutes past 6 with us. This I > ' 1 > ''At the top of the page we are living in the year is accounted for by the fact that the Turkish day > 1329 ; half-way down in 1911 ; and at the foot in begins at sunset, and is divided, like ours, into > 5671. This bewildering anachronism is followed two periods of 12 hours each. Hence on the 30th > by another. I n the section printed in French it of June, noon and midnight are 24 minutes past > is the 20th of April, and in the Greek section on 4, whilst on the 10th of December they are 29 > the left it is the 7th, for the Greeks adhere to the > Old Style. The narrow strip across ihe middle > minutes past 7." > " All this may look like an ingenious puzzle, but > ~ > of the leaf is Bulgarian. Turning to the Turkish it is a serious necessity to the man of business. In > section at the top, the confusion increases, for transactions with the Government on this ~ a r t i - I > on the left hand we find that the month is Nisan, cular Thursday, 20% of April, 1911, he has to be > 74 75 > - - > - > -- > pp > > I-. > I > i > - > A - > > careful that documents were dated 7th of Nisan, > 1327. I n those with a Turkish merchant, a bill > of exchange or cheque had to be dated 21st Rebi- > d-Akir, 1329. I n buying produce from a farmer > his receipt or order was 164th Krrssim. I n deal- > ings with a Greek firm it was important to remem- > ber that it was the 7th, not the 21st, whilst in > W n g an appointment with a Turk for 1 o'clock > . > > - > but Judzo-Spanish. > lingual confusion. "" > This is, perhaps, the acme of > > If we who know and speak only one tongue do > not always understand each other, we may well > believe that the suspicions 2nd hatreds and mur- > derous outbreaks we read of from time to time > must, in a great measure, be due to misunderstand- > i > > ings consequent on such confusion; and not alto- > in the afternoon it was necessary to write 1.1 gether because the hearts of those who live in those > minutes past 6. As the time of sunset varies every regions are less human than our own, as we have > day, clocks and watclies must be altered constantly. been prone to believe. > Some people carry two watches, one marking What, then, is the Divine Remedy? W e have > European, the other Turkish time ; but many use seen, from a perusal of the Principles of Bahb'u'- > one watch with two dials." llbh, that a Universal Auxiliary Language is part > " W e have not exhausted the information con- of it. And a mere glance d the leaf of this > tained in the leaflet. For the Greeks the day is calendar would make it impossible for anyone t o > Great Thursday (Mega16 Pempt6), for the ignore such merciful remedy. How could a > Armenians it is the Annunciation of the Holy Universal Teacher be understood without it ? Only > Mother of Jesus (Avedis Soorp Asvadzazin), and with great difficulty. Some would die before they > the Washing of the disciples' feet (Vndnaluvaeen). knew Him, for it takes devoted men of learning > 'Therefore, the man of business must remember and enthusiasm to translate a Message into every > that Greek and Armenian establishments are tongue. The Message of BahA'u'llAh inspires > closed. " many to undertake this difficult service. Other- > " There are newspapers at Constantinople in > wise we should not be able to read of it in English. > Turkish, Greek, Armenian, Arabic, and Persian. The conditions of the world and the Time in > One constantly hears in the streets Skipetar and which we live undoubtedly require a Universal > Vlach, the forn:er the speech of the Albanians, the Auxiliary Language. A nd, equally, t6e appli- > latter of the \Vai!achians. The babel is increased cation of all the Principles of BahA'u'llBh is essen- > by vario~isEuropean tongues, with an occasional tin1 for the Healing of the Nations. > dash of Kurdish or Georgian. Among the news- p > I > As already remarked, there could be no > papers is one in Hebrew characters, not in Hebrew, * (See Turkey and the Turks," !?y Z. Duckett Ferriman. 191 1 > " > > 76 Mills & Boon). > / I > > greater trial to those who are earnestly waiting for 'ABDU'L-BAHA IN LONDON > a Divine Message whatever language they speak, AT THE CITY TEMPLE. > or to whatever couxi'try they belong, than for it to > be given in a tongue unknown to them. Yet so it After enduring, in company with His Father > is ; for the Heavenly Fragrances from the Ridvin Bahh'u'llAh, persecution, confinement, and Exile, > (Garden of Paradise) find Utterance in this Day, I-. under the Pekian and Turkish Governments for a > in the rich and melodious languages of Persia and period of forty years, when the Turkish Constitu- > Arabia. tion was formed-'Abdu'l-Bahh, being regarded as > This seems strange at first, yet the Wisdom a political prisoner-was set free. > of it clearly coincides with the Divine Purpose. I t > I n 1911 He visited England, coming first to > will test the sincerity of seekers after Truth, serve > London, where H e addressed large audiences of > to abolish prejudice, and incline all to a Universal > different denominations through Kis interpreters. > > i1 tongue more quickly and more easily learned, and > remain a Sacred Treasury for all time, which em- > braces and is complementary to earlier Sacred > Utterances. > H e afterwards visited Paris, Stuttgart, Switzer- > land, and Buda-Pest. > " On September llth, the first Sunday after His > I > > *The Bahh'i Teachings advocate the adoption of arrival in England, H e spoke from the City > a universal calendar in which the year is divided Temple pulpit to the evening congregation at the > into 19 months of 19 days each, with 4 or 5 '' inter- special desire of the Pastor, the Rev. R. J. > calary " days between the 18th and 19th months, Campbell. > the New Year commencing at the Vernal Equinox, " Though 'Abdu'l-Bahb's coming had not been > > and the years being numbered from the date of the advertised, the Church was filled )to its utmost > Proclamation of the Bhb in A.D. 1844. capacity. Few who were there will ever forget > 'Abdu'l-Bahh interpreted the 1,335 days the sight of that venerable figure clad in His > *,, > i spoken of at the end of the Book of Daniel as kc Eastern garb, ascending the pulpit stairs to address > > "< > [ > I: > :I- > > " 7 1 meaning 1,335 solar years after the Hegira, i.e., I > a public gathering for the first time in His life. > ' A.D. 1957. Andsaid: That this should be a Christian place of worship > " By that time the Bahb'i Teachings will be > in the West has its deep significance. > Universally spread; a IJniversal Language " Mr. Campbell introduced the visitor with a > I adopted; few simple words, in the course of which he said : > I " And the MOSTGREATPEACE inaugurated." " W e as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, > \ > '- - * Given through Dr. Esslemont on his visit to Acca > Jan.-Feb., 1920. > --- - - -."-- I > - __- -" > > I > I I 1 > I > n > f > > Who is to us, and will always be, the Light of the greatest welfare of Mankind. Enmity is now the > World, view with sympathy and respect every result of prejudice only. > movement of the Spirit of God in the experience " I n the ' Hidden Words,' Bahd'u'llhh -says : > of mankind; and therefore we give greeting to ' Justice is to be loved above all.' Praise be to > 'Abdu'l-BahB in the name of all who share the God, in this country the Standard of Justice has > Spirit of our Master and are t ~ i n gto live their been raised. A great effort is being made to give > lives in that Spirit. all souls a true -place. This is the desire of all > " The Bahi'i Movement is very closely akin to, noble natures. This is to-day the Teaching for > I think I might say identical with, the spiritual the East and for the West. Therefore the East > purpose of Christianity. " and the West will understand and reverence each > " 'Abdu'l'BahA said : other, and embrace like long parted friends who > " O Noble Friends, seekers after God ! Praise have found each other. > be t o God ! To-day the Light of Truth is shining '' There is One God. Mankind is One. Let us > upon the world in its abundance. The breezes of worship Him, and give praise for all His great > the Heavenly Garden are blowing throughout all Prophets and Messengers, who have manifested > regions. The Call of the Kingdom is heard in aH His brightness and glory." > lands, and the breath of the Holy Spirit is felt in > all hearts that are faithful. T h e Spirit of God is " INSCRIPTION I N THE OLDBIBLE." > giving Eternal Life. I n this wonderful Age, the > East is enlightened, the West is fragrant, and > everywhere the soul inhales the holy perfume. " This is the Holy -Book of God, of Celestial in- > " The Sea of the Unity of Mankind is lifting up f > spiration. I t is the Bible of Salvation, the noble > its waves with joy, for there is real communication .. Gospel. It is the mystery of the Kingdom and > between the hearts and ininds of men. The its Light. It is the Divine Bounty. The sign > > i > Banner of the Holy Spirit is uplifted, and men of the Guidance of God." > see it, and are assured with the knowledge that 'ABDU'L-BAHA ABBAS . > this is a New Day. . . . (" 'Abdzc'l-Bahci i n London," pp. 3-5.) > " I n the days of old an instinct for warfare was > developed in the struggle with wild animals. This i > is no longer necessary. Nay, rather co-operation > and mutual understanding are seen to produce the > 'ABDU'L-BAHA can understand is partial. It is not complete. > AT ST. JOHN'S, WESTMINSTER. Divinity is actual Truth and Real existence, and > not any representation of it. Divinity itsel£ con- > " On September the 17th' 'Abduyl-Bahh, at the tains all, and is not contained. > request of the Venerable Archdeacon of West- " Although the mineral, vegetable, animal and > minster addressed the congregation of St. John man all have actual being, yet the mineral has no > the Divine after the evening Service. knowledge of the vegetable. It cannot apprehend > ;r > " With a few warm words characteristic of his it. It c a m t imagine or understand it. > whole attitude Archdeacon Wilberforce i n t w " It is the same with the vegetable. Any pro- > duced the revered Messenger from the East, who gress i t may make, however highly it may become > had crossed seas and countries on His Mission of developed, it will never apprehend the animal nor > Peace and Unity for which He had suffered forty understand it. > years of captivity and persecution. " It is the same with the animal. However > " The Archdeacon had the Bishop's chair placed much it may progress in its own kingdom, how- > for his Guest on the Chancel steps, and standing - ever refined its feelings may become, i t will have > beside Him read the translation of 'Abdu'EBahh's no real notion of the world of man or of his special 1 > > address himself. intellectual faculties. I > " 'Abdu'l-Bahi said : " The animal cannot understand the roundness 1 > " 0 Noble Friends ! -0Seekers after the King- of the earth, nor its motion in space, nor the cen- 1 > dom of God! Man all over the world is seeking tral position of the sun, nor the power of eledri- > > for God. All that exists is God : but the Reality city; nor can it imagine such a thing as the all- > 1I > > of Divinity is Holy above all understanding. pervading ether. " 1 > " The pictures of divinity which come to our " Although the mineral, vegetable, animal, and > mind are the product of our fancy; they exist in man himself are actual beings, the difference be- \ > > the realm of our imagination. They are not ade- tween their Kingdoms prevents members of the I > quate to the Truth. Truth in its essence cannot lower degree from comprehending the essence and I > be put into words. nature of those of superior degree. This being so, I > " Divinity cannot be comprehended because it is how can the temporal and phenomenal compre- > comprehending. hend the Lord of Hosts? > " Man, who has also a real existence, is compre- > " I t is clear that this is impossible ! I > hended by God : therefore the Divinity which man " But the essence of Divinity, the Sun of Truth, > shines forth upon all horizons and is spreading its and bear the Message of God, fitted to the Age in > rays upon all things. Each creature is the re- which they appear. The One Light is in them > cipient of some portion 'of that power, and man, all, and they are One with each other. But the > who contains the perfection of the mineral, the Eternal does not become phenomenal : neither can > vegetable, and the animal, as well as his own dis- the phenomenal become Eternal. > tinctive qualities, has become the noblest of created " Saint Paul, the great Apostle, said : ' W e all > > beings. It stands written that he is made in the with open face, beholding as: in a mirror the glory > image of God. Mysteries that were hidden he of Cdd, are changed into the same image from > discovers. And secrets that were concealed he glory to glory, as by the spirit of the Lord.' " > brings into the light. By Science and by Art he > brings hidden powers into the region of the visible > world. Man perceives the hidden law in created > PRAYER. > things and co-operates with it. " 0 God the Forgiver! 0 Heavenly Educa- > " Lastly, the perfect man, the Prophet, is one tor! This assembly is adorned with the mention > who is transfigured, one who has the purity and of Thy Holy Name. Thy children turn their face > clearness of a perfect mirror--one who reflects the towards Thy Heavenly Kingdom, hearts are made > Sun of Truth. Of such a one-of such a Prophet happy, and souls are comforted. > and Messenger-we can say that the Light of " Merciful God! Cause us to repent of our > Divinity with the heavenly perfections dwells in shortcomings ! Accept us in Thy \HeavenlyKing- > him. dom and give unto us an abode where there shall > " If we claim that the Sun is seen in the mirror, be no error. Give us Peace. Give us Know- > we do not mean that the Sun itself has descended ledge. And open unto us the gates of Thy > from the holy heights of his heaven and entered Heaven. > into the mirror ! This is impossible. " Thou art the Giver of all ! Thou art the > " The Divine Nature is seen in the Manifesta- Forgiver ! Thou art the ixerciful. Amen." > tions and its Light and Splendour are visible in " The congregation was profoundly moved, and > > extreme glory. following the Archdeacon's example knelt to re- > " Therefore men have always been taught by ceive the Blessing of the Servant of God-Who > the Prophets of God. The Prophets of God are stood with extended arms-His wonderful voice > the Mediators of God. All the Holy Prophets % rising and falling in the silence with the power of > snd Messengers have come horn one Holy Spirit His invocation. > 1 85 > - - - - -- - - > - -"U rc* > I &Ma-'-* > -- , - > ri > > " A S the Archdeacon said : ' T ~ l ythe East > and the West have met in this sacred plWe to- > night-' The hjrmn ' 0 God our help in Ages > Past ' was sung by the entire congregation stand- > ing, as ' ~ b d u ' l - ~ a hand > i the Amhdeacon p d 'ABDUL-BAHA IN LIVERPOOL- > down the aisle to the vestry hand in hand. > I n 1912 'Abdu'l-BbiL toured the United States > " Outside the Church, Salvationists were hold- > of America, addressing assemblies of everg ReE- > ing their Meeting and 'Abdu'l-Bahi was deeply gious denomination, Ethical Societies, Socialists, > impressed and touched at the sight of the men, and Agnostics. And after that most successful > lvomen and children, gathered together in the tour, meeting with welcome everywhere, on ~ ~ r i v - > , > night, at the street corner praying and singing.¶' ing in Liverpool, found also, in that city, assem- > ('Abdu'l-Bahh in London.) blies awaiting Him, eager to give ear to the m a - I > sage of Peace H e had to deliver to the world. I > Engagements in London, Edinburgh, Bristol, and > - elsewhere, made it impossible for Him to stay long 1 > in Liverpool. H e addressed the Theosophists 1 > there, and also the Baptists a t Pembroke Chapel. I > On Sunday evening, December 15th, 1912, after > being introduced by the Minister, Rev. I > > Donald B. Fraser, he made courteous reply, > saying how delighted he was to meet sueh > a large congregation, in a Church so re- > nowned for its high social endeavour, and faith > in God. Many had arrived from surrounding dis- 1 > > tricts and Manchester, long before the gates were > opened. On that happy occasion, speaking in > Persian, Ahmad Sohrab interpreting, > Abdu'l-Bahi said : > " The greatest prize this world holds is the con- > summation of the Oneness of Humanity. All are > the children of God. God is the Creator, the Pro- > ~ -~ -~ > -. > . . -p > > -. > > 1i- vider, the Protector of all. H e educates all of us, > and is compassionate towards men. His grace en- > compasses all Mankind. The Sun of God, shines > upon all Mankind. The rain of God falis for all. > that it establishes fellowship between the various > organizations of man. > Peace not for War. > f he-~eli~ion > Why should we > of God is for > ever make it > a cause of separation and alienation? It is a remedy > > li The gentle breeze of God wafts for all. Bumanity > at large is sitting around the Divine Table of the > to bestow health and recovery. Why should we > ever make it a cause of disease and sickness? > I/ Almighty. Why should we engage in strife? W e are all the children of God, all are His ser- > 7 Why should we ever engage on the battlefield to vants. The glances of His Mercy, encircle us all. > I kill each other? God is kind is H e not? Why - He has bestowed Religion - that it may be the > 4 should we be unkind? What is the reason? How means of bringing together the various members > i. are we benefited by being unkind? To-day, the of His Family. Yet in the Orient such a means > chief means of dissension amongst the Nations is of illumination has become the cause of rancour > Religion ; while in Reality, the Religion of God, between the people of various Religions. They > is One. Differences lie in blind imitations which shed the blood of one another. They pillaged each > have crept into Religion after its foundation. Reli- . other's property, they sacrificed each other's chil- > gion is Reality, and Reality is One. It does not dren. There was great commotion and constant > permit of multiplicity. His Holiness Abraham warfare going on. Darkness had encircled the > was the Herald of Reality. His Holiness Moses Radiance of Religion. The Horizon of Reality was > was the Spreader of Reality. His Holiness Jesus hidden by clouds of imitations and dogmas, and no > was the Founder of Reality. His Holiness rays of the Sun could penetrate these clouds." > Muhammad was the Spreader and Promulgator of " A t such a time His Holiness Rahh'u'll&h > Reality. The Reality of Religion, is One. Funda- appeared in Persia. H e summoned the people of > mentally there is no difference. The Reality of various Religions to love and friendship. A t this > Religion consists in the Love of God, in the Faith time in Persia, the Jews, the Christians, the Mus- > of God, in the virtue of Humanity, and in the lims, the Zoroastrians, the Buddhists, all of con- > means of communication between the hearts of tending Religions, were ever fighting each o t h e ~. > men. The Reality of Religion is the Oneness of Having heard the words of Bahh'u'llhh, many are > the Whole of Humanity. now living in the utmost unity. What harm can > " What is the IVisdom of Religion may we ask? > accrue if such amity becomes permanent through- > There is no doubt whatever that the Wisdom of out the civilised and uncivilised world? > Religion is love and amity amongst the people; " Bahj'u'llAh declared International Peace. I n > Persia, many years ago, H e declared International > - > Peace, amongst ~ e l i ~ i o nand > s Nations, and be- > tween the Races of every clime. With.the greatest > power and penetration did H e arise to spread prin- ~ABDU~L-BAHA > TO THE JEWS. > ciples of Peace. For this, H e was thro-m into > ONTINUING, at Pembroke Chapel, > prison, and suffered great hardships. His proper- > ties were pillaged. His friends were martyred. > More than 20,000 souls sacrificed their lives, so that > 0 'Abdu'l-Bahi said : > '' While in America I spoke in a Taber- > nacle of the Jews, I said in that Synagogue, that > the Oneness of the World of Humaniity might be > the misunderstandings which exist between the > realized. > Jews and Christians have been the cause of their > " All His life Bah&'uYUAhendured great calami- separation and their hatred of each other. I f the > ties and hardships. 0-ften H e was in chains. > Israelite investigates Reality there is no doubt that > Sometimes H e was living in Exile. Often H e was > he will come to the conclusion that he must associ- > incarcerated in barracks. Notwithstanding these ate with, and love his brother Christian. Hatred > stumbling blocks, ever H e strove, ever H e worked, > ! > so that H e became able to establish amity among > . must not linger any longer because the Jews to-day > imagine, and in former times imagined, that Christ > I the people of contending Religions. Religion was the opposer, or enemy of Moses, that His Holi- > must become the cause of Love. I f it becomes ness Christ was against Moses. To the Jews, > the cause of enmity, what use is there for it? > I further said : You think Christ destroyed the > Religion must become the cause of prosperity. > foundation of Moses; but let us be fair, let us be > Alas ! &4thousand times alas ! that it should have just, and investigate Reality. The Cause of Moses, > become the cause of rancour ! Consider, ignorance the Religion of Moses, for 1,500 years was circum- > has reached such a degree of folly, that it is the scribed within the boundary of Jerusalem. The > duty of Humanity to investigate Reality. No one Bible was only found in that small locality. Other > must be satisfied with mere traditions. Traditions parts of the world never heard the name of Moses. > differ, and cause misunderstandings to remain. > Even the people of Persia never heard the name of > I'hese misunderstandings have created direful > Moses. They had never seen the Book of Moses > eonditions. " H e raised > until His Holiness Christ appeared. > the Name of Moses. His Holiness Christ Pro- > mulgated the Old Testament throughout the > Orient and the Occident. During the Mosaic Dis- > - . > I ? - - -- - - > * a. "- -< . > > .- 2.. "7%>W.?hS % > >-"% > *-- W > e ~ A A ~ * + d * - * ~ - * * ~ - - * ~ - ~ 4 * ~ k - -4- > > rc > ,J > > I > > pensation, the Bible was only translated into one is dissension between Religions. For instance, in > language. But through the blessing of Christian- the Book of the Qmn, His Holiness Maammad > ity, the Bible was translated into many la~guages > f mentions the Name of His Holiness the Christ. > > I > and spread throughout the world. Consider what It is from the text of the Quran, that Christ is > love Christ had for Moses. His Holiness Christ called the Word of God, the Spirit of God. It is > promulgated the fundamental Principles of Moses. tlie record of the Qm that Mary the mother of > f > The Ten Commandments H e spread throughout > 8 . > the world. H e made famous all the Israelitish > Christ was living in the Holy of 'Holies, that she > had the fellowship of the Almighty, and that food > Prophets. were it not for the appearance of descended from Heaven for her. It is written in > Christ, how could the people of America ever have the Quran that the Holy Spirit, addressing Mary, > heard the name of Moses? Bow could the Bible said : ' Oh, Mary ! be faithful to God, for H e hath > have become a household Book? All these ser- created thee pure and sanctified, and hath made > vices were rendered by Jesus Christ. Now let us thee superior over all the women of the world.' > find out, after these statements, whether Christ And again, it is written in the Quran that ' Christ > was the enemy of &loses, or His best Friend? Be ascended into Heaven, and that H e will again > just. His Holiness Christ was the spreader of the return from Heaven.' Again, that' ' Christ is > Mosaic Movement. H e spread the Old Testa- Pure, and Unique.' So most of the praises and > ment. Notwithstanding this, you are thinking He Commands of Christ are recorded in the Book > was the enemy of Moses. Why not abandon these which is considered Sacred by 300 millions of > prejudices? The Christians believe that Moses Muslims. Just think of the present misunder- > was the Prophet of God, that the Bible is the Book standing between these two Religions! The pre- > of God, and that all the IsraelibtishProphets were sence of misunderstanding has caused the warfare > the mouthpieces of God. What harm would there of the last 1,300 pears between Christians and Mus- > be, if you came out and said : ' Christ is the Word lims. Think of one Crusade which lasted 200 > of God,' so that this dissension may cease? And years ! Yet Religious warfare continues ! There > so that fellowship may be established eternally be- are more than 260 million Muhammadans through- > tween the Jews and the Christians? I f you just out the world. You cannot destroy this colossaI > say these words : ' Christ is the Word,' it will show number. Therefore if there is love and fellowship > that you have investigated Reality, and dissension among the Jews, the Christians, and the Muham- > p > will be left behind. R madans, the Orient and the Occident will find the > " When we are not investigating Reality there ; greatest composure and Peace." > I > Referring to the Balkan War, 'Abdu'l-Bahd worthy that we sacrifice eternal Me, a d the ever- > said : lasting soul of man, for the sake of a little dust? > " God is not pleased with.the horrible events Justice and Equity do not pennit it. I hope that > which have been transpiring in the Balkans. They you will strive with all your might to raise the > are hated by Him. Every lover of Humanity is Standard of the Onen& of Humanity, and unfurl > displeased with them. There, people are killing the flag of International Peace, over all regions of > each other like so many wolves. They tear each the earth." > other to pieces. They shed each other's blood. > They kill each other's innocent children. Just Alas ! since those words were spoken, w e have > consider, the ferocious beasts do not treat their been engaged in the fiercest Warfare the world > kith and kin like this. The wolf may tear to has ever known. I s Mankind to be subject to such > pieces one animal, for food, which it does. But folly for ever? Divine Wisdom has decreed > wolves never tear each other in thousands ! Are through RahA'u'llith, that Religion must be in I > men more ferocious than wolves? Are they not accord with Science and Reason. Therefore, since > more u ~ j ~than > s t birds of prey? I n a t are the individuals, by Divine I i s d o m , as we have seen, II > > causes of all this strife? The Foundation of the can do great things, without Divine Guidance - I > World of God, is Love. But Nations say, we they can go astray in& actions of diabolical fool- > want to increase our dominions.' ishness and insanity. It is necessary that merciful > guidance should protect humanity against insane > " I will make one more statement, and close, onslaughts. Bahh'u'llAh brings to the World that > and I want your careful- attention. What is this Merciful Guidance. > land, this earth? I s it not this : That for a short > time we live on this earth; then it becomes our > grave, our cemetery? Now is it beneficial to en- > gage in War, and in strife? Many generations > have come, have lived for a short time on this > Earth, and have gone under it. It is the Universal > Graveyard of Humanity. I s it praiseworthy that > we engage in warfare, shedding blood, destroying > houses, pillaging the wealth of Nations and killing > little children beneath the hoofs of horses? I s it > " Religion h m Croo main parts. The Spirit& > and the Practical. T h e Spiritml part never > changes. All the Manifestations of God and His > Prophets have taught the same Truth d given > the same Spiritual Law. There is no divisiorr in > I SCIENCE AND REASON. the Truth. The S u n of Tmth has sent forth maw > r q s t o illumine Human Intelligence. T h e Ligirt > " W H E R E is no opposition between Religion > (3 and Science. They are the two wings is always the same.'' > upon which man's Intelligence can soar " W e are familiar weth the phrases ' Light a d > into the heights ;rn-th which the Human Soul can Darkness', ' Religion and Science.' But the Reti- > progress. I t h impossible to fly with one m-ng gion which does not walk hand in hand with Science > alone." is itself in the Darkness of Superstition and ignor- > ance. " (' Abdu'l-Bahh i n " Paris Talks. ") > "If Religion were contrary to logical Reason > tlren it would cease t o be a Religion and be merely One of the charms o f Creation is individdality. > u tradition." Without i t there could be no freedom, no unity, > and no life. Whatever theories from time t o > " There is no contradiction between True Reli- time have been prevalent, concerning the origin. > gion and Scien.ce. W h e n Religion is opposed to nature, shape, size, duration, or position o f this > Science it becomes mere Superstition; that which planet, both -Religion and Science have been > is contrary to Knowledge is Ignorance." responsible for error concerning i t : error due to > partial knowledge, sometimes, and sometimes to > " How can a man believe to be a fact, that which an unkindly and dominating disposition. > Scien.ce has proved to be impossible? I f he be- I t is, however, obvious t o all of us, that the > lieves in spite of his reason, it is rather superstition World of IIumanity is made u p o f individuals. > than faith. The True Principles of all Religions Therefore individuals must have been in the Mind > are in conformity with the teachings of Science." of the Creator before they became visible t o each > oJher. T h e fact that we are visible t o each other, > " The Unity of God i s logical, and this is not should incline us to revere the Intelligence > nntngonistic to the conclusions arrived at by scien- of our Creator; the All-Wise, Bountiful, and > tific study." Supreme Intelligence. > i If we do not think a beautiful picture an acci- lace the greatest dangers, and endure unspeakable > dent, or a consequence of blind nature, why sderings (even rejoicing in them when they have > should anyone presume to suppose, we ourselves, been testimony to the Truth)-in order to dis- > are created without any special purpose or design? cover more about this fascinating planet, which a > The highest ambition of artists, is to portray bountiful Creator has designed to be a > truthfully what is visible already-with such power, Paradise for Mankind ! Even atheists want > that not only the outer view is portrayed-but the Paradise. Science and Reason bespeak it. > inner meaning revealed. To whom the Glory? Humanitarianism demands it. And we may be > From whence do they derive their capacity? They sure the Creator likes to hear that demand. I t is > inherit it truly, but do they inherit it from flesh, in harmony with the assurance, and the Loving > or from Spirit? Suppose we say both. It is even Kindness of Jesus. And, before any branch of > then Spirit which gives the capacity to perse- human knb~vledgehad become sufficiently mature > vere. The capacity for what the world calls genius to echo the Truth of such possibility-the opening > is inherited from the One Supreme Spiritual Power Chapters of Genesis stated it. Truth is echoed > we name God because the Manifestations of that to-day, from all branches and fields of knowledge > Power are Good. to be One, to be reasonable, to be scientific, and > W e are assured by the Founder of Christianity, satisfactory. Abraham called Mankind to recog- > W h o is supported in that assurance by all the nise, and worship the One True God. The first > Prophets and Messengers of God who heralded point of view is the last. For the last was first. > Him, that the care of Our Heavenly Father is such, I t is the Eternal ;the Divine ; the Revealed Tm&, > tEat not one sparrow falls to the ground without > His knowledge, and that His care for us is such, " My Etern.ity is M y Creatioz. I have created > " that even the hairs of our head are numbered." > I t for thee. %1 Oneness is iMy Design. I have > If He, Whom we all love and honour, could give Designed I t for thee" says our Creator, through > such assurance, we may reasonably question b y His Messenger, Bah~'u'1lAh.(" Hidden Words. ") > what authority, and at what point in the 'History > of Religion, did Christianity get so into the hands One does not point to past errors and limitations > oi a dominating power, that in the past, indi- for the purpose of condemnation. W e have all > viduals have been put to death and cruelly tor- erred; yet the Spirit of God beckons, and gives > tured for exercising their reasoning faculties? Or, us wings, beyond our human limitations. "I > because their exploring nature prompted them to came not into the world t o condemn the world, > 1I > I > 11 but that ye might have life, and have it more > abundantly; and to the end that he that believeth > '' he' Heavenly Wise One proclaimeth : > "A harsh word is like a sword, but gentle speech > is like unto milk. - The children of the world attain > I > 1i on Me (the Christ Spirit in Jesus) might have > I life everlasting." t o betterment through this." > i > 1 " The Tongue of Wisdom says : > " The Primal Word of the Almighty is some- " Whosoever possesses Me not, has nothing. > > > times called the water of Life, for it quickens the Pass by whatever exists in this world and find Me. > dead souls in the desert of ignorance with the I am the Sun of Perception and the Ocean of > spring of intelligence." . . . '' The seen and Science. I revive the withered ones and quicken > the unseen fail to attam the measure of His Under- > standing. The world of being and whatever has > issued from it bears witness t o this utterance." > ' the dead. I am that Light which illumines the > Path of Insight. I a m the Falcon of the Al- > mighty. I bear healing in My wings and teach > " To-day, the best fruit of Science and Know- the Knowledge of soaring t o the Heaven of > ledge is that which benefits mankind and improves Truth."" > his condition. " " How often has God proven the weakness of > > human strength and the feebleness and impotence > " The pulse of the universe is in the hands of the of the material' and phenomenal against the > skil£ul Physician. He diagnoses the ilhiess and Heavenly power of His Prophets, a manifest sign > wisely prescribes the remedy. Every day has its of His Chosen Ones, a clear standing light of His > own secret and every tongue a melody. The ill- Road and Pathway and an accurate standard > ness of to-day has one cure and that of to-morrow > another. Look ye, upon This Day. Consider, > 1 for recognising the proof and argument of His > Truth. The people of the world long resisted > and discuss its needs. One sees that existence is it ; but were finally dismayed ; nations both of the > afflicted with innumerable diseases compel!ing it t o East and West wrestled with it, but were > lie upon the bed of suffering. Men who are in- overthrown. > toxicated with the wine of self-contemplation pre " This power was opposed, at the appearance of > vent the wise Physician from reaching it. Thus Moses, by the Pharaohs; a t the manifestation of > have they made the world and themselves t o suffer. Christ, by the Jews and emperors; at the rise of > They know not the ailment nor recognise the cure. Muhammad by the Persian kings and Arabs. It > They take the wrong for the right, the crooked for bas also been opposed by false prophets, who have > the straight, the enemy for the Friend." * See "Tablet of Bah~'u'1l~h."p. 161 > - > - - -- -"-(- ..'" > ^ '"L-' > -- -lELL..*-- > - _ _ _ - > - - - - -- > > ) > 5. = > iQ- > > attempted to found a religion without the permis- growth, existence and heredity from h e race of > of God ; falsely and presumptuously laying o~ang-outangs?They have regarded apes as their > claim to prophethood, as is testified and recorded ancestors, but have not considered the Power, > in history. The histories of Mazdak, in the days which alone has conquered the world and mbdued > of King Robad ; of the Jew, 'Sad Dawlah ; of Ar- nations, as being a proof of the fact that b > goon-Khan, the Mongol, in Persia; 'Ala'adin E] festations and Damning-places of this Power have > Khaledge, in India ; and the French Philosophers been Divine and heavenly personages. Could > during the revolution of 1792, are all warnings and the .habit of smoking, evinced by a single ourang- > admonitions to the prudent. These philosophers, outang, and its likeness in body to some of the > African savages, prove its homogeneity with man- > wise men, kings and statesmen attempted, > through their great ingenuity and the > of their science and learning, to institute a religion > , kind? Apes differ widely from savages in numer- > ous things, such as intelligence, comprehension of > of simpler laws, regulations, doctrines and princi- general subjects, capacity of attaining perfedion. > ~ l e swithin the range of average capacities and etc. Shall all this be admitted as proof, while > minds7 suitable to all tastes and conformable to the subjugation of Pharaohs, domination of kings > the time and circumstances. Conditions proved and tyrants by the rise of a single individual, with- > favourable to their desires, and the and rnili- out assistance or encouragement of any ruler, is > t a w leaders submitted to their opinionr and plans. not considered evidence that a man is assisted by > " But God frustrated their ideas, &sappointed an Invisible, Divine Power ? > their hopes, dispersed their congregations, and Indeed7 this is strange philosophy-amaz- > showed the folly of their imaginations, until their ing wisdom and discernment! HOW true is the > hktories remain as warnings to men of honour and wilmin,o of the great Apostle Paul : ' B~ware, > as admnitions to people of discernment and lest any man spoil you through philosophy and > perception. vain deceit.' ' The stability of the Word and con- > " For what reason have the doctors of Darwin- tinuance of a religion is the strongest ~ . n dfirmest > ism taken the resemblance of some hllman bones as to the truth of a mission and the > to those of ourang-outangs as a decisive proof of founder of a Faith. . . .' This proof is named the > the fact that mankind has descended from proof of continuance or stability ; because the con- > apes? Why have they considered this evidence, tinuance of a religion and the stability of the Word > notwithstanding its shallowness and invalidity, establishes the truth of God, and is a testimony to > being a final certificate that man has gained his its reality. It is absurd to think of God as being > incapable of annulling falsehood. H e has not for- to-day to destroy Humanity-and demand its ser- > gotten His promises to suppress false claimants. uice : not in the interest of a few individuals who > ... This is confirmed by Sacred Writings, claim large portions of this earth, and the natural. > and preserved in the utterances of the Prophets."* wealth it contains, for their own special benefit- > In the light of history we may judge, fhough and who try to silence complaint by doles of > it is not ours to condemn, because all are judged charity ;for that which God gave aria designed for > by their deeds. So inasmuch as time has thrown all,-must be for the benefit of all. And Lo! > light upon past error-we may judge. any matter, The means of obtaining it for all, God has also > with profit. provided in This,Our Day ! I t is t o be ~btained > There is not the danger to-day, as in the past, in an orderly way, through the friendliness of > inventive power, or the spirit of exploration, Nations, by means of an International Tribund, > being suppressed by Religion, or Science. Pre- and the Parliament of Man. This was a Divine > sent-day dangers are of a different kind. Decree, issued through Bahh'u'llith on behalf of > For Humanity, before some of us were born. And > such is the result of making a god of Freedom, that > . if the Nations would turn to God for His Clear > what Mankind to-day requires at the hand of > Science and Religion is : that all bmnches Guidance given through His Messenger, instead > of holvledge, and manifestations of inventive of arguing about which should have the biggest > power-shall be arrested from destructive, and Navy, or the chief right t o heap :lp destructive > turned to constructive uses. Humanity, whatever amaments (which competitive spirit itself in- > its colour, whatever its theories concerning the clines them t o doubt the possibility of an effective > Government of the World, should agree in this. League of Nations ")-they would find all argu- > merits silenced, and come face to face with the > And not only agree passively, and record its vote > for it, but, since wrong direction is initiated by Divine Command, given to the w o r l d of > individuals, SO all individuals should accept the Humanity through Bahb'u'llbh over 60 years ago ! > Divine invitation issued through Bahi'u'llAh to why will the people turn aside from such protee- > becolne ' ' S ~ ~ T Sof God's Omnipresence," and tive care, and turn to mortal leaders, the blind > watch, and pray, and act unitedly, with all their leaders of the blind ! > might, in accordance with Divine Guidance-to In past days, when disputes concerning the > shape of the Earth were silenced, the whole u70rld > capture the scientific and inventive power on foot > was thrilled with wonder. It is good to > (See " Bahl'i Proofs." Abul Fad. pp. I 88, 189.) recount the fact that the matter was set- > -- > > \ > > I > > tled beyond the realms of dispute, "by course proceeding in Manchester at a distance of > the circumnavigating spirit of three sailors, 200 miles; or sit at home in London and enjoy a > Columbus, Da ~ a m a , and finally 'Magellan, concert being given in America ! W e can travel > the latter being aided by an Expedition sent out under or over the earth or the ocean quite comfort- > in the commercial interests of Spain. After a ably, while '&ting a meal, reading a book, or writ- > voyage of over a year, Magellan arrived a t the ing a letter, or settling matters concerning the > strait now bearing his name, and, it is related by League of Nations ! Are these a few of the > Pigafetti, an Italian who was with him, Magellan " greater things " referred to by Jesus, which He > wept for joy, when he found it had pleased God said we should do? Even so, a still greater thing > to bring him where he might grapple with the un- than all these, is to put into operation through an > known dangers'of the South Sea, " The Great and International Tribunal rand Parliament of Man, > Pacific Ocean. " the International and Divine Lam-that all > " Magellan was murdered, either by savages, or things, and all Powers, and the means of exercising > by his own men, but, taking command of his ship, . > them-shall be for pacific and bountiful purposes ; > his lieutenant, Sebastian dYElanco,brought it, the . not for the special benefit of those who want to > San Vittoria, after a voyage of over three years, to ride over, rule, and deprive others of their heri- > anchor in the port of St. Lucar, near Seville, on tage, and this, in order that they themselves may > September 7th, 1522."" be glorified ! Glorified for robbing their fellows, > Since those days, and in our own lifetime, we they woidd also rob God of the Glory which be- > have had wonder upon wonder t o thrill us. W e longs to H i m alone! Great honour is due to all I > > can now fly across the Atlantic. By touching a who exercise their capacity to enrich, and serve > switch we can light up a room, or a large hall, or Mankind. None are deprived by God of the joy > a city. W e can speak, and recognise each other's of service. Nay, H e gives to all- the capacity to > voice, at long distances; make our meanings sen7e. All honour t o those who serve faithfully. > clear through Telegraphy, and the Marconi 13ut Glory is to God, the Divine Protector, the > System, without speaking. From a small coastal Generous Giver of all things. > town we can pick up a wireless message sent from " When the French occupied Offenburg re- > a vessel a hundred miles out at sea ; listen to a dis- cently they cannot fail to have been attracted by > E a monument-the only one in the town-standing > f " History of the Conflict between Religion and Science." conspicuously in the market place. It is a statue, > J W. Draper, M.D., LL.D. a gallant figure of the 16th century, with peaked > - -- - - - > > \I > > I > > beard, and doublet and hose of that period. The fame rests in the blessings of millions of men who I > anchor and coil of cable on which the figure leans, till the earth.' > the globe at his feet, and the unrolled chart in his c c For seventy years the children of Offenburg > left hand, bespeak a mariner; and the stranger who play round the monument have hewn the > wonders what connection he can have with a town > so far away from the sea. His astonishment in- > name of Drake, not as the bold sea rover, the > destroyer of Spanish might, but as the man who > ( > I > creases when, on closer inspection, he perceives brouglbt us the potato ! ' > the very singular trophy in the right hand-an u p 6 c Production, not destruction, is honoured by > rooted potato plant ! Round the pedestal runs a the statue of this Englishman. What a lesson to > border, in high relief, consisting of the flowers, militants of later days, comes from these humble > foliage and tubers of the potato, worked into a > graceful design. Seeking in the inscription for > folk, to fieir own, and t o all nations! It is, we > see, in accordance with True Religion, andthere- > i > i > an explanation of the mystery, the stranger, if he fore in accord with Science and Reason." (BY I > is an Englishman, learns to his amazement, that the courtesy of Mr. Z. Duckett Femiman, those > the statue is that of his great countryman Sir of us who have not seen this interesting statue, > I'hncis Drake. H e learns moreover that it was enjoy the benefit of his visit to Offenburg, July, > erecixd in 1853, thirty years before Drake w s > similarly honoured at Tavistock and Plymouth, in > Surely, i t is reasonable that Science > i > his native land. > should become the Hand-Maid of Religion; in I > " But what can this population of farmers and > order that Humanity may be saved from the fears > vine-growers have had in common ~ i t hthe > which oppress it To-Day : that Peace and Plenty, > Admiral whose exploits on the other side of the > globe brought him fame? What can have induced praise and thanksgiving, may take the place of > - lamentation the world over, and all Creation burst - > them to commemorate this foreign sailor? - > into a " New Song," Psalm xcviii., as found in the > " The reason is carved in deep letters in the red > Book of Common Prayer. It calls upon all > stone out of which the monument is hewn : ' me > bringer of the potato to Europe.' Creation to join in a Chorus of Praise, in a true > i > and reasonable spirit of thanksgiving : For a " new I > " It is not the navigator, not the warrior, which > heaven, and a new earth," appear. > appealed to the inhabitants of the old Black Forest > town. It is the act by which he prolrided a ' re- 0 sing unto the Lord a New Song : for H e hath > fuge for the poor from bitter want,' and ' whme done marvellous things. > 10s 109 H > I > I > * > With His OWB right hand, and with His Holy > arm r hath H e gotten Himself the victory. > - The Lord hath declared His Salvation : His CHRISTMAS IN LONDON WITH > righteousness hath H e openly shewed in the > sight of the heathen. ABDU 'L-BAHA. > H e hath remenhered His Mercy and Truth " 'Abdu'l-Bahh, in 1912, spent Christmas amid > toward the house of Israel : and all the ends of t, ' fie holly and chimes of old England-the Christ- > the earth have seen the salvation of our God, L +1 > > i mas of cheer, gift-giving, and mutual well-wishing. > - > Shew yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all ye a "To have seen the world's greatest prisoner amid > lands : sing, rejoice, and give thanks. these surroundings was a never-to-be-forgotten > Praise the Lord upon the harp : sing to the g? , picture, but one hard to reproduce in words. Many > harp with a psalm of thanksgiving. beautiful and touching incidents could be related 1 > I > of that Christmas had we the records of the hun- > With trumpets also and psalms: 0 shew your- .dreds that thronged Do see him. Some he met in > selves joyful before the Lord the King. little groups in the dining room of Eis flat in I > Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein Chelsea, and on request he would, at intervals, I > I > is : the round world and they that dwell therein. address a larger gathering in the drawing room, - > . , Let the floods clap their hands, and let the as people kept coming and going all day. Anon, - - 1 > hills rejoice together before the Lord : for H e some distressed soul wished lor a conference alone, I > > conleth to judge the earth. or a peace advocate sought his advice on an im- > I > portant issue. > With righteousness shall I I e judge the world: > and the people with equity. " Many came bearing gifts-the mighty and the > lowly, the rich and the poor in this world's goods. > Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to A detailed account of the mere happenings of the 1 > I > the Holy Spirit. As it was in the Beginning, is > Now, and ever shall be : World without end. > 3 day would mean nothing. 'fie trivial details of > I > life, even on a Chridmas day, are seldom regarded > > i > Amen. in the light of a spiritual unfoldment, but i t is > For God has not only shown Mercy a.nd Truth through these seemingly small incidents that this > > I > towards the House of Israel-but to the whole Master spirit brings out into the court of objec- > World of Hum.anity. tivity those principles which he teaches. Thus the > - - > - -- -- -- -- > > '*-w w- > , > \ > J > > very essence of his existence is vested with the by saying, " I learned much from my travels and > penetration of the spirit-so much so, that, save as hardships. Among other things, I learned t o > his life manifests those principles for which he wash my handkerchiefs when occasion demanded, > stands, he wishes to be forgotten as a personality. and to sew." > " T o each who came to him on that Christmas " On an impulse, she ran out to a shop near by > Day, he gave a spiritual present-compatible with and bought the tiniest leather sewing- box, and on > the capacity of each; for 'Abdu'l-Bahi's method her return, laughingly presented it, saying that it > of teaching the people so that they become moved was impossible for her to imagine a prophet sewing > with conviction, is through the heart. on his buttons. > ' Someone brought him an expensive gift. He '" will accept the sewing case with gratitude, > and will keep it," he said, as he put it among his > accepted it graciously. Holding it lovingly for a > moment, he told the wealthy giver of his own things, and then added, " I am not a prophet. I > simple life. " And now," he said, smilingly, am a man-like yourself.", H e laughed, and we > " you see I have accepted your beautiful present, > all laughed, for she was a well-known suffragette. > and i t has made me very happy. I thank you for . " H e accepted it !" she exclaimed at the door, > and so extremely ovejoyed was she, that one felt > it. And now I am going to give it back to you. > Sell it, and give the money to the poor. The rich > in England are too rich, and the poor are too > Ii that some deeper message or awakening beyond > that which we had witnessed had been accom- > plished through the simple transaction. > poor.'' 1.t > " The man was at first astonished, but when, ' T r o m laughter, 'Abdu'l-Bahh's face would > after further conversation, he arose and took his de- > parture, one felt from his attitude toward the great > 1- I > become stem or expressive of a great weight of > impersonal sorrow, the suffering induced by the > > master, that a new impulse or seed had been I realisation of the hunger of humanity for spiritual > planted. rest. > it > " Often 'Abdu'l-Bah6 would laugh outright at > > some little gift that showed ingenuity, and many a > compliment he wafted back to America, the land I > I The Real Meaning of the Advent of Christ on > This Earth. > I > of his then recent sojourns. I "Christ's birthday is a glorious day," He said. > ! > " One American girl was much amused at his re- " It is necessary that these anniversary celebra- > I > hearsal of American experience. H e concluded I tions be observed, else man in his negligence would > I > - > .?. .- -.A,*-. .ur-*+- - ,-. > cir ,*i,~.r& v ~ ~ . u ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i v > - > > o > -p-p > > i > ---p > > i > -- > > v o i i v o i i v o i ' i * l ~ > --- > > J > )' 'r > * > > forget all about his Creator; but we should seek to deer to graze in one pasture ;the vulture and part- > penetrate the dark veils of custom and imitation ridge live in one nest.' > of ancestors, perchance we may discover the reality > " The people could not see that these things > were taking place. The Reality of Christ was > of the meaning. > from heaven, though His physical body was from > " The advent of Christ on this earth was a Mary. The sword was the tongue of Christ, > blessed day, for it was the day on which the Sun which cut right from wrong. Many had swords, > of Beality dawned; the day on which all beings > were revivified. I n the world's calendar, it was f > I but his sword conquered the world. > 5 c The Kingdom of Christ was Heavenly and > > the beginning of a Heavenly Spring. > " To-day the mention of Christ is on a thousand I not like the kingdom of h n a p a r t e ; it was the > reality of the ancient law Christ spread, not the > tongues, but when H e was on earth, H e was not > thought much of, notwithstanding they were > 1P: words. I3e conquered East and West by the > Holy Spirit, not by force. Sects which were in > awaiting his corning with great impatience. They > thought that they would be his intimate friends. I the utmost animosity drank from the one fountain > -that is, the Fountain of Love." > > i > Some there were who used to cry day and night, > saying, 0 God, hasten the day when the Promised 'A bdu'l-~ahd Visits the Poor on Chriitmas Night. > One will manifest himself on this earth.' When On Christmas night cAbdu'l-BahS visited the > He came, they knew Him not; they persecuted poor of the Salvation A m y Shelter, Westminster; > H i m and finally killed Him, for they said : ' This is i where each year a Christmas dinner is provided for > not the true Messiah whose coming is to be under i > I those who have no homes and no friends, and, but > special conditions. How is it that H e claims to be for the slielter, would have no lodgings. There > from Nazareth, the son of Mary? H e was to come were about 1,000 present on this occasion. > I > with a sword; this man does not possess even a i > A supreme test of attention transpired when > staff. H e was to sit on the throne of David ; this I many of the hungry men forgot to eat and listened > man does not possess a mat to sit on. H e must I > y intently. In conformity with the wonderful tact > conquer the East and the West; this man does 'Abdu'1'-BahB displayed on all occasions, his mes- > not possess a shelter. H e was to teach the law of 1 sage to the homeless was simple, direct and short. > &loses; this man is abolishing it. Jn His day, 1I " I feel to-night," H e said, " great joy and hap- > > justice was to encircle the world, the wolf and the I > piness to be in this place, because hitherto my > sheep drink from one fountain; the lion and the I meetings and visits have been mostly with the > poor, and I think ss one of them. My lot has than the accumulation of wealth-thak the poor > - > ever been with those who have not the goods of are more acceptable than the lazy rich. A rich > this world. The world consists of brothers. The man who spends his wealth for the poor is praise- > poor have ever been the cause of the freedom of worthy. Consider that the poor are not born in > the world of humanity; have ever been the cause a state of solvency ; they are not naturally tyran- > of the up-building of the country, and have ever nous. All the tyrannv and injustice in this world > laboured for the world's production. The morals comes from accumulation. The poor have ever > of the poor have ever been above those of the rich ; been humble and lowly. Their hearts are tender. > the poor are ever nearer to the threshold of God ; The rich are not so ! Sorrow not, grieve not ! Be > the humanitarianism of the poor has ever been not unhappy! You are brothers of Jesus Christ. > more acceptable to God. Christ was one of you. Bah&'u911Ah was poor. > " Consider His Holiness Christ. H e appeared For forty years he was imprisoned and in dire > in the world as one of the poor. H e was born of poverty. The great ones of the world have come > a lowly family; all the apostles of Christ were of from a lowly station. Be ever happy on account > humble origin and his followers were of the very of your kingly associates, and if in this world you > poorest of the community. This is what Christ undergo dire vicissitudes, I hope tht in the king- > states in the gospels, ' It is easier £or a camel to dom of God you will have the utmost happiness." > go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man > t o enter the kingdom of God.' This testimony of > " I n generous conformity with Bahh'u'llhh's > teachings that " our words should not exceed our > Christ to the exalted state of the poor ones is suffl- > deeds," 'Abdu'l-Bahh left twenty sovereigns and > cient. I t is easy, very easy, for the poor to enter > many hand£uIs of silver with Colonel Spencer, of > into the kingdom of the Almighty. > the Salvation Shelter, so that the poor > " The poor have capacity, and are favoured at > might enjoy a similar dinner on New Year's night. > - > the threshold of God. If wealth was a necessity, > Christ would have wished it for Himself. H e lived > a simple life, and one of the titles of RahH'u911Ah > was ' the poor one.' I n Persian His title was > darvish,' and that means one who has not n slave. > All the prophets of Cod were poor. His Holiness > i1 " Rapping for silence, Colonel Spencer mounted > the rostrum and informed the men that they were > to have this New Pear's dinner in ',4bdu'l-Bah'8's > honour. H e was just leaving the hall when this > announcement was made. With one accord the > rnen jumped up and, waving thcir knives and forks, > I > > I > Moses mas a mere shepherd. This mill show you > I > that in the estimation of God poverty is greater gave a rousing farewell cheer, after which there I > I > - S *. 2 -- '~ i * & n * ~ > - > - > - --- > Z & ' , * MI ~ - b~ ~M r ~ > a W W h 4 w - > d ~ > > i . > i > > a > > was a moment of deep silence, before 'Abdu'l- > Bah& in answer to Colonel Spencer, said : " May > God prosper you !" and then to the men : " May 'ABDU'L BAHA > you all be under the protection of the Almighty !" > (Isabel Fraser, in Everywoman, WITH THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. > Dee.-Jan., 1915-16.) T the Westminster Meeting of tbe G i e t y of > Friends, January 12th, 1918, 'Abdu9l- > > "About 6,000 years ago a Society was formed > in Persia called the ' Society of Friends,' who > gathered together for Silent Communion with the > > " They divided Divine Philosophy into two > parts. That which can be acquired through lec- > - tures and study in schirols and colleges : and the > philosophy of the Illuminati, or Followers of the > Inner Light. The schools of this philosophy are > held in Silence and meditation, and by t u n i n g > to the Source of Light. From that Cen- > tral Light the mysteries of the Kingdom were re- > flected in their hearts. A11 the Divine problems > mere solved by this power of illumination. > " Among the great questions unfolding through > > the rays of Divine Reality upon the mind of man, > is the question of the reality of the spirit of man; > of the birth of the Spirit; of his birth from this > world into the world of God; the question of the > inner life of the Spirit ; and of the fate of the Spirit > after its ascension from the body. > " They likewise meditate upon the scientific > questions of the day, and these al-so are solved. > -, > \ > ,/I > > ' Followers of the Inner Light,' they attain to a Spirit is given in reflection and meditation. > superlative degree of power, and are entirely freed Though it, the Spirit of man is informed and > from blind dogmas and imitations. Men rely on strengthened, Through it, affairs of which man > their statements. By themselves, within them- knows nothing are unfolded before his view. > selves, they solve all mysteries. Through it, one receives Divirre inspiration; > " If they find a solution by the assistance of through it, one partakes of Heavenly Food. > the Inner Eight, they accept it, and afterwards de- " Meditation is the key for opening the doors of > clare it; otherwise they would consider it a m a t k r myst=n thathat subjective mood, withdrawing > of blind imitation. himself from all outside objects, man can unfold > " They go so far as to reflect upon the essential the secrets of things within himself; because he is > nature of Divinity, Divine Revelation, and the immersed in the ocean of spiritual life. > Manifestation of God in this world. All " Through the power of meditation man frees > > philosophical, divine, and scientific questions are himself from the animal nature, discerns the real- > solved by them through the power of the Spirit. ity of things, and is put in touch with God. This > " BahH'u911Hh says there is a sign from God in faculty brings forth from the invisible plane the I > every phenomenon. The sign of the intellwt. . sciences and arts. Through the meditative faculty > inventions are made possible, and colossal under- ~ > - > silence ; because it is impossible for man to do two takings are carried out. Through it governments > * -- > le time. H e cannot both meak can be run smoothly. Through this faculty man > enters into the very Kingdom of God. > " It is an axiomatic fact that while you medi, '' Nevertheless, some thoughts are useless t o > tate vou are speaking with your own Spirit. Jn- man. They are like waves ebbing to and fro in the > that state of mind you put certain auestions to sea without result. > y o u r S ~ i r i t the > , Spirit answers, the Light b r e a k '' But if the faculty of meditation is bathed in > forth, and Reality is revealed. the Inner Light, and characterised with Divine > -- > " YOU canaot apply thi name of ' man ' to attributes, then the results will be wonderful. > < ? > > any being devoid of the faculty of meditation. " The meditative faculty is akin to the mirror. I > > Without it, he would be a mere animal. I f you put before it earthly objects i t will reflect > " Through the faculty of them. Therefore, if the spirit of man is contempla- > tains to eternal life; throu ---- ting earthly subjects, he will be informed of these. > Breath of the Holy Spirit. The bestowal of the But if the mirror of the Spirit be turned heaven- > 't: 121 > %ads, the heavenly constellations and the rays of > the Sun of Reality will be reflected in the heart, > and the virtues of the Kingdom will be attained. THE RADIANCE > " Let us, therefore, keep this faculty rightly a- > *- OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. > directed, turning it to the Heavenly Sun and not to e > Fe< > earthly objects, so that we may discover the secrets PEAKING in London, at the Studio oi > of the Kingdom, comprehend the allegories of Mr. Felix Moscheles, on Sunday after- > & > the Bible, and the mysteries of the Spirit. May we noon, Jan. lgth, 1913, 'Abdu'I-Bah& was > indeed become mirrors reflecting Heavenly Reali- asked by him to make allusion to the Hague Con- > ties, and may we become so pure as to reflect the ference and to the beneficence of a Universal > Constellations of Heaven. " Language. H e said : > " For every Age there is destined a great Move- > > ment, which is the sum total or Expression of that > Age. > I n the 19th Century, Freedom, and Liberty, and > Human Brotherhood was proclaimed. > But the Radiance of the 20th Century, into > which we have entered, is Unity and Harmony. > The Eight we declare is : > The Oneness of Humanity : > That the Foundation of the Religions of God is > One : > And the Fellowship of all Races. > I n this Century Human progress and perfections > will ever be advanced from the Table of the One- > ness of >Humanity. > All the Prophets of God have been sent for this : > That they may usher in the Era of Peace. > His IXoliness Christ embraced the Cross. > His Holiness John gave up his head. > BahA'u'llAh endured the pillory. > i > > r " H e suffered 50 years' exile and imprisonment. > All through His Life H e was exiled, imprisoned i n > dark drmgeons, or incarcerated in a barrack. All > " Reconciliation is at hand. But, as long as the > nations will not abstain from these blind dogmas > it is impossible. - > I > these renunciations and sacrifices mere for the sake " I t is very difficult for the Sun, to penetrate the > of Humanity and the fundamental Unity of alt c l o ~ ~ dofs superstition and dogma. Therefore, if > we dispel these clouds, me shall have the efficient > "At a time when the Orient was wrapped in con- rays of the Sun of Reality. > I tention, and encompassed in foul clouds and dark- " One of the Teachings of Bahi9u'llAh is that a > I > I > ness : Lo, and behold ! The Sun of Reality shone Universal Language should be established-so that > b . forth and flooded these regions with its rays. The everyone may study two languages : One his > first effulgent ray from this illumined sun emanat- native, and one auxiliary. Then, all people will > , > ing from the fact that God is the One Shepherd, be enabled to associate amicably and do away with iI > Who ever provides for, cares for, and protects a11 misunderstandings. I > > Humanity, and is ever kind to all. "All enmity between Religions comes from lack I > I > I of understanding. The Auxiliary language will 1 > 1 1 " The second ray appears through the investiga- serve to sweep away misunderstanding. This was > I E tion of Reality. we have to abandon all hearsays, > 1 proclaimed 50 years ago by Bahh'u9llBh. H e laid > I i and investigate realities. Everything must b e down this law in the Holy Books, > I seen with our own eyes, heard with our o m ears, '"nother Teaching of Bahh'n'llAh is : There > I i I > > and demonstrated with our own minds-so that must be a Universal Court of Justice, so that all I > j we may free ourselves from blind dogmas and > I International disputes may be arbitrated by the I > I superstitions. Parliament of Man. > II " These decayed and superannuated dogmas and *" Bahb'u'llhh 50 years ago, in the Book of Aq- > ! tales of the past, not being based upon Reality, das, commanded the people to establish a Universal > Court of Arbitration, and surnrnoned all nations > 1 have ever been the cause of contention. They > to the Divine Banquet of International Peace. > 1 have been causative of the laying waste of Man- > I > 1 kind. " For this the whole Rlrman Race must be con- > "These blind dogmas have made sons inimical to > their fathers, and caused them to shun their > mothers. > I sulted through their representatives, whose con- > clusions when ratified by the people of every > > * (Now more than 60 years xgcj). > > 124 125 I > country, will latterly be signed by their Ring, or can positively say the nature of the time demands > President if the Country is Republic. > " These representatives will gather together in a " I n the closed Century the demand was for > 1 place accepted by all the people. That place will Freedom. Whoever tried to quell it failed. " > " Likewise, the International Court of Arbitnr- > L > be under the protection of Humanity, and no > I I doubt of God. tion is requisite to this Age. I t is impossible for > " Then, all the disputes between nations will be any Bower to postpone it, and the World of > referred to that Court for A~bitration. Humanity will assuredly rest in the cradPe of > " But, if one rise in rebellion not desiring to Peace. This is one of the bounties of this Cycle. > Its miracles are multitudinous. I t s discoveries are > i follow this Council, then all the individuals of the > 1 World will rise up against that nation. wonderful. ' ' > " 'Therefore, let us all arise to serve Mankind, > i " There is no doubt when this Council is brought and bring International Peace into being-spend- > II into being the Peace of the World of Humanity ing all our endeavours to that end. Let us go to the > I will he established. " utmost sacrifice : 20,000 Bahais have given up life > I > Referring, as requested, to the Hague Confer- itsel£ for this end : That the Divine commands > ence 'Abdu'l-Bahb said : "The Hague Conference may be realized throughout the Globe. So that > - is good but insacient. Its sphere of discussion all the children of men may live in the ut~nost > is narrow. It is not representative of the elec- > torate of the World. > " The members of this Conference were obliged > > to follow the inclinations of the Governments > which supported them, and could not deviate one > hair's breadth fronl their instructions. Mad they > been free and untramnielled you would have real- > ized what could have been accomplished." > " 'The Council outlined by RahA'u'llih will be > t h e lad resort. It is confirmed by God : And under > the protection of God. Rest as,mred this Inter- P > > national Court of Arbitration will come into I, > * > existence--for it is the demand of the time. W e 9 > ki > B > !i > P, > a speech > \ ._ he delivered before an assembly > -.-- - > of learned > ------ > > THE SPIRIT OF INVESTIGATION. men m Pans, dur& the ~ x ~ o s i t i ooflg01:- > - A - n > " When the BahAis wishto make a convert to > their Religion, they endeavour from the very first > to confirm him in his own Religion, thus enabling > calls conflicting armies to marshal thern- him to become cognizant of the principal proofs > selves into lines with the main purpose of Religion, whereby the Divine Religions are demonstrated, > namely, t o create Harmony in the world, and to and to distinguish a Prophet from an impostor. > establish on earth the Most Great Peace; one Consequently, the Old Testeament of the Bahitis > would always repeat the assurance of the exalted consists of all the Heavenly Books revealed through > place ascribed to ~ h r i s tby , the Bahb'i community. the former Prophets, while their New Testament > For the Aim, and the Voice, and the Pen of comprises the Tablets of Bahb'u'llhh, which in fact' > Bahh'u'llhh and 'AbduYl'Bah&have been clear in reconcile these books and contain the interpreta- > showing that Christ is enthroned in every heart. tion and explanation of them ! "* > I n the Light of Oneness, Bahtiis accept all the . The Fifth Principle of Bahi'u'llhh points out : > Prophets and Manifestations of God. 'Therefore, " Religion must be in accord with Science and > no Jew, no Muslim, or Buddhist, or those of other Reason." And Solomon says : " Above all thy > Religions, can become a Bahb'i without accepting getting, get understanding. " > Christ. I t would be well if Missionaries would Bahir'u'llhh invites the peoples of all Religions > assure themselves of this, for their own comfort. to be fair, to investigate, and to recognise from > And may God bless them with this understanding. their own Scriptures, that the Founders of Reli- > For it is high time that the peoples of different gion, honour each other. Why, then, dare their > Religions left off proselytising each other, merely followers slay each other? Let them give their > in the partial interest of Truth : when by a different answer to the God Who created them, and to the > outlook all can see it together, more fully revealed, Prophets who come to the world. in His Name. > in the Teachings of Bahb'u'llbh. For 'Truth being > One, and indivisible, Religion was never sent into > the world to create confusion, or to justify the > abuse of intelligence, but to establish it. > " One of the noble Christians of- Cairo, M. > l ~ a & , -de t s following statement in > ~-a-b- i- i e de . . > " " ah;; Proofs." Abul Fazl. pp. 70, 71. > 128 129 > / > > tice ; because they are the Principles of Righteous- > ness, of 'Truth, of Justice and Generosity. The > UNIVERSAL HARMONY. '&spiritwithin" every individual who studies them, > T was necessary, as we have seen, to have free- will testify to this. > dom from religious superstition, in order > to attain individual resurrection. This has - > Unity is the natural sequence of all preceding > come t o countless millions through the Teachings Revelation ahd attainment. Its Principles will > of Jesus, as a necessary precedent to the realisation triumph over an opposition. It is evident there > of Universal Harmony, and the conscious Unity has been great attainment, in all spheres. Great > of Mankind, wZch comes to us through Bah6'- Manifestation of Human Power. Man ought > I uYLlAh. It was this Universal consciousness which therefore now, to brace himself up with Faith, to > 1I match all this Power, which has been manifested, > I > Jesus yearned for, when H e prayed : " That they > I all may be One, as Thou Father art in Me, and garner in all the blessings, which may accrue > l > and 9: in Thee, that they also may be One in Us." to Humanity, through a wise direction of it. > I > He also taught His disciples to pray for Unity, > when He taught them, " Our Father. '' Unity holds out the fruitful Basket of > I The Lord's Prayer was the Key-note to Unity, Fragrances to Mankind, which can soothe and heal > I > which Jesus gave. a suffering world. Its riches are unfathomable : > Bahi'u'llhh re-echoes, re-iterates, and gives Even as the riches of Man's inheritance on Earth, > Volume to the Harmony it contains : " Consort and in the Iseavens of LTnderstanding, are count- > with the peoples of all Religions with fragrance. > Follow that which tends to Harmony," will be His > Bugle Call, through the coming centuries. And > following it, will alone save Humanity fmm the > calamities which threaten it To-Day. eousness make it possible. Otherwise, it is im- ;, > / > The Principles of Bahh'u'llbh are Divine Guid- > ante meeting the peculiar needs of this Age. And > there will be no unity between individuals, or The Aim of all the Prophets throughout the > Nations; no social, political, industrial, or reli- A!losaic and Christian Dispensations of the Spirit, > gious Unity, however much we talk about it, points to Unity. And it should he the greatest > unless these Principles of Unity are put into prac- joy in life, for the Friends of God and Humanity > to assist these Heavenly Hosts, in spreading a > knowledge of the Principles which make it possible. > > The Teachings of Bahh'u'llhh m o was known > as "The Father of the Poor," are fraught witb ,:-; cc N E Dav telleth another," and " a thou- > such Blessing, that they offer interest, upon inter- > est, and Glory upon Glory, for all. They sumanon (U terday." > sandyears in Thy sight are but as yes- > all, to that for which they are created-to become > the conscious children of the Most Glorious. 4: To-day is the Day of all Days ! > Therefore a knowledge of them is of the utmost It gathers up the Meaning of Days. > importance. For they give that very Guidance Each Day fuller than the Last must be. > for To-Day, which many, in religious, political, And this Last overflows with the effulgence > social, and industrial circles, are seeking, and > which, in its fullness, they cannot find elsewhere. > 1.. Of all the Days of God which have been. > F a r Bahh'u'llhh opens the sealed Books of > Prophecy in all Religions, revealing the H a b o n y > of the Divine Plan in them all, and declares t o the > world with the Pen of Power, that in this Day is > the Scripture of them all fulfilled. > Surely it is the Holy Spirit which reminds us > of the Day, when Jesus, standing in the Syna- > gogue, opened the Book of Isaiah, and reading, > said : " This Day, is this Scripture fulfilled in your > earsH-for another fuEllment has taken place. > Shoilld one not be eager to understand, when > coming in touch with some beautiful spiritual > power and on hearing that the Sun of Truth has > again arisen with great brilliance to enlighten the > world, be willingly open to conviction concerning > n New Spiritual Dispensation? > Did not J c ~ Hinlself > s Soretell it, when %3e > spoke of One who should eonlc '' in the Spirit sf > Truth, to guide us into all Truth " ? Then surely,, > mu.st do right ! " Here we have the Spirit which > all who are interested in what H e said should ask > God had " placed within " Abraham voicing itself. > themselves after full investigation, whether > And such faith and such voicing of it, would > Bahd'u'lldh is not that One. This is His claim. > And the Scriptures of Religion known by diffeqnt gladden the heart of any earthly father. Why > should we not have confidence that it delights the > Names, tedify to the truth of it. The least anyone > Heavenly Father ? > cin do is to investigate in the light of the Scripture > Bah&'u'llbh, by declaring the Oneness of Mau- > they believe in, and consider well its meaning, > kind and the Oneness of Religion, does not con- > before dismissing the matter. And if it be found > tradict the Faith of Abraham, but substantiates > that Bahb'u'llih fulfils other Scriptures as well : > it. The " Signs of the Times," which should > surely that should increase and universalize interest > accompany His appearance have been all around us > in the Revelation of Truth which H e brings? It > on every side. W e have already noticed, that in > is eminently satisfactory, in that it is all-compre- > EIis Day, Jesus rebuked as hypocrites those who > hending. That of course is the secret of its power > did not understand the "Signs of their own times," > to unite. > . and therefore denied Him. > When first told that the Bahb'i Faith has power BahA'u'llAh has certainly made the Teachings OF > to unite the people of all Religions, many say : Jesus, in this, and in other respects, especially > " Impossible !" And their amazement at such a clear, and surely there is to-day universal need for > proposition shows how far they are astray from the - the Guidance of the Sun of Truth. It is difficult > true meaning of Religion. For it always has been to imagine the state of mind of those who have not > difficult to accept the idea that some nations should found the Teachings of BahB'u'llbh in this time > be left out of the Divine Plan; we should not of calamities ; for are they not just what Jesus said > think this right. Some have repudiated Religion would take place at the time when another should > altogether because of the superstition of those who come in the same Spirit, to give further Guidance > would be satisfied if their own race and nation > than H e could give at the time H e left this earth? > could be saved, whatever might happen to the I t is clear that the BahBi Revelation is the > others. But BahA'u'UAh tells us that " Justice natural and spiritual sequence, due at this time, in > enables us to see things with our own eyes, and furtherance of the Teachings which Jesus gave ; for > not by the eyes of any in the world."It is also it makes sayings of His intelligible, which have > recorded that the Faith of Abraham impelled IIim hilherto seemed obscure; and it is certainly in > to exclaim : " Surely the Cod of all the Earth, accord with the Divine utterances o f Jesus. > There are those to-day who are asking constantly, this becomes generally known-there will be no > " Where does all the modern Teaching place > atheists. M&amrnad (though it is the last thing > Jesus ?" Much of ' it does not take Him into on earth which many Christians suppose) honoured > account, but it will be found that the BahA'i Teach- Christ, and Abraham, and Moses. This fact is > ing does. For it takes of that which H e gave, made known to the world through the Teachings > " shows I t , to us,"* and confirms us in it. And of BahA'u' llhh. > nbt only does it confirm our Faith in Jesus : but Those who are enveloped in prejudice must in- > the Bahb'i Revelation introduces us to all God's evitably spend ,their lives in trying to escape the > - Messengers, even to those of other Names, not truth about many things. It is however a little > acknowledged in the Hebrew, or Christian Reli- tragic d e n large numbers take their friends to > gion, and thus brings to our remembrance the be enemies, and slay each other. To eliminate > saying of Jesus, when His disciples complained the pain of such misunderstanding, it is mueh > that others were casting out devils who were not better to have a mind ready to investigate Reality. > with them : " Rebuke them not, for those who Nobody can discover anything while locked up -in > are not against us, are on our side." Surely that . boxes of mental prejudice. > answer holds good to-day ! It has never been the Messengers of God, but > Christians cannot deny that Maammad has on their disciples, who in their mistaken zeal, are > His own ground, dealt more ably with the liquor ready to " eat God up " by engendering prejudice > traffic than they in some countries have yet done. and enmity. > For there are many members of different Churches BahB'u'lllhh coines to put an end to religious > who hold shares in brewery companies, and think strife, proving from the Sacred Scriptures of all > it quite right to do so. There is not unanimity in Religions that God's Messengers Irave, in every > this matter amongst Christians, but amongst instance, been bent upon the same Purpose of > Muslims there is. Drunkenness is allied with creating Unity in the world. So we see that the > other vices, and we cannot have heaven on earth, very essence of that which they all give is in accord > unless all agree to banish them all. The day is with the all-embracing Unity, revealed in these > fast vanishing, in which it was considered by some Latter Days through the Bahi'i Teachings. They > manly to conserve practices contrary to the highest afford abundant satisfaction in awakening a true > good of the Human Family. knowledge of the Divine origin of every individual > Universal Religion which stands for Reality, (a matter whicll theology has largely left to the > must be allied to Science and Reason, and when perception of Mystics)-and this should silence > * See John, Chap. xvi., Vers. 1 9 - 1 5 . 137 > the question-" Divine, or not divine ?"-which beloved Son crucified-in order that H e might be > has been the bone of contention between enabled to forgive sinners ! From such error and > Unitarians and Trinitarians, for centuries. One gross superstition, 0 our Heavenly Father deliver > party practically denying their own divinity, and us ! No simple child could or would have invented > the other denying the Divinity of Christ ! What- such an idea. It is enough t o alienate the whole > ever have theologians imagined divinity to be? world from Religion; and it is quite enough to > Mrs. Eddy, thanks be to her, settled that matter account for the lovable straightforwardness of some > for Christian Scientists, by claiming Divinity for truthful children, who have been known to say : > - > all God's children, dismissing all arguments to the they " loved Jesus Christ, but hated God ! " > contrary-as emanations of '' mortal mind. " T o love a lovable personality is perfectly natural > All mean conceptions of the nature of Man have and reasonable, but to ignore example and fall > arisen through clinging i o remnants of Truth, and flat on one's face in worship, is not desired. Jesus ' > trying to make them cover erroneous ideas ; each did not want to be enthroned as a God, or to be > adhering to that which takes his fancy most, and called " Lord, Lord," though the manifestation > with it veiling the Divine beneficent Whole. .of His Divine qualities proved Him to be Lord > BahB'u'llAh gives rich assurance of divine birth- of Mankind, or, in other words, made God, in > right, through the power of the I I o k Spirit, Man, Manifest. To worship Him, He clearly > for every individual; and so delivers us from said, did not qualify anyonr for the Kingdom of > mere self-satisfaction, by enlightening all concern- Heaven-but to do the Will of the Father, did* > ing the Oneness of the Human Family. Such This is in accordance with His own Words, and > unanimity of the universal consciousness, must, it with the Words of all Divine Messengers. They > is suggested, be the At-Onement of those Great come, always, t o seek Nan's understanding. > Ones, who have laboured with such divine passion, And, coming divinely, to speak to that which > even pouring out their precious life blood on is divine, though dormant, in Man; usually Man > crosses, that perchance by such unquestionable has slain them. This time however, though > sincerity some might believe in their Mission to Martyrs have testified their Faith by joyfully giv- > es'tahlish universal Love and Harmony; and if it ing up their lives to prove it, God's Manifestation > were possible, to convince the world of their Love, has not been slain. Many s~ifferingsmere heaped > which is one with God's Love for Mankind. Man- upon Rim ; but I I e overcame all difficulties ; doing > kind I-~asindeed been lost to reason find c:ornnlon > the great work committed to I s m , radiantly. > sense, in supposing that Cod wanted His own Through the clouds of moral, mental, and > T h e following extracts from the Supreme Pen veiled : Thou art M y Garment, and M y > of Bahb'u'llHh bear witness t o the Oneness of Garment shall never be outworn. Therefore > Human and Divine relationship. abide in thv love t o Me, that thou rnayest find > " 0 SON OF T H E HIGHEST SIGHT! Me i n th-eHighest Horizon !" > 6 6 0 SONOF SPIRIT! > I have placed zoithin thee, a spirit from Me, > that thou mightest be M y Lover : W h y hast I have created thee sublim,e ! But thou hast > thou forsaken M e , and sought to love degraded thyself : therefore ascend to that for > another? " which. thou recast created." > (" Hidden Words." Bahb'u'llAh.) > What generous love in a Creator ! How refresh- UNITY MEETINGS. > - > ing after the mere " Thou God see-est me," which > N the Generosity of the Bahi'i Dispensation > has so often been used to terrify the children of > men, and has left no encouragement for the indi- > vidual consciousness to rise to a state of Oneness > X BahiL'u911iLh has made sure provision for the > social life of the Bahd'i Community. For, > with the Heavenly Father. " This is the Hoar of the Unity of the sons of men, > W e read, " God sent not His Son into the world And the drawing together of all classes." > to condemn the world, but that the world through En 1911, when 'Abdu'l-Bahi mas in London, > Him, might have life." And always One with H e gave the following discourse at a Unity Meet- > the Father, Jesus Himself said : '' I came not into ing held at the home of Miss Marion Jack and > the world to condemn the world, but that ye might the writer. The International Races Congres, > have life, and have it more abundantly ; and to the in which Bahdis had taken special interest, many > end that he that believeth on Me, might have Life coming from other lands to take part in i t in 1910, > Everlasting." made that Unity Meeting specially interesting and > - 8y..,. - How beautifully these words of Jesus accord > iepresentative, since a number had remained in > with those of Rahi'u'llLh when Me speaks to the the hope that 'Abdu'l-Bahi would come to > individual for God : London, and on September 22nd, 1911, the hope > " 7 have placed within thee, a spirit from Me, and expectation was rewarded by the following > that thou nzightest be My Lover!" discourse : > And how much more satisfying it is to know 0 Ye Friends and 'Handmaidens of the Merciful ! > that our Creator is seeking our individual under- God is all Glorious ! > standing, in order that me may be both lavers and I t is a cold and miserable day but as I was > helpers ! anxious to see you I came here. For a man who > This opens out a new vista, and suggests bound- has love, effort is rest. He will travel any distance > less possibilities for the children of men. No to visit his friends. > wonder that with His penetrating Sight Thank God I see you spiritually at rest. I give > RahA'u'lIBh has made Courtesy the Cardinal Virtue - you this message from God : that ye may ever turn > for this New Age. And how the world needs it ! toward E r n . > There could, of course, be no Kingdom of Heaven, Praise God that you are near Him ! The un- > without it. worthy things of this world have not deterred you > from seeking the world of the Spirit. WThile in > 1 harmony with the world you care not for' the > things which perish. Your desire is for that which > as education and progress travel from West to > I > East, so does the Spiritual fire travel from East to > never dies, and the Kingdom lies before you. I West. > hope that the Teaching of God will spread through- I hope that the people of the West may be > out the world, and will cause all to be united., illumined by the Light of God, that the Kingdom > I n the time of Jesus Christ there mas an out- may come to them, that; they may find eternal1 > pouring of Light from East to West which Life, that the Spirit of God may spread like a fire > brought the people under a Heavenly Banner, and among them, that they may be baptised with the > illumined them with Divine insight. water of Life and may find a new birth. > Western lands have been kindled by the Light This is my desire. I hope by the will of God > of Christ. I pray earnestly that the Light in this H e will cause you t o receive it, and will make you > advanced ' ~ will ~ soeiuumine the world that all happy. > may rally under the Banner of Unity and receive I n the same way that you have education and > Spiritual education. material progress, so may the Light of God be > Then those problems which cause m e r e n e e your portion. > among the peoples of the earth will be seen no God keep all of you in safety. > more, for verily they are not. You are all waves (" 'Abdu'l-Bahci in London," p. 39.) > of one sea, mirrors of one reflection. > To-day the countries of Europe are at rest; > Ed~xcationis widespread. The light of liberty is > the light of the West, and the intention of govern- > ment is to work for truth arid justice in Western > countries. But ever the Light of spirituality > shines out from the East. I n this Age that Light > > I > - - > has become dimmed ;Religion has become a matter > of form and ceremony and the desire for God's > Love has been lost. > > I n every Age of great spiritual darkness, a Eight > is kindled in the East. So once again the Light > of the Teachings of God has come t o you. Even I > ,- > > SPIRITUAL SPRING TIMES. > N examination of the records will show, > that those Who have been fitted and ap- > pointed by God to inaugurate the > Spiritual Spring Times of the world, have always NEED OF PERSONAL > 6een fully conscious of their Mission. They can > say, as Jesus said : " My Father worketh until - > r. MANIFESTATION. > now, and I work." Because of necessity, they N both ancient and modern metaphysics, > are conscious that the Father worketh through Divine Principle is recognised to be the > them, and th,zt the work is His. origin, foundation, and truth of individual > It would be difficultto imagine the beauty of the being. And this immaculate conception renders > physical Spring Times, without the physical sun. valuable service to IIumimity. For it sets each > And it would be more difficult to imagine the state one up with a noble outlook in life, in contradis- > of the world, if the Spiritual Sun of Truth, had tinction to the " born in sin," and " miserable > never, in times of " gross darkness," burst forth worm," notions, which have been a ridiculous > from the Heavens of Enlightenment on the mind travesty of 'Truth, and have oppressed' Mankind, > and spirit of Mankind : with re-creative ener- through long and weary centuries; and we are > gies, and with such Power, that fullillkg Pro- grateful for this charter of freedom from ideas > phecy, It has " Made all things New," and in Its which have hindered individual resurrection. > own mysterious way, set the seal of its Power on However, though freedom has its merits, we > Chronologipal calculations. need, and the world needs, whether the world will > There is no mystery in the fact that such epoch- > making Events, have been marked by the appear- > ance of ~ i v i n eManifestations; it is history. I have them or no (and it is not in the nature of > things that They could come, if we did not need > Them)-those great Personal Manifestations, Who > > I > Only the future is enveloped in mystery-the come revealing, and declaring from the Dawning > present is as clear as noon-day, for those who will Place of Command-God" sTil1for the Era de- > see with the eye of the Spirit. And it would be noted by their appearance. So, because we need > foolish to deny the re-creative power of the Spirit them, they have always r~gpeared,as History and > > I > to mark the present epoch even more convinc- Chronology show, at the inauguration of a New > ingly, because of its gathered volumes : and v e y Era,. And, as in the Past, some accepted, and > difficult to imagine it, unrelated to Prophecy ! some rejected their Guidance, so it is To-day. > / > > . . > > But, nevertheless, the Guidance so greatly needed, > is evident to us in the Revelation of Bahb'u'llih. > without some unifging, and revivifying THE SUN OF TRUI"I'. > Spiritual Power, mere individual freedom is apt to > breed chaos. I n looking around, what do we see? -HE Sun of Truth is the Word of God. It > Shameless, supercilious egotism, at war with itself ; > and its offspring-abounding chaos. (3 illumines the Path to the Most Great > Peace. > Contrary winds in the mefital atmosphere create a The Reality of the Divine Religions is One. > whirlwinds, and a Guiding Spirit is necessary, to All the Prophets are united in their Message, and > lead all into the channels of blessing which Unity unshaken. They are like the Sun; in different > affords. And what the world needs in this respect, seasons they ascend from different points on the > is precisely what is always sent for its illumination. horizon. Therefore, every ancient Prophet gave > If Humanity fails to see this, it must be looking the glad tidings of the future, and evew future has > in the wrong direction, or is afraid to acknowledge - accepted the past. > I t , because of a tendency to cling to Guidance > given in the Past. " Religions are like the branches of one Tree. > 0 L e branch is high, one is low, and one in the > W e know it would have been far far better for > centre ; yet all draw their life from one stem. One > the world, if it had listened to God's Prophets in > branch bears fruit and others are not laden 50 > their own Day and Time, instead of waiting for > abundantly. All the Prophets are Tights, they > centuries after it has stoned them before affording > only differ in degree; they shine like heavenly > recognition; for such procrastination engenders > bodies, each having their appointed place and time > a disposition to stone the New Ones. > of ascension. Some are like lamps, some are like > W e know that Light is always Light, in what- > the moon, some like distant stars, and a few are > ever Age it appears : and individuals are so con- > like the Sun, shining from one end of the earth > stituted, that " the Spirit which God has placed to the other. All have the same ~ i ~ toh give, t > within them," enables them to see it. I f this were yet they are different in degree. I f we accept the > not so, life would be a very unfair thing to them. > Light in one, we must accept it in all." > (" 'Abdu'l-BahB in London," pp. 17, 57.) > " If men followed the IToly Counsels and Teach- > > ings of the Prophets ; if Divine Light shone in the > hearts and men were really religious, we should > soon see Peace on earth and the Kingdom of God > among men. 'lie Laws of G d may be likened -EXIS Feast is kept by Bahkis all over the > unto the s o d and material progress unto the body. > If the body was not animated by the soul, it would (3 world, to celebrate that most auspicious > Event in the world's History : Bah&'uY- > cease to exist." (" Talks of 'Abdu91-BAA, given Ilkh's Declaration of Himself as the Expected One, > in Paris," p. 98.) Whoni the BAb had Proclaimed. > " The \TTord sf God is the storehouse of all good, > It was in the Garden of Ricjvhn, outside Bagdad, > all power, and a11 wisdom. The illiterate fishers towards the end of April, 1868, that Bahh'u'llAh > and savage Arabs were thereby enabled to solve Declared Himsel£ to be that One for Whom the > such problems as were puzzles to eminent sages. people of all Ages, in accordance with the Prophe- > I t awakens within us that brilliant intuition which cies of the Hebrew, Christian, M&ammadan, and > makes us independent of all tuition, and endows other great Religions, have waited-the Hope of > us with an all-embracing power of understanding. Israel- and the Desire of all Nations. > Many a soul in the ask of philosophy, after fruit- Therefore, 'this Feast is kept during the last > less struggles has been drowned in the sen of con- twelve days of April by Bahhis in commemoration > flicting theories of cause and effect, while those on of the time when, being Exiled and driven from > board the craft of simplicity have reached the shore place to place under despotic Governments, be- > of the Universal Cause by the help of favourable cause His Teaching was gaining such hold on the > winds blowing from the point of Divine Know- people wherever He went, BahA'u'llhh was about > ledge. to be taken from Bagdad to Adrimople. > " When man is associated with that transeend- > This Holy Feast was kept in London, at the > ent Power emanating from the \Vord of God, the home of the writer, on April 24th, 1920, on which > tree of his existence becomes so well rooted in the occasion the following Tablet was received from > soil of assurance that it remains fimm amid the 'Abdu'l-13ahh to be read to the Friends assembled : > violent hurricanes of scepticism and doubt which > attempt his destruction. > " For this association of the part with the whole > f - > " O Friends and Handmaidens of God ! > " To-day is the Day in which the Sun of Reality > > endow.: him ~i'idih the -Whole, and this unison has dawned from the I-Iorizon of existence. I t s > of the particular vcith the Universal makes hiin all Daybreak is clear, and its Sunshine is bright with > in a . ' ('Ahdu'l_-BahA B bbas.) such Power that obscuring clouds are dissipated, > ,' > > " With the utmost brilliance It is luminous, and > shining from the horizon of the world. This is that > which causes created beings new exaltation. CHILDHOOD OF B A H ~ U Z L A H . > " Consider ye, how much in this Cycle, Science T was the custom of 'Abdu'l-Bahh to g$ve out > and Art are extended. to the guests who met around His hospit- > How strange Arts, and New things have able Table both spiritual and material food, > appeared ! sewing the latter to His guests withHisownhands. > How the power of Thought has increased ! From all parts of the world, from all religions > And strange inventions have become ap- and races, and for many years they met around > parent. His Table of Oneness in the utmost joy and har- > " This Cycle contains in itself, the Wisdom of a > mony. Now, through the countless Tablets and > hundred Cycles : and if you gather the Wisdom Talks which were given by Him, for them to give > of this one, the results will be seen to be far greater > than the results of a hundred Cycles before it. > For instance, if you collect the books, which were > compiled in former Cycles, and all the books and Speaking one day at Table on the childhood of > epistles which are compiled in this : Those of this Bahh'u'llhh, H e said : > Cycle are more than double those of past Ages. " I n the childhood of the blessed Beauty* > Consider Ye the brilliance of the Sun. And re- his father realised the remarkable powers > flect upon the effect which the brilliance of the latent in his boy, and used to treat him with the > Sun of Truth has made upon the Human Creation. utmost consideration and respect. For his other > " But a thousand times alas ! That eyes are children he had but little regard, d l his attention > blind, and ears deaf, and the minds and hearts are being devoted to the Blessed Perfection. The signs > neglectful of this great Bounty ! of majesty arid greatness were apparent in him > "Then strive Ye with heart and soul, that sleepy from childhood. One day when he was quite a little > ones may become awake! The blind have sight, child he happened to walk near his father and > and the dead ones become alive ! "* mother who were sitting together. His father re- > Upon Ye, be BahA el Abha ! marked : > (Signed) ‘ABDU'L-BAHA ABBAS . " ' This son of ours is peerless and unequalled, > 'Translated by Lotfullah S. Hakim > '. and is not to be compared with any other children, father of BahA'u'llhh. H e said after that a second * ' > not in any way.' demand was made and also paid. Then a third 74 > > " The mother said : ' He is just a little lacking demand was made, this time q u c h larger than he > in height-a trifle short.' could possibly pay. On such occasions the Shah > " The father replied : ' What does that matter? sent collectors to the house who took possession and > 'He is perfect in every way. If his height is not sold the furniture, etc., by auction. A thing worth > great it is only that his brain is nearer his heart.' ten pounds would often be sold for one pound. > "From childhood he had an extraordinary power The colIectors came and pressed Mirzs Abbas > of attraction which was felt by all. Everybody (Bahh'u'llhh's father) for payment. The Blessed > loved Him, and people were 'so fond of Him that Beauty, then a boy of seven years, said : ' I will > they always crowded around Him. He was ex- see this matter through.' > ceedingly generous, and a lover of outdoor 6'The Shah was away at the time at a place ten > life. Most of His time was spent in the garden days journey on horseback from Tihrbn. The > or the fields. Me was very fond of talking with weather was cold and there had been a heavy snow- > people. fall. The father did not wish him to go, but > "Another incident occurred when he was seven BahA'u'llAh said, ' I will go,' and the boy of seven > years old---just entering His eighth year. It was went. H e saw the Prime Minister and talked with > customary in those days of autocratic government, him. The Prime Minister took him to tPle Shah. > just as in the Middle Ages, for the Shah ta make a H e talked to the Shah as though he were a man of > demand on any person, when he wanted money, thirty or forty and did not leave him until the Shah > for a sum (it might be %50,000). H e would tor- had written a firman (decree) granting His request. > ment the person until it' was paid. I%e Shah The ground was covered with snow. A man called > several times cut pieces of the ear off those un- Assodullah Bagi, a private servant, rode with the > fortunate victims. Every time the Shah became Blessed Beauty to Tihrin, keeping the child in > angry he would cut a piece off. Even one of the front of him on a special saddle used for children, > Viziers of Persia had pieces of his ear cut off. and they rode the ten-days' trip in two-and-a-half > "One day the Shah said again, 'Cut his ear!' days, for ITis father was in distress. And at that > T'he Vizier cried : ' Wait; this is not grass that time there was no telegraph. > grows again when it is cut. Nothing will be left " On arrival he turned the collectors out of the > of my ear.' > "Once the Shah made such a demand on the I house. > "'All the Ministers and people of the court would > surround the Blessed Beauty. The children were > very fond of Him. When he was only thirteen or > fourteen Me became known for His learning. Me > conversed on many subjects, and solved many THE OUTSTANDING EVENT IN > problems. In large gatherings H e would &s- THE WORLD'S HISTORY. > cuss matters with the mama (leading Mullahs), > and would explain intricate religious questions. 0 the three wise men of the East who came > Some questions pertaining to the Mu$ammadan to worship Him, to %fary His mother, > I > Religion had never been clearly explained which and a few others, the birth of Jesus was > I were expounded by IBahi'u'IlAh. the greatest event in history up to that time. To > " When H e was tweniy-tw~ yea5 old his father the majority i t was a matter of insignificance. > died, and the Governnient wished Him to succeed Now, we all know that it had the greatest spiritual > to His father's office, as was customary in Persia. > Bahh'm'llAh did not accept the offer. Then the Every age has its Prophets send Seers, and every > Prime Minister said : ' Leave him to himself. H e New Era has been denoted by the appearance of a > will not descend to such a position. It is impos- Dsvine Teacher who utters prophetic warnings > sibIe that He demean Himself thus. I cannot to the rulers of the earth. And though not de- > understand Him 3 he has some greater purpose in sired by them, He is in reality the " Desire of > view. IIe has other thoughts ;leave Him alone.* )'+ Nations," and brings Divine Laws to lift oppres- > sion from the heart of Mankind. To-day, the > Bounty given through Bahi'u'llBh is great, because > the need wbich calls for it never was greater. And > we are better equipped to make it known to the > *Ta.ble talk at Haifa, Dec. 1Fth, 1919, translated by Lotfullah world than ever before. > S. Wakim. Quite naturally, the greatest Event in our own > time is the appearance of the Spiritual 'Teacher > who was promised by Jesus in whom the world be- > lieves, but Who was lifted up on the Cross of Re- > jection in His Day. Many are still expecting the > Promised One to " lead them into all Truth," > withorit knowing that H e has come and gone > I! "like a thief in the night," as was prophesied of " Upon reading the Tablee sent to her, Queen > Him. But it is not too late for "every eye to see Victoria said : ' If this is of God, it will stand.' " > - > Him," in spirit and in truth. For we, now, see "The Czar sent one of his nobility t o investigate > Jesus, though His chosen friends slept around the source of the Tablet received by him, and this > Him in His darkest hour. messenger returned with such impressive accounts > "The Root of alI Knowledge is the Knowledge - of his mission that the Czar became stirred with > of God : Glory be to Him ! And this Knowledge visions of the ' Most Great Peace.' " > ii > is impossible, save through TIis Manifestations." > " Above the din of many voices Bahir'u'llhh re- > > veals the Will of God for this Age. Wherefore > . > " Bahbk'llbh revealed in a Tablet to the King > in Berlin the following concerning his rule : ' 0 > banks of the river Rhine! W e have seen ye > when He appeared, the foundations of the world > I trembled. The learned ones were bewildered, and > wise men confounded, save those who came near > drenched in gore, because the swords of retribu- > tion were drawn against ye : and ye shall have > another trouble. And we hear the lamentations > /I > il unto Thee, and took from the Vine of Favour, of Berlin, though it be io-day in manifest glory. " > ri 'I'he pure Wine of Thy Inspiration, and drank in " H e revealed to a prominent Turk (named > ~j , > > I/ > Thy Name, saying : Rais) the following Tablet : ' The Land of Mystery > '' Praise be unto Thee, 0 Desire of Nations ! (Adrianople) and what is beside it will be changed, > Praise be unto Thee, 0 Beloved of the hearts and shall pass out of the bands of Turkey, and com- > of yearning ! " motions shall appear, and lamentations arise, and > trouble become manifest on all sides. " > Had the Message of Bahit'u'llhh been heeded by " , R e also uttered the following judgment upon > the rulers of the earth, the world would have been Turkey (personified in Constantinople) : '0Point ! > spared the agonies it has since experienced. And which liest between two seas; the throne of in- > prosperity would have reached a greater height . > justice hsth been fixed in thee. . . Thou shalt > the world over than it has yet dreamed of, or than perish-and %hose people that are within thee shall > it can now hope for, for a long time to come. lament. " > I n the Na'me of God, Bahi'u'llih sent Tablets " The messengers who conveyed the Tablet to > to the Czar, to the Pope, to the Emperor of Ger- Egypt were made prisoners and sent into exile and > many, to Napoleon the Third, to the Shah of Per- the Tablet ignored." > sia, to Queen Victoria, and others, urging all " Bah6'u'llBh predicted the downfall of the Mhe- > monarchs to prepare for Peace. dive (Ismail Pasha), and that these messengers, in > i > i > F > i > s short while, would be released, and would stand travelling on foot to TihrJan, and gave it to the > in the presence of their beloved Master." Shah as the latter rode through the streets. H e > " General ord din soon after, in his political gave it, not as a petition, but as a command sent > campaign in Egypt, released those men and gave to him, saying : ' A Command from one whose > them permission to return Lome, and the events authority is higher &an yours.' The Shah learned > connected with the downfall of the Khedive at that > the conteats and authorship of the letter. but the > time are the property of history-" > young messenger Badi (the Wonderful) was > " Napoleon received the Tnbllet addressed to him branded to death with red-hot bricks ! When the > with scorn and threw it away, saying : ' If he is > executioners were lifting these u-ithiron tongues to > God, I am two gads.' BahSt9u'llAh addressed a > put them on his body, he declared that he wel- > second Tablet to him containing tEe followirag : > corned this martyrdom, seized them with his own > ' Because of what thou h ~ s done, > t affairs shall be > hands, and applied them to his bosom. This ~ o u t h , > changed in thy kingdom, and thy Empire &a12 > knowing that his life would be sacrificed, had > depart from thine hands as a punishment for thy > sought the privilege of being the bearer of this > actions. Then shalt tbatr find thyself in manifest > loss, and commotion shall seize the people there, Tablet from his Beloved." > "' Tihrhn, Bah&'u"ll&h blessed, and promised > unless thou arisest to assist in this matter, and- > that justice should reign therein."* > follswest the Spirit in this straight way. Thy glory > hath made thee proud. By My Life, verily, it > shall not endure, but shall pass away, unless thsu > takest hold of this firm Rope. W e have seen > humiliation hastening after thee while thou art of > those that sleep." > " That Tablet is sufficient proof. It was re- > vealed when Napoleon was so powerful that he > said: ' On this globe I am the one God.' In > such a time was this Tablet written. The world > knows the downfall of Napoleon IBI., of &is exile, > and his death." > " BahA'u'llHh sent a Tablet to the Shall of Per- > sia at s later p e r i d (from Acre). A youth bore it, *" The Revelation a f ~ ~ h d ' u ' l l ~ . Isabe~la > " D. Brithingham , > > ~ a h A ' lPublishing S o c i e t y ; - C l i i Z , - > whatever has issued from it bears witness to this > utterance. > " Therefore it has become known that the first > > bestowal of the Almighty, is the Word. The re- > TABLET OF BAHA'U,LLAW. > ceiver and the acceptor of it is the understanding. > TABLET by Bahb'u'llAh t o the Persian It is the First Instructor in the University of Ex- > "f3 Zoroastrian Bahais. Revealed in > the purest old Persian language, > istence and it is the Primal Emanation of God. > Whatever has happened is through the reflection > without an Arabic word in it. " - of its Light and whatever is manifested is the ap- > pearance of its Wisdom. All the names orighate > in His Name, and the beginnings and endings of > " Glory is due unto God, the Discoverer, Who, all affairs are in His Rand. > throughtone shower of the ocean of His Generosity, > " Your letter came to this Captive of the world > expanded the firmament of existence, begemmed > in this prison. It brought happiness and increased > it with the stars of knowledge, and summoned the > friendship ;it renewed the remembrance of former > people to the most high court of perception and > times. Thanks belong to the Possessor of the > understanding ! " > . > universe, ,Who permitted us to meet in the land > " This shower, which is the Primal Word of the > of Persia. We met, we conversed, and we > Almighty, is sometimes called the Water of Life, > listened. It is hoped that no forgetfulness shall > for it quickens the dead souls in the desert of ignor- > follow that meeting, that the revolving of the > ance with the spring of intelligence. Sometimes > wheel of time shall not take away its remembrance > it is called the First Emanation which appears from > from the heart, and that the plants of love shall > the Sun of Wisdom, and when it began to shine, > grow out of that which is sown and become green, > the first movement became manifest and known, > verdant, and imperishable." > then phenomena stepped into the arena of exist- > " You have asked regarding the heavenly Books. > ence and these appearances were through the > generosity of the Incomparable, the Wise One. The pulse of the universe is in the hand of the skil- > " H e is the Knower, the Giver! H e is sancti- ful Physician. H e diagnoses the illness and wisely > fied and holy above every statement and attribute ! prescribes the remedy. Every day has its own > 'The seen and the unseen fail to attain the measure secret and every tongue a melody. The illness of > of His understanding. The world of being and to-day has one cure, and that of to-morrow > another. Look ye upon this day; consider and > words, were prevented from the Splendours of the > discuss its needs. One .sees that existence is Sun of Knowledge. '" > afflicted with innukefable diseases compelling it > to lie on the bed of suffering. Men who are in-. " Say, 0 ye sons of earth ! The Pure God pro- > toxicated with the wine of self-contemplation pre- claims that which in this glorious day shall purify > vent the wise Physician from reaching it. Thus ye from the stains of desire and enable ye to attain > have t h y made the world and themselves to suffer. to tranquillity in My straight path, and My mani- > They know not the ailment nor recognise the cure. fest road. To be severed from attachment means > They take the wrong for the right, the crooked for to be separated from those things which occasion > loss and lessen the grandeur of man. I f the people > the striight, the enemy for the friend." > of the world should attain the Heavenly Utter- > " Hearken ye to the melody of this ~ A s o n e !r - ances they would never be prevented from the > Stand up and proclaim. Perchance those who are ocean of Divine Generosity. " > asleep may awaken ! Say, 0 ye dead ones ! The " The Heaven of Righteousness has no star, > generous Hand of the Almighty is passing round and never shall have one, brighter than this. The > the Water of Eternal Life. Hasten ye, and " > first Utterance of the Wise One is this : 8 ye sons > drink ! Whosoever shall become-alive in this day, of earth ! Turn from the night of foreignness and > shall never die, and whosoever dies in this day can - turn to the Sun of Unity. This is that which shall > never find Life. " benefit the people more than aught else." > " Ye have written regarding the language : > > Both Persian and Arabic are good, for that which > " 0 Friend ! The tree of the word has no > better Blossom and the ocean of Wisdom shall > one desires to gain from language is to attain to > -never have a brighter Pearl than this : 0 ye sons of > the meaning of the speaker and this can be accom- > intelligence ! The thin eyelid prevents the eye > plished in both. B s in this day the Sm of TVis- > from seeing the world and what is contained there- > dom has appeared nrld shone from the horizon of > in. Then think of the result when the curtain of > Persia, the more you respect that language the > greed covers the heart." > better it is. '' > " Say, 0 People ! The darkness of greed and > " 0 Friend! When the Primal Word ap- envy obscures the light of the soul as the cloud pre- > peared in these latter days s number of the vents the penetration of the sun's rays. > heavenly souls heard the Bfelody of the Beloved > and hastened toward it, while others, finding t h d " Sklould one listen with the ear of intelligence to > the deeds of some did not correspond with their this Utterance, he shall spread the wings of free- > dom and soar with great jay towards the Heaven of dom is opened ! Hasten ye ! The fountain of > Understm&g." - knowledge is gushing ! Drink ye! Say, 0 > " When the world was environed with darkness, Friends ! 'P'he Tabernacle of Oneness is raised ; > the Sea of Generosity was set in motion and Divine look not upon each other with the eye of strange- > Illuniination appeared so that the deeds were dis- ness. Ye are a11 the fruits of One Tree, and the > closed. This is the same Illumination which is leaves of one Branch. Truly, I say, whatever > promised in the heavenly books. Should the Al- lessens ignorance and increases knowledge, that > mighty aesire the hearts of the people in the world, has been, is, and shall be accepted by the Creator." > He will punfy and sanctify them with the power " Say, 0 people ! \Talk ye under the shade of > af the Word, and will pour forth the Light of the the Tree of Righteousness ; enter ye under the pro- > Sun of Unity upon the souls to regenerate the tection of the Tent of Unity. Say, 0 thou Posses- > world. " sor of Sight ! The past is the mirror of the Rrture ; > " 0 People ! The word must be demonstrated look and perceive. Perchance, after the acquire- > by the deed, for the righteous witness of the word ment of knowledge, ye may know the friend and > is action. The former without the latter shall not attain to his good pleasure. To-day the best fruit > allay the thirst of the needy nor open the doors of of the tree of Science and Knowledge is that which > sight to the blind. " benefits mankind and improves his condition. " > " a'he Heavenly Wise One proclaimeth : A " Say the tongue is the witness of My Truth; > harsh word is like a sword, but gentle speech is like do not pollute it with untruthfulness. T6e spirit > unto milk. The children of the world attain to is the treasury of My mystery; do not deliver it > knowledge and better themselves through this. into the hand of greed. It is hoped that in this > The tongue of Wisdom says : WThosoever possesses Dawn the universe shall become illumined ~ 4 t the h > Me not has nothing. Pass by whatever exists in rays of the Sun of Understanding and Knowledge, > this world and find Me. 1 am the Sun of Percep- so that we may attain t o the g o d pleasure of the > tion and the Ocean of Science. I revive the Belo~eaand drink from the Ocean of Divine > withered ones and quicken the dead. I am that Recognition. > Light which illumines the path of Insight. I am " 0 Friend ! As there were few ears to hear, > the Falcon of the Hand of the Almighty; I bear so for some tirne the Pen hath been silent in its own > healing in my wings and teach the knowledge of chamber and to such a degree that silence bas pre- > soaring +tothe Heaven of Truth." ceded utterance. Say, 0 People ! Words are > " The Peerless Beloved says; The way of free- revealed according to capacity, so that the begin- > i > i > I ners m a y make progress. The milk must be given bast come to see a prisoner and an exile. .... > r~ccordingto the m e w r e , so that the childhood of W e desire the good of the world and the happiness > 1 the world may enter into the realm of grandeur of the nations: yet they deem m a stirrer-up of > I > ! > and be established in the Court of Unity." strife and sedition worthy of banishment. . . . > " 0 Friend ! W e have seen the pure ground That aB nations should become one in faith and > and cast the seed of knowledge. Now it depends a12 men brothers; that the bonds of affection and > upon the rays of the Sun whether it is burned up unity between the sons of men should be strength- > or is caused to grow. Say to-day through the ened : that diversity of Religion should cease, and > greatness of the Peerless Wise One, The Sun of diflerence of race be annulled-what h a m is there > Knowledge has appeared from behind the ueil of in this? .... Y e t so it shall be : these fruitless > the Spirit and all the birds of the meadow of one- strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass awag, and the > ness are intoxicated with the wine of Understand- " MOST GREAT PEACE " shall come. . . . > ing and are commemorating the Name of the Be- Do you not in Europe need this also? I s not this > loved. Happy is the one who finds this and that which Christ foretold? .... yet do we see > becomes immortal. " . your kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more > (Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, Chicago, freely on means for the destruction of the human > Ill., Sept. 8th, 1909, and taken from " Bahk'i race than on that which would conduce to the > News,'' 1910-1921.-cc Star of the West," Vol. 1.) happiness of mankind. . .. These strifes and > this bloodshed and discord must cease and all men > be as one kindred and family. . .. Let no man > There are few persons now living who saw glory in this, that he loves his country; let him > rather glory in this, that he loves his kind. . . . > 9 99 > Bahb'u'llkh. Professor Edward G. Browne, > farnous for his knowledge of the Orient, describing > his visit (Wednesday, April 15th, 1898) as the Two years after this visit of Professor Browne > culminating event of his journey, says : which he describes in the Introdudion to " A > " No need to ask in whose presence I stood, as Traveller's Narrative " (Cambridge : 1891), > I bowed myself before One who is the object of a BahA7u'1lbh passed to a higher plane, and many > devotion and love which kings might envy and years before 1 3 s ascension H e appointed His eldest > emperors sigh for in vain. A mild dignified voice son, " The Greatest Branch "-' Abdu'l-Bahb > bade me be seated, and then continued : ' Praise Abbas, as " the Centre of the Covenant " and the > . > be to God that thou hast attained! . . . Thou only Commentator of His Divine Teachings. > repetition here, and in his endeavour to analyse > the difficulties in which he found himseif, could not > . . help recording his general impression of others; > and he acknowledges > - ... there were Yigm that P e G a.. > A CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY might become wholly- Bahk'i, and that such > ~.~ - ~ -- ..~ an idea > . > - > > AND B A H MARTYRDOMS. > ~ ~ is-not confined- to- - > Missionayy_ > --- circIe_s. > - > > In the Western Hemisphere, we had flabtered > HE hordes of darkness have always imag- ourselves that the world had seen the last of re- > ined they could extinguish the Light of ligious martyrdoms, but if on; only glances at the > the World, by killing the Lamp Bearers, index to Mr. Malcolm's book, it will be =day > but even a slight glance at History should make seen that although he tried hard t o restrain it, > plain the futility of such a course. Yet, alas! it his mind reverted again and again to the BahiL'i > is not plain, to many, who should be pointing it Faith, because he was puzzled by the Power which > out. strengthened weak mortals t o testify of It in Mar- > W e know that although the body of Jesus was tyrdom. > crucified, H e has proved the Resurrection of His The index to " Five Yea& in a Persian Town " > Spirit which no man can kill. And so it is again, shows that -the pages on which the BahB'i Faith > in the Present-Day Visitation of the Spirit. The and its martyrs are mentioned, far outnumber the > evidences given later are sufficient to show this, indexed particulars on other matters. > though they deal only with the Martyrdoms The reality of Mr. Malcolm's Christian Spirit > which occurred during a few years ;but if given in is evident throughout in his endeavours and per- > full, from the time of the Declaration of the Bbb, severance in the town of Yezd; for he seems t o > until now, they would fill volumes. have left no stone unturned in his heroic efforts to > It is, however, suggested by a Persian friend, make Christian converts. And looking on (through > that it would be in place to corroborate Bahh'i his own story) from the outside, what with the > statistics by the recorded impressions of one who racial, religious, political, industrial and social > was not a Bahd'i, but a Christian Missionary. difficulties which surrounded him, these, increased > - - > I n his -- > book, " Five Years in a Persian > Y_ed," the-Rev. --- Napier > - > - - - > Town, > ~ a l c o-G-,C.M.S., al- > by language difficulties, made it well nigh impos- > sible for him to cope with his situation. > - > though he found Bahh'i ~_ a h ~ r d o r too > n s--- > revolting Without the key, how can one unlock the doors > - > > fo > - record, gilr_es > - details > - -- of O K-~ & for > horribk which mystify the mind! Does not prejudice > - > MHA'~PRECEPTS. > (even though uncsnscious, when born of preferen- > tial habit) bolt the doors of understanding ? There- > fore, Bah&'u'll&hhas decreed " the abolition of world in perfect harmony. > racial, religious, political, induskrial, and social Warfare must be abolished, and i n m t i o n a l > prejudices. " s to be settled by a Coucil of Arbi- > ~ c u l t i e are > Mr. Malcolm > .----- -- records--- only one instance of con- > It is commanded thae everyone should practise > - A > > verting a BahAYito Christianity ; and - > -- > thus proves, > that although he triedso hard to - find it, he had not > - some trade, a d , or profession. Work done in a > t > --b - K i ~ l the > o 'situation. A knowledge of &e faithful spirit of service is accepted as an act of > Truth of the matter would have revealed the fact, > that no BahB'i can he converted t o accept Chist. > For all Bahhis accept Christ ! The difference be- > tween himself and his supposed convert would be There is to be no priesthood apart from the > that Bahiis recognise the Christ Spirit in all God's > Messengers. It is the Spirit of the Eternal Crea- The practice of Asceticism, living the hermit, > tive " I AM." Therefore IT must, as declared life or in secluded communities is discouraged. > by the Prophets, Manifest Itself when necessary Monogamy is enjoined. > and natural, in the Order of Time. Education for all, boys and girls equally, is com- > Unlike those of less Catholic Faith, Bahhis are manded as a religious duty-the childless should > forbidden to proselytise. WTe recogsise that edixcate a child. > Truth is One, for G d does not speak once only The equality of men and women is 81sertea. > to the world ! A n a speaking more than once, A universal ianguage ss a means of international > does not contradict Himselj. communication is to be formed. > Gambling, the use of alcoholic liquors as a bever- > age, the taking of opium, cruelty to animals and > slavery are forbidden. * > > Some portion of one's income must be devoted > to charity. T21e administration of charitable > funds, the provision for widows and f o ~the sick > and disabled, the education and care of orphans, > will be arranged and managed by elected > Co~mcils.~ > *(&mpiled by E J. ~ o s e n k r g . ) > KINDNESS TO ANIMALS. and groans when he receives an injury, and com- > to the Government, and is protected from > I&I- - n UES'TIONED on kindness to animals, cruelty. But the poor a n i d cannot speak, it > 'Abdu'l-Bahir said : 4 GUAA -:+her show its suffering, nor is it able to > AAbAI,UL > > 0 Ye Friends of Ood ! appeal to t he Government. If it is harmed a thou- > The foundation of the Kingdom of God is laid cnnd > - ,- .,-----. > time6 > - 3 by man, it is not able to defend itself > on justice, fairness, mercy, sympathy and kind- in words, nor can it seek justice, or retaliate. > ness to everv - > " soul. Then strive Ye, with heart > and soul t o practise love and kindness to the world > Therefore one must be very considerate towards > ~nininlcu and show greater dndness to them than > Urnll."LU, > > of humanity at large, except to those souls who to man. > are selfish and insincere. I t is not advisable to > Educate .the children in their infancy in such a > show sympathy to a person who is a tyrant, a > way that they may become exceedingly kind and > traitor or a thief, because kindness encourages him > merciful to the animals. If an animal is sick, > to become worse and does not awaken him. The > they should endeavour to cure it. If it is hungry, > more kindness you show to a liar the more he is > they should feed it. If it is thirsty, they should > apt to lie, for he thinks that you know not while > satisfy its thirst. I f it is tired, they should give > you do know and extreme kindness keeps you from > it rest. Man is generally sinful and the animal is > revealing your knowledge. innocent : Unquestionably one must be more kind > Then 0 Ye Friends of God ! Ye must not only -and merciful to the innocent. The harmM > have kind and merciful feelings for mankind, but animals, such as the bloodthirsty wolf, the poison- > you should also exercise the utmost kindness to ous snake and other injurious animals are excepted, > every living creature. The physical sensibilities because mercy towards these is cruelty t o man and > and instincts are common to animal and man. other animals. For instance, if you show kind- > Man is, however, negligent of this reality and ness to a wolf, this becomes a tyranny to the sheep, > imagines that sensibility is peculiar to mankind; for it may destroy a whole ihck of sheep. If you > therefore he practises cruelty to animals. I n give an opportunity to a mad dog it may be the > reality, what difference is there in physical sensa- cause of the destruction of a thousand animals and > tions? Sensibility is the same whether you harm man. Therefore sympathy to the ferocious animal > man or animal: : there is no difference. Nay is cruelty to the peaceful animal, so ferocious > rather, cruelty to the animal is more painful animals should be done away with. > because man has a tongue and he sighs, complains To the blessed animals, however, the utmost > I > 174 1 176 > PILICIIIbUIJ Uvvuru --. -.---- ---- - > it will be. This sympathy and kindness is one 'rp- > of the fundamental principles of the Divine King- > d~m. PURITY AND CLEANLINBGS. ' > You should pay great attention to this question. DIVINE LAWS OF THE MOST > Upon Ye be the Glory of A b b ! MERCIFUL* > . > (Signed) "BDU'L-BAHAABBAS c< HIE forcible way in which B&iL'u'U& > has stated the necessity of cleanly > Translated by A zizullah S. Bahbdur, Novemkr virtues and the eloquent manner in > lath, 1920. Hsifa, Palestine. which he has demonstrated their properties and > benefits, has never before been equalled in the > heavenly books of other Religions. . . .9 9 > " I n regard to cleanliness, notwith-ding the > . manifest advancement of some refined nations, it > is evident that this praiseworthy quality is still im- > perfect among the masses." > " I n books of the Muslims, Jews, Zoroastrians > > and Hindoos, although the laws d cleanliness and > ordinances concerning clean and unclean t b g s > are minutely recorded, get there are very few who > are really cleanly. There are many who pretend > and affect cleanliness and purity by shunning those > outside their Religion and abstaining from touch- > ing certain animals, who appear in the most impure > clothing and bodies. Even carrying at times the > artificial idea of cleanliness to the extremes of > melancholy. Stories and romances illustrating > this subject furnish extraordinary records of a kind > of acq~~ired insanity which is amazing to people of > intelligence.'' > " Although the American and Eraropean regions, and reach the bighest zenith of perfection > f Christians, more particularly the i&abita,nts of among all nations. " > 1 Holland, France, England and Germany, are far . " Thus it is revealed in the book of Aqdas : > i a > more advanced than other nations in the cleanliness > of their persons, clothing, residences, mads and " Cleanse every impure thing with a water > I/ streets, yet they do not deem it necessary 'to > cleanse the soil of impurities, unless they cause > which will not change by the ' three ' (colour, > taste, smell,)-beware not .to use a water which is > i > I visible dirt. I n the New Testament no command infected by stagnant air or by any other thing. > is definitely given to avoid that which is filthy and Be the essence of cleanliness among Mankind." > impure. Consequently, one who has a concep- " This is that which your Master, the Mighty, > tion of real cleanliness would not hesitate to eon- the Wise, has desired for you. Thus, God hath > clude that perfect cleanliness as a practice is in its removed the decree of uncleanliness, from all > infancy, even amongst the most refined nations things, and from other nations, as a gift from God. > of the world, awaiting the time when God the Verily, H e is the Forgiving, the Beneficent. > Exalted, shall bring it to the highest pitch of per- . . . All things are being submerged in the > fection. f' Sea of pureness. . . . This is through My > Favour. which surrounds all the creatures, so that > " Now, in order to show forth the abundant and they may consort with all religions, and deliver the > perfect benefits of God in this Dispensation, to Cause of your Lord the Clement. Verily, this is > protect people from the melancholic imaginations the Crown of all deeds, were ye of those who > current among some nations and deliver more than know ! Likewise forsake foul tanks in the houses > one half of the population sf %e earth from an and be of those who are pure. Verily, we have > acquired insanity, the Blessed Perfection has pro- desired to see you the manifestations of Paradise > nounced an things clean. A t the same time He on earth, so that there may emanate from you > has emphatically commanded a11 to avoid every- that whereat the hearts of near ones may rejoice." > thing filthy and t o cleanse dresses, bodies, and " I t is necessary to explain these points, so that > household furniture, etc., from every pollution. the inhabitants of America,, and Europe, who > H e has revealed these ordinances in the book of owing to the universal spread of civilization during > Aqdas and numerous Tablets, so that real cleanli- the last century, enjoy all the benefits of cleanli- > ness and perfect purity, which are high attributes ness, neatness, and protection from fatal epidemic > of heavenly souls, may shine forth throughout all diseases resulting from l~ncleanlinessmay become > cognisant of the dimsters of the Orient, and be in- these ponds the inhabitants perform their ablu- > formed of the reason why these ordinances have tions, while at the same time they wash their feet > been revealed. For except one is informed s f the and handkerchiefs therein. The decaying leaves > foulness of the baths of Persia, the putrid tanks of the surrounding trees fall into them, (this same > of their houses and mosques, the impurity of the water is used by the inhabitants for drinking and > drinking water of Rokara and 'Tartary : and under- cooking.) It is called ' pure water ' by the law > stands how cleanliness and neatness are neglected so the inhabitants believe it allowable to use- > by those two great nations, it is impossible to Therefore many of the inhabitants of B0kal.a are > realise the Bounty of God th\e Exalted, Who has with ' Filiaria medinensis,' and the > revealed such ordinances ; or to thoroughly under- people of Kookand with goitre. When men of > stand the necessity of these laws. For it is cus- discernment ponder over the facts here briefly in&- > tomary with the Persian people to have but one cated, they will be able to realise t6e Mercy of God > p11blic bath for every district which contains from in instituting ordinances for the resewa at ion of a > one thousand to fifteen hundred houses, and their community numbering over three hundred mil- > means of bathing and cleanliness is cozafined t~ this lions. For it is impossible to change by the corn- > one bath. It consists of two houses, built of stone, p l s i o n of kings or advice of'wise men, certain > brick and cement : one for disrobing, the other rooted pradices of a people who believe these prac- > containing the hot bath, for bathing and cleansing: tices to be commanded by their religion- These > their bodies. They are frequently shaved and dye customs and habits can only be removed by new > their hair in the same place. Then wmhing them- lams instituted by manifestations of the command > selves with soap, they take a final plunge into the God. For instance the traditional C U S ~ Oof~ ~ > same reservoir, the water of which is the foulest the Jews, extracted from the book of Meshna, and > and most impure thing imaginable ; and then leave which are not enacted in the original Bible, could > the bath. Such are the baths used by fifty millions not be changed by the power of any mighty kin€! > of Shi'ites who inhabit Persia, Turkestan, and or philosopher. 'I'his is the case with the corrupt > India. The reservoirs of 13okara and Tartary practices of the Hindoos and Magians. 'To sum > which contain the drinking water of the inhabi- up; a nllmber of moral ordinances which secure > tants, are also used for bathing and cleansing, like the perfecting of human virtues have been revealed > the Persian baths. I n these countries a pond is from the Supreme Pen, but to explain their bene- > built a t different places in ecery town and village fits Is not possible in the limits of a short treatise." > and surrounded with ~nulberry trees, etc, rn " A~ hllman minds are discordant, and as it is > - - > ., v > > I > > usually impossible for men of sound mindv to agme ~ g ~ pthe t ,Pagan Ceeuvs of Rome, and Ke~a- > upon that which"will secure the pmtection and kings of Persia, the Yemen Princes of Ancient > development of peoples, tlierefore God the Arabia, and the kings and descendants of Gn& > Exalt&, has assigned the enactment of such laws Khan the 3longd." > 6 6 xut whatever nation acknowledges the Holy > to the Manifestations of 13is o w n command, > These Holy Souls, through their divine perception, ~ ~ u i f ~ ~ t aand > t i oobeys > n ihe H o b Law* will be- > enact rules and regulations by which the support come a living nation, and enjoy victow, Permaa- > and Progress of society is accomplishd and ad- ence, inffuence, and fame ; even though it may > vanced for about one thousand years. Then, in seem at the beginning, weak, oppressed, and few > mcordance with the law of progression and decline, in number. p i n t Was illustrated in > which is one of the essential decrees of the world of the Israelites at the appearance of Moses; in the > Nature, the same Divine Spirit will be manifested Christians at the Advent of Christ ; and in the > in another Manifestation Who renews these laws Arabs a t the Rise of Muhamad." > and regulations. . . 9 Y. The passages above quoted are taken from > "The life and sustained vitality of nations can 6. BahA'i Proofs," writLen by Ahul Fad, fie > only be assured by appreciating this great gi&ift. of the BahA'i Teachings, ho~ouredfor his > Mere faith in religion, without observing its laws > learning and his saintly devotion to the Religion of > and ordinances, can by no means secure our salva- ~ ~ andd are, given here in order that the reader > tion and emancipation. Even love for God with- may benefit by his able instruction and seek fur- > out compliance with His laws and Commanhents, ther colafirlnation in the reasons he gives for accept- > which form the corner stone of all refigious or&- ing the Manifestation of God, in our Own Day* > aeces, will be considered as mere imagination and > sheer pride. Fmm id is also understood that any ~ b Faz] ~ l for the consideration of his > nation which ignores and disobeys these holy laws, readers that " greater laws ~ ~ n c e m i neveW > g point > refusing to acknowledge the D a ~ n i n ~there- - ~ l ~ ~ ~ or referring to the preservation of society > of, is a dead nation and will be finally extinkmished and the perfecting of human virtues Could not be > found, than the Divine Commands from the > a d destroyed ; even though it may have prevailed > over the dominions of East and West, and be Supreme Pen of the Blessed Perfection, > honoured by brilliant learning, glorious influence 13ah&'u911Ah. ''* > and powerful annies. This is made clear by re- (+see r r ~ ~ hproofs.- > l ~ i nbul Fazl. Cllapter on His Holiness > fleeting upon the rise and fall of the PIlarmhs of ~~hA'~'ll'h.) > I t should be recognised that Christians will > naturally feel anxiQus about some social solutions. > And particularly that concerning marriage. I n > that matter Christians have been ahead of Muslims. > I n the matter of strong drink they are behind ; > destroyed. Be thou straightfornard before God > - and the problems relating to family life are not at every instant, then praise H i m by the morn and > merely concerned with marriage. merefore, > Divine Wisdom solves difficulties from more than > one point of view, as we shall find in the laws and WORDS OF . A B D U ' G B A H ~ > regulations given through Bahh'u'llBh in the " The Bah&'i Temple at IAq-hbhd has nine > KitBbu'l-Aqdas (Book of Laws). avenues, nine gardens, and nine fountains. So it > It is not at all certain that the great multitudes is nine on nine, all nines. It is like a beautiful > who pray for the Kingdom of God to come on -buquet. Imagine an edifice of this beauty in the > earth, are really expecting it to come through the centre of the city, very lofty, surrounded by gm- > perfecting of human virtues. I n other Religions, dens with variegated flowers, and nine avenues in- > besides the Christian, what the individual beiieues, terlacing gardens, nine pools and nine faun- > or confesses verbally, has too often been taken to tains,and think how delightful it must be ! T b t is > certify salvation. the way it should be. It is matchless, most beauti- > But in this day, Bahb'u'llbh says : ful ! Such is the design. " > " Decorate yourselves with the garment of b 6 The Temple of I&¶-&Ad is unique in that is > deeds; whosoever attains God's good pleasure by the first Temple of the kind that has been erected. > deeds is of the people of Bahi, and he will be Many such temples shall be constructed in the > spoken of before the Throne. Assist ye the King future, but this one will ever enjoy this unique > of Creation, first by deeds, then by Wisdom and privilege. When its accessories are completed and > utterances. Thus ye have been commanded in its full nlachinery starts running, when the melody > most of the Holy Tablets from the Presence of of instrumental and vocal music arises and bursts > the Clement One. upon the air with its joyous trends, when the > " 1)ecorate your heads with the crown of tnlst- prayen and supplications addressed at dawn and at > worthiness and faithfulness; your hearts with the sunrise ascend to the Throne of the Almighty, then > robe of piety, your tongues with pure truthfulness, will the effect of the Mahriqu'l-A&k&r be evident > and your temples with the mantles of courtesy." and manifest. " > " Temples are symbols of the reality and divinity > of God, the Collective Centre. Consider how, > within a Temple, evkry race and people are seen > and represented-all in the presence of the Lord, > covenanting together in a covenant of love and > fellowship, all offering the same melody, prayer > - and supplications t o God. It is evident that the > church is a collective centre for Mankind. For > this reason there have been churches and teniples > in all the Divine Religions. But the real Col- > lective Centres are the Manifestations of God, of > whom the church or Temple is a symbol and ex- > pression. That is to say, The Manifestation of > God is the real divine Temple and Collective THE MASHRIQU~L-ADHRAR > Centre, of which the church is but a spibol." ASKHABAD, RUSSIA. > " It is proved that the Manifestations of God- > FOUNDATION STONE LAID > the great Mouth-pieces of God-are the Collective > Centres of God. The prophets of God are these NOVEMBER 12th, 1902. > Collective Centres, for they are the real shepherds. > The real shepherd unites the scattered sheep, as > they have done iq the past. The Collective Centre > has ever appeared from the Orient. His Holiness > Abraham was a Collective Centre and R e appeared i > in the East. His Holiness Moses was a Collective 1 > I > Centre and He appeared in the East. His Hculi- > ness Jesus Christ was a Collective Centre and I3e i > appeared in the Exst. 1 3 s Holiness Muhaulmad , > was a Collective Centre appearing among the > nomadic tribes of the Arabian peninsula." > " To-day, His Holiness Bahh'u'llhh is the Col- > > lective Centre for all Humanity, and H e has come > from the East." > HISTORIG NOTE. > > "I AM Alpha ! and Omega ! " The Begin- > ning, and the Ending, saith the Lod. > Therefore in His Sight all things which > appear are seen from the Beginning. The De- > sign is His. That Eternal " I " which t o Phari- > sees, Sadducees, and Greeks, was but " foolish- > ness " wEen the Christ said : " Before Abraham > was, I AM," is the Cause of all appearances in the > visible world, and of the Manifestation, and > Return, of the Spirit incarnate.* > w h e n it has been pointed out that egotism > .is rampant through the inability of worldly > servitors to see God's Point of Guidance; > and this because of the disposition to which we dl > are prone, to see self only-it has not been inten- > ded that any should belittle, or abase themselves, > either in the sight of God, or Man, but that all > should rise t o that for which they were created. > Through the Power of His Holy Spirit, we can > rise to the embrace of God, Our Father, Who > ever waits to embrace His own. The Martyrs > all knew this, and a more adequate study of the > History of the Bahh'i Cause will make it quite > clear : For in this Latter Day Movement to pro- > mote Harmony in the world-Martyrs have taken > a prominent part, in furtherance of it. > > * " B y ' Return,' is meant t h e Return of the Manifestation > THE ~ T A S ~ I R ~ Q U ' ~ ~ -AT > . ~ ASKHABAD > ~ ~ ~ I K ~ ~ K of t h e Sacred Reality." See "Bahi'i Proofs." Abul Fm1. p. 255. > Only a note can here be given indicative of the > connection This Day has with those other Days the Bib appeared in S h i r k , Bahi'u'lliih, W h o was > of God, without which, This Day could not be. about twenty-seven years of age, publicly accepted > A " Thousand years," in God's Sight, are but as His Claim, and endeavoured to the utmost, to p r 6 > mote the word of the B&b,both in Tihr&n and > yesterday. " One Day telleth another, and the > firmament showeth His handiwork." So sang Mazanderan, especially among the religious doctors > at Noori, so that the renown of His knowledge and > David, and so we sing. But if everybody who > sings it understood it, there would be no need of +e power of His reasoning raised an excitement > among the leading rnen of those districts. By this, > martyrs to prove it. > I n This Day, the Bib, or Gate, was born in many were led to embrace the Religion, and others > were stirred to jealousy and insolence.'' > Shirhz, Persia, 1819, A.D. H e prepared the way > - > " After H e had resided and travelled in the dif- > for, and Announced 'cHim Whom God would > Manifest. " As John the Baptist prepared the ferent districts of Mazanderan, H e returned to > way for Jesus : So the Btib prepared the way for Tihrin, where H e continued to spread the prin- > Bahi'u'llbh. Six years after the Bib had declared ciples of the religion and spiritual teachings, > His Mission, H e was shot for His Faith, at Tabriz ; alpporting and encouraging the Bhbis, until the > 1850. His earthly father was a merchant of wool- attempt against the life of Nasiri'd-din Shih > len goods. happened. The substance of this great event is as > " Bahb'uYllAh was born in Tihrhn, Nov. 1817, > follows : > A.D. As a child H e was distinguished for re- " A young man of Tabriz, Muhamn~edSadck by > markable sagacity and spirihal discernment, al- name, who was a servant of one of the prominent > though H e was not taught by anybody. Appar- Bibis, and devotedly attached to his master, be- > ently, H e had acquired the elements of Persian came oppressed and bereft of reason on account of > reading and writing from His father and other near the martyrdom of the latter. Having made up his > kinsmen. I n His youth, His father, who was one mind to blood revenge, he divulged his secret to > of the ministers of State, died, and the charge of one of his confidential friends whom he knew to be > his brothers and sisters, who were all younger than one of the staunch believers of the Bbb. These > Himself, fell upon Him. H e did not care to enter two went to TihrAn, concealing their intention > any of the Government services, but provided sus- from all their friends, and even from the Bhbis. > tenance for the whole family through the manage- As the &Ah went out of the city, sojourning > ment of His inherited lands and pro~erties.When among his country resorts at Shamiran, they > directed their steps toward the village of Niavaran. > Qn Sunday, 15th August, 1852 (1288 A.H.), classes slew its victim as t&y chose, Some wero > cut lengthwise alive; some were blown fro& > they were in the vicipity gf the village, near the > mortars, and s m e h p p e d pieces. The Badjja~ > %yal Palace, with &e intention of carrying oul; > their plot. When the =Ah went out to ride, youths of Astrabad, in order to try the strength of > their arms, cut their unforhlnate mpiives intq > Muhammed Sadek a d v ~ c e dand, fired a pistol shot > at bini, The shot missed its mark, as the horse halves with their swor&, Among them, one who > died in an incredibly horrible m a k , was S&y7 > bolted, and the .&Ah being much agitated, fell off > his horse and fainted. The attendants ,mshed man-Khan, the son of Ysya-Khan of Tqbriz, who > forth, picked up the a&, and slew Muhammed was a most devoted fo4ower of the Bkb. When > the order was issued for execution, they fist > Sadek on the spot. As he was killed instantly, hq > stripped him, and made holes in bis body with > could aot be questioned as to what led him to c m - > mit this abominable act, asd as to who had been knives. In these holes they placed l i g h t 4 wax > his associate. But as he had been a servant of one candles, put a halter through his nose and paraded > of the prominent Bhbis, that community was ua- him around the markets of Tihrhn. When tq > justly accused of the deed, and notwithstanding candle burned down to his flesh and was consumed, > they knew nothing whatever of this plot, they were they would put another in its place. Bystanders > arrested and fell victim t~ the wrath of the were watching the scene and following in great > revengeful S h h . Eighty of them were seized in crowds ;while he was silent and patient, not evinc- > Tihrhn, and given up separately to a different ing the least trace of agitation; nor did he groan - > class of people to be executed. The administra- or plead for mercy, which is the natural tendency > tors deemed it advisable to have each one of thew of man under such circumstances. Nay, he ex- > victims murdered by one section of the citizens, pressed great joy and cheerfulness, with a shining > and thus show hatred and enmity between the dif- face, while singing and chanting verses of yearn- > ferent classes of Shi'ites and the Blbis. By thiq ing, so that the hard hearts of the bystanders mere > means they sought to prevent the spread of the affected with emotion, and all the inhabitants of > BAb's Religion. Consequently they distributed Tihrhn, both old and young, were astonished. > the helpless Bhbis to various parties of people ; one Finally, after this torture, they cut him in half > to the book-keepers, one to the soldiers, one to the lengthwise, and hung the two parts on either side > learned doctors, one to the merchants, carpenterg, of the old city gate of Abdul-Azim. > blacksmiths, drapers; even the shoe-makers, cob- " It is said that when the matter waxed so fright- > blers, rice merchants, etc. Each one of thew ful, the Iman Joma (chief leader of prayer) of > Tihrdn, conferred with the and blamed him that the prominent Bbbis had no connection with > for these outrages., Some state that one of the the matter, rode forth with perfect composure to > foreign Ambassadors warned the %Ah that should Nivavaran, where he was imprisoned, and chained > another Bhbi victim show forth such steadfastness for about four months in the gaol of TihrAn. > at the time of his execution, half the people would After strict examination and enquiry, it was finally > embrace Bkbism, after which checking the matter proven that Me had no connection whatever with > would be extremely difficult. The %Ah therefore the criminals, and that H e knew nothing of the > prohibited the taking of any action against tbe mattes. The &Ah therefore ordered that H e > Bibis without investigation; but since that time, should depart to Irak Arabi, and abide in the holy > the justice awarded to these devoted people has sanctuaries of the Shi'ite Imams (Kerbela, Nejef, > been similar to that given by the Council of the and Bagdad), which are places of exile for the men > Inquisition to the heretics of Rome. I n fact a sf distinction of Persia. Accordingly in the year > man's acknowledgement of Bhbisnl before the 1269 A.H. (1852 A.D.) he departed to Irak, > Governnent was considered as confessing the escorted by some of the delegates of the Persian > greatest crime, which should be punished with Government, and took up his residence a t Bag- > death, no matter how high a character, or what dad."-(" Bahd'i Proofs." Abul Fazl. Trans- > qualifications of virtue and sanctity he possessed, lated by Ali K d i Khan.) > Very often the finding of a BAbi Book in a person'q Among the earlier Martyrs was Qurratu'l-'Ayn, > possession, his conversing or dealing with the named by BahB'u'llAh, T a k a , the Pure One. > BAbis, or pleading for one"accused of Bibism, H e r spirit had for some time sought the Corning > \v0uld be considered as a crime by the clergy. One with such longing, that being well acquainted > Many a time if they found in the pocket of an with Divine Prophecy she a t once recognised the > accused one a tom piece of paper bearing the BBb, through His Teachings, and set out t o meet > words : ' Allah'u'Abha ! ' (' God is Glorious '), Him. But religious hatred and persecution was > or the name of Beha or Bhb, they needed no fur- at that time rife in Persia, and having been driven > ther witness to prove his infidelity. from place to place, H e was tfien in prison, only > to be released in Rlartyrdorn. So she never saw > ' W n e of the men arrested and imprisoned was I . But, with the swiftness of her keen > the blessed person of Bahb'u'llAh, I3e was in the spiritual l)crception, she soon came to recognise > village of Afcha, one of the surrounding districts Balrh'u'llAh as the One, Wbom, according to the > of I When the report .of the attempt Declaration of the BBb, " God would Manifest." > upon the &Ah's life came to H i m , H e , knowing > ) > > I n the story of her search, her Eke, devotion, > be, under the pa*lpshg i&Wiice of st- ddflk* > pefsecution, and cruel Martyrdom, we have some Readers will do well to e d €I W& er d c m t s > id the most brilliant and thrilling episodes of any of her life and love for the Cause of Godj WM > are being written, abd those which are > ardent soul in Sacred History. For she at all > times fose with rapture above every trial which written more fully than herd.* > From '' an abbreviated accomt of the soHoWd > beset her, astonishing and charming friends and > strangefs alike by her eloquence and spiritual bul events concerning the Martyrdoms in Y a d and > grandeur, and by the grace and beauty of her I s f a i n , in 1903," it is difficult to quote, for we > personality. Though she knew, by her clear have not known such fierce religious persecutioh > vision, aforetime, what would befall her, and pre- in the Occident ; especially in our own lifetime we > paring herself in prayer and meditation, after have been free from persecution, though not from > bathing and robing in white, she went with blindness, superstition, or oppression. The follow- > wonderful fortitude to the end which awaited her. ing passages show that religious hatred was so fierce > After being taken to a garden, she was strangled in Persia at that time that the Government in that > with a silken handkerchief, and while still uncon- . country could not cope with it. > scious, thrown into a well by a hired murderer, .t " There were two pure women, who, while > who was first made drunken, lest he should refuse mourning for their martyred dead, were attacked > t o carry out this evil deed; as the first one ap- by cruel men, who first beat and tortured them, > pointed t o do it, on seeing and speaking with her and then dragged them, still alive, out of their > had refused, at all costs to himself, for it became houses, after which they stabbed them and chopped > clear that death was certain for him, in any case, them to pieces in the presence of the bloodthirsty > and he preferred not to befoul his soul with murder kro~vd. When the audacity of the rabble reached > a t the time of its nearness ;for in the few minutes' this point, the Governor, finding himself powerless > speech he had with QurratuYl'Ayn, he became t o stand against the rioters, fled from the city and > convinced of the truth and sincerity of the Cause r\etired to the citadel for self-preservation." > for which she was then giving up her life. Such '' It is reported that a baker was captured, and > was the power of her eloquence, that she could that his body was chopped to pieces with meat axes, > convert a hired murderer, who was not under the and that during the time of his torture, he prayed > influence of strong drink. Oh! look to her, and (S&e " ~ o d ' sHeroes," Laufti Clifford Brirney, Kegan Paul.) > read of her faith and devotion, all ye who may t (" i Miftvdrnj Ptrsis, 1903." Bahl'i Publishing > be in danger of becoming that which ye would not Society, chicago.) > / P > I > > that God would forgive his murderers, joyfully resistance to the bloodthirsty wolves, who, stretch- > giving lip his life in the Path of God, rather than ing out their claws of tyranny, killed seventeen per- > deny his Faith." sons with such cruelty that the pen cannot descrik > " It is reported that the number of those killed, it. Among the victims was a little child, who fell > up to that day, is more than one hundred and fifty into a well, and being rescued, was the only sur- > persons within the walled city of Yezd. I n the viving soul left of those noble people." > surrounding small villages many people were mar- " The number of martyrs in that place was &e > tyred in each place. A telegram was received in teen. I n the village of Taft the number was > TihrAn to the effect that the Governor, being twenty-eight. I n Rlanshad there were ten. In > pressed by the rioters, was compelled to blow one Delbala they threw a believer, alive, into a baker's > of the friends of God from the mouth of a cannon, oven, and roasted him to death. Up to that date, > and to behead another in the circle of the city. six women have been martyred and many have > The mob put a woman in a sugar sack, over which been captured and wounded." > they poured petroleum, and burned her alive. " I n a letter from the , B&'i Assembly at > They tied and nailed another believer to a tree, Mashed, Persia, dated October 19,1909, news was > poured naphtha and oil over him and burned the received that ' in two villages called Hasser and > tree and the nian together." Namsg, in the Province of Khorassan, five sancti- > " I n a village near the city there lived Jenabe fied souls were martyred, and four of our spiritual > Sadre, Jenabe Nutamed-u-Shariah, Jenabe Nezam- sisters assaulted and wounded, and the ears of one > u-Shariah , Jenabe Zia5-u-Shariah, with all their of the believers cut off, while other Bahbis were > families and kinsmen. They were venerable Ulla- the subjects of persecution and pillage.' "* > mas and Seyids, and had all received titles from " 'His Holiness Jesus Christ (may the souls of > the &Ah ; yet the Mullahs sanctioned the massacre all creatures he his ransom !) has clearly pointed out > of all these honourable and revered souls. The the pathway to the Kingdom of God, showing > mob, excited by the clergy, attacked them wit11 plainly the shortest road to be that of sacrifice. > guns, swords, etc. Though these noble souls were Therefore these sanctified souls have but followed > sufficient in number to stand against them, and Christ, Who was the Dawn of Sacrificial Lights, > were provided with ample means of defence, yet * and through this path have they proceeded to .the > in accordance with the co~nrnandof the Blessed Kingdom of Mysteries. For the sake of such as > Perfection, BahA'u'llAh, "Ilet yourselves be killed, these He said : > rather than to kill," they yielded their lives without > 1 + (" BahA'l News," March 41st, 1910, Chicago.) -: > '' Blessed are they which are persecut&i for the Divine Manifestatioh of God id dl tfmd9b t h > ri8hteousness sakit, for their's is the kingdom of aheient and mbdern. "* > hhven." " Blessed are the pure in heart, fat. &any more before these, and since, hiivt! given > &ey shall s& God." " Blessed are ye when men > hp their lives in this Cause to establish U n i v e d > d h a ~~evileyou, and persecute you, and speak aU > manner of evil against you falsely for My sake, > Rejoice ! and be exceeding glad, for great is your Eveliy Day, God has tried to get a c o u r k ~ u s > reward in heaven ; for so persecuted they the Pro. hearing from the World of Humaniw, ahd has > phets before you." > therefore expressed Himself, at the Beginniner df > "'n the Tablet of Aqdas, Bahii'u'llih says : each Day of Generosity, or Cycle, b u g h a > " Blessed is the sleeper who is awakened by My human £ o m , in order to be known and understood > Breezes ! by Mankind. God expressed Himself through the > Blessed are the dead who are vivified by my personality of Jesus Christ, but the world was > Breaths ! offended. It objected to natural means. > Blessed is the eye which is enlightened by My . It sought after some less familiar way which > would create B great sensation, and which > Blessed is the ear which heareth My Melodies ! would controvert all that is known of the > Blessed is the affrighted one who hastens to the natural and spiritual Lsws of the Universe. Sa > shelter of My Name ! Humanity crucified Jesus and beheaded John the > Blessed is he who hath heard of My afflictions, Baptist, because it disapproved of the Way God > and has arisen to assist Me among My spoke to it. It could not, however, kill the Spirit, > which ascended to the Heavenly Father. > Blessed is he who is convinced by My Word ! Jesus was known as the son of a carpenter, > Blessed is He who entereth My Kingdom ! and in the World's view it was presump- > Verily he is from lMe, and upon him he My tion for Him to teach the Elders. Nevertheless, > " > Mercy, My Bomty, My Favour, and My H e opened the Rook, and expounded it in t h e > Benediction ! " Synngogue, as "One having authority." As s > *' This is the ransom for the Blood of the Mar- child it held his attention so completely, that He > tprs ! This is the utmost desire of the chosen ones ! became lost to His earthly parents. And what > This is the eternal life of the spiritual ones ! This is wonder, when he saw Himself in the Book, that > the p~thwayof Jesus Christ! This is the way of He could speak " with authority, and not as the > .j// I > f > > l1 200 * (Lawh-el-Aqdas," I3ah;'u7ll~h's Mesvrge to Christians-) > i -. > / > > Scribes? " H e was born in the wrong place t o indifferent now, as' it was then; and has not yet > please the people of His Day. H e was not im- found God's Lawgiver of the Present Day. It is > portant enough t o rn'eet their views. H e spoke busy quarrelling over who shall make its laws ;but > ! T o them > i n the vernacular, and not in the G ~ e e k as we have seen, they are made and given, in > His claim was unbearable presumption. Besides, accordance with the necessity of the T k e s , by > how dare H e announce Himself to be the Son of God, and are Declared by Bahi'u'llAh. And > God ! I t was Blasphemy ! Such a thing had though the world heeds them not, they are being > never been heard of. Away with H i m ! And so written in receptive hearts. So the History of > has the world received God's Messengers at the This Cause is bound to be written, Chistian > Dawn of every New Day ;His Spiritual Manifests- History is written, in those hearts which enthrone > tions come to " make all things New," but the > world to its own hurt has rejected Them. It Bahb'u'll&h, and the Bhb, Who announced Him, > prefers to manage its own afhirs without God's aid. and 'Abdu'l-BahL, the Centre of His Covenant, > y e t thousands of years after they, His enemies, like Jesus, all had earthly birth places, just as > @reforgotten, throughout Eternity Christ will be Moses, Abraham, M4ammad, Buddha, > enthroned in every heart. That is God's doing, ~oroaster,Confucius, and we all have. > for His Word accomplishes that whereunto H e some nineteen years elapsed, between the > bath sent I t , in every Time of V&&ation. Annolmcement, in 1844, and the time when, with > The History of the Bahi'i Dispensation is the ~i~ followers in Exile, in the Garden of Ridvhn, > History of the Present Day Visitation of the w o r d outside Bagdad, 2863, Bahh'u'llAh to a few of His > of God, to Mankind. As H e said something disciples, declared Himself to be the Expected > through Jesus inspiring John the Baptist to an- one,Whom the BAb Declared : "God would > nounce Him at the Beginnirmg of the Christian Manifest." And so great was the power of the > E r a : so, to-day, H e speaks through another Spirit in Him, that during long Exile and confine- > Manifestation of His Power and Glory : hi'^'- merit under the Persian and Turkish Governments > Ilih, T h o comes by the Power of the same spirit a t the instigation of the Mullahs, his influence car- > under another Name (to protect the world from ried to distant parts of the earth, and drew many on > mere imitators-against whom Jesus warned His long pilgrimage in search of the Divine Know- > disciples before His Ascension, see Matt. Ch, 24, ledge H e had to impart. > versa 5-24)-and He comes to demonstrate the I n many Sacred and Holy Writings, by His > Glow of God. The world is just as worldly and Supreme pen, Bah&'u'llhh has made plain the Will > \ > II > > ~f God for this Age, And sn earnest study of > $ h q wi4 give awrance of &t veliditv of Mi5 > clGnn. ~t'willbe ieeq that the WiU of God, > expressed in His Principles apd Precepts, rqeetg > *T need of these disastrous t'~mes. THB CENTRE OF W E WVENAWT > Before ascending from the wrorld of visibility, > irr $892, Bahi'u'llih appointed '&du'l-B&6. Wis AMONGST THE NATIONS. > &loved Son and companion in Exile, to be the In a Tablet establishing the Centre of the COW > @mtreof His Covenarlt;, to establish on &ark& by enant, 'Abdu91-Bahh Abbm, Bahh'uu'll$hnevmks > the Will of God, the folbwing :- > THEMOSTGREATPEACE. " In His Name, Who Shines from the Horizon > > 4'Vekily &heTongue of the Ancient gives Glad > .Ti4irags to those who are in the world conemiwig > the appearance of &e Greatest Name who t a k e > Uis Covenant amongst the M~tions." > "Verily H e is Myself : the Sbning-Place .ofMy > Identityf the East Of M y Cause, the Hesven & > My Bounty, the Sea of Ny Will, the Lamp of My > Guidance, the P A of My Jestice, de Standard > of My Lam." > " The one who hath tunred to Him hath turned > eo My Face, and is illurnid by the G@ of My > hath scbwledged @y Daeness and con" > b e d M y Singleness." > ' T h e one who hath denid Him hath been d e > > I > I > * "This is the Branch that hath extended from Great Peace amongst the Nations and enduring a > the Power of Thy Oneness, and from the Tree of lifetime of persecution, did H e then travel through- > Thy Unity. Thou beholdest Him, My God, gazing out the world in His advanced age. For many > unto Thee, and holding fast to Thy Mercy." years ;EZe has also radiated Divine Counsel from > "Thou knowest O M ? , God, that I have chosen His own Table in the Holy Land, through count- > Him only because Thou hast chosen Him; I have less Tablets, Epistles, and Talks given personally to > elected Him only because Thou hast elected Him. Pilgrinis who have journeyed from distant parts of > Therefore assist Him by the hosts of Thy Heaven the earth, in order that they might give again to > and Thy earth." the world, that which they had received; also, H e > 'cWelp Thou 0 God whosoever may help Him, has ever been a living example to all around Him, > strengthen whosoever may advance towards Him, s f the kindly Wisdom, Grace, and Eove which it > and reject whosoever may reject Him and desire was His work to impart. > Him not." > "O My Lord, Thou beholdest My pen moving After appointing His grandson, Shoghi Effendi, > and my limbs trembling in this moment of Revela- to be the Guardian of the Bahh'i Cause, on Novem- > tion, I beg of Thee by My craving in Thy Eove, 'ber the f~zth,1921, His Spirit ascended to the > and My yearning for Declaration in Thy Com- Heavenly Father. There is-no doubt to hear the > mand, to ordain for Him, and His Lovers, that glad Welcome : > which Thou hast ordained for Thy Messengers, and > the Trusted ones of Thy Salvation." > " Well done! Thou Good and Faithful Ser- > vant ! Enter into the Rest prepared for Thee, be- > " ?Verily, Thou art the Powerful and the > > Mighty. " fore the foundations of the world." > cAbdu'l-BahA, born on the 23rd of May, 1844 On Tuesday, November the 29th, 1921, the > (the day the BAb made His Proclamation), has now temple of His Holy Spirit was laid aside. > by His most arduous and self-sacrificing Labour of From 9.1.5 to 11 a.m., great multitudes of many > Love, accomplished the great work to which He tongues and faiths and nations walked in the long > was Divinely appointed. funeral Procession which wended its way up > Not only after 40 years' exile with His father Carmel, the Sacred Mountain, where His earthly > on account of their fih faith to establish the Most garment was reverently laid to Rest, in the Tomb > * (Translated by Mirm Valiolah Khan Vargha ,?f ~ i h r L n , of the Bib. Eastern papers said that "A11 Haifa > Dec. l l t h , 1918.) > ?(Compare with Zec. Ch. 6. ver. 12. Isaiah Ch. 11. vers. 1-10.) was present ." > \ 2 > > i > > *" The High Commissioner sf Palestine, Sir And so we see the fuElling of the Prophecy : > Herbert Samuel, the Governor of Jerusalem, the " They shall not hurt or destroy in all My Holy > Governor of Phoenicia, the Chief CJBcials of the - Mountain, for the earth shall be full of the know- > - Government, the Consuls of the various countries, ledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." > resident in Haifa, the heads of the various religious (Isaiah, Chap. 11, vers. 9-12.) > communities, the notables of Palestine, Jews, > Christians, MosIems, Druses, Egyptians, Greeks, 'Abdu'l-Bahit, the Servant of God, had accom- > Turks, Kurds, and a host of his American, Euro- plished that whereunto He mas sent. The testi- > pean and native friends, men, women and children, mony of the Leaders and Representatives of all > both of high and low degree, all, about ten thou- the great Religions was clear evidence of this, as > sand in number, mourning the loss of their beloved a e y assembled to nlourn with those who wept the > Departure of their Beloved, for all were one in > " This impressive, triumphal procession was their sorrow a d One in Faith, and Unity. > headed by a guard of honour, consisting of the > City Constabulary Force, followed by the Boy . There is growing evidence that the unifying > Scouts of the Moslem and Christian communities Faith of the Religion of God is spreading in all > holding aloft their banners, a company of Moslem parts of the world, through the activities of those > choristers chanting their verses from the Quran, who, like the disciples of .Jesus have no worldly > the chiefs of the Moslem community headed by q~ialificationor ambition, but, as the living fruits of > the Mufti, a number of Christian priests, Latin, His example are busily engaged " about their > Greek and Anglican, all preceding the sacred Father's business." > coffin, upraised on the shoulders of his loved ones. May all in the world hecorne aware of the Great > Immediately behind it came the members of his Day in which they live, and not remain un- > family, next Io them walked the British High acquainted with this further Revelation of God's > Commissioner, the Governor of Jerusalem, and Will, lest they wander in the " gross darkness " > the Governor of Phoenicia. After them came the which obscures the Light of Jesus given in the > Consuls and the notables: of the land, followed by Past, and failing t o see the Point of Guidance for > the vast multitude of those who reverenced and To-Day, labour in vain for that Unity without > loved him. " which,.they know, Religion does but reveal to the > * (See ''~ 1 1 Passing > e of ' ~ b d u ' l -~ a l d , "by Lady Blomfield > world, its shame. > and Shoghi Effendi.) If they had not forgotten, or failed to interpret > \ > J > > correctly, certain things which Jesus said, they BAH ~'U'LLAH > would not be trying to put "New Wine, into Old > Bottles." They would be looking for that One, THENew Name, BahA'u'lliLh, stands for the > Who in these Latter Days, is due, as the troublous Glory of God. T h e Jews made s mistake in re- > - > state of the world proclaims-to come in the Spirit jecting Christ. Christians would make a greater > of Truth, and "Guide us into all Truth." mistake in rejecting the One Whom R e Pro- > They would not remain apart because of His mised should Come. The Psalmist sang : " The > New Name. For they teo~lld remember that Glory of the Ilord shall he Revealed." And > Jesus said : '6 Many will come in Bly N9me with Christians sharing Israel's hope until now, sing > such power as to deceive the very elect : but believe glad Hallelujahs to welcome the Lord of Hosts : > r - thern not." And also in His Revelation through '' Lift up your Meads, O Ye Gates, > St. John the Divine : "To him that overcometh, And be Ye lift up, Ye Everlasting Doors ; > And the King of Mary shall come in. > I WILL WRITE UPON HIAM, D Who is the King of Glory 7 > f > MY NEW NAh/lE."* T h e Lord of Hosts ! > H e is the King of Glory." > Psalm 24th, 7-10. > " The Root of- all Knowledge is the Knowledge > > of God. Glory be to Him! And this Knsw- > ledge is impossible, save though His Manifesta- > tions. 'Wherefore when H e (BahB'u'llAh) ap- > peared, the Foundations of Nations trembled. > 'The learned ones were bewildered, and wise men > confounded, save those who came near unto Thee, > - O Beloved of the hearts of yearning! " > The Holy Spirit through RahA'~1'1lAh summons > the IIosts of all Religions, and addresses > Christians : " 0 Ye Concourse of the Son ! " > *Rev., chap. iii. ver. 12; Rev,, chap. xiv. ver. 1 ; ARE YE HIDDEN FROM MY SELF, > Isaiah, chap. Ixii. ver. 2. > BECAUSE OF MY NAME ! > \ > > \' > > As God was made manifest through the Christ member, the most learned doctors of His country, > Spirit in Jesus, the Son ; so also, in this n a y of in His Age, condemned Him to be killed, whilst > Visitation, by the power of the same Spirit, is God one who was a catcher of fishes believed in Him. > the Father made manifest through BahA'u'llAh. Be astonished thereat and be of those who re- > And in these Latter Days, H e summons the member !" > peoples of all Religions to the Heavenly Banquet > "Likewise, look at this time. How many monks > of Divine Unity, to "consort with each other with > were abiding in churches and calling for the Spirit, > fragrance. " Addressing Christians, in the same > and when H e came in Truth, they approached H i m > spirit of love with which Jesus yearned over Jeru- > not and were of those who are afar! Blessed is > salem, H e says : > whosoever abanaoned them, and approached the > "What maketh you to doubt? Ye have called Ainl of all that is in the heavens and eal.th. n e y > for your Lord the Self-Dependent, night and day, read the Gospel and confess not the Glorious Lord9 > and when H e hath come from the Heaven of Pre- after H e has come in His Holy, Mighty, and G h i - > Existence in His 'Greatest Glory, Ye have not ap- > proached Him, and were of the heedless." 66 you suppose that H e hath desired His Life > DO > > "Then consider those who turned away from after being at every instant under the S W O ~ ~ofS > the Spirit (Christ) when H e came to them, in rnani- the enemy? Or that H e hath desired the world > f a t power. HOWmany of the Pharisees were after being imprisoned in the most ruined of cities? > abiding in the Temples of His Name, and were Open the doors of your minds ; for verily, > entreating because of separation from Him ! But Spirit standeth behind them." > when the Gate of Union was opened and the Light > shone forth from the Day-spring of Beauty, they > 'What maketh you to keep afar from Him who > hath come from Heaven as H e came from it the > disbelieved in God, the Exalted, the Great, and > first time? Beware lest ye contradict that which > did not attain to His Visitation, after having been > He saith, as the nations before you contradicted > promised thereto in the Book of Isaiah, as well that which Christ said. Thus do I make known to > as in the Books of the Prophets and the Apostles. > you the Truth, if you are of those that I know. . . > No one of them approached tihe Dayspring of > Favour except those who were of no account "Proclaim : Surely th.e Father hath come and > among the people, but in wnose names all the lords hath fulfilled that whereunto you were promised in > of evident honour boast to the present day. Re- the Kingdom of God. This is the Word the Son > veiled when He said to those around Him that at is H e who approacheth Him, and woe to all de- > that time they could not bear i t ; but when the niers and doubters !" > stated time was ended and the hour arrived, the > Word shone forth from the Horizon of the Will. "Say unto the Priest that the Chief hath surely > Beware, 0 Concourse of the Son, cast it not behind come. Then emerge, from behind the veil, in the > Name of thy Lord, and proclaim to the people this > Greatest and Exalted Manifestation. Verily, the > "Verily, He, the Son beareth witness to Me, Spirit of Truth hath come to guide you into all > and I bear witness to R i m ; verily, H e desired Truth : Verily H e speaketh not unto you from > naught but ,My Person, whereunto bear witness Himself, nay, but rather from the All-Knowing > all those just ones who know. Verily, in the and Wise." > midst of afflictions we are inviting you to God the > Lord of the Names. Say : Continue in that "Proclaim : Me is the One Whom the Son hath > which is promised unto you in the Books of God, glorified, and whose Command He hath upraised. > and walk not in the path of the ignorant. " Abandon that which is before you, 0 people of > .the earth, and take that which is commanded you > " Surely my body is imprisoned for the salvation by the Powerful, the Faithful: Purify your ears > of your souls; then draw nigh to the Face, and and turn your minds to hear the sweet Call which > follow not all the obstinate proud ones. Verily, hath arisen from the direction of Sinai, the abode > H e bath accepted the greatest abasement for your of your Most Gracious (Abha) Lord. Verily, H e > honour, and ye are diverting yourselves in the attracts you unto a station wherein yon will behold > valley of heedlessness. Verily, R e is in the most the Lights of the Face, which hath shone forth > ruined of houses for your sakes, and ye are sitting from this brilliant Seclusion." > '' H e who inviteth the people in My Name, he is > I "Say : Have ye not heard the sound of the voice of Me, and from him will appear that which will > I of Him (the BAb) who is crying in the wilderness be beyond the power of all that is in the earth. > of the Beyan, proclaiming to you your merciful Then follow the path of the Lord, and follow not > Lord? Know that surely H e hath come in the the heedless. Blessed is the sleeper who is awak- > Truth, in the shadow of I>emonstration, with ened by these Powers, and will stand up amongst > Proof, and Argument, and the Unitarians are be- the dead, directing himself in the path of the > holding the Icingdom before their faces. Blessed Lord; verily he is of the essence of the creatures > Derore tne l r u e vne, verrly ne 1s or tnose who > Blessed is the seeker who sought the tent of My > have attained. " Majesty and My Greatness ! > '"ay : Verily, H e hath shone from the direction Blessed is the affrighted one who took refuge > of the Orient,' and His Signs have appeared in the under My Domes ! > Occident. Think thereupon, 0 people, and be not Blessed is the thirsty one who hastened to the > like unto those who neglected the Remembrancer TV-ell-Spring of My Favour ! > when EIe came unto them from before the Mighty, Blessed is the hungry one who has forsaken his > the Laudable. " desire because of My Passion, and was pre- > "Be awakened by the Breezes of God ! Verily sent at the Table that descended from the > they have blown in the world. Blessing to whom- Heaven of My grace for My elect ! > soever hath found their fragrance and is of the, Blessed is the lowly who held to the Rope of > assured. " My Might, and the poor who took shelter > under the shadow ~f the Canopy of My > "Say : The Body of the Beloved is yearning Wealth ! > after the Cross, and His Head desireth the spear > Blessed is the ignorant one who desired the > in the Path of the Merciful. Verily, the assault > Kawther of My Knowledge, and the heed- > of the oppressors keepeth Him not from that which > less ones who held to the Rope of My Re- > H e desireth. Surely W e have abandoned all membrance ! > things to the meeting of thy Lord, the Possessor > of Names. Blessed are they who draw nigh to Blessed is the spirit who rvas stirred by My > God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment." Breath and entered My Kingdom ! > Blessed is the soul whom the fragrance of 'My > The above is quoted from the "'Eawh-el-Akdas" > IJnion attracted to the Day-Spring of My > Bahb'u'll&h's Message to Christians, which con- Command ! > ,. -- > I > I tinues as follows :- > 1 Blessed is the ear which heard, and the eye which > " Blessed is the sleeper who is awakened by My beheld and knew the Spirit of the Lord, the > Breezes ! Possessor of Glory and dominion, and the > Blessed is the dead who is quickened by My Lord of Maiestv > " - ! > " and Miabt > Breaths ! Blessed are they who have attained ! > Blessed is the eye that is enlightened by My > Beauty ! Blessed is; whosoever is illumined by the Sun of > Mv- J 'Word ! > , > > Blessed is whosoever adorned his head with the > > Blessed is he who heard My grief and rose up for > My assistance among My people ! > > Blessed is he who was assured in My Word and > stood up among the dead for My Remem- > > Blessed is he who performed My Covenant and > was not prevented by the world from enter- > ing the Court of My Holiness ! This Thank-offering is acknowledged in the in- > terests of the Baha'i Cause, and unanimously ap- > Blessed is he who cut himself off from all other proved by the London Bahk'i Spiritual Assembly. > than Me, soared in the ether of My Love, 1928. > entered My Kingdom, perceived the > dominions of My Might, drank the Kawther > of My Favour and the Salsabil of My Grace, > and was informed of My Command and of > whatsoever mas hidden in the Treasuries of > My Words, and shone forth from the Hori- > zon of Inner Significance in My Corn- > memoration and My Praise ! Verily, he is > of Mine. May My Mercy, Grace, Favour > and Glory be unto him !" > ALLAH'U' ABHA ! > I > BAHA'I PUBLLCATIONS. " BAW'U'LLAH " > AND THE NEW ERA. Dr. E. J. > (EPGLAND). Esslemont. (London : George Allen & > " SOMEANSWERED > QUESTIONS. > " Table Talks of Unwin, Ltd.) 816. > 'Abdu'l-Baha in answer to questions put by " THELIFEAND TEACHINC~S OF ABBASEFFENDI." > the Compiler and Others. Translated by Myron H. Phelps. (London: Putnam & > Laura Clifford Barney. (Kegan, Paul.) Son.) (Temp. O.P.) > " HIDDEN WORDS. '' Translations from the Per- " A TRAVELLER'S NARRATIVE." Professor E. G. > sian and Arabic of Bahs'u'llah. 1/6. Browne, M.A., F.B.A., M.R.A.S., etc. > " 'ABDu'I,-BAEAIN LONDON."Addresses given (Cambridge University Press.) > by 'Abdu'l-Baha. 116. "THERECONCILIATION O F RACES RELIGIONS." > " TALKS BY 'ABDU'L-BAHA GIVEN IN PARIS." Thos. Kelly .Cheyne, Dr. Litt., D.B. > (London : G. Bell & Son). a/-. " WHAT IS A BAHAI?" Dr. E. J. Esslernont. > " THE MYSTERIOUS FORCES OW CIVILIZATION. > " (Burnside, Ltd.) 7d. > "bdu'l-Baha. Translated by Johanna " '.THEBAHAIFAITH. ' G . Palgrave Simpson. 6d. > . Dawud. " THEPASSING OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA." > " THE BAHAIDAWN > ; By Lady BloIllfleld and Shoghi Effendi. > (Sec. : E. T. Hall, 1, Norton Street, Higher (Apply 21, West Side, London, S.W.4.) > Broughton, Manchester). " GOD'S HEROES. " Laura Clifford Barney. > (London : Kegan Paul.) 12/6. > BOOKS ABOUT THE BAMA'I MOVEMENT. " BMAI : THF,SPIRITOF THE AGE." Horace Holly. > " BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE BAHAL MOVEMENT." (London : Kegan Paul.) 7/6. > Ethel J. Rosenberg. (Burnside, Ltd.) 2d. ' UNITY TRIUMPITAXT. " Elizabeth Herrick. > '' TEE SPLENDOUR OF GOD." Eric Mamn~ond. Illustrated. (London : Kegan, Paul.) > (London : John Murray.) 3/6. > 7/6. Second Edition 316. > " THEUNIVERSAL RELIGION: REIAISM." Hippo- > > lyte Dreyfus. > fl TEEMODERN SOCIAL RELIGION."Horace Holly. > (IAondonand Toronto : Sidgwick & Jackson.) > BAHA'I PUBLICATIONS. " TABLETS I., II., and > OF 'ABL)u'L-BA~." VOI[S. > 1016 each Vol. > (AMERICA) 111. > " DIVEYE PHILOSOPHY." Talks of 'Abdu'l-Baha > =: TRANSLATIONS OF BAHA'U'LLAH. > OF WORKS delivered in Europe. Compiled by Isobel > Fraser-Cham berlain. 4/6. > 'WIVINE COMMON SENSE." The World's Greatest > Prisoner to His Prison Friends. Compiled > by Isobel Fraser-Chamberlain. > " TABLETS > OF BAHA'U'LLAB." Comprising Tablet '' TEEPROMULGATION > OF UNIVERSAL > PEACE. > " 'The > > of Tarazat, Tablet of the World, Words of First TTolume of American Addresses of > Paradise, Tajallayat, The Glad Tidings, 'Abdu'l-Baha, with Introduction by Howard > Tablet of Ishrakat. 9/3. b9cNutt. 1316. > " THREE TABLETS OF BAHA'U'LLAN." Comprising '' BEFOREA B R . ~ AWAS > - M I AM." Thornton Chase. > 'Tablet of the Branch. Kitab-el-Ahd (The 9d. > ?Vill and Testament of Bahb'u'llbh), and > Lawh-el-Aqdas (A Message to Christians). > 116. BOOKSABOUT THE B ~ m MOVEMENT, > l > " TWESEVENVALLEYS." 1/6. > BAHAIMOVEMENT."C h . Mason Remey. > 'THE > 3/ 6. > '' OBS~XVATIONS OF A BAHAITRAVELLER." > Chas. > I 3f ason Rerney . 41 6. > " THEBAI~AI PROOFS. Mirza Abul Fazl. 7/ 6. > " SOME > ANSWERED > QUESTIONS."Table Talks of " THEBRILLIANT PROOF." Mirza Abul Fazl. 1/6. > 'Abdu'l-Baba in answer to questions put by " MARTYRDOMS IN PERSIA.1903." Wsdji Mirza > the Compiler and Others. 'Translated by Hayder Ali. 9d > Laura. Clifford Barney. 11 13. " THEBAHAIREVELATION.'? Thornton Chase. 416, > " THELIFEAND TEACNIWGS > O F A.BBASEFFENDI." '' MY VISI'I'S TO ABBASEFFEVDI ('XBDU'L-BAHA) > Myron Phelps. 9/3. IN 1899. " Margaret B. Peeke. I/-. > " GOD'SHEROES." > Laura Clifford Barney. (Lip- " TABLETALKSLV THE PRISON > IN ACCA." Arthur > pincott . Philadelphia.) S. Agnew. 316. > '' BAHAI:THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE." Horace " A N EARLY Mary Maxwell. - 116. > PILGRIMAGE-" > Holly. (Brentano's.) " UNITYTHROUGH LOVE."Howard McNutt. 116. > " THE ORIENTAL ROSE." Mary Hanford Ford. > (New York : Broadway Publishing Society.) Where the Publisher's name is not mentioned , > > the above books are obtainable from the Bahai > " LECTURES OF JENABE FAZL. Five Addresses > Publishing Society, 508, South Dearborn Street, > given by Jenabe Fazl, of Mazandaran, in > Chicago, U.S.A.; or from Burnside, Ltd., 9, > Seattle, U.S.A., in 1921. > Beaconsfield Terrace Road, Blythe Road, London, > " CONSTRUCTIVE PR~CIPL OFETHE > S BAHAIMOVE- w.14. > l ~" Chas. > ~ Mason > ~ Remey > . . 216. > " THEDREAM OF GOD." Albert Durrant Watson. > A Poem. > BAHA'I PUBLICATIONS. > ACCOUNTS OF VISWS TO ACCA. > (FRANCE) > " INGALILEE." Thornton Chase. , 1/9. , > " LES LECONS DE ST. JEAN-D'ACRE." French Ver- > ".FLOWERS FROM THE ROSEGARDEN OF ACCA." > Alma Knobloch. ' 116. sion of " Some Answered Questions." Hip- > polyte Dreyfus. > " DAILY LESSONS RECEIVED AT ACCA." Helen S. > Goodall. 119. > " LE LIVREDE LA CERTITUDE."Kihb'l-Iqan. > Trad. Francaise par Hippolyte Dreyfus. > '' TENDAYSIN TIIE LIGHT OF AccA.'? Julia M. > (Paris : Ernest Leroux. 1909.) > Grundy ., 1/9. " LE EPITRE AU FILSDU LOUP."Trad. Francaise > '' GLLMPSES OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA." Roy and par Hippolyte Dreyfus. (Paris : Libraire > M. J. M. Honore Champion. 1913.) > " TABLE TALKSWITH 'ABDU'L-BAHA.",Mr. and " L'OUVREDE BAHAOU'LI,AH. " Tome Premier. > Mrs. George 'I'. > Winterburn. 116. Traduction francaise par Hippolyte Dreyfus. > '% BRIEFACCOUNT OF MYVISITTO Acc.~."Mrs. (Paris : Ernest Leroux. 1923.) > Finch and Misses Knobloch. Prix 8 francs. > r. > .* > , , ?G, > - . " $ > - > 8 - 1 > . > I > * > * > 1: > ,* b $:?& > $ ill > * * 1. > > d > > A H A Y I PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS. > " STAR OF TBE WEST." I n English and Persian. > Now in the 13th year. The back numbers of - > this Magazine, which can be had bound in > annual volumes, conhin a wealth of informa- > tion about the History and Teachings of the > Movement. Published 12 times a year by the > Publications Committee of the Bahai Temple > Unity. Address : Bahai News Service, P.O. > Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A. > " MAGAZINE OF TKE KINGDOM." > OF TI& CHILDREN > Issued Quarterly. Editor and Publisher : > Ella M. Robarts, 75, Revere Street, Boston, > Mass., U.S.A. > " BAIIAI NEWS." I n English and Persian. Edited > and Published every month in the interests of > the Bahai Movement from India, by Mr. > Shirazi, 1059, Elphinstone Street, Camp > Hamehi. > " SQXNE DEE WARREIT." Organ of the German > Bahai Bund. Published monthly. Verlag > des Deutchen, Bshai Bundes, Stuttgart, > ~Iolderlinstrasse,85. > " THE DAW-N."In English, Burmese, and Per- > sian. Syed Mustapha Roumie, No. 2-13, > 41st Street, Rangoon, (Burma). > > — *Unity Triumphant: The Call of the Kingdom (Used by permission of the curator)*