The Baha'i Centenary, 1844-1944

The House in Shiraz in which the Báb declared His mission, May 23, 1844. The Baháí Centenary 1844-1944

A RECORD OF AMERICA’S RESPONSE TO BAHA’U’LLAH’S CALL TO THE REALIZATION OF THE ONENESS OF MANKIND

TO COMMEMORATE

THE ONE H U N D R E D T H ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF TH E BAHA I FA ITH

Compiled by

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada

P R I N T E D I N U . S. A. cs

3 *17.89 Foreword .................................................................................................................................. ix f O N T E NTS Introduction: The Bahá’í Faith— Principles and Teachings of a W orld Religion xi

PART ONE The Dawn of the Bahá’í Revelation .................................................................................. 1 Martyrdom of the B áb.......................................................................................................... 6 BaháVllálťs Tribute to the B áb ......................................................................................... 13 The Báb and the Revelation of Bahá’u ’lláh ..................................................................... 15

PART TWO America’s Spiritual Destiny: References to N orth America in the Bahá’í W ritings 19

PART THREE History of the American Bahá’í Com m unity 65 The Bahá’í Faith Comes to A m erica..................................................................................... 78 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in A m erica...................................................................................................... 82 Cities of North America Visited by ‘A bdu’l-Bahá in 1912 90

PART FOUR American Bahá’í Chronology................................................................................................ 93 The Formation of an Organic ReligiousC om m unity......................................................... 96 Bahá’í Headquarters ................................................................................................................. 110 Bahá’í Properties .................................................................................................. Ill

PART FIVE The Bahá’í House of W orship................................................................................................ 114 History of Temple C onstruction......................................................................................... 122 The Temple Superstructure .................................................................................................. 135 Exterior Ornamentation ........................................................................................................ 136

PART SI X Early Bahá’í Pilgrimages to ‘Akká and H a ifa ................................................................... 139 Teachers Sent to America by ‘Abdu’l-B ahá....................................................................... 143 The Development of Bahá’í Publications................................................................ 145 Bahá’í Teaching in N orth A m erica.................................................................................... 154

930480 VI CONTENTS

Bahd’i Teachers Go to Europe, Asia and A frica............................................................. 179 Baha’i Teaching in Latin America.................................................................................... 195 American Bahá’í Teachers Who Served in Other Lands.............................................. 200 Teaching Activity Serving Race U nity................................................................... 202 The Bahd’i Faith in the Colleges....................................................................................... 206 Teaching at the House of Worship................................................................................ 209

PART SEVEN Bahd’i Schools ..................................................................................................................... 211

PART EIGHT The American Bahd’i Community.................................................................................. 222 Bahá’i Sacred Relics in National Archives............ : .................. 234 Baha’i Literature .............................................................................................................. 239

PART NINE Appreciations of the Baha’i F aith.................................................................................... . 248 References to the Bahd’i Faith in Books and Pamphlets................... 251 Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................. 253 VI CONTENTS

Bahá’í Teachers Go to Europe, Asia and A frica............................................................. 179 Bahá’í Teaching in Latin America.................................................................................... 195 American Bahd’i Teachers Who Served in Other Lands.............................................. 200 Teaching Activity Serving Race U nity................................................................. . . . 202 The Baha’i Faith in the Colleges....................................................................................... 206 Teaching at the House of Worship................................................................................ 209

PART SEVEN Bahá’í Schools ..................................................................................................................... 211

PART EIGHT The American Bahd’i Community.................................................................................. 222 Bahd’i Sacred Relics in National Archives........ . : ................. 234 Baha’i Literature .............................................................................................................. 239

PART NINE Appreciations of the Bahá’i F aith.......................................................................... ? . 248 References to the Bahd’i Faith in Books and Pamphlets.............................................. 251 Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................. 253 ILLUSTRATIONS Frontispiece: The House in Which the Báb Declared His Mission........................... ii The Town and Castle of Máh-Kú Where the Báb Was Confined................................ 7 Shrine of the Báb and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Palestine ............... 14 The Interior of the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel............................................. 17 Garden of Ridván, Baghdád, Where Bahi’u’lUh Declared His Mission 32 Barracks at ‘Akká Where Bahá’u’lláh Was Incarcerated in 1868................................ 38 House Where Bahá’uTláh Passed Away at Bahjí, ‘Akká, Palestine.............................. 42 Views of the Outer Shrine of Bahá’uTláh...................................................................... 49 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ............................................................................................. 81 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá On Grounds of the House of Worship ................................................... 84 Map of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Travel in America ................................................. 91 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at Unity Feast, West Englewood, New Jersey, 1912 92 Tablet Revealed by ‘AbduJ-Bahá to Bahá’í Body of Believers of Chicago 95 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at Leland Stanford University, October 8, 1912.................................... 103 The Interior of the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on Mount Carmel.................................... 108 Central Office of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, at Wilmette, Illinois.............................................................................. 110 The Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois......................................................... 114 Detail of Exterior Ornamentation, Bahá’í House of Worship...................................... 120 The Seal of First American Bahá’í Assembly of the United States and Canada . 127 Delegates to the First Bahá’í Convention, March 1909 ............................................... 132 Group of Early American Believers of about 1900, Chicago...................................... 138 Federal Certificate of Declaration of Trust by the National Spiritual Assembly. . 146 Certificate of Palestine Government................................................................................... 152 Program, First BaháT Race Amity Convention, Washington, D. C., May 1921 168 Race Amity Conference, Green Acre, Eliot, Maine, August 1929 ........................... 204 Fellowship House, Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine........................................ 210 Interior of Fellowship Flouse, Green Acre BaháT School, Eliot, Maine........ .............. 210 Dormitory and Dining Rooms, Green Acre Bahá’í School........................................... 213 vii V lil

Bahá’i Hall, Green Acre Bahd’i School............................................................................ 213 Dormitory, Geyserville Baha’i School............................................................................ 216 Interior of Baha’i Hall, Geyserville Bahd’i School....................................................... 216 Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan ............................................................... 219 International Baha’i School, Colorado Springs, Colorado............................................ 221 Bahd’i Book Exhibit............................. 242 FOREWORD T h e Declaration of His mission made by ‘All-Muhammad, the Báb, on May 23, 1844 in the city of Shiraz, Persia, inaugurated the era of spiritual knowledge and world civil ization. In Him the Persons of the Prophets, the Manifestations of God who had guided the races and peoples along the paths of their destiny and renewed the Promise of God to every darkened and soulless age, united in one transcendent mystery of Being, and their Voices, the trumpet calls of history, became at last one Voice, their messages one v Message, their purpose one Purpose.

In this creation of oneness where the world had always before realized only difference and diversity, divine Providence employed the Báb as its instrument to establish the spiritual condition from which should emanate the evolution of human nature and the development of human society revealing the heavenly kingdom brought to and pre dominating over the substances and inertias of the human world. Inevitably His physical being was slain, His followers martyred, His purpose resisted, His divine commission denied, for in that implacable rage of the spiritually dead has the life of the spirit ever been rekindled and released.

His Declaration brought all the calendars to an end. A new cycle began; and there fore to the Bahá’ís of East and West the date of May 23, 1844 possesses infinite sig nificance, for it is the first date and event affecting the entire world and all mankind as one unit and one whole.

Now in this year of 1944 the Bahá’ís reverently celebrate this Anniversary, this Festival of the inauguration of the oneness of humanity, the year 100 to those who have become conscious of the spiritual miracle which God wrought a century ago. There is one reverence, one gratitude, one adoration and one sacrifice filling with the same spirit every community of Bahá’ís now existing in sixty or more countries. Though they are outwardly and physically separated by wars, revolutions, differences of language and all the divisive forces of the historic past, the Bahá’ís exemplify the conscious and passionate inwardness of union transcending race, class, nation and creed.

This spiritual oneness is the true celebration of the Centenary, for it is the direct and unique result of the inspiration which the Báb’s message breathed into our modern world. Nothing else can claim to have been the source and cause of the recognition of the oneness of God which has been the pivot around which all things revolve in this age. But the Bahá’ís of all lands have each their particular contribution to make to the public observance of the supreme event. Each community has had its particular history to unfold and its special achievements to record.

The Bahá’ís of North America have compiled this work in order to afford to others some glimpse of how one continent responded to the call of God. It is a Memorial which all have combined to build during fifty years of continuous Bahá’í activity: those who sacrificed for the construction of the noble House of Worship in the very heart of the IX X FOREWORD

country; those who traveled overseas to carry the Message to other lands; those who entered into the founding of the Baha’i communities in hundreds of cities, towns and villages here at home; those who assisted in the development of the administrative order; those who taught, lectured, wrote and in their lives reflected the light of faith; those who upraised the schools and other institutions which have become such powerful organs of service—men and women representing whites and colored, Christian and Jew, artisan and scientist, artist and business man, nucleus of the pattern traced by love and truth upon the luminous surfaces of human hearts. These are they who have found the path and entered the portals of security and peace. What they have accomplished seems infinitely little in comparison to the surging ocean of spiritual power vouchsafed to all who accept His message today; but they have been as those settlers in new lands who have broken the soil, raised their homes and fabricated tools and utensils as first step toward a higher order of human relations whose proof for generations is a faith and a hope and not a visible civilization. What the blessed century has accomplished has been the laying of a firm foundation. Others will come with greater power, skill and resources to construct the temple of unity and peace in which the spirit of men will dwell.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada

536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois. January 11, 1944 INTRODUCTION

T H E B AHA’I F A I T H Principles and Teachings of a World Religion

AY 23, 1944 will signalize the ending of the first century of the Bahd’i Era. That date marks an event of transcendent impor tance in the evolution of religion and civ ilization. From the dawn of the new era one hun dred years ago, religion, reborn and re vitalized, has been a spirit encompassing all mankind. It has penetrated into every de partment of human activity, creating in fluences capable of destroying old, outworn ideas and their instruments and of disciplin ing and training the masses of human beings for unified association in an ordered and peaceful, world. The rise of science, the spread of invention, the revolution in indus try, the movement of peoples, the clash of nations and the implacable struggle of social philosophies, alike disclose the motivation of one spiritual impulse and energy which, lay ing hold on humanity, has been shaping its life in conformity with the possibilities of a new, a greater age. Denied, even resisted by the prevalent atti tude of materialism, this force of tation has, while the century closes, mani fested its irresistible power, by the peoples of East and West and plunging them into the crucible of a common agQny and trial. Such an outcome can no longer be at tributed to controllable human wills, acts and social trends. The groups and organiza tions, great and small, which so long have maintained the principle of independence and self-sufficiency, even nations and em pires, find themselves confronted by menac ing conditions both within and without. The universal upheaval is unprecedented. Its implications can not be grasped except by recognition of this spirit from God and the working of His divine intention. Sovereignty has been transferred from nations to world xi THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY and from races to mankind. The direction of events has been seized from human will and exercised through its own channels and instruments by the will of God. Therefore the sects and creeds, reflecting the religious experience of an era that has departed, attached to and dependent on the principle of social isolation and self-suffi ciency, have been deprived of divine guid ance. Hence too the political and economic policies representing the material activity of that same disavowed principle have become ineffective and impotent except in their ca pacity to undermine the order on which they themselves depend. Destiny has moved outside and beyond the ancient law of struggle and conflict to be the guardian of a new Dispensation of jus tice and order. The Bahd’i Faith, fulfilling the hope and vindicating the truth of for mer Revelations, is the conscious expression of the new, world-unifying spirit in its source, its purpose and its power to regen erate the life of mankind. transmu T he Source of Faith gathering up The source of religion is sacred and in violate. Every Faith has come into this world from a higher realm. Every Revela tion has conveyed light from the Sun of truth to the darkness of human hearts and minds. In each Dispensation the life of the soul has been rekindled, releasing capacity for moral conduct, ethical truth and social cooperation. The life and teaching of the Founder of a religion is the essence and re ality of that Dispensation, not the catalogue of dogmas and creeds which afterward reg isters the progress of disputation among His followers and enthrones the arbitrary au thority of a few official religionists over the people.

Bahá’u’lláh has given the fworld today a words, their messages, their acts and man fuller measure of spiritual truth, befitting ners, hath indeed disbelieved in God, hath the mature development of humanity and repudiated His signs, and betrayed the Cause the larger responsibility laid upqn men called of His Messengers.” to establish a world civilization Imbued with Thus we may realize today that the suc the spirit of divine law. cessive Faiths have been different stages "The door of the knowledge of the along the same path of revealed truth. Their Ancient Being,” He declares, f"hath ever relationship is that of one religion in con been and will continue for ever to be, closed tinuity, each later Faith fulfilling all those in the face of men. No man’s understand that preceded it and preparing the way for ing shall ever gain access unto His holy the future Faith to appear in its destined court. As a token of His mercy,' however, time. To conceive of many religions and and as a proof of His loving-kindness, He different faiths existing simultaneously, their hath manifested unto men the Day Stars of mutual tolerance sharing only their separate His divine guidance, the Symbols of His di ness of inner purpose, is to identify men’s vine unity, and hath ordained the knowledge repeated denials of God with obedience to of these sanctified Beings to be identical with God and their imitations of His merciful the knowledge of His own S e l f W h o s o Revelations with divine truth itself. It is recognizeth them hath recognized God. when this identification has become com Whoso hearkeneth to their call, hath heark plete, and the name of religion connotes ened to the Voice of God, and whoso testi- some divisive sect, some militant creed or fieth to the truth of their Revelation, hath some impotent affirmation of already ac testified to the truth of God 'Jiimself. cepted general ideals, that the Manifestation Whoso turneth away from them, hath of God returns to earth with power to de turned away from God, and whoso disbe- stroy error and establish teachings for a new lieveth in them, hath disbelieved in God. cycle. Every one of them is the Way of <§1^d that The oneness of revealed religion emerges connecteth this world with the realms above, also when we consider the connection be and the Standard of His Truth unto every tween each Faith and its corresponding civil one in the kingdoms of earth and heaven. ization and culture. In its primitive purity, They are the Manifestations of God amidst religion comes as a creative spirit inspiring men, the evidences of His Truth, and the human beings to establish a community for signs of His glory.” the expression of their union in devotion to In these words the touchstone of religious newly revealed laws. They feel that their truth and sincerity, the mainspring of faith, faith opens for them a greater possibility of has been set up by which the attitude of the ordered life than man has ever before individual and the worth of the religious achieved. Out of this common experience group are being tested in this age as they a great civilization arises, runs its course of were divinely tested by the words of Jesus development, and decays with the lapse of in His Dispensation or by the commands of the motivating sacrifice and loyalty. Once Moses in that Dispensation which Christ the process of dissolution has set in, the brought to an end. civilization can never regain its unity of The Founders of revealed religion, Abra purpose or restore the vital life of its faith. ham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb and The disintegration of a civilization reveals Baha’u’llah, "are all but one person, one soul, a prevalent sickness of soul, for the cycle of one spirit, one being, one revelation,” and religion coincides with the cycle of the civil Baha’u’llah warns the people "lest ye be ization it came to found. Until the spirit is tempted to make any distinction between renewed by the divine will, the world has no any of the Manifestations of His Cause, or power to heal its own disease. Attempts to to discriminate against the signs that have reestablish the old order, or found a new so accompanied and proclaimed their Revela ciety, by revivals, adaptations and experi tion . . . Whoso maketh the slightest pos ments, are vain. Effort to seize the new sible difference between their persons, their spirit and render it servant to the mainte- INTRODUCTION xiii

nance of old ideas, old standards, old forms progressive. Indeed, the measure of Divine and old authorities is fruitless. The con Revelation, in every age, has been adapted tinued existence of mankind depends upon to, and commensurate with, the degree of the return of the Holy Spirit, and this de social progress achieved in that age by a pendence is the basis of true faith. constantly-evolving humanity. . . . The Revelation associated with the Faith of Jesus T he D ivine Purpose Christ focussed attention primarily on the redemption of the individual and the mold The second illuminating truth conveyed ing of his conduct, and stressed, as its cen by Baha’u’llah is that revealed religion is not tral theme, the necessity of inculcating a only continuous but progressive. The race of high standard of morality and discipline man, under the manifest law of the universe, into man, as the fundamental unit in hu grows and develops. Humanity passes man society. Nowhere in the Gospels do through stages of development and en we find any reference to the unity of na counters greater opportunity and respon tions or the unification of mankind as a sibility as the stage of childhood recedes. H u whole. . . . The Faith of Islam, the succeed man capacity emerges and new faculties and ing link in the chain of Divine Revelation, talents unfold. This organic process, the introduced, . . . the conception of the na divine purpose for mankind, moves forward tion as a unit and a vital stage in the or by successive and enlarging spiritual im ganization of human society, and embodied pulses. At each stage, the soul and mind it in its teaching.” of the race receives a new influx of inspira W ith the creation of independent nations, tion, human consciousness deepens, and replacing the tribal units of earlier faiths, when the direction and possibility of the the cycle of world order was Providentially new cycle has become established in the prepared. The divine purpose has mani realm of faith, men express their enlarged fested itself anew, the law of the oneness of capacity by forming a greater civilization. mankind has been revealed, and the spiritual "The All-Knowing Physician,” in Ba- impulse by which the race can achieve world hd’u’llah’s statement, "hath His finger on unification has been communicated through the pulse of mankind. He perceiveth the dis the agency of a new World Faith. ease, and prescribeth, in His unerring wis "No sooner had He revealed Himself,” dom, the remedy. Every age hath its own Baha’u’llah wrote concerning the appearance problem, and every soul its particular aspi of the Báb in 1844, "than the foundations ration. The remedy the world needeth in of the kindreds of the earth shook and its present-day afflictions can never be the trembled, and the learned swooned away, same as that which a subsequent age may and the wise were bewildered, except such require. Be anxiously concerned with the as have, through the power of Thy might, needs of the age ye live in, and center your drawn nigh unto Thee. . . . ” "Through deliberations on its exigencies and require that Word,” He wrote concerning His own ments.” appearance, "the realities of all created In his capacity of interpreter of Bahd’u’l- things were shaken, were divided, separated, ldh’s Writings, Shoghi Effendi, first Guard scattered, combined and reunited, disclosing, ian of the Baha’i Faith, has definitely traced in both the contingent world and the the operation of this principle from stage heavenly kingdom, entities of a new crea to stage. tion, and revealing, in the unseen realms, "Just as the organic evolution of man the signs and tokens of Thy unity and one kind has been slow and gradual and involved ness. Through that Call Thou didst an successively the unification of the family, nounce unto all Thy servants the advent of the tribe, the city-state, and the nation, so Thy most great Revelation and the ap has the light vouchsafed by the Revelation pearance of Thy most perfect Cause.” of God, at various stages in the evolution ‘Abdu’l-Baha, the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s of religion, and reflected in the successive Covenant, who promulgated His Faith Dispensations of the past, been slow and through the East and West, exemplified the XIV THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

perfect type of human character, intel whatever its class, creed, race or nation. ligence and soul expressive of th^ laws and In one of His public addresses in America principles of this World Era. "Humanity He presented the following summary:— has emerged,” He said, "from its former "The oneness of the world of humanity. state of limitation and preliminary train "The protection and guidance of the Holy ing. Man must now become imbued with Spirit. new virtues and powers, new moral stand "The foundation of all religion is one. ards, new capacities. New bounties, perfect "Religion must be the cause of unity. bestowals, are awaiting and already descend "Religion must accord with science and ing upon him. The gifts and blessings of thd reason. period of youth, although timely and suf "Independent investigation of truth. ficient during the adolescence of mankind, are "Equality between men and women. now incapable of meeting the requirements "The abandoning of all prejudices among of its maturity. . . . All nations and kin mankind. dreds . . . will become a single nation. Re "Universal peace. ligious and sectarian antagonism, the hos "Universal education. tility of races and peoples, and differences "A universal language. among nations, will be eliminated. All "Solution of the economic problem. men will adhere to one religion, will have "An international tribunal.” one common faith, will be blended into one Of the source and meaning of these teach race, and will become a single people. All ings He said: "His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh has will dwell in one common fatherland, which dawned from the horizon of, the Orient, is the planet itself.” flooding all regions with light and life which will never pass away. His teachings . . . . Laws, Principles, T eachings embody the divine spirit of the age and are applicable to this period of maturity in Religion is the depository of spiritual the life of the human world................ truth. Its laws and principles revealed by "Every one who truly seeks and justly the Manifestations of God constitute the reflects will admit that the teachings of the reality of man’s relations to God, to himself present day emanating from mere human and to other men. What science is to the sources and authority are the cause of dif natural universe religion is to mankind in ficulty and disagreement amongst mankind, all that pertains to its spiritual, its super the very destroyers of humanity, whereas natural endowment and aim. There is no the teachings of BaháVlláh are the very chaos nor void where truth ceases to exist healing of the sick world, the remedy for nor laws to operate, but there is in man a every need and condition. In them may be realm of ignorance where he attempts to found the realization of every desire and deny a divine law by substituting human aspiration, the cause of the happiness of desire and human opinion. The appearance the world of humanity, the stimulus and il of the new Manifestation brings all spiritual lumination of mentality, the impulse for ad evasion and subterfuge to an end. He cre vancement and uplift, the basis of unity for ates a condition in which only truth can all nations, the fountain-source of love survive. amongst mankind, the center of agreement, In the Bahd’i Dispensation we find laws, the means of peace and harmony, the one principles and teachings, all reflecting the bond which will unite the East and the spirit of the new World Era. In this Dis West.” pensation religion brings fulfilment to feel Those, who sought no further than this ing, will and reason in balance and har preliminary discussion, conceived of the mony. Faith as a leaven gradually penetrating the The western world first learned of the masses of mankind, urged and promoted by Faith through its principles. ‘Abdu’l-Baha the enlightened and the idealistic in and expounded them in the form of general through the reformation of the traditional truths acceptable to the enlightened mind movements and organizations. ‘Abdu’l- INTRODUCTION xv

Bahá, however, plainly set forth the sov Man’s first duty is to know his own ereign quality of revealed religion, as, for self and the conditions of progress and abase example, in the following Tablet addressed ment. After maturity has been attained, to American Baha’is. wealth is needed for the attainment of so "In the contingent world there are many cial personality, and this is to be earned collective centers which are conducive to through the practice of a profession, art, association and unity between the children trade or craft. Associate in a joyous spirit of men. For example patriotism is a col with the followers of all religions and the lective center; nationalism is a collective members of all. races and nations. The su center, identity of interests is a collective preme obligation is to attain a good char center; political alliance is a collective cen acter. Through trustworthiness mankind ter; the union of ideals is a collective center, will obtain security and tranquillity. Re and the prosperity of the world of humanity spect possessors of talent. Meet all obliga is dependent upon the organization and pro tions due to others. Refrain from slander motion of the collective centers. Neverthe and backbiting. To acquire knowledge is less, all the above institutions are, in reality, incumbent on all, but knowledge must be the matter and not the substance, accidental of matters useful to mankind. Agriculture and not eternal— temporary and not ever is of first importance. Human existence lasting. With the appearance of great revo rests upon the two pillars of reward (for lutions and upheavals, all these collective obedience to divine command) and punish centers are swept away. But the collective ment (for disobedience to it). Kings and center of the Kingdom, embodying the In rulers are to uphold religion as the means stitutes and Divine Teachings, is the eternal to world order and peace. Schools must collective center........ The real Collective train children in the principles of religion. Center is the body of the Divine Teachings, Celibacy and seclusion from the world are which include all the degrees and embrace not approved. Warfare for religious reasons all the universal relations and necessary is prohibited. Kings and rulers are exhorted laws of humanity.” to protect and assist the Bahá’í community. Behind the principles of rational truth, Governments must appoint or elect to of therefore, we look for the deeper implica fice only such persons as have character and tions of law and ordinance. capacity. The repentant sinner must turn In studying Bahá’u’lláh’s laws and or to God for forgiveness and not to any hu dinances, we note that He revealed nothing man being. in the form of a code or constitution. His The realm of law and ordinance is de teachings represent virtues and attitudes, or fined and given a firm basis in the establish deal with matters which He did not intend ment of social institutions with definite to be altered during this cycle. The Baha’i functions for the Bahá’í community, and code will come into existence through the the conveyance of specific authority to be legislative institutions which Bahá’u’lláh effective after Bahá’u’lláh’s ascension. "The created, and whose enactments are subject affairs of the people are placed in charge of to revision from time to time as conditions the men of the House of Justice of God. change. They are the trustees of God among His The laws of Bahá’u’lláh include: the obli servants and the daysprings of command in gation of daily prayer; an annual fasting His countries. period of nineteen days; prohibition of use "O people of God! The trainer of the of alcoholic liquor or drugs; monogamy; world is justice, for it consists of two pil marriage contingent upon the consent of all lars: reward and retribution. These two four parents, or those living; obedience to pillars are two fountains for the life of civil government; obligation to engage in the people of the world. Inasmuch as for a useful trade, art or profession; prohibi each time and day a particular decree and tion of a clergy in the Bahd’i Faith. order is expedient, affairs are therefore en Other ordinances and directions found in trusted to the ministers of the House of His writings can be summarized as follows: Justice, so that they may execute that which XVI THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

they deem advisable at the time. Those lamation of the reign of righteousness and souls who arise to please God will be in justice upon the earth.” spired by the divine, invisible inspirations. It is incumbent upon all to obey.” B irt h of a W orld F a it h The relation of this function to the spirit ual realm of the Faith has been placed be The inmost soul of religion is its reflec yond the possibility of doubt and disagree tion of the divine light and love. The Be ment. “Administrative affairs,” Bahá’u’l- ing men call prophet, messenger or messiah, láh declared, “are all in charge of the House outwardly a physical man, is inwardly a of Justice; but acts of worship must be ob flame enkindled from a higher world. By served according as they are revealed in the Him men are born from their physical self Book.” to their spiritual reality. By His summons The aim of this term of social and a mighty tempest is unloosed which de- % spiritual evolution has been firmly fixed. stroys evil attitudes, habits and patterns. “The ministers of the House of Justice must To recognize Him is man’s supreme blessing, promote the Most Great Peace.” to serve Him is the essence of existence. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahd explained in His Will and Through Him God destroys and creates, Testament, this House of Justice is an inter punishes and rewards, darkens and illumines national body whose members are to be all things on earth. He sends an ocean of elected by national representatives of the truth to confound men’s limited conceptions Baha’is. and lights a sun of love to replace their In the Person of ťAbdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’u’lláh flickering candles of personal affection. established authority as Interpreter of His Aside from Him there is no path to God. Revelation and Exemplar of the Faith. The The cherished mystery of true faith has Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh in reality is to been the sacred teaching of the Covenant be viewed as more than an initial spiritual which the Creator made with man, that impulse breathed into the human heart and He would not abandon the human race left to humanity’s own devices to direct and but send His messenger to redeem them apply throughout an historical epoch. His from age to age for evermore. But the Dispensation is an organism created to func Covenant laid upon human beings the con tion in and through the entire epoch, for dition that they would remain firm in the divine guidance has been promised to man Promise and recognize and obey the Lord kind henceforth, the day of God’s Kingdom of the Covenant whenever, wherever, how having dawned. ever He might appear. Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Faith, has The proclamation uttered by Mírzá ‘Alidisclosed this new dimension which religion Muhammad (the Báb) in Shi ráz, Írán, one in its fulfillment has attained. “For Bahá’u’1- hundred years ago, restored to the world in láh, we should readily recognize, has not its night of darkness the power of the Holy only imbued mankind with a new and re Spirit. His manifestation offered to the generating Spirit, He has not merely enunci people of Islám the fulfillment of their hope; ated certain universal principles, or pro to Christians He was the return of Christ; pounded a particular philosophy, however and to Jews their assured Messiah. Against potent, sound and universal these may be. Him the inveterate forces of fanaticism, In addition to these He, as well as ‘Abdu’l- materialism and ruthless intolerance inflicted Bahá after Him, has, unlike the Dispensa martyrdom six years after He undertook tions of the past, clearly and specifically laid His mission to herald the imminent appear down a set of laws, established definite insti ance of Bahá’u’lláh. He left behind Him tutions, and provided for the essentials of a among the Persian people such intense de Divine Economy. These are destined to be votion and faith that thousands underwent a pattern for the future society, a supreme torture and death rather than forsake their instrument for the establishment of the love for Him. But during that six years the Most Great Peace, and the one agency for Báb invoked the measure of faith and new the unification of the world, and the proc spiritual life that was required to prepare INTRODUCTION XVII

the world for the greater Manifestation to many countries through the early stages of follow. the local and national Bahá’í communities The Báb was martyred in Tabriz on July upon which the future international Bahá’í 9, 18 50. After cruel imprisonment in order is to rest. For He, in addition to His Tihrán, the seizure of His wealth, and exile station as Interpreter, was also appointed to Baghdad. Bahá’u’lláh declared His mis by Bahá’u’lláh to be the Center of His sion in the year 1863, surrounded by a Covenant with mankind. Through Him small company of believers who had suc the formative and evolutionary spirit of this ceeded in accompanying Him. From Dispensation carried forward the work of Baghdád, Bahá’u’lláh was exiled succes Bahá’u’lláh without interruption for thirty sively to Constantinople, Adrianople and years, assuring the preservation of the funda ‘Akká, in the Holy Land, where He remained mental aim and character of the new Faith. a prisoner until His ascension in 1892. Un Concerning the nature of the mission der such conditions Bahá’u’lláh revealed the bestowed upon Him by Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’lspiritual and social teachings for the world Bahá declared: "In former cycles no dis .civilization and divine order with which His tinct Covenant was made in writing by Dispensation is identified. the Supreme Pen (i.e., the Manifesta A prisoner and an exile, Bahá’u’lláh ad tion) ; no distinct personage was appointed dressed letters to kings and rulers, to heads to be the standard differentiating falsehood of religion, expounding the laws of peace from truth . . . . But in this Dispensation of and calling upon them to heed the counsels the Blessed Beauty (i.e., Bahá’u’lláh), among revealed in the Greatest Name of God. The its distinctions is that He did not leave mystery of worship, the realities of faith, the people in perplexity. He entered into a the principles of conduct and the evolution Covenant and Testament with the people. of justice and order were given the world He appointed a Center of the Covenant.” in innumerable tablets and books at a time "One of the enemies of the Cause,” when in the countries of Islam it was a ‘Abdu’l-Bahá warned, "is he who endeavors capital offense to even possess a copy of His to interpret the Words of Bahá’u’lláh sacred Word. and thereby colors the meaning according From 1892 until 1921, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá led to his capacity, and collects around him a the Baha’i community, guided its develop following, forming a different sect, promot ment, inspired its efforts,tclarified its teach ing his own station and making division in ings, unified its members, and preserved its the Cause.” Acting on this truth, for the spiritual integrity. Released from prison by protection of the unity of the Faith, and to the revolution in Turkey which overthrew symbolize forever the fundamental dif the Sultán, Caliph of Islám, ťAbdu’l-Bahá ference between superficial tolerance and traveled from 1911 to 1913 in Egypt, Eu oneness of faith, ‘Abdu’l-Báhá Himself ex rope, the United States and Canada. D ur pelled treacherous persons, including mem ing this journey He established the Faith bers of Bahá’u’lláh’s own family, from the of Bahá’u’lláh in the West and brought it Cause. into contact with innumerable public lead "He is,” the Guardian has written, "and ers and organizations. The result of this should for all time be regarded, first and unique teaching mission was the enrich foremost, as the Center and Pivot of Bahá’- ment of Bahá’í literature by the recorded u’lláh’s peerless and all-enfolding Covenant, addresses He delivered in Paris, London and His most exalted handiwork, the stainless many cities of North America. Upon the Mirror of His light, the perfect Exemplar American Bahá’ís, ťAbdu’l-Bahá laid the of His teachings, the unerring Interpreter of great responsibility for carrying the Faith His Word . . . . the Ensign of the Most Great to the ends of the world after His earthly Peace.” work had come to an end. Since 1921 the Bahá’í community It was ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, likewise, who de throughout the world has been unified and veloped the administrative order of the directed by the Guardian, within the ad Faith, guiding the progress of the Bahá’ís in ministrative order set forth and established xviii THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

in ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s written Testament. ‘Ab- power of the Faith to assimilate and unify du’l-Bahá provided details for the forma diverse peoples has been demonstrated with tion of local, national and Universal Houses ever-increasing might. Nowhere else in the of Justice. He created the Guardianship in world today does there exist any social body a line of succession through His eldest grand similar to the unique community which has son, Shoghi Effendi; endowed this office with arisen in response to His call. Spread in sole authority to interpret the Baha’i w rit many parts of the world, separated by dif ings after His own departure; made the ference of language, custom, tradition and Guardian the presiding officer of the future outlook as well as by the operation of con International House of Justice; attributed flicting political and economic policies in to him the payment of the special donation their environment, this community of be known as Huquq, and authorized the Guard lievers could not be held together by per ian to appoint a body to be known as the sonal agreement but by a power which sur Hands of the Cause. "The creative energies rounds them and combines them through a released by the Law of Baha’u’lldh, permeat superhuman force. ing and evolving within the mind of *Ab- The Bahá’í community feels itself im du’l-Bahá, have . . . given birth to an In mersed in a spiritual reality which encom strument which may be viewed as the passes it as by an invisible but potent atmos Charter of the New World Order which is phere or sea. The influence of that sur at once the glory and the promise of this rounding spirit makes itself continuously most great Dispensation,” the Guardian ex felt, like the virtue of health in a physical plains. organism which adjusts it to pontinuous During the present formative period, growth and development. sacred writings of the Faith have been trans The believers think of the teachings of lated into some thirty-five languages, com Baha’u’llah not as doctrines but as truths prehensive selections made by the Guardian which come to life in their application to from words of Bahá’u’lláh have been pub problems of conduct and human association. lished, works of Baha’i history made avail The concept of foreignness or the alien in able, the institutions developed, and the Faith mankind has been replaced by the ideal of carried into thirty or more countries where fellowship. Bahá’u’lláh has given assurance the light had not penetrated in ‘Abdu’l- that the process of destruction now operat Bahá’s ministry. In North America, prop ing is but the necessary preliminary to the erties have been transferred to Bahd’i trus process of construction which will even tees for educational activities in Eliot, Maine, tually produce the harmonious coordination Geyserville, California and Pine Valley, of the views and feelings, the interests and Colorado Springs, Colorado, in addition to the institutions, the activities and the aims properties dedicated as memorials to ‘Abdu’l- of all mankind. Bahá in West Englewood, New Jersey and On the foundation of spiritual equality Malden, Massachusetts. A vigorous publish before the law and the authority of their ing activity has long been maintained, and Faith, the Baha’is maintain their community local communities founded in more than one worship and activity through local, national hundred cities. The spiritual and administra and international institutions which distrib tive activities of the American Baha’i com ute power and authority in accordance with munity revolve around the impressive House the natural duties and functions of an or of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, the super dered society. All that pertains to daily structure of which was constructed in 1930 action is assigned to the local Spiritual As and 1931, and the exterior ornamentation sembly under the principle of decentraliza completed in January, 1943. tion of administrative control. The local communities are coordinated by a National A dm in istra tive O rder Spiritual Assembly elected by delegates The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh expresses itself chosen on the basis of proportionate repre through a community and not through a sentation. These National Assemblies in church. Since this Dispensation began, the turn will be the electoral bodies by whom INTRODUCTION XIX

the members of an International Assembly, His wholesome medicine can ever restore it.” or House of Justice, will be selected. In —Bahá’u’lláh. the delegation of authority, the source or reservoir of power lies at the Center of the The Writings of Baha’u’llah available in world community, and duties and functions the English language include the following are assigned downward to the progressively titles, with a brief description for the in smaller national and local units. This order formation of the seeker: follows inevitably from the fact that the Hidden Words: sayings which summarize whole body of authority was created in and the spiritual truths revealed in past Revela through Baha’u’llah and by Him assigned to tions. His ministers and institutions as servants of Seven Valleys and Four Valleys: treatises mankind. Historically, the Bahd’i World on the journey of the soul through the stages Order originated at the Center, unlike those of experience and unfoldment to its recog social bodies which develop from local units nition of the divine Friend. and whose central institutions reflect a Kitáb-i-íqán: The "Book of Certitude,” secondary and imperfectly delegated power. interpreting the theme of the oneness of The Baha’i thus realizes himself as part of the revealed Faiths and the station of the a newly-created world, a world raised up by Manifestation of God. God above the tumults of the past, and en Epistle to the Son of the Wolf: ad dowed with a new destiny which the forces dressed to an implacable enemy of the Faith, of disunity can assail but never destroy. The setting forth Bahá’u’lláh’s suffering and re believer need no longer be partisan to the capitulating many of His teachings. titanic struggles of competitive social values, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’1- whether capitalism, communism or state láh: the Guardian’s selection and trans socialism, because such conflicts can never lation of one hundred and sixty-five pas be resolved. What the world needs, He sages from the body of Bahá’u’lláh’s W rit has learned, is a new mind and a new heart. ings. "This Administrative Order,” Shoghi Ef- Prayers and Meditations by Baha’u’lldh: fendi points out, "is fundamentally dif the Guardian’s selection and translation of ferent from anything that any Prophet has one hundred and eighty-four passages from previously established, inasmuch as Baha’u’l Baha’u’lldh’s Writings pertaining to prayer, lah has flimself revealed its principles, estab supplication and the spiritual life. lished its institutions, appointed the person Of works revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the to interpret His Word and conferred the American Bahd’is have available: necessary authority on the body designed Some Answered Questions: His exposi to supplement and apply His legislative or tion of religious and philosophic questions dinances. Therein lies the secret of its submitted to Him by an American believer strength, its fundamental distinction, and at ‘Akka in 1907. the guarantee against disintegration and The Promulgation of Universal Peace: schism ............. Alone of all the Revelations the text of the public addresses delivered at gone before it, this Faith has, through the Bahá’í gatherings and at public meetings explicit directions, the repeated warnings, in the United States and Canada during His the authenticated safeguards incorporated visit from April to December, 1912. and elaborated in its teachings, succeeded Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha: three volumes in raising a structure which the bewildered of collected letters (Tablets) revealed to followers of bankrupt and broken creeds Baha’i Assemblies, groups and individual be might well approach and critically examine, lievers during the early years of the Faith and seek, ere it is too late, the invulnerable in America. security of its world-embracing shelter.” The Bahd’i Peace Program: combining the text of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s Tablet to the Com Sacred W ritings mittee on Durable Peace, The Hague, and "The vitality of men’s belief in God is His Tablet to the late Dr. Auguste Forel dying out in every land; nothing short of of Switzerland. XX THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

A one-volume collection of the Writings peoples, races, nations and religions of the of BaháVlláh and ‘AbduJ-Bahá has been is modern world; war and revolution realized sued under the title of: Bahá’í World Faith. as punishment of human sins and purifica The published works of the first Guardian, tion for the blessings of the Day of Justice Shoghi Effendi, include: and Peace. Bahá’í Administration: letters to the The most comprehensive presentation of American Bahá’í community, annual Con the activities and progress of the world vention, and National Spiritual Assembly community of Bahá’ís will be found in the outlining the administrative order. successive volumes of The Bahá’í World, The World Order of BaháVlláh: state the International Bahá’i biennial record ments on the Faith in relation to the cur edited under the Guardian’s supervision. rent period of international struggle and war. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY The Advent of Divine Justice: the signi OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE ficance of the teaching mission entrusted to UNITED STATES AND CANADA the American Bahd’is. The Promised Day Is Come: the impact 536 Sheridan Road, of the Revelation of BaháVlláh upon the Wilmette, Illinois. PART ONE

D A W N OF T H E BAHA' I REVELATION From N a b i l ’s N a r r a t i v e "'

I m m e d i a t e l y after the completion of Mullá Husayn recount to the early believers his forty days’ retirement, Mullá Husayn, the story of the latter’s moving and historic together with his two companions, departed interview with the Báb, has related to me for Najaf. He left Karbilá at night, vis the following: “I have heard Mullá Husayn ited the holy shrine at Najaf, and proceeded describe graphically and repeatedly the fol directly to Búshihr, on the Persian Gulf. lowing account: The Youth Who met me, There he started on his holy quest after the outside the gates of Shiráz, overwhelmed Beloved of his heart’s desire. There, for me with expressions of affection and loving the first time, he inhaled the fragrance of kindness. He extended to me a warm in his concealed Beloved, Who for years had vitation to visit His home, and there seek led in that city the life of an ordinary citi to refresh myself from the fatigues óf my zen and of a humble merchant. There he journey. I prayed to be excused, pleading perceived the sweet savors of holiness with that my two companions were already ar which that Beloved’s countless invocations ranging for my stay in that city, and were and pious worship had so richly impregnated now awaiting my return. He refused to the atmosphere of that city. consider my request, however, and observed He could not, however, tarry any longer saying: ‘Do thou commit them to the care in Búshihr. Drawn as if by a magnet which of God. He will verily protect and watch seemed to attract him irresistibly towards over them.’ He spoke these words, and bade the North, he proceeded to Shiráz. Arriv me follow Him. I was profoundly im ing at the gates of that city, he instructed pressed by that gentle and yet compelling his brother and his nephew to proceed di manner in which that strange Youth spoke rectly to the Masjid of ílMiáni and there to me. As I followed Him, His gait, the to await his coming. He expressed the hope charm of His voice, the dignity of His that, God willing, he would arrive in time bearing, served to enhance my first impres to join them in their evening prayer. sions of this unexpected encounter. On that very day, a few hours before “We were soon standing at the gate of sunset, whilst walking outside the gates of a house of modest appearance. He knocked that city, his eyes fell suddenly upon a at the door, which was soon opened by an Youth, wearing a green turban, and of ra Ethiopian servant. Entering the house, and diant countenance, Who, advancing towards turning to me He said: ‘Enter therein in him and smilingly gazing at his face, ex peace, secure.’ These significant words, u t tended to him a most loving welcome. He tered with power and majesty, penetrated embraced Mullá Husayn with tenderness my very soul. I thought it a good augury and affection, and greeted him as if he were to be addressed with such words standing as an intimate and lifelong friend. Mullá I did on the threshold of the first house I Husayn thought Him at first to be a disciple was entering in Shiráz, a city whose very of Siyyid Kázim, who had been informed atmosphere had produced already an in of his approach to Shiráz, and who had describable impression upon me. ‘Might not come out to welcome him. * The Dawn-Breakers: N ab il’s Narrative of the Mirzá Ahmad-i-Qazvini, a martyr of the Early Days of the Baha’i Revelation, Translated and Faith, who had on several occasions heard Edited by Shoghi Effendi.

2 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

my visit to this house,’ I thought to myself, wide, in quest of the promised Beloved. I ‘enable me to draw nearer to the Object have accordingly journeyed to Persia, have of my quest? Might it not hasten the ter arisen* to accomplish his will, and am still mination of a period of intense longing, of engaged in my quest.’ Thereupon He in strenuous search, of increasing anxiety, quired: ‘Has your teacher given you any which such a quest involves’? As I entered detailed indications as to the distinguishing the house, and followed my Host to His features of the promised One?’ ‘Yes,’ I chamber, a feeling of unutterable joy in replied. 'He is of a pure lineage, is of illus vaded my being. Immediately we wrere trious descent, and of the seed of Fátimih. seated, He ordered a ewer of water to be As to His age, He is more than twenty and brought, and bade me wash away from my less than thirty. He is endowed with innate hands and feet the stains of travel. I knowledge. He is of medium height, ab pleaded permission to retire from His pres stains from smoking, and is free from bodily ence, and perform my ablutions in an ad deficiency.’ He paused for awhile, and then joining room. He refused to grant my re with vibrant voice declared: ‘Behold! all quest, and proceeded to pour water over my these signs are manifested in Me!’ He then hands. He then gave me to drink of a considered each of the above-mentioned refreshing beverage. Soon after He asked signs separately, and conclusively demon for the samovar and Himself prepared the strated that each and all were applicable to tea which He offered to me. His person. I was greatly surprised, and “Overwhelmed with His acts of extreme politely observed: ‘He Whose advent we kindness, I arose to depart. ‘The time for await is a Man of unsurpassed, holiness, and evening prayer is approaching,’ I ventured the Cause He is to reveal a Cause of tre to observe. ‘I have promised my friends to mendous power. Many and divers are the join them at that hour in the Masjid of requirements which He Who claimeth to be Ílldiání.’ With infinite courtesy and calm, its visible embodiment must needs fulfill. He replied: ‘Thou must have surely made How often has Siyyid Kázim referred to thy return at the appointed hour dependent the vastness of the knowledge of the prom upon the will and pleasure of God. It seem- ised One, saying: "My own knowledge is eth that His will hath decreed otherwise! but a drop compared with that with which Thou needest have no fear of having broken He has been endowed. All my attainments thy pledge.’ His dignity and self-assurance are but a speck of dust in the face of the silenced me. I renewed my ablutions, and immensity of His knowledge. Nay, immeas prepared for prayer. He, too, stood beside urable is the difference!” No sooner had I me, and prayed. Whilst praying, I unbur uttered these words, than I found myself dened my soul, which was much oppressed seized with fear and remorse such as I could both with the mystery of this interview and neither conceal nor explain. I bitterly re the strain and stress of my search. I proved myself, and resolved at that very breathed this prayer: ‘I have striven, with moment to alter my attitude and to soften all my soul, O my God! and until now have my tone. I vowed that should my Host failed to find Thy promised Messenger. I again refer to the subject, I would, with testify that Thy Word faileth not, and that the utmost humility, answer and say: Thy promise is sure.’ 'Shouldst Thou substantiate Thy claim, “That night, that memorable night, was Thou wouldst most assuredly deliver me the eve of the fifth day of Jamadiyu’l- from the state of anxiety and suspense ‘Avval, of the year 1260 A.H. It was about which so heavily oppress my soul. I shall an hour after sunset, when my youthful truly be indebted to Thee for such deliver Host began to converse with me. He first ance.’ When I first started upon my quest, questioned me saying: ‘Who, after Siyyid I determined to regard the following as the Kázim, regard you as his successor and your sole standards whereby I could ascertain leader?’ ‘At the hour of his death,’ I replied, the truth of Whoever might claim to be the ‘our departed teacher insistently exhorted us promised Qa’im. The first was a treatise to forsake our homes, to scatter far and which I had myself composed, bearing upon THE DAWN OF THE B A H A ’I R E V E L A T I O N 3

the abstruse and hidden teachings pro standards. Were I to fail to resolve thy per pounded by Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Ká plexities, could the Reality that shines zim. Whoever seemed to me capable of un within Me be regarded as powerless, or My raveling the mysterious allusions made in knowledge be accused as faulty? Nay, by that treatise, to Him I would next submit the righteousness of God! It behoveth in my second request, and would ask Him to this day the peoples and nations of both the reveal, without the least hesitation and re East and the West to hasten unto this flection, a commentary on the Súrah of threshold and there to seek to obtain the Joseph, in a style and language entirely reviving grace of the Merciful. Whoso different from the prevailing standards of hesitates, will indeed be in grievous loss! the time. I had previously requested Siyyid Do not the peoples of the earth testify that Kázim, in private, to write a commentary the fundamental purpose of their creation on that same Súrah, which he refused, say is the knowledge and adoration of God? It ing: ‘This is verily beyond me. He, that behoveth them to arise, as earnestly and great One, Who cometh after me, will, un spontaneously as thou hast arisen, and to seek, asked, reveal it for thee. The commentary with determination and constancy, their which He will write for thee shall constitute promised Beloved.’ He then proceeded to one of the weightiest testimonies to His say: ‘Now is the time to reveal the com truth, and one of the clearest evidences of mentary on the Súrah of Joseph.’ He took the loftiness of His position/ up His pen, and with incredible rapidity “I was revolving these things in my mind, revealed the entire Súrah of Mulk, the first when my distinguished Host again re section of His commentary on the Súrah of marked: ‘Observe attentively. Might not Joseph. The overpowering effect of the the Person intended by Siyyid Kázim be manner in which He wrote was heightened none other than Me?’ I thereupon felt im by the gentle intonation of His voice which pelled to present to Him a copy of the accompanied His writing. Not for one mo treatise which I had with me, and requested ment did He interrupt the flow of the verses Him saying: 'I pray Thee to read this book which streamed from His pen. Not once of mine, and to look at its pages with indul did He pause till the Súrah of Mulk was gent eyes. I beg Thee to overlook my finished. I sat enraptured by the magic of weaknesses and failings.’ He graciously His voice and the sweeping force of His complied with my wish. He held the book revelation. At last, I reluctantly rose from in His hands, opened it, glanced at certain my seat, and begged leave to depart. He passages, closed it, and began to address me. smilingly bade me be seated, and said: ‘If Within a few minutes He had, with char thou leavest in such a state, whosoever shall acteristic vigor and charm, unraveled all observe thee will assuredly say, "This poor its mysteries and resolved all its problems! youth hath lost his mind.” ’ At that moment, Having to my entire satisfaction accom the clock registered two hours and eleven plished, in so short a time, the tasks I had minutes after sunset. That night, the eve expected Him to perform, He further ex of the fifth day of Jámádíyu’l-‘Avval, of pounded to me certain truths which could the year 1260 A.H., corresponded with the be found neither in the reported sayings eve of the sixty-sixth day after Naw-rúz, of the Imams of the Faith nor in the w rit which was also the eve of the sixth day of ing of Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Kázim. Khurdád, of the year Nahang. ‘This night,’ These truths, of which I had never heard He declared, ‘this very hour, will, in the before, seemed to be endowed with refresh days to come, be celebrated as one of the ing vividness and singular power. He then greatest and most significant of all festivals. observed: ‘Wert thou not My guest, thy Do tliou render thanks unto God for hav position would indeed be a grievous one. ing graciously assisted thee to attain thine The all-encompassing grace of God hath heart’s desire, and for having quaffed from saved thee. It is for God to test His ser the sealed wine of His utterance. Well is vants, and not for His servants to judge it with them that attain thereunto!’ Him in accordance with their deficient “At the third hour after sunset, my Host 4 THE BAHÁ1 CENTENARY

ordered the dinner to be served. That same what His creatures affirm of Him! And Ethiopian servant appeared again, and peace be upon His messengers! And praise spread before us the best and choicest food. be to God, the Lord of all beings!’ That holy repast refreshed alike my body “He then addressed me these words: ‘O and soul. In the presence of my Host, at thou who art the first to believe in Me! that hour, I felt as though I were feeding Verily, I say: I am the Báb, the Gate of upon fruits of Paradise. I could not but God, and thou art the Bábu’l-Báb, the gate marvel at the manners, and the devoted of that Gate. Eighteen souls must, in the attentions of that Ethiopian servant, whose beginning, spontaneously and of their own very life seemed to have been transformed by accord, accept Me and recognize the truth the regenerating influence of his Master. I of My Revelation. Unwarned and unin then, for the first time, recognized the secret vited, each of these must seek independently and significance of this well-known and to find me. And when their number is sacred tradition ascribed to Muhammad: completed, one of them must needs be 'I have prepared for the godly and righteous chosen by Me, who will accompany Me among My servants what eye hath seen not, on My pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. ear heard not, nor human heart conceived.’ There I shall deliver the Message of God Had that youthful Host of mine no other to the Sharif of Mecca. I will then return claim to greatness, this were sufficient— to Kúfih, where again, in the Masjid of that that He received me with the quality of holy city, I shall manifest His Cause. It is hospitality and loving-kindness which no incumbent upon thee not to divulge, neither other human being could show. to thy companions nor to any other soul, “I sat spell-bound by His utterance, for that which thou hast seen and heard. Be getful of time and of those who awaited thou engaged in the Masjid of ílkháni in me. Suddenly, the call of the Muadhdhin, prayer and teaching. I too will there join who was summoning the faithful to their thee in congregational prayer. Beware, lest morning prayers, awakened me from the thy attitude towards Me betray the secret state of ecstasy into which I seemed to have of thy faith. Thou shouldst continue in fallen. All the delights, all the ineffable this occupation and maintain- this attitude, glories, which the Almighty has recounted until Our departure for Hijáz. Ere we in His Book as the priceless possessions of depart, We shall appoint unto each of the the people of Paradise, these I seemed to be eighteen souls their special mission, and will experiencing that night. Methinks, I was send them forth to accomplish their task. in a place of which it could be truly said: We will instruct them to teach the Word ‘Therein no toil shall reach us, and therein of God, and to quicken the souls of men.’ no weariness shall touch us’; ‘No vain dis Having spoken these words to me, He per course shall they hear therein, nor any false mitted me to retire. He accompanied me hood, but only the cry, “Peace! Peace!” ; to the door of the house, and committed Their cry therein shall be, "Glory be to me to the care of God. Thee, O God!” and their salutation “This Revelation, so suddenly and im therein, “Peace!” And the close of their petuously thrust upon me, came as a thun cry, “Praise be to God, Lord of all derbolt which, for a time, seemed to be creatures!” ’ numb my faculties. I was blinded by its “Sleep had departed from me that night. dazzling splendor, and overwhelmed by its I was enthralled by the music of that voice crushing force. Excitement, joy, awe, and which rose and fell as He chanted, now wonder, stirred the depths of my soul. Pre swelling forth as He revealed verses of the dominant among them was a sense of glad ‘Qay-yrnnu’l-Asma,’ again acquiring ethe ness and strength that seemed to have trans real subtle harmonies as He uttered the figured me. How feeble and impotent, how prayers which He was revealing. At the dejected and timid, I had previously felt! end of each of the communes He revealed, Then I could neither write nor walk, so He would repeat this verse: ‘Far from the tremulous were my hands and feet. Now, glory of thy Lord, the All-Glorious, be however, the knowledge of His Revelation THE DAWN OF THE BA H Á ’Í REVELATION 5

had galvanized my being. I felt possessed sonified, calling unto all mankind: ‘Awake, of such courage and power, that were the for lo! the morning Light has broken. Arise, world, all its peoples and its potentates, for His Cause is made manifest. The Por to arise against me, I would, alone and tal of His grace is open wide. undaunted, resist them! The universe " 'Enter ye therein, O ye people of the seemed but a handful of dust in my grasp! world! For He, Who is your promised One, I seemed to be the Voice of Gabriel per is come!5” MARTYRDOM OF THE BAB From N abil’s Narrative

T h e tale of the tragedy that marked the Sháh. To do Him to death seemed to that closing stages of the Nayriz upheaval spread foolish minister the most efficacious means over the length and breadth of Persia and for the recovery of his country from kindled a startling enthusiasm in the hearts the shame into which he thought it had of those who heard it. It plunged the au sunk. thorities of the capital into consternation Bestirred to action, he summoned his and nerved them to a resolve of despair. counsellors, shared with them his fears and The Amír-Nizám, the Grand Vazir of his hopes, and acquainted them with the NásirPd-Dín Sháh, was particularly over nature of his plans. "Behold,” he exclaimed, awed by these recurrent manifestations of an “the storm which the Faith of the Siyyid-iindomitable will, of a fierce and inflexible Báb has provoked in the hearts of my fel tenacity of faith. Though the forces of the low-countrymen! Nothing short of his pub Imperial army had everywhere triumphed, lic execution can, in my mind, enable this though the companions of Mullá Husayn distracted country to recover its tranquillity and Vahid had successively been mowed and peace. Who dare compute the forces down in a ruthless carnage at the hands of that have perished in the course of the en its officers, yet to the shrewd minds of the gagements at Shaykh Tabarsi? Who can es rulers of Tihrán it was clear and evident timate the efforts exerted to secure that that the spirit responsible for so rare a hero victory? No sooner had the mischief that ism was by no means vanquished, that its convulsed Mázindarán been suppressed, than might was far from broken. The loyalty the flames of another sedition blazed forth which the remnants of that scattered band in the province of Fárs, bringing in its wake bore to their captive Leader still remained so much suffering to my people. We had unimpaired. Nothing had as yet been suc no sooner succeeded in quelling the revolt cessful, despite the appalling losses they had that had ravaged the south, than another sustained, in sapping that loyalty or in un insurrection breaks out in the north, sweep dermining that faith. Far from being ex ing in its vortex Zanján and its surround tinguished that spirit had blazed more in ings. If you are able to advise a remedy, tense and devastating than ever. Galled by acquaint me, for my sole purpose is to the memory of the indignities they had suf insure the peace and honor of my country fered, that persecuted band clung ever more men.” passionately to its Faith and looked with Not a single voice dared venture a reply, increasing fervor and hope to its Leader. except Mirzá Áqá |Gián-i-Núrí, the Minis Above all He Who had kindled that flame ter of War, who pleaded that to put to and nourished that spirit was still alive, and, death a banished Siyyid for the deeds com despite His isolation, was able to exercise mitted by a band of irresponsible agitators the full measure of His influence. Even a would be an act of manifest cruelty. He sleepless vigilance had been powerless to stem recalled the example of the late Muhammad the tide that had swept over the entire face Sháh whose invariable practice was to dis of the land, and which ‘had as its motive regard the base calumnies the enemies of force the continued existence of the Báb. that Siyyid brought continually to his at Extinguish that light, choke the stream at tention. The Amír-Nizám was sorely dis its very source, and the torrent that had pleased. "Such considerations,” he protested, brought so much devastation in its way, "are wholly irrelevant to the issue with would run dry. Such was the thought that which we are faced. The interests of the swayed the Grand Vazir of Nasiri’d-Din State are in jeopardy, and we can in no MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB

Views of the town and ruins of the castle of Máh-Kú, Ádhirbáyján, Persia, where the Báb was confined. 8 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

wise tolerate these periodic upheavals. Was I was then in Qum, together with a certain not the Imám Husayn, in view of the para Sádiq-i-Tabrízí, whom Mírzá Ahmad had mount necessity for safeguarding the unity sent to fetch me from Zarand. I was living of the State, executed by those same per in the same house with Mírzá Ahmad, a sons who had seen him more than once house which he had hired in the Bágh-Panreceive marks of exceptional affection from bih quarter. In those days Shaykh ‘Azim, Muhammad, his Grandfather? Did they not Siyyid Ismá‘íl and a number of other com in such circumstances refuse to consider the panions likewise were dwelling with us. rights which his lineage had conferred upon Mullá Báqir delivered the trust into the him? Nothing short of the remedy I advo hands of Mírzá Ahmad who, at the insist cate can uproot this evil and bring us the ence of Shaykh ‘Azim, opened it before peace for which we long.,, us. We marvelled when we beheld among Disregarding the advice of his counsellor, the things which that coffer contained a the Amír-Nizám dispatched his orders to scroll of blue paper, of the most delicate Navváb Hamzih Mírzá, the governor of texture, on which the Báb, in His own ex Ádhirbáyján, who was distinguished among quisite handwriting, which was a fine the princes of royal blood for his kind- shikastih script, had penned, in the form of heartedness and rectitude of conduct, to a pentacle, what numbered about five hun summon the Báb to Tabriz. He was care dred verses, all consisting of derivatives ful not to divulge to the Prince his real from the word Bahá.2 That scroll was in a purpose. state of perfect preservation, was spotlessly The Navváb, assuming that the inten clean, and gave the impressiqn at first sight tion of the minister was to enable his of being a printed rather than a written Captive to return to His home, immedi page. So fine and intricate was the penman ately directed one of his trusted officers, to ship that viewed from a distance the w rit gether with a mounted escort, to proceed ing appeared as a single wash of ink on the to Chihriq, where the Báb still lay confined, paper. We were overcome with admiration and to bring Him back to Tabriz. He rec as we gazed upon a masterpiece which no ommended Him to their care, urging them calligraphist, we believed, could rival. That to exercise towards Him the utmost con scroll was replaced in the coffer and handed sideration. back to Mírzá Ahmad, who, on the very Forty days before the arrival of that of day he received it, proceeded to Tihrán. Ere ficer at Chihriq, the Báb collected all the he departed he informed us that all he could documents and Tablets in His possession divulge of that letter was the instruction and, placing them with His pen-case, His that the trust was to be delivered into the seals, and agate rings, into a coffer, en hands of Jináb-i-Bahá3 in Tihrán.4 As to trusted them to the care of Mullá Báqir, one me I was instructed by Mírzá Ahmad to of the Letters of the Living. To him He 2 According to "A Traveller’s Narrative” (p. 42), also delivered a letter addressed to Mírzá the Báb had produced no less than three hundred and Ahmad, His amanuensis, in which He en sixty derivatives from the word "Bahá.” closed the key of that coffer. He urged him 3 Title by which Bahá’u’lláh was designated in to take the utmost care of that trust, em those days. 4 "The end of the Báb’s earthly Manifestation is phasized the sacredness of its character, and now close upon us. He knew it himself before the bade him conceal its contents from anyone event, and was not displeased at the presentiment. He except Mírzá Ahmad. had already 'set his house in order,’ as regards the Mullá Báqir departed forthwith for spiritual affairs of the Bábi community, which he Qazvin. Within eighteen days he had reached had, if I mistake not, confided to the intuitive wis dom of Bahá’u’lláh . . . It is impossible not to feel that town and was informed that Mírzá that this is far more probable than the view which Ahmad had departed for Qum. He left im makes Subh-i-Azal the custodian of the sacred w rit mediately for that destination and arrived ings and the arranger of a resting-place for the toward the middle of the month of Shaťbán.a sacred remains. I much fear that the Azalis have manipulated tradition in the interest of their party.” (Dr. T. K. Cheyne’s "The Reconciliation of Races 1 June 12-July 11, 1850 A.D. and Religions,” p. 656 .) MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB 9

proceed to Zarand and join my father who of the rooms of the barracks. He moreover was anxiously awaiting my return. directed Sám Khán to despatch ten of his Faithful to the instructions he had re men to guard the entrance of the room in ceived from Navváb Hamzih Mí rzá, that which He was to be confined. officer conducted the Báb to Tabriz and Deprived of His turban and sash, the showed Him the utmost respect and con twin emblems of His noble lineage, the Báb, sideration. The Prince had instructed one of together with Siyyid Husayn His amanuen his friends to accommodate Him in his home sis, was driven to yet another confinement and to treat Him with extreme deference. which He well knew was but a step further Three days after the Báb’s arrival, a fresh on the way leading Him to the goal he had order was received from the Grand Vazir set Himself to attain. That day witnessed commanding the Prince to carry out the ex a tremendous commotion in the city of ecution of his Prisoner on the very day Tabriz. The great convulsion associated in the farmán would reach him. Whoever the ideas of its inhabitants with the Day would profess himself as His follower was of Judgment seemed at last to have come likewise to be condemned to death. The upon them. Never had that city experienced Armenian regiment of Urúmíyyih, whose a turmoil so fierce and so mysterious as the colonel was Sám Khán, was ordered to shoot one which seized its inhabitants on the day Him, in the courtyard of the barracks of the Báb was led to that place which was Tabriz, which was situated in the center of to be the scene of His martyrdom. As He the city. approached the courtyard of the barracks a The Prince expressed his consternation to youth suddenly leaped forward who, in his the bearer of the farmán, Mírzá Hasan eagerness to overtake Him, had forced his íGián, the Vazír-Nizám and brother of the way through the crowd, utterly ignoring Grand Vazir. "The Amir,” he told him, the risks and perils which such an attempt "would do better to entrust me with services might involve. His face was haggard, his of greater merit than the one with which feet were bare, and his hair dishevelled. he has now commissioned me. The task I Breathless with excitement and exhausted am called upon to perform is a task that with fatigue, he flung himself at the feet of only ignoble people would accept. I am the Báb and, seizing the hem of His gar neither Ibn-i-Ziyád nor Ibn-i-Sa'd1 that he ment, passionately implored Him: "Send me should call upon me to slay an innocent de not from Thee, O Master. Wherever Thou scendant of the Prophet of God.” Mírzá goest, suffer me to follow Thee.” "Muham- Hasan Khán reported these sayings of the mad-‘Ali,” answered the Báb, "arise, and Prince to his brother who, thereupon or rest assured that you will be with me.2 To dered him to follow himself, without delay morrow you shall witness what God has de and in their entirety, the instructions he creed.” Two other companions, unable to had already given. "Relieve us,” the Vazir contain themselves, rushed forward and as urged his brother, "from this anxiety that sured Him of their unalterable loyalty. weighs upon our hearts, and let this affair These together with Mírzá Muhammadbe brought to an end ere the month of ‘Alíy-i-Zunúzí, were seized and placed in Ramadán breaks upon us, that we may enter the same cell in which the Báb and Siyyid the period of fasting with undisturbed tran Husayn were confined. quillity.” Mírzá Hasan JGián attempted to I have heard Siyyid Husayn bear witness acquaint the Prince with these fresh in to the following: "That night the face of structions, but failed in his efforts, as the the Báb was aglow with joy, a joy such as Prince, pretending to be ill, refused to meet had never shone from His countenance. Inhim. Undeterred by this refusal, he issued his instructipns for the immediate transfer 2 "It is no doubt a singular coincidence that both of the Báb and those in His company from *Ali-Muhammad and Jesus Christ are reported to have addressed these words to a disciple: 'To-day thou the house in which He was staying to one shalt be with me in Paradise.’ ” (Dr. T. K. Cheyne’s "The Reconciliation of Races 1 Persecutors of the descendants of Muhammad. and Religions,” p. 18 5.) 10 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

different to the storm that raged about ered into the presence of the mujtahids he Him, He conversed with us with gaiety and was repeatedly urged, in view of the po cheerfulness. The sorrows that had weighed sition which his stepfather, Siyyid ‘Aliy-iso heavily upon Him seemed to have com Zunúzí, occupied, to recant his faith. pletely vanished. Their weight appeared to "Never,” he exclaimed, "will I renounce my have dissolved in the consciousness of ap Master. He is the essence of my faith, and proaching victory. 'Tomorrow/ He said to the object of my truest adoration. In Him us, 'will be the day of my martyrdom. I have found my paradise, and in the ob Would that one of you would now arise servance of His law I recognize the ark of and, with his own hands, end my life. I my salvation.” "Hold your peace,” thun prefer to be slain by the hand of a friend dered Mullá Muhammad-i-Mámáqání, be rather than that of the enemy/ Tears rained fore whom that youth was brought, "Such from our eyes as we heard Him express that words betray your madness; I can well ex wish. We shrank, however, at the thought cuse the words for which you are not re of taking away with our own hands so sponsible.” "I am not mad,” he retorted, precious a life. We refused and remained "Such a charge should rather be brought silent. Mírzá Muhammad-‘Ali suddenly against you who have sentenced to death a sprang to his feet and announced himself man no less holy than the promised Qá’im. ready to obey whatever the Báb would de He is not a fool who has embraced His sire. 'This same youth who has risen to Faith and is longing to shed his blood in comply with my wish/ the Báb declared, as His path.” soon as we had intervened and forced The Báb was, in His <turn, brought before him to abandon that thought, 'will, to Mullá Muhammad-i-Mámáqáni. No sooner gether with me, suffer martyrdom. Him had he recognized Him than he seized the will I choose to share with me its death-warrant he himself had previously crown/ 55 written and, handing it to his attendant, Early in the morning Mírzá Hasan Khán bade him deliver it to the farrásh-báshí. ordered his farrásh-báshí to conduct the "No need,” he cried, "to bring the Siyyid-i- Báb to the presence of the leading mujta- Báb into my presence. This death-warrant hids of the city and to obtain from them I have penned the very day I met him at the authorization required for His execu the gathering presided over by the Valition. As the Báb was leaving the barracks, ‘Ahd. He surely is the same man whom I Siyyid Husayn asked Him as to what he saw on that occasion and has not, in the should do. "Confess not your fa ith /’ He meantime, surrendered any of his claims.” advised him, "thereby you will be enabled, From thence the Báb was conducted to when the hour comes, to convey to those the house of Mírzá Báqir, the son of Mírzá who are destined to hear you, the things of Ahmad to whom he had recently succeeded. which you alone are aware.” He was en When they arrived they found his attendant gaged in a confidential conversation with standing at the gate and holding in his him when the farrásh-báshí suddenly inter hand the Báb’s death warrant. "No need to rupted and, holding Siyyid Husayn by the enter,” he told them, "My master is already hand, drew him aside and severely rebuked satisfied that his father was right in pro him. "N ot until I have said to him all those nouncing the sentence of death. He can do things that I wish to say,” the Báb warned no better than follow his example.” the farrásh-báshí, "can any earthly power Mullá Murtadá-Qulí, following in the silence me. Though all the world be armed footsteps of the two other mujtahids, had against me, yet shall they be powerless to previously issued his own written testimony deter me from fulfilling, to the last word, and refused to meet face to face his dreaded my intention.” The farrásh-báshí was opponent. No sooner had the farrásh-báshí amazed at such a bold assertion. He made, secured the necessary documents than he however, no reply and bade Siyyid Husayn delivered his Captive into the hands of Sám to arise and follow him. Khán, assuring him that he could proceed When Mírzá Muhammad-‘Ali was ush with his task now that he had obtained the MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB 11

sanction of the civil and ecclesiastical au upon a scene which their eyes could scarcely thorities of the realm. believe. There, standing before them alive Siyyid Husayn had remained confined in and unhurt, was the companion of the Báb, the same room in which he had spent the whilst He Himself had vanished uninjured previous night with the Báb. They were from their sight. Though the cords with proceeding to place Mírzá Muhammad-'Ali which they were suspended had been rent in in that same room, when he burst forth into pieces by the bullets, yet their bodies had tears and entreated them to allow him to miraculously escaped the volleys. Even the remain with his Master. He was delivered tunic which Mírzá Muhammad-‘Ali was into the hands of Sám Khán who was or wearing had, despite the thickness of the dered to execute him also, if he persisted in smoke, remained unsullied. "The Siyyid-ihis refusal to deny his faith. Báb has gone from our sight!” rang out the Sám iGián was in the meantime finding voice of the bewildered multitude. They set himself increasingly affected by the be out in a frenzied search for Him and found havior of his Captive and the treatment Him, eventually, seated in the same room that had been meted out to Him. He was which He had occupied the night before, seized with great fear lest his action should engaged in completing His interrupted con bring upon him the wrath of God. "I pro versation with Siyyid Husayn. An expression fess the Christian Faith,” he explained to of unruffled calm was upon His face. His the Báb, "and entertain no ill-will against body had emerged unscathed from the you. If your Cause be the Cause of Truth, shower of bullets which the regiment had enable me to free myself from the obliga directed against Him. "I have finished my tion of shedding your blood.” "Follow your conversation with Siyyid Husayn,” the Báb instructions,” the Báb replied, "and if your told the farrásh-báshí, "Now you may pro intention be sincere, the Almighty is surely ceed to fulfill your intention.” The man was able to relieve you from your perplexity.” too shaken to resume what he had already Sám Khán ordered his men to drive a attempted. Refusing to accomplish his duty nail into the pillar that lay between the he, that same moment, left that scene and door of the room that Siyyid Husayn oc resigned his post. He related all that he had cupied and the entrance to the adjoining seen to his neighbor, Mírzá Siyyid Muhsin, one, and to make fast two ropes to that nail, one of the notables of Tabriz, who, as soon from which the Báb and His companion as he heard the story, was converted to the were to be separately suspended. Mirzi Faith. Muhammad-‘Ali begged Sám Khán to be I was privileged to meet, subsequently, placed in such a manner that his own body this same Mírzá Siyyid Muhsin who con would shield that of the Báb. He was ducted me to the scene of the Báb’s m artyr eventually suspended in such a position that dom and showed me the wall where He had his head reposed on the breast of his Master. been suspended. I was taken to the room As soon as they were fastened, a regiment in which He had been found conversing of soldiers ranged itself in three files, each with Siyyid Husayn, and was shown the very of two hundred and fifty men, each of spot where He had been seated. I saw the which was ordered to open fire in its turn very nail which His enemies had hammered until the whole detachment had discharged into the wall and to which the rope which the volleys of its bullets. The smoke of the had supported His body had been attached. firing of the seven hundred and fifty rifles Sám Khán was likewise stunned by the was such as to turn the light of the noon force of this tremendous revelation. He or day sun into darkness. About ten thousand dered his men to leave the barracks imme people had crowded onto the roof of the diately and refused to ever again associate barracks as well as on the top of the adjoin himself and his regiment with any act that ing houses, all of whom were witnesses to involved the least injury to the Báb. He that sad and moving scene. swore as he left that courtyard never again As soon as the cloud of smoke had cleared to resume that task even though his refusal away, an astounded multitude were looking should entail the loss of his own life. 12 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

No sooner had Sám Khán departed than were blended into one mass of mingled flesh Áqá Ján iGián-i-Khamsih, colonel of the and bone. "Had you believed in me, O body-guard, known also by the names of wayward generation,” were the last words iGiamsih and Násirí, volunteered to carry of the Báb to the gazing multitude as the out the order for execution. On the same regiment was preparing to fire the final vol wall and in the same manner the Báb and ley, "everyone of you would have followed His companion were again suspended, while the example of this youth, who stood in the regiment formed into line to open fire rank above most of you, and willingly upon them. Contrariwise to the previous oc would have sacrificed yourselves in my path. casion, when only the cord with which they The day will come when you will have recog were suspended had been shot into pieces, nized me; that day I shall have ceased to be this time their bodies were shattered and with you.” BAHÁ'U'LLÁH’S TRIBUTE TO THE BAB From Kitáb-i-íqán

T h o u g h young and tender of age, and And now consider how this Sadrih of the though the Cause He revealed was contrary Ridván of God hath, in the prime of youth, to the desire of all the peoples of the earth, risen to proclaim the Cause of God. Be both high and low, rich and poor, exalted hold, what steadfastness He, the Beauty of and abased, king and subject, yet He arose God, hath revealed! The whole world rose and steadfastly proclaimed it. All have to hinder Him, yet it utterly failed! The known and heard this. He feared no one; more severe the persecution they inflicted He was reckless of consequences. Could on that Sadrih of Blessedness, the more such a thing be made manifest except His fervor increased, and the brighter through the power of a Divine Revelation, burned the flame of His love. All this is and the potency of God’s invincible Will? evident, and none disputeth its truth. Finally, By the righteousness of God! Were anyone He surrendered His soul, and winged His to entertain so great a Revelation in his flight unto the realms above. . . . heart, the thought of such a declaration No sooner had that eternal Beauty re would alone confound him! Were the hearts vealed Himself in Shíráz, in the year sixty of all men to be crowded into his heart, he (i. e., 1844) and rent asunder the veil of would still hesitate to venture upon so aw concealment, than the signs of the ascen ful an enterprise. He could achieve it only dency, the might, the sovereignty, and by the permission of God, only if the chan power emanating from that Essence of Es nel of his heart were to be linked with sences and Sea of Seas, were manifest in the Source of Divine grace, and his soul every land. So much so, that from every be assured of the unfailing sustenance of the city there appeared the signs, the evidences, Almighty. To what, We wonder, do they the tokens, and testimonies of that Divine ascribe so great a daring? Do they accuse Luminary. How many were those pure Him of madness as they accused the Prophets and kindly hearts which faithfully reflected of old? Or do they maintain that His mo the light of that eternal Sun! And how tive was none other than leadership and the manifold the emanations of knowledge from acquisition of earthly riches? that Ocean of Divine Wisdom which en Gracious God! In His Book, which He compassed all beings! In every city, all hath entitled QayyúmuT-Asmá— the first, the divines and nobles rose to hinder and the greatest, and mightiest of all books—He repress them, and girded up the loins of prophesied His own martyrdom. In it is malice, of envy, and tyranny for their sup this passage: "O Thou Remnant of God! pression. How great the number of those I have sacrificed myself wholly for Thee; holy souls, those essences of justice, who, ac I have accepted curses for Thy sake; and cused of tyranny, were put to death! And have yearned for naught but martyrdom in how many embodiments of purity, who the path of Thy love. Sufficient Witness unto showed forth naught but true knowledge me is God, the Exalted, the Protector, the and stainless deeds, suffered an agonizing Ancient of Days!” . . . death! Notwithstanding all this, each of Could the Revealer of such utterance be these holy beings, up to his last moment, regarded as walking in any other way than breathed the name of God and soared in the the way of God, and as having yearned for realm of submission and resignation. Such aught else except His good pleasure? In was the potency and transmuting influence this very verse there lieth concealed a breath which He exercised over them, that they of detachment for which, if it were breathed ceased to cherish any desire but His Will, upon the world, all beings would renounce and wedded their souls to His remembrance. their life, and sacrifice their soul. . . . Reflect: Who in the world is able to 14 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Shrine of the Báb and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, Mount Carmel, Hai;fa, Palestine.

manifest such transcendent power, such per unto salvation, prosperity, and everlasting vading influence? All these stainless hearts success. Hath the world, since the days and sanctified souls have, with absolute resig of Adam, witnessed such tumult, such nation, responded to the summons of His violent commotion? Notwithstanding all decree. Instead of making complaint, they the torture they suffered, and the mani rendered thanks unto God, and, amidst the fold afflictions they endured, they became darkness of their anguish, they revealed the object of universal opprobrium and naught but radiant acquiescence in His Will. execration. It is well known how relentless was the hate, Methinks, patience was revealed only by and how bitter the malice and enmity, enter virtue of their fortitude, and faithfulness tained by all the peoples of earth towards itself was begotten by their deeds. these Companions. Do thou ponder these momentous happen The persecution and pain which they ings in thine heart, so that thou mayest inflicted on these holy and spiritual apprehend the greatness of this Revelation, beings were regarded by them as means and perceive its stupendous glory. THE BAB AND THE REVELATION OF BAHÁ'U'LLÁH* D e ARLY-BELOVED friends! That the not in His being the divinely-appointed Fore Báb, the inaugurator of the Bábi Dispensa runner of so transcendent a Revelation, but tion, is fully entitled to rank as one of the rather in His having been invested with the self-sufficient Manifestations of God, that powers inherent in the inaugurator of a He has been invested with sovereign power separate religious Dispensation, and in His and authority, and exercises all the rights wielding, to a degree unrivaled by the Mes and prerogatives of independent Prophet- sengers gone before Him, the sceptre of in hood, is yet another fundamental verity dependent Prophethood. which the Message of BaháVlláh insistently The short duration of His Dispensation, proclaims and which its followers must un the restricted range within which His laws compromisingly uphold. That He is not to and ordinances have been made to operate, be regarded merely as an inspired Precursor supply no criterion whatever wherewith to of the Bahá’í Revelation, that in His person, judge its Divine origin and to evaluate the as He Himself bears witness in the Persian potency of its message. “That so brief a Bayán, the object of all the Prophets gone span,” Bahá’u’lláh Himself explains, “should before Him has been fulfilled, is a truth have separated this most mighty and won which I feel it my duty to demonstrate and drous Revelation from Mine own previous emphasize. We would assuredly be failing Manifestation, is a secret that no man can in our duty to the Faith we profess and unravel and a mystery such as no mind can would be violating one of its basic and sacred fathom. Its duration had been fore-ordained, principles if in our words or by our conduct and no man shall ever discover its reason un we hesitate to recognize the implications of less and until he be informed of the contents this root principle of Bahá’í belief, or refuse of My Hidden Book” ffBehold,” BaháVl- • to uphold unreservedly its integrity and láh further explains in the Kitáb-i-Badidemonstrate its truth. Indeed the chief mo one of His works refuting the arguments of tive actuating me to undertake the task of the people of the Bayán, “behold, how im editing and translating Nabil’s immortal mediately upon the completion of the ninth Narrative has been to enable every follower year of this wondrous, this most holy and of the Faith in the West *to better under merciful dispensation, the requisite number stand and more readily grasp the tremendous of pure, of wholly consecrated and sanctified implications of His exalted station and to souls had been most secretly consummated.” more ardently admire and love Him. The marvelous happenings that have There can be no doubt that the claim heralded the advent of the Founder of to the twofold station ordained for the the Bábi Dispensation, the dramatic circum Báb by the Almighty, a claim which He stances of His own eventful life, the mirac Himself has sa boldly advanced, which ulous tragedy of His martyrdom, the magic BaháVlláh has repeatedly affirmed, and to of His influence exerted on the most eminent which the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l- and powerful among His countrymen, to all Bahá has finally given the sanction of its tes of which every chapter of Nabil’s stirring timony, constitutes the most distinctive fea narrative testifies, should in themselves be ture of the Bahá’i Dispensation. It is a regarded as sufficient evidence of the validity further evidence of its uniqueness, a tre of His claim to so exalted a station among mendous accession to the strength, to the the Prophets. mysterious power and authority with which thi^ holy cycle has been invested. Indeed * From “The Dispensation of BaháV lláh,” by the greatness of the Báb consists primarily, Shoghi Effendi.

16 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY However graphic the record which the fortitude, and faithfulness itself was be eminent chronicler of His life has trans gotten only by their deeds.” t mitted to posterity, so luminous a narrative Wishing to stress the sublimity of the must pale before the glowing tribute paid to Báb’s exalted station as compared with that the Báb by the pen of BaháVlláh. This of the Prophets of the past, BaháVlláh in tribute the Báb Himself has, by the clear as that same epistle asserts: “No understand sertion of His claim, abundantly supported, ing can grasp the nature of His Revelation, while the written testimonies of 'Abdu’l- nor can any knowledge comprehend the full Bahá have powerfully reinforced its char measure of His Faith.” He then quotes, in acter and elucidated its meaning. confirmation of His argument, these pro Where else if not in the Kitáb-i-íqán can phetic words: "Knowledge is twenty and the student of the Bábi Dispensation seek to seven letters. All that the Prophets have re find those affirmations that unmistakably at vealed are two letters thereof. No man thus test the power and spirit which no man, ex far hath known more than these two letters. cept he be a Manifestation of God, can mani But when the Qd’im shall arise, He will cause fest? “Could such a th in g ” exclaims Bahá’- the remaining twenty and five letters to be uflláh, “be made manifest except through the made manifest ” “Behold ” He adds, “how power of a Divine Revelation and the po great and lofty is His station! His rank extency of Godys invincible Will? By the celleth that of all the Prophets and His Rev righteousness of God! Were anyone to en elation transcendeth the comprehension and tertain so great a Revelation in his heart the understanding of all their chosen ones.” “O f thought of such a declaration would alone His Revelation,” He further adds, "the confound him! Were the hearts of all men Prophets of God, His saints and chosen ones to be crowded into his heart, he would still have either not been informed, or, in pursu hesitate to venture upon so awful an enter ance of Godys inscrutable decree, they have prise” "N o eye” He in another passage af not disclosed ” firms, “hath beheld so great an outpouring of Of all the tributes which BahaVllah’s bounty, nor hath any ear heard of such a unerring pen has chosen to pay to the Revelation of loving-kindness . . . The Pro memory of the Báb, His “Best-Beloved,” the phets 'endowed with constancy,y whose lofti most memorable and touching is this brief, ness and glory shine as the sun, were each yet eloquent passage which so greatly en honored with a Book which all have seen and hances the value of the concluding passages the verses of which have been duly ascer of that same epistle. "Amidst them a ll” tained. Whereas the verses which have He writes, referring to the afflictive trials and rained from this Cloud of divine mercy have dangers besetting Him in the city of Baghbeen so abundant that none hath yet been dád, "W e stand life in hand wholly resigned able to estimate their number . . . How to His Will, that perchance through Godys can they belittle this Revelation? Hath loving kindness and grace, this revealed and any age witnessed such momentous hap manifest Letter (BaháVlláh) may lay down penings?” His life as a sacrifice in the path of the Commenting on the character and influ Primal Point, the most exalted Word (the ence of those heroes and martyrs whom the Báb). By Him, at Whose bidding the Spirit spirit of the Báb had so magically trans hath spoken, but for this yearning of Our formed BaháVlláh reveals the following: soul, We would not, for one moment, have “If these companions be not the true strivers tarried any longer in this city.” after God, who else could be called by this Dearly-beloved friends! So resounding a name? . . . If these companions, with all their praise, so bold an assertion issued by the pen marvelous testimonies and wondrous works, of BaháVlláh in so weighty a work, are fully be false, who then is worthy to claim for re-echoed in the language in which the himself the truth? . . . Has the world since Source of the Bábi Revelation has chosen to the days of Adam witnessed such tumult, clothe the claims He himself has advanced. such violent commotion? . . . Me thinks, “I am the Mystic Fane” the Báb thus pro patience was revealed only by virtue of their claims His station in the Qayyúm-i-Asmá’, THE BÁB AND THE REVELATION OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH 17

The Interior of the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel.

"which the Hand of Omnipotence hath through the power of truth, are the 'Re reared. I am the Lamp which the Finger of membrance of God’ and His Day before God hath lit within its niche and caused to the eyes of the angels that circle His mercyshine with deathless splendor. I am the seat.” "Should it be Our wish,” He again af Flame of that supernal Light that glowed firms, "it is in Our power to compel, through upon Sinai in the gladsome Spot, and lay con the agency of but one letter of Our Revela cealed in the midst of the Burning Bush.” tion, the world and all that is therein to "O Qurratu’l- A yn l” He, addressing Himself recognize, in less than the twinkling of an in that same commentary, exclaims, "I recog eye, the truth of Our Cause” nize in Thee none other except the 'Great "I am the Primal Point ” the Báb thus ad Announcemenť— the Announcement voiced dresses Muhammad Sháh from the prisonby the Concourse on high. By this name, fortress of Máh-Kú, "from which have been I bear witness, they that circle the Tkrone of generated all created things . . . I am the Glory have ever known Thee.” "W ith each Countenance of God Whose splendor can and every Prophet, Whom We have sent never be obscured, the light of God whose down in the past,” He further adds, "W e radiance can never fade . . . All the keys of have established a separate Covenant con heaven God hath chosen to place on My cerning the 'Remembrance of Gody and His right hand, and all the keys of hell on My Day. Manifest, in the realm of glory and left . . . I am one of the sustaining pillars 18 THE BA H Á ’1 CENTENARY

of the Primal Word of God. Whosoever hath Xodiac— the sign Aries—which the sun en recognized Me, hath known all that is true ters at the Vernal Equinox. The station of and right, and hath attained all that is good Bahd’u’lldh’s Revelation, on the other hand, and seemly . . .The substance wherewith God is represented by the sign Leo, the sun’s mid hath created* Me is not the clay out of which summer and highest station. By this is others have been formed. He hath con meant that this holy Dispensation is il ferred upon Me that which the worldly- lumined with the light of the Sun of Truth wise can never comprehend, nor the faithful shining from its most exalted station, and in discover.” "Should a tiny ant,” the Báb, the plenitude of its resplendency, its heat wishing to stress the limitless potentialities and glory.” latent in His Dispensation, characteristically "The Bdb, the Exalted One,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahd affirms, "desire in this day to be possessed of more specifically 'affirms in another Tablet, such power as to be able to unravel the ab- "is the Morn of Truth, the splendor of Whose strusest and most bewildering passages of the light shineth throughout all regions. He is Qur’an, its wish will no doubt be fulfilled, also the Harbinger of the Most Great Light, inasmuch as the mystery of eternal might the Abhd Luminary. The Blessed Beauty is vibrates within the innermost being of all the One promised by the sacred books of created things” "If so helpless a creature,” the past, the revelation of the Source of is ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s comment on so startling an light that shone upon Mount Sinai, Whose affirmation, "can be endowed with so subtle fire glowed in the midst of the Burning Bush. a capacity, hcnv much more efficacious must We are, one and all servants of their thresh be the power released through the liberal ef old, and stand each as a lowly keeper at their fusions of the grace of Bahd’u’lldh!” door.” "Every proof and prophecy,” is His To these authoritative assertions and still more emphatic warning, “every manner solemn declarations made by Bahd’u’lldh and of evidence, whether based on reason or on the Báb mtist be added ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s own the text of the scriptures and traditions, are incontrovertible testimony. He, the ap to be regarded as centered in the persons of pointed interpreter of the utterances of both Bahd’u’lldh and the Bdb. In them is to be Bahd’u’lldh and the Báb, corroborates, not found their complete fulfillment.” by implication but in clear and categorical And finally, in His Will and Testament, language, both in His Tablets and in His the repository of His last wishes and parting Testament, the truth of the statements to instructions, He in the following passage, which I have already referred. specifically designed to set forth the guid In a Tablet addressed to a Bahd’i in Mdzin- ing principles of Bahd’i belief, sets the seal dardn, in which He unfolds the meaning of of His testimony on the Bdb’s dual and ex a misinterpreted statement attributed to Hin* alted station: "The foundation of the be regarding the rise of the Sun of Truth in lief of the people of Bahd (may my life be this century, He sets forth, briefly but con offered up for them) is this: His holiness clusively, what should remain for all time the exalted One (the Bdb) is the Manifesta our true conception of the relationship be tion of the unity and oneness of God and the tween the two Manifestations associated Forerunner of the Ancient Beauty (Bahd’u’ with the Bahd’i Dispensation. "In making lldh) . His holiness, the Abhd Beauty (Bahd’ such a statement,” He explains, “I had in u’lldh) (may my life be offered up as a sacri mind no one else except the Bdb and Bahd’u’l fice for His steadfast friends) is the supreme ldh, the character of whose Revelations it had Manifestation of God and the Dayspring of been my purpose to elucidate. The Revela His most divine Essence/’ "All others,” He tion of the Bdb may be likened to the sun, its significantly adds, "are servants unto Him station corresponding to the first sign of the and do His bidding.” PART TWO

AMERICAS SPIRITUAL D E S T IN Y References to N orth America in the Baha’i 'Writings I

BAHÁ’U ’LLÁH

O RULERS of America, and Presidents Station, whereat all creation, both seen and of the Republics therein! Harken to the unseen, smiled and rejoiced. strains of the Dove on the Branch of Eternity O people, avail yourselves of the Day of singing the melody: "There is no God but God. Verily, to meet Him is better for you Me, the Everlasting, the Forgiver, the than all that upon which the sun rises, were Generous.” you of those who know! Adorn the temple of dominion with the O concourse of Statesmen! Harken to embroidered garment of justice and virtue, that which is raised from the Day-Spring of and crown its head with the diadem of the Majesty, that: "There is no God but Me, the celebration of your Lord, the Creator of Speaker, the All-Knowing. Assist with the heaven and earth. Thus the Day-Spring of hands of justice the broken-hearted, and the Names commands you on the part of crush the great oppressors with the scourges the One all-knowing and wise. The of the commands of your Lord, the Power Promised One has appeared in this exalted ful, the Wise!”

‘ABDUL-BAHÁ Public Addresses in the United States and Canada, 1912

The body of the human world is sick. has developed powers and capacities greater Its remedy and healing will be the oneness and more wonderful than other nations. of the kingdom of humanity. Its life is While it is true that its people have attained the Most Great Peace. Its illumination and a marvelous material civilization, I hope that quickening is love. Its happiness is the at spiritual forces may animate this great body tainment of spiritual perfections. It is my and a corresponding spiritual civilization be wish and hope that in the bounties and favors established. of the Blessed Perfection (Baha’u’llah) we New York, April 16 may find a new life, acquire a new power and attain to a wonderful and supreme I have traveled this long distance, crossed source of energy so that the Most Great Peace the Atlantic Ocean to this western continent of divine intention shall be established upon in the desire and hope that the strongest the foundations of the unity of the world bond of unity may be established between of men with God. May the love of God America and Persia. I know this to be your be spread from this city, from this meet wish and purpose also and am sure of your ing, to all the surrounding countries. Nay, cooperation. We shall therefore offer sup may America become the distributing center plication in the divine threshold that a great of spiritual enlightenment and all the world love may take possession of the hearts of receive this heavenly blessing. For America men and unite the nations of the world. 20 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

We will pray that the ensign of international institution of liberty and equality here be peace may be uplifted and that the oneness came the cause of liberating your fellowof the world of humanity may be realized beings elsewhere. . . . and accomplished. All this is made possible Therefore strive earnestly and put forth and practicable through your efforts. May your greatest endeavor toward the accom- N this American democracy be the first nation plishment of this fellowship and the cement to establish the foundation of international ing of this bond of brotherhood between agreement. May it be the first nation to pro you. Such an attainment is not possible claim the universality of mankind. May it without will and effort on the part of each; be the first to upraise the standard of the from one, expressions of gratitude and ap "Most Great Peace,” and through this nation preciation; from the other, kindliness and of democracy may these philanthropic in recognition of equality. Each one should tentions and institutions be spread broadcast endeavor to develop and assist the other to throughout the world. Truly this is a great ward mutual advancement. This is possible and revered nation. Here liberty has reached only by conjoining of effort and inclination. its highest degree. The intentions of its Love and unity will be fostered between people are most praiseworthy. They are in you, thereby bringing about the oneness deed worthy of being the first people to of mankind. For the accomplishment of build the tabernacle of the great peace and unity between the colored and whites will proclaim the oneness of the world of human be an assurance of the world’s peace. Then ity. I will supplicate God for assistance racial prejudice, national prejudice, limited and confirmation in your behalf. patriotism and religious bias will pass away Washington, D. C., April 20 and remain no longer. , Washington, D. C., April 23 Today I am exceedingly glad that both white and colored people have gathered here O God! O Thou who givest! This con and I hope the time will come when they gregation is turning to Thee, casting their shall live together in the utmost peace, unity glances toward Thy Kingdom and favor, and friendship. I wish to say one thing of longing to behold the lights of Thy face. importance to both in order that the white O God! bless this nation. Confirm this gov race may be just and kind to the colored ernment. Reveal Thy glory unto this people and that the colored race may in turn be and confer upon them life eternal. O God! grateful and appreciative toward the white. illumine the faces, render the hearts radiant, The great proclamation of liberty and eman exhilarate the breasts, crown the heads with cipation from slavery was made upon this the diadem of Thy providence, cause them continent. A long bloody war was fought to soar in Thy pure atmosphere so they may by white men for the sake of colored people. reach the highest pinnacles of Thy splendor. These white men forfeited their possessions Assist them in order that this world may and sacrificed their lives by thousands in ever find the light and effulgence of Thy order that colored men might be freed from presence. O God! shelter this congregation bondage. The colored population of the and admonish this nation. Render them pro United States of America are possibly not gressive in all degrees. May they become fully informed of the wide-reaching effect leaders in the world of humanity. May they of this freedom and emancipation upon their be Thy examples among humankind. May colored brethren in Asia and Africa where they be manifestations of Thy grace. May even more terrible conditions of slavery ex they be filled with the inspiration of Thy isted. Influenced and impelled by the ex Word. Thou art the powerful! Thou art ample of the United States, the European the mighty! Thou art the giver and thou powers proclaimed universal liberty to the art the omniscient! colored race and slavery ceased to exist. This Chicago, May 3 effort and accomplishment by the white nations should never be lost sight of. Both In this western world with its stimulat races should rejoice in gratitude, for the ing climate, its capacities for knowledge and A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 21

lofty ideals, the message of peace should be this government and nation may spread it easily spread. The people are not so in to all the world. fluenced by imitations and prejudices, and Chicago, May 3 through their comprehension of the real and unreal they should attain the truth. They O thou kind Lord! Thou hast created should become leaders in the effort to estab all humanity from the same original parents. lish the oneness of humankind. What is Thou hast intended that all belong to the higher than this responsibility? In the king same household. In Thy holy presence they dom of God no service is greater and in the are Thy servants and all mankind are estimation of the prophets including Jesus sheltered beneath Thy tabernacle. All have Christ there is no deed so estimable. gathered at Thy table of bounty and are Yet even now warfare prevails. Envy and radiant through the light of Thy providence. hatred have arisen between nations but be O God! Thou art kind to all, thou hast cause I find the American nation so capable provided for all, thou dost shelter all, thou of achievement and this government the dost confer life upon all. Thou hast en fairest of western governments, its insti dowed all with talents and faculties; all are tutions superior to others, my wish and hope submerged in the ocean of Thy mercy. O is that the banner of international recon thou kind Lord! unite all, let the religions ciliation may first be raised on this continent agree, make the nations one so that they may and the standard of the “Most Great Peace” be as one kind and as children of the same be unfurled here. May the American people fatherland. May they associate in unity and and their government unite in their efforts in concord. O God! upraise the standard of the order that this light may dawn from this oneness of humankind. O God! establish the point and spread to all regions; for this is "Most Great Peace.” Cement the hearts to one of the greatest bestowals of God. In gether, O God! O thou kind father, God! order that America may avail herself of this exhilarate the hearts through the fragrance opportunity I beg that you strive and pray of Thy love; brighten the eyes through the with heart and soul, devoting all your light of Thy guidance; cheer the hearing energies to this end that the banner of with the melodies of Thy Word and shelter international peace may be upraised here us in the cave of Thy providence. Thou art and that this' democracy may be the cause the mighty and powerful! Thou art the of the cessation of warfare in all other forgiving and thou art the one who overcountries. lookest the shortcomings of humankind. Observe what is taking place in Tripoli; Chicago, May 5 men cutting each other into pieces; bom bardment from the sea, attacks from the This revered American nation presents land and the hail of dynamite from the very evidences of greatness and worth. It is my heaven itself. The contending armies are hope that this just government will stand for thirsting for each other’s blood. How they peace so that warfare may be abolished can do this is inconceivable. They have throughout the world and the standards of fathers, mothers, children; they are human. national unity and reconciliation be up What of their wives and families? Think of raised. This is the greatest attainment of their anguish and suffering. How unjust, the world of humanity. This American na how terrible! Human beings should prevent tion is equipped and empowered to accom and forbid this. These kings, rulers and plish that which will adorn the pages of chieftains should strive for the good of their history, to become the envy of the world subjects instead of their destruction. These and be blest in the east and the west for the shepherds should bring their sheep within triumph of its democracy. I pray that this the fold, comfort them and give them pas may come to pass and I ask the blessing of ture instead of death and slaughter. God in behalf of you all. I supplicate the divine Kingdom and ask Cleveland, May 6 that you may be instrumental in establish ing the Great Peace in this country and that All of us know that international peace is 22 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

good, that it is conducive to human welfare stating that the standard of the "'Most Great and the glory of man, but volition and action Peace” would surely be upraised in the world. are necessary before it can be established. This has come to pass. The powers of Action is the essential. Inasmuch as this earth cannot withstand the privileges and century is a century of light, capacity for bestowals which God has ordained for this N action is assured to mankind. Necessarily great and glorious century. It is a need the divine principles will be spread among and exigency of the time. Man can with men until the time of action arrives. Surely stand anything except that which is divinely this has been so and truly the time and con intended and indicated for the age and its ditions are ripe for action now. All men requirements. Now, Praise be to God! in all know that verily, war is a destroyer of countries of the world, lovers of peace are to human foundations and in every country of be found and these principles are being spread the world this is admitted and apparent. among mankind, especially in this country. I find the United States of America an ex Praise be to God! this thought is prevailing ceedingly progressive nation, the govern and souls are continually arising as defenders ment just, the people in a state of readiness of the oneness of humanity, endeavoring to and the principle of equality established to assist and establish international peace. There an extraordinary degree. Therefore it is my is no doubt that this wonderful democracy hope that inasmuch as the standard of inter will be able to realize it and the banner of national peace must be upraised it may be international agreement will be unfurled here upraised upon this continent, for this nation to spread onward and outward among all is more deserving and has greater capacity the nations of the world. I give thanks to for such an initial step than any other. If God that I find you imbued with such sus other nations should attempt to do this the ceptibilities and lofty aspirations and I hope motive will be misunderstood. . . Your gov that you will be the means of spreading this ernment has, strictly speaking, no colonies light to all men. Thus may the Sun of to protect. You are not endeavoring to Reality shine upon the east and west. The extend your domain nor have you need of enveloping clouds shall pass away and the territorial expansion. Therefore if America heat of the divine rays will dispel the mist. takes the first step toward the establish The reality of man shall develop and come ment of world peace it is certain to be forth as the image of God his creator. The ascribed to unselfishness and altruism. . . . thoughts of man shall take such upward Just now Europe is a battlefield of ammuni flight that former accomplishments shall ap tion ready for a spark; and one spark will set pear as the play of children;—for the ideas aflame the whole world. Before these com and beliefs of the past and the prejudices re plications and cataclysmic events happen, garding race and religion have ever been take the step to prevent it. . . . Let this be lowering and destructive to human evolution. her mission and undertaking and may its I am most hopeful that in this century these blessed impetus spread to all countries. lofty thoughts shall be conducive to human New York, May 12 welfare. Let this century be the sun of previous centuries the effulgences of which His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh was imprisoned shall last forever, so that in times to come and subjected to severe persecutions. Finally they shall glorify the twentieth century, say He was exiled from Persia to Mesopotamia; ing the twentieth century was the century from Baghdád He was sent to Constantinople of lights, the twentieth century was the cen and Adrianople and from thence to the tury of life, the twentieth century was the prison of Akka in Syria. Through all these century of international peace, the twentieth ordeals He strove day and night to proclaim century was the century of divine bestowals the oneness of humanity and promulgate the and the twentieth century has left traces message of Universal Peace. From the prison which shall last forever. of Akka He addressed the kings and rulers of New York, May 13 the earth in lengthy letters summoning them to international agreement and explicitly I have come to this country in the ad- A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 23

vanced years of my life, undergoing difficul and all races of mankind come together in ties of health and climate because of ex unity and love. Fifty years ago His Holi cessive love for the friends of God. It is ness Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed the peace of the my wish that they may be assisted to become nations and oneness of the divine religions, servants of the heavenly kingdom, captives addressing His words to all the kings and in the service of the will of God. This cap rulers of the world in specific tablets. There tivity is freedom, this sacrifice is glorifica fore my supreme desire is the unity of the tion, this labor is reward, this need is be east and west, Universal Peace, and the one stowal. For service in love for mankind is ness of the world of humanity. unity with God. He who serves has already Denver, September 2 5 entered the kingdom and is seated at the right hand of his Lord. The issue of paramount importance in the New York, June 11 world today is International Peace. The Eu ropean continent is like an arsenal, a store I desire to make manifest among the house of explosives ready for ignition, and friends in America a new light that they may one spark will set the whole of Europe aflame, become a new people, that a new foundation particularly at this time when the Balkan may be established and complete harmony question is before the world. Even now war be realized; for the foundation of Bahá’u’lláh is raging furiously in some places, the blood is love. When you go to Green Acre6you of innocent people is being shed, children are must have infinite love for each other, each made captive, women are left without sup preferring the other before himself. The port and homes are being destroyed. There people must be so attracted to you that they fore the greatest need in the world today is will exclaim “What happiness exists among International Peace. The time is ripe. It is you!” and will see in your faces the lights time for the abolition of warfare, the unifica of the kingdom; then in wonderment they tion of nations and governments. It is the will turn to you and seek the cause of your time for love. It is time for cementing to happiness. You must give the message gether the east and the west. through action and deed, not alone by word. Inasmuch as the Californians seem peace- Word must be conjoined with deed. You loving and possessed of great worthiness and must love yt>ur friend better than yourself; capacity, I hope that advocates of peace may yes, be willing to sacrifice yourself. The daily increase among them until the whole cause of Bahá’u’lláh has not yet appeared in population shall stand for that beneficent this country. I desire that you be ready to outcome. May the men of affairs in this sacrifice everything for each other, even life democracy uphold the standard of interna itself; then I will know that the cause of tional conciliation. Then may altruistic aims Bahá’u’lláh has been established. I will pray and thoughts radiate from this center to for you that you may become the cause of ward all other regions of the earth and may upraising the lights of God. May everyone the glory of this accomplishment forever point to you and ask “Why are these people halo the history of this country. May the so happy?” I want you to be happy in Green first flag of International Peace be upraised Acre, to laugh, smile and rejoice in order in this State. May the first illumination of that others may be made happy by you. I reality shine gloriously upon this soil. May will pray for you. this center and capitol become distinguished New York, July 1 in all degrees of accomplishment; for the virtues of humanity and the possibilities of My highest hope and desire is that the human advancement are boundless. There strongest and most indissoluble bond shall is no end to them and whatever be the de be established between the American nation gree to which humanity may attain, there are and the people of the Orient. This is my always degrees beyond. There is no attain prayer to God. May the day come when ment in the contingent realm of which it through divine and spiritual activity in the may be said “Beyond this state of being and human world, the religions shall be reconciled perfection there is no other,” or “This has 24 THE B A H Á ’1 C E N T E N A R Y

achieved the superlative degree.” No mat lláh and are living together in love and ter how perfect it may appear, there is al fellowship without religious, patriotic ori ways a greater degree of attainment to be racial prejudices: Muhammadans, Jews, reached. Therefore no matter how much Christians, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, and humanity may advance there are even higher many others. stations to be attained because virtues are America has arisen to spread the teach unlimited. There is a consummation for ings of peace, to increase the illumination of everything except virtues and although this humankind and bestow happiness and pros country has achieved extraordinary progress, perity upon the children of men. These are I hope that its attainment may be immeasur the principles and evidences of divine civiliza ably greater, for the divine bounties are tion. America is a noble nation, the standardinfinite and unlimited. bearer of peace throughout the world, shed Sacramento, October 26 ding light to all regions. Foreign nations are not untrammelled and free from intrigues As we are in Cincinnati, the home of and complications like the United States, President Taft, who has rendered such noble therefore they are not able to bring about uni service to the cause of peace, I will dictate versal harmony, but America—praise be to a statement for the people of Cincinnati and God!—is at peace with all the world and is America generally. worthy of raising the flag of brotherhood and In the Orient I was informed that there international agreement. When this is done, are many lovers of peace in America. There the rest of the world will accept. All na fore I left my native land to associate here tions will join in adopting the teachings of with those who are the standard-bearers of Bahá’u’lláh revealed more than fifty years international conciliation and agreement. ago. In His epistles He asked the parliaments Having traveled from coast to coast, I find of the world to send their wisest and best the United States of America vast and pro men to an international world conference gressive, the government just and equable, which should decide all questions between the nation noble and independent. I at the peoples and establish Universal Peace. tended many meetings where International This would be the highest court of appeal Peace was discussed and am always extremely and the parliament of man so long dreamed happy to witness the results of such meet of by poets and idealists would be realized. ings, for one of the great principles of Its accomplishment would be more far-reach Bahd’u’lldh’s teachings is the establishment ing than the Hague tribunal. of agreement among the peoples of the I am most grateful to President Taft for world. having extended his influence toward the He founded and taught this principle in establishment of Universal Peace. What he the Orient fifty years ago. He proclaimed has accomplished in making treaties with international unity, summoned the religions various nations is very good but when we of the world to harmony and reconciliation have the inter-parliamentary body composed and established fellowship among many of delegates from all the nations of the races, sects and communities. At that time world and devoted to the maintenance of He wrote Epistles to the kings and rulers agreement and good will, the utopian dream of the world, calling upon them to arise and of sages and poets, the parliament of man, cooperate with Him in spreading these prin will be realized. ciples, saying that the stability and advance Cincinnati, November 5 ment of humanity could only be realized through the unity of the nations. Through Praise be to God! The standard of lib His efforts this principle of universal har erty is held aloft in this land. You enjoy mony and agreement was practically demon political liberty; you enjoy liberty of strated in Persia and other countries. To thought and speech, religious liberty, racial day, in Persia, for instance, there are many and personal liberty. Surely this is worthy people of various races and religions who of appreciation and thanksgiving. have followed the exhortations of Bahd’u’- Washington, D. C., November 6 A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 25

It is my fond and fervent hope through the reality of the divine religions shall be the favor of God that this present meeting come resplendent and refulgent, indicating may be instrumental in ushering in the that they were meant to be the cause of day when the standard of the oneness of unity and love and that through them, the world of humanity shall be held aloft heavenly bestowals have ever been conferring in America. May it be the first real foun light upon the human world. dation of International Peace, having for New York, November 18 its object universal service to man. May it be divine philanthropy without distinc I have been in America nine months and tions or differentiations in humankind. May have traveled to all the large cities, speak you consider all religions the instruments of ing before various assemblages, proclaiming God and regard all races as channels of to them the oneness of the world of hu divine manifestation. May you view man manity, summoning all to union, harmony, kind as the sheep of God and know for a and oneness. I have indeed received the certainty that He is the real shepherd. greatest kindness from the American people. Washington, D. C., November 9 I look upon them as a noble nation capable of every perfection. Tomorrow I am going I consider the American people a highly away to Europe and now I bid farewell civilized and intelligent nation,— a nation to you all, seeking for you the divine mercy, investigating truth and reality. It is my the eternal glory and everlasting life; and hope that through the efforts of this noble I pray that you may attain the highest sta nation the solidarity of humanity may be tion of humanity. I am greatly pleased continually advanced, that the illumination with this meeting. My happiness is great. of the human world may become wide I shall never forget you. You shall always spread, that the banner of Universal Peace live in my thought. I shall always pray may be held aloft, the lamp of the oneness of and supplicate before the Kingdom of God the human world be ignited and the hearts and seek heavenly blessings for you. of the east and west be conjoined. Then New York, December 5

III

‘A B D U ’L - B A H Á

Tablets of the Divine Plan

To the Assemblies and Meetings of the Believers of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful in the United States and Canada.

Upon them be BaháVlláh El-Abhá! Therefore I direct you to that which is conducive to your heavenly confirmation and HE IS GOD! illumination in the Kingdom of God! O ye blessed souls! It is this: Alaska is a vast country; al though one of the maid-servants of the Mer I desire for you eternal success and pros ciful has hastened to those parts, serving as perity and beg perfect confirmation for each a librarian in the Public Library, and accord one in the divine world. My hope for you is ing to her ability is not failing in teaching that each one may shine forth like unto the the Cause; yet the call of the Kingdom of morning star from the horizon of the world God is not yet raised through that spacious and in this Garden of God become a blessed territory. i tree, producing everlasting fruits and re His Holiness Christ says: Travel ye to sults. the East and to the West of the world and 26 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARV

summon the people to the Kingdom of God. midst, they became so illumined that they Hence the mercy of God must encompass all brightened the world. Likewise, should these1 humanity. Therefore do ye not think it per Indians and aborigines be educated and ob missible to leave that region deprived of the tain guidance, there is no doubt that through breezes of the Morn of Guidance. Conse the divine teachings, they will become so en quently, strive as far as ye are able to send lightened as in turn to shed light to all to those parts fluent speakers, who are de regions. tached from aught else save God, attracted All the above countries have impor with the fragrances of God, and sanctified tance, but especially the Republic of Panama, and purified from all desires and temptations. wherein the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, Their sustenance and food must consist of come together through the Panama Canal. the teachings of God. First they must them It is a center for travel and passage from selves live in accordance with those prin America to other continents of the world, ciples, then guide the people. Perchance, and in the future it will gain most great God willing, the lights of the most great importance. guidance may illumine that country and the Likewise the Islands of the West Indies, breezes of the rose garden of the love of such as Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, God may perfume the nostrils of the in the Islands of the Lesser Antilles, Bahama habitants of Alaska. Should ye become con Islands, even the small Watling Island, have firmed in thus rendering such a service, rest great importance; especially the two black ye assured that ye shall crown your heads Republics, Haiti and Santo Domingo, situ with the diadem of everlasting sovereignty, ated in the cluster of the Greater Antilles. and at the threshold of oneness you will be Likewise the cluster of the Islands of Ber come the favored and accepted servants. muda in the Atlantic Ocean have impor Likewise the Republic of Mexico is very tance. important. The majority of the inhabitants In a similar way, the Republics on the of that country are devoted Catholics. They Continent of South America—Colombia, are totally unaware of the reality of the Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, British Guiana, Dutch Bible, the Gospel and the new divine teach Guiana, French Guiana, Bolivia, Chile, Ar ings. They do not know that the basis of gentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela; also the religions of God is one and that the the Islands in the North, East and West of Holy Manifestations are like unto the Sun South America, such as Falkland Island, of Truth, rising from the different dawning Galapagos, Juan Fernandez, Tobago and places. Those souls are submerged in the Trinidad. Likewise the city of Bahia, sea of dogmas. If one breath of life be situated on the eastern shore of Brazil. Be blown over them, great results will issue cause it is some time that it has become therefrom. But it is better for those who known by this name, its efficacy will be most intend to go to Mexico to teach, to be fa potent. miliar with the Spanish language. In short, O ye believers of God! Exalt Similarly, the six Central American Re your effort and magnify your aims. His publics, situated south of Mexico,—Guate Holiness Christ says: Blessed are the poor, mala, Honduras, Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa for theirs shall be the Kingdom of Heaven. Rica, Panama and the seventh country, Be In other words: Blessed are the nameless and lize or British Honduras. The teachers go traceless poor, for they are the leaders of ing to these parts must also be familiar mankind. Likewise it is said in the Qur’án: with the Spanish language. "We desire to bestow our gifts upon those You must give great importance to teach who have become weak on the face of the ing the Indians i. e., the aborigines of earth, and make them a nation, and the heirs America. For these souls are like the ancient (of spiritual tru th ).” Or, we wish to grant inhabitants of Peninsular Arabia, who previ a favor to the impotent souls and suffer them ous to the Manifestation of His Holiness M u to become the inheritors of the Messengers hammad were treated as savages. But when and Prophets. the Muhammadic light shone forth in their Therefore, now is the time that you may A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 27

divest yourselves from the garment of at them victorious; so that each one of them tachment to this phenomenal realm, be may become like unto a regiment and con wholly severed from the physical world, be quer these countries through the love of come angels of heaven and travel and teach God and the illumination of divine teach through all these regions. ings. I declare by Him, beside whom there is O God! Be Thou their supporter and no one, that each one of you shall become their helper, and in the wilderness, the moun the Israfel of Life, blowing the breath of life tain, the valley, the forests, the prairies and in the souls of others. the seas, be Thou their confidant— so that Upon you be greeting and praise! they may cry out through the power of the Kingdom and the breath of the Holy Spirit! Supplication Verily Thou art the powerful, the mighty O Thou Incomparable God! O thou Lord and the omnipotent, and Thou art the wise, of the Kingdom! These souls are Thy the hearing and the seeing. heavenly army. Assist them and with the Haifa, Palestine, cohorts of the Supreme Concourse, make April 8, 1916.

To the believes and the maid-servants of the Merciful of the Baha’i Assemblies and Meetings in the United States and CanadaI

HE IS GOD! through the pillars of the earth. Therefore it is the hope of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that just as ye O ye real Baha’is of America! are confirmed and assisted on the continent Praise be to His Highness the Desired One of America, ye may also be confirmed and that ye have become confirmed in the pro assisted in other continents of the globe:— motion of divine teachings in that vast Con that is, ye may carry the fame of the Cause tinent, raised the call of the Kingdom of of God to the East and to the West and spread God in that region and announced the Glad the Glad Tidings of the appearance of the Tidings of the manifestation of the Lord Kingdom of the Lord of Hosts throughout of Hosts a$d His Highness the Promised the five continents of the world. One. Thanks be unto the Lord that ye have When this divine call travels from the become assisted and confirmed in this aim. continent of America to Europe, Asia, This is purely through the confirmations Africa, Australia and the Islands of the Pa of the Lord of Hosts and the breaths of the cific, the American believers shall be estab Holy Spirit. At present your confirmation lished on the throne of everlasting Glory, is not known and understood. Ere long ye the fame of their illumination and guidance shall observe that each one of you like shall reach to all regions and the renown unto a brilliant and shining star will dif of their greatness become world-wide. There fuse the light of guidance from that horizon fore, a party, speaking the languages, sev and that ye have become the cause of eternal ered, holy, sanctified and filled with the love life to the inhabitants of America. of God, must turn their faces to and travel Consider! The station and the confirma through the three great island groups of the tion of the apostles in the time of Christ was Pacific Ocean, — Polynesia, Micronesia and not known, and no one looked on them with Malanesia, and the islands attached to these the feeling of importance—nay, rather, they groups, such as New Guinea, Borneo, Java, persecuted and ridiculed them. Later on it Sumatra, Philippine Islands, Solomon Islands, became evident what crowns studded with Fiji Islands, New Hebrides, Loyalty Islands, the brilliant jewels of guidance were placed New Caledonia, Bismarck Archipelago, Ce on the heads of the apostles, Mary Magda ram, Celebes, Friendly Islands, Samoa Is lene and Mary the mother of John. lands, Society Islands, Caroline Islands, Low Likewise your confirmation is not known Archipelago, Marquesas, Hawaiian Islands, at the present time. I hope that ere long Gilbert Islands, Moluccas, Marshall Islands, it may throw a mighty reverberation Timor and the other islands. With hearts 28 THE B A H A ’I CENTENARY

overflowing with the love of God, with be forthcoming. How good would it be tongues commemorating the mention of were there any possibility of a commission God, with eyes turned to the Kingdom of composed of men and women, to travel to God, they must deliver the Glad Tidings gether through China and Japan—so that of the manifestation of the Lord of Hosts this bond of love may become strengthened, to all the people. Know ye of a certainty that and through this going and coming they may in whatever meeting ye may enter, in the establish the oneness of the world of hu apex of that meeting the Holy Spirit shall manity, summon the people to the Kingdom be waving and the heavenly confirmations of God and spread the teachings. of the Blessed Perfection shall encompass all. Similarly, if possible, they should travel Consider ye, that Miss Agnes Alexander, to the continent of Africa, Canary Islands, the daughter of the Kingdom, the beloved Cape Verde Islands, Madeira Islands, Re maid-servant of the Blessed Perfection, union Islands, St. Helena, Zanzibar, Mau traveled alone to Hawaii and the Island of ritius, etc., and in those countries summon Honolulu, and now she is gaining spiritual the people to the Kingdom of God and raise victories in Japan! Reflect ye how this the cry of: "Ya Bahá i’l Abha!” They must daughter was confirmed in the Hawaiian Is also upraise the flag of the oneness of the lands. She became the cause of the guid world of humanity in the Island of Mada ance of a gathering of people. gascar. Likewise Miss Knobloch traveled alone to Books and pamphlets must be either Germany. To what a great extent she be translated or composed in the languages of came confirmed! Therefore, know ye of a these countries and islands, to be circulated certainty that whosoever arises in this day to in every part and in all directions. diffuse the divine fragrances the cohorts of It is said that in South Africa, a diamond the Kingdom of God shall confirm him and mine is discovered. Although this mine is the bestowals and the favors of the Blessed most valuable, yet after all it is stone. Per Perfection shall encircle him. chance, God willing, the mine of humanity O how I long that it could be made pos may be discovered and the brilliant pearls of sible for me to travel throughout these parts, the Kingdom be found. even if necessary on foot and with the u t In brief, this world-consuming war has most poverty, and while passing through the set such a conflagration to the hearts that no cities, villages, mountains, deserts and oceans, word can describe it. In all the countries cry at the top of my voice: “Yá Bahá i’l of the world the longing for Universal Peace Abhá!” and promote the divine teachings. is taking possession of the consciousness of But now this is not feasible for me, therefore men. There is not a soul who does not yearn I live in great regret; perchance, God willing, for concord and peace. A most wonderful ye may become assisted therein. state of receptivity is being realized. This A t this time, in the Islands of Hawaii, is through the consummate wisdom of God, through the efforts of Miss Alexander, a so that capacity may be created, the standard number of souls have reached the shore of of the oneness of the world of humanity be the sea of faith! Consider ye, what happi upraised, and the fundamentals of Universal ness, what joy is this! I declare by the Lord Peace and the divine principles be promoted of Hosts that had this respected daughter in the East and the West. founded an empire, that empire would not Therefore, O ye believers of God! Show have been so great! For this sovereignty is ye an effort and after this war spread ye the eternal sovereignty and this glory is ever- synopsis of the divine teachings in the Brit lasting glory. ish Isles, France, Germany, Austria-Hun Likewise, if some teachers go to other gary, Russia, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Switzer islands and other parts, such as the continent land, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, of Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, also Portugal, Roumania, Serbia, Montenegro, to Japan, Asiatic Russia, Korea, French Indo- Bulgaria, Greece, Andora, Liechtenstein, China, Siam, Straits Settlements, India, Cey Luxembourg, Monaco, San Marino, Balearic lon and Afghanistan, most great results will Isles, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete, Malta, A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 29

Iceland, Faroe Islands, Shetland Islands, will not be exhausted! It is evident that Hebrides and Orkney Islands. they have earned these material bounties In all these countries, like unto the morn with the utmost facility. ing stars shine ye forth from the horizon of Still more ideal than this life is the life of guidance. Up to this time you have dis a bird. A bird, on the summit of a moun played great magnanimity, but after this, tain, on the high, waving branches, has built ye must add a thousand times to your ef for itself a nest more beautiful than the fort and throughout the above countries, palaces of the kings! The air is in the utmost capitals, islands, meetings and churches, in purity, the water cool and clear as crystal, vite mankind to the Kingdom of Abha! The the panorama charming and enchanting. In circle of your exertion must become widened. such glorious surroundings, he expends his The more it is broadened and extended, the numbered days. All the harvests of the plain greater will be your confirmation. are his possessions, having earned all this Ye have observed that while ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wealth without the least labor. Hence, no was in the utmost bodily weakness and matter how much man may advance in this feebleness, while He was indisposed, and had world, he shall not attain to the station not the power to move,—notwithstanding of this bird! Thus it becomes evident that this physical state He traveled through many in the matters of this world, however much countries, in Europe and America, and in man may strive and work to the point of churches, meetings and conventions, was oc death, he will be unable to earn the abun cupied with the promotion of the divine dance, the freedom and the independent life principles and summoned the people to the of a small bird. This proves and establishes manifestation of the Kingdom of Abhá. Ye the fact that man is not created for the life have also observed how the confirmations of of this ephemeral world:—nay, rather, he is the Blessed Perfection encompassed all. What created for the acquirement of infinite per result is forthcoming from material rest, fections, for the attainment to the sublimity tranquillity, luxury and attachment to this of the world of humanity, to be drawn nigh corporeal world! It is evident that the man unto the divine threshold and to sit on the who pursues these things will in the end be throne of everlasting sovereignty! come afflicted with regret and loss. Upon you be Bahá El-Abhá! Consequently, one must close his eyes Any soul starting on a trip of teaching to wholly to these thoughts, long for eternal various parts, and while sojourning in life, the sublimity of the world of humanity, strange countries, may peruse the following the celestial developments, the Holy Spirit, supplication—day and night. the promotion of the Word of God, the guid Supplication ance of the inhabitants of the globe, the promulgation of Universal Peace and the O God! O God! Thou seest me en proclamation of the oneness of the world of amored and attracted toward Thy Kingdom, humanity! This is the work. Otherwise the El Abhá, enkindled with the fire of Thy like unto other animals and birds one must love amongst mankind, a herald of Thy occupy himself with the requirements of this Kingdom in these vast and spacious coun physical life, the satisfaction of which is the tries, severed from aught else save Thee, re highest aspiration of the animal kingdom, lying on Thee, abandoning rest and comfort, and one must stalk across the earth like unto remote from my native home, a wanderer the quadrupeds. in these regions, a stranger fallen on the Consider ye! No matter how much man ground, humble before Thy exalted thresh gains wealth, riches and opulence in this old, submissive toward Thy most high world, he will not become as independent as realm, supplicating Thee in the middle of a cow. For these fattened cows roam freely nights and in the heart of evenings, en over the vast tableland. All the prairies and treating and invoking Thee in the morn and meadows are theirs for grazing, and all the eve— so that Thou mayst assist me in the springs and rivers are theirs for drinking! service of Thy Cause, the promotion of Thy No matter how much they graze, the fields Teachings and the exaltation of Thy Word 30 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

in the Easts of the earth and the Wests soever Thou wiliest in that which Thou dethereof. sirest, and verily Thou art the powerful, the O Lord! Associate with me in my loneli omnipotent! ness and accompany me in my journeys through these foreign lands. Haifa, Palestine, Verily, Thou art the confirmer of whom April 11, 1916.

To the Assemblies and Meetings of the believers of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful in the United States and Canada:

Upon them be BaháVlláh El-Abhá! nistic aims are brushed aside, the law of the struggle for existence is abrogated, and the HE IS GOD! canopy of the oneness of the world of hu O ye heavenly souls, sons and daughters of manity is raised on the apex of the globe, the Kingdom! casting its shade over all the races of men. Consequently, the real Collective Center is God says in the Q ur’án: "Take ye hold of the body of the divine teachings, which in the Cord of God, all of you, and become ye clude all the degrees and embrace all the not disunited.55 universal relations and necessary laws of In the contingent world there are many humanity. collective centers which are conducive to as Consider! The people of the East and the sociation and unity between the children of West were in the utmost strangeness. Now men. For example, patriotism is a collective to what a high degree they are acquainted center; nationalism is a collective center; with each other and united together! How identity of interests is a collective center; far are the inhabitants of Persia from the political alliance is a collective center; the remotest countries of America! And now union of ideals is a collective center, and the observe how great has been the influence of prosperity of the world of humanity is de the heavenly power, for the distance of thou pendent upon the organization and promo sands of miles has become identical with one tion of the collective centers. Nevertheless, step! How various nations that have had no all the above institutions are in reality, relations or similarity with each other are the matter and not the substance, accidental now united and agreed through this divine and not eternal— temporary and not ever potency! Indeed to God belongs power in lasting. W ith the appearance of great revo the past and in the future! And verily God lutions and upheavals, all these collective is powerful over all things! centers are swept away. But the Collective Consider! When the rain, the heat, the sun Center of the Kingdom, embodying the In and the gentle zephyrs cooperate with each stitutes and Divine Teachings, is the eternal other, what beautiful gardens are produced! Collective Center. It establishes relationship How the various kinds of hyacinths, flowers, between the East and the West, organizes the trees and plants associate with each other and oneness of the world of humanity, and de are conducive to the adornment and charm stroys the foundation of differences. It over of one another! Hence the oneness of the comes and includes all the other collective bounty of the sun, the oneness of rain and centers. Like unto the ray of the sun, it dis the oneness of the breeze have so overcome all pels entirely the darkness, encompassing all other considerations, that the variety of the regions, bestows ideal life, and causes the hues, fragrances and tastes have increased the effulgence of divine illumination. Through adornment, the attraction and sweetness of the breaths of the Holy Spirit it performs the whole. In a similar manner, when the miracles; the Orient and the Occident em divine Collective Center and the outpouring brace each other, the N orth and South be of the Sun of Reality and the breaths of the come intimates and associates; conflicting Holy Spirit are brought together, the variety and contending opinions disappear; antago of races and the differences existing between A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 31

countries will become the cause of the em Reality that they may become the objects of bellishment, decoration and elegance of the the praise and commendation of all other world of humanity. countries. Likewise, ye must give great at Therefore, the believers of God through tention to the Republic of Panama, for in out all the Republics of America, through that point the Occident and the Orient find the divine power, must become the cause of each other united through the Panama Canal, the promotion of heavenly teachings and the and it is also situated between the two great establishment of the oneness of humanity. oceans. That place will become very im Every one of the important souls must arise, portant in the future. The Teachings once blowing over all parts of America the breath established there, they will unite the East and of life, conferring upon the people a new the West, the North and the South. spirit, baptizing them with the fire of the Hence the intention must be purified, the love of God, the water of life, and the effort ennobled and exalted, so that ye may breaths of the Holy Spirit—so that the sec establish affinity between the hearts of the ond birth may become realized. For it is world of humanity. This glorious aim will written in the Gospel: "That which is born not become realized save through the pro of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born motion of divine teachings which are the of the spirit is spirit.” foundations of the holy religions. Therefore, O ye believers of God in the Consider how the religions of God served United States and Canada! Select ye im the world of humanity! How the religion of portant personages, or that they by them Torah became conducive to the glory and selves becoming severed from rest and com honor and progress of the Israelitish nation! posure of the world, may arise and travel How the breaths of the Holy Spirit of His throughout Alaska, the Republic of Mexico, Holiness Christ created affinity and unity and south of Mexico, in the Central Ameri between divergent communities and quarrel can Republics, such as Guatemala, Hon ing families! How the sacred power of His duras, Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Holiness Muhammad became the means of Panama and Belize; and through the great uniting and harmonizing the contentious South American Republics, such as Argen tribes and the different clans of Peninsular tine, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, French Arabia— to such an extent that one thousand Guiana, Dutch Guiana, British Guiana, tribes were welded into one tribe, strife and Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile; discord was done away with, all of them also in the group of the West Indies Islands unitedly and with one accord strove in ad such as Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Jamaica vancing the cause of culture and civilization, and Santo Domingo, and the group of Islands and thus were freed from the lowest degree of the Lesser Antilles, the Islands of Bahama of degradation, soaring toward the height of and the Islands of Bermuda; likewise to the everlasting glory! Is it possible to find a Islands of the east, west and south of South greater Collective Center in the phenomenal America, such as Trinidad, Falkland Islands, world than this? In comparison to this Di Galapago Islands, Juan Fernandez and To vine Collective Center, the national collec bago. Visit ye especially the city of Bahia, tive center, the patriotic collective center, on the eastern shore of Brazil. Because in the political collective center, and the cul the past years this city was christened with tural and intellectual collective center are the name, Baha’i, there is no doubt that it like child’s play! has been through the inspiration of the Holy Now strive ye that the Collective Center Spirit. of the sacred religions, for the inculcation of Consequently, the believers of God must which all the Prophets were manifested and display the utmost effort, upraise the divine which is no other than the spirit of the Di melody throughout those regions, promul vine Teachings,—be spread in all parts of gate the heavenly teachings and waft over America—so that each one of you may shine all, the spirit of eternal life; so that those forth from the horizon of Reality like unto Republics may become so illumined with the the morning star, divine illumination may splendors and the effulgences of the Sun of overcome the darkness of nature, and the THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY Entrance to the Garden of Ridván where BaháV lláh declared H is Mission to the world and after twelve days departed for Constantinople. These twelve days are observed as a Bahá’í Festival (Ridván) in commemoration of this event. A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 33

world of humanity may become enlightened. O Lord! Should the breaths of the Holy This is the most great work! Should ye be Spirit confirm the weakest of creatures, he come confirmed therein, this world will be shall attain to the highest station of great come another world, the surface of the earth ness and shall possess anything he desireth. will become the delectable Paradise, and Indeed Thou hast assisted Thy servants in the eternal Institutions be founded. past, and they were the weakest of Thy crea Let whosoever travels to different parts to tures, the lowliest of Thy servants and the teach, peruse over mountain, desert, land most insignificant of those who lived upon and sea this supplication! the earth; but through Thy sanction and potency they took precedence over the most Supplication glorious of Thy people and the most noble O God! O God! Thou seest my weakness, of Thy mankind. Whereas formerly they lowliness and humility amongst Thy crea were as moths, they became royal falcons and tures; nevertheless I have trusted on Thee whereas before they were as bubbles they and have arisen in the promotion of Thy became seas. Through Thy bestowal, Thy Teachings amongst Thy strong servants, mercy and Thy most great favor, they be relying on Thy power and might! came stars shining in the horizon of guid O Lord! I am a broken-winged bird and ance, birds singing in the rose garden of im desire to soar in this Thy space to which mortality, lions roaring in the forest of there is no limit. How is it possible for me knowledge and wisdom, and whales swim to do this save through Thy providence and ming in the oceans of life. grace, Thy confirmation and assistance! Verily, Thou art the clement, the power O Lord! Have pity on my weakness and ful, the mighty, and the most merciful of strengthen me with Thy power! the merciful! O Lord! Have pity on my impotency and Haifa, Palestine, assist me with Thy might and majesty! March 8, 1917.

To the believers of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful of the Baha’i Assemblies in the United States and Canada:

Upon them be Bahd’u’llah El-Abhá! ness Bahi’u’llah, i. e., the love of Bahd’u’llah has so mastered every organ, part and limb of HE IS GOD! their bodies, as to leave no effect by the O ye apostles of Bahd’u’lldh,— May my life be promptings of the human world. a ransom to you! These souls are the armies of God and the conquerors of the East and the West. Should The blessed Person of the Promised One is one of them turn his face toward some direc interpreted in the Holy Rook as the Lord of tion and summon the people to the Kingdom Hosts, i. e., the heavenly armies. By heavenly of God, all the ideal forces and lordly con armies those souls are intended who are en firmations will rush to his support and rein tirely freed from the human world, trans forcement. He will behold all the doors open formed into celestial spirits and have become and all the strong fortifications and im divine angels. Such souls are the rays of the pregnable castles razed to the ground. Singly Sun of Reality who will illumine all the con and alone he will attack the armies of the tinents. Each one is holding in his hand a world, defeat the right and left wings of the trumpet, blowing the breath of life over all hosts of all the countries, break through the the regions. They are delivered from human lines of the legions of all the nations and qualities and the defects of the world of na carry his attack to the very center of the ture, are characterized with the characteris powers of the earth. This is the meaning of tics of God, and are attracted with the frag the Hosts of God. rances of the Merciful. Like unto the apostles Any soul from among the believers of of Christ, who were filled with Him, these Baha’u’lldh who attains to this station, will souls also have become filled with His Holi become known as the Apostle of Baha’u’llah. 34 THE B A H Á vÍ CENTENARY

Therefore strive ye with heart and soul—so scattered and certain souls who were the that ye may reach this lofty and exalted prisoners of their own passions and lusts position, be established on the throne of ever would have taken into their hands an axe, lasting glory, and crown your heads with the cutting the root of this Blessed Tree. Every shining diadem of the Kingdom, whose person would have pushed forward his own brilliant jewels may irradiate upon centuries desire and every individual aired his own and cycles. opinion! Notwithstanding this great Cove O ye kind friends! Uplift your magnani nant, a few negligent souls galloped with mity and soar high toward the apex of heaven their chargers into the battlefield, thinking —so that your blessed hearts may become perchance they might be able to weaken the illumined more and more, day by day, foundation of the Cause of God: but praise through the Rays of the Sun of Reality, i. e., be to God, all of them were afflicted with His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh; at every moment regret and loss, and ere long they shall see the spirits may obtain a new life, and the themselves in poignant despair. Therefore, darkness of the world of nature may be en in the beginning one must make his steps tirely dispelled— thus ye may become incar firm in the Covenant—so that the confirma nate light and personified spirit, become en tions of Bahá’u’lláh may encircle from all tirely unaware of the sordid matters of this sides, the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse world and in touch with the affairs of the may become the supporters and the helpers, divine world. and the exhortations and advices of 'Abdu’l- Consider ye what doors His Holiness Bahá, like unto the pictures engraved on Baha’u’llah has opened before you, and what stone, may remain permanent and inefface a high and exalted station He has destined able in the tablets of the hearts. for you, and what bounties He has prepared The second condition: Fellowship and love for you! Should we become intoxicated with amongst the believers. The divine friends this cup, the sovereignty of this globe of must be attracted to and enamored of each earth will become lower in our estimation other and ever be ready and willing to sacri than the children’s plays. Should they place fice their own lives for each other. Should in the arena the crown of the government of one soul from amongst the believers meet the whole world, and invite each one of us another, it must be as though a thirsty one to accept it, undoubtedly we shall not con with parched lips has reached to the fountain descend, and shall refuse to accept it. of the water of life, or a lover has met his To attain to this supreme station is, how true beloved. For one of the greatest divine ever, dependent on the realization of certain wisdoms regarding the appearance of the conditions. Holy Manifestations is this: The souls may The first condition is firmness in the Cov come to know each other and become inti enant of God. For the power of the Cove mate with each other; the power of the love nant will protect the Cause of Baha’u’llah of God may make all of them the waves of from the doubts of the people of error. It is one sea, the flowers of one rose garden and the fortified fortress of the Cause of God the stars of one heaven. This is the wisdom and the firm pillar of the religion of God. for the appearance of the Holy Manifesta Today no power can conserve the oneness of tions! When the most great bestowal reveals the Baha’i world save the Covenant of God; itself in the hearts of the believers, the world otherwise differences like unto a most great of nature will be transformed, the darkness tempest will encompass the Baha’i world. It of the contingent being will vanish, and is evident that the axis of the oneness of the heavenly illumination will be obtained. Then world of humanity is the power of the Cove the whole world will become the Paradise of nant and nothing else. Had the Covenant Abba, every one of the believers of God will not come to pass, had it not been revealed become a blessed tree, producing wonderful from the Supreme Pen and had not the Book fruits. of the Covenant, like unto the ray of the Sun O ye friends! Fellowship, fellowship! of Reality, illuminated the world, the forces Love, love! Unity, unity!—So that the of the Cause of God would have been utterly power of the Baha’i Cause may appear and A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 35

become manifest in the world of existence. them all the divine proofs and irrefragible Just at this moment I am engaged in your arguments, explain and elucidate the history commemoration and this heart is in the u t of the Cause, and interpret also the prophe most glow and excitement! Were ye to cies and proofs which are recorded and are realize how this conscience is attracted with extant in the divine Books and Epistles re the love of the friends, unquestionably ye garding the Manifestation of the Promised would obtain such a degree of joy and fra One, so that the young ones may go in per grance that ye would all become enamored fect knowledge in all these degrees. with each other! Likewise, whenever it is possible a com The third condition: Teachers must con mittee must be organized for the translation tinually travel to all parts of the continent, of the Tablets. Wise souls who have mas nay, rather, to all parts of the world, but tered and studied perfectly the Persian, they must travel like ‘Abdu’l-Baha, who Arabic and foreign languages, or know one journeyed throughout the cities of America. of the foreign languages—must commence He was sanctified and free from every at translating Tablets and books containing tachment and in the utmost severance. Just the proofs of this Revelation, and publishing as His Holiness Christ says: "Shake off the those books, circulate them throughout the very dust from your feet.” five continents of the globe. Ye have observed that while in America Similarly, the Magazine, the Star of the many souls in the utmost of supplication and West, must be edited in the utmost regu entreaty desired to offer some gifts, but this larity, but its contents must be the promul servant, in accord with the exhortations and gator of the Cause of God—so that both in behests of the Blessed Perfection, never ac the East and the West, they may become in cepted a thing, although on certain occasions formed of the most important events. we were in most straitened circumstances. In short, in all the meetings, whether pub But on the other hand, if a soul for the sake lic or private, nothing should be discussed of God, voluntarily and out of his pure de save that which is under consideration, and sire, wishes to offer a contribution (toward all the articles be centered around the Cause the expenses of a teacher) in order to make of God. Promiscuous talks must not be the contributor happy, the teacher may ac dragged in and contention is absolutely for cept a small sum, but must live with utmost bidden. contentment. The teachers traveling in different direc The aim is this: The intention of the tions must know the language of the country teacher must be pure, his heart independent, in which they will enter. For example, a his spirit attracted, his thought at peace, his person being proficient in the Japanese resolution firm, his magnanimity exalted language may travel in Japan, or a person and in the love of God a shining torch. knowing the Chinese language may hasten Should he become as such, his sanctified to China, and so forth. breath will even affect the rock; otherwise In short, after this universal war, the peo there will be no result whatsoever. As long ple have obtained extraordinary capacity to as a soul is not perfected, how can he efface hearken to the divine teachings, for the the defects of others! Unless he is detached wisdom of this war is this: That it may be from aught else save God, how can he teach come proven to all that the fire of war is the severance to others! world-consuming, whereas the rays of peace In short, O ye believers of God! Endeavor are world-enlightening. One is death, the ye; so that ye may take hold of every means other is life; this is extinction, that is im in the promulgation of the religion of God mortality; one is the most great calamity, the and the diffusion of the fragrances of God. other is the most great bounty; this is dark Amongst other things is the holding of the ness, that is light; this is eternal humiliation meetings for teaching— so that blessed souls and that is everlasting glory; one is the de and the old ones from amongst the believers stroyer of the foundation of man, the other may gather together the youths of the love is the founder of the prosperity of the human of God in schools of instruction and teach race. 36 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Consequently, a number of souls may arise Lord! Awaken them from the depths of and act in accordance with the aforesaid con the sea of animosity, deliver them from these ditions, and hasten to all parts of the world, impenetrable darknesses, establish affinity especially from America to Europe, Africa, between their hearts and enlighten their eyes Asia and Australia, and travel through Japan with the light of peace and reconciliation. and China. Likewise, from Germany teach Lord! Rescue them from the fathomless ers and believers may travel to the continents depths of war and bloodshed! Arouse them of America, Africa, Japan and China; in out of the gloom of error, rend asunder the brief, they may travel through all the con veil from their eyes, brighten their hearts tinents and islands of the globe. Thus in a with the light of guidance, deal with them short space of time, most wonderful results through Thy favor and mercy and do not will be produced, the banner of Universal treat them according to Thy justice and Peace will be waving on the apex of the wrath through which the backs of the world and the lights of the oneness of the mighty ones are shaken! world of humanity may illumine the uni Lord! Verily the wars have prolonged, verse. the calamities have increased, and every In brief, O ye believers of God! The text building hath turned into ruin. of the Divine Book is this: If two souls quar Lord! Verily the breasts are agitated and rel and contend about a question of the Di the souls are convulsed. Have mercy on vine questions, differing and disputing, both these poor ones and do not leave them to do are wrong. The wisdom of this incontro with themselves that which they desire! vertible law of God is this: That between Lord! Send forth throughout Thy coun two souls from amongst the believers of God, tries humble and submissive souls, their faces no contention and dispute might arise; that illumined with the rays of guidance, severed they may speak with each other with infinite from the world, speaking Thy remembrance amity and love. Should there appear the least and praise and diffusing Thy holy fragrances trace of controversy, they must remain amongst mankind! silent, and both parties must continue their Lord! Strengthen their backs, reinforce discussions no longer, but ask the reality of their loins and dilate their breasts with the the question from the Interpreter. This is signs of Thy most great love. the irrefutable command! Lord! Verily, they are weak and Thou Upon you be Bahá El-Abhá! art the powerful and the mighty, and they are impotent and Thou art the helper and Supplication the merciful! O God! O God! Thou seest that black Lord! Verily the sea of transgression is darkness hath encompassed all the regions, waving high and these hurricanes will not be all the countries are burning with the con calmed down save through Thy boundless flagration of dissension and the fire of war grace which hath embraced all the regions! and carnage is ignited in the Easts of the Lord! Verily the souls are in the deep earth and the Wests thereof. The blood is valleys of lust and nothing will awaken them being shed, the corpses are out-stretched and save Thy most wonderful bounties. the heads are decapitated and thrown on the Lord! Dispel these darknesses of tempta ground in the battlefield. tions and illumine the hearts with the lamp Lord! Lord! Have pity on these ignorant of Thy love, through which all the countries ones, look upon them with the eye of for will be enlightened. Confirm those believers giveness and pardon. Extinguish this fire— who, leaving their countries, their families so that these gloomy clouds covering the and their children, travel throughout the horizon may be scattered; the Sun of Reality regions for the sake of the love of Thy may shine forth with the rays of concilia beauty, the diffusion of Thy fragrances and tion; this darkness be rent asunder and all the the promulgation of Thy teachings. Be thou countries be illumined with the lights of their companion in their loneliness, their peace. helper in a strange land, the remover of their A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 37

sorrow, the comforter in their calamity, their of mercy, and verily, Thou art the compas deliverer in their hardship, the satisfier of sionate and the merciful. their thirst, the healer of their malady and the allayer of the fire of their longing. Haifa, Palestine, Verily, Thou art the clement, the possessor April 19, 20 and 22, 1917.

SH O G H I EFFEN D I

Excerpts from Letters and Messages, 1923-1943

OW surely, if ever, is the time for us, He wishes us, and all the peoples and kindreds the chosen ones of Baha’u’llah and the bear on earth, to attain in this world; how much ers of His Message to the world, to endeavor more to achieve unity and common under by day and by night, to deepen, first and standing among ourselves, and then arise to foremost, the Spirit of His Cause in our own herald with one voice the coming of the individual lives, and then labor, and labor Kingdom and the salvation of mankind. incessantly to exemplify in all our dealings W ith unity of purpose firmly established with our fellowmen that noble Spirit of in our minds, with every trace of personal which His beloved Son 'Abdu’l-Bahá has animosity banished from our hearts, and been all the days of His life a true and unique with the spirit of whole-hearted and sus exponent. The sayings of our beloved Mas tained fellowship kindled in our souls, can ter have been noised abroad, His name has we hope to deliver effectively the Message of filled all regions, and the eyes of mankind BaháVlláh, and execute faithfully the vari are now turned expectant towards His dis ous provisions of our Beloved’s Will and ciples who bear His name and profess His Testament. teachings. Shall we not by our daily life Steadfast in our faith, firm in our union, vindicate the high claims of His teachings, abounding in our hope, fervent in our spirit, and prove by our services the influence of and selfless in our labors, let us arise and with His undying Spirit? This surely is our high prayerful hearts make another and supreme est privilege, and our most sacred duty. effort to fulfill these last words of our Be Let us, with a pure heart, with humility loved, His most cherished desire: and earnestness, turn afresh to His counsels and exhortations, and seek from that Source "O ye that stand fast in the Covenant! of Celestial Potency all the guidance, the When the hour cometh that this wronged spirit, the power which we shall need for the and broken winged bird will have taken fulfilment of our mission in this life. flight unto the Celestial Concourse, when it Behold, the station to which ‘Abdu’l- will have hastened to the Realm of the Un Bahá is now calling His loved ones from the seen, and its mortal frame will have either Realm of Glory:— been lost or hidden neath the dust, it is in cumbent upon the A fndn that are steadfast "It behooveth the loved ones of God to be in the Covenant of God and have branched enamored of one another and to sacrifice from the Tree of Holiness, the Hands of the themselves for their fellow-workers in the Cause of God (the glory of the Lord rest Cause. They should yearn towards one an tipon them), and all the friends and loved other even as the sore athirst yearneth for ones, one and all, to bestir themselves and the Water of Life, and the lover burneth to arise with heart and soul and in one accord meet his hearťs desire” to diffuse the sweet savors of God, to teach His Cause and to promote His Faith. It be Such is the sublime, the glorious position hooveth them not to rest for a moment, 38 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

neither to seek repose. They must disperse We need but glance at the Words of themselves in every land, pass by every clime, Bahd’u’llah and the Epistles of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and travel throughout all regions. Bestirred, to realize the great privilege of teaching the without rest, and steadfast to the end, they Cause, its vital necessity, its supreme must raise in every land the triumphal cry urgency, and its wide-reaching effects. These of Yd-Bahd’u’l-Abhd, must achieve renown are the very words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd:— in the world wherever they go, must burn "In these days, the Holy Ones of the brightly even as a candle in every meeting, Realm of Glory, dwelling in the all-highest and must kindle the flame of Divine Love in Paradise, yearn to return unto this world, every assembly; that the Light of Truth and be of some service to the Cause of may rise resplendent in the midmost heart Bahd’uTldh and prove their servitude to the of the world, that throughout the East and Threshold of the Abha Beauty.” throughout the West a vast concourse may gather under the shadow of the Word of What a wondrous vision these words un God, that the sweet savors of Holiness may fold to our eyes! How great our privilege be diffused, that faces may shine radiantly, to labor in this Day in the Divine Vineyard! hearts be filled with the Divine Spirit and Is it not incumbent upon us to arise and souls be made heavenly. In these days the teach His Cause with such an ardor which most important of all things is the gtádance no worldly adversity can quell, nor any of the nations and the peoples of the world. measure of success can satiate? Teaching the Cause is of utmost importance, March 12, 1923. for it is the head corner-stone of the founda tion itself. This wronged servant has spent And as to the world’s evil plight, we need His days and nights in promoting the Cause, but recall the writings and sayings of and urging the peoples to service. He rested Bahá’u’lláh, who, more than fifty years ago, not a moment, till the fame of the Cause declared in terms prophetic the prime cause of God was noised abroad in the world, and of the ills and sufferings of mankind, and set the celestial Strains from the Abha Kingdom forth their true and divine remedy. "Should roused the East and the W est. The beloved the Lamp of Religion be hidden,” He deof God must also follow the same example. dares, "Chaos and confusion will ensue.” This is the secret of faithfulness, this is the How admirably fitting and applicable are requirement of servitude to the Threshold these words to the present state of mankind! of Bahd.” Ours then is the duty and privilege to

Barracks at 'Akká, Palestine, where BaháVlláh was incarcerated in 1868, A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 39

labor, by day and by night, amidst the storm and vigor that will enable me to pursue over and stress of these troublous days, that we a long and unbroken period of strenuous may quicken the zeal of our fellow-men, re labor the supreme task of achieving, in col kindle their hopes, stimulate their interest, laboration with the friends in every land, open their eyes to the true Faith of God and the speedy triumph of the Cause of Baha’u’- enlist their active support in the carrying out lláh. This is the prayer I earnestly request of our common task for the peace and re all my fellow-brethren and sisters in the generation of the world. Faith to offer on my behalf. Let us take heart and be thankful to our Let us pray to God that in these days of beloved ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as we remember His world-encircling gloom, when the dark manifold blessings and unfailing care and forces of nature, of hate, rebellion, anarchy protection, ever since the hour of His de and reaction are threatening the very sta parture from our midst. The flames of sedi bility of human society, when the most tion, so maliciously kindled in the past by precious fruits of civilization are undergoing those who have dared to flout His will, are severe and unparallelled tests, we may all gone out for ever, and the fondest hopes of realize, more profoundly than ever, that these evil plotters are now abandoned, though but a mere handful amidst the seeth doomed never to revive. He has indeed re ing masses of the world, we are in this day deemed His promise! the chosen instruments of God’s grace, that It seemed not a long time ago that their our mission is most urgent and vital to the agitation, so violently renewed immediately fate of humanity, and, fortified by these after the passing of our Beloved, would for sentiments, arise to achieve God’s holy pur a time confuse the Divine Message of pose for mankind. Bahd’u’llah, obscure His Covenant, retard November 14, 1923. the progress of His Cause, and shatter its unity; and yet how well we see them all to I would also earnestly entreat all the dele day, not through our efforts, but by their gates at this coming Convention, and own folly, and above all, by the interven through them I appeal to the larger body of tion of the hidden hand of God, reduced to believers whom they represent, to ever bear the vilest and most humiliating position. in mind the supreme injunction of ‘Abdu’l- And now, with the Cause purified and Bahá, to teach unceasingly until the ''head inwardly victorious, its principles vindicated, cornerstone of the foundation” of the Cause its enemies silenced and sunk in unspeakable of God is firmly established in every heart. misery, may we not, henceforth, direct all Let those whose time, resources and means our efforts to collective action and construc allow, travel throughout the length and tive achievement, and, in utter disregard of breadth of that vast continent, let them the flickerings of their, fast-fading light, scatter to the most distant regions of the arise to carry out those urgent measures that earth and, fired with enthusiasm and detach will secure the outward and complete ment, hand on the torch of God’s undying triumph of the Cause. flame to the waiting multitudes of a sadly- I, for my part, as I look back to the un stricken world. fortunate circumstances of ill-health and One word more in conclusion. Let the physical exhaustion that have attended the West, and particularly the Great Republic of opening years of my career of service to the the New World, where a quarter of a cen Cause, feel hardly gratified, and would be tury ago Baha’u’lldh’s Banner was firmly im truly despondent but for the sustaining planted, realize that upon it now rests the re memory and inspiring example of the dili sponsibility of achieving the universal recog gent and ceaseless efforts which my fellow- nition of the Baha’i Faith, of fulfilling workers the world over have displayed dur ‘Abdu’l-Bahi’s fondest hopes. ing these two trying years in the service of Persia, the cradle of an unfolding world the Cause. civilization, is still bereft of her freedom, I cherish the hope that, from now on, the sunk in ignorance, a prey to contending pol Beloved may bestow upon me all the strength icies and factions, beset on one hand by the 40 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

powers of orthodoxy and sectarian fanaticism tuted in the East or in the West. I would and assailed on the other by the forces of ask you particularly to send copies of the materialism and unbelief. In her evil plight text of this document of fundamental im she is radiantly confident that the Flame she portance accompanied by copies of the had kindled in the world will, in the fullness Declaration of Trust and the text of the of time, blaze forth in the heart of the mighty Indenture of Trust, to every existing N a West and shed redeeming illumination upon tional Spiritual Assembly, with my insistent the silent sufferers of a distracted country. request to study the provisions, comprehend Will it be America, will it be one of the na its implications, and endeavor to incorporate tions of Europe, that will seize the torch of it, to the extent that their own circum Divine Guidance from Persia’s fettered hands stances permit, within the framework of and with it set the western world aflame? their own national activities. You can but May your Convention, by its spirit, its reso faintly imagine how comforting a stimulant lutions and its accomplishments, give to that and how helpful a guide its publication and country’s urgent call a noble and decisive circulation will be to those patient and toil answer. ing workers in Eastern lands, and particu June 3, 192 5. larly Persia, who in the midst of uncertainties and almost insuperable obstacles are strain The Declaration of Trust, the provisions ing every nerve in order to establish the of which you have so splendidly conceived, world order ushered in by Bahd’u’llah. You and formulated with such assiduous care, can hardly realize how substantially it will marks yet another milestone on the road of contribute to pave the way for the elabora progress along which you are patiently and tion of the beginnings of the constitution determinedly advancing. Clear and concise of the worldwide Baha’i Community that in its wording, sound in principle, and com will form the permanent basis upon which plete in its affirmations of the fundamentals the blest and sanctified edifice of the first of Bahd’i administration, it stands in its final International House of Justice will securely form as a worthy and faithful exposition of rest and flourish. the constitutional basis of Bahá’í communi October 18, 1927. ties in every land, foreshadowing the final emergence of the world Bahd’i Common American believers’ inspired leadership wealth of the future. This document, when steadily unfolding to Bahá’ís world over the correlated and combined with the set of by potentialities of the majestic edifice herald laws which I trust are soon forthcoming, will ing formative period of the Faith of Baha’u’lserve as a pattern to every National Baha’i láh. Their unerring vision conceived its Assembly, be it in the East or in the West, matchless design. ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s own hands which aspires to conform, pending the for laid its cornerstone. Their dynamic faith mation of the First Universal House of Jus reared its structure. Their sustained selftice, with the spirit and letter of the world sacrifice crowned it with immortal glory. order ushered in by Baha’u’lldh. May the flame of their unconquerable en May 27, 1927. thusiasm continue glowing undimmed in their hearts till its naked frame is enveloped As already intimated, I have read and re in its shining mantle. read most carefully the final draft of the June 4, 1934. By-Laws drawn up by that highly-talented, much-loved servant of Baha’u’lldh, Mount- Convey to assembled believers celebrating fort Mills, and feel I have nothing substantial termination entire dome unit of Mashriqu’lto add to this first and very creditable at Adhkár my heart-felt congratulations on tempt at codifying the principles of general triumphant progress of their undeniably Bahd’i administration. I heartily and unhesi glorious enterprise. To prayers and testi tatingly commend it to the earnest perusal monies ascending to Throne of Bahá’u’lláh of, and its loyal adoption by, every National I am moved to add my fervent though in Bahd’i Spiritual Assembly, whether consti adequate tribute to solidarity of so dazzling A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 41

an achievement. The forces which progres appeal voiced by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Tablets of sive revelation of this mighty symbol of our the Divine Plan. Urge earnest deliberation Faith is fast releasing in heart of a sorely with incoming National Assembly to insure tried continent no one of this generation its complete fulfilment. First century of can correctly appraise. The new hour has Bahd’i era drawing to a close. Humanity struck in history of our beloved Cause, entering outer fringes most perilous stage calling for nation-wide, systematic, sustained its existence. Opportunities of present hour efforts in teaching field, enabling thereby unimaginably precious. Would to God ev these forces to be directed into such chan ery State within American Republic and nels as shall redound to glory of our Faith every Republic in American continent might and to the honor of its institutions. ere termination of this glorious century"' October 26, 193 5. embrace the light of the Faith of Baha’u’- lláh and establish structural basis of His This new stage in the gradual unfoldment World Order. of the Formative Period of our Faith into May 1, 1936. which we have just entered— the phase of concentrated teaching activity— synchro I cannot allow this communication to be nizes with a period of deepening gloom, of sent without adding a few words in person universal impotence, of ever-increasing desti and stress afresh the significance of the un tution and wide-spread disillusionment in the dertaking in which the entire Baha’i com fortunes of a declining age. This is truly munity has embarked. The promulgation of providential and its significance and the op the Divine Plan, unveiled by our departed portunities it offers us should be fully ap Master in the darkest days of one of the prehended and utilized. Now that the ad severest ordeals which humanity has ever ministrative organs of a firmly established experienced, is the key which Providence has Faith are vigorously and harmoniously func placed in the hands of the American believ tioning, and now that the Symbol (i.e., the ers whereby to unlock the doors leading House of Worship) of its invincible might them to fulfil their unimaginably glorious is lending unprecedented impetus to its Destiny. As the proclamation of the Mes spread, an effort unexampled in its scope and sage reverberates throughout the land, as its sustained vitality is urgently required so resistless march gathers momentum, as the that the moving spirit of its Founder may field of its operation widens, and the nunv permeate and transform the lives of the bers of its upholders and champions m ulti countless multitudes that hunger for its ply, its potentialities will correspondingly teachings. That the beloved friends in Amer unfold, exerting a most beneficent influence ica, who have carried triumphantly the ban not only on every community throughout ner of His Cause through the initial stages the Baha’i world, but on the immediate for of its development, will in a still greater tunes of a travailing society. The repercus measure prove themselves capable of meet sions of this campaign are already apparent ing the challenge of the present hour, I for in Europe, India, Egypt, Tráq and even one, can never doubt. Of the evidences of among the sore-tried communities in Persia their inexhaustible vitality I am sufficiently and Russia. The Faith of God is gaining in and continually conscious. My fervent plea stature, effectiveness and power. Not until, will not, I feel certain, remain unanswered. however, the great enterprise which you are For them I shall continue to pray from all now conducting runs its full course and at my heart. tains its final objective, at its appointed time, January 10, 193 6. can its world-encompassing benefits be fully apprehended or revealed. The perseverance Convey to American believers abiding of the American believers will, no doubt, in gratitude efforts unitedly exerted in teach sure the ultimate realization of these benefits. ing field. Inaugurated campaign should be November 14, 1936. vigorously pursued, systematically extended. * The First Century of the Baha’i Era, inaugurated Appeal to assembled delegates ponder historic by the Declaration of the Báb, May 23, 1844. 42 THE BA H Á ’1 C E N T E N A R Y

The responsibilities which, under your di manifest and within their reach. Though rection and in response to my plea, the their responsibilities be pressing and heavy American community is now assuming, over and the obstacles formidable and manifold, and above the task they have already under yet the spirit of our invincible Faith will en taken in connection with the Divine Plan, able them to conquer if they arise unitedly proclaiming in unmistakable terms their un and determinedly and persevere till the very swerving determination to prove themselves end. worthy of the sublimity of their mission, and June 4, 1937. of their privileged position among their sis I feel truly exhilarated as I witness the ter communities in both the East and the ever-recurrent manifestations of unbroken West,— the twofold task they have arisen to solidarity and unquenchable enthusiasm that perform will, if carried out in time, release distinguish every stage in the progressive de the potentialities with which the community velopment of the nation-wide enterprise of the Greatest Name has been so generously which is being so unflinchingly pursued by

House where Baha’u’lldh Passed Away at Bahjí, ‘Akká, Palestine.

and mysteriously endowed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha. the whole American Bahá’i community. The To carry out in its entirety and to its final marked deterioration in world affairs, the consummation this dual enterprise would steadily deepening gloom that envelops the shed on the closing years of this first century storm-tossed peoples and nations of the Old of the Baha’i Era a luster no less brilliant World, invest the Seven-Year Plan, now op than the immortal deeds which have signal erating in both the northern and southern ized its birth, in the heroic age of our Faith. American continents, with a significance To the American believers, the spiritual de and urgency that cannot be overestimated. scendants of the heroes of God’s Cause, I Conceived as the supreme agency for the es again address my plea to arise as one soul tablishment, in the opening century of the and to prosecute with unrelaxing resolve the Bahd’i Era, of what is but the initial stage high mission with which their immediate in the progressive realization of ‘Abdu’ldestiny is inextricably interwoven. The call Baha’s Plan for the American believers, this has gone forth, the path is clear, the goal enterprise, as it extends its ramifications A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 43

throughout the entire New World, is dem demptive Cause. The occasion is propitious onstrating its power to command all the re for a display, by the American Baha’i Com sources and utilize all the facilities which munity, in its corporate capacity, of an ef the machinery of a laboriously evolved Ad fort which in its magnitude, character, and ministrative Order can place at its disposal. purpose must outshine its past endeavors. However we view its aspects, it offers in its Failure to exploit these present, these golden functioning a sharp contrast to the work opportunities would blast the hopes which ings of the moribund and obsolescent insti the prosecution of the Plan has thus far tutions to which a perverse generation is aroused, and would signify the loss of the desperately clinging. Tempestuous are the rarest privilege ever conferred by Providence winds that buffet and will, as the days go by, upon the American Bahd’i Community. It fiercely assail the very structure of the Or is in view of the criticalness of the situation der through the agency of which this two that I was led to place at the disposal of any fold task is being performed. The potenti pioneer willing to dedicate himself to the alities with which an almighty Providence task of the present hour such modest re has endowed it will no doubt enable its pro sources as would facilitate the discharge of moters to achieve their purpose. Much, how so enviable a duty. ever will depend upon the spirit and manner The Bahd’i World, increasingly subjected in which that task will be conducted. to the rigors of suppression, in both the East Through the clearness and steadiness of their and the West, watches with unconcealed vision, through the unvitiated vitality of astonishment, and derives hope and comfort their belief, through the incorruptibility of from the rapid unfoldment of the successive their character, through the adamantine stages of God’s Plan for so blest a commun force of their resolve, the matchless superi ity. Its eyes are fixed upon this community, ority of their aims and purpose, and the un eager to behold the manner in which its gal surpassed range of their accomplishments, lant members will break down, one after they who labor for the glory of the Most another, the barriers that obstruct their Great Name throughout both Americas can progress towards a divinely-appointed goal. best demonstrate to the visionless, faithless On every daring adventurer in the service of and restless society to which they belong the Cause of Bahd’u’lldh the Concourse on their power to proffer a haven of refuge to high shall descend, "each bearing aloft a its members in the hour of their realized chalice of pure light.” Every one of these doom. Then and only then will this tender adventurers God Himself will sustain and in sapling, embedded in the fertile soil of a Di spire, and will "cause the pure xvaters of wis vinely appointed Administrative Order, and dom and utterance to gush out and flow energized by the dynamic processes of its in copiously from his heart” "The Kingdom of God,” writes ťAbdu’l-Bahá, "is possessed stitutions, yield its richest- and destined fruit. That the community of the American be of limitless potency. Audacious must be the lievers, to whose keeping so vast, so delicate army of life if the confirming aid of that and precious a trust has been committed will, Kingdom is to be repeatedly vouchsafed unto severally and collectively prove themselves it. . . . Vast is the arena, and the time ripe worthy of their high calling, I for one, who to spur on the charger within it. Now is in my association with them have been priv the time to reveal the force of oneys strength, ileged to observe more closely than perhaps the stoutness of one’s heart and the might of any one else the nature of their reactions to one’s soul.” the momentous issues that have confronted Dearly-beloved friends! What better field them in the past, will refuse to doubt. than the vast virgin territories, so near at September 10, 1938. hand, and waiting to receive, at this very hour, their full share of the onrushing tide The period ahead is short, strenuous, of Baha’u’llah’s redeeming grace? What fraught with mortal perils for human society, theatre more befitting than these long-neg yet pregnant with possibilities of unsurpassed lected nine remaining states and provinces in triumphs for the power of Bahd’u’llah’s re which the true heroism of the intrepid pio- 44 THE BA.HÁ’1 C E N T E N A R Y

neers of His World Order can be displayed? ministrative agencies, and are legalizing the There is no time to lose. There is no room status of the newly established institutions. left for vacillation. Multitudes hunger for Slowly and patiently they are canalizing the the Bread of Life. The stage is set. The firm spirit that at once directs, energizes and and irrevocable Promise is "given. Goďs own safeguards its operation. They are exploiting Plan has been set in motion. It is gathering its potentialities, broadcasting its message, momentum with every passing day. The publicizing its literature, fostering the aspi powers'of heaven and earth mysteriously as rations of its youth, devising ways and means sist in its execution. . Such an opportunity is for the training of its children, guarding the irreplaceable. Let the doubter arise and him integrity of its teachings, and paving the self verify the truth of such assertions. To way for the ultimate codification of its laws. try, to persevere, is to insure ultimate and Through all the resources at their disposal, complete victory. they are promoting the -growth and con January 28, 1938. solidation of that pioneer movement for which the entire machinery of their Admin The concerted activities of the followers istrative Order has been primarily designed of BaháVlláh in the North American conti and erected. They are visibly and progres nent assume, as they multiply and develop, sively contributing to the enrichment of a dual aspect, and may be said to fall into their unique community life, and are insur two distinct categories, both equally vital ing, with magnificent courage and charac and complementary to each other. The one teristic promptitude, the completion of their aims at the safeguarding and consolidation consecrated Edifice— the embodiment of of the work already achieved; the other is their hopes and the supreme symbol of their designed to enlarge the range of its operation. ideals. The former depends chiefly for its success As to those into whose valiant and trusted upon the capacity, the experience and loyalty hands— and no believer, however humble is of'wise, resourceful and judicious adminis to think himself debarred from joining their trators, who, impelled by the very nature of ranks— the standards of a forward marching their task, will be increasingly called upon Faith have been entrusted, they too with to exercise the utmost care and vigilance in no less zest and thoroughness are pushing protecting the interests of the Faith, in re farther and farther its frontiers, breaking solving its problems, in regulating its life, in new soil, establishing fresh outposts, winning enriching its resources, and in preserving the more recruits, and contributing to the greater pristine purity of its precepts. The latter is diversification and more harmonious blending essentially pioneer in nature, demanding first of the elements comprised in the world-wide and foremost those qualities of renunciation, society of its followers. tenacity, dauntlessness and passionate fervor The Edifice of this New World Order, that can alone brave the dangers and sweep which the Báb has heralded, which the mind away the obstacles with which an infant of BaháVlláh has envisioned, and whose Faith, struggling against vested interests and features ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, its Architect, has de face to face with the entrenched forces of lineated, we, whatever our capacities, op prejudice, of ignorance and fanaticism, must portunities or position, are now, at so pre needs contend. In both of these spheres of carious a period in the world’s history, Baha’i activity the community of the Amer summoned to found and erect. The com ican believers, it is becoming increasingly munity of the Most Great Name in the evident, is evincing those characteristics Western Hemisphere is, through the nature which must be regarded as the essential foun of its corporate life and the scope of its ex dation for the success of their dual task. ertions, assuming, beyond the shadow of a As to those whose function is essentially doubt, a preponderating share in the laying of an administrative character it can hardly of such a foundation and the erection of be doubted that they are steadily and inde- such a structure. The eyes of its sister com fatigably perfecting the structural machin munities are fixed upon it. Their prayers ery of their Faith, are multiplying its ad ascend on its behalf. Their hands are out- A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 45 f stretched to lend whatever aid lies within entrenched forces of Christendom’s mightiest their power. I, for my part, am determined ecclesiastical institutions. Laboring amidst to reinforce the impulse that impels its mem race foreign in language, custom, tempera bers forward to meet their destiny. The ment embracing vast proportion of New Founders of their Faith survey from the World’s ethnic elements. American believ Kingdom on high the range of their achieve ers’ isolated oversea teaching enterprises ments, acclaim their progress, and are ever hitherto tentative, intermittent, now at end. ready to speed their eventual triumph. New epoch opening, demanding exertions in Far be it from me to underrate the gi comparably more strenuous, unflinchingly gantic proportions of their task, nor do I for sustained, centrally directed, systematically one moment overlook the urgency and grav organized, efficiently conducted. Upon alac ity of the times in which they are laboring. rity, tenacity, fearlessness of present prose Nor do I wish to minimize the hazards and cutors of the unfolding mission depend trials that surround or lie ahead of them. speedy and fullest revelation, in the First and The grandeur of their task is indeed com Second Centuries, of the potentialities of the mensurate with the mortal perils by which birthright conferred upon American believ their generation is hemmed in. As the dusk ers. Convey to pioneers in North, Middle creeps over a steadily sinking society the and South America my eagerness to main radiant outlines of their redemptive mission tain with each direct, personal contact. As become sharper every day. The present sure Teaching and Inter-America Commit world unrest, symptom of a world-wide tees my delight at successive testimonies of malady, their world religion has already af believers’ glowing spirit reflected in Minutes, firmed must needs culminate in that world letters and reports recently received. Entreat catastrophe out of which the consciousness every section of community to labor unre of world citizenship will be born, a con mittingly until every nation in Western sciousness that can alone provide an adequate Hemisphere is illumined by rays and woven basis for the organization of world unity, into fabric of Bahá’u’lláh’s triumphant Ad on which a 'lasting world peace must neces ministrative Order. sarily depend, the peace itself inaugurating May 28, 1939. in turn that world civilization which will mark the coming of age of the entire human The readiness of your Assembly, as ex race. pressed in your recently cabled message, to Fortified by such reflections, the American transfer the National Baha’i Secretariat to believers, in whichever section of the West the vicinity of the Temple in Wilmette has ern Hemisphere they find themselves labor evoked within me the deepest feelings of ing, whether at home or abroad, and thankfulness and joy. Your historic decision, however dire and distressing the processes in so wise and timely, so surprising in its sud volved in the disintegration of the structure denness, so far-reaching in its consequences, of present-day civilization, will, I feel con is one that I cannot but heartily and unre vinced, prove themselves, through their lives servedly applaud. To each one of your and deeds, worthy of that priceless heritage brethren in the Faith, throughout the United which it is their undoubted privilege to pro States and Canada, who are witnessing, from claim, preserve and perpetuate. day to day and at an ever-hastening speed, May 22, 1939. the approaching completion of their N a tional House of Worship, the great Mother Newly-launched Central American cam Temple of the West, your resolution to es paign marks official inauguration of long-de tablish within its hallowed precincts and in ferred World Mission constituting ‘Abdu’l- the heart of the North American continent Baha’s distinctive legacy to the Baha’i the Administrative Seat of their beloved Community of North America. Chosen Faith cannot but denote henceforward a Community broadening its basis, gaining in closer association, a more constant commun stature, deepening in consecration. Its van ion, and a higher degree of coordination guard now entering arena monopolized by between the two primary agencies providen- 46 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

tially ordained for the enrichment of their accomplish befittingly this particular task, spiritual life and for the conduct and regu must simultaneously brace themselves for lation of their administrative affairs. To the another sublime effort to discharge, ere the far-flung Bahá’í communities of East and present year draws to a close, their manifold West, most of which are being increasingly responsibilities allotted to them under the proscribed and ill-treated, and none of which Seven Year Plan. The placing of yet another can claim to have had a share of the dual contract for the casting of the ornamenta blessings which a specially designed and con tion of the First Story of the Temple, the structed House of Worship and a fully and permanent settlement of the six remaining efficiently functioning Administrative Order Republics of Central America, and the ex invariably confer, the concentration in a tension of continual support both material single locality of what will come to be re and moral, to those weaker States, Provinces garded as the fountain-head of the com and Republics that have been recently in m unity’s spiritual life and what is already corporated in the body of the Faith, combine recognized as the mainspring of the admin to offer, at this hour when the fate of civ istrative activities, signalizes the launching ilization trembles in the balance, the boldest of yet another phase in the slow and im and gravest challenge that has ever faced perceptible emergence, in these declining the community of the American believers times, of the model Bahd’i community—-a both in the propagative and administrative community divinely ordained, organically spheres of Bahd’i activity. In the field of united, clear-visioned, vibrant with life, and pioneer teaching, and particularly in connec whose very purpose is regulated by the twin tion with the opening of the Republics of directing principles of the worship of God Haiti, Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Do and of service to one’s fellow-men. minica and Guatemala, the utmost encour The decision you have arrived at is an act agement should at all times be vouchsafed that befittingly marks the commencement of by the elected representatives of the com your allotted term of stewardship in service munity to those who* out of the abundance to the Cause of Baha’u’lldh. Moreover, it of their hearts, and in direct response to the significantly coincides with the inauguration call of their Faith and the dictates of their of that world mission of which the settle conscience, have renounced their comforts, ment of Baha’i pioneers in the virgin terri fled their homes, and hazarded their fortunes tories of the N orth American continent has for the sake of bringing into operation the been but a prelude. That such a decision majestic Plan of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, while special may speedily and without the slightest hitch support should be extended to those who ap be carried into effect is the deepest longing pear to be best qualified for the strenuous of my heart. That those who have boldly labors which pioneering under such exacting carried so weighty a resolution may without circumstances demands. Care should be ex pause or respite continue to labor and build ercised lest any hindrance should, for any up, as circumstances permit, around this ad reason, be placed in the way of those who ministrative nucleus such accessories as the have, whether young or old, rich or poor, so machinery of a fast evolving administrative spontaneously dedicated themselves to so order, functioning under the shadow of, and urgent and holy a mission. in such close proximity to, the Mashriqu’l- Towards this newly-appointed enterprise Adhkár, must demand, is the object of my a more definite reorientation is needed. To incessant and fervent prayer. That such a its purposes a more complete dedication is step, momentous as it is, may prove the demanded. In its fortunes a more widespread starting point for acts of still greater re concern is required. For its further consoli nown and richer possibilities that will leave dation and speedy fulfilment a larger num their distinct mark on the third year of the ber and a greater variety of participants are Seven Year Plan is a hope which I, together indispensable. For its success a more abun with all those who are eagerly following its dant flow of material resources should be progress, fondly and confidently cherish. assured. The American believers, while straining to Let the privileged few, the ambassadors of A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 47

the Message of Baha’u’llah, bear in mind His others, is the call of humanity itself crying words as they go forth on their errands of out for deliverance at a time when the tide service to His Cause. "It behoveth whoso of mounting evils has destroyed its equi ever willeth to journey for the sake of God, librium and is now strangling its very life. and whose intention is to proclaim His Word These imperative calls of Bahd’i duty the and quicken the dead, to bathe himself with American believers can immediately if only the waters of detachment, and to adorn his partially answer. Their present status, their temple with the ornaments of resignation circumscribed resources, debar them, how and submission. Let trust in God be his ever great their eagerness, from responding shield, and reliance on God his provision, and completely and decisively to the full impli the fear of God his raiment. Let patience be cations of this threefold obligation. They his helper, and praise-worthy conduct his can, neither individually nor through their succourer, and goodly deeds his army. Then concerted efforts, impose directly their will will the concourse on high sustain him. Then upon those into whose hands the immediate will the denizens of the Kingdom of Names destinies of their persecuted brethren are march forth with him , and the banners of placed. Nor are they as yet capable of Divine guidance and inspiration be unfurled launching a campaign of such magnitude as on his right hand and before him.” could capture the imagination and arouse the Faced with such a challenge, a community conscience of mankind, and thereby insure that has scaled thus far such peaks of endur the immediate and full redress of those griev ing achievements can neither falter nor re ances from which their helpless co-religion coil. Confident in its destiny, reliant cn its ists in both the East and the West are God-given power, fortified by the conscious suffering. They cannot moreover hope to ness of its past victories, galvanized into ac wield at the present time in the councils of tion at the sight of a slowly disrupting civ nations an influence commensurate with the ilization, it will—I can have no doubt— con stupendous claims advanced, or adequate to tinue to fulfil unflinchingly the immediate the greatness of the Cause proclaimed, by the requirements of its task, assured that with Author of their Faith. Nor can they assume every step it takes and with each stage it a position or exercise such responsibilities as traverses, a fresh revelation of Divine light would enable them by their acts and de and strength will guide and propel it for cisions to reverse the process which is urging ward until it consummates, in the fulness of so tragically the decline of human society time and in the plenitude of its power, the and its institutions. Plan inseparably bound up with its shining And yet, though their influence be at the destiny. present hour indecisive and their divinely- July 4, 1939. conferred authority unrecognized, the role they can play in both alleviating the hard A triple call, clear-voiced, insistent and ships that afflict their brethren and in at inescapable, summons to the challenge all tenuating the ills that torment mankind is members of the American Bahd’i commun none the less considerable and far-reaching. ity, at this, the most fateful hour in their By the range and liberality of their contri history. The first is the voice, distant and butions to mitigate the distress of the be piteous, of those sister communities which reaved, the exiled and the imprisoned; by now, alas, are fettered by the falling chains the persistent, the wise and judicious inter of religious orthodoxy and isolated through vention of their elected representatives the cruel barriers set up by a rampant na through the authorities concerned; by a clear tionalism. The second is the plea, no less and convincing exposition, whenever cir vehement and equally urgent, of those peo cumstances are propitious, of the issues in ples and nations of the New World, whose volved; by a vigorous defence of the rights vast and unexplored territories await to be and liberties denied; by an accurate and dig warmed by the light and swept into the orbit nified presentation of the events that have of the Faith of BaháVlláh. The third, more transpired; by every manner of encourage universal and stirring than either of the ment which their sympathies may suggest, or 48 THE BAHÁ1 CENTENARY

their means permit, or their consciences dic down of human institutions, and in the en tate, to succor the outcast and the impov suing epoch during which the shattered basis erished; and above all by their tenacious of a dismembered society is to be recast, adherence to, and wide proclamation of, and its forces reshaped, re-directed and uni those principles, laws, ideals, and institutions fied. With the age that is still unborn, with which their disabled fellow-believers are un its herculean tasks and unsuspected glories, able to affirm or publicly espouse; and lastly, we need not concern ourselves at present. by the energetic prosecution of those tasks It is to the fierce struggle, the imperious which their oppressed fellow-workers are duties, the distinctive contributions which forbidden to initiate or conduct, the priv the present generation of Baha’is are sum ileged community of the American Bahd’is moned to undertake and render that I feel can play a conspicuous part in the great we should, at this hour, direct our immediate drama involving so large a company of their and anxious attention. Though powerless to unemancipated brethren in the Asiatic, the avert the impending contest the followers of European and African continents. Baha’u’lldh can, by the spirit they evince and Their duties towards mankind in general the efforts they exert help to circumscribe its are no less distinct and vital. Their impo range, shorten its duration, allay its hardships, tence to stem the tide of onrushing calami proclaim its salutary consequences, and dem ties, their seeming helplessness in face of onstrate its necessary and vital role in the those cataclysmic forces that are to convulse shaping of human destiny. Theirs is the duty human society, do not in the least detract to hold, aloft and undimmed, the torch of from the urgency of their unique mission, Divine Guidance, as the shades of night de nor exonerate them from those weighty re scend upon, and ultimately envelop the, en sponsibilities which they alone can and must tire human race. Theirs is the function, assume. Humanity, heedless and impenitent, amidst its tumults, perils and agonies, to w it is admittedly hovering on the edge of an ness to the vision, and proclaim the approach, awful abyss, ready to precipitate itself into of that re-created society, that Christthat titanic struggle, that crucible whose promised Kingdom, that World Order whose chastening fires alone can and will weld its generative impulse is the spirit of none other antagonistic elements of race, class, religion than Baha’u’llah Himself, whose dominion and nation into one coherent system, one is the entire planet, whose watchword is world commonwealth. "The hour is ap unity, whose animating power is the force of proaching” is Baha’u’lldh’s own testimony, Justice, whose directive purpose is the reign "ivhen the most great convulsion will have of righteousness and truth, and whose appeared . . . I swear by God I The promised supreme glory is the complete, the undis day is come, the day when tormenting trials turbed, and everlasting felicity of the whole will have surged above your heads, and be of human kind. By the sublimity and serenity neath your feet, saying: (Taste ye, what your of their faith, by the steadiness and clarity hands have w r o u g h t” N ot ours to question of their vision, the incorruptibility of their the almighty wisdom or fathom the inscrut character, the rigor of their discipline, the able ways of Him in whose hands the ulti sanctity of their morals, and the unique mate destiny of an unregenerate yet potenti example of their community life, they can ally glorious race must lie. Ours rather is and indeed must in a world polluted with its the duty to believe that the world-wide com incurable corruptions, paralyzed by its munity of the Most Great Name, and in par haunting fears, torn by its devastating ticular, at the present time its vanguard in hatreds, and languishing under the weight North America, however buffeted by the of its appalling miseries demonstrate the powerful currents of these troublous times, validity of their claim to be regarded as the and however keen their awareness of the in sole repository of that grace upon whose evitability of the final eruption, can, if they operation must depend the complete deliv will, rise to the level of their calling and erance, the fundamental reorganization and discharge their functions, both in the period the supreme felicity of all mankind. which is witnessing the confusion and break July 28, 1939. A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 49

Views of the Outer Shrine of BaháVlláh. 50 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Shades of night descending on imperilled external ornamentation was initiated and humanity inexorably deepening. American accelerated through the energizing influences believers, heirs of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant, which the rising and continually consoli prosecutors of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s plan, con dating institutions of a divinely established fronted supreme opportunity vindicate in Administrative Order had released in the destructibility their faith, inflexibility their midst of a community that had identified its resolution, their incorruptibility, sanctity vital interests with that Temple’s destiny. for appointed task. Anxiously, passionately The measures devised to hasten its com entreat them, whatever obstacles march of pletion were incorporated in a Plan which tragic events may create, however distressing derives its inspiration from those destiny barriers predicted calamities raise between shaping Tablets wherein, in bold relief, them and sister communities and possibly stands outlined the world mission entrusted Faith’s World Center, unwaveringly hold by their Author to the American Baha’i aloft torch whose infant light heralds the community. And finally, the Fund, designed birth of the effulgent World Order destined to receive and dispose of the resources supplant disrupting civilization. amassed for its prosecution, was linked with August 30, 1939. the memory and bore the name of her whose ebbing life was brightened and, cheered by The association of the First Mashriqu’l- those tidings that unmistakably revealed to Adhkár of the West with the hallowed mem her the depth of devotion and the tenacity ories of the Purest Branch and of ‘Abdu’l- of purpose which animate the American be Baha’s mother, recently re-interred under lievers in the cause of their beloved Temple. the shadow of the Bab’s holy Shrine, in And now, while the Bahd’i world vibrates augurates a new, and at long last the final with emotion at the news of the transfer of phase of an enterprise which, thirty years the precious remains of both the Purest ago, was providentially launched on the very Branch and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s mother to a day the remains of the Forerunner of our spot which, watched over by the Twin Holy Faith were laid to rest by our beloved Master Shrines and in the close neighborhood of the in the sepulchre specifically erected for that resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf, is purpose on Mt. Carmel. The birth of this to become the focus of the administrative holy enterprise, pregnant with such rich, institutions of the Faith at its world center, such infinite possibilities, synchronized with, the mere act of linking the destiny of so farand was consecrated through, this historic reaching an undertaking with so significant event which, as ‘AbduT-Bahá Himself has an event in the Formative Period of our Faith affirmed, constitutes the most signal act of will assuredly set the seal of complete the triple mission He had been prompted to triumph upon, and enhance the spiritual perform. The site of the Temple itself was potentialities of, a work so significantly honored by the presence of Him Who, ever started and so magnificently executed by the since this enterprise was initiated, had, followers of Baha’u’lldh in the North Ameri through His messages and Tablets bestowed can continent. upon it His special attention and care, and December 30, 1939. surrounded it with the marks of His unfail ing solicitude. Its foundation-stone was laid And now as this year, so memorable in by His own loving hands, on an occasion so the annals of the Faith, was drawing to a moving that it has come to be regarded as close, there befell the American Baha’i com one of the most stirring episodes of His his munity, through the dramatic and sudden toric visit to the North American continent. death of May Maxwell, yet another loss, Its superstructure was raised as a direct con which viewed in retrospect will come to be sequence of the pent-up energies which regarded as a potent blessing conferred upon surged from the breasts of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s the campaign now being so diligently con lovers at a time when His sudden removal ducted by its members. Laden with the from their midst had plunged them into con fruits garnered through well-nigh half a sternation, bewilderment and sorrow. Its century of toilsome service to the Cause she A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 51

so greatly loved, heedless of the warnings of tion of the last stage in the ornamentation age and ill-health, and afire with the longing of the Temple. I am praying continually to worthily demonstrate her gratitude in her with redoubled fervor. overwhelming awareness of the bounties of June 13, 1940. her Lord and Master, she set her face to wards the southern outpost of the Faith in My heart is thrilled with delight as I wit the New World, and laid down her life in ness, in so many fields, and in such distant such a spirit of consecration and self-sacrifice outposts, and despite such formidable dif as has truly merited the crown of m artyr ficulties, restrictions, obstacles and dangers, dom. so many evidences of the solidarity, the valor, To Keith Ransom-Kehler, whose dust and the achievements of the American sleeps in far-off Isfahan; to Martha Root, Bahd’i community. As the end of the First fallen in her tracks on an island in the mid Century of the Bahá’í Era approaches, as the most heart of the ocean; to May Maxwell, shadows descending upon and enveloping lying in solitary glory in the southern out mankind steadily and remorselessly deepen, post of the Western Hemisphere— to these this community, which can almost be re three heroines of the Formative Age of the garded as the solitary champion of the Faith Faith of Baha’u’llah, they who now labor so in the Western World, is increasingly evin assiduously for its expansion and establish cing and demonstrating its capacity, its ment, owe a debt of gratitude which future worth, and ability as the torchbearer of the generations will not fail to adequately New, the World Civilization which is des recognize. tined to supplant in the fulness of time the April 15, 1940. present one. And more particularly in the virgin and far-flung territories of Latin The stupendous struggle now convulsing America, it has in recent months, abundantly the major part of the European continent is given visible evidence of its merits and com progressively revealing the ominous features, petence to shoulder the immense responsi and increasingly assuming the proportions, bilities which the carrying of the sacred Fire of the titanic upheaval foreshadowed seventy to all the Republics of the Western Hemi years ago by the prophetic pen of Bahá’u’lláh. sphere must necessarily entail. The disruptive forces associated with hu Through these initial steps, which in pur manity’s world-shaking ordeal are closely suance of the Plan conceived by ‘Abdu’linterrelated with the constructive potentiali Bahá, this community has taken, through ties inherent in the American believers’ the settlement in each of these sovereign Divinely-ordained Plan. Both are directly states of the New World of American Bahá’í hastening the emergence of the spiritual pioneers, through the formation of Bahá’í World Order stirring in the womb of a groups and the establishment of two Assem travailing age. I entreat the American blies in Buenos Aires and Bahia, the Ameri Bahá’í Community, whatever the immediate can National Assembly, as well asHts Interor distant repercussions of the present tu r America Committee, and all subsidiary moil on their own continent, however violent agencies, no less than the individual mem its impact upon the World Center of their bers of the N orth American Baha’i com Faith, to pledge themselves anew, before the munity who have sacrificed and are still Throne of Bahd’u’llah, to discharge, with sacrificing so much in their support of this unswerving aim, unfailing courage, invinci Divine and momentous Plan, have earned ble vigor, exemplary fidelity and ever-deep the unqualified admiration and the undying ening consecration, the dual responsibility gratitude of sister Assemblies and fellowsolemnly undertaken under the Seven Year workers throughout the Bahd’i World. Plan. I implore them to accelerate their Their work, however, is only beginning. efforts, increase their vigilance, deepen their The dispatch of pioneers, the provision of unity, multiply their heroic feats, maintain adequate means for their support, their their distant outposts in the teaching field settlement and initiation of Bahá’í activities of Latin America, and expedite the termina in these far-off lands, however strenuous and 52 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

meritorious, are insufficient if the Plan is to tinuation. Its first sparks were kindled on evolve harmoniously and yield promptly its the eastern shores of the Asiatic continent, destined fruit. The extension by the Parent enveloping two sister races of the world in a Assembly — the immediate source from conflagration which no force seems able to which this vast system with all its ramifica either quench or circumscribe. This cata tions is now proceeding—of the necessary clysmic process was accelerated by the out support, guidance, recognition and material break of a fierce conflict in the heart of assistance to enable these newly-fledged Europe, fanning into flame age-long animosi groups and Assemblies to function in strict ties and unchaining a series of calamities as accordance with both the spiritual and ad swift as they were appalling. As the turmoil ministrative principles of the Faith of gathered momentum it swept remorselessly Bahd’u’llah, would seem as essential and into its vortex the most powerful nations of urgent as the preliminary task already the European continent — the chief pro achieved. To nurse these tender plants of tagonists of that highly-vaunted yet lament the Vineyard of God, to foster their growth, ably defective civilization. The mounting to direct their development, to accord them tide of its havoc and devastation soon over the necessary recognition, to help resolve spread the northernmost regions of that their problems, to familiarize them with afflicted continent, subsequently ravaged the gentleness, patience and fidelity with the shores of the Mediterranean, and invaded the processes of the Administrative Order and African continent as far as Ethiopia and the thus enable them to assume independently surrounding territories. The Balkan coun the conduct of future local and national tries, as predicted by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, were soon Bahi’i activities, would bring the plan to to sustain the impact of this tragic ordeal, swift and full fruition and would add fresh communicating in their turn the commo laurels to the crown of immortal glory al tions to which they had been subjected to ready won by a community that holds in both the Near and Middle East, wherein are these days of dark and dire calamities, vali enshrined the heart of the Faith itself, its antly and almost alone, the Fort of the Faith Cradle, its chief center of Pilgrimage, and of Baháhťlláh. its most sacred and historic sites. December 3, 1940. Its menace is overleaping the limits of the Old World and is plunging into conster The internecine struggle, now engulfing nation the Great Republic of the West, as the generality of mankind, is increasingly well as the peoples of Central and South assuming, in its range and ferocity, the pro America. The New World as well as the portions of the titanic upheaval fore Old is experiencing the terrific impact of shadowed as far back as seventy years ago this disruptive force. Even the peoples of by Baha’u’llah. It can be viewed in no other the Antipodes are trembling before the ap light except as a direct interposition by Him proaching tempest that threatens to burst Who is the Ordainer of the Universe, the on their heads. Judge of all men and the Deliverer of the The races of the world, Nordic, Slavonic, nations. It is the rod of both the anger of Mongolian, Arab and African, are alike sub God and of His correction. The fierceness of jected to its consuming violence. The world’s its devastating power chastens the children religious systems are no less affected by the of men for their refusal to acclaim the cen universal paralysis which is creeping over tury-old Message of their promised, their the minds and souls of men. The persecution Heaven-sent Redeemer. The fury of its of world Jewry, the rapid deterioration of flames, on the other hand, purges away the Christian institutions, the intestine division dross, and welds the limbs of humanity into and disorders of Islám, are but manifestations one single organism, indivisible, purified, of the fear and trembling that has seized God-conscious and divinely directed. humanity in its hour of unprecedented tu r Its immediate cause can be traced to the moil and peril. On the high seas, in the air, forces engendered by the last war of which on land, in the forefront of battle, in the it may be truly regarded as the direct con palaces of kings and the cottages of peasants,

j A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 53

in the most hallowed sanctuaries, whether sponsibility. The Mission entrusted to the secular or religious, the evidences of God’s community of the North American believers retributive act and mysterious discipline are in the darkest days of the last war, is, after manifest. Its heavy toll is steadily mounting a period of incubation of well nigh twenty —a holocaust sparing neither prince nor years, and through the instrumentality of peasant, neither man nor woman, neither the administrative agencies erected after young nor old. ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s passing, efflorescing under our The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh— that priceless very eyes. Already, since the inception of gem of Divine Revelation enshrining the the Seven Year Plan, this community can Spirit of God and incarnating His Purpose well claim to have attained, through its for mankind in this age— can neither aspire deeds, a stature that dwarfs its sister com nor expect to escape unhurt amid the hurri munities, and can glory in a parentage that cane of human disasters that blows around it. embraces every Republic of Latin America. By most men unnoticed, scorned and ridi The first Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr of the West, its culed by some, feared and challenged by beauteous and noble handiwork, is virtually others, this world redemptive Faith, for completed. A nucleus for a future flourish whose precious sake the world is undergoing ing local community is already formed in such agonies, finds its virgin strength as every state and province in N orth America. sailed, and its infant institutions hemmed The administrative structure, following the in, by the dark forces which a godless civili pattern of its prototype in the U.S.A. is, zation has unloosed over the face of the through the agency of that same Plan, raising planet. In the Old World, whether in its triumphant head in the Central and South Europe, Asia or Africa, it is being buffeted American Republics. The Plan itself, pro about, ostracized, arraigned and repressed. pelled by the agencies released by those im In certain countries its community life is mortal Tablets which constitute its charter, being extinguished, in others a ban is severely bids fair, in the fifth year of its operation, imposed on its propagation, in still others to exceed the highest expectations of those its members are denied all intercourse with who have so courageously launched it. Its its World Center. Dangers, grave and un comsummation, coinciding with the termi suspected, confront its cradle and surround nation of the first century of the Baha’i Era, its very heart. will mark the opening of yet another phase Not so, however, with the countries of in a series of crusades which must carry, in the Western Hemisphere. The call of the course of the succeeding century, the Bahá’u’lláh summons, at this challenging privileged recipients of those epoch-making hour, the peoples of the New World, and its Tablets beyond the Western Hemisphere to leaders to redress the balance of the old. "O the uttermost ends of the earth, to implant Rulers of America” He thus addresses the the banner, and lay an unassailable basis for Chief Magistrates of that continent, "and the administrative structure of the Faith of the Presidents of the Republics therein. . . . BaháVlláh. Adorn the temple of your dominion with the The quality and magnitude of the work ornament of Justice and of the fear of God. already achieved by these stalwart champions and its head tvith the crown of the remem- of God’s New World Order are inexpres brance of your Lord, the Maker of the sibly exhilarating and infinitely meritorious. heavens” The Great Republic of the West, The immensity of the task still to be per an object of special solicitude throughout the formed staggers our fancy and inflames our ministry of the Center of the Covenant, imagination. The potentialities with which whose soil has been hallowed by His foot these tasks are endowed elude our shrewdest steps, and the foundation of whose edifice— calculations. The promise they enshrine is the Mother Temple of the West—has been too dazzling to contemplate. What else can consecrated by His hand, has been singled we do but bow our heads in thanksgiving out through the operation of His Will, and and reverence, steel our hearts in preparation been invested by His Pen with a unique, an for the strenuous days ahead, and intensify a inescapable, a weighty and most sacred re hundredfold our resolution to carry on the 54 THE B A H A ’I CENTENARY

task to which our hands are set at present? constitute in themselves sufficient evidence May 25, 1941. of the unconquerable power and invincible spirit which animates those who stand identi As I survey the activities and accomplish fied with and loyally carry out the pro ments of the American believers in recent visions and injunctions of the Will and months, and recall their reaction to the Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. urgent call for service, embodied in the And now more particularly concerning Seven Year Plan, I feel overwhelmed by a the prime mover of this latest agitation, threefold sense of gratitude and admiration which, whatever its immediate consequences, which I feel prompted to place on record, will sooner or later come to be regarded as but which I cannot adequately express. merely one more of those ugly and abortive Future generations can alone appraise cor attempts designed to undermine the founda rectly the value of their present services, tion, and obscure the purpose, of the Admin and the Beloved, whose mandate they are so istrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. valiantly obeying, can alone befittingly re Obscure in his origin, ambitious of leader ward them for the manner in which they are ship, untaught by the lesson of such as have discharging their duties. erred before him, odious in the hopes he The virtual completion of a thirty year nurses, contemptible in the methods he pur old enterprise, which was initiated in His sues, shameless in his deliberate distortions days and blessed by His Hand, is the first and of truths he has long since ceased to believe foremost accomplishment that must shed in, ludicrous in his present isolation and help imperishable luster not only on the adminis lessness, wounded and exasperated by the trative annals of the Formative Age of the downfall which his own folly has precipi Faith, but on the entire record of the signal tated, he, the latest protagonist of a spurious achievements performed in the course of cause, cannot but in the end be subjected, as the First Century of the Bahd’i Era. The remorselessly as his infamous predecessors, steady expansion and consolidation of the to the fate which they invariably have world mission, entrusted by that same Mas suffered. ter, to their hands and set in operation after Generated by the propelling and purifying His passing, constitutes the second object of forces of a mysterious Faith, born of delusion my undying gratitude to a community that or malice, winning a fleeting notoriety de has abundantly demonstrated its worthiness rived from the precarious advantages of to shoulder the superhuman tasks with which wealth, fame or fortune, these movements it has been entrusted. The spirit with which sponsored by deluded, self-seeking adven that same community has faced and resisted turers find themselves, sooner or later, en the onslaught of the enemies of the Faith meshed in the machinations of their authors, who, for various reasons and with ever- are buried in shame, and sink eventually into increasing subtlety and malice, have per complete oblivion. sistently striven to disrupt the administra The schism which their foolish leaders had tive machinery of an Order, foreshadowed contrived so sedulously to produce within by the Báb, enunciated by Bahd’u’llah, and the Faith, will soon, to their utter amaze established by ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, is yet another ment, come to be regarded as a process of testimony to the unrivalled merits and the purification, a cleansing agency, which, far eminent position attained by its privileged from decimating the ranks of its followers, members since the ascension of the Center reinforces its indestructible unity, and pro of the Covenant. claims anew to a world, skeptical or indif The extinction of the influence precari ferent, the cohesive strength of the institu ously exerted by some of these enemies, the tions of that Faith, the incorruptibility of decline that has set in in the fortunes of its purposes and principles, and the recupera others, the sincere repentance expressed by tive powers inherent in its community life. still others, and their subsequent reinstate Were anyone to imagine or expect that a ment and effectual participation in the teach Cause, comprising within its orbit so vast a ing and administrative activities of the Faith, portion of the globe, so turbulent in its A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 55

history, so challenging in its claims, so di priceless a promise, has sustained blows as versified in the elements it has assimilated dire and treacherous as any recorded in the into its administrative structure, should, at world’s religious history. all times, be immune to any divergence of From the record of its tumultuous history, opinion, or any defection on the part of its almost every page of which portrays a fresh multitudinous followers, it would be sheer crisis, is laden with the description of a new delusion, wholly unreasonable and unwar calamity, recounts the tale of a base betrayal, ranted, even in the face of the unprecedented and is stained with the account of unspeak evidence of the miraculous power which its able atrocities, there emerges, clear and in rise and progress have so powerfully ex controvertible, the supreme truth that with hibited. That such a secession, however, every fresh outbreak of hostility to the Faith, whether effected by those who apostatize whether from within or from without, a their faith or preach heretical doctrines, corresponding measure of outpouring grace, should have failed, after the lapse of a cen sustaining its defenders and confounding its tury, to split in twain the entire body of adversaries, has been providentially released, the adherents of the Faith, or to create a communicating a fresh impulse to the on grave, a permanent and irremediable breach ward march of the Faith, while this impetus, in its organic structure, is a fact too eloquent in its turn, would through its manifestations, for even a casual observer of the internal provoke fresh hostility in quarters heretofore processes of its administrative order to either unaware of its challenging implications— deny or ignore. this increased hostility being accompanied Therein, every loyal and intelligent up by a still more arresting revelation of Divine holder of Baha’u’llah’s incomparable Cove Power and a more abundant effusion of celes nant— a Covenant designed by Him as the tial grace, which, by enabling the upholders sole refuge against schism, disruption and of that Faith to register still more brilliant anarchy—will readily recognize the hall victories, would thereby generate issues of mark of His Faith, and will acclaim it as still more vital import and raise up still more the supreme gift conferred by Him Who is formidable enemies against a Cause that can the Lord of Revelation upon the present and not but, in the end, resolve those issues and future generations who are destined, in this crush the resistance of those enemies, through greatest of all Dispensations, to flock, from a still more glorious unfoldment of its in every creed and religion, to the banner, and herent power. espouse the Cause, of His Most Great Name. The resistless march of the Faith of Dear friends! Manifold, various, and at Bahá’u’lláh, viewed in this light, and pro times extremely perilous, have been the tragic pelled by the stimulating influences which crises which the blind hatred, the unfounded the unwisdom of its enemies and the force presumption, the incredible folly, the abject latent within itself, both engender, resolves perfidy, the vaulting ambition, of the enemy itself into a series of rhythmic pulsations, have intermittently engendered within the precipitated, on the one hand, through the pale of the Faith. From some of its most explosive outbursts of its foes, and the vibra powerful and renowned votaries, at the tions of Divine Power, on the other, which hands of its once trusted and ablest propaga speed it, with ever-increasing momentum, tors, champions, and administrators, from along that predestined course traced for it the ranks of its most revered and highly- by the Hand of the Almighty. placed trustees whether as companions, As opposition to the Faith, from whatever amanuenses or appointed lieutenants of the source it may spring, whatever form it may Herald of the Faith, of its Author, and of assume, however violent its outbursts, is the Center of His Covenant, from even admittedly the motive-power that galvanizes those who were numbered among the kindred on the one hand, the souls of its valiant de of the Manifestation, not excluding the fenders, and taps for them, on the other, brother, the sons and daughters of Bahd’u’- fresh springs of that Divine and inexhausti lláh, and the nominee of the Báb Himself, a ble Energy, we who are called upon to repre Faith, of such tender age, and enshrining so sent, defend, and promote its interests, 56 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY*

should, far from regarding any manifesta its most intensive pitch, so the Mission tion of hostility as an evidence of the weak conferred twenty years ago by ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s ening of the pillars of the Faith, acclaim it sacred Will on the worldwide, indivisible as both a God-sent gift and a God-sent op and incorruptible body of His followers portunity which, if we remain undaunted, unfolds its fullest potentialities. Securely we can utilize for the furtherance of His abiding and confidently battling within the Faith and the routing and complete elimina impregnable structure which that Will has tion of its adversaries. divinely established, the dwellers in the ark The Heroic Age of the Faith, born in of the divine Covenant the world over anguish, nursed in adversity, and terminating watch with awe, pride and delight the evi in trials as woeful as those that greeted its dences of the mounting momentum of the birth, has been succeeded by that Formative eternal process of integration and disinte Period which is to witness the gradual crys gration hurrying the Faith along its predistallization of those creative energies which tined course. The royal adversary, personally the Faith has released, and the consequent responsible for the recrudesence of persecu emergence of that World Order for which tion closing all Baha’i schools in Bahá’u’lláh’s those forces were made to operate. native land, has been humbled to the dust. Fierce and relentless will be the opposition The sufferings endured by the builders of which this crystallization and emergence th e first Mashriqu’l-Adhkar are being must provoke. The alarm it must and will avenged. The cornerstone of the National awaken, the envy it will certainly arouse, Administrative Headquarters of the Egyp the misrepresentations to which it will re tian Bahd’i community has been ceremoni morselessly be subjected, the setbacks it ously laid. The first officially recognized must, sooner or later, sustain, the commo Bahá’í cemetery is ready to receive the pre tions to which it must eventually give rise, cious remains of the illustrious ‘Abdu’l-Fadl the fruits it must in the end garner, the and the immortal Lua. The Haziratu’l-Quds blessings it must inevitably bestow and the in Baghdad has been extended and is nearing glorious, the Golden Age, it must irresistibly completion. The property dedicated as first usher in, are just beginning to be faintly Administrative Center of the Syrian Baha’is perceived, and will, as the old order crumbles has been purchased. A group of families of beneath the weight of so stupendous a Reve Persian believers, Muslim, Jewish, Zoroastrian lation, become increasingly apparent and in origin, afire with the example set by arresting. American pioneers, are settling the adjoining Not ours, dear friends, to attempt to sur territories of Hejaz, Yemen, Afghanistan, vey the distant scene; ours rather the duty to Baluchistan and Bahrein Island. The spiritual face the trials of the present hour, to ponder competition galvanizing the organized fol the meaning, to discharge the obligations, lowers of Baha’u’llah in East and West to meet its challenge and utilize the oppor waxes keener as first Baha’i century speeds tunity it offers to the fullest extent of our to its close. W ith bowed head, exultant ability and power. spirit and thankful heart I acclaim these August 12, 1941 recurrent, increasingly compelling manifesta tions of the solidarity, loyalty and un Heart thrilled with pride at message quenchable spirit animating, throughout announcing the approaching completion of five continents, the community of the fol the ornamentation of seven faces of Mashri- lowers of the Most Great Name. qu’l-Adhkár, proclaiming an intensification November 22, 1941 of North American teaching campaign, and revealing the adamantine resolution of the The entry of the United States of America Temple builders and stalwart crusaders, in into the war invests it with the character of face of the perfidy, ingratitude and opposi a truly world-embracing crisis, designed to tion of the enemies both within and without release world-shaking, world-shaping forces, the Holy Faith. As the fury and destructive which, as they operate, and mount in in ness of the tremendous world ordeal attains tensity, will throw down the barriers that A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 57

hinder the emergence of that world com Viewed in the perspective of Baha’i his munity which the World Religion of Baha’u- tory, the Seven Year Plan, associated with ’lláh has anticipated and can alone per the closing years of the First Bahá*i Century, manently establish. It marks a milestone on will come to be regarded as the mightiest in the road which must lead the peoples of the strument yet forged, designed to enable the North American continent to the glorious trustees of a firmly established, steadily destiny that awaits them. It confronts the evolving Administrative Order to complete American Baha’i community, already so the initial stage in the prosecution of the well advanced in the prosecution of their world mission confidently entrusted by the Seven Year Plan, with a challenge at once Center of the Covenant to His chosen severe and inescapable, The exterior orna disciples. The Divine Plan, thus set in mentation of their consecrated Edifice has operation, may be said to have derived its been providentially expedited to a point inspiration from, and been dimly fore where its completion is now assured. The shadowed in, the injunction so significantly intercontinental and national teaching cam addressed by Bahd’u’llah to the Chief Magis paigns, that constitute the second and even trates of the American continent. It was more vital aspect of that plan, though prompted by the contact established by progressing magnificently in the States, in ‘Abdu’l-Baha Himself, in the course of His Canada and throughout Latin America, are historic journey, with the entire body of still far from having attained their consum His followers throughout the United States mation. The obstacles which the extension of and Canada. It was conceived, soon after the war to the Western Hemisphere has that contact was established, in the midst raised are, I am well aware, manifold and of what was then held to be one of the most formidable. The heroic self-sacrifice ex devastating crises in human history. »It hibited by the North American Bahd’i com underwent a period of incubation, after His munity will, I am confident, surmount them. ascension, while the machinery of a divinely The Hand of Omnipotence, which has led appointed Administrative Order was being so mighty a member of the human race to laboriously devised and its processes set in plunge into the turmoil of world disaster, motion. Its initial operations were provi that has provided thereby the means for the dentially made to synchronize with the final effective and decisive participation of so years of a century that witnessed the birth promising a nation in the immediate trials and rise of a Faith of which it is the direct and the future reconstruction of human consequence. The opening stage in its execu society, will not and cannot allow those who tion has been faced by, and will survive, the are directly, consciously and worthily pro severe challenge of a crisis of still greater moting the highest interests of their nation magnitude than that which baptized its and of the world, to fall short of the ac birth. The conclusion of the first phase of complishment of their God-given task. He its tremendous and irresistible unfoldment will, more than ever before in their history, is now approaching. The hopes and aspira pour out His blessings upon them, if they tions of a multitude of believers, in both the refuse to allow the present circumstances, East and the West, young and old, whether grievous though they are, to interfere with free or suppressed, hang on its triumphant the full and uninterrupted execution of this consummation. The Temple itself, that fair initial undertaking in pursuance of their incarnation of the soul of an unconquerable world mission. The coming two years must Faith, and the first fruit of the Plan now set witness, fraught as they may well be with in motion, stands in its silent beauty, ready the greatest ordeal afflicting their country to reinforce the strenuous endeavors of its men, a manifestation of spiritual vitality prosecutors. Towering in grandeur and and an output of heroic action, commensur resplendent in its majesty it calls aloud in ate with the gravity and afflictions of the cessantly for a greater, a far greater number present hour, and worthy of the concluding of pioneers who, both at home and in foreign years of the first Bahá’í century. fields, will scatter to sow the Divine seeds January 15, 1942. and gather the harvest into its gates. The 58 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Author of the Plan Himself, looking down raised so heroically to the glory of the Most from His retreats above, and surveying the Great Name, at so critical a stage in human prodigious labors of His defeatless disciples, history, and at so significant a spot in a voices, with even greater insistence, the same continent so richly endowed, to be able to call. The time in which to respond to it is visualize the future glories which the con relentlessly shortening. Let men of action summation of this institution, this harbinger seize their chance ere the swiftly passing days of an as yet unborn civilization, must in the place it irretrievably beyond their reach. fulness of time disclose to the eyes of all May 26, 1942. mankind. That so laborious, so meritorious an under The completion of the exterior ornamen taking has been completed a year before its tation of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar in Wil appointed time is a further cause for re mette, the most hallowed Temple ever to be joicing and gratitude, and an added testi erected by the followers of Bahd’u’lldh, and mony to the vision, the resourcefulness, and the crowning glory of the first Bahd’i cen enterprising spirit of the American believers. tury, is an event of unique and transcend No need, however, to dwell at length on ental significance. Neither the first Mash their past achievements, remarkable and ex riqu’l-Adhkar of the Bahd’i world, reared in emplary though they have been, nor is this the city of Ishqdbad, nor any House of W or the time to expatiate on the superb spirit ship to be raised in succeeding centuries, can that has characterized their stewardship in claim to possess the vast, the immeasurable the service of the Faith of Bahd’u’lldh. Tasks potentialities with which this Mother Temple of extreme urgency, of great magnitude, of of the West, established in the very heart of the utmost significance await them in this so •enviable a continent, and whose founda- concluding year of the first Bahd’i century, tionstone has been laid by the hand of the and at this hour of great peril, of stress and Center of the Covenant Himself, has been trial for all mankind. The sacred—the press endowed. Conceived forty years ago by ing, the inescapable teaching responsibilities that little band of far-sighted and resolute assumed under the Seven Year Plan must be disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, members of the resolutely faced as befits those whose record first Bahd’i community established in the has shed so brilliant a light on the annals of Western Hemisphere; blessed and fostered the first Bahd’i century. The consolidation by a vigilant Master Who directed its course of each and every nucleus formed so pains from the hour of its inception to the last takingly in every republic of Central and days of His life; supported by the spon South America, the formation of a Bahd’i taneous contributions of Baha’is poured in Assembly in every virgin State and Province from the five continents of the globe, this* in the North American Continent, call for noble, this mighty, this magnificent enter undivided attention, for further heroism, prise deserves to rank among the immortal for a concerted, a persistent, a herculean epics, that have adorned the annals of the eifort on the part of the stalwart builders of Apostolic Age of the Faith of Bahd’u’lldh. that bounteous Edifice which posterity will The debt of gratitude owed by the entire recognize as the greatest shrine in the Bahd’i world to its champion-builders is in Western world. deed immeasurable. The admiration which Nor must the elaborate preparations in this brilliant exploit has evoked in the breasts connection with the forthcoming celebration of countless followers of the Faith in East of the centenary of our glorious Faith be and West knows no bounds. The creative overlooked or neglected, if we would beenergies its completion must unleash are in fittingly consummate this first, this most calculable. The role it is destined to play in fecund, century of the Bahd’i era. An un hastening the emergence of the world order precedented, a carefully conceived, efficiently of Bahd’u’lldh, now stirring in the womb of co-ordinated, nation-wide campaign, aiming this travailing age, cannot as yet be fath at the proclamation of the Message of omed. We stand too close to so majestic, so Bahd’u’lldh, through speeches, articles in the lofty, so radiant, so symbolic a monument press, and radio broadcasts, should be A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 59

promptly initiated and vigorously prose conclusion the unfinished tasks which still cuted. The universality of the Faith, its aims confront them, and will enable them to and purposes, episodes in its dramatic his crown their labors in a manner that will befit tory, testimonials to its transforming power, their high destiny. and the character and distinguishing features March 28, 1943. of its World Order should be emphasized and explained to the general public, and particu The latest evidences of the magnificent larly to eminent friends and leaders sympa success that has marked the activities of the thetic to its cause, who should be approached members of the American Baha’i community and invited to participate in the celebrations. have been such as to excite the brightest Lectures, conferences, banquets, special pub hopes for the victorious consummation of lications should, to whatever extent is prac the collective undertaking they have so ticable and according to the resources at the courageously launched and have so vigor disposal of the believers, proclaim the char ously prosecuted in recent years. As the first acter of this joyous Festival. An all-America Baha’i Century approaches its end, the mag Convention, at which representatives of nitude and quality of their achievements Bahá’í centers in every Republic in Centra! acquire added significance and shed increas and South America will be invited to par ing luster on its annals. The proceedings of ticipate, and to which, for the first time, all the recently held annual Convention; the isolated believers, all groups, and all com formation of twenty-eight Assemblies in the munities already possessing local Spiritual course of the year that has just elapsed; the Assemblies will have the right to appoint splendid progress achieved in the Latindelegates and to share in the election of the American field of Baha’i activity; the superb National Spiritual Assembly, will, moreover, spirit evinced by the pioneers holding their have to be held to commemorate this epoch- lonely posts in widely scattered areas making event. A dedication ceremony, in throughout the Americas; the exemplary consonance with the solemnity of the oc attitude shown by the entire body of the casion, and held beneath the dome of the faithful towards the machinations of those Mashriqu’l-Adhkar, on the very day and at who have so sedulously striven to disrupt the the very hour of the Báb’s historic Declara Faith and pervert its purpose— these have, to tion, followed by a public session, conse a marked degree, intensified the admiration crated to the memory of b.oth the Báb and of the Bahd’i communities for those who are ‘Abdu’l-Baha, should constitute the leading contributing so outstanding a share to the features of this historic Convention. enlargement of the limits, and the enhance For it should be borne in mind that in the ment of the prestige, of the Faith of year 1944 we celebrate not only the termina Bahá’u’lláh. The preparations which the tion of the first century of the Bahá’í Era, American believers are undertaking for the but also the centenary of the birth of the celebration of the Centenary of the Faith Bahá’í Dispensation, of the inception of the must be such as to crown with immortal Baha’i cycle, and of the birth of ‘Abdu’l- glory the fifty-year long record of their Baha, and commemorate as well the fiftieth stewardship in the service of that Faith. anniversary of the establishment of the Such a celebration must, in its scope and Baha’i Faith in the Western world. magnificence, fully compensate for the dis No effort, nor any sacrifice can be deemed abilities which hinder so many Baha’i com too great to insure the decisive, the brilliant munities in Europe and elsewhere, and even success of the celebrations which this his in Bahá’u’lláh’s native land, from paying a toric year, of such manifold significance, befitting tribute to their beloved Faith at must witness. He Who in the past, has in so glorious an hour in its history. The few diverse ways and on so many occasions, remaining months of this century must wit graciously and unfailingly guided, blessed ness a concentration of effort, a scale of and sustained the members of this privileged achievement, a spirit of heroism that will community will, no doubt, continue to aid outshine even the most daring exploits that and inspire them to carry to a victorious have already immortalized the Seven Year 60 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Plan and covered with glory its valiant pies of the world witness that this commu prosecutors. The plea I addressed to them, nity is spiritually illumined and divinely at this late hour, will, I am sure, meet with gíúded. Then will the whole earth resound a response no less remarkable than their past with the praises of its majesty and great reactions to the appeals I have felt impelled ness” to make to them ever since the inception of No reader of these words, so vibrant with the Plan. He Who, at every stage of their promises that not even the triumphant con collective enterprise, has so abundantly summation of the Seven Year Plan can blessed them, will, no doubt, continue to fulfill, can expect a community that has vouchsafe the blessings until the seal of un been raised so high, and endowed so richly, qualified victory is set upon their epoch- to remain content with any laurels it may making task. win in the Immediate future. To rest upon August 8, 1943. such laurels would indeed be tantamount to a betrayal of the trust placed in that T h e D estiny of A merica community by ‘Abdu’l-Bahd. To cut short Let any one inclined to doubt the course the chain of victories that must lead it on which this enviable community is destined to that supreme triumph when, "the whole to follow, turn to and meditate upon these earth may be stirred and shaken” by the words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, enshrined, for all results of its achievements would shatter time, in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, and His hopes. To vacillate, and fail to "prop addressed to the entire community of the agate through the continents of Europe, of believers of the United States and Canada: Asia, of Africa, and of Australasia, and as "The full measure of your success,” He in far as the islands of the Pacific” a Message forms them, "is at yet unrevealed, its signifi so magnificently proclaimed by it in the cance still unapprehended. Erelong, ye will, American continent would deprive it of the with your oivn eyes, witness how brilliantly privilege of being "securely established upon every one of you, even as a shining star, will the throne of an everlasting dominion” radiate, in the firmament of your country, To forfeit the honor of proclaiming "the the light of "Divine Guidance, and will be advent of the Kingdom of the Lord of stow upon its people the glory of an ever Hosts” in "all the five continents of the lasting life. . . . The range of your future globe” would silence those "praises of its achievements still remains undisclosed. 1 majesty and greatness” that otherwise would fervently hope that in the near future the echo throughout "the whole earth” whole earth may be stirred and shaken by Such vacillation, failure, or neglect, the the results of your achievements. The hope, American believers, the ambassadors of the therefore, which ‘Abdu’l-Bahd cherishes for Faith of BaháVlláh, will, I am firmly con you is that the same success which has at vinced, never permit. Such a trust will tended your efforts in America may crown never be betrayed, such hopes can never be your endeavors in other parts of the world, shattered, such a privilege will never be that through you the fame of the Cause of forfeited, nor will such praises remain un God may be diffused throughout the East uttered. Nay rather the present generation and the West, and the advent of the King of this blessed, this repeatedly blessed, com dom of the Lord of Hosts be proclaimed in munity will go from strength to strength, all the five continents of the globe.” "The and will hand on, as the first century draws moment,” He most significantly adds, "this to a close, to the generations that must Divine Message is carried forward by the succeed it in the second, the torch of Divine American believers from the shores of Amer Guidance, undimmed by the tempestuous ica, and is propagated throughout the con winds that must blow upon it, that they in tinents of Europe, of Asia, of Africa, and turn, faithful to the wish and mandate of of Australasia, and as far as the islands of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, may carry that torch, with the Pacific, this community will find itself that self-same vigor, fidelity, and enthusi securely established upon the throne of an asm, to the darkest and remotest corners of everlasting dominion. Then will all the peo- the earth. . . . A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 61

One more word in conclusion. Among To the efforts and accomplishments of some of the most momentous and thought- those who, aware of the Revelation of provoking pronouncements ever made by BaháVlláh, are now laboring in that con ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in the course of His epoch- tinent, to their present and future course making travels in the North American con of activity, I have, in the foregoing pages tinent, are the following: "May this Ameri sufficiently referred. A word, if the destiny can Democracy be the first nation to estab of the American people, in its entirety, is to lish the foundation of international agree be correctly apprehended, should now be said ment. May it be the first nation to proclaim regarding the orientation of that nation as the unity of mankind. May it be the first a whole, and the trend of the affairs of its to unfurl the Standard of the Most Great people. For no matter how ignorant of the Peace” And again: "The American people Source from which those directing energies are indeed worthy of being the first to build proceed, and however slow and laborious the Tabernacle of the Great Peace, and pro the process, it is becoming increasingly evi claim the oneness of mankind. . . . For dent that the nation as a whole, whether America hath developed powers and capaci through the agency of its government or ties greater and more: wonderful than other otherwise, is gravitating, under the influence nations. . . . The American nation is of forces that it can neither comprehend nor equipped and empowered to accomplish that control, towards such associations and poli which luill adorn the pages of history, to cies, wherein, as indicated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, become the envy of the world, and be blest her true destiny must lie. Both the com in both the East and the West for the tri munity of the American believers, who are umph of its people. . . . The American con aware of that Source, and the great mass of tinent gives signs and evidences of very their countrymen, who have not as yet rec great advancement. Its future is even more ognized the Hand that directs their destiny, promising, for its influence and illumination are contributing, each in its own way, to are far-reaching. It will lead all nations the realization of the hopes, and the ful spiritually.” fillment of the promises, voiced in the above- The creative energies, mysteriously gen quoted words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. erated by the first stirrings of the em The world is moving on. Its events are bryonic World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, have, unfolding ominously and with bewildering as soon as released within a nation destined rapidity. The whirlwind of its passions is to become its cradle and champion, en swift and alarmingly violent. The New dowed that nation with the worthiness, and World is being insensibly drawn into its invested it with the powers and capacities, vortex. The potential storm centers of the and equipped it spiritually, to play the part earth are already casting their shadows upon foreshadowed in these prophetic words. The its shores. Dangers, undreamt of and un potencies which this God-given mission has predictable, threaten it both from within infused into its people are, on the one hand, and from without. Its governments and beginning to be manifested through the peoples are being gradually enmeshed in the conscious efforts and the nation-wide ac coils of the world’s recurrent crises and complishments, in both the teaching and fierce controversies. The Atlantic and Pa administrative spheres of Baha’i activity, of cific Oceans are, with every acceleration in the organized community of the followers the march of science, steadily shrinking into of Bahá’u’lláh in the North American con mere channels. The Great Republic of the tinent. These same potencies, apart from, West finds itself particularly and increas yet collateral with these efforts and accom ingly involved. Distant rumblings echo plishments, are, on the other hand, insensibly menacingly in the ebullitions of its people. shaping, under the impact of world political On its flanks are ranged the potential storm and economic forces, the destiny of that centers of the European continent and of nation, and are influencing the lives and the Far East. On its southern horizon there actions of both its government and its looms what might conceivably develop into people. another center of agitation and danger. The 62 THE B A H A ’I CENTENARY

world is contracting into a neighborhood. that divides and afflicts the human race is America, willingly or unwillingly, must daily increasing. The signs of impending face and grapple with this new situation. convulsions and chaos can now be discerned. For purposes of national security, let alone . . ” "The ills,” ‘Abdu’l-Baha, writing as any humanitarian motive, she must assume far back as two decades ago, has prophesied, the obligations imposed by this newly cre "from which the world now suffers tv ill ated neighborhood. Paradoxical as it may multiply; the gloom which envelops it will seem, her only hope of extricating herself deepen. The Balkans will remain discon from the perils gathering around her is to tented. Its restlessness tvill increase. The become entangled in that very web of inter vanquished Powers will continue to agitate. national association which the Hand of an They will resort to every measure that may inscrutable Providence is weaving. ‘Abdu’l- rekindle the flame of war. Movements, Bahá’s counsel to a highly placed official in newly-born and world-tvide in their range, its government comes to mind, with peculiar will exert their utmost for the advancement appropriateness and force. "You can best of their designs. The Movement of the Left serve your country if you strive, in your will acquire great importance. Its influence capacity as a citizen of the world, to assist will spread.” As to the American nation in the eventual application of the principle itself, the voice of its own President, em of federalism, underlying the government phatic and clear, warns his people that a of your own country, to the relationships possible attack upon their country has been now existing between the peoples and nations brought infinitely closer by the development of the world.” The ideals that fired the of aircraft and by other factors. Its Sec imagination of America’s tragically unappre retary of State, addressing at .a recent Con ciated President, whose high endeavors, how ference the assembled representatives of all ever much nullified by a visionless genera the American Republics, utters no less tion, ťAbdu’l-Bahá, through His own pen. ominous a warning. "These resurgent forces acclaimed as signalizing the dawn of the loom threateningly throughout the world— Most Great Peace, though now lying in the their ominous shadow falls athwart our dust, bitterly reproach a heedless generation own Hemisphere.” As to its Press, the same for having so cruelly abandoned them. note of warning and of alarm at an ap That the world is beset with perils, that proaching danger is struck. "We must be dangers are now accumulating and are ac prepared to defend ourselves both from tually threatening the American nation, no within and without. . . . Our defensive clear-eyed observer can possibly deny. The frontier is long. It reaches from Alaska’^ earth is now transformed into an armed Point Barrow to Cape Horn, and ranges the camp. As much as fifty million men are Atlantic and the Pacific. When or where either under arms or in reserve. No less Europe’s and Asia’s aggressors may strike at than the sum of three billion pounds is be us no one can say. It could be anywhere, ing spent, in one year, on its armaments. any time. . . . We have no option save to The light of religion is dimmed and moral go armed ourselves. . . . We must mount authority disintegrating. The nations of the vigilant guard over the Western Hemis world have, for the most part, fallen a prey phere.” to battling ideologies that threaten to dis The distance that the American nation rupt the very foundations of their dearly- has traveled since its formal and categoric won political unity. Agitated multitudes repudiation of the Wilsonian ideal, the in these countries see them with discontent, changes that have unexpectedly overtaken are armed to the teeth, are stampeded with it in recent years, the direction in which fear, and groan beneath the yoke of tribula world events are moving, with their inevi tions engendered by political strife, racial table impact on the policies and the economy fanaticism, national hatreds, and religious of that nation, are to every Bahá’í observer, animosities. "The winds of despair,” Bahá’- viewing the developments in the interna u’lldh has unmistakably affirmed, "are, alas, tional situation, in the light of the prophe blowing from every direction, and the strife cies of both Baha’u’lldh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. A M E R I C A ’S S P I R I T U A L DESTINY 63

most significant, and highly instructive and oppressive for that nation. The world shak encouraging. To trace the exact course ing ordeal which Bahá’u’lláh, as quoted in which, in these troubled times and pregnant the foregoing pages, * has so graphically years, this nation will follow would be im prophesied, may find it swept, to an unpre possible. We can only, judging from the cedented degree, into its vortex. Out of it it direction its affairs are now taking, antici will probably emerge, unlike its reactions pate the course she will most likely choose to the last world conflict, consciously deter to pursue in her relationships with both the mined to seize its opportunity, to bring the Republics of America and the countries of full weight of its influence to bear upon the the remaining continents. gigantic problems that such an ordeal must A closer association with these Repub leave in its wake, and to exorcise forever, lics, on the one hand, and an increased par in conjunction with its sister nations of both ticipation, in varying degrees, on the other, the East and the West, the greatest curse in the affairs of the whole world, as a result which, from time immemorial, has afflicted of recurrent international crises, appear as and degraded the human race. the most likely developments which the fu Then, and only then, will the American ture has in store for that country. Delays nation, molded and purified in the crucible must inevitably arise, setbacks must be suf of a common war, inured to its rigors, and fered, in the course of that country’s evolu disciplined by its lessons, be in a position tion towards its ultimate destiny. Nothing, to raise its voice in the councils of the na however, can alter eventually that course, tions, itself lay the cornerstone of a universal ordained for it by the unerring pen of and enduring peace, proclaim the solidarity, ‘Abdu’l-Bahd. Its federal unity having al the unity, and m aturity of mankind, and ready been achieved and its internal institu assist in the establishment of the promised tions consolidated— a stage that marked its reign of righteousness on earth. Then, and coming of age as a political entity— its fu r only then, will the American nation, while ther evolution, as a member of the family the community of the American believers of nations, must, under circumstances that within its heart is consummating its di cannot at present be visualized, steadily con vinely-appointed mission, be able to fulfil! tinue. Such an evolution must persist until the unspeakably glorious destiny ordained such time as that nation will, through the for it by the Almighty, and immortally active and decisive part it will have played enshrined in the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd. in the organization and the peaceful settle Then, and only then, will the American ment of the affairs of mankind, have a t nation accomplish "that which will adorn tained the plenitude of its powers and fu n c the pages of h isto ry” "become the envy of tions as an outstanding member, and com the world and be blest in both the East and ponent part, of a federated world. the W e s t” The immediate future must, as a result December 25, 193 8. of this steady, this gradual, and inevitable absorption in the manifold perplexities and * This passage is an excerpt from "The Advent of problems afflicting hum anity, be dark and Divine Justice.*’— Editor.

» . PART THREE

HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN BAHA’I C O M M U N I T Y * 1894 1:933 -

ORTY years will have elapsed ere the in less than half a century sent out its shoots close of this coming summer since the name and tendrils as far as the remotest corners of Bahd’uTlah was first mentioned on the of the globe, and now stands, clothed in the American continent. Strange indeed must majesty of the consecrated Edifice it has appear to every observer, pondering in his reared in the heart of that continent, de heart the significance of so great a landmark termined to proclaim its right and vindicate in the spiritual history of the great American its capacity to redeem a stricken people. U n Republic, the circumstances which have at supported by any of the advantages which tended this first public reference to the Au talent, rank and riches can confer, the com thor of our beloved Faith. Stranger still must munity of the American believers, despite its seem the associations which the brief words tender age, its numerical strength, its limited uttered on that historic occasion must have experience, has by virtue of the inspired wis evoked in the minds of those who heard them. dom, the united will, the incorruptible loy Of pomp and circumstance, of any mani alty of its administrators and teachers festations of public rejoicing or of popular achieved the distinction of an undisputed applause, there were none to greet this first leadership among its sister communities of intimation*)* to America’s citizens of the ex East and West in hastening the advent of istence and purpose of the Revelation pro the Golden Age anticipated by BahďuTláh. claimed by BaháVlláh. Nor did he who was And yet how grave the crises which this its chosen instrument profess himself a be infant, this blessed, community has weath liever in the indwelling potency of the ered in the course of its checkered history! tidings he conveyed, or suspect the magni How slow and painful the process that tude of the forces which so cursory a men gradually brought it forth from the ob tion was destined to release. scurity of unmitigated neglect to the broad Announced through the mouth of an daylight of public recognition! How severe avowed supporter of that narrow ecclesiasti- the shocks which the ranks of its devoted cism which the Faith itself has challenged adherents have sustained through the de and seeks to extirpate, characterized at the fection of the faint in heart, the malice of moment of its birth as an obscure offshoot of the mischief-maker, the treachery of the a contemptible creed, the Message of the Most proud and the ambitious! What storms of Great Name, fed by streams of unceasing ridicule, of abuse and of calumny its repre trial and warmed by the sunshine of ‘AbduT- sentatives have had to face in their staunch Baha’s tender care, has succeeded in driving support of the integrity, and their valiant its roots deep into America’s genial soil, has defence of the fair name, of the Faith they had espoused! How persistent the vicissi * From "America and the Most Great Peace,” by tudes and disconcerting the reverses with Shoghi Effendi. f In an address by Dr. Henry H. Jessup at the which its privileged members, young and Parliament of Religions, Columbian Exposition, Chi old alike, individually and collectively, have cago, 1893.— Editor. had to contend in their heroic endeavors to 66 THE B A H Á 5Í CENTENARY

scale the heights which a loving Master had a more adequate medium for the incarnation summoned them to attain! . . . of its spirit and the propagation of its cause? Dearly-beloved friends! It is not for me, Have not the Asiatic churches of Jerusalem, nor does it seem within the competence of of Antioch and of Alexandria, consisting any one of the present generation, to trace chiefly of those Jewish converts, whose the exact and full history of the rise and character and temperament inclined them tc gradual consolidation of this invincible arm, sympathize with the traditional ceremonies this mighty organ, of a continually advan of the Mosaic Dispensation, been forced as cing Cause. It would be premature at this they steadily declined to recognize the grow early stage of its evolution, to attempt an ing ascendancy of their Greek and Roman exhaustive analysis, or to arrive at a just brethren? Have they not been compelled to estimate, of the impelling forces that have acknowledge the superior valor and the urged it forward to occupy so exalted a place trained efficiency which have enabled these among the various instruments which the standard-bearers of the Cause of Jesus Christ Hand of Omnipotence has fashioned, and is to erect the symbols of His world-wide now perfecting, for the execution of His di dominion on the ruins of a collapsing Em vine Purpose. Future historians of this pire? Has not the animating spirit of Islám mighty Revelation, endowed with pens abler been constrained, under the pressure of simi than any which its present-day supporters lar circumstances, to abandon the inhos can claim to possess, will no doubt transmit pitable wastes of its Arabian Home, the to posterity a masterly exposition of the theatre of its greatest sufferings and ex origins of those forces which, through a re ploits, to yield in a distant land the fairest markable swing of the pendulum, have fruit of its slowly maturing civilization? caused the administrative center of the Faith "From the beginning of time until the to gravitate, away from its cradle, to the present d a y” ťAbdu’l-Bahá Himself affirms, shores of the American continent and to "the light of Divine Revelation hath risen in wards its very heart— the present mainspring the East and shed its radiance upon the West. and chief bulwark of its fast evolving insti The illumination thus shed hath, however, tutions. On them will devolve the task of acquired in the West an extraordinary bril recording the history, and of estimating the liancy. Consider the Faith proclaimed by significance, of so radical a revolution in the Jesus. Though it first appeared in the East, fortunes of a slowly maturing Faith. Theirs yet not until its light had been shed upon will be the opportunity to extol the virtues the West did the full measure of its poten and to immortalize the memory of those tialities be manifest.” "The day is approach men and women who have participated in ing ” He, in another passage, assures us, its accomplishment. Theirs will be the "when ye shall witness how, through the privilege of evaluating the share which each splendor of the Faith of Bahd’uHldh, the of these champion-builders of the World West will have replaced the East, radiating Order of BaháVlláh has had in ushering in the light of Divine Guidance.” "In the books that golden Millennium, the promise of of the Prophets ” He again asserts, "certain which lies enshrined in His teachings. glad-tidings are recorded which are abso Does not the history of primitive Christi lutely true and free from doubt. The East anity and of the rise of Islám, each in its own hath ever been the dawning-place of the way, offer a striking parallel to this strange Sun of Truth. In the East all the Prophets phenomenon the beginnings of which we are of God have appeared . . . The West hath now witnessing in this, the first century of acquired illumination from the East but in the Bahá’í Era? Has not the Divine Impulse some respects the reflection of the light hath which gave birth to each of these great been greater in the Occident. This is specially religious systems been driven, through the true of Christianity. Jesus Christ appeared operation of those forces which the irresisti in Palestine and FIis teachings were founded ble growth of the Faith itself had released, in that country. Although the doors of the to seek away from the land of its birth and Kingdom were first opened in that land and in more propitious climes a ready field and the bestowals of God were spread broadcast THE AMERICAN B A H Á ’Í COMMUNITY 67

from its center, the people of the West have and out of the agony and wreckage of an embraced and promulgated Christianity unprecedented crisis there should burst forth more fully than the people of the East," a spiritual renaissance which, as it propagates Little wonder that from the same unerring itself through the instrumentality of the pen there should have flowed, after ‘Abdu’l- American believers, will rehabilitate the Bahd’s memorable visit to the West, these fortunes of a decadent age? It was ‘Abdu’loften-quoted words, the significance of Bahá Himself, His most intimate associates which it would be impossible for me to over testify, Who, on more than one occasion, rate: "The continent of America ” He an intimated that the establishment of His nounced in a Tablet unveiling His Divine Father’s Faith in the North American con Plan to the believers residing in the North- tinent ranked as the most outstanding among Eastern States of the American Republic, the threefold aims which, as He conceived "is in the eyes of the one true God the land it, constituted the principal objective of His wherein the splendors of His light shall be ministry. It was He Who, in the heyday of revealed, where the mysteries of His Faith His life and almost immediately after His shall be unveiled where the righteous will Father’s ascension, conceived the idea of in abide and the free assemble.” "May this augurating His mission by enlisting the in American democracy,” He Himself, while habitants of so promising a country under in America, was heard to remark, "be the the banner of Bahá’u’lláh. He it was Who first nation to establish the foundation of in His unerring wisdom and out of the abun international agreement. May it be the first dance of His heart chose to bestow on His nation to proclaim the unity of mankind. favored disciples, to the very last day of May it be the first to unfurl the standard His life, the tokens of His unfailing solici of the 'Most Great Peace9 The American tude and to overwhelm them with the marks people are indeed worthy of being the first of His special favor. It was He Who, in His to build the tabernacle of the great peace and declining years, as soon as delivered from proclaim the oneness of mankind , . . May the shackles of a long and cruel incarcera America become the distributing center of tion, decided to visit the land which had re spiritual enlightenment and all the world re mained for so many years the object of His ceive this heavenly blessing. For America infinite care and love. It was He Who, has developed powers and capacities greater through the power of His presence and the and more wonderful than other nations . . . charm of His utterance, infused into the May the inhabitants of this country become entire body of His followers those senti like angels of heaven with faces turned con ments and principles which could alone sus tinually toward God. May all of them be tain them amidst the trials which the very come servants of the omnipotent One. May prosecution of their task would inevitably they rise from their present material attain engender. Was He not, through the several ments to such a height that heavenly illu functions which He exercised whilst He mination may stream from this center to all dwelt amongst them, whether in the laying the peoples of the world . . . This American of the corner-stone of their House of W or nation is equipped and empowered to ac ship, or in the Feast which He offered them complish that which will adorn the pages and at which He chose to serve them in of history, to become the envy of the world person, or in the emphasis which He on a and be blest in both the Fast and the West more solemn occasion placed on the impli for the triumph of its people . . . The Ameri cations of His spiritual station—was He not, can continent gives signs and evidences of thereby, deliberately bequeathing to them all very great advancement. Its future is even the essentials of that spiritual heritage which more promising, for its influence and illu He knew they would ably safeguard and by mination are far-reaching. It will lead all their deeds continually enrich? And finally nations spiritually.” who can doubt that in the Divine Plan Would it seem extravagant, in the light of which, in the evening of His life, He un so sublime an utterance, to expect that in veiled to their eyes He was investing them the midst of so enviable a region of the earth with that spiritual primacy on which they 68 THE B A H Á 5Í CENTENARY

could rely in the fulfilment of their high Hosts be proclaimed in all the five conti destiny? nents of the globe . . . Thu$ far ye have rfO ye apostles of Bahd’u’llah!” He thus been untiring in your labors. Let your ex addresses them in one of His Tablets, "May ertions, henceforth, increase a thousandfold. my life be sacrificed for you! . . . Behold Summon the people in these countries, cap the portals which Bahd’u’lldh hath opened itals, islands, assemblies and churches to en before you! Consider how exalted and lofty ter the Abhd Kingdom. The scope of your is the station you are destined to attain; how exertions must needs be extended. The wider unique the favors w ith which you have been its range, the more striking will be the evi endowed.” "My thoughts ,” He tells them in dences of Divine assistance . . . Oh! that I another passage, "are turned towards you, could travel, even though on foot and in the and my heart leaps within me at your men utmost poverty, to these regions and, raising tion. Could ye know how m y soul glows the call of Yd Bahd’u’l-Abhd in cities, vil with your love, so great a happiness would lages, mountains, deserts and oceans, pro flood your hearts as to cause you to become mote the Divine teachings! This, alas, I can enamoured w ith each other” "The full not do! How intensely I deplore it! Please measure of your success,” He declares in God, ye may achieve it.” And finally, as if another Tablet, "is as yet unrevealed, its sig to crown all His previous utterances, is this nificance still unapprehended. Ere long ye solemn affirmation embodying His vision of will, with your own eyes, witness how bril America’s spiritual destiny: "The moment liantly every one of you, even as a shining this Divine Message is carried forward by the star, will radiate in the firmament of yotcr American believers from the shores of Amer country the light of Divine Guidance and ica and is propagated through the continents will bestow upon its people the glory of an of Europe, of Asia, of Africa and of Aus everlasting life .” "The range of your future tralasia, and as far as the islands of the Pa achievements,” He once more affirms, "still cific, this community will find itself securely remains undisclosed. I fervently hope that established upon the throne of an everlasting in the near future the whole earth may be dominion. Then will all the peoples of the stirred and shaken by the results of your tvorld witness that this community is spir achievements” "The Almighty,” He as itually illumined and divinely guided. Then sures them, "will no doubt grant you the will the whole earth resound with the praises help of His grace, will invest you with the of its majesty and greatness.” tokens of His might, and will endue your It is in the light of these above-quoted souls with the sustaining power of His holy words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd that every thought Spirit .” "Be not concerned,” He admonishes ful and conscientious believer should ponder them, "'ivith the smallness of your numbers, the significance of this momentous utterance neither be oppressed by the multitude of an of BaháVlláh: "In the East the light of His unbelieving world . . . Exert yourselves; Revelation hath broken; in the West have your mission is unspeakably glorious. Should appeared the signs of His dominion. Ponder success crown your enterprise, America will this in your hearts, O people, and be not of assuredly evolve into a center from which those who have turned a deaf ear to the ad waves of spiritual power will emanate, and monitions of Him Who is the Almighty, the the throne of the Kingdom of God will, in All-Praised . . . Should they attempt to con the plentitude of its majesty and glory, be ceal its light on the continent, it will as firmly established.” suredly rear its head in the midmost heart "The hope which 'Abdu’l-Bahd cherishes of the ocean, and, raising its voice, proclaim: for you,” He thus urges them, "is that the 7 am the life-giver of the world!’ ” same success which has attended your efforts Dearly-beloved friends! Can our eyes be in America may crown your endeavors in so dim as to fail to recognize in the anguish other parts of the world, that through you and turmoil which, greater than in any other the fame of the Cause of God may be dif country and in a manner unprecedented in fused throughout the East and the West and its history, are now afflicting the American the advent of the Kingdom of the Lord of nation, evidences of the beginnings of that THE AMERICAN B A H A ’I COMMUNITY 69

spiritual renaissance which these pregnant nificance as to constitute a milestone along words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá so clearly fore the road leading the American believers shadow? The throes and twinges of agony towards their promised victory. The first of which the soul of a nation in travail is now these four decades (1893-1903), character beginning to experience abundantly proclaim ized by a process of slow and steady fermen it. Contrast the sad plight of the nations of tation, may be said to have culminated in the the earth, and in particular this great Re historic pilgrimages undertaken by ‘Abdu’lpublic of the West, with the rising fortunes Bahd’s American disciples to the shrine of of that handful of its citizens, whose mis Bahá’u’lláh. The ten years which followed sion, if they be faithful to their trust, is to (1903-1913), so full of the tests and trials heal its wounds, restore its confidence and which agitated, cleansed and energized the revive its shattered hopes. Contrast the body of the earliest pioneers of the Faith in dreadful convulsions, the internecine con that land, had as their happy climax ‘Abdu’lflicts, the petty disputes, the outworn con Baha’s memorable visit to America. The troversies, the interminable revolutions that third period (1913-1923), a period of quiet agitate the masses, with the calm new light and uninterrupted consolidation, had as its of Peace and of Truth which envelops, guides inevitable result the birth of that divinelyand sustains those valiant inheritors of the appointed Administration, the foundations law and love of BaháVlláh. Compare the of which the Will of a departed Master had disintegrating institutions, the discredited unmistakably established. The remaining ten statesmanship, the exploded theories, the ap years (1923-1933), distinguished through palling degradation, the follies and furies, out by further internal development, as well the shifts, shams and compromises that char as by a notable expansion of the international acterize the present age, with the steady con activities of a growing community, w it solidation, the holy discipline, the unity and nessed the completion of the superstructure cohesiveness, the assured conviction, the un of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar— the Administra compromising loyalty, the heroic self-sacri tion’s mighty bulwark, the symbol of its fice that constitute the hallmark of these strength and the sign of its future glory. faithful stewards and harbingers of the gol Each of these successive periods would den age of the Faith of Baha’u’llah. seem to have contributed its distinct share in Small wonder that these prophetic words enriching the spiritual life of that commu should have been revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha: nity, and in preparing its members for the "The East,” He assures us, "hath verily been discharge of the tremendous responsibilities illumined with the light of the Kingdom. of their unique mission. The pilgrimages Ere long will this same light shed a still which its foremost representatives were greater illumination upon the West. Then moved to undertake in that earliest period will the hearts of its people be vivified of its history fired the souls of its members through the potency of the teachings of God with a love and zeal which no amount of and their souls be set aglow by the undying adversity could quench. The tests and tribu fire of His love” "The prestige of the Eaith lations it subsequently suffered enabled those of God,” He asserts, "has immensely in who survived them to obtain a grasp of the creased. Its greatness is now manifest. The implications of their faith that no opposi day is approaching when it will have cast a tion, however determined and well-organ tremendous tum ult in men’s hearts. Rejoice, ized, could ever hope to weaken. The insti therefore, O denizens of America, rejoice tutions which its tried and tested adherents with exceeding gladness!” later on established furnished their promoters Most prized and best-loved brethren! As with that poise and stability which the in we look back upon the forty years which crease of their numbers and the ceaseless ex have passed since the auspicious rays of the tension of their activities urgently demanded. Baha’i Revelation first warmed and illum And finally the Temple which the exponents inated the American continent we find that of an already firmly established Administra they may well fall into four distinct periods, tion were inspired to erect gave them the vision which neither the storms of internal 70 THE B A H A ’i CENTENARY

disorder nor the whirlwinds of international amidst the vicissitudes which had afflicted it. commotion could possibly obscure. It was through the arrival of these pilgrims, It would take me too long to attempt and these alone, that the gloom which had even a brief description of the first stirrings enveloped the disconsolate members of which the introduction of the Bahá’í Reve ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s family was finally dispelled. lation into the New World, as conceived, Through the agency of these successive visi initiated and directed by our beloved Master, tors the Greatest Holy Leaf,"* who alone immediately created. Nor does space permit with her Brother among the members of her me to narrate the circumstances attending Father’s household had to confront the re the epoch-making visit of the first American bellion of almost the entire company of her pilgrims to Bahá’u’lláh’s hallowed shrine, to relatives and associates, found that consola relate the deeds which signalized the return tion which so powerfully sustained her till of these bearers of a new-born Gospel to the very close of her life. By the forces their native country, or to assess the imme which this little band of returning pilgrims diate consequences of their achievements. was able to release in the heart of that con No word of mine would suffice to express tinent the death-knell of every scheme in how instantly the revelation of ‘Abdu’l- itiated by the wóuld-be wrecker of the Cause Baha’s hopes, expectations and purpose for an of God was sounded. awakened continent, electrified the minds The Tablets which were subsequently re and hearts of those who were privileged to vealed by the untiring pen of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, hear Him, who were made the recipients of embodying in passionate and unequivocal His inestimable blessings and the chosen re language His instructions and counsels, His positories of His confidence and trust. I can appeals and comments, His hopes and wishes, never hope to interpret adequately the feel His fears and warnings, soon began to be ings that surged within those heroic hearts translated, published and circulated through as they sat at their Master’s feet, beneath out the length and breadth of the North the shelter of His prison-house, eager to ab American continent, providing the eversorb and intent to preserve the effusions of widening circle of the first believers with His divine Wisdom. I can never pay suf that spiritual sustenance which could alone ficient tribute to that spirit of unyielding enable them to survive the severe trials they determination which the impact of a mag were soon to experience. netic personality and the spell of a mighty The hour of an unprecedented crisis was, utterance kindled in the entire company of however, inexorably approaching. Evidences these returning pilgrims, these consecrated of dissension, actuated by pride and ambi heralds of the Covenant of God, at so de tion, were beginning to obscure the radiance cisive an epoch of their history. The mem and retard the growth of the newly-born ory of such names as Lua, Chase, MacNutt, community which the apostolic teachers of Dealy, Goodall, Dodge, Farmer and Brit- that continent had labored to establish. He tingham— to mention only a few of that who had been instrumental in inaugurating immortal galaxy now gathered to the glory so splendid an era in the history of the Faith, of Bahd’u’llah—will for ever remain asso on whom the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s Cove ciated with the rise and establishment of His nant had conferred the titles of “Bahá’s Faith in the American continent, and will Peter,” of the “Shepherd of God’s Flocks,” continue to shed on its annals a lustre that of the “Conqueror of America,” upon whom time can never dim. had been bestowed the unique privilege of It was through these pilgrimages, as they helping ‘Abdu’l-Baha lay the foundationsucceeded one another in the years immedi stone of the Bdb’s Mausoleum on Mt. Carmel ately following the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, —such a m an,| blinded by his extraordinary that the splendor of the Covenant, beclouded success and aspiring after an uncontrolled for a time by the apparent ascendancy of domination over the beliefs and activities of its Arch-Breaker,f emerged triumphant f Muhammad-‘A li, ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s younger half- * The sister of A b d u ’l-Baha. brother and His bitterest enemy.— Editor. Í Ibrahim Kheirrela.— Editor. THE AMERICAN BA H Á ’Í COMMUNITY 71

his fellow-disciples, insolently raised the stubborn assailants as those of Vatralsky, standard of revolt. Sebeding from ‘Abdu’l- Wilson, Jessup and Richardson vie with one Bahá and allying himself with the Arch- another in their futile attempts to stain its Enemy of the Faith of God, this deluded purity, to arrest its march and compel its apostate sought, by perverting the teachings surrender. To the charges of Nihilism, of and directing a campaign of unrelenting heresy, of Muhammadan Gnosticism, of im villification against the person of ‘Abdu’l- morality, of Occultism and Communism so Bahá, to undermine the faith of those be freely levelled against them, the undismayed lievers whom he had during no less than victims of such outrageous denunciations, eight years, so strenuously toiled to convert. acting under the instructions of ‘Abdu’l- By the tracts he published, through the Baha, retorted by initiating a series of ac active collaboration of the emissaries of his tivities which by their very nature were to chief Ally, and reinforced by the efforts be the precursors of permanent, officially which the Christian ecclesiastical enemies of recognized administrative institutions. The the Bahá’i Revelation were beginning to inauguration of Chicago’s first House of exert, he succeeded in dealing the nascent Spirituality designated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha as Faith of God a blow from which it could that city’s “House of Justice” ; the estab only slowly and painfully recover. lishment of the Bahd’i Publishing Society; I need not dwell on the immediate effects the founding of the Green Acre Fellowship; of this serious yet transitory cleavage in the the publication of the Star of the West; ranks of the American adherents of the the holding of the first Bahá’í National Cause of Baha’u’llah. Nor do I need to ex Convention, synchronizing with the trans patiate on the character of the defamatory ference of the sacred remains of the Báb to writings that poured upon them. Nor does its final resting-place on Mt. Carmel; the it seem necessary to recount the measures to incorporation of the Baha’i Temple Unity which an ever-vigilant Master resorted in and the formation of the Executive Com order to assuage and eventually to dissipate mittee of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar— these their apprehensions. It is for the future his stand out as the most conspicuous accom torian to appraise the value of the mission plishments of the American believers which of each of the five chosen messengers of have immortalized the memory of the most 'Abdu’l-Baha who, in rapid succession, were turbulent period of their history. Launched dispatched by Him to pacify and reinvig through these very acts into the troublesome orate that troubled community. His will be seas of ceaseless tribulation, piloted by the the task of tracing, in the work which these mighty arm of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and manned by deputies of ‘Abdu’l-Baha were commissioned the bold initiative and abundant vitality of to undertake, the beginnings of that vast a band of sorely-tried disciples, the Ark of Administration, the corner-stone of which Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant has, ever since those these messengers were instructed to lay— an days, been steadily pursuing its course con Administration whose symbolic Edifice He, temptuous of the storms of bitter misfortune at a later time, was to found in person and that have raged, and which must continue whose basis and scope the provisions of His to assail it, as it forges ahead towards the. Will were destined to widen. promised haven of undisturbed security and Suffice it to say that at this stage of its peace. evolution the activities of an invincible Unsatisfied with the achievements which Faith had assumed such dimensions as to crowned the concerted efforts of their elected force on the one hand its enemies to devise representatives within the American con fresh weapons for their projected assaults, tinent and emboldened by the initial success and on the other to encourage its supreme of their pioneer teachers, beyond its con Promoter to instruct its followers, through fines, in Great Britain, France and Germany, qualified representatives and teachers, in the the community of the American believers rudiments of an Administration which, as resolved to win in distant climes fresh re it evolved, would at once incarnate, safe cruits to the advancing army of Bahá’u’lláh. guard and foster its spirit. The works of such Setting out from the western shores of their 72 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

native land and impelled by the indomitable the announcement of His arrival evoked, the energy of a new-born faith, these itinerant publicity which His activities created, teachers of the Gospel of Baha’u’lldh pushed the forces which His utterances released, the on towards the islands of the Pacific, and as opposition which the implications of His far as China and Japan, determined to estab teachings excited, the significant episodes to lish beyond the farthest seas the outposts of which His words and deeds continually gave their beloved Faith. Both at home and rise— these future generations will, no doubt, abroad this community had by that time minutely and befittingly register. They will demonstrated its capacity to widen the range carefully delineate their features, will cherish and consolidate the foundations of its vast and preserve their memory, and will transmit endeavors. The angry voices that had been unimpaired the record of their minutest de raised in protest against its rise were being tails to their descendants. It would indeed drowned amid the acclamations with which be presumptuous on our part to attempt, at the East greeted its recent victories. Those the present time, to sketch even the bare ugly features that had loomed so threaten outline of so vast, so enthralling a theme. ingly were gradually receding into the dis Contemplating after the lapse of above tance, furnishing a still wider field to these twenty years this notable landmark in noble warriors for the exercise of their latent America’s spiritual history we still find our energies. selves compelled to confess our inability to The Faith of Bahd’u’llah in the continent grasp its import or to fathom its mystery. of America had indeed been resuscitated. I have alluded in the preceding pages to a Phoenix-like it had risen in all its freshness, few of the more salient features of that vigor and beauty and was now, through the never-to-be-forgotten visit, These incidents, voice of its triumphant exponents, insistingly as we look back upon them, eloquently pro calling to ‘Abdu’l-Baha, imploring Him to claim ťAbdu’l-Bahá’s specific purpose to con undertake a journey to its shores. The first fer through these symbolic functions upon fruits of .the mission entrusted to its worthy the first-born of the communities of the upholders had lent such poignancy to their West that spiritual primacy which was to call that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Who had just been be the birthright of the American believers. delivered from the fetters of a galling The seeds which ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s ceaseless tyranny, found Himself unable to resist. His activities so lavishly scattered had endowed great, His incomparable, love for His own the United States and Canada, nay the entire favored children impelled Him to respond. continent, with potentialities such as it had Their passionate entreaty had, moreover, never known in its history. On the small been reinforced by the numerous invitations band of His trained and beloved disciples, which representatives of various interested and through them on their descendants, He, organizations, whether religious, educational through that visit, had bequeathed a price or humanitarian, had extended to Him, ex less heritage— a heritage which carried with pressing their eagerness to receive from His it the sacred and primary obligation to arise own mouth an exposition of His Father’s and carry on in that fertile field the work teachings. He had so gloriously initiated. We can dimly Though bent with age, though suffering picture to ourselves the wishes that must from ailments resulting from the accumu have welled from His eager heart as He bade lated cares of fifty years of exile and cap His last farewell to that promising country. tivity, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá set out on His memor An inscrutable Wisdom, we can well imagine able journey across the seas to the land where Him remark to His disciples on the eve of He might bless by His presence, and sanctify His departure, has, in His infinite bounty through His deeds, the mighty acts His singled out your native land for the execu spirit had led His disciples to perform. The tion of a mighty purpose. Through the circumstances that have attended His trium agency of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant I, as the phal progress through the chief cities of the ploughman, have been called upon since the United States and Canada my pen is utterly beginning of my ministry to turn up and incapable of describing. The joys which break its ground. The mighty confirmations THE AMERICAN B A H Á ’1 C O M M U N I T Y 73

that have, in the opening days of your career, friends He was moved to reveal, He unfolded rained upon you have prepared and invigor to their eyes His conception of their spiritual ated its soil. The tribulations you subse destiny, His Plan for the mission He wished quently were made to suffer have driven them to undertake. The seeds His hands had deep furrows into the field which my hands sown He was now watering with that same had prepared. The seeds with which I have care, that same love and patience, which had been intrusted I have now scattered far and characterized His previous endeavors whilst wide before you. Under your loving care, He was laboring in their midst. by your ceaseless exertions, every one of these The clarion call which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had seeds must germinate, every one must yield raised was the signal for an outburst of re its destined fruit. A winter of unprecedented newed activity which, alike in the motives severity will soon be upon you. Its storm- it inspired and the forces it set in motion, clouds are fast gathering on the horizon. America had scarcely experienced. Lending Tempestuous winds will assail you from an unprecedented impetus to the work which every side. The Light of the Covenant will the enterprising ambassadors of the Message be obscured through my departure. These of BaháVlláh had initiated in distant lands, mighty blasts, this wintry desolation, shall this mighty movement has continued to however pass away. The dormant seed will spread until the present day, has gathered burst into fresh activity. It shall put forth momentum as it extended its ramifications its buds, shall reveal, in mighty institutions, over the surface of the globe, and will con its leaves and blossoms. The vernal showers tinue to accelerate its march until the last which the tender mercies of my heavenly wishes of its original Promoter are com Father will cause to descend upon you will pletely fulfilled. enable this tender plant to spread out its Forsaking home, kindred, friends and posi branches to regions far beyond the confines tion a handful of men and women, fired of your native land. And finally the steadily with a zeal and confidence which no human mounting sun of His Revelation, shining in agency can kindle, arose to carry out the jts meridian splendor, will enable this mighty mandate which ťAbdu’l-Bahá had issued. Tree of His Faith to yield, in the fulness of Sailing northward as far as Alaska, pushing time and on your soil, its golden fruit. on to the West Indies, penetrating the South The implications of such a parting message American continent to the banks of the could not long remain unrevealed to ‘Abdu’l- Amazon and across the Andes to the Baha’s initiated disciples. No sooner had He southernmost ends of the Argentine Repub concluded His long and arduous journey lic, pressing on westward into the island of across the American and European contin Tahiti and beyond it to the Australian con ents than the tremendous happenings to tinent and still beyond it as far as New Zea which He had alluded began to be made land and Tasmania, these intrepid heralds manifest. A conflict, such as he had pre of the Faith of BaháVlláh have succeeded dicted, severed for a time all means of com by their very acts in setting to the present munication with those on whom He had generation of their fellow-believers through come to place such implicit trust and from out the East an example which they' may whom He was expecting so much in return. well emulate. Headed by their illustrious The wintry desolation, with all its havoc representative, who ever since the call of and carnage, pursued during four years its ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was raised has been twice relentless course, while He, repairing to the around the world and is still, with marvelous quiet solitude of His residence in the close courage and fortitude, enriching the match neighborhood of Bahá’u’lláh’s hallowed less record of her services, these men and shrine, continued to communicate His women have been instrumental in extending, thoughts and wishes to those whom He had to a degree as yet unsurpassed in Bahá’í his left behind and on whom He had conferred tory, the sway of Bahá’u’lláh’s universal the unique tokens of His favor. In the im dominion. In the face of almost insurmount mortal Tablets which, in the long hours of able obstacles they have succeeded in most His communion with His dearly-beloved of the countries through which they have 74 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

passed or in which they have resided, in pro Faith was born. The potent energies released claiming the teachings of their Faith, in through the ascension of the Center of His circulating its literature, in defending its Covenant crystallized into this supreme, this cause, in laying the basis of its institutions infallible Organ for the accomplishment of and in reinforcing the number of its declared a Divine Purpose. The Will and Testament supporters. It would be impossible for me of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá unveiled its character, re to unfold in this short compass the tale of affirmed its basis, supplemented its principles, such heroic actions. Nor can any tribute of asserted its indispensability, and enumerated mine do justice to the spirit which has en its chief institutions. With that self-same abled these standardbearers of the Religion spontaneity which had characterized her re of God to win such laurels and to confer sponse to the Message proclaimed by Bahd’u’- such distinction on the generation to which lláh America had now arisen to espouse the they belong. cause of the Administration which the Will The Cause of Bahd’u’llah had by that time and Testament of His Son had unmistakably encircled the globe. Its light, born in darkest established. It was given to her, and to her Persia, had been carried successively to the alone, in the turbulent years following the European, the African and the American revelation of so momentous a Document, to continents, and was now penetrating the become the fearless champion of that Ad heart of Australia, encompassing thereby ministration, the pivot of its new-born in the whole earth with a girdle of shining stitutions and the leading promoter of its glory. The share which such worthy, such influence. To their Persian brethren, who stout-hearted, disciples have had in brighten in the heroic age of the Faith had won the ing the last days of ‘Abdu’l-Bahi’s earthly crown of martyrdom, the American be life He alone has truly recognized and can lievers, forerunners of its golden age, were sufficiently estimate. The unique and eternal now worthily succeeding, bearing in their significance of such accomplishments the turn the palm of a hard-won victory. The labors of the rising generation will assuredly unbroken record of their illustrious deeds had reveal, their memory its works will befit- established beyond the shadow of a doubt tingly preserve and extol. How deep a satis their preponderating share in shaping the faction ‘Abdu’l-Bahd must have felt, while destinies of their Faith. In a world writhing conscious of the approaching hour of His with pain and declining into chaos this com departure, as He witnessed the first fruits of munity— the vanguard of the liberating the international services of these heroes of forces of BaháVlláh—succeeded in the years His Father’s Faith! To their keeping He following ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s passing in raising had committed a great and goodly heritage. high above the institutions established by its In the twilight of His earthly life He could sister communities in East and West what rest content in the serene assurance that such may well constitute the chief pillar of that able hands could be relied upon to preserve future House— a House which posterity will its integrity and exalt its virtue. regard as the last refuge of a tottering The passing of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, so sudden in civilization. the circumstances which caused it, so In the prosecution of their task neither the dramatic in its consequences, could neither whisperings of the treacherous nor the impede the operation of such a dynamic virulent attacks of their avowed enemies force nor obscure its purpose. Those fervid were allowed to deflect them from their high appeals, embodied in the Will and Testament purpose or to undermine their faith in the of a departed Master, could not but confirm sublimity of their calling. The agitation its aim, define its character and reinforce provoked by him who in his incessant and the promise of its ultimate success. sordid pursuit of earthly riches would have, Out of the pangs of anguish which His but for ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s warning, sullied the bereaved followers have suffered, amid the fair name of their Faith, had left them in heat and dust which the attacks launched the main undisturbed. Schooled by tribula by a sleepless enemy had precipitated, the tion and secure within the stronghold of Administration of Bahd’u’lldh’s invincible their fast evolving institutions they scorned THE AMERICAN B A H Á ’Í COMMUNITY 75

his insinuations and by their unswerving unsullied, their heritage unimpaired. A series loyalty were able to shatter his hopes. They of magnificent accomplishments, each more refused to allow any consideration of the significant than the previous, were to shed admitted prestige and past services of his increasing lustre on an already illustrious father and of his associates to weaken their record. In the dark years immediately fol determination tp ignore entirely the person lowing ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s ascension their deeds whom ‘Abdu’l-Baha had so emphatically shone with a radiance that made them the condemned. The veiled attacks with which a object of the envy and the admiration of handful of deluded enthusiasts subsequently the less privileged among their brethren. The sought in the pages of their periodical to entire community, u n t r a m m e l l e d and check the growth and blight the prospects supremely confident, was rising to a great of an infant Administration had likewise and glorious opportunity. The forces that failed to achieve their purpose. The attitude had motivated its birth, that had assisted in which a besotted woman -later on assumed, its rise, were now accelerating its growth, her ludicrous assertions, her boldness in flout in a manner and with such rapidity that ing the Will of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and in chal neither the pangs of a worldwide sorrow nor lenging its authenticity and her attempts to the unceasing convulsions of a distracted subvert its principles were again powerless age could paralyze its efforts or retard its to produce the slightest breach in the ranks march. of its valiant upholders. The treacherous Internally the community had embarked schemes which'the ambition of a perfidious in a number of enterprises that were to en and still more recent enemy has devised and able it on the one hand to extend still further through which he is still striving to deface the scope of its spiritual jurisdiction and on ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s noble handiwork and corrupt the other to fashion the essential instruments its administrative principles are being once for the creation and consolidation of the in more completely frustrated. These intermit stitutions which such an extension impera tent and abortive attempts on the part of its tively demanded. Externally, its undertak assailants to force the surrender of the newly ings were inspired by the twofold objective built stronghold of the Faith its defenders of prosecuting, even more intensely than have from the very beginning utterly dis before, the admirable work which in each dained. No matter how fierce the assaults of the five continents its international teach of the enemy or skilful his stratagem they ers had initiated, and of assuming an increas have refused to yield one jot or one tittle of ing share in the handling and solution of the their cherished convictions. His insinuations delicate and complex problems with which and clamor they have consistently ignored. a newly-emancipated Faith was being con The motives which animated his actions, the fronted. The birth of the Administration in methods he steadily pursued, the precarious that continent had signalized these praise privileges he seemed momentarily to enjoy worthy exertions. Its gradual consolidation they could not but despise. Thriving for a was destined to insure their continuance and time through the devices which their schem to accentuate their effectiveness. ing minds had conceived and supported by To enumerate only the most outstanding the ephemeral advantages which fame, ability accomplishments which, in their own coun or fortune can confer these notorious ex try and beyond its confines, have so greatly ponents of corruption and heresy have suc enhanced the prestige of the American be ceeded in protruding for a time their ugly lievers and have redounded to the glory and features only to sink, as rapidly as they had honor of the Most Great Name is all I can risen, into the mire of an ignominious end. presently undertake, leaving to future gen From the midst of these afflictive trials, erations the task of explaining their import reminiscent in some of their aspects of the and of affixing a fitting estimate to their violent storm that had accompanied the birth value. To the body of their elected represen of the Faith in their native land, the Ameri tatives must be attributed the honor of hav can believers had again triumphantly ing been the first among their sister Assem emerged, their course undeflected, their fame blies of East and West to devise, promulgate 76 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

and legalize the essential instruments for the right to an independent religious status? effective discharge of their collective duties "The Commission,” is the resolution passed — instruments which every properly consti by the Permanent Mandates Commission of tuted Baha’i community must regard as a the League of Nations, "recommends that pattern worthy to be adopted and copied. the Council should ask the British Govern To their efforts must likewise be ascribed the ment to make representations to the ‘Iráqí historic achievement of establishing their Government with a view to the immediate national endowments upon a permanent and redress of the denial of justice from which unassailable basis and of creating the neces the petitioners (the Bahd’i Spiritual Assem sary agency for the formation of those sub bly of Baghdad) have suffered.” Has any sidiary organs whose function is to adminis one else except an American believer been ter on behalf of their trustees such posses led to obtain from royalty such remarkable sions as these may acquire beyond the limits and repeated testimonies to the regenerating of their immediate jurisdiction. By the power of the Faith of God, such striking weight of their moral support so freely ex references to the universality of its teachings tended to their Egyptian brethren they were and the sublimity of its mission. "The Bahd’i able to remove some of the most formidable teaching,” such is the Queen’s written testi obstacles which the Faith had to surmount mony, "brings peace and understanding. It in its struggle to enfranchise itself from the is like a wide embrace gathering together all fetters of Muslim orthodoxy. Through the those who have long searched for words of effective and timely intervention of these hope. It accepts all great Prophets gone be same elected representatives they were able fore, it destroys no other creeds and leaves to avert the woes and dangers which had all doors open. Saddened by the continual menaced their persecuted fellow-workers in strife amongst believers of many confessions the Soviet Republics, and to ward off the and wearied of their intolerance towards each rage which had threatened with immediate other, I discovered in the Bahd’i teaching ruin one of the most precious and noblest the real spirit of Christ so often denied and of Bahd’i institutions. Nothing short of the misunderstood: Unity instead of strife, whole-hearted assistance, whether moral or Hope instead of condemnation, Love instead financial which the American believers, in of hate, and a great reassurance for all men.” dividually and collectively, were moved to Have not the American adherents of the extend on several occasions to the needy and Faith of Bahd’u’llah, through the courage harassed among their brethren in Persia could displayed by one of the most brilliant mem have saved these hapless victims of the con bers of their community, been instrumental sequences of the calamities that had visited in paving the way for the removal of those them in the years following ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s barriers which have, for well-nigh a century, ascension. It was the publicity which the hampered the growth and crippled the energy efforts of their American brethren had cre of their fellow-believers in Persia? Is it not ated, the protests they were led to make, the America who, ever mindful of ‘Abdu’lappeals and petitions they had submitted, Baha’s passionate entreaty, has sent out to which mitigated these sufferings and curbed the ends of the earth a steadily increasing the violence of the worst and most tyranni number of its most consecrated citizens— cal opponents of the Faith in that land. Who men and women the one wish of whose lives else, if not one of their most distinguished is to consolidate the foundations of Bahá’u’- representatives, has risen to force upon the lláh’s world-embracing dominion? In the attention of the highest Tribunal the world northernmost capitals of Europe, in most of has yet seen the grievances which a Faith, its central states, throughout the Balkan robbed of one of its holiest sanctuaries, had Peninsula, along the shores of the African, suffered at the hand of the usurper? Who the Asiatic and South American continents else has succeeded in securing, through are to be found this day a small band of patient and persistent effort, those written women pioneers who, singlehanded and with affirmations which proclaim the justice of a scanty resources, are toiling for the advent persecuted cause and tacitly recognize its of the Day ‘Abdu’l-Baha has foretold. Did THE AMERICAN B A H Á ’Í COMMUNITY 77

not the attitude of the Greatest Holy Leaf, qu’l-Adhkdr— the crowning glory of Ameri as she approached the close of her life, bear ca’s past and present achievements—has eloquent testimony to the incomparable share forged that mystic chain which is to link, which her steadfast and self-sacrificing more firmly than ever, the hearts of its lovers in that continent have had in lighten champion-builders with Him Who is the ing the burden which had weighed so long Source and Center of their Faith and the and so heavily on her heart? And finally Object of their truest adoration? who can be so bold as to deny that the com Shoghi . pletion of the superstructure of the Mashri- April 21, 1933 T H E BAHA'I F A I T H C O M ES TO AMERICA O n SEPTEMBER 23rd, 1893, while the terially a single unit? And now the Ameri western hemisphere, by the Columbian Expo can continent, freed from Europe and united sition commemorated its own discovery, it in itself, was beginning to feel its kinship heard for the first time the Word of God with the whole. That newly awakened con as revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. At that moment sciousness is implicit in all that is written the keynote for a new order was struck in about the World’s Columbian Exposition. the West aiid America began to learn her As early as 1890, Charles C. Bonney, not destiny. content with the celebration of material Culturally, the nation as a whole was very achievement at the exposition, conceived the crude.' In New England that strange flower idea of inaugurating a series of congresses ing of the mind and spirit centered in the which would set forth the social, political, Transcendentalists was declining: Emerson artistic, and religious aspirations of the age, and Alcott were both dead, and the spirit of and at his suggestion, an auxiliary to the their thinking, although it had been dissem fair was formed. Two hundred committees inated far beyond New England, was spread began working on the project, and the State very thin. The rest of this vast nation was Department of the United States govern still preoccupied with the material problem ment included in its announcement to the of wresting an increasingly rich livelihood world the following significant statement: from the blood and bones of the earth. The "Among the great themes which the con Middle West, later to be called by ‘Abdu’l- gresses are expected to consider are the fol Bahá the heart of the continent, was only lowing: The grounds of fraternal union in beginning to look up from its exhausting the language, literature, domestic life, re pioneer labors and to yearn for the reward ligion, science, art, and civil institutions of of those labors—beauty. different peoples; the economic, industrial, To the young men and women crudely and financial problems of the age; educa nurtured on prairie farms or in rude tional systems, their advantages and their struggling villages, the World’s Fair was a defects, and the means by which they may dream city, a heaven set down in the mud best be adapted to the recent enormous in and toil of their everyday lives. It is almost crease in all departments of knowledge; the impossible to estimate the stimulation which practicability of a common language for use that incredible vision exercised upon the in the commercial relations in the civilized spirits of the sons and daughters of the world; international copyright and the laws pioneers. Here was unbelievable beauty, not of intellectual property and commerce; im remote and imagined, but solid and concrete migration and naturalization laws and the before them. A whole new range of possi proper international privileges of alien gov bilities was opened to them. ernments and subjects and citizens; the most But they were of a race which reveled in efficient and advisable means of preventing possibilities. The American people, fresh or decreasing pauperism, insanity, and crime, from the tremendous tasks of conquering and of increasing productive ability, pros itself and its environment, young, lusty, full perity, and virtue throughout the world; of confidence, reached out to embrace the international law as a bond of union and a world. This fair was a World’s Fair. The means of mutual protection, and how it may very reason for its being was one which had best be enlarged, perfected, and authorita global significance. For was not the voyage tively expressed; the establishment of the of Columbus the essential act which was in principles of judicial justice as the supreme the course of time to make the globe ma law of international relations and the general THE B A H A ’I F A I T H COMES TO AMERICA 79

substitution of arbitration for war in the the platform, beneath the waving flags of settlement of international controversies.” many nations. In the center of the company, By 1893 the two hundred committees had and seated in the huge chair of curiously brought their plans to fruition. Between wrought iron, was His Eminence James May 15 th and October 20th of that year, (Cardinal) Gibbons, magnificent in his robes twenty departmental congresses met, with of red; on the right sat the priests of the two hundred congresses under them. Of Celestial Empire in their long flowing gar these meetings, the most celebrated was the ments of white; on the left were the patri Congress of Religions, the first of its kind archs of the old Greek Church, wearing and in many ways unique. strangely formed hats, somber cassocks of It opened on the morning of September black, and leaning on ivory sticks carved 11th with ten strokes of the "new Liberty with figures representing ancient rites . . . Bell,” which bore the inscription: "A new The Chinese secretary of legation wore the commandment I give unto you that ye love robes of a mandarin; the high priest of the one another,” each stroke of the bell denoting state religion of Japan was arrayed in flowing one of the ten religious organizations repre robes, presenting the colors of the rainbow. sented. In the Hall of Columbus, a part of Buddhist monks were attired in garments of the Memorial Art Palace on the shores of white and yellow; an orange turban and Lake Michigan (now the Chicago Art In robe made the Brahman conspicuous; the stitute) four thousand people awaited for Greek Archbishop of Zante, from whose the representatives of the great religions of high head-gear there fell to the waist a the world to take their places. A contem black veil, was brilliant in purple robe and porary account describes the scene: black cassock, and glittering as to his breast "The mass of people was so wonderfully in chains of gold . . .” quiet that the fluttering of wings was heard The historic assembly was called to order when a tiny bird flew through an open win by President Bonney, and sudderily, "from dow and over the vacant platform. The the great organ in the gallery, broke forth organist played 'Jerusalem the Golden’ in to the strains of 'Old Hundred,’ the inspir the interval of waiting, and the triumphant ing measures strains fitly expressed the feeling of many From all that dwell beneath the skies intensely expectant hearts. Let the Creator’s praise arise. "At the appointed hour . . . the crowds in the right-hand aisle of the auditorium ". . . After the song had died away, a parted in quiet step, and two and two the moment’s silence, which the uplifted hand royal delegates of the one Great King, of Cardinal Gibbons sustained, then his voice escorted by the managers of the parliament, began: 'Our Father, who art in heaven,’ and came slowly into view. Heading the pro was lost in the rush of voices which followed cession, and arm in arm, were President Bon- the well-known universal prayer. The ney and Cardinal Gibbons, following whom supreme moment of the 19th century was came Mrs. Potter Palmer and Mrs. Charles reached. Africa, Europe, America, and the Henrotin. Next in order, moved a stately isles of the sea, together called Him Father. column, composed of men of many tongues, This harmonious use of the Lord’s Prayer of many lands, of many races; disciples of by Jews, Mohammedans, Buddhists, Brah Christ, of Mohammed, of Buddha, of Brah mans, and all divisions of Christians, seemed ma, of Confucius, in the name of the com a rainbow of promise pointing to the time mon God, for the glorification of the Father. when the will of God will 'bé done on earth The sight was most remarkable. There were as it is done in heaven’.” strange robes, turbans and tunics, crosses For seventeen days the Congress met to and crescents, flowing hair and tonsured discuss religion and the religions from almost heads. The representatives marched down every point of view: Widely divergent ideas the center aisle, and amid the cheer that on "revelation, immortality, the incarnation welled up from the hearts of 4,000 men and of God, the universal elements in religion, women, took their seats in triple rows upon the ethical unity of different religious sys- 80 THE BAHÁ1 CENTENARY

terns, the relations of religion to morals, mar Beha Allah, the 'Glory of God’—the head riage, education, science, philosophy, evolu of that vast reform party of Persian Moslems tion, music, labor, government, peace and who accept the New Testament as the word war, and many other themes of absorbing of God, and Christ as the deliverer of men, interest” were set forth freely, and for the who regard all natives [sic] as one, and all most part a spirit of harmony, or at least of men as brothers. Three years ago he was tolerance, prevailed, interrupted by only a visited by a Cambridge scholar, and gave few harsh, discordant notes. But it was the utterance to sentiments so noble, so Christthirteenth day, the 23 rd of September, out like, that we repeat them as our closing of which was to come (all unknown to its words: participants) the fulfillment of all the hopes " 'That all nations should become one in of the Parliament. For on that day BaháV- faith, and all men as brothers; that the bonds lláh spoke to the religions of the world and of affection and unity between the sons of so provided that creative germ which would men should be strengthened; that diversity eventually unite them all. of religion should [sic], and differences of When Rabbi Joseph Silverman had spoken race, be annulled; what harm is there in this? briefly on misconceptions about the Jew, Yet so it shall be. These fruitless strifes, closing with the hope that the true brother these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the hood of man would speedily be realized, "in 'most great peace’ shall come. which there shall be no distinction as to "Do not you in Europe need this also? nationality or creed,” the Rev. Dr. Henry "Let not a man glory in this, that he loves H. Jessup of Beirut, Syria, rose to speak. His his country; let him rather glory in this, subject was "The Religious Mission of the that he loves his kind’.” English-Speaking Nations.” He pointed out In this simple statement, having the ac that, by their history, their geographical cent of authority, nay, even of command, position, their political principles, and their the vexed questions were all solved—the moral and religious history (which, in the crooked made straight and the rough places light of some of the foregoing addresses, he plain. For behind these words lay the vol seems to have over-estimated), the English- uminous Writings which constitute the speaking nations were in a position to uplift Revelation of God for this age, the educa and enlighten the world and to bring about tion needed for the regeneration of the international arbitration. "This, then, is our world. In them Bahá’u’lláh had shown the mission: That we who are made in the image way to national and racial unity. He was of God should remember that all men are the union of religions. And behind His made in God’s image. To this divine knowl Writings, in the mysterious recesses of the edge we owe all we are, all we hope for. We Divine Will, was already moving the Power are rising gradually toward that image and which was to bring into being, after suf we owe to our fellow men to aid them in fering undreamed of then, a new order of returning to it in the glory of God and the life for mankind. And the world discovered beauty of holiness. It is a celestial privilege by Columbus was already destined to be and with it comes a high responsibility. come its inaugurator. From this responsibility there is no escape.” As the Parliament of Religions drew to a And then, at the end of his address, the close, its participants were conscious of a high, the supreme moment of the Congress, great exaltation, a feeling that something Rev. Jessup spoke those words in which momentous had occurred, something which America heard for the first time the Creative they tried, on that last evening, to express, Word of the New Age. I quote (exactly as using terms more significant than they knew. it was recorded) the end of Rev. Jessup’s One said: "By this parliament the city of talk: Chicago has placed herself far away above "In the palace of Behjeh, or Delight, just all the cities of the earth. In this school you outside the fortress of Acre on the Syrian have learned what no other town or city in coast, there died a few months since a the world yet knows. The conventional idea famous Persian sage—the Babi saint, named of religion which obtains among Christians THE BA H Á ’Í F A I T H COMES TO AMERICA 81

‘Abdu’l-Baha.

the world over is that Christianity is true, "Then this is Pentecost, and behind is the all other religions false . . . You know better, conversion of the world.” and ^vdth clear light and strong assurance Another said: "Fathers of the contempla can testify that there may be friendship tive East; sons of the executive West—be instead of antagonism between religion and hold how good and how pleasant it is for religion, that so surely as God is our common brethren to dwell together in unity. The Father, our hearts alike have yearned for New Jerusalem, the city of God, is descend Him, and our souls in devoutest moods have ing, heaven and earth chanting the eternal caught whispers of grace dropped from His hallelujah chorus.” throne. ‘A B D U 'L -B A H A I N A M E R I C A I t WAS a long, long trip. The more we Bahá’u’lláh; that each one of you may be traveled, the greater seemed the expanse of come like a clear lamp of crystal from which the sea. The weather was brilliant and fine the rays of the bounties of the Blessed Per throughout; there was no storm and no end fection may shine forth to all nations and to the sea.” peoples. This is My highest aspiration. . . . A t last the American Bahá’ís were hearing "I am very happy to meet you all here to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s voice, seeing Him there be day. Praise be to God that your faces are fore them. It was the afternoon of April shining with the love of BaháVlláh! To be 11, 1912; they had met His ship in the hold them is the cause of great spiritual morning, and now they gathered to welcome happiness. We have arranged to meet you Him at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. every day at the homes of the friends. Kinney, 780 West End Avenue, in New "In the East people were asking Me, 'Why York. They had thronged the rooms, so do you undertake this long voyage? Your that many had to stand; and He had begun body cannot endure such hardships of travel.’ to address them: When it is necessary, My body can endure "How are you? Welcome! Welcome! everything. It has withstood forty years of "A fter arriving today, although weary imprisonment and can still undergo the with travel, I had the utmost longing and utmost trials. yearning to see you and could not resist this "I will see you again. Now I will greet meeting. Now that I have met you all My each one of you personally. It is My hope weariness has vanished, for your meeting is that you will all be happy and that we may the cause of spiritual happiness. meet again and again.” "I was in Egypt and was not feeling well; ‘Abdu’l-Baha now shook hands with each but I wished to come to you in America. one, and left for the Hotel Ansonia. My friends said: 'This is a long journey; the He had been a prisoner most of His life. sea is wide; You should remain here.’ But Born in Tihrán, Írán, on May 23, 1844, at the more they advised and insisted* the great the age of eight He was one of that little er My longing to take this trip and now I band of exiles who crossed the íránian bor have come to America to meet the friends der, going toward Baghdád. With them He of God. This long voyage will prove how was exiled from prison to prison, and con great is My love for you. There were many fined at last in the fortress-city of ‘Akká, on troubles and vicissitudes but in the thought August 31, 1868. Forty years passed; then of meeting you, all these things vanished the Sultán, ‘Abdu’l-Hamid, fell; on August and were forgotten. 31, 1908, the gates of ‘Akká were flung "I am greatly pleased with the city of open and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá went free. He was New York. Its harbor entrance, its piers, sixty-four, He had lived forty years in a buildings and broad avenues are magnificent place where the air broke men and killed and beautiful. Truly this is a wonderful them, and there was no pain that had not city. As New York has made such progress struck at His heart. He was free now, but in material civilization, I hope that it may He could not rest. He saw mankind on the advance spiritually in the kingdom and cove brink of war; He saw the passing of the old nant of God so that the friends here may world, and He came West, to lay the founda become the cause of illumination of Amer tion of the new. In 1911, He brought the ica; that this city may become the city of teachings of His Father, Baháhťlláh, to love and that the fragrances of God may be Europe. Returning to Egypt, He then spread from this place to all parts of the sailed for the United States, where He trav world. I have come for this. I pray that eled and taught from April 11 to December you may be manifestations of the love of 5, 1912. ‘A B D U ’ L - B A H Á IN AMERICA 83

% His fellow-travelers on the steamship trouble! If war can be gotten rid of, all Cedric, of the White Star Line, spoke with these troubles will disappear . . . However, Him, inquiring as to His mission. To one, this cannot be brought into existence except the owner of an American newspaper, through the education of the people and the ‘Abdu’l-Bahd said: "I am going to America development of their thought and ideas.” at the invitation of the Peace Congresses of The docking of the Cedric in New York that place, as the fundamental principles of with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá aboard was the direct our Cause are universal peace, the oneness of fulfillment of the words of a man of Shíráz, the world of humanity and the equality of who, sixty-eight years before, at the very the rights of men. As this age is the age of hour of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s birth, had proclaimed lights and the century of mysteries, this the coming of a great world Teacher. For great object is sure to be universally ac sixty-two years now the Báb had lain dead, knowledged and this Cause is certain to Persian bullets in His breast. But out of encompass the East and the West.” A Persia a young nobleman had arisen, and had woman, member of the Unitarian faith, brought a world Faith. They had seized His asked Him to give her a message for the Uni jewels and palaces, they had closed Him in an tarians. He answered her: "The most im underground pit, and hemmed Him in with portant of all purposes is to diffuse divine guards. They had killed His followers, and love, amity and accord among the people not dared to kill Him, and they had exiled . . . hence tell your Assembly: Rejoice, the Him from one land to another, and the Sháh standard of the kingdom of heaven is hoisted! of Persia and the Sultán of Turkey had used Rejoice, the divine springtime has appeared! all their power to shut back the words that Rejoice, the Proclaimer of the kingdom has came from His lips. And He, Bahá’u’lláh, raised His voice!” On April 8 and thereafter had established His Faith. He had revealed greetings and welcome were wirelessed to new laws, suited to future world civilization, the ship by Baha’i communities from coast based on that oneness of the human race and to coast. On April 11, crowds of Baha’is that coming of age of mankind, which His stood at the pier, waving hats and handker advent proclaimed; He had regenerated and chiefs, while the Cedric docked. As soon as brought into harmony the religions of the the gangplank was lowered, newspapermen past; He had provided for agencies to safe went aboard to interview ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; they guard His new World Order. And whereas asked the object of His voyage and He said: before, once the Founder of a Faith had "Our object is universal peace and the unity passed away, His followers turned one of mankind. . . . I have come to America to against another and destroyed the unity that see the advocates of universal peace. I hope He had created—Bahá’u’lláh with His own the Peace Congresses of America will come hand appointed an Exemplar, an Interpreter, forward and take the first practical step.” so that Bahá’ís the world over were bound They questioned: "How can universal peace by their devotion to His eldest son, ‘Abdu’lbe realized?” He said: "Its realization de Bahá. "The promise,” wrote Bahá’u’lláh, pends upon affecting a change in the ideas of "the promise of all ages is now fulfilled. the inhabitants of the world. Today, univer That which had been announced in the holy sal peace is the panacea for all human ills.” writ of God, the Beloved, the Most High, is "What are those ills?” "One of those ills made manifest.” is the restlessness and discontent of the peo ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, standard-bearer of the civil ple under the yoke of the war expenditures ization of the future, set foot in the United of the Powers of the world. What the people States, prototype of the future federation of earn through labor is extorted from them by mankind. In every city, on every train, the governments and spent for war purposes. people crowded close to Him. In New York . . . Thus the burden on men is becoming City alone, during the seventy-nine days He more and more unbearable . . .” The re spent there, He made public addresses in, or porters asked, "May not peace lead to trouble formal visits to, fifty-five different places. and may not war help progress?” He an- His rooms were filled with visitors wherever I swered, "No. Today war is the cause of all He went, all day long, from early in the 84 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

‘Abdu’l-Bahá on Grounds of House of Worship, May 1, 1912.

morning. Philosophers, scientists, ecclesias men, and all races, and all faiths—ever to be tics, social workers, educators, diplomats, raised in the western hemisphere. were found in His audiences, intently listen When, in 1937, Baha’is throughout the ing to Him, studying His presentation of the country commemorated in numberless gath Baha’i teachings as the means of regenerat erings the twenty-fifth anniversary of 'Abding and unifying humanity. Everywhere in u’l-Bahá’s coming to the United States, a editorial comment and publication of news special meeting was held in the Temple, concerning Him, the daily press was reverent marking the arrival of ‘Abdu’l-Baha in New and respectful. He addressed Columbia and York, April 11, 1912; on this occasion rep Leland Stanford Universities; He attended resentatives of many groups that had been conferences at Lake Mohonk, visited the addressed by Him during His journey, joined open forum at Green Acre, Eliot, Maine, with the Baha’is to do Him honor. Among spoke before scientific associations, socialistic the guest speakers, Mrs. Dorothy Bushnell bodies, welfare organizations. Temples and Blumberg, President of the Chicago Branch churches, synagogues, women’s clubs, col of the Women’s International League for leges, metaphysical groups—willingly opened Peace, said in effect that thinking people, as their doors to His message. He was guest of they see the increase of material comfort and honor in leading mansions throughout the security, do not wish the achievement of country, and He visited as well the homes of these ends to be made at the cost of spiritual the very poor. He addressed Bowery Mis values; that a new age of cosmopolitanism is sion, in the slums of New York. He spoke upon us, whose ultimate outcome will be a with all types of men and women; children world race and culture; that those of us who of all races clung to Him. And never, in all believe in the oneness of the human race are His traveling and teaching, did He accept fortunate, and must strive for the enlighten remuneration, for His service was given ment of the many who will resist the onward without price. march of cosmopolitanism. By the shore of the Lake near Chicago, Mr. Albert Windust, Chairman, then read ‘Abdu’l-Bahd laid the foundation-stone of a from \Abdu’l-Bahá’s address before the New great Temple; the first world temple, the York Peace Society, in part as follows: "To first sanctuary for all sorts and conditions of day, there is no greater glory for man than

M ‘A B D U ’ L - B A H Á IN AMERICA 85

that of service in the cause of the 'Most new Springtime of faith . . . They come Great Peace* . . . His Holiness Baha’u’lldh forth to enkindle the dormant fires in the was imprisoned and subjected to severe perse souls of men, to point out once more the cutions . . . Through all these ordeals He guiding star rising on the horizon of a new strove day and night to proclaim the oneness humanity. Such are the Masters of Wisdom, of humanity and promulgate the message of and Compassion, manifestations of the om universal peace. From the prison of ‘Akká nipotent Love, the Holy Spirit. He addressed the kings and rulers of the "To this saintly lineage do belong Bahd*- earth in lengthy letters summoning them to u’lláh, the Splendor of God, and ‘Abdu’linternational agreement and explicitly stat Bahá, the Servant of God. They have ing that the standard of the 'Most Great brought before the eyes of men, amidst a di Peace* would surely be upraised in the vided world, the principles of the Unity of world.” Mankind; and in the midst of so many sects, Another guest, Mr. A. C. MacNeal, Presi the salutary doctrine of the common foun dent of the Chicago Branch of the National dation of all forms of religion in the mani Association for the Advancement of Colored festation of the Holy Spirit; and amidst the People, quoted from the address given by contentious social and economical conflicts ‘Abdu’l-Bahd before the Fourth Annual of our epoch they remind us of our obliga Conference of the National Association for tion to do some fruitful labor in the spirit of the Advancement of Colored People: "Ac service, of the need of voluntary sharing of cording to the words of the Old Testament, our wealth with others to foster universal God has said: 'Let us make man in our image, peace and that we may realize the brother after our likeness.’ This indicates that . . . hood of men. the perfections of God, the divine virtues, "Knowing and without stint admiring are reflected or revealed in the human reality those principles, when ‘Abdu’l-Bahd set foot . . . This is an evidence that man is the in the United States the Theosophical So most noble of God’s creatures . . . Let us ciety bestowed on Him the gracious hos now discover more specifically how he is the pitality of its platform. He was a Teacher image and likeness of God, and what is the and a brother, He had our heartfelt welcome. standard, or criterion, by which he can be "The achievements of Bahá*ism in this measured and estimated. The standard can country so magnificently embodied in this be no other than the divine virtues which are Baha’i House of Worship, are proclaiming revealed in him . . . If a man possesses the satisfaction that so many souls find in wealth, can we call him an image and like the beauty, the truth and transcendence of ness of God? Or is human honor and noto the teachings flowing from this wellspring of riety the criterion of divine nearness? Can Wisdom. we apply the test of racial color and say that "In behalf of the Theosophical Society of man of a certain hue—white, black, brown, America, and at the request of its President, yellow, red—is the true image of his Cre I tender to you, with our congratulations, ator? We must conclude that color is not our cordial wishes for the spiritual prosperity the standard . . . for color is accidental in of Bahd’ism, for we are one in our endeavors nature. The spirit and intelligence of man of spiritualizing the world.” is the essential. . . . Man is not man simply In introducing this speaker, the Chairman because of bodily attributes. The character had remarked that one of the outstanding and purity of the heart is all important.” addresses of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd in Chicago was A third speaker, Mr. Brenes-Mesén, repre that delivered before the Theosophical So senting the President of the Theosophical So ciety, on which occasion He had said: "In ciety, conveyed to the Bahd’is the following the matrix of the mother, we were the re message: "Out of the Morning of Eternity, cipients of endowments and blessings of God, where infinite Wisdom and all embracing yet these were as nothing compared to the Love abide, at intervals, when duty weakens powers and graces bestowed upon us after and nations decline, splendorous souls come birth into this human world. Likewise if we to this earth again to grace mankind with a are born from the matrix of this physical 86 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

. . . environment into the freedom and terialistic system, she knew: 'Justice can only loftiness of the life and vision spiritual, we be worked out upon this earth by those who shall consider this mortal existence and its will not tolerate a wrong to the feeblest blessings as worthless by comparison.” member of the community’. An extract from the address of ‘Abdu’l- "Both our great leaders have gone on but Bahá to the Plymouth Congregational we recognize in them the spirit which can Church was now read, in part as follows: reclaim the world.” "In our solar system the center of illumina The Chairman called attention to the fact tion is the sun itself . . . the one source of that ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s first public address in the existence and development of all phe Chicago was delivered at Hull-House, and nomenal things . . . But if we reflect deeply quoted from that address: "There is need of we will perceive that the great bestower and a superior power to overcome human preju giver of life is God; the sun is the intermedi dices; a power which nothing in the world of ary of His will and plan . . . Likewise, in mankind can withstand. . . . That irresisti the spiritual realm . . . there must be a cen ble power is the love of God.” ter of illumination, and that center is . . . In introducing the next speaker, Mr. Allen the Word of God . . . the prophet or mani B. McDaniel, of Washington, D. C., member festation of God . . .” Following this, of the National Spiritual Assembly of the guest-speaker Mr. Kennicott Brenton, House Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, the Secretary and Resident of Hull-House, rep Chairman read from the words of ‘Abdu’lresenting Mrs. Kenneth F. Rich, Resident Bahá delivered at All-Souls Church: "In Head of the famous institution founded by Persia, His Holiness Baha’u’llah was able to Jane Addams— spoke as follows: unite people of varying thought, creed and "Hull-House is deeply aware of its honor denomination. The inhabitants of that in being invited to join with you in honoring country were Christians, Muhammadans, your departed leader. In this we recognize Jews, Zoroastrians, and a great variety of an inner significance. Both this wonderful sub-divided forms and beliefs, together with temple and our busy, homely group of class racial distinctions, such as Semitic, Arabic, rooms and workshops are expressions of the Persian, Turk, and others, but through the same life principle. In yours is a realization power and efficacy of religion, Baha’u’llah of world unity; ours of the common interest united these differing peoples, and caused uniting neighborhoods and races, ignoring them to consort together in perfect agree religious and class barriers. Throughout his ment. And now let us consider that the tory, the spirit of discord has been able to American, British, French, Germans, Turks, 'divide and rule5. Man’s pattern has made Persians, Arabs, are all . . . members of the him peculiarly susceptible to factional loyal same household. Why should dissension exist ties. We have seen how love of country and among them? . . . There is no doubt that adherence to group loyalties can even lead to the only cause is ignorance. . . .” Mr. self-destruction. . . . Hull-House and the McDaniel then spoke on "The Gathering of things which it has done for the betterment the Peoples and Nations,” ably epitomizing of its neighbors were possible only because it the excerpts from ‘Abdu’l-Bahi’s addresses became a rallying point for the combined that had been read throughout the meeting. goodwill of widely separated groups and sec This program, which was followed by a tions. Accomplishment in prevention of reception, closed with the showing of the child labor, sweatshops, bad housing, was motion picture of ‘Abdu’l-Baha: His arrival won by a call to unite the good intention of by automobile at the home of Mr. and Mrs. all factions—never by appeal to factionalism Howard MacNutt in Brooklyn, New York; or strife. His walking and conversing with Persian in "Instead of emphasizing man’s diversity terpreters and others, His greeting the chil of interest, Jane Addams said: 'The things dren present, His delivery, as He strode back which make men alike are finer and better and forth before the large gathering on the than the things that keep them apart’. . . . grounds, of a message of glad-tidings to all Rather than hope for justice from some ma humanity: "Rejoice! . . . The divine Gos- ‘A B D U ’ L - B A H Á IN AMERICA 87

pel has appeared! Rejoice! . . . The Great but He entered on foot, walking briskly, a Day has come! Rejoice! . . . The glad-tid long line of Baha’is following Him. Within ings and prophecies of the Prophets are ful the tent, seats had been placed in three filled! Rejoice . . . The Glory of Carmel circles, with a broad space at the center, has shone on the worlds! Rejoice! . . . reached by nine isles. At high noon, ‘Abdu’l- The East and West have joined hands!” Bahá advanced to the inner circle and spoke: In memory of that other day when ‘Abd- "The power which has gathered you here u’l-Bahd had dedicated the Temple site, the today notwithstanding the cold and windy Bahd’is of the United States and Canada, as weather is indeed mighty and wonderful. It sembled at the Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr for their is the power of God, the divine favor of annual Convention, heard the story of how, Bahá’u’lláh which has drawn you to exactly forty-nine years after Bahá’u’lláh, gether . . . then a captive about to be exiled from Bagh "Thousands of Mashriqu’l-Adhkars for all dad, had declared His mission—‘Abdu’l- religionists will be built in the Orient and Bahá His son had laid the corner-stone of the Occident, but this being the first one erected Baha’i Temple in the heart of the American in the Occident has great importance . . . continent. It has the same importance as the Mashriqu’l- During the evening of His arrival in Chi Adhkár in ‘Ishqábád, Russian Caucasus, the cago, 'Abdu’l-Baha addressed an audience of first one built there. In Persia there are several hundred at the last session of the many; some are houses which have been util Bahi’i Temple Unity, speaking in part as ized for the purpose, others are homes en follows: tirely devoted to the Divine Cause. . . . "The real temple is the very Word of God; But the great 'Dawning-Poinť has been for to it all humanity must turn and it is the founded in ‘Ishqábád. It possesses superla center of unity for all mankind . . . Tem tive importance. . . .” ples are the symbols of the divine uniting Outside the tent, in the woods and fields force, so that when the people gather there along the Lake Shore, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá prepared . . . they may recall the fact that the law for the breaking of the Temple ground; has been revealed foř them and that the law using first a golden trowel presented by Irene is to unite them. . . . That is why His Holi C. Holmes of New York, He then slipped ness Baha’u’llah has commanded that a this back into its leather case, and called for place of worship be built . . . that all re other implements; an ax was brought, then ligions, races and sects may come together a shovel; with these, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and mem within the universal shelter . . . It is the bers of every race and nationality present, Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr (the Dawning-Point of excavated a place to hold the dedication the remembrance of God) . . . For thou stone. As each man or woman came for sands of years the human, race has been at ward, his race or nationality was announced: war. It is enough . . . For thousands of Persia, Syria, Egypt, India, Japan, South years the nations have denied each other, Africa, England, France, Germany, Holland, considering each other as infidel and inferior. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Jews of the It is sufficient . . And He closed with a world, and the North American Indians, prayer for the American nation: "O thou were of those represented; at the end kind Lord! . . . Confirm this revered na ‘Abdu’l-Bahá set the stone in its place, on tion to upraise the standard of the oneness of behalf of all the peoples of the world. And humanity, to promulgate the Most Great He said, "The Temple is already built.” Peace, to become thereby most glorious and Now, within the Temple, those who had praiseworthy among all the nations of the been present that other day were asked to world . . rise; they numbered fifteen. One of them, Then the next day, on the windy shores of Mrs. Nettie Tobin of Chicago, was called the Lake, at Wilmette. They had pitched a upon to tell how she had brought, painfully, tent, large enough for five hundred persons, from far away and as though driven to it, a and had made a Special entry way to the fragment of limestone rock to the Temple grounds for the carriage of ‘Abdu’l-Baha; site, and how this had been chosen by ‘Abd- 88 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

u’l-Bahá as the dedication stone. Mrs. Cor- adopted; and He had shown that the Bahá’í inne True of Wilmette, whose devotion to world system provides the agencies for the the work of building the Temple was com establishing of permanent and universal pared to that of a mother rearing her child, peace. gave a brief message of inspiration, and Dr. It was a clear, not a beautiful day when ‘Alí-Kulí Khán, sent by ‘Abdu’l-Baha to the they gathered on board the steamship Celtic United States in 1901 to spread the Baha’i to take leave of Him. He spoke to each one, teachings, spoke of the work still to be ac distributed to each the flowers that had been complished in completing the outer orna brought. Then He addressed them for the mentation of the Temple, and of the plan last time: drawn up by the Guardian of the Faith, "This is My last meeting with you, for Shoghi Effendi, for the realization of this now I am on board the steamship ready to within the first century of the Baha’i era. sail away. These are My final words of ex This second commemorative gathering, pro hortation. I have repeatedly summoned you gram-chairmen of which were Edna Eastman to the cause of the unity of the world of hu and Albert R. Windust, and further partici manity, announcing that all mankind are the pants, Ruth Randall-Brown, Nina Matthisen, servants of the same God; that God is the and Mountfort Mills, was climaxed by the creator of all; He is the provider and lifedarkening of the auditorium, after which the giver; all are equally beloved by Him and are motion picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was thrown His servants upon whom His mercy and upon the screen. In deep silence, the audi compassion descend. Therefore you must ence watched as the majestic figure of the manifest the greatest kindness and love to Center of the Covenant stood before them; ward the nations of the world, setting aside many had never viewed this scene before, fanaticism, abandoning religious, national, while some were still left who could remem and racial prejudice. ber His face, His walk, and could hear in "The earth is one nativity, one home, and memory His ringing voice. all mankind are the children of one Father. “It is My Purpose,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had said God has created them and they are the re on the day of His arrival in New York, "to cipients of His compassion. Therefore if set forth in America the fundamental prin anyone offends another, he offends God. It ciples of the revelation . . . of Bahá’u’lláh. is the wish of our heavenly Father that every It will then become the duty of the Bahd’is heart should rejoice and be filled with happi in this country to give these principles un- ness; that we should live together with felic foldment and application in the minds, ity and joy. The obstacle to human hap hearts and lives of the people.” During the piness is racial or religious prejudice, the long months of travel, of daily association competitive struggle for existence and in with hundreds of groups and individuals, humanity toward each other. He had spared Himself no hardship in order "Your eyes have been illumined; your ears to give to America this fresh revelation of are attentive, your hearts knowing. You spiritual power, this new Faith, suited to the must be free from prejudice and fanaticism, needs of a new age. Everywhere, at every beholding no differences between the races hour He had taught the principles brought and religions. You must look to God for He by Bahá’u’lláh: that each must search after is the real shepherd and all humanity are His truth for himself; that all races are as one; sheep. He loves them, and loves them that all religions are fundamentally one, and equally. As this is true, should the sheep have as their purpose the establishment of quarrel among themselves? They should harmony; that religion, "the sole . . . basis manifest gratitude and thankfulness toward of . . . an ordered and progressive society,” God, and the best way to thank God is to must go hand-in-hand with science; that love one another. equal opportunities are to be provided for "Beware lest ye offend any heart, lest ye men and women alike; that extremes of speak against anyone in his absence, lest ye wealth and poverty are to be abolished, that estrange yourselves from the servants of an auxiliary international language is to be God. You must consider all His servants as ‘A B D L T L - B A H Á IN AMERICA 89

your own family and kindred. Direct your other, they are still shedding each other’s whole effort toward the happiness of those blood. How heedless and ignorant are the who are despondent, bestow food upon the people of the world! How gross the dark hungry, clothe the needy and glorify the ness which envelops them! Although they humble. Be a helper to every helpless one, are the children of a compassionate God they and manifest kindness to your fellow crea continue to live and to act in opposition to tures in order that ye may attain the good His will and good pleasure. God is loving pleasure of God. This is conducive to the and kind to all men, and yet they show the illumination of the world of humanity and utmost enmity and hatred toward each eternal felicity for yourselves. I seek from other. God is the giver of life to them, God everlasting glory in your behalf; there and yet they constantly seek to destroy fore this is My prayer and exhortation. life. God blesses and protects their homes; “Consider what is happening in the Bal they ravage, sack and destroy each other’s kans. Human blood is being shed, properties homes. Consider their ignorance and héedare destroyed, possessions pillaged, cities and lessness! villages devastated. A world-enkindling fire “Your duty is of another kind for you are is astir in the Balkans. God has created men informed of the mysteries of God. Your eyes to love each other, but instead they kill each are illumined, your ears are quickened with other with cruelty and bloodshed. God has hearing. You must therefore look toward created them that they may cooperate and each other and then toward mankind with mingle in accord, but instead they ravage, the utmost love and kindness. You have no plunder and destroy in the carnage of battle. excuse to bring before God if you fail to live God has created them to be the cause of according to His command, for you are in mutual felicity and peace but instead dis formed of that which constitutes the good cord, lamentation and anguish rise from the pleasure of God. You have heard His com hearts of the innocent and afflicted. mandments and precepts. You must there “As to you, your efforts must be lofty. fore be kind to all men; you must even treat Exert yourselves with heart and soul so that your enemies as your friends. You must perchance through your efforts the light of consider your evil-wishers as your well-wish Universal Peace may shine and this darkness ers. Those who are not agreeable toward you of estrangements and enmity may be dis must be regarded as those who are congenial pelled from amongst men; that all men may and pleasant, so that perchance this darkness become as one family and consort together in of disagreement and conflict may disappear love and kindness; that the East may assist from amongst men and the light of the di the West and the West give help to the East, vine may shine forth; so that the Orient may for all are the inhabitants of one planet, the be illumined and the Occident filled with people of one original nativity and the flocks fragrance; nay, so that East and West may of one shepherd. embrace each other in love and deal with one “Consider how the Prophets who have another in sympathy and affection. Until been sent, the great souls who have appeared man reaches this high station, the world of and the sages who have arisen in the world, humanity shall not find rest and eternal have exhorted mankind to unity and love. felicity shall not be attained. But if man This has been the essence of their mission and lives up to these divine commandments, this teaching. This has been the goal of their world of earth shall be transformed into a guidance and message. The Prophets, saints, world of heaven and this material sphere shall seers and philosophers have sacrificed their be transformed into a paradise of glory. It is lives in order to establish these principles and My hope that you may become successful in teachings amongst men. Consider the heed this high calling, so that like brilliant lamps lessness of the world, for notwithstanding you may cast light upon the world of hu the efforts and sufferings of the Prophets of manity and quicken and stir the body of God, the nations and peoples are still engaged existence like unto a spirit of life. This is in hostility and fighting. Notwithstanding eternal glory. This is everlasting felicity. the heavenly commandments to love one an This is immortal life. This is heavenly at- 90 THE B A H A ’f CENTENARY

tainment. This is being created in the image ‘Abdu’l-Bahd stood on the deck. He was and likeness of God. And unto this I call smiling very faintly, His eyes tender, you, praying to God to strengthen and bless thoughtful, somehow full of sorrow. He you.” waved His hand gently. They knew that they They left the ship and looked up to where would never fail Him, and still they wept.

CITIES OF N O R T H AM ERICA V ISITED BY ‘ABDU’L-BAHA IN 1912

New York, N. Y. West Englewood, N. J. Montreal, Quebec Brooklyn, N. Y. Jersey City, N. J. Minneapolis, Minn. Washington, D. C. Cambridge, Mass. St. Paul, Minn. Baltimore, Md. Boston, Mass. Denver, Colo. Chicago, Illinois Malden, Mass. Oakland, Calif. Kenosha, Wis. Medford, Mass. Palo Alto, Calif. Buffalo, N. Y. Fanwood, N. J. San Francisco, Calif. Cleveland, Ohio Morristown, N. J. Sacramento, Calif. Cincinnati, Ohio Philadelphia, Pa. Los Angeles, Calif. Pittsburgh, Pa. Dublin, N. H. Salt Lake City, Utah Montclair, N. J. Green Acre, Eliot, Maine Pasadena, Calif. ‘A B D U ’ L - B A H Á IN AMERICA Map showing Path of Travel of ‘Abdu’l-Baha in the United States of America and Canada, 1912. \o N>

THE B A H A ’i CENTENARY Un June 28, 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Baha gave a feast on the grounds of the Wilhelm property, West Englewood, New Jersey, for the Baha’is of the New York metropolitan area which He declared marked the spiritual birth of the Faith in North America. PART FOUR

A M E R I C A N BAHA’I C H R O N O L O G Y

1883, December 10—A letter on "The Bábísj 1909, Baha’i Temple Unity, corporate body and Their Prophet” published in th^f representing the American Bahd’is in New York Sun. J the construction of the Temple, was 4 incorporated in Illinois. 1893, September 23—Reference to BaháV- lláh in Address by Dr. Jessup in tfie 1910, March 21— The first number of Baha’i Parliament of Religions, Columbian News was published in Chicago. This Exposition, Chicago. | bulletin later became Star of the West, then The Baha’i Magazine, and is now 1894, Formation of First Baha’i Group iri World Order. America, Chicago. | 1912, April 11— ‘Abdu’l-Baha arrived at 1894, Green Acre founded by Sarah J. F arm -■ New York. er, Eliot, Maine, as a universal plat form for the discussion of religions. 1912, May 1 — ‘Abdu’l-Baha dedicated the Temple grounds. 1897, Mrs. Phoebe Hearst’s party of pilgrims visited ‘Abdu’l-Baha in ‘Akká. 1912, December 5— ‘Abdu’l-Baha departed 1903, A petition was addressed to ‘Abdu’l- from America. Baha signed by all American Baha’is requesting authority to construct a 1921, May 19, 20, 21— Race Amity Confer House of Worship. ences were inaugurated by Mrs. Agnes Parsons in Washington, D. C., under 1903, June 7— ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s Tablet was the direction of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. revealed to the American Baha’is, through the Chicago Assembly, stating 1921, November 28—Ascension of ‘Abdu’lthat the time had come to construct a Baha. Baha’i Temple in America. 1924, December — The first number of 1904, A compilation of Baha’i Writings in Baha’i News Letter, later Baha’i English was prepared and published News, the organ of the National by the Board of Counsel of New York. Spiritual Assembly, was published in New York. 1907, November 26—The first Baha’i Con vention convened in Chicago. 192 5, October 1—A National Baha’i Office 1908, April 9—Chicago Assembly purchased was established by the National Spirit the first lots of the plot of land chosen ual Assembly at Green Acre, Eliot, for the House of Worship at Wilmette, Maine. Illinois. 1926, The Bahd’i Year Book, Volume One, 1908-1909—The Baha’i Publishing Society was published. Later volumes were was founded in Chicago. entitled The Baha’i World . 94 THE B A H Á ’1 C E N T E N A R Y

1927, April 4— The National Spiritual As 193 5, September 27 — The Indenture of sembly adopted its Declaration of Trust executed by Shoghi Effendi Trust. transferring the house at Malden, Massachusetts, bequeathed to him by 1927, The first session of a Bahá’i School was Maria P. Wilson, to trustees for the conducted on the Bosch property, benefit of the National Spiritual As Geyserville, California. sembly, was recorded in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. 1928, November 1 3 — The Indenture of Trust executed by Bahá’i Temple 1935, November 2 5 — The Indenture of Unity transferring the Temple prop Trust executed by John and Louise erty to trustees for the benefit of the Bosch transferring the property used National Spiritual Assembly was re by the Geyserville Baha’i School to corded in Cook County, Illinois. trustees for the benefit of the National Assembly was recorded in Sonoma 1930, January 1— The Indenture of Trust County, California. executed by Green Acre Fellowship transferring the Green Acre property to trustees for the benefit of the N a 193 6, July 1—Appointment of first Intertional Spiritual Assembly was recorded America Committee by the National in York County, Maine. Spiritual Assembly and the beginning of organized and coordinated effort to 1930, May 9— The National Spiritual As establish the Faith in the Republics of sembly of the Bahd’is of the United Central and South America. States and Canada: Palestine Branch, was established as a religious society 1939, October 1—National Baha’i Office es in Palestine. tablished at 536 Sheridan Road, Wil mette, Illinois. 1931, May 1 — The superstructure of the Bahá’i House of Worship was com 1939, October 30—The Indenture of Trust pleted. executed by Mrs. Loulie A. Mathews transferring the property used by the 1931, The first session of a Bahd’i School was International Baha’i School at Pine conducted on the Eggleston property, Valley near Colorado Springs, was re Davison, Michigan. corded in El Paso County, Colorado. 193 5, March 9—An Indenture of Trust was executed by Roy C. Wilhelm transfer 1943, January 8—The exterior ornamenta ring property in West Englewood, tion and circular steps of the House New Jersey, to trustees for the benefit of Worship were completed. of the National Spiritual Assembly for the construction of a Memorial 1944, March 28—Completion of Teaching commemorating the American visit of plan to establish an Assembly in every ‘Abdu’l-Baha. State and Province of North America. AMERICAN B A H Á 5Í CHRONOLOGY 95

This Tablet, revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha to the Baha’i administrative body elected by the Chicago believers, connected the institution with the order which BaháVlláh had directed His followers to establish. T H E F O R M A T IO N OF AN ORGANIC RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY experience, to be taken up and laid down, as I n accepting the message of Bahá’u’lláh, a shopper handling gems on a counter, to every Bahd’i has opened his mind and heart buy if one gem happens to please or seems to the dominion of certain fundamental becoming:—such a definition measures man’s truths. These truths he recognizes as divine own knowledge, or interest, or loyalty, but in origin, beyond human capacity to produce. truth is a living unity which no man can In the realm of spirit he attests that these condition. It is the sun in the heavens of truths are revealed evidences of a higher spiritual reality, while self-will denies its reality than man. They are to the soul what dominion because self-will is the shadow of natural law is to physical body of animal or a cloud. plant. Therefore the believer today, as in There are times for the revelation of a the Dispensation of Christ or Moses, enters larger area of the indivisible truth to man into the condition of faith as a status of re kind. The Manifestation of God signalizes lationship to God and not of satisfaction to the times and He is the revelation. When his own limited human and personal will or He appears on earth He moves and speaks awareness. His faith exists as his participa with the power of all truth, known and un tion in a heavenly world. It is the essence known, revealed in the past, revealed in Him, of his responsibility and not a temporary or to be revealed in the future. That realm compromise effected between his conscience of heavenly reality is brought again in its or reason and the meaning of truth, society, power and universality to knock at the closed virtue, or life. door of human experience, a divine guest The Bahd’i accepts a quality of existence, whose entrance will bless the household eter a level of being which has been created above nally, or a divine punishment when debarred the control of his own active power. Because and forbidden and condemned. on that plane the truth exists that mankind Bahd’u’lldh reveals that area of divine is one, part of his acceptance of the message truth which underlies all human association. of Bahd’u’lldh is capacity to see that truth He enlarges man’s capacity to receive truth as existing, as a heavenly reality to be con in the realm of experience where all men firmed on earth. Because likewise on that have condemned themselves to social chaos higher level the inmost being of Moses, by ignorance of truth and readiness to substi Christ, Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahd’u’lldh tute the implacable will of races, classes, is one being, part of the believer’s acceptance nations and creeds for the pure spiritual of the Baha’i message is capacity to realize radiance beneficently shining for all. Spirit the eternal continuance of that oneness, so ual reality today has become the principle that thereafter never will he again think of of human unity, the law for the nations, those holy and majestic Prophets according the devotion to mankind on which the future to the separateness of their bodies, their civilization can alone repose. As long as men countries and their times. cling to truth as definition, past experience, The Bahd’i, moreover, recognizes that the aspects of self-will, so long must this dire realm of truth is inexhaustible, the creator period of chaos continue when the separate of truth God Himself. Hence the Baha’i fragments of humanity employ life not to can identify truth as the eternal flow of life unite but to struggle and destroy. itself in a channel that deepens and broadens In the world of time, Baha’u’llah has as man’s capacity for truth enlarges from created capacity for union and world civil age to age. For him, that definition of truth ization. His Dispensation is historically new which regards truth as tiny fragments of and unique. In the spiritual world it is noth- ORGANIC RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY 97

ing else than the ancient and timeless reality God in each cycle means the particular aspect of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad disclosed to of experience for which men are held respon the race in a stage of added growth and de sible. Not until our day could there be the velopment so that men can take a larger creation of the principle of moral cause and measure of that which always existed. effect in terms of mankind itself, in terms of Like the man of faith in former ages, the the unifiable world. BaháT has been given sacred truths to cherish The mission of ‘AbduT-Bahá, following in his heart as lamps for darkness and medi BaháVlláh’s ascension in 1892, was to raise cines for healing, convictions of immortality up a community of believers through whom and evidences of divine love. But in addition collectively He might demonstrate the opera to these gifts, the BaháT has that bestowal tion of the law of unity. ‘AbduT-Baha’s which only the Promised One of all ages mission became fulfilled historically in the could bring: nearness to a process of creation experience of the Baha’is of North America. which opens a door of entrance into a world In them He developed the administrative of purified and regenerated human relations. order, the organic society, which exemplifies The final element in his recognition of the the pattern of justice and order Bahá’uTláh message of BaháVlláh is that BaháVlláh had creatively ordained. By His wisdom, came to found a civilization of unity, prog His tenderness, His justice and His complete ress and peace. consecration to BaháVlláh, ‘AbduT-Bahá "O Children of Men! Know ye not why conveyed to this body of BaháTs a sense of We created you all from the same dust? partnership in the process of divine creation: That no one should exalt himself over the that it is for men to re-create, as civilization, other. Ponder at all times how ye were a human and earthly replica of the heavenly created. Since We have created you all order existing in the divine will. from the same substance it is incumbent on The BaháT administrative order has been you to be even as one soul, to walk with the described by the Guardian of the Faith as same feet, eat with the same mouth and the pattern of the world order to be gradu dwell in the same land, that from your in ally attained as the Faith spreads throughout most being, by your deeds and actions, the all countries. Its authority is BaháVlláh, its signs of oneness and the essence of detach sources the teachings He revealed in writing, ment may be made manifest. Such is My with the interpretation and amplification counsel to you, O concourse of light! Heed made by 'AbduT-Bahá. ye this counsel that ye may obtain the The first conveyance of authority by fruit of holiness from the sea of wondrous BaháVlláh was to His eldest son. By this glory.” conveyance the integrity of the teachings Thus He describes the law of survival was safeguarded, and the power of action revealed for the world today, mystical only implicit in all true faith directed into chan in that He addressed these particular words nels of unity for the development of the to our deepest inner understanding. Their Cause in its universal aspects. No prior import is not confined to any subjective Dispensation has ever raised up an instru realm. The motive and the realization He ment like ‘AbduT-Bahá through whom the invokes has become the whole truth of soci spirit and purpose of the Founder could con ology in this era. tinue to flow out in its wholeness and purity Or, as we find its expression in another until His purpose had been achieved. The passage: "All men have been created to carry faith of the BaháT thus remains untainted forward an ever-advancing civilization.” by those elements of self-will which in And the truth reappears in still another previous ages have translated revealed truth form: "How vast is the tabernacle of the into creeds, rites and institutions of human Cause of God! It hath overshadowed all the origin and limited aim. Those who enter the peoples and kindreds of the earth, and will, BaháT community subdue themselves and erelong, gather together the whole of man their personal interests to its sovereign kind beneath its shelter.” standard, for they are unable to alter the The encompassing reach of the Cause of Cause of BaháVlláh and exploit its teach- 98 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

ings or its community for their own ad countries, for the preservation of human vantage. honor.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s life exemplified the work In creating this institution for His com ing of the one spirit and the one truth sus munity, Baha’u’llah made it clear that His taining the body of believers throughout the Dispensation rests upon continuity of divine world. He was the light connecting the sun purpose, and associates human beings di of truth with the earth, the radiance en rectly with the operation of His law. The abling all Bahá’ís to realize that truth pene House of Justice, an elective body, trans trates human aifairs, illumines human prob forms society into an organism reflecting lems, tra n s c e n d s conventional barriers, spiritual life. By the just direction of aifairs changes the climate of life from cold to this Faith replaces the institution of the pro warm. He infused Himself so completely fessional clergy developed in all previous into the hearts of the Bahi’is that they asso Dispensations. ciated the administrative institutions of the By 1921, when ‘Abdu’l-Baha laid down Faith with His trusted and cherished methods His earthly mission, the American Bahd’i of service, so that the contact between their community had been extended to scores of society and their religion has remained con cities and acquired power to undertake tasks tinuous and unimpaired. of considerable magnitude, but the adminis The second conveyance of authority made trative order remained incomplete. His Will by Baha’u’lldh was to the institution He and Testament inaugurated a new era in the termed "House of Justice” :—"The Lord Faith, a further conveyance of authority and hath ordained that in every city a House of a clear exposition of the nature of the elec Justice be established wherein shall gather tive institutions which the Baha’is were counsellors to the number of Bahá (i.e., nine) called upon to form. In Shoghi Effendi, His . . . It behooveth them to be the trusted ones grandson, 'Abdu’l-Baha established the func of the Merciful among men and to regard tion of Guardianship with sole power to in themselves as the guardians appointed of God terpret the teachings and with authority to for all that dwell on earth. It is incumbent carry out the provisions of the Will. The upon them to take counsel together and to Guardianship connects the spiritual and have regard for the interests of the servants social realms of the Faith in that, in addi of God, for His sake, even as they regard tion to the office of interpreter, he is con their own interests, and to choose that which stituted the presiding officer of the inter is meet and seemly. . . . Those souls who national House of Justice when elected; and arise to serve the Cause sincerely to please the Guardianship is made to descend from God will be inspired by the divine, invisible generation to generation through the male inspirations. It is incumbent upon all (i.e., line. all believers) to obey. . . . Administrative From the Will these excerpts are cited: affairs are all in charge of the House of "After the passing of this wronged one, Justice; but acts of worship must be observed it is incumbent upon . . . the loved ones of according as they are revealed in the Book.” the ‘Abhá Beauty (i.e., Bahd’u’llah) to turn The House of Justice is limited in its unto Shoghi Effendi— the youthful branch legislative capacity to matters not covered branched from the two hallowed Lote-Trees by the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh Himself:— (i.e., descended from both the Báb and "It is incumbent upon the Trustees of the BaháVlláh) . . . as he is the sign of God, House of Justice to take counsel together the chosen branch, the guardian of the Cause regarding such laws as have not been ex of God . . . unto whom . . . His loved ones pressly revealed in the Book.” A high aim must turn. He is the expounder of the words is defined for this central administrative of God and after him will succeed the first organ of the Faiths:— "The men of the born of his lineal descendants. House of Justice must, night and day, gaze "The sacred and youthful branch, the toward that which hath been revealed from guardian of the Cause of God, as well as the the horizon of the Supreme Pen for the train Universal House of Justice, to be universally ing of the servants, for the upbuilding of elected and established, are both under the ORGANIC RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY 99

care and protection of the Abhá Beauty. . . . istrative bodies provides the world spirit of Whatsoever they decide is of God. . . . The the Faith with the agencies required for the mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable maintenance of a constitutional society bal and safe through obedience to him who is the ancing the rights of the individual with the guardian of the Cause of God. . . . No doubt paramount principle of unity preserving the every vainglorious one that purposeth dis whole structure of the Cause. The Bahá’í as sension and discord will not openly declare an individual accepts guidance for his con his evil purposes, nay rather, even as impure duct and doctrinal beliefs, for not otherwise gold would he seize upon divers measures can he contribute his share to the general and various pretexts that he may separate unity which is God’s supreme blessing to the gathering of the people of Bahá.” the world today. This general unity is the "Wherefore, O my loving friends! Con believer’s moral environment, his social uni sort with all the peoples, kindreds and re verse, his psychic health and his goal of ligions of the world with the utmost tru th effort transcending any personal aim. In fulness, uprightness, faithfulness, kindliness, the Baha’i order, the individual is the mus good-will and friendliness; that all the world ical note, but the teachings revealed by of being may be filled with the holy ecstasy Bahd’u’llah are the symphony in which the of the grace of Bahá. . . .” note finds its real fulfillment; the person at "O ye beloved of the Lord! Strive with tains value by recognizing that truth tran all your heart to shield the Cause of God scends his capacity and includes him in a from the onslaught of the insincere, for souls relationship which ‘AbduT-Bahá said en such as these cause the straight to become dowed the part with the quality of the whole. crooked and all benevolent efforts to produce To receive, we give. In comparison to this contrary results. . . . To none is given the divine creation, the traditional claims of in right to put forth his own opinion or ex dividual conscience, of personal judgment, press his particular convictions. All must of private freedom, seem nothing more than seek guidance and turn unto the Center of empty assertions advanced in opposition to the Cause and the House of Justice.” the divine will. It cannot be sufficiently em In each country where Bahd’is exist, they phasized that the Baha’i’s relationship to this participate in the world unity of their Faith new spiritual society is an expression of faith, through the office of the Guardian at this and faith alone raises personality out of the time, and they maintain local and national pit of self-will and moral isolation into Bahd’i institutions for conducting their own which so much of the world has .fallen. activities. There can be no organic society, in fact, In each local civil community, whether without social truth and social law embrac city, township or county, the Baha’is an ing the individual members and evoking a nually elect nine members .to their local loyalty both voluntary and complete. The Spiritual Assembly. In America the Baha’is political and economic groups which the in of each State or Canadian Province, (a di dividual enters with reservations are not true rection of the Guardian having effect for societies but temporary combinations of rest the first time in connection with the Con less personalities, met in a truce which can vention of 1944, the one hundredth year of not endure. Bahd’u’llah has for ever solved the Faith) join in the election of delegates the artificial dilemma which confuses and by proportionate representation and these betrays the ardent upholder of individual delegates, to the full number of one hundred freedom by His categorical statement that and seventy-one, constitute the Annual Con human freedom consists in obedience to vention which elects the members of the N a God’s law. The freedom revolving around tional Spiritual Assembly. These national self-will He declares "'must, in the end, lead bodies, in turn, will join in the election of to sedition, whose flames none can quench. an international Assembly, or House of Jus . . . Know ye that the embodiment of lib tice, when the world Baha’i community is erty and its symbol is the animal. . . . True sufficiently developed. liberty consists in man’s submission unto My The inter-relationship of all these admin commandments, little as ye know it.” 100 THE B A H A ’I CENTENARY

The Guardian, applying the terms of the a pattern for future society, a supreme in Will and Testament to an evolving order, strument for the establishment of the Most has given the present generation of Baha’is Great Peace, and the one agency for the a thorough understanding of Baha’i institu unification of the world, and the proclama tions and administrative principles. Rising tion of the reign of righteousness and justice to its vastly increased responsibility resulting upon the earth. . . . from the loss of the beloved Master, ‘Abdu’l- "Unlike the Dispensation of Christ, unlike Bahá, the Bahá’i community itself has in the Dispensation of Muhammad, unlike all tensified its effort until in America alone the the Dispensations of the past, the apostles of number of believers has been more than Baha’u’llah in every land, wherever they la doubled since 1921. It has been their destiny bor and toil, have before them in clear, in to perfect the local and national Bahd’i in unequivocal and emphatic language, all the stitutions as models for the believers in other laws, the regulations, the principles, the in lands. Within the scope of a single lifetime, stitutions, the guidance, they require for the the American Baha’i community has de prosecution of their task. . . . Therein lies veloped from a small local group to a na the distinguishing feature of the Bahi’i Rev tional unit of a world society, passing elation. Therein lies the strength of the unity through the successive stages by which a of the Faith, of the validity of a Revelation civilization achieves its pristine pattern and that claims not to destroy or belittle pre severs itself from the anarchy and confusion vious Revelations, but to connect, unify, of the past. and fulfill them. . . . In Shoghi Effendi’s letters addressed to this "Feeble though our Faith may now appear Bahá’í community, we have the statement in the eyes of men, who either denounce it of the form of the administrative order, its as an offshoot of Islám, or contemptuously function and purpose, its scope and activity, ignore it as one more of those obscure sects as well as its significance, which unites the that abound in the West, this priceless gem thoughts and inspires the actions of all be of Divine Revelation, now still in its em lievers today. bryonic state, shall evolve within the shell From these letters are selected a number of His law, and shall forge ahead, undivided of passages presenting fundamental aspects and unimpaired, till it embraces the whole of the world order initiated by Baha’u’lldh. of mankind. Only those who have already 1. On its nature and scope:— recognized the supreme station of Bahá’- "I cannot refrain from appealing to them u’lláh, only those whose hearts have been who stand identified with the Faith to dis touched by His love, and have become fa regard the prevailing notions and the fleet miliar with the potency of His spirit, can ing fashions of the day, and to realize as. adequately appreciate the value of this Di never before that the exploded theories and vine Economy—His inestimable gift to the tottering institutions of present-day civ mankind. . . . ilization must needs appear in sharp contrast "This Administrative Order . . . will, as with those God-given institutions which are its component parts, its organic institutions, destined to arise upon their ruin. . . . begin to function with efficiency and vigor, "For Bahá’u’lláh . . . has not only im assert its claim and demonstrate its capacity bued mankind with a new and regenerating to be regarded not only as the nucleus but Spirit. He has not merely enunciated cer the very pattern of the New World Order tain universal principles, or propounded a destined to embrace in the fulness of time particular philosophy, however potent, the whole of mankind. . . . sound and universal these may be. In addi "Alone of all the Revelations gone before tion to these He, as well as ťAbdu’l-Bahá it this Faith has . . . succeeded in raising a after Him, have, unlike the Dispensations of structure which the bewildered followers of the past, clearly and specifically laid down bankrupt and broken creeds might well ap a set of Laws, established definite institu proach and critically examine, and seek, ere tions, and provided for the essentials of a it is too late, the invulnerable security of its Divine Economy. These are destined to be world-embracing shelter. . . . ORGANIC RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY 101

"To what else if not to the power and Grace, that we may unite even as the waves majesty which this Administrative Order— of one sea and become merged together as the rudiments of the future all-enfolding the rays of Thine effulgent Light; that our Baha’i Commonwealth—is destined to mani thoughts, our views, our feelings may be fest, can these utterances of Baha’u’llah come as one reality, manifesting the spirit allude: 'The world’s equilibrium hath been of union throughout the world. Thou art upset through the vibrating influence of the Gracious, the Bountiful, the Bestower, this most great, this new World Order. the Almighty, the Merciful, the Compas Mankind’s ordered life hath been revolu sionate.” ’ tionized through the agency of this unique, "In the Most Holy Book is revealed:— this wondrous System— the like of which 'The Lord hath ordained that in every city mortal eyes have never witnessed. . . ” a House of Justice be established wherein 2. On its local and national institu shall gather counsellors to the number of tions:— Bahá, and should it exceed this number it "A perusal of some of the words of Bahá’- does not matter. It behooveth them to be u’llah and ťAbdu’l-Bahá on the duties and the trusted ones of the Merciful among men functions of the Spiritual Assemblies in ev and to regard themselves as the guardians ery land (later to be designated as the local appointed of God for all that dwell on earth. Houses of Justice), emphatically reveals the It is incumbent upon them to take counsel sacredness of their nature, the wide scope of together and to have regard for the interests their activity, and the grave responsibility of the servants of God, for His sake, even which rests upon them. as they regard their own interests, and to "Addressing the members of the Spiritual choose that which is meet and seemly. Thus Assembly in Chicago, the Master reveals the hath the Lord your God commanded you. following:— 'Whenever ye enter the council- Beware lest ye put away that which is clearly chamber, recite this prayer with a heart revealed in His Tablet. Fear God, O ye that throbbing with the love of God and a perceive.’ tongue purified from all but His remem "Furthermore, ťAbdu’l-Bahá reveals the brance, that the All-powerful may graciously following:— 'It is incumbent upon every one aid you to achieve supreme victory:—"O not to take any step without consulting the God, my God! We are servants of Thine Spiritual Assembly, and they must assuredly that have turned with devotion to Thy Holy obey with heart and soul its bidding and be Face, that have detached ourselves from all submissive unto it, that things may be beside Thee in this glorious Day. We have properly ordered and well arranged. Other gathered in this spiritual assembly, united in wise every person will act independently our views and thoughts, with our purposes and after his own judgment, will follow his harmonized to exalt Thy Word amidst man own desire, and do harm to the Cause.’ kind. O Lord, our God! Make us the signs " 'The prime requisites for them that take of Thy Divine Guidance, the Standards of counsel together are purity of motive, radi Thy exalted Faith amongst men, servants to ance of spirit, detachment from all else save Thy mighty Covenant. O Thou our Lord God, attraction to His Divine Fragrances, Most High! Manifestations of Thy Divine humility and lowliness amongst His loved Unity in Thine Abhá Kingdom, and re ones, patience and long-suffering in difficul splendent stars shining upon all regions. ties and servitude to His exalted Threshold. Lord! Aid us to become seas surging with Should they be graciously aided to acquire the billows of Thy wondrous Grace, streams these attributes, victory from the unseen flowing from Thy all-glorious Heights, Kingdom of Bahá shall be vouchsafed to goodly fruits upon the Tree of Thy heav them. In this day, assemblies of consultation enly Cause, trees waving through the are of the greatest importance and a vital breezes of Thy Bounty in Thy celestial Vine necessity. Obedience unto them is essential yard. O God! Make our souls dependent and obligatory. The members thereof must upon the Verses of Thy Divine Unity, our take counsel together in such wise that no hearts cheered with the outpourings of Thy occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise. THE BA H Á ’í CENTENARY

This can be attained when every member of estrangement prevail the result shall be expresseth with absolute freedom his own darkness upon darkness. . . . If this be so opinion and setteth forth his argument. regarded, that assembly shall be of God, but Should any one oppose, he must on no ac otherwise it shall lead to coolness and aliena count feel hurt for not until matters are tion that proceed from the Evil One. Discus fully discussed can the right way be revealed. sions must all be confined to spiritual matters The shining spark of truth cometh forth, that pertain to the training of souls, the in only after the clash of differing opinions. If struction of children, the relief of the poor, after discussion, a decision be carried unan the help of the feeble throughout all classes imously, well and good; but if, the Lord in the world, kindness to all peoples, the forbid, differences of opinion should arise, diffusion of the fragrances of God and the a majority of voices must prevail.’ exaltation of His Holy Word. Should they "Enumerating the obligations incumbent endeavor to fulfill these conditions the Grace upon the members of consulting councils, of the Holy Spirit shall be vouchsafed unto the Beloved reveals the following:— 'The them, and that assembly shall become the first condition is absolute love and harmony center of the Divine blessings, the hosts of amongst the members of the assembly. They Divine confirmation shall come to their aid, must be wholly free from estrangement and and they shall day by day receive a new must manifest in themselves the Unity of effusion of Spirit.’ God, for they are the waves of one sea, the "So great is the importance and so supreme drops of one river, the stars of one heaven, is the authority of these assemblies that once the rays of one sun, the trees of one orchard, ‘Abdu’l-Baha after having Himself and in the flowers of one garden. Should harmony His own handwriting corrected the transla of thought and absolute unity be non-exist tion made into Arabic of the Ishráqát (the ent, that gathering shall be dispersed and Effulgences) by Sheikh Faraj, a Kurdish that assembly be brought to naught. The friend from Cairo, directed him in a Tablet second condition:— They must when coming to submit the above-named translation to together turn their faces to the Kingdom on the Spiritual Assembly of Cairo, that he may high and ask aid from the Realm of Glory. seek from them before publication their They must then proceed with the utmost approval and consent. These are His very devotion, courtesy, dignity, care and mod words in that Tablet:— 'His honor, Sheikh eration to express their views. They must in Faraju’llah, has here rendered into Arabic every matter search out the truth and not with greatest care the Ishráqát and yet I insist upon their own opinion, for stubborn have told him that he must submit his ness and persistence in one’s views will lead version to the Spiritual Assembly of Egypt, ultimately to discord and wrangling and the and I have conditioned its publication upon truth will remain hidden. The honored the approval of the above-named Assembly. members must with all freedom express their This is so that things may be arranged in an own thoughts, and it is in no wise permissible orderly manner, for should it not be so any for one to belittle the thought of another, one may translate a certain Tablet and print nay, he must with moderation set forth the and circulate it on his own account. Even truth, and should differences of opinion arise a non-believer might undertake such work, a majority of voices must prevail, and all and thus cause confusion and disorder. If must obey and submit to the majority. It is it be conditioned, however, upon the ap again not permitted that any one of the proval of the Spiritual Assembly, a transla honored members object to or censure, tion prepared, printed and circulated by a whether in or out of the meeting, any de non-believer will have no recognition what cision arrived at previously, though that de ever.’ cision be not right, for such criticism would "This is indeed a clear indication of the prevent any decision from being enforced. Master’s express desire that nothing what In short, whatsoever thing is arranged in ever should be given to the public by any harmony and with love and purity of motive, individual among the friends, unless fully its result is light, and should the least trace considered and approved by the Spiritual ORGANIC RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY 103

‘Abdu’l-Bahá at Leland Stanford University, October 8, 1912.

Assembly in his locality; and if this (as is and efficient working of the spiritual activi undoubtedly the case) is a matter that per ties of His loved ones. tains to the general interest of the Cause "Large issues in such spiritual activities in that land, then it is incumbent upon the that affect the Cause in general in that land, Spiritual Assembly to submit it to the con such as the management of the "Star of the sideration and approval of the national body West” and any periodical which the National representing all the various local assemblies. Body may decide to be a Bahá’í organ, the Not only with regard to publication, but matter of publication, of reprinting Bahá’í all matters without any exception whatso literature and its distribution among the ever, regarding the interests of the Cause in various assemblies, the means whereby the that locality, individually or collectively, teaching campaign may be stimulated and should be referred exclusively to the Spiritual maintained, the work of the Mashriqu’l- Assembly in that locality, which shall de Adhkár, the racial question in relation to the cide upon it, unless it be a matter of national Cause, the matter of receiving Orientals and interest, in which case it shall be referred association with them, the care and mainte to the national body. With this national nance of the precious film exhibiting a body also will rest the decision whether a phase of the Master’s sojourn in the United given question is of local or national interest. States of America as well as the original (By national affairs is not meant matters matrix and the records of His voice, and that are political in their character, for the various other national spiritual activities, friends of God the world over are strictly far from being under the exclusive jurisdic forbidden to meddle with political affairs in tion of any local assembly or group of any way whatever, but rather things that friends, must each be minutely and fully affect the spiritual activities of the body of directed by a special board, elected by the the friends in that land.) National Body, constituted as a committee "Full harmony, however, as well as co thereof, responsible to it and upon which operation among the various local assemblies the National Body shall exercise constant and the members themselves, and particu and general supervision. . . . larly between each assembly and the national "Regarding the establishment of 'National body, is of the utmost importance, for upon Assemblies/ it is of vital importance that in it depends the unity of the Cause of God, every country, where the conditions are the solidarity of the friends, the full, speedy favorable and the number of the friends has 104 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

grown and reached a considerable size, such once a year, obviously assumes grave respon as America, Great Britain and Germany, sibilities, for it has to exercise full authority that a 'National Spiritual Assembly’ be im over all the local Assemblies in its province, mediately established, representative of the and will have to direct the activities of the friends throughout that country.” friends, guard vigilantly the Cause of God, "Its immediate purpose is to stimulate, and control and supervise the affairs of the unify and coordinate by frequent personal Movement in general. consultations, the manifold activities of the "Vital issues, affecting the interests of the friends as well as the local Assemblies; and Cause in that country such as the matter by keeping in close and constant touch with of translation and publication, the Mashrithe Holy Land, initiate measures, and direct qu’l-Adhkár, the Teaching Work, and other in general the affairs of the Cause in that similar matters that stand distinct from country. strictly local affairs, must be under the full "It serves also another purpose, no less jurisdiction of the National Assembly. essential than the first, as in the course of "It will have to refer each of these ques time it shall evolve into the National House tions, even as the local Assemblies, to a of Justice (referred to in ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s special Committee, to be elected by the Will as the "secondary House of Justice” ), members of the National Spiritual Assembly, which according to the explicit text of the from among all the friends in that country, Testament will have, in conjunction with which will bear to it the same relation as the the other National Assemblies throughout local committees bear to their respective the Baha’i world, to elect directly the mem local Assemblies. bers of the International House of Justice, "W ith it, too, rests the decision whether that Supreme Council that will guide, or a certain point at issue is strictly local in its ganize and unify the affairs of the Movement nature, and should be reserved for the con throughout the world. sideration and decision of the local Assembly, "It is expressly recorded in ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s or whether it should fall under its own Writings that these National Assemblies province and be regarded as a matter which must be indirectly elected by the friends; ought to receive its special attention. The that is, the friends in every country must National Spiritual Assembly will also decide elect a certain number of delegates, who in upon such matters which in its opinion their turn will elect from among all the should be referred to the Holy Land for friends in that country the members of the consultation and decision. National Spiritual Assembly. In such coun "W ith these Assemblies, local as well as tries, therefore, as America, Great Britain national, harmoniously, vigorously, and and Germany, a fixed number of secondary efficiently functioning throughout the Baha’i electors must first be decided upon. . . . The world, the only means for the establishment friends then in every locality where the of the Supreme House of Justice will have number of adult declared believers exceeds been secured. And when this Supreme Body nine must directly elect its quota of second will have been properly established, it will ary electors assigned to it in direct proportion have to consider afresh the whole situation, to its numerical strength. These secondary and lay down the principle which shall di electors will then, either through corres rect, so long as it deems advisable, the affairs pondence, or preferably by gathering to of the Cause. . . . gether, and first deliberating upon the affairs "The need for the centralization of of the Cause throughout their country (as authority in the National Spiritual Assem the delegates to the Convention), elect from bly, and the concentration of power in the among all the friends in that country nine various local Assemblies, is made manifest who will be the members of the National when we reflect that the Cause of Baha’u’- Spiritual Assembly. lláh is still in its age of tender growth and in "This National Spiritual Assembly, which, a stage of transition; when we remember pending the establishment of the Universal that the full implications and the exact House of Justice, will have to be re-elected significance of the Master’s world-wide in- ORGANIC RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY 105

structions, as laid down in His Will, are as The newly elected National Assembly, dur yet not fully grasped, and the whole Move ing the few days when the Convention is in ment has not sufficiently crystallized in the session and after the dispersal of the dele eyes of the world. gates, should seek ways and means to culti "It is our primary task to keep the most vate understanding, facilitate and maintain vigilant eye on the manner and character of the exchange of views, deepen confidence, its growth, to combat effectively the forces and vindicate by every tangible evidence of separation and of sectarian tendencies, lest their one desire to serve and advance the the Spirit of the Cause be obscured, its unity common weal. Not infrequently, nay often be threatened, its Teachings suffer corrup times, the most lowly, untutored and inex tion; lest extreme orthodoxy on one hand, perienced among the friends will, by the and irresponsible freedom on the other, cause sheer inspiring force of selfless and ardent it to deviate from that Straight Path which devotion, contribute a distinct and memor alone can lead it to success. . . . able share to a highly involved discussion in "Hitherto the National Convention has any given Assembly. Great must be the been primarily called together for the con regard paid by those whom the delegates sideration of the various circumstances at call upon to serve in high position to this tending the election of the National Spiritual all-important though inconspicuous manifes Assembly. I feel, however, that in view of tation of the revealing power of sincere and the expansion and the growing importance earnest devotion. of the administrative sphere of the Cause, "The National Spiritual Assembly, how the general sentiments and tendencies pre ever, in view of the unavoidable limitations vailing among the friends, and the signs of imposed upon the convening of frequent and increasing interdependence among the N a long-standing sessions of the Convention, tional Spiritual Assemblies throughout the will have to retain in its hands the final de world, the assembled accredited representa cision on all matters that affect the interests tives of the American believers should ex of the Cause in America, such as the right to ercise not only the vital and responsible right decide whether any local Assembly is func of electing the National Assembly, but tioning in accordance with the principles should also fulfill the functions of an en laid down for the conduct and advancement lightened, consultative and cooperative body of the Cause. It is my earnest prayer that that will enrich the experience, enhance the they will utilize their highly responsible prestige, support the authority, and assist position, not only for the wise and efficient the deliberations of the National Spiritual conduct of the affairs of the Cause, but also Assembly. It is my firm conviction that it for the extension and deepening of the spirit is the bounden duty, in the interest of the of cordiality and wholehearted and mutual Cause we all love and serve, of the members support in their cooperation with the body of the incoming National Assembly, once of their co-workers throughout the land. elected by the delegates at Convention time, The seating of delegates to the Convention, to seek and have the utmost regard, individu i.e., the right to decide upon the validity of: ally as well as collectively, for the advice, the credentials of the delegates at a given the considered opinion and the true senti Convention, is vested in the outgoing N a ments of the assembled delegates. Banishing tional Assembly, and the right to decide who every vestige of secrecy, of undue reticence, has the voting privilege is also ultimately of dictatorial aloofness, from their midst, placed in the hands of the National Spiritual they should radiantly and abundantly unfold Assembly, either when a local Spiritual As to the eyes of the delegates, by whom they sembly is being for the first time formed in are elected, their plans, their hopes, and their a given locality, or when differences arise cares. They should familiarize the delegates between a new applicant and an already with the various matters that will have tq established local Assembly. While the Con be considered in the current year, and calmly vention is in session and the accredited dele and conscientiously study and weigh the gates have already elected from among the opinions and judgments of the delegates. believers throughout the country the mem- 106 THE B A H Á ’Í C E N T E N A R Y

bers of the National Spiritual Assembly for slightest degree from the position which each the current year, it is of infinite value and a of these institutions occupies. Far from be supreme necessity that as far as possible all ing incompatible or mutually destructive, matters requiring immediate decision should they supplement each other’s authority and be fully and publicly considered, and an en functions, and are permanently and funda deavor be made to obtain after mature de mentally united in their aims. liberation, unanimity in vital decisions. "Divorced from the institution of the Indeed, it has ever been the cherished desire Guardianship the World Order of BaháV of our Master, ťAbdu’l-Bahá, that the friends lláh would be mutilated and permanently in their councils, local as well as national, deprived of that hereditary principle which, should by their candor, their honesty of as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has written, has been in purpose, their singleness of mind, and the variably upheld by the Law of God. 'In all thoroughness of their discussions, achieve the Divine Dispensations/ He states, in a unanimity in all things. Should this in cer Tablet addressed to a follower of the Faith tain cases prove impracticable the verdict in Persia, 'the eldest son hath been given of the majority should prevail, to which extraordinary distinctions. Even the station decision the minority must under all circum of prophethood hath been his birthright.’ stances, gladly, spontaneously and continu W ithout such an institution the integrity of ally, submit. the Faith would be imperilled, and the sta "Nothing short of the all-encompassing, bility of the entire fabric would be gravely all-pervading power of His Guidance and endangered. Its prestige would suffer, the Love can enable this newly-enfolded order means required to enable it to take a long, to gather strength and flourish amid the an uninterrupted view over á series of gen storm and stress of a turbulent age, and in erations would be completely lacking, and the fulness of time vindicate its high claim the necessary guidance to define the sphere to be universally recognized as the one of the legislative action of its elected repre Haven of abiding felicity and peace.” sentatives would be totally withdrawn. 3. On its international institutions:— "Severed from the no less essential insti "It should be stated, at the very outset, tution of the Universal House of Justice this in clear and unambiguous language, that same System of the Will of ťAbdu’l-Bahá these twin institutions of the Administrative would be paralyzed in its action and would Order of BaháVlláh should be regarded as be powerless to fill in those gaps which the divine in origin, essential in their functions Author of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas has deliberately and complementary in their aim and purpose. left in the body of His legislative and ad Their common, their fundamental object is ministrative ordinances. to insure the continuity of that divinely- " 'He is the Interpreter of the Word of appointed authority which flows from the God,’ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, referring to the func Source of our Faith, to safeguard the unity tions of the Guardian of the Faith, asserts, of its followers and to maintain the integrity using in His Will the very term which He and flexibility of its teachings. Acting in Himself had chosen when refuting the argu conjunction with each other these two in ment of the Covenant-breakers who had separable institutions administer its affairs, challenged His right to interpret the utter coordinate its activities, promote its interests, ances of BaháVlláh. 'After him,’ He adds, execute its laws and defend its subsidiary 'will succeed the first-born of his lineal de institutions. Severally, each operates within scendants.’ 'The mighty stronghold,’ He a clearly defined sphere of jurisdiction; each further explains, 'shall remain impregnable is equipped with its own attendant institu and safe through obedience to him who is tions—instruments designed for the effective the Guardian of the Cause of God.’ 'It is in discharge of its particular responsibilities cumbent upon the members of the House of and duties. Each exercises, within the limita Justice, upon all the Aghsán, the Afnán, the tions imposed upon it, its powers, its au Hands of the Cause of God, to show their thority, its rights and prerogatives. These obedience, submissiveness and subordination are neither contradictory, nor detract in the unto the Guardian of the Cause of God.’ ORGANIC RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY 107

" 'It is incumbent upon the members of terpretation of the Guardian, functioning the House of Justice/ Bahá5u5lláh, on the within his own sphere, is as authoritative other hand, declares in the Eighth Leaf of and binding as the enactments of the Inter the Exálted Paradise, 'to take counsel to national House of Justice, whose exclusive gether regarding those things which have right and prerogative is to pronounce upon not outwardly been revealed in the Book, and deliver the final judgment on such laws and to enforce that which is agreeable to and ordinances as Bahá5u5lláh has not ex them. God will verily inspire them with pressly revealed. Neither can, nor will ever, whatsoever He willeth, and He verily is the infringe upon the sacred and prescribed do Provider, the Omniscient.5 'Unto the Most main of the other. Neither will seek to Holy Book5 (the Kitáb-i-Aqdas), ‘Abdu’l- curtail the specific and undoubted authority Bahá states in His Will, 'every one must with which both have been divinely in turn, and all that is not expressly recorded vested. . . . therein must be referred to the Universal "Let no one, while this System is still in House of Justice. That which this body, its infancy, misconceive its character, be whether unanimously or by a majority doth little its significance or misrepresent its pur carry, that is verily the truth and the pur pose. The bedrock on which this Adminis pose of God Himself. Whoso doth deviate trative Order is founded is God5s immutable therefrom is verily of them that love discord, Purpose for mankind in this day. The Source hath shown forth malice, and turned away from which it derives its inspiration is no from the Lord of the Covenant.5 less than Bahá5u5lláh Himself. Its shield "N ot only does ‘Abdu’l-Baha confirm in and defender are the embattled hosts of the His Will Bahá5u5lláh5s above-quoted state Abhá Kingdom. Its seed is the blood of no ment, but invests this body with the addi less than twenty thousand martyrs who have tional right and power to abrogate, accord offered up their lives that it may be born ing to the exigencies of time, its own enact and flourish. The axis round which its in ments, as well as those of a preceding House stitutions revolve are the authentic provi of Justice. 'Inasmuch as the House of sions of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l- Justice,5 is His explicit statement in His Bahá. Its guiding principles are the truths Will, 'hath power to enact laws that are not which He Who is the unerring Interpreter expressly recorded in the Book and bear upon of the teachings of our Faith has so clearly daily transactions, so also it hath power to enunciated in His public addresses through repeal the same . . . This it can do because out the West. The laws that govern its these laws form no part of the divine ex operation and limit its functions are those plicit text.5 which have been expressly ordained in the "Referring to both the Guardian and the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. The seat round which its Universal House of Justice we read these spiritual, its humanitarian and administrative emphatic words: 'The sacred and youthful activities will cluster are the Mashriqu’l- Branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God, Adhkár and its Dependencies. The pillars as well as the Universal House of Justice to that sustain its authority and buttress its be universally elected and established, are structure are the twin institutions of the both under the care and protection of the Guardianship and of the Universal House of Abhá Beauty, under the shelter and unerring Justice. The central, the underlying aim guidance of the Exalted One (the Báb) which animates it is the establishment of (may my life be offered up for them both). the New World Order as adumbrated by Whatsoever they decide is of God.5 Bahá5u5lláh. The methods it employs, the "From these statements it is made in standard it inculcates, incline it to neither dubitably clear and evident that the Guard East nor West, neither Jew nor Gentile, ian of the Faith has been made the Interpre neither rich nor poor, neither white nor ter of the Word and that the Universal colored. Its watchword is the unification of House of Justice has been invested with the the human race; its standard the 'Most Great function of legislating on matters not ex Peace5; its consummation the advent of that pressly revealed in the teachings. The in golden millennium— the Day when the king-

The interior of the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on Mount Carmel.

doms of this world shall have become the "inception of the Kingdom.” Around its con Kingdom of God Himself, the Kingdom of struction devotedly gathered the American BaháVlláh.” friends. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá approved their action Fifty years have passed since the Cause in setting up a religious corporation to hold of BaháVUáh was first brought to North title to the property and provide a basis for America. Three generations of believers have collective action. In surveying those days worked and sacrificed and prayed in order from 1904 to 1921, one realizes how, in to produce a body of Bahá’ís large enough every stage of progress, the believers rushed to demonstrate the principles here summar forward in devotion before they could per ized in a few pages for the present-day ceive the full results of action or comprehend student of these teachings. What ‘Abdu’l- the full unfoldment of their beloved Mas Bahá employed as unifying element for the ter’s intention. In their hearts they knew American community during a period before that unity is the key note of their Faith, more than rudimentary local administrative and they were assured that the new power bodies could be established was the construc of unity would augment until it encom tion of the House of Worship, the Mashri- passed the whole of mankind. But as to the qu’l-Adhkár, in Wilmette. He in fact re nature of world order, the foundation of ferred to the House of Worship as the universal peace, the principles of the future

i ORGANIC RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY 109

economy, while the clear picture eluded world of spirit, striving to participate in them, they went forward with enthusiasm to a work of supreme importance whose final the Light. result was the laying of a foundation on In a continent consecrated to the pioneer, which human society might raise a house of the early American Bahd’is pioneered in the justice and a mansion of peace. BAHA'I H E A D Q U A R T E R S

Central Office of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd’is of the United States and Canada, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.

Hail historic act signalizing auspicious institutions embodying administrative ma conjunction (in) heart (of) North Ameri chinery and incarnating (the) Soul (of the) can continent (of the) institutions (of) Bahá’í community can release (the) effect Haziratu’l-Quds (and) Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr, ual prosecution (of the) Seven Year Plan (the) twin foci (of) steadily evolving as well as (the) success (of) ultimate World American Bahd’i community life. (The) Mission unquestionably depends. May (the) former henceforth regarded (as) national community responsible (for the) establish Seat upon which all administrative channels ment (of) these nascent institutions pro (of) Bahá’í activity must increasingly con gressively contribute (to) acceleration (of) verge. (The) latter permanently recognized their growth and derive fullest benefit (as) ordained Source from which rays (of) (from) their eventual fruition. spiritual guidance will radiate. Upon (the) Sh o g h i R a b b a n i . vigorous, constant inter-action (of the) Haifa, dynamic forces which these complementary October 1, 1939. BAHA'I P R O P E R T I E S

A f t e r the adoption of the Declaration Among the many messages Miss Farmer re of Trust in 1927, the National Spiritual ceived from ťAbdu’l-Bahá, the following be Assembly formed separate bodies of Trustees came her guiding inspiration: "You must lay to meet the necessary legal requirements for such a foundation .so that the influence of ownership of real estate that might be ac the confederation of religions and sects may quired through purchase or by gift in dif permeate to all parts of the world from ferent parts of the United States. W ith the Green Acre, and Green Acre for all future completion of the Baha’i House of Worship, ages and cycles may become the standardand its accessory buildings and the generous bearer of the oneness of the world of hu gifts of valuable properties at Green Acre, manity.” Malden, West Englewood, Colorado Springs At the annual meeting of the Fellowship and Geyserville, the National Spiritual As on August 10, 1925, it was voted to place sembly through its Trustees has become the Green Acre under the control of the National administrative body of a group of estates Spiritual Assembly and in 1929 an Indenture that extend from Maine to California with of Trust was set up and title to the proper a present valuation approaching two million ties transferred to the Trustees. dollars. Besides the Temple Trusteeship, five Green Acre consists of 131.3 acres of land more trustee properties are now maintained in five different parcels including the Inn, and administered by the trustees for the Fellowship house, the Pines, Sunset Hill, and benefit and use of the American Bahá’í com the River tract. There are also a number munity. of cottages, an Arts and Crafts Studio and a camp site. The gift of Mrs. Helen Ellis G r e e n A cre Cole of the lovely fellowship house with its After attending the Congress of Religions furnishings in the early days was a fore at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago in runner of many gifts of money and buildings 1893, Miss Sarah J. Farmer was inspired to later on which have increased the facilities found a center for the investigation of the of this property dedicated to the Investiga reality of religions. The following year she tion of Reality. Among those to whom the selected a beautiful site on the banks of the trustees are greatly indebted are the Randall Piscataqua River near her home in the village family, Fred and Lorol Schopflocher for of Eliot, Maine, for this purpose of "bring their gifts of the Ball Cottage, Nine Gables ing together all who were looking earnestly and the Ole Bull cottage, Mrs. Florence toward the New Day which seemed to be Morton for her gift of the needed Bahá’i breaking over the entire world. The motive Hall and the many loyal friends who have was to find the Truth, the Reality under contributed through the years of the struggle lying all religious forms, and to make points and growth of this lovely center blessed by of contact in order to promote the unity the Master’s presence. necessary for the ushering in of the coming W il h e l m T r u st Day of God.” In 1900 Miss Farmer made a pilgrimage On June 29, 1912, ťAbdu’l-Bahá invited to ‘Akká, and from that time on the Fellow a number of friends to the home of the ship, which was established to run this Wilhelm family at West Englewood, New property which she named Green Acre, Jersey, to partake with Him in a feast of gradually became imbued with the Baha’i fellowship. After serving the guests with His ideals and the desire to have Green Acre own hands, the Master said in part: "Such eventually become the reflection of the plain gatherings as this have no likeness or equal of ‘Akká and the center of Baha’i activity. in the world of mankind where people are 112 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

drawn together by physical motives or in Coast. As long ago as 1910, Mr. Bosch wrote furtherance of material interests, for this to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá of his desire to dedicate this meeting is a prototype of that inner and property,—just 75 miles north of San Fran complete spiritual association in the eternal cisco on the famous Redwood Highway, world of being . . . Hundreds of thousands comprising 37 acres, with fruit orchards, a of meetings shall be held to commemorate redwood grove, a lovely home with many such an assembly as this, and the very words accessory buildings and a water system,—to I utter to you on this occasion shall be the universal service of the Bahd’i Faith, that reiterated by them in the ages to come.” it might become a center of spiritual enlight Since that day, an annual souvenir has enment to seekers after Truth. been held on this blessed spot in remembrance In the ninth year after the establishment of this meeting. Some years after that mem of the school, Mr. and Mrs. Bosch conveyed orable event, Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm erected title to this property to the Trustees, reserv a large log cabin and named it Evergreen ing a life occupancy and use and this In Cabin. It became a center of Baha’i activi denture was recorded on November 25, 193 5 ties and for a number of years was the head in the Book of Records of Sonoma County, quarters of the National Spiritual Assembly. California. Mr. Bosch surveyed part of this Directly below the cabin lies the pine grove land on the hill-side for building sites for where the Master gave his never-to-be-for summer cottages and two have already been gotten Feast. This site according to the erected by Bahd’i families. Guardian’s instructions will have the only In 1936 an attractive Hall made of rustic Memorial commemorating ‘Abdu’l-Bah^’s redwood and completely equipped with visit to North America. chairs and kitchen was erected and presented On March 9, 1935, Mr. Wilhelm executed to the Trustees by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. an Indenture of Trust, transferring Ever Collins and the following year these two de green Cabin, its furnishings and the two voted friends of the Faith gave a two-story lots comprising the pine grove to the Trus dormitory built of corresponding rustic tees for the benefit of the National Spiritual material and completely equipped with beds, Assembly. Later he deeded over a two story furniture, curtains, and bedding to take care house adjoining the Cabin and in 1942 he of the ever-increasing number of students transferred title to the Wilhelm home to and guests. gether with five additional lots located at The generosity of these four friends has Alicia Avenue and Evergreen Place in been greatly appreciated by the Trustees, memory of his parents J. Otis and Lourie A. who have made constant contributions to Wilhelm. In addition, Mr. Wilhelm has ward the maintenance and insurance costs carried the maintenance costs of taxes, in of this valuable property. surance, etc. as an additional gift to the W ilson T rust Trustees. The Trustees are also indebted to Mr. and In 1900 Miss Maria P. Wilson visited Mrs. Walter Goodfellow for the gift of two ťAbdu’l-Bahá at ‘Akká in company with adjoining lots in 1937 and the trustees have Miss Sarah Farmer, and then returned again recently received word from the heirs of a few years later. On the occasion of her the James estate that two lots held by them second pilgrimage, the Master said to her: will be turned over to the Trustees, thus "When I come to America I will visit you.” completing the ownership of this valuable In August, 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Baha chpse the property dedicated to the memory of the home of Miss Wilson in Malden, Massachu Master. setts, to spend a week or two after his visit to Green Acre. Upon his return to Haifa, Bosch T rust he wrote to Miss Wilson saying "Thy house In the year 1927., Mr. and Mrs. John D. became my abode and my home. Many days Bosch made their ranch home and facilities were spent in that home with the utmost at Geyserville, California, available for the joy and fragrance. The mention of ‘Ya first Bahd’i summer school on the West Baha’ul Abha’ was raised from it and we B A H A ’I PROPERTIES 113

spread the religion of God. In reality that The plan for the dedication and use of home is my home, therefore the mention of this property was approved by the Guardian God must always be raised from it.” in a letter on December 14, 1938 to Mrs. When Miss Wilson passed to the heavenly Mathews in which he stated: "The Guardian world in 1930 she left a will bequeathing feels also deeply appreciative of your gener this home to Shoghi Effendi, who took title ous offering to the N.S.A. of your ranch in to the property and asked the National As Colorado Springs. Your idea to turn this sembly to look after it for him. In the Fall property into a training school for Interof 1^35, the Guardian executed a deed of America teaching work, he feels, is splendid.” trust conveying this house to the Trustees On October 30, 1939, the Indenture to and the indenture was recorded on Septem this property was recorded in the Registry ber 27, 193 5 in the Middlesex Registry of of Deeds, County of El Paso, Colorado and Deeds. Since that time this house has been since that time all maintenance costs have improved and held in trust in compliance been borne by Mr. and Mrs. Mathews, who with the Master’s statement "to take care have conducted a summer session each year of that house because the light of the love to promote the teaching work in Central and of God was ignited in it.” South America. As the Centenary of the Bahd’i Faith M athews T rust draws near, the friends may justly rejoice The American Bahd’i community became at the manifest evidences of the growth and the recipient of another munificent gift of consolidation of its many activities in the property, when Mrs. Loulie Albee Mathews western world which are facilitated by these executed an Indenture of Trust on Septem properties, when they contrast this present ber 4, 1939, conveying title to Temerity condition with the eventful first Bahá’1 Con Ranch in Pine Valley, a few miles from vention in 1909 when two lots in the Village Colorado Springs to the Trustees reserving of Wilmette, costing $2000.00 and a cash right of use and occupancy during her life. fund of $3,655.44 were turned over to the This property consists of 19.2 acres, a beauti first corporate body, the Bahá’í Temple ful house, Library, and accessory buildings, Unity, for the purchase of more land for the a water plant, fine roads and fences and Temple site,— for these properties now serve attractive grounds. the entire American Bahá’í community. PART FIVE

T H E BAHÁT H O U S E O F W O R S H I P

The Baha’i House of Worship.

T h e completion of the exterior ornamen the easterner it conveys the effect of occi tation of the Bahá’í House of Worship dis dental tradition. The Baha’i Temple blends closes a physical edifice impressive in size, and harmonizes, without artificial effort, striking in architecture, and superb in its many of the creative elements which char clear white surface carved to the pattern of acterize the historical cultures of mankind. symbolic design. What is familiar acquires new significance In appearance the structure suggests to by association with what has been remote the western mind an oriental influence. To and strange. The essential spirit of this THE B A H Á ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP 115

edifice is too universal to be confined within effect of finality and resignation emanating the form and mold of any race or creed. from domed structures into the upward Here the utilitarian function of structure thrust of aspiration fulfilled in answered has become esthetically fulfilled in the prayer. achievement of a means suitable for unified In the solution of the unique problem set worship of the one true God. A sense of the for him in designing this house of worship living cosmos attaches to the building, as if of a world faith, the architect has been less the architect had striven, with physical the conventional draftsman than the sculp material, to encompass a holy place, and had tor. One feels that his material has not learned measure and proportion, height and been arranged by thought but subdued by depth, stillness and motion, by observation will. He has wrestled with titans of atheism of the flight of suns and stars through the and anarchy; he has struggled through heavenly world. Outwardly the House of jungles of materialism. It is in the essence Worship reflects a passionate, yet reverent of spiritual victory that he achieved this spiritual reality, embodying a fullness of structure of massive weight, immovable welcome, a certitude of truth, and an in power, patterned motion and soaring alti tegrity of peace which the soul of religion tude, to provide a shrine for the mention of contains before faith is darkened by doctrine God. and narrowed by creed. Having designed the structure, the archi tect then proceeded to treat each wall as if Features of Its Design it were a facet for the transmission of radiant Certain important elements of design in light from the sun to the interior, and from harmonious relationship compose the dy illumination inside the temple to the world namic nature of the unity which this kingly at night. The outer surface is, in reality, a jewel of temples exemplifies. series of patterned windows, for the physical The edifice rests upon a great platform, function of wall has been transferred to circular in shape, surrounded by eighteen pylon, tower, rib and column. These ele ascending steps. From this foundation rises ments carry the weight. The surface be a nine-sided architectural unit, the main tween these elements can therefore become story, each side constituting an entrance a medium for light and not its interference. arch buttressed by pylons or towers. The This intention has been realized through the nine symmetrical sides form a series of con development of architectural concrete, a cave arcs intersecting the line of the circle process by which in plastic condition a mix marked by the towers. This main story be ture of white quartz and cement has been comes, in its turn, a platform supporting the poured into molds made from hand-carved gallery, the clerestory and the dome. The models, emerging as units of a surface hard gallery unit, likewise nine-sided, sets back and enduring as granite, clear in texture, from the circumference of the main story. and bearing a design delicate as lace. It repeats the effect of the entrance arches Symbol of a New Era below in its series of nine window arches, but the nine smaller towers of this level do The Bahd’i Temple at Wilmette, Illinois, not coincide vertically with the nine pylons has not arisen as the meeting place of a local below. They rise at points midway between congregation. It is the central shrine and the lower pylons, and their coincidence is house of worship of the followers of Baha’u’- with the perpendicular lines formed by the lláh in North America. In the western nine ribs which spring from the base of the world, this edifice is the first public expres clerestory to meet above the top of the dome. sion made by the believers of the creative Clerestory and dome, set back from the energy and spiritual aims of the Faith of outer line of the gallery, form circles and Baháhťlláh. Its construction, however, has not nonagons, their circumference being been made possible by the contributions divided into nine convex arcs by the ribs. given by Bahd’is of Europe, Asia and Africa, The dome itself is a hemisphere, but the Australia and New Zealand, as well as of the great ribs meeting above it transform the United States, Canada, and South America. 116 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

The undertaking has been a world project in My heaven I may remember thee.” when one realizes that the Baha’i community "O rich ones on earth! The poor in your of East and West is representative, in the midst-are My trust; guard ye My Trust.” racial and religious background of its mem "The source of all learning is the knowl bers, of the diverse families of mankind. The edge of God, exalted be His glory.” . period of time covered by the undertaking, The Bahá’í Temple expresses the renewal from the original intention to the completion of religion. It realizes a faith which relates of the structure and its exterior decoration, the soul to a universal, a revealed and a divine has been about forty years. truth wherein all human beings, of whatever During this period of time the nature of race, class or creed, can meet and share the man’s collective life has been transformed. true equality emanating from their common The authority and control of ancient religion dependence upon God. It serves a teaching over human destiny has failed. Royal and which goes beyond all the social philosophies imperial thrones have toppled to the dust. to make possible a world order capable not Aggressive social philosophies, nurtured in only of coordinating and guiding economic class conflict intensified by the industrial effort but also of safeguarding and fostering revolution, have become the creed and hope the highest qualities of man. Bahá’u’lláh of millions of men. National sovereignty, declared the oneness of mankind, a spiritual the particular spiritual achievement of the creation inaugurating the universal era of old era, the most potent instrument for in knowledge, justice and peace which ancient ternal order yet created, has encountered the Prophets foretold and promised the people world spirit of the new cycle, refusing so would come. far to subdue itself to the higher sovereignty "There can be no doubt whatever that the of truth. Under the impact of two inter peoples of the world,” He has written, "of national wars, a major depression and many whatever race or religion, derive their in domestic upheavals, the claim to self-suffi spiration from one heavenly Source and are cient power and independent policy has the subjects of one God.” The theme un jeopardized the very life of mankind. The folds in these clear, majestic truths:—"The Bahd’i House of Worship, built by those utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is who knew the destiny of these years as these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, clearly foretold in the Bahá’í sacred writings, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one has reflected the spirit of the new era arising with another in the utmost love and amidst the agony of the old. harmony. . . . So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole For the Healing of All the World earth!” "The well-being of mankind, its The nine selected utterances of Bahá’u’- peace and security, are unattainable unless lláh carved above the entrances of the and until its unity is firmly established. This Temple reveal its fundamental meaning in unity can never be achieved so long as the the life of our age: counsels which the Pen of the Most High "The earth is but one country; and man hath revealed are suffered to pass unheeded.” kind its citizens.” It sweeps to its fulfilment in this passage "The best beloved of all things in My taken from Bahá’u’lláh’s message written to sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if Queen Victoria of England from His prison thou desirest Me.” in 'Akká, Palestine, more than seventy years "My love is My stronghold; he that en- ago: "That which the Lord hath ordained terest therein is safe and secure.” as the sovereign remedy and mightiest in "Breathe not the sins of others so long as strument for the healing of all the world is thou art thyself a sinner.” the union of all its peoples in one universal "Thy heart is My home; sanctify it for Cause, one common Faith.” My descent.” The Real Temple Is the Word "I have made death a messenger of joy to thee; wherefore dost thou grieve?” ‘Abdu’l-Baha, eldest son of Bahá’u’lláh, "Make mention of Me on My earth that and Center of His Covenant, traveled in THE BAHÁ1 HOUSE OF WORSHIP 117

America during 1912, proclaiming the plicity has proved elusive. They consider Bahá’í teachings and promulgating the prin that elaborate complication is required, as ciples of universal peace. On one occasion if universality were obtained by adding to He addressed a national gathering of Baha’is gether all things that are not universal. Thus held at Chicago in the interests of this the view arose at one time that the Baha’i Temple. "Among the institutes of the Holy House of Worship when completed would Books,” \Abdu’l-Bahá said, "is that of the house the shrines and invite the ceremonies foundation of places of worship. That is to and worship of diverse sects and creeds, say, an edifice or temple is to be built in order arguing that tolerance of differences repre that humanity might find a place of meeting, sents the final and utmost victory of divine and this is to be conducive to unity and truth on earth. The Bahi’i Faith, having fellowship among them. The real temple is no professional clergy, no ritualistic service, the very Word of God; for to it all humanity but maintaining that one’s life itself is one’s must turn and it is the center of unity for practice of faith, preserves the universality all mankind. It is the collective center, the which came into being by divine creation cause of accord and communion of hearts, in the Revelation of' Bahá’u’lláh unadulter the sign of the solidarity of the human race, ated by sectarian influence. The Bahd’i the source of life eternal. Temples are the recognizes the sublime truth that revealed symbols of the divine uniting force, so that religions are fulfilled, not by the perpetua when the people gather there in the House tion of creeds and sects, but by transforma of God they may recall the fact that the tion into the later and larger Revelation. law has been revealed for them and that the Universality of Worship law is to unite them. They will realize that just as this temple was founded for the uni The Guardian of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, fication of mankind, the law preceding and has plainly set forth the nature of the Bahd’i creating it came forth in the manifest Word. House of Worship in this passage of a letter . . . That is why His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh addressed to the American Baha’is in 1929: has commanded that a place of worship be "It should be borne in mind that the cen built for all the religionists of the world; tral Edifice of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar, round that all religions, races and sects may come which in the fullness of time shall cluster together within its universal shelter; that such institutions of social service as shall af the proclamation of the oneness of mankind ford relief to the suffering, sustenance to the shall go forth from its open courts of holi poor, shelter to the wayfarer, solace to the ness; the announcement that humanity is bereaved, and education to the ignorant, the servant of God and that all are sub should be regarded, apart from these De merged in the ocean of His mercy. It is the pendencies, as a House solely designed and Mashriqu’l-Adhkar.1 entirely dedicated to the worship of God in "The world of existence may be likened accordance with the few yet definitely pre to this Temple and place of worship; for scribed principles established by Baha’u’llah. just as the external world is a place where . . . It should not be inferred, however, from the people of all races and colors, varying this general statement that the interior of faiths, denominations and conditions come the central Edifice itself will be converted together,—just as they are submerged in the into a conglomeration of religious services same sea of divine favors, so likewise all may conducted along lines associated with the meet under the dome of the Mashriqu’l- traditional procedure obtaining in churches, Adhkár and adore the one God in the same mosques, synagogues, and other temples of spirit of truth; for the ages of darkness have worship. Its various avenues of approach, all passed away and the century of light has converging towards the central Hall beneath come.” its dome, will not serve as admittance to For many persons universality in religion those sectarian adherents of rigid formulae has been difficult to grasp. Its essential sim- and man-made creeds, each bent, according 1Persian word meaning "Source of the mention to his way, to observe his rites, recite his of God.” prayers, perform his ablutions, and display 118 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

the particular symbols of his faith, within ance with the directions clearly set forth by separately defined sections of Baha’u’lldh’s ‘Abdu’l-Bahd:— Universal House of Worship. . . . The cen "The Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr must have nine tral House of Bahd’i worship, enshrined sides, doors, fountains, paths, gateways, with the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar, will gather columns and gardens, with the ground floor, within its chastened walls, in a serenely galleries 'and domes, and in design and con spiritual atmosphere, only those who, dis struction it must be beautiful. The mystery carding forever the trappings of elaborate of the edifice is great and can not be unveiled and ostentatious ceremony, are willing wor yet, but its erection is the most important shipers of the one true God, as manifested undertaking of this Day. in this age in the Person of Bahá’u’lláh. "The Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr has important "To them will the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar accessories, which are accounted of the basic symbolize the fundamental verity underly foundations. These are, school for orphan ing the Bahá’i Faith, that religious truth is children, hospital and dispensary for the not absolute but relative, that Divine Reve poor, home for the incapacitated, college lation is not final but progressive. Theirs for higher scientific education, and hospice. will be the conviction that an all-loving and . . . When these institutions . . . are built, ever-watchful Father Who, in the past, and the doors will be opened to all the nations at various stages in the evolution of man and religions. There will be absolutely no kind, has sent forth His Prophets as the line of demarcation drawn. Its charities will Bearers of His Message and the Manifesta be dispensed irrespective of color and race. tions of His Light to mankind, can not at Its gates will be flung wide open to mankind; this critical period of their civilization with prejudice towards none, love for all. The hold from His children the Guidance which central building will be devoted to the pur they sorely need amid the darkness which pose of prayer and worship. Thus . . . re has beset them, and which neither the light ligion will become harmonized with science, of science nor that of human intellect and and science will be the handmaid of religion, wisdom can succeed in dissipating. And thus both showering their material and spiritual having recognized in Baha’u’llah the source gifts on all humanity.” whence this celestial light proceeds, they will This is the new, the universal concept of irresistibly feel attracted to seek the shelter religion which Bahd’u’llah has revealed to of His House, and congregate therein un day: the source of faith is the Prophet, the hampered by ceremonials and unfettered by Manifestation of God, not the man-made creeds, to render homage to the one true God, creed, doctrine, rite, ceremony or church, the Essence and Orb of eternal Truth, and for the will and the love of God are con to exalt and magnify the name of His Mes veyed to humanity in each age by His sengers and Prophets Who, from time im chosen and inspired Messenger; and the ex memorial even unto our day, have, under pression of faith is in direct service to human divers circumstances and in varying measure, needs, sacrifice for the sake of world peace, mirrored forth to a dark and wayward world and consecration to the cause of the oneness the light of heavenly Guidance.” of mankind. Belief in a sectarian creed, and spiritual acceptance of only the fellow mem Facilities for Social Service bers of one’s own sect, with indifference for In the foregoing explanation the Guard the needs and rights of the souls of all others, ian of the Bahd’i Faith refers to a number no longer meet the needs of a world perish of institutions of social service which will ing for lack of unity, and are not accepted be associated with the completed House of as real faith by Baha’u’lldh. Worship. In the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár the The Baha’i House of Worship, in this modern world has been given an embodiment larger ultimate meaning, discloses the com of spiritual truth in its maturity and power. ing of the universal truth able to connect, The Bahá’í House of Worship is to have a and unify, the world’s agencies for religion direct relation to a number of other build and its agencies for humanitarian service, ings which are to be constructed in accord now dissociated and incapable of healing THE B A H Á ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP 119

human ills. It joins them as one spirit per extending the dominion of truth. Those meating one body. Without the body, the who still believe that the world can endure spirit of religion has no power to act; with the present war, and attain lasting world out the spirit, the body is lifeless. The Baha’i order, security and peace, without the unity teachings condemn passive worship on the of conscience produced by mutual faith, one hand, and action without spiritual guid fall behind the march of destiny together ance on the other. with those who protest that no social form greater than the nation is needed to safe The Door of Hope guard vital interests of the race throughout The Baha’i teachings create a religious future time. Spiritual and social evolution society in which all human relations are have characterized the whole course of hu transformed from social to spiritual prob man history to this hour. Whoever denies lems. the possibility of one organic religion and The social problems of the age are pre one organic social order for humanity, de dominantly political and economic. They nies the movement of life itself and places are problems because human society is di his own limitations upon the will of God. vided into nations each of which claims to For the man of true faith, however, it is be an end and a law unto itself, and into enough to recall the ancient prayer which classes each of which has raised an economic invoked the victory of the divine will on theory to the level of a sovereign and ex earth as in heaven. clusive principle. Nationality has become No one can close the door of hope which a condition which overrides the fundamental 'Abdu’l-Bahá flung open in these words ad humanity of all the peoples concerned, dressed to a public audience in America dur asserting the superiority of political consid ing 1912:— erations over ethical and moral needs. ''Religion is the outer expression of the Similarly, economic groups uphold and pro divine reality. Therefore it must be living, mote social systems without regard to the vitalized, moving and progressive. If it be quality of human relationships experienced without motion and non-progressive it is in relation to religion. But when human without the divine life; it is dead. The relationships are held to be political or social divine institutes are continuously active and problems they are removed from the realm evolutionary; therefore the revelation of in which rational will can operate under the them must be progressive and continuous. guidance of divine law. Only spiritual prob All things are subject to re-formation. This lems can be solved, for only those issues sub is a century of life and renewal. Sciences mitted to revealed truth are brought into and arts, industry and invention have been the arena of unity. In essence, the fatal dis reformed. Law and ethics have been recon ruption of international relations arising stituted, reorganized. The world of thought from war and revolution is the visible sign has been regenerated. that the instigator of strife seized a political "Will the despotism of former govern instrument to express an action contravening ments answer the call for freedom which spiritual truth and law. Outside that truth has risen from the heart of humanity in this and law there is no solution. The result of cycle of illumination? It is evident that no violent onslaught is eventual ruin. vital results are now forthcoming from the That is why, when faith weakens and customs, institutions and standpoints of the conscience grows blind, the world falls into past. In view of this, shall blind imitations strife and confusion; for the instigator of of ancestral forms and theological inter violence does not bear the entire responsi pretations continue to guide and control the bility of the war. He could not hope to religious life and spiritual development of precipitate overturn for power and profit humanity today? Shall man, gifted with unless the moral force of the rest of the the power of reason, unthinkingly follow world was indifferent or divided. A t such and adhere to dogma, creeds and hereditary times, when the way is darkened, the Prophet beliefs which will not bear the analysis of returns to mankind, renewing the law and reason in this century of effulgent reality? 120 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY THE BAHÁ1 HOUSE OF WORSHIP 121

"From the seed of reality, religion has in 1912. He addressed large audiences in grown into a tree which has put forth leaves churches of many denominations, in syna and branches, blossoms and fruit. After a gogues, universities, liberal clubs and peace time this tree has fallen into a condition societies. In these talks He created the of decay. The leaves and blossoms have program and policy which leading indi withered and perished; the tree has become viduals and institutions have taken over and stricken and fruitless. It is not reasonable are now promoting without full realization that man should hold to the old tree, claim of its spiritual source. ing that its life forces are undiminished, its The Bahá’í House of Worship preserves fruit unequalled, its existence eternal. The the vital truth which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá con seed of reality must be sown again in human veyed as the most important element of His hearts in order that a new tree may grow message, but which has been neglected by therefrom and new divine fruits refresh a generation which came to believe that the world. By this means the nations and public policy, if good and helpful, will pre peoples now divergent in religion will be vail by its own impetus. What ‘Abdu’lbrought into unity, imitations will be for Bahá pointed out as the essential condition saken and a universal brotherhood in the is the power of the Holy Spirit flowing reality itself will be established. Warfare through the Manifestation. The Mashriqu’land strife will cease among mankind; all Adhkár is the monument raised by the will be reconciled as servants of God.” Baha’is to Bahá’u’lláh, and not merely a public testimonial to a system of liberal The Mission of Peace truths. The final meaning associated with the "The body of the human world,” ‘Abdu’l- Bahd’i Temple bears upon the means of Baha declared, "is sick. Its remedy and attaining world order and universal peace. healing will be the oneness of the kingdom The location of the House of Worship of humanity. Its life is the Most Great in the central heart of North America is Peace. Its illumination and quickening is not less important than its architectural love. Its happiness the attainment of spirit design. ual perfections. It is My wish and hope The coming of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to America that in the bounties and favors of the Blessed in 1912 represented the working out of Perfection (i.e., Baha’u’lldh) we may find His clear vision of the events and conditions a new life, acquire a new power and attain which were to culminate in the establish to a wonderful and supreme source of ment of peace on earth. In the process of energy so that the Most Great Peace of di attainment, North America has been en vine intention shall be established upon the dowed by destiny with the sublime mission foundations of the unity of the world of of leadership among the nations. On many men with God. May the love of God be occasions, and in weighty words, ‘Abdu’l- spread from this city, from this meeting, Bahá explained this mission to the Ameri to all the surrounding countries. Nay, may can people. The present world outlook, and America become the distributing center of the constructive social vision, of America spiritual enlightenment and all the world proceeds, directly and indirectly, from the receive this heavenly blessing. For America truths which He expounded in daily meet has developed powers and capabilities greater ings and interviews held for nine months and more wonderful than other nations.” H IS T O R Y O F TEMPLE C O N S T R U C T I O N 1 9 0 3 - r 9I 5

I X a VING heard enthusiastic reports of the building of the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr tinent of America, men and women, will strive night and day until the Mashriqu’lin ‘Ishqábád, Russia, the members of the Adhkdr is erected in the utmost solidity Spiritual committee (better known as the and beauty.” "House of Spirituality” ) of the Chicago And again: "Today, the establishment of Assembly were inspired to supplicate to the the Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr is of paramount im Center of the Covenant, ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, to portance, but hereafter it shall not be so. grant permission for the second Mashriqu’l- This is the beginning of organization; it is Adhkdr to be built in America. like unto the first church founded in Chris On June 7, 1903, a tablet was revealed tianity; it is an expression of the elevation in ‘Akká by ‘Abdu’l-Bahd saying, "Now of the Word of God.” the day has arrived in which the edifice of While in London, on his first European God, the divine sanctuary, the Spiritual trip, ‘Abdu’l-Bahd told Mr. Charles Mason temple, shall be erected in America.” Remey that its building is the most im The following words from the pen of portant of all things. This is the spiritual ‘Abdu’l-Bahd clearly indicate the erection foundation, for that reason it is the most of a material building: "The Mashriqu’l- important of all foundations; from that Adhkdr, though outwardly a material foun spiritual foundation will come forth all dation, is possessed of spiritual effect and manner of advancement and progress in the causes the union of hearts and the gather world of humanity. Therefore, how great ing of souls. . . . Praise be to God! The is its importance. erection of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr has a To Mrs. Helen S. Goodall and Mrs. Ella great effect in all grades (or states). It was G. Cooper, 'Abdu’l-Bahd said: To have it tested in the east and so evidently and built is most important. Some material plainly was it proved good (that) even things have spiritual effect, and the Mashri when in a village a house was - called the qu’l-Adhkdr is a material thing that will Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr, it possessed a different have great effect upon the spirits of the effect. How much more its building and people. Not only does the building of the organization.” Furthermore, He says, "The Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr have an effect upon Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr is the most important those who build it, but upon the whole matter and the greatest divine institute. world. In the Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr, services Consider how the first institute of His holi will be held every morning and the words ness Moses, after His exodus from Egypt of Bahd’u’lldh only are to be read. was the 'Tent of Martyrdom’ which He While in Ramleh, Egypt, ‘Abdu’l-Bahd raised and which was the traveling temple. assured Mr. Percy Woodcock that the most It was a tent which they pitched in the important thing in this day is the speedy desert wherever they abode, and worshipped erection of the edifice. Its mystery is great in it. Likewise, after His holiness Christ— and cannot be unveiled as yet. In the future May the spirit of the world be a sacrifice it will be made plain. to Him— the first institute by the disciples During the sojourn of Mr. and Mrs. was a temple. They planned a church in Charles Haney in the prison home of every country. Consider the Gospel, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, He said: When the Mashri the importance of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar qu’l-Adhkdr, with its accessories, is estab will become evident. I hope that all the lished in the world, aside from its religious, beloved of God, collectively, on the con or spiritual influence, it will have a tre- HISTORY OF TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION 123

mendous effect upon civilization. Aside a number of people are making efforts. Now from the religionists, who will feel its in while the building of this temple is not yet fluence, materialists will not be exempt started or engaged in, if there be the found therefrom. Moreover, it contains divine ing of a second temple undertaken, neither wisdom, spiritual effects upon the intellects of the two would be accomplished and this and thoughts. Subsequent to its erection failure would weaken the Cause.” these will become evident. Mr. Mountfort Mills received a tablet This important point was made clear to from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá saying: "The Mashri a pilgrim visiting Him, namely, that the qu’l-Adhkdr of Chicago is of the greatest organization of worshipping places is not importance. This Bahd’i temple is a supreme simply for drawing near to God, but it is House of Worship, a place of spiritual to concentrate the word of the spirit of God gathering and of the manifestation of di and cause the power of unity and oneness vine mysteries. The friends of God must among the people. endeavor with all their hearts and souls Regarding the locating of this edifice of that this structure may be raised and com God, ‘Abdu’l-Baha wrote to the friends of pleted.” New York City: "Concerning the erection The Center of the Covenant has written: of the temple; now all the believers must "One must first grasp those affairs which become united, so that the temple may be will make growth (in the Cause) and also built soon in one place. For should the be be in time and season” lievers undertake (the erection of the From the foregoing quotations it is mani temple), in many places, it will not become fest that the Mashriqu’l-Adhkir is founded completed anywhere; and as in Chicago on the "Rock of Ages,” the eternal Word they have preceded every other place to of God, as to its object, location and appro plan the erection of the temple, undoubtedly priate time for its erection. to cooperate and help them is nobler and a A brief sketch of the work accomplished necessity. Then when it is built in one place may prove interesting: it will become erected in many other places, In the spring of 1907, while Messrs. God willing, in all the states of America, in Chase, Agnew and Scheffler were in the the future, there will be erected temples, prison home of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, He said to with infinite architectural beauty and art, them: Concerning the temple, the Mashri with pleasing proportions and handsome qu’l-Adhkdr is a very important matter, and attractive appearances, especially in the most important thing now in America New York.” is the building of the temple. You and Also to Dr. Edward Getsinger, ‘Abdu’l- your friends must endeavor in this matter. Baha wrote: "Regarding the building of This building will be the cause of the con the temple in Chicago, both of you (Dr. firmation of the believers. It has a great and Mrs. Getsinger) display the utmost effect because it is the beginning of the effort in encouraging and inspiring the be foundation. After centuries it is not so lievers and the maid-servants of God, so important as it is now, but now it is very that they may assist in the matter with important. At first they build the temple generosity, and thus soon this temple will and worship in it and grow. In past times be erected. This matter is of great im they could not build it so outwardly. This portance.” ("Utmost im p o rta n c e ” in building will be the cause of unity and ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s own handwriting). prosperity of the Cause. The unity comes; When Eshte’al-Ebn Kalanter wrote re from every part the believers will assist. garding a Mashriqu’l-Adhkar on Monsalvat This is a heavenly society and also it will (Green Acre, Eliot, Maine), ‘Abdu’l-Bahá be the cause of strength. The believers will replied: "Concerning the building of a get blessings and bounties. It cannot be Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr on Monsalvat: It is cer compared with the church of the old time. tain that before long this shall be built; You have only to begin, everything will be and this is an ordained (or fixed) matter; all right. but in Chicago it is two or three years since When this message was brought back to 124 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

America a new activity in the Mashriqu’l- Chicago meetings, establish a new meeting Adhkár resulted throughout the country for the provision of the means of the temple. and contributions from various assemblies If this is established with perfect fragrance and individuals were received. A conven and joy, it will produce great results. In tion was called for November 26, 1907, to this new meeting, especially for the estab be held in Chicago. This was the first lishment of the temple, women are also to Mashriqu’l-Adhkár convention, regarding be members.” which 'Abdu’l-Baha wrote to Mr. Charles In compliance with these instructions Sprague: "Thou hast written concerning from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the House of Spirit the organization of a council for the build uality of the Chicago Assembly called the ing of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr. This news second Mashriqu’l-Adhkár convention for brought much spirit and fragrance, for the March 22nd and 23rd, 1909, the proceed nine delegates sent by the various assemblies ings of which were accurately recorded by gathered in that meeting and consulted con Miss Gertrude Buikema and Mr. Charles cerning the building of the Mashriqu’l- Ioas, duly elected to act as secretaries, and Adhkár.” afterwards printed. Thus the tiny mustard Several possible tracts of land on both seed of nine delegates grew in the two in the south and north sides of the city had tervening years to four times nine. The been investigated, as ‘Abdu’l-Baha had said Baha’i Temple Unity resulted, as an or to a pilgrim that it must be near the lake. ganization, with full power and authority The morning of the day of November 26, to provide ways and means for the erection 1907, the delegates visited the south side of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar. A constitution tract, noting carefully the surroundings, was presented and adopted and the first returning to the home of Mrs. Grace Foster executive board of Baha’i Temple Unity for a sumptuous (Thanksgiving day) feast, was elected and authorized by the conven prepared in the name of the Center of the tion to close and complete the purchase of Covenant by the Chicago maid-servants. the land, recommended by the first conven In the afternoon the delegates inspected a tion, 1907, of which two lots had been tract north of the city. That evening a bought and paid for, with an option secured spirited meeting was held over the location on the remaining twelve lots. Immediately and it was unanimously voted that the after the close of the convention the newly north shore tract was most desirable. Miss appointed executive board went into ses Gertrude Buikema took the minutes of this sion, selecting its officers in accordance meeting. Upon closer investigation the with the constitution. The treasurer of the north shore tract (now the site of the Chicago Assembly, Mr. Scheffler, in whose Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr) was found to consist name the title to the two lots was held, of fourteen lots. The spiritual meeting of turned over to the Baha’i Temple Unity all the Chicago Assembly, after bringing the official documents and all monies held by matter before the assembly for approval, him for the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, as follows: took title to two of the lots in the name Monies on hand....................... $3,666.44 of the treasurer of the assembly, Mr. Carl Land values ............................. 2,000.00 Scheffler, and arose to obey the Center of the Covenant when He said: You have only Total ...................................... $5,666.44 to begin, everything will be all right. The sum of $2,000 was paid for those two lots When the two lots had been purchased, on April 9, 1908. Mr. C. E. Brush, one of Chicago’s archi On June 19, 1908, a tablet was revealed tects, kindly made a plat of the tract and by ‘Abdu’l-Bahd and translated by His its surroundings, which was sent to ‘Abdu’ldaughter Moneveh Khanum, in which He Baha. A beautiful tablet flowed from His wrote, "Ask every spiritual meeting in the pen, "To the friends and maid-servants,” other cities that they will each select one saying that on the anniversary of the and send him, and from these selected ones declaration of His holiness the Supreme, the and with those who are selected from the Báb, the map of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr HISTORY OF TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION 125

had been presented, that "great joy was 29th to May 1, 1912, will eternally wear obtained thereby and with the greatest care the glorious crown of bestowal because of it was considered,” that "it is indeed a de the presence of the Center of the Covenant lightful spot worthy of this edifice and and His dedication of the Mashriqu’lbuilding.” (Date of this tablet July 4, Adhkár grounds, May 1, 1912. During this 1908). fiscal year the lake shore tract of 293 feet The members of the Executive Board of frontage had been contracted for and pay Baha’i Temple Unity appointed Messrs. ment made on it, the purchase price being Mills, Hall and Jacobsen, a committee to at $17,000. The contributions for the year tend to the land negotiations, and an offer of having been $7,292.45. $32,500 for the remaining twelve lots was The sixth convention was entertained by made and accepted with a contract provid the friends of New York City, April 28 and ing for the payment of $5,000 every six 29, 1913. Regarding this wonderful con months, with interest, commencing July vention ‘Abdu’l-Baha wrote to Mr. Wilhelm, 1, 1909. A religious corporation was saying: effected under the laws of Illinois in the "Praise be to God, that the New York name "Bahd’i Temple Unity” and the title believers became confirmed in the accom to the land secured. plishment of a great service and held in that The third Mashriqu’i-Adhkár convention city the consultation convention for the convened in Chicago, April 2 5 and 26, 1910. erection of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar. They Report of the work done during the year displayed the utmost of effort until that was given by the secretary, Mr. Jacobsen, convention was inaugurated with infinite and the financial secretary’s report showed perfection. They exercised the greatest love contributions for the fiscal year: and kindness towards all the delegates who had come from the different states. They From the Orient.............. . $ 7,092.8 5 united and entertained the delegates in their From America and Europe.. 7,638.66 homes. With perfect affection they spread Turned over by Mr. Scheffler 5,666.44 before them the banquet of hospitality. Every one became grateful and happy. This Total ..................................... $20,397.95 event will adorn an important and blessed ($2,000 of this being land) page in the Bahd’i history.” Contributions had come from India, At this convention the commemoration Persia, Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Russia, of the ninth day of every month as Mashri Egypt, Germany, France, England, Canada, qu’l-Adhkar day was proposed and after Mexico, Hawaiian Islands, and a little island ward confirmed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha and has far out in the Indian Ocean, Mauretius. Be proved a very great impetus to the Mashrisides from sixty different. American cities. qu’l-Adhkár work. The friends of other The words of the Center of the Covenant countries join with us in observing the day; had literally been fulfilled: You have only very beautiful are the letters from our four to begin—everything will be all right. American sisters in Teheran telling of their The fourth Mashriqu’l-Adhkar conven holding this ninth day with us. tion was held in Chicago, May 1 and 2, 1911. The first contribution for the fiscal year A command having come from ‘Akka to April 30, 1912 to April 19, 1913, was a hold the convention during the Ridván gift from the Center of the Covenant at days. During the fiscal year, April 23, 1910, the closing session of the previous conven to April 29, 1911, the total contributions tion in Chicago. Also this year marked the were: completion of the payment on the site dedi cated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and an indebtedness The Orient and Europe........$ 1,190.83 of $9,000 on the Lake Shore tract remained America ......... ......—............... 9,210.76 only, its entire liquidation being urged be fore the expiration of 1913. The contribu Total ..................................... $10,401.59 tions for the year having been $14,206.42. The fifth convention in Chicago, April Another year soon rolled around and 126 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Chicago was again blest with a Mashriqu’l- giving offering, though it seems minute Adhkár convention, which was the seventh indeed to express what I feel.” convention. It also marked the fiftieth an During the fiscal year beginning April niversary of the Declaration of BaháVlláh. 27, 1914, the monthly contributions have At the close of the year 1913 the money been as follows: came literally rolling in for the cancellation of all land debts and a cablegram was sent April 27 to May 1.... ............. $ 258.00 to ťAbdu’l-Bahá announcing that the Bahd’i May .......................................... 388.60 Temple Unity had completed its land obli June ....................................... 3 51.09 gations. Thus the new year, 1914, dawned July ............ ............................. 483.31 free of any clouds for the Mashriqu’l- August ................... 344.22 Adhkár work so that the building fund September ................. 1,533.88 might be started. The financial secretary October ................................. 557.99 reported contributions for the year $13,- November ............................... 519.50 503.79 and the Unity entirely out of debt December ....................... ....... 614.66 with land holdings for which $51,500 had January .... .............. 768.72 been paid and which was worth almost February ................................ 247.10 double the price paid. Complete unity and March ..................................... 278.76 harmony marked the sessions of this seventh April 1 to April 18................ 2 51.82 convention. And now the eighth Mashriqu’l-Adhkar Total to April 18, 1915........ $6,597.65 convention and first Baha’i congress has Total receipts of subscriptions from convened in San Francisco. Thus our con August, 1907, to April, 1915. ventions held in the United States of Amer ica have travelled from coast to coast. First Convention .................$ 5,666.44 Almost immediately after the second con Second Convention .............. 14,731.51 vention, when the Bahd’i Temple Unity Third Convention ................ 10,401.59 resulted, the president of the first Executive Fourth Convention ..... 7,292.45 Board, Mr. Mountfort Mills, of New York Fifth Convention ___ 14,206.42 City, visited the Center of the Covenant Sixth Convention ................. 13,503.79 who was still a prisoner of the Turkish Seventh Convention ..... 6,597.65 Government, though liberated in July of that same year, 1908. Mr. Mills wrote: Grand Total .................. $72,399.8 5 "A t the temple convention, He seemed most pleased and satisfied and assured us that the Of the above amount $11,159.75 was future would see many more, constantly from countries other than United States, increasing in numbers, attending and bring as follows: ing together representatives from all parts England: St. Ives, Cornwall; Springfield, of the world. He said that these gatherings Broadway; Manchester; London; Sussex, would be to the spiritual body of the world Brighton; Warwicke; Clifton, Bristol. what the inrush of the spirit is to the Ireland: Warrington, County Down. physical body of man, quickening it to its France: Paris; Dinan, Brittany. utmost parts and infusing a new light and Germany: Berlin; Stuttgart; Esslingen; power.” Zuffenhausen. One of the most touching gifts to the Italy: Sienna; Ravenna, Erba. building fund was a check for $1,000 ad European Turkey: Constantinople. dressed to "The Baha’i Temple of Peace” Palestine: ‘Akka; Haifa. and saying in the letter, "In Europe, fathers Russia: Baku; Ishqábád. and brothers have been torn from their Persia: Tihrán; Esphahan; Gangelie; wives and little children, and many left at Shiraz; Yahromi; Resht; Kermanshah; Sanshome are in want of dire necessities. Our tan; Meshed; Tiflis; Yazd; Arabelli. beloved ones are not facing mutilation, acute India: Rangoon; Bombay; Mandalay. suffering and death. I send this as a thanks Egypt: Cairo; Port Said; Alexandria. HISTORY OF TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION 127

South Africa: East Rand; Transvaal; Islands of the Sea: Isle of Pines; Isle of Capetown. Mauretius; Hawaiian Islands. New Zealand: Davenport; Auckland. Respectfully submitted, Brazil: Sao Paulo. C o r in n e T r u e , Canada: Montreal; Brockville; St. John’s, Financial Secretary, N. B. Baha’i Temple Unity.

The seal of the first Baha’i Assembly of the United States and Canada, 1897. HISTORY OF TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION I9 I 5~I9Z5 A t the Convention called by the Secre "I was rejoiced through your endeavors tary of the National Spiritual Assembly to in this glorious Cause, made with joy and discuss ways and means for raising funds good interest. I pray God to aid you in necessary for the construction of the first exalting His word, and in establishing the story of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr, which was Temple of Worship, through His grace and held in Chicago, October 19-20, 1924, the ancient mercy. Verily, ye are the first to Temple Committee was instructed to draft arise for this Glorious Cause in that vast a complete report on the status of the religion. Soon will ye see the spread of this Temple work to be submitted to the N a enterprise in the world, and its resounding tional Spiritual Assembly for approval and voice shall go through the ears of the people to be sent to the Bahá’ís of the United States in all parts. and Canada. "Exert your energy in accomplishing It is the purpose of this report to deal what ye have undertaken, so that this specifically only with matters that have glorious Temple may be built, that the be transpired since the selection of the design loved of God may assemble therein and that of the building, but in order to refresh the they may pray and offer glory to God for memories of the friends regarding the won guiding them to His Kingdom.” derful accomplishments of the previous Since that time the work has progressed years, we are presenting a brief résumé of intermittently. During the first six years the various early stages of the work. the members of the Assembly in Chicago strove enthusiastically so that in the spring Early H istory of 1909 when the first Convention met in The inception of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar Chicago, having been called by the House in the West dates back to the spring of of Spirituality for the purpose of establish 1903, twenty-two years ago, at which time ing the work of the Temple on a national the corner-stone of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr basis, the Chicago Assembly was able to re in ‘Ishqábád, Russia had been laid and photo port the acquisition of two lots at a cost of graphs of the event sent to the members of $2,000.00, and a cash fund of $3,666.44. the House of Spirituality in Chicago, inspir Purchase of Site ing that body to arise for the erection of a Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr in America. In response As before stated the purchase of two lots to their supplication, ‘Abdu’l-Baha granted in the main tract had been completed by permission for the undertaking in the fol the House of Spirituality of Chicago, the lowing wonderful Tablet: deeds for which were in due time turned "I send you the glad-tidings of the erec over to the Bahá’í Temple Unity when it tion of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar (The Baha’i was organized just after the first Conven Temple) in ‘Ishqábád, with all joy and tion. The remainder of the main tract great happiness. The friends of God as bounded by Linden Ave. on the south, sembled together with rejoicing and con Sheridan Road on the north and east, and veyed the stones themselves upon their by the property of the Sanitary District of backs, while attracted by the love of God Illinois on the west was purchased at a cost and for the glory of God. Soon that great of $32,500.00. The final payment on this Temple will be completed and the voice of was made on October 1 , 1912. The pur prayer and praise shall ascend to the Sub chase of the lake shore tract was completed lime Kingdom. February 2, 1914. It cost $17,000.00 There HISTORY OF TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION 129

also is a small triangular plot of land across Mr. Remey, and selected by the Convention. Sheridan Road, north of the main tract in The model of MashriquT-Adhkár is, how cluded in these purchases. ever, too big. It needs several million dol The main tract measures on its south lars for the cost of construction. If possible boundary, Linden Ave., 607.5 5 ft., on its Mr. Bourgeois may reproduce the same model west boundary where it adjoins the property on a smaller scale, so that one million dollars of the Sanitary District of Illinois, from may suffice for its construction. This should Linden Ave. north to a point where the be reconsidered only if possible.” line strikes a slight angle, it measures 257.80 The design of the Bourgeois model being ft.; on the same boundary another angle a new and unique conception does in its 13 5.52 ft., still another angle on this line main character depart somewhat from recog measures 13 8.06 ft. The Sheridan Road nized architectural standards, chiefly in the line also turns slightly several times, the manner in which the upper stories connect sections of the line beginning at the north with the lower part of the building. It is west measuring east and south are 129.92 usual for the main ribs of a structure to ft., 219.47 ft., 166.46 ft., and 271.46 ft. ascend directly from the ground. In this The triangular section measures on Sheridan design the main ribs of the upper stories Road 141.49 ft., on the east 131.78 ft., and and dome were shifted so that they facing the Canal 141.49 ft. The lake shore connected midway between the main or tract on Sheridan Road measures 291.40 ft.; first story buttresses, immediately above the 3 ft. at the south end of this line are in doorways. This caused considerable adverse dispute, depth at that point is 168 ft., and criticism from laymen and architects, so at the north end it is 183 ft. to the water that the Executive Board of Baha’i Temple edge. Unity ordered Mr. Bourgeois to prepare a set of drawings altering this particular fea T he Bourgeois D esign ture. This work was in the nature of an The facts regarding the selection of the experiment to assure the members of the model of the Temple by the believers at the Board in whose hands the responsibility 1920 Convention are too well known to re rested, that the Bahd’is were not making a quire much elucidation; it might neverthe mistake in building a structure that thus less be well if some points regarding this radically departed from recognized archi are mentioned. tectural standards. The result of the ex ‘Abdud-Bahá directed that the believers periment justified Mr. Bourgeois, for it was should select the design at the 1920 Con found that the life and beauty of the origi vention. A number of architects submitted nal model was not in the building shown in designs, some in the form of drawn plans the experimental drawing. "It became a and Mr. Charles Mason Remey and Mr. Louis rigid structure and lacked motion.” Bourgeois submitted plaster models. After (Bourgeois). careful deliberation and discussion, after The Executive Board also felt it necessary hearing the opinion of disinterested men of to submit the design to ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and standing in the architectural profession, the since it was obviously impossible to send Bourgeois model was chosen. Mr. Remey, the model to Haifa they directed Mr. who had submitted the other model, made Bourgeois to prepare drawings showing a the motion that made the choice unanimous. front elevation and a cross section of the The selection of the Convention was con building intending that the architect him firmed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in numerous Tab self should take these to Haifa and there lets. We quote one of these written to Mrs. receive ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s instructions regard Corinne True, as follows: ing the building. This was done. About the "Thanks be unto God that this Conven middle of January, 1921, Mr. Bourgeois tion was supported by the confirmations of sailed to the Holy Land. The drawings were the Kingdom of Abhá. Praise be unto God left with ťAbduT-Bahá, and they now hang that the model of Mashriqud-Adhkár made in the shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd. by Mr. Bourgeois was approved by his honor, It will also be noted that ‘Abdu’l-Baha in 130 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

the Tablet just quoted directed that if would not be necessary for me to make possible the size and cost of the building plans of the caisson foundations so that on should be considerably reduced. To comply this item my compensation would be for with this instruction the Executive Board supervision only. However, a modification directed Mr. Bourgeois to make experimental of this arrangement was made soon after drawings to determine whether or not the because it became necessary to make certain design would lend itself as it stood to the structural plans of the superstructure in necessary reduction. It was in the main order to get a building permit and in doing found to be feasible, the only notable change this work it proved necessary to revise the in the building being in the number of caisson foundation designs which had been windows on either side of the entrance made previously. doors. All of this work was done in the "Only so much additional work was done period intervening between the Convention, as was necessary to serve the two purposes which was held in April 1920 and the first cited. of January 1921. The size of the structure "As stated above, a contract was let to was reduced from 450 ft. in diameter to Avery Brundage on December 17, 1920, for 153 ft. in diameter, and the estimated cost nine caisson foundations under the central reduced to about $1,200,000.00. This in portion of the building with the intention cludes a rough plaster interior, an ornamen of proceeding immediately with this portion tal iron rail on the balcony, but no decora of the work. tions for the interior. "An informal application was made to the Village of Wilmette for a permit on Engineer ’s R eport December 21, 1920. No action was taken "My contact with the Bahd’i Temple but on the contrary, some opposition de project in Wilmette started in the fall of veloped and it was necessary to file a formal 1920. I met some members of the Board application for permit, which was done on at that time in connection with the dis January 7, 1921. Permit was refused at cussion of some municipal plans of the this time because plans of the building struc Village of Wilmette in their relation to the ture were not submitted as required by Temple project. I also conferred with Mr. ordinance. This situation made it necessary McDaniel regarding the foundation plan, to proceed with preparation of general struc which he was preparing at that time, and tural plans sufficient to comply with the gave some assistance to the Board in secur ordinances of the Village. ing bids and letting the contract for the "These plans were drawn as rapidly as caisson foundations which supported the possible and were filed with a formal appli central portion of the building. This con cation on March 4, 1921, and the building tract was let to Mr. Avery Brundage on the permit was issued on the 19th day of March. 17th day of December, 1920. This permit covered not only the work then "On January 5, 1921, I entered into a under contract but the construction of the contract with the Bahd’i Temple Unity to entire building. Under the ordinances of serve as its structural engineer and superin the Village this permit would probably be tendent of construction. By this contract I considered as still in effect, although the undertook to prepare the structural, me Village authorities could require the taking chanical, electrical and sanitary engineering out of a new permit on account of the long plans and specifications and to supervise the suspension of operations. entire construction. This contract is still "Two contracts of considerable amount in effect. It was stipulated in the contract have been carried out from my plans and that I was authorized to proceed with the under my supervision, namely, with Avery preparations of the plans for the founda Brundage for nine caissons, amounting to tions and basement structure and that I $76,3 50.00, and with McCarty Brothers for should not prepare any plans of the super the general basement section, amounting to structure until further authorized. $108,500.00. In addition to these, there "It was further contemplated that it have been several miscellaneous items which HISTORY OF TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION 131

are shown on your records and which, with lights, sewer connection, furnaces, floor in the above aggregate a total of $187,876.35. the central portion and other miscellaneous Payments made to me amount to $8,000.00, items. Some of this has been under my which includes payments to apply on ac supervision. count of the extra work of preparing plans "Some filling material has been obtained for permit and for caissons. from other operations in the neighborhood "The Brundage contract for caissons was without expense, but so far it amounts to completed early in the summer of 1921, only a small fraction of the total filling that having been quite seriously delayed because is required. of the large amount of water encountered "The structure in its present condition in digging the wells for these foundations. is rather unsightly and has recently been the These wells were approximately 120 ft. deep subject of some adverse comment. This is and extended about 90 ft. below the level of probably a continuance of the opposition the water in the lake and the drainage canal which was in evidence when the work was near by. started. The structure has necessarily de "Soon after the completion of the caisson teriorated somewhat on account of exposure contract, plans were submitted to con in its unfinished state, but this has not de tractors for the basement structure. This veloped to a serious extent and can be over covered the foundations other than nine come when the general work proceeds, or caissons, which were required for the outer sooner if need be. portions of the building and the complete "The Board authorized Mr. Bourgeois, enclosure of the basement structure up to Architect of the Bahd’i Temple to proceed and including the first floor. It did not in with his plans in 1921. He did so and car clude the basement floor, the subdivision of ried them to completion in 1922 to such basement space, the finishing of basement extent as they could be completed without nor the installation of any of the mechanical having the structural plans to coordinate appliances. with the architectural plans. Inasmuch as "A contract was made with McCarty I was not authorized to proceed with the Brothers of Chicago for this work on August structural plans, I did only such work on 24, 1921. The starting of the work was them as was absolutely necessary to permit somewhat delayed by the time required to carrying on the architectural plans. This get the necessary signatures to the contract. consisted principally in determining some Also the work occupied considerable more of the governing dimensions and in some time than was anticipated but was finally instances the relation of the structural mem completed in the fall of 1922. bers to the architectural members. The plans "Since the completion of the basement which were made for permit purposes were contract, no work of importance has been very useful for the architect in this con done on the structure. As it now stands, nection. the structure comprises the entire basement "The architectural plans show all of the enclosure, which consists of the main en exterior treatment of the building and in closing wall of concrete, about 200 ft. in large measure the interior arrangement. diameter and 20 ft. high; the sloping con There are some details that could not be crete deck, which is to support the steps completed on account of the absence of the encircling the main structure; and the re structural plans, as mentioned, and also be inforced concrete deck which will be the cause the exterior material had not yet been first floor of the main structure. Within determined. this enclosure are all of the supporting "No specifications have been written. columns required for superstructure and "The architectural plans are in such con beneath it are all of the foundations required dition that the essentials are all given so that for the entire structure. the work could be carried on by some other "Some work has been done to make the competent architect in case Mr. Bourgeois interior of the basement partially usable, should be incapacitated. such as the installation of water, temporary "A t the request of the Board I examined Delegates to the first convention of the Bahá’ís of America, March, 1909. HISTORY OF TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION 133

the architectural plans and reported sub stantially agreed upon by all parties at in stantially as above. terest but was not put into effect. The "Before work can proceed with the super Temple building was located, however, to structure, it will be necessary first to make provide for the possible contingency of this the structural plans for it. The plans which change being made at some future date, so were made for permit purposes, having been that when made, it would not detract from developed from only preliminary archi the general plan of the Temple grounds. tectural drawings, will not be serviceable. "It was desired that the most used en They will have to be done over and com trance to the Temple should be toward pleted in very much greater detail. Then it ťAkká. In order to establish this accurately, will be necessary for a number of additional astronomical observations were made to drawings to be prepared in connection with establish the true meridian through the cen the architectural work in order to correlate ter of the Temple and from this the correct the architectural, structural and mechanical position of this entrance established. elements. Also some additional work may "The original model of the Temple was be necessary on the architectural drawings, exhibited by special permission in the Art dependent upon the selection of exterior ma Institute of Chicago from March 8 to April terial. This will not affect the design of 5, 1921, and by shifting its location the ornamentation but will affect the jointing exhibition period was extended from April of the masonry materials. When these out 5. to May 2. standing questions are settled, the specifica "A common field stone to mark the lo tions can be written. A large part of the cation of the Temple building was planted specification work will fall to my lot but at the site by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at the time of some of it will be architectural. His visit to Chicago in 1912. The location "Early in 1921, the Board appointed a of the stone has been carefully preserved so materials committee, consisting of Mr. W. that a suitable marker can be placed at the S. Maxwell, Mr. E. R. Boyle, Mr. A. B. Mc spot in the completed structure. Daniel, Mr. Louis Bourgeois and Mr. H. J. "It should be borne in mind that a con Burt, Chairman, to study the questions of siderable amount of work is required to materials to be used in the construction of prepare plans for proceeding with the con the Temple, having particular reference to struction and that I am not at this time the exterior material. authorized to proceed with this work so "A preliminary report was made on April ample notice should be given. 22, 1921, and a final report on February 18, "I think I need say nothing regarding the 1922. These reports are on file with the desirability of proceeding with the work board. Mr. Bourgeois and myself visited St. as soon as arrangements can be made for so Louis and Nashville and I- visited Washing doing, for I know that all connected with ton and New York, as well as a number of it, as well as the residents of the North points at and near Chicago, gathering in Shore district, are anxious to see this mag formation regarding materials. Some samples nificent structure carried forward to com of terra cotta and artificial stone have been pletion. ” exposed to the weather at the Temple site A rchitect’s Statement since 1922. "There are a number of miscellaneous "Regarding the work done on the plans items in connection with the work that are for the Temple. I would say that I have worth recording: drawn a full set of plans as follows: Floor "About the time construction was started, plans, basement and gallery sections; a full the Village of Wilmette was contemplating set of detail drawings three-quarters inch a change in the location of Sheridan Road (% " ) scale for one-ninth (1 /9 ) part, first, in order to partially eliminate the dangerous second, third story and dome. Also all sec curve along side of the Temple property. tion and profile for one-ninth ( l / 9 ) part A shifting of the Road approximately 30 ft. of the Temple from floor to top of dome, westward at the maximum point was sub full size. Comprising altogether about 134 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

thirty-six (36) rolls of drawings that vary to make the original moulds from which in size from ten feet (10') long to one the various sections of the building are cast. hundred and nine feet (109r). "This required considerably more draw "For in sta n c e , one twenty-seventh ing and of exceptional difficulty because of ( l / 2 7) section of the dome is drawn on the large size that is done on even highly two rolls of paper four feet six inches ornamented buildings where more or less (4 '6 ") in width by forty-five (45') feet stock ornamentation is used. in length. All of this work, because of the "The Mashriqu’l-Adhkdr will require unusual size, had to be laid out and drawn much more supervision than any other on the floor. It required a space two hundred building of even greater size or cost because and fifty (250') feet long by forty (40') the character of the ornamentation is en feet wide. tirely new and the modellers will have to "The full size drawings of the outer struc be instructed constantly. The drawings ture of this building were required because clearly show full size detail of the design, all of the design and tracery on this struc but the depth and pitch of the modelling ture are entirely new. From these drawings will have to be determined by me as con the modellers under my supervision will have struction proceeds.”

ESTIMATED COST TO COMPLETE STRUCTURE The original estimates given for the entire structure were as follows: Caisson ...... $ 50,000.00 Basement ........................ :............ 175.000. 00 First Story ................................................*.......................................................... 375.000. 00 Second Story .......-................................................................................................ 275.000. 00 To top of Dome................................................................................................... 325.000. 00

$ 1,2 0 0 ,000.00 $ 76,350.00 108,500.00

EXPENDITURES APRIL 1, 1909—MARCH 31, 192 5 Real Estate and Temple Building Land (purchase price) ....................................................................................... $ Improvements to land ............. ...................................... ................................... Temple Building: Construction ......................... $204,828.46 Model ............................. 8,932.50 Plans for Temple ........................................................................ 8,728.10 Louis Bourgeois—On Contract ................................................ 36,700.00

$ 316,395.82 M yron H. P o tte r Respectfully submitted, Chairman Baha’i Temple Committee, C o rin n e T ru e C arl Scheffler , Financial Secretary Secretary. A. F. M a tth ise n Accountant A lfr e d E. L u n t A lb e r t W indust TEMPLE SU P E R S T R U C T U R E I93 ° - 1 9 3 1 Investigation of Materials

lljjA R LY in 1921, the Executive Board tition of forms and details was especially appointed a materials committee, consisting adapted to a material such as concrete, of the late Major H. J. Burt, the structural plastic when placed in molds or on the build engineer, as chairman, Louis Bourgeois, the ing, and becoming as hard and durable as architect, W. S. Maxwell, architect, E. R. stone upon setting. Boyle, builder, and Allen B. McDaniel, en Superstructure R aised gineer, to study the problems of materials to be used in the building of the Temple, with By 1929 the Trustees had received cash special relation to the exterior material. The donations amounting to $400,000, sufficient unique and elaborate design of this nine to proceed with the building of the super sided building had evoked considerable com structure. The materials committee recom ment at the time of its selection and dur mended to the Trustees the construction of ing subsequent years when the model was the entire superstructure framework en exhibited in museums, art centers, libraries closed with a metal-glass dome and metal and other public places in the larger cities frame windows and temporary doors. A of the United States and Canada. Over a careful cost analysis had disclosed the prac period of nine years, and with a personnel ticability of constructing the skeleton struc changed through the death of Major Burt ture for the estimated cost of building the and other causes, this committee made three first story complete with a temporary roof, reports based on a world-wide study and in as originally contemplated by the architect vestigation of building materials and their and the Trustees, who realized that the use in monumental structures. Samples of Temple work must proceed in stages, as cast stone, terra cotta, aluminum alloy and funds from time to time became available. architectural concrete were prepared by This plan was adopted and in August, various concerns and placed on the property 1930, a contract was awarded to the George adjacent to the basement to test their dura A. Fuller Company of New York to build bility, weathering, and discoloration. Con this framework superstructure on the foun ferences were held with leading representa dation. Due to the financial depression at tives of the stone, cast stone, terra cotta, that time, the contractor was enabled to metals and concrete industries. After do the work with expedition and such months of studies, investigations and con economy that the plumbing and part of the ferences the committee was able to get only heating and lighting systems were installed one definite estimate for the exterior orna with available funds— thus providing a mentation. The Earley Studio, Washington, completely enclosed and usable building. D. C., submitted a full-size sample of the The structural design was prepared by Benja dome ornamentation and a preliminary esti min B. Shapiro, Consulting Engineer, Chi mate for the entire project. Soon after the cago, and the building was erected under acceptance of his design, the architect, in his immediate supervision. search of a suitable, practicable material of As this project started, the architect died which his unique design could be executed, in his studio home on the Temple property. had met and interested John J. Earley, an He had completed his design, including fullarchitectural sculptor, who had developed sized drawings of all of the exterior orna a new type (exposed aggregate) of archi mentation, great drawings of remarkable tectural concrete. The nature of the design beauty and accuracy, some of them reaching with its intricate ornamentation and repe a length of 109 feet. E X T E R IO R ORNAMENTATION I 932-"I 943 A b o u t one year after the completion the dome ornamentation first was the early of the superstructure of the Temple, on belief that this portion of the project would June 6, 1932, the first contract for the be the most difficult. As the work progressed ornamentation was awarded to John J. into its later stages, however, unforeseen Earley of Washington, D. C. This contract conditions and difficulties were encountered. involved the making and placing of the ma These problems reached their highest com terial comprising the dome ornamentation plexity in the first or main story, especially including the great ribs. As the work pro in the placing and setting of the great ceeded, its was found necessary to continue spandrel sections and of the L-shaped cor these ribs beyond the base of the dome to nice pieces. In this portion of the work, the the foot of the clerestory. costs of setting the casts was from two to The preliminary work under the first con thtee times the cost of making the sections; tract included studies of plant, technique, the reverse of the experience in the orna and methods for the execution of the work. mentation of the dome, clerestory and gal While new and more difficult problems arose lery story. This unforeseen situation ac as the various subsequent contracts were counts partly for the over-run in cost over prosecuted, the general principle of tech the original estimate of the main story nique and method, early established and de contract. veloped, were generally used throughout the The first two contracts, which involved entire project. For example, to allow for the ornamentation of the dome, ribs and expansion and contraction of the reinforced clerestory or drum beneath the dome, ex concrete material and to eliminate cracking tended over a period of nearly three years. as far as practicable, the ornamentation was The preliminary work including the prepara made in sections and placed with suitable tion of plans, the remodeling of the plant spaces between adjacent sections. Each sec at Rosslyn, Virginia, the building of the fulltion was designed and prepared as a concrete size wooden replica of one-ninth of the cast reinforced with a steel frame to provide outer dome framework and other similar sufficient strength for handling at the plant work were done during the summer and and at the building and for resisting wind fall of 1932. Construction at the Temple and other pressures as a part of the structure. was initiated with the erection of the fur Practically the same groups of workmen ring system on the outer dome framework carried out the various steps of the prepara and continued through January, 1934, tion of the models and molds and the pour when the last sections of the great ribs were ing and curing of the casts at the Studio, swung into place at the top of the dome. and the erection of the casts and pouring of The erection of the dome and rib sections— the piers, arches and other broad, flat mem involving the handling of pieces weighing bers on the building. up to three tons—was handled efficiently and Outstanding among the problems that without mishap by the Friedstad Company, were solved in the handling of the work was the same contractors that erected the struc the support and fastening of the dome orna tural steel dome in the fall of 1930. In mentation. A structural steel furring sys January, 1934, upon completion of the dome tem was devised and built on the outer steel and ribs, a second contract was entered into dome framework and to this system the 367 with the Earley Studio for the ornamenta casts that comprise the dome ornamenta tion of the clerestory. This project was tion were securely supported and fastened. completed a little over a year later in One of the principal reasons for doing January, 193 5. EXTERIOR ORNAMENTATION 137

A two-year period of construction in pared sketches and made a preliminary esti activity elapsed from the summer of 193 5 mate of $30,000 for building the steps in to the fall of 1937, during which time a sections suspended from the main floor plat special Technical Committee of Baha’is and forms. Later studies and the experience of non-Bahá’ís reviewed the work done under the Federal government on monumental the first two contracts, with special refer buildings in Washington developed a final ence to placing future contracts on a com design comprising 917 step sections sup petitive and lump-sum basis. The unanimous ported on carriages built over the girders report of this committee made to the Temple that support the sloping deck. In May, Trustees at Green Acre in August, 1937, 1941, the Earley Studio was authorized to recommended that the ornamentation be proceed with the steps and the plans, forms continued with the Earley Studio on the and other preliminary work, involving an basis of the experience gained in the develop expenditure of some $9,300, were done at ment of methods, technique, materials, etc. the Studio. In April, 1942, the preparation under the first two contracts. of the reinforcement units for the step sec Re-estimating the second or gallery story tions was begun at the Earley plant, and the ornamentation at $125,000.00, the Earley construction of the carriages started at the Studio was awarded a cost-plus contract for Temple about the middle of May. The set this work in October, 1937. The faces were ting of the step sections was begun in July finished in November, 1938, and the nine and was somewhat retarded by lack of suffi pylons about eight months later. The cost cient reinforcement units to cast and set of this work exceeded the estimate by only all of the 17 sections in one flight at one about $2,800.00. setup of the hoist. These reinforcement The casting and erection of the main units should have been prepared in the win story grilles, pilasters, columns, arches, ter of 1940 and the spring of 1941 as di spandrels, cornice and other minor parts, rected by the writer, but at this period the was handled under two principal contracts; Earley Studio was running seven days a first one involving the ornamentation of week on war contracts for the War and three faces and second, the work required Navy Departments and the reinforcing shop for the remaining six faces. These two con was not available. tracts overlapped as to time and construc The final cost of $50,817.84 for the work tion involved. As the pouring of the con involved in the steps contract, while it ex crete and the placing of the casts proceeded ceeds the original estimate of $30,000 from the bases of the faces, the difficulties (made on the basis of a different, much inherent in the handling of the great arch simpler design), is a reasonable cost under and spandrel sections and in the setting of conditions at that time, for the work done, the cornice pieces became a major factor involving about 10,000 lineal feet of circu in running up the cost of the work above lar steps, 1000 square feet of main floor the original estimate. platforms and the faces of the plinths of With Europe becoming engulfed in war the nine pylons. and realizing the need for haste in the prose On the Temple property, in addition to cution of the Temple construction, the the Temple structure, buildings, garages, Temple Trustees wisely arranged with the grading of the grounds and other improve contractor for the purchase of reinforcing ments have been made at expenditures of steel, cement and stone necessary for the funds as noted below: building of the 18 circular steps at the base Administration building......$1 5,837.95 of the Temple. The cement and stone were Caretaker’s house ................ 6,209.46 contracted for and the steel purchased in Supplementary house .......... 5,688.47 the summer of 1941. Storm enclosure—Temple.... 571.21 The original plans of the architect con Tunnels, areaways, etc......... 10,742.87 templated pouring the concrete steps on Fences .................. 1,614.86 the ramp of the foundation structure built Grading and seeding grounds 9,444.63 in 1922. In 1939, the Earley Studio pre Total ...................................... $50,109.45 Group of early Believers of Chicago, Illinois, U. S. A., taken about the year 1900 PART S I X

EARLY BAHÁT P I L G R I M A G E S TO ‘AKKÁ A N D HAIFA

T h e public announcement made at the created the capacity to teach; their letters Congress of Religions in 1894 concerning anticipated the development of the great the spiritual sanctity of Bahá’u’lláh quick publishing enterprise in later years. As the ened into vital life the latent religious seek Master’s Person transcended His written ing of the people of the West. Bahá’uTláh Tablets, so the experience of that small and Himself had departed this life. ‘Abdu’l- specially blessed company who beheld Him Bahá was still a prisoner unable to leave transcends the more formal methods of in Akká. No literature of the Faith existed struction employed by the following gen in North America. The response, therefore, eration. demonstrated its power by an increasing In the Bahd’i catalog of 1924 we find a flow of pilgrims who made the journey to number of pamphlets written by early pil the Holy Land in order to learn of the grims still listed: "Ten Days in the Light teachings from the lips of Bahá’u’lláh’s of Acca,” by Julia M. Grundy; "In Galilee,” chosen Exemplar and Interpreter. Famous by Thornton Chase; "Unity Through Love,” among these pilgrimages, first in order of by Howard M acNutt; "Flowers From the time and extraordinary in its permanent re Rose Garden of Acca,” by Ida A. Finch, sults, was the party made up by Mrs. Phoebe Fanny A. Knobloch and Alma S. Knobloch; Hearst, whose membership included Lua and "Table Talks in the Prison of Acca,” by Getsinger, May Ellis Maxwell and the first Arthur S. Agnew. The "Flowers from the American Negro Baha’i, Turner, and thir Rose Garden” were transplanted to bloom teen other seekers. eternally in new soil, for its three authors The ardor kindled by these visits made later identified themselves with the found the early pilgrims return as ‘AbduT-Baha’s ing or development of the Faith in a new first messages to their fellow-countrymen of country: Ida A. Finch in Japan, Fannie A. the United States and Canada, living Tab Knobloch in South Africa, and Alma S. lets inscribed with the image of His radiant Knobloch in Germany. being and the text of His loving wisdom. Other accounts printed in the early days The pilgrims brought back the sense of the exerted great influence among the American early days of faith, when the Prophet has Baha’is for many years, such as: "In Gali been seen by human eyes and heard by lee,” by Thornton Chase; "In Wonderland,” human ears, and the world is filled with by Arthur S. Agnew; "Table Talks With ecstasy like the golden light of perfect dawn. ‘Abdu’l-Baha in February, 1904,” notes The teaching of the Faith in America, at taken by Mr. and Mrs. George T. Winterfirst confined to the effort of one Oriental burn; "Utterances of A b d u ’l Beha 'Abbá who conducted a class in Chicago, became to Two Young Men, American Pilgrims to established on the permanent foundation of Acre, 1901,” anonymous; "W hat Went Ye direct relationship with the true expounder. Out For to See?”, by Thornton Chase; "An All the activities of the Cause of BaháVlláh Early Pilgrimage,” by May Ellis Maxwell; in America emanated from the few score " ‘Akká Lights,” by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph souls who attained the goal of all earthly Hannen; "A Brief Account of My Visit to seeking in ‘Akká and Haifa between the ‘Akká,” by Mary L. Lucas; "Daily Lessons years 1894 and 1911. Their vivid talks Received at ‘Akká— 1908,” by Helen S. 140 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Goodall and Ella G. Cooper; "A Heavenly I had been carried suddenly to too great a Feast,” by Charles and Mariam Haney; "A height; my soul had come in contact with Heavenly Vista,” by Louis G. Gregory; the Divine Spirit; and this force so pure, "Knock and It Shall be Opened Unto You,” so holy, so mighty had overwhelmed me. by Roy and M. J. M.; "Notes Taken at "He spoke to each one of us in turn of ‘Akká,” by Corinne True; "Table Talks,” ourselves and our lives and those whom we anonymous; "Table Talks at ‘Akká,” by loved and although His words were so few Arthur S. Agnew; "Visit to Abbas Effendi and so simple they breathed the Spirit of in 1899,” by Margaret B. Peake. Life to our souls. . . . Of much larger scope is the book entitled "During the three wonderful days and " ‘Abbas Effendi,” by Marion H. Phelps, a nights we spent in that sacred spot we heard serious effort made by an early pilgrim to naught but the mention of God; His Holy compile in the household of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Name was on every tongue; His praise and a brief history of the Faith and representa glory were chanted and sung; His beauty tive selections from its literature. and goodness were the theme of all conver In "Some Answered Questions,” however, sation; His glorious Cause the only aim of edited by Laura Clifford Barney from tran every life. Whenever we gathered together scribed talks made by the Master in answer in one of the rooms they spoke unceasingly to a series of questions she was permitted of the Blessed Perfection, relating incidents to refer to Him during a long pilgrimage in in the life of the Beloved, mentioning His 1907, the contribution of the pilgrim to words, telling of His deeds and of the pas the spread of the Faith attained a new sionate love and devotion of His followers height. The book produced as result of her until our hearts ached with love and visit has since filled a unique place in the longing. . . . literature of the Faith, and editions have "During the dinner our Master talked to since appeared in English, French and other us and taught us, referring to Christ, quot languages. ing His utterances and prophecies, and al Space is lacking for a representative selec ways speaking with a simplicity and clear tion of the writings of these early Bahá’ís, ness which any child could comprehend; yet but the few excerpts which follow convey His symbols and metaphors, drawn always the spirit of their ardent experience. from nature, embodied that essence of wis From May Maxwell’s pamphlet:— dom and truth which baffles the learned and "On the following morning, Friday the great.” 17th, at about seven o’clock, sister Mariam Thornton Chase wrote:— hurried into our room and announced that "Scholars, scientists, th e o lo g ia n s and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would arrive in a few mo students from the seats of learning of the ments. We had barely time to dress when world, of every race, religion and clime, ply a sudden stir without set all our beings in him with questions, and his simple answers commotion. We went out into a large cen have satisfied—or confounded them. Whence tral hall from which opened all the rooms came such knowledge? He has never been in the house and opposite the door of one enrolled in the schools. His only Teacher has of these we saw the shoes of the believers; been—his Father. His only . books—the thus we knew that the Blessed Master was writings that were claimed to be Sacred within. The others preceded me. In a mo Scriptures. There is no man living that can ment I stood on the threshold and dimly say: I taught him. saw a room full of people sitting quietly "His own writings, spreading like white about the walls, and then I beheld my Be winged doves from the Center of His Pres loved. I found myself at His feet, and He ence to the ends of the earth, are so many gently raised me and seated me beside Him all (hundreds pouring forth daily) that it is the while saying some loving words in an impQssibility for him to have given time Persian in a voice that shook my heart. Of to them for searching thought or to have that first meeting I can remember neither applied the mental processes of the scholar joy nor pain nor anything that I can name. to them. They flow like streams from a EARLY BAHÁ’Í PILGRIMAGES TO ‘AKKÁ AND HAIFA 141

gushing fountain, bearing treasures of Mrs. Laura Dixon knowledge and wisdom, and bringing the Miss Sophie Engelhorn waters of Life to thirsty souls everywhere Colonel Fiske in the wilderness of earth. They satisfy the Colonel Nathan Ward Fitzgerald intellects and pierce the hearts of men the Mrs. Ida Finch world around, and many are they who have Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford told us that, in the 'Tablets’ received from Mrs. Kathryn Frankland 'The Master/ it is proved that He knew Miss Sarah J. Farmer their secret conditions and touched the Mrs. Helen Goodall pulses of their inmost thoughts and desires. Mr. Louis G. Gregory It is evident that 'He knows.5 Who Mrs. Phoebe Apperson Hearst 'knows?5 It is the man—‘Abdu’l-Baha (with party of thirteen whose names Abbas? Indeed, who can know save the One follow ):— who knows all things— the Omniscient— Dr. E. C. Getsinger the Holy Spirit of God?55 Mrs. Lua M. Getsinger From Roy C. Wilhelm’s account:— Dr. I. Kheirella "During our last meal ‘Abdu’l-Bahá broke Mrs. Marian Kheirella a quantity of bread into His bowl; then Anne Drucilla Apperson asking for the plates of the pilgrims He Julia Pearson gave to each of us a portion. When the meal Robert Turner was finished, He said that He had given us Amelia Bochrodt to eat from His bowl—now we were to Mrs. Maryam Thornburgh-Cropper distribute His bread among the people.55 Mrs. Thornburgh The occasion is opportune for listing the May Ellis Bolles (Mrs. Maxwell) names of those American Baha’is who made Helen Adelaide Hillyer pilgrimage during that early period of the Ella Frances Goodall (Mrs. Cooper) Cause up to the time ‘Abdu’l-Baha came to Mrs. H. Emogene Hoagg North America in 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hannen Mr. and Mrs. Arthur S. Agnew Mr. and Mrs. William Hoar Miss Alma Albertson Mr. Hooper Harris Dr. Emma Mackay Appel Mr. and Mrs. Charles Haney Mr. and Mrs. Willard Ashton Mrs. Cecilia Harrison Mrs. Asayeh Pollock Allen Mr. Albert Hall Mme. d’Angie d’Astre Mr. Herbert Hopper Dr. George Augur Mrs. Maude Hauser Mrs. Isabella Brittingham Mrs. Mary Tewksbury Jackson Mrs. Alice Barney Miss Marion Jack Miss Laura D. Barney Mrs. Kelting Miss Charlotte Bingham Miss Lillian Kelting Mrs. Alice Beede Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Kinney Stanwood Cobb Sanford Kinney Dr. Sarah Clock Howard Kinney Mr. Thornton Chase Miss Alma S. Knobloch Mrs. Josephine Cowles Miss Fannie A. Knobloch Mrs. Helen Ellis Cole Mrs. Mary Lucas Mme. M. A. De S. Canavarro Miss Josephine Locke Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Pillsbury Dodge Mr. Mountfort Mills Mr. Wendell Dodge Dr. Susan I. Moody Mr. William Dodge Mr. and Mrs. Howard MacNutt Mrs. Alice S. Devin Miss Elizabeth Mather Mrs. Emily Dixon Mr. Harlan F. Ober Miss Louise Dixon Mrs. Agnes S. Parsons Miss Eleanor Dixon Mrs. Pursell 142 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Mr. Myron H. Phelps Miss Juliet Thompson Mrs. Arna True Perron Mrs. Corinne True Mr. Charles Mason Remey Mrs. Louise Waite Miss Caroline Rogers Miss Winalda Wilcox Mr. Sigurd Russell Mrs. Laurie Wilhelm Miss Elizabeth Stewart Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm Mr. Carl Scheffler Miss Maria Wilson Mr. Sydney Sprague Prof. George Winterburn Mrs. Louise Stopfer Mrs. Rose Winterburn Mr. Howard Struven Mr. and Mrs. Percy Woodcock Mrs. Hebe Moore Struven (with two daughters) T E A C H E R S S E N T TO A M E R I C A BY ‘A B D U ’L-BAHA

jAlBDUL Karim Effendi T eherani, of given at the Masonic Temple, Sunday eve Cairo, Egypt, was the first teacher sent to ning, May 11, 1902. America by ‘Abdu’l-Baha. He arrived in Also ‘Abdu’l-Baha sent to America in New York City in May, 1900. He remained 1902 the revered Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl, of there for some time and then came to Gulpaygan, Persia. He was accompanied Chicago where he was entertained by Dr. by Mirza Ali-Kuli Khan, later an attache C. I. Thatcher in his home at 14 Loomis of the Persian Embassy in Washington, Street near Monroe Street. Dr. Thatcher D. C., who acted as his interpreter and had fitted up a hall for meetings in the base translator. The Bahd’is had already rented ment of his house and all the meetings were a house on Monroe Street, corner of Loomis, held there. Anton Haddad was his transla for a headquarters where the activities of tor and Mirza Raifie also translated some of the Cause were carried on. Here Haji Mirza the time. The addresses of Abdul Karim Hassan and party, Mirza Abu’l-Fadl and all Effendi given in Chicago, including one the translators lived at the same time. This given in New York, and also a Tablet he was a glorious experience for the friends had received from Bahá’u’lláh, were pub who gathered there to receive the teachings lished in a booklet. This booklet was of from these marvelous teachers. Every Sun great value to the Bahd’is at that time as day they gave public lectures in halls rented it contained the true teachings and caused by the believers for Sunday meetings only, the removal of conflicting ideas concerning as all other activities were held at the head the Cause then prevailing in America. He quarters. made a trip to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to meet Mirza Abul’-F adl, spent much time in the Baha’is in that city; he gave addresses New York, Green Acre, and Washington, and held interviews for inquirers. A group returning there after his visit in Chicago. photograph of the Bahd’is with Abdul His explanations of the Bible were wonder Karim Effendi and his party standing on ful, giving from Genesis to Revelation the the veranda was taken in front of Dr. most voluminous and the most explicit in Thatcher’s house. Abdul Karim Effendi was terpretations we have ever received. His a venerable and dignified appearing man talks and lectures were all taken down in and wore the Oriental robes and turban. shorthand, but we have them only in type In 1901 Haji Mirza Hassan Khorasani, written form, also a large number of his also of Cairo, Egypt, with Mirza Assad letters to believers and inquirers. These Ullah of Haifa, Palestine, and Mirza Hussien have been carefully preserved by the Bahd’is Rouhy, a school teacher of Cairo, who of those early days and have been followed acted as their interpreter, arrived from the as a basis for giving the Message, especially Holy Land. They were the bearers of a to Christians. Tablet from ‘Abdu’l-Baha stating that He He wrote a booklet "The Brilliant Proof,” was sending them "to those regions to visit at the command of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in refuta you that their breasts may be dilated with tion of an article written by Peter Z. Easton, joy in conversing with you about the Love a Protestant Missionary, which was a very of God.” false and discourteous criticism of the Bahá’í These teachers also wore the Oriental Cause. His book entitled "The Bahá’i garb. Their talks were taken down in short Proofs” was published in 1902. After his hand in Chicago every evening, but were departure January 21 , 1914, another edition not published. His farewell address was was published containing a history of his 144 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

life, an account of his death, and tributes capacity. Preceding his second visit, Mírzá and eulogies written by 'Abdu’l-Baha. Fadil spent a number of days with Shoghi Several years later, in 1919, Mírzá Jenabe- Effendi in Haifa, and his travels through Fadil of Teheran, Persia, with his family America gave the believers a clearer insight arrived in America. They traveled from into the unique station which the Master coast to coast teaching and lecturing. We created in the Guardianship. This second have five little booklets of his lectures given visit was notable also in that it greatly in Seattle, Washington. These were pub strengthened the National Teaching Com lished by the Seattle Baha’is in 1921. He mittee which arranged all the details of his was a younger man than the former teachers schedule and published a news bulletin re who had visited us, but he was a fine speaker. porting his meetings and activities. He was well liked by those of the friends To sum up: the American Bahá’í com who knew and associated with him. munity gratefully acknowledges its obliga Mírzá Jenabe-Fadil visited America a tion to the teachers whom ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sent second time, in 1923, on invitation from from Persia, the country of origin of this the believers. He contributed much to our Cause. These matured souls freely shared understanding of the Faith in those days their knowledge and their experience. In no following the ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá other manner, under the conditions pre when it had become imperative for us to vailing in those stages of our development, realize the true nature of the Baha’i admin could the American Bahd’i community have istrative order. This teacher had been sent received such inspiration and impetus and by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, whose Tablets referring been bound by such ties to the believers of to him conveyed high praise of his spiritual the Orient in one universal Faith. T H E D E V E L O P M E N T O F BAHA'I PUBLICATIONS 1. Growth of the Literature

P i VERY great idea is reflected in a litera tablets from ‘Abdu’l-Baha. As soon as a ture of its own. The concept of democracy new tablet was received from Haifa, the has been discussed in many treatises and re believer receiving it would send copies to lated types of literature. . . . A literature known Baha’is in different parts of the has grown up about great historical person country. The early centers in the large cities alities. Witness the almost unceasing publi became points of distribution for tablets to cation of books about Napoleon. . . . Cer isolated believers. We find many evidences tain cycles of stories and legends have been of great earnestness and sacrifice in this told and retold in different form. Thus we period when the Bahd’i teachings were first find a whole literature built around the being introduced into the United States. It legends of King Arthur and his knights. is said that these early believers devoured Similarly, the great religions of the world each single paragraph and each tablet, no have each produced a vast body of litera matter how brief, in their great desire to ture, reflecting the myriad aspects in theory satisfy a newly awakened spiritual hunger. and application of the particular body of One of the early centers of distribution truth embodied in that faith. was New York City. Here the New York The student approaching the Baha’i Bahd’i Board of Counsel sent out typed, teachings is amazed at the extensive bibliog mimeographed, and printed pamphlets. In raphy of publications in English. The dates February, 1904, the Board of Counsel sent of publication go back to the beginning of out a 12 8-page mimeographed folder of the the century, and the bibliography reveals a teachings. The contents were divided as varied and constant out-pouring of litera follows: ture on the Baha’i Faith. Vol. 1. Long Tablets by the Manifestation It is the purpose of this brief survey to Vol. 2. Tablets to the Kings and short give some idea of the growth of that litera Tablets by the Manifestation ture and to comment on the authentic ma Vol. 3. Tablets from the Master, ‘Abdu’lterial now easily available to the student. Bahá To simplify the task of showing the his Vol. 4. Writings, lectures, etc., by Be torical development of Baha’i literature in lievers English, the discussion will be divided cate Vol. 5. News letters and information re gorically. Reference to the extensive bib garding the Cause liography, found elsewhere in this volume, will enable the student to search more closely Difficult though many of the translations into specific books which could not be dis are in this early compilation, a great effort cussed within the limits of this survey. It was being made to meet the need for a should also be noted that no claim is made fuller knowledge. If it were possible to for completeness. Only a few specific pub compare this compilation with all the lit lications can be mentioned; it is hoped that erature on the Baha’i Faith available in they are representative. English up to that time, it would probably In the early days of the Baha’i Faith in stand out as an historic effort. America, i.e., about the year 1900 and im Many of the early pamphlets were mere mediately after, the few scattered believers leaflets reproducing a Tablet from ‘Abdu’lexchanged typewritten copies of prayers and Baha. Some of these recorded conversations 146 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada. THE D EV ELO PM EN T OF B A H Á ’Í P U B L IC A T IO N S 147

between American believers and ‘Abdu’l- the visit of a party of Americans to ‘Akká. Bahá. Most are undated and bear no refer The book is well illustrated with photo ence to place of publication. graphs of places in that vicinity associated A deeply religious note concerning the with the lives of Baha’u’lldh and ‘Abdu’l- "second coming” is reflected in a number Bahá. Again there is reflection of the lov of these leaflets. Three are headed, respec ing unity existent among the believers. tively: Prophecies and Warnings, Can Ye It is to be noted that the many pilgrims’ Not Discern the Signs of the Times? and reports record conversation with ‘Abdu’l- Prophecies— Signs of the Coming of the Baha. While this was a great aid in giving "Son of Man.” The contents in each case an understanding of the teachings, ‘Abdu’lare a compilation of Biblical references and Baha Himself, and the Guardian after Him, selections from the words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. insisted that only His written words and Two of these state at the end: "Sincere seek those of His Father, Baha’u’llah, were to be ers may address David . . (An address considered authentic. This is not an effort in New York City follows). to minimize the importance of the pilgrims’ Among the early pamphlets are a number reports, but to point out that they filled of the Tablets of Bahi’u’llah printed in a great need and helped carry over until a leaflet form. A survey of this type of pub sufficiently large body of the writings of lication would seem, however, to confirm Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha had been the fact that the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha translated. were given more prominence until the period A number of the early pamphlets and following 1921 when the Guardian, Shoghi books on the Bahá’í Faith were published Effendi, began his series of masterly transla by non-Bahá’i publishers. An example of tions of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh. This this is Myron Phelps’ book, The Life and emphasis at that time is understandable Teachings of ‘Abbas Effendi, published by when we realize that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was in Putnam and Sons. constant correspondence with a number of Many in d iv id u a l B ahá’ís published American believers. We must also keep in pamphlets and books. We have already mind the fact that an accurate as well as mentioned the leaflets published by "David.” beautiful translation of the books of Baha’ Another individual who published exten u’llah is an exceedingly difficult task. sively over a period of years was Charles Around the beginning of the century and Mason Remey. Mr. Remey published books until 'Abdu’l-Baha’s release from prison in on the Temples, lessons and lectures on the 1908, there was a steady stream of small teachings, and many pamphlets. He also parties of Americans to the prison-city of published accounts of teaching trips in ‘Akká. Many of those who made this seven mimeograph form. . . . These great efforts thousand mile pilgrimage to sit at the feet on the part of individuals represent a fine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote pamphlets and book source of historical information and show lets concerning the experience. This part of the efforts made to produce an adequate Baha’i literature has come to be known as body of literature. "pilgrim’s reports.” Various centers in the United States Let us look at two samples. formed publishing groups. The Board of A small 16-page pamphlet has a picture Counsel in New York City has already been of a door on the cover and the verse from mentioned. Prior to 1908 a Baha’i Publish the New Testament: "Knock and it shall be ing Society had been organized in Chicago. opened unto you” (Matt. 7:7). Inside are With the coming of the administrative two brief, simply written accounts of visits order under the Guardianship of Shoghi Ef to ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Each records the great fendi, publishing has been centralized un love, hospitality, and unity which always der the Baha’i Publishing Committee, set marked the home of the Master. up by the National Spiritual Assembly. In Galilee, by Thornton Chase, the first This had made for efficiency, economy, and American Baha’i, is a small book of this authenticity in Baha’i literature. We may type. Here is a much longer account of set the date 1921 as approximately the be- 148 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

ginning of authenticity in translation and Bahd. This was a noteworthy effort to bring publication of Baha’i literature. The impor together for the student the mass of Bahd’i tance of the work accomplished by this literature then available in English. (In Committee can hardly be overestimated. 1943 this was replaced by Bahd’i World Another committee of the National Spir Faith, a one-volume anthology containing itual Assembly, the Reviewing Committee, selections not available in English in 1923.) was set up with the specific task of not only Commentaries on and explanations of the passing on the authenticity of all publica teachings have been many. The best of tions, but also of setting as high a literary these is Bahd’u’lldh and the Nem Era by standard as possible. J. E. Esslemont, a book now translated The present-day literature of the Bahd’i and published in over thirty languages. The Faith in English falls into three classifica most literary of these books is The Prom tions: first, the actual translations of the ise of All Ages by Christophil, pen name of teachings and history of the Faith; second, Archdeacon George Townshend of Dublin, commentaries on, and explanations of, the Ireland. The pen of this gifted writer has teachings; third, discussion of allied sub produced another book, The Heart of the jects and literary expression of the Bahd’i Gospel, published in England, a few copies spirit. of which have just reached this country as Of the translations of the teachings, those this article is written. In both these vol translations by the Guardian stand out as umes, Townshend approaches the Bahd’i monumental renderings of the prose of Faith from the viewpoint of Christianity. Bahd’u’lldh into English. Rich in beauty He writes compellingly and convincingly* and dynamic truth are his translations of showing the Bahd’i Faith as the consum Hidden Words, The Book of Certitude, mation of the teachings of Christ. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahd’u’lldh, The monthly issues of World Order and Prayers and Meditations by Bahd’u’lldh. magazine provide a forum for the discus How much easier now for a student to ap sion of subjects allied to the Bahd’i teach proach the spirit and teachings of Bahd’ ings. Here we find articles on world fed u’lldh! . . . Nor must we overlook the eration, race relations, comparative religion Guardian’s translation of Damn-Breakers: and modern sociology. With a great amount N abit’s Narrative of the Tarty Days of the of authentic literature now available, Bahd’i Bahd’i Revelation. Here, for the first time writers are able to discuss accurately the in English, we can appreciate the glorious wide implications of their Faith in meeting figure of the Báb, majestic predecessor of with the many individual and social prob Bahá’u’lláh. This volume provides a greater lems of the modern world. Here, too, in degree of completeness in understanding the World Order, are many poetic expressions, Bahd’i Faith. N ot only is The Damn- of the Bahd’i spirit, evidence of a still small, Breakers the most beautifully bound Bahd’i but growing artistic expression of Bahd’i book ever published, but it is by far the ideals. . . . Perhaps the most noteworthy most scholarly and completely annotated. poetic effort is Howard Ives’ moving long And we must not overlook the volumes of poem, Song Celestial. ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s Tablets, His compelling In concluding this brief survey, mention Mysterious Forces of Civilization, and the should be made of the successive volumes books of His recorded lectures. of T h e Ba h a ’i' W orld. Here is a chrono The writings of Shoghi Effendi himself logical account of the growth of the Bahd’i constitute a special branch of Bahd’i litera Faith throughout the world. The volumes ture dealing with the subject of world or are filled with articles, pictures, and repro der. We refer particularly to the series of ductions of documents of great historic long, general letters beginning in 192 8 with value. Included always are excerpts from the The World Order of Bahd’u’lldh. writings of Bahd’u’lldh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahd. To In 1923 was published Bahd’i Scriptures, anyone wishing a good source for study of a large compilation of the writings of Bahd’ Bahd’i literature, history, and present-day u’lldh and the writings and talks of ‘Abdu’l- administration, the volumes are invaluable. THE D EV ELO PM EN T OF B A H Á ’Í P U B L IC A T IO N S 149

2. T h e Ba h á ’í M agazine tribution of authentic Bahd’i literature, the believers would have been deprived of in The American believers have issued regu spiration and knowledge required for the larly a magazine devoted to the exposition mighty tasks ahead. Above all, an instru of the Bahd’i teachings since March, 1910. ment would not have been ready for the The Bahd’i periodical first appeared on dissemination of reports of the Master’s ad March 21 of that year and bore the title dresses to public audiences throughout "Bahd’i News.” Albert R. Windust and North America or of His words of counsel Gertrude Buikema were the editorial staif. and direction given to the believers in in This publication appeared every nineteen timate gatherings. "Bahd’i News” was a days, in accordance with the Bahd’i calen milestone on the highway, a fertile seed dar in which the month has nineteen days. which has already produced a harvest in The issue of August 1, 1910 contained a many other Bahd’i communities of distant Persian section: several pages of electroplates lands. reproducing hand-lettered Persian script. As the name implies, this first Bahd’i This feature was continued until February, organ reported the activities of national, 1925, the next to the last number in international and local Bahd’i concern. It Volume XV. presented photographs of Bahd’i gatherings, Beginning March 21, 1911, Volume II, Bahd’i sacred places, and of the Master, the title was changed to "Star of the West” ‘Abdu’l-Baha. In these pages we find the and this was retained until November, 1922, official record of the transactions of the in Volume XIII, when the main title was Annual Convention, the lists of Bahd’i cen "The Bahd’i Magazine,” underneath it as a ters, the officers and committees conducting subtitle, "Star of the West.” A few years national Bahd’i affairs, and the names of later the subtitle was dropped. books and pamphlets made available through In April, 193 5 the magazine was given the Bahd’i Publishing Committee. Traveling its present tide of "World Order,” employ believers could locate meetings in other ing the term which the Guardian had been cities. News of the Faith in far-distant identifying with the Faith of Baha’u’llah in land was gathered and given distribution. his communications to the American Baha’is Tablets of Bahd’u’llah were printed. The for many years. "World Order” was desig Master’s replies to current questions were nated as Volume One, Number One in a made available. Public Bahd’i lectures and new series because it represented a union of special articles began to appear. "The Bahd’i Magazine” and "World Unity.” The Baha’is constituted one great family, Prof. Stanwood Cobb and Horace Holley and this was their intimate diary, personal edited the new periodical. letter, visit and old home week, as well as The appearance of "Bahd’i News” re a door flung open upon the heavenly vista of flected events of major importance in the the Sacred Scriptures of their Faith. Besides growth of the Faith in America. It syn the Temple, other national functions and chronized with the beginning of the Annual projects took life and power from the Bahd’i Conventions, the adoption of a preliminary magazine: the publishing of books and constitutional basis for the activities, the pamphlets, the collection of Tablets and first steps in the work of Temple construc sacred relics for the Archives, the conduct tion (the purchase of land), and the deep of the Annual Convention and Bahd’i Con ening expectation of the Master’s visit to gress, and the rapid development of teach America, realized in 1912. Without an ing by individual believers, groups, commit organ representing the interests of the en tees and Assemblies from Maine to Cali tire Bahd’i community, transcending the fornia. local interests of any city or section, the In later years, particularly with the estab all-important Temple work could not have lishment of the present "Bahd’i News” as become established on the foundation of the organ of the National Spiritual Assem general unity. Without a loyal and respon bly, the magazine has become rather a sible center for the publication and dis depository of exposition and a library of 150 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

excerpts from the Word than a conveyor first American Baha’i and a potent lecturer of news. and teacher, and "Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,” Other editors active in the work have Volume One. been Albert Vail, Dr. Zia Bagdadi and Volume One of the Tablets was followed Mariam Haney. several years later by Volumes Two and The Baha’i magazine from its inception Three, a notable collection of the letters possessed the recognition and received the revealed by kAbdu’l-Bahá to Assemblies, loving encouragement of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. groups and individual believers up to the "Shouldst thou continue to remain firm year 1909. The collecting of these Tablets and eternal, erelong thou shalt become the began in 1903 when Mr. Windust was ap Star of the East and shalt spread in every pointed librarian of the Chicago Assembly, country and clime. . . . At last thou shalt and his vision of the importance of assemb become the first paper of the world of ling and preserving the precious documents humanity Yet all these depend upon founded the work of the national Bahá’i firmness, firmness, firmness,” He revealed in Archives in America. Mrs. Fanny Lesch, a Tablet dated 1910. Mary Lesch, and Gertrude Buikema prepared the typewritten copies of the Tablets which 3. T h e Ba h á ’í P ublishing Society Mr. Windust prepared for the printer and The first quality of faith demonstrated saw through the press. in action is initiative. By the initiative, the During the year 1910, the publishing courage and the sacrifice of individual activity having expanded, Miss Mary Lesch Bahá’is in the early days all the institutions took over the burden from Mrs. Agnew. For and facilities of the Cause came into being some seven or eight years thereafter, this and were fostered through the most difficult activity centered in her home at 5205 Harper stages of their development. Avenue, then transferred to 4319 Lake Park Bahd’i publishing centered in Chicago Avenue, and finally installed in an office at under the care of Thornton Chase, Arthur 508 South Dearborn Street. Miss Lesch con S. Agnew, Charles Greenleaf, and Albert R. tinued to conduct the work until April, Windust. The distribution of the printed 1924, when the National Spiritual Assembly literature was carried on until about 1910 transferred the activity to a committee in by Mr. and Mrs. Agnew, who filled orders New York in order to relieve Miss Lesch sent in from other centers and served as of a burden which had become too great librarian at the meetings in Chicago. Their for any individual to bear. For some four efforts represented the founding of an en teen years she had been the American Baha’i terprise that has since become active and Publishing Society. Under her care the seed flourishing. ling had become a vigorous young tree. The The publishing activity in those days had centering of all Bahd’i activities under the no backing from a general Bahi’i fund but central body named in the Master’s Will and sustained itself through rigid economy, un Testament and established under the Guard remitting labor and the support of those ian’s direction began a new era in Baha’i who had assumed this responsibility. publishing. The Baha’i literature available in English The first Publishing Committee of the translation was at first very limited. One National Assembly consisted of Mountfort typewritten copy of "Hidden Words” ex Mills, Chairman, Roy C. Wilhelm, Treasurer, isted prior to the year 1900 in North Ameri Horace Holley, Secretary, William H. Ran ca. In the first number of "Baha’i News,” dall and Siegfried Schopflocher. Its first an March, 1910 we find a notice of "Mysterious nual report, submitted to the Assembly for Forces of Civilization,” imported from Lon the information of the Annual Convention don. Other titles listed that year were "The of 1924, mentioned the Committee’s gen Universal Religion— Bahaism,” by M. Hip- eral aims and policies as well as its detailed polite Dreyfus, "Some Answered Questions” activities for the year: edited by Laura Clifford Barney, and "The "Having for the past year been charged Baha’i Revelation,” by Thornton Chase, the with the responsibility of carrying on the THE DEV ELO PM EN T OF B A H Á ’Í P U B L IC A T IO N S 151

work of publishing the Bahá’í literature, u’llah and The New Era,” by Dr. J. E. under your authority and supervision, we Esslemont in England; "Lessons in Religion,” take the occasion afforded by the approach translated by Miss Sanderson of Paris and ing National Convention to outline as fully published at her expense as a contribution as possible the details of our work and also to the Girls’ School on Mount Carmel; our plans for its considerable extension in "Unity Triumphant,” by Miss Herrick, of the future, that the delegates may carry London; also published in order to devote its back to their respective Assemblies full in profits to the Cause; "Baha’i Scriptures,” formation respecting this aspect of the published by Brentano’s, Inc., and dis progress of the Cause. . . . tributed by the Publishing Committee to "It has been our view from the beginning the local Assemblies practically at cost. of this appointment that a successful carry Mention should also be made of the new 8- ing out of the large spiritual and also ma page teaching folder, 2 5,000 copies of which terial responsibilities placed upon us should have been printed by the Publishing Com before long result not only in broadcasting mittee for the Teaching Committee at the the Baha’i Message in its purest expression, request of the National Spiritual Assembly.” but also in due time and, we trust, before Between 1924 and 1928, the Committee long—produce a legitimate cash surplus at also issued or distributed: "Promulgation of the disposal of the National Spiritual As Universal Peace,” Volume Two; "The Wis sembly for carrying on Bahd’i work in other dom of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá” ; " ‘Abdu’l-Baha in fields. . . . New York” ; "Foundations of World "The publishing work, at the point where Unity” ; "Baha’i Administration” ; "The Di this committee took up its activities, had vine Art of Living” ; "Racial Amity,” com already brought into print practically all piled by M. H. and M. M.; "The Spirit of that part of the Word which so far had World Unity” ; "The Book of Assurance,” been translated into the English language. (The K itab-i-lqan); "The Spiritual Oppor Looking over the past records of the be tunity of the Baha’is of the United States loved Baha’i Publishing Society, it is possible and Canada,” (The Tablets on teaching re to witness clearly the long and inspiring list vealed by £Abdu’l-Bahá in 1916 and 1917); of its services and accomplishments for the "Letters from Shoghi Eifendi” ; "Episodes in Cause. Its publications have penetrated to My Life,” by Monereh Khanum; "Bahá’- all parts of the world, and under difficult u’lláh and His Message,” by J. E. Esslemont; and arduous conditions of quiet daily self- "Lessons in Religion,” by Muhammad Ali sacrifice its heroic workers—notably Mr. Alkany; "Baha’i: The Spirit of the Age,” Agnew, Mr. Windust and Miss Mary Lesch by Horace Holley; "The Baha’i Religion” ; —have been indirectly among the foremost " ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s First Days in America,” teachers of the Cause. . . ; by Juliet Thompson; "The Bahd’i Faith,” "In all, fifty-nine titles appear on the by a Methodist Layman; "Bahá’i Persecu Price List of the Baha’i Publishing Society, tions in Persia” ; "The Oneness of Man and it was the first task to make this litera kind,” compiled by L. G. Gregory and ture readily accessible to the friends in every Mariam Haney. During these years, the local Assembly. This was accomplished by Committee was assisted by workers who, each sending to each Assembly an allotment of for a period, carried on the work of dis books in proportion to its number of mem tributing the books, Doris Holley, Annie L. bers, with the result that of many of the Romer, and Marie Moore. important Bahd’i works, only a few copies The publishing work entered a new era are now left in print. . . . Having to choose in 1928 when Marion Little was appointed between reprinting many books only a few Secretary and the manufacture of books and at a time, or fewer books in larger and thus pamphlets was scheduled under an arrange more economical editions, the Committee ment made with the printing firm of J. J. has adopted the latter principle. . . . Little and Ives. Prior to this the firm of "The past year has marked the publishing Brentano’s, Inc., its publishing division of several important Baha’i works: "Bahá- headed by the late Charles J. Herold, had 152 THE B A H A ’I CENTENARY

Certificate of the Palestine Government incorporating the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada as a Religious Society in Palestine. THE D EV ELO PM EN T OF B A H Á ’Í P U B L IC A T IO N S 153

acted for the Committee in the publishing hibits conducted at the World’s Fairs in of a number of works. San Francisco and New York was the pro In fifteen years, from 1928 to 1943, the duction of the 376,000 pamphlets needed Committee, through the expert management for the visitors who sought information of the work by Clara R. Wood, has pub about the Cause. lished thirty-five new books and forty-three The largest edition of any one Baha’i new pamphlets, twenty new study outlines, title has been the total copies produced over purchased fifteen different titles, imported a period of years of the small compilation seven books in foreign languages and printed originally issued by Mr. Wilhelm. In suc ten foreign language works in this country. cessive printings it has gone through several This in addition to the frequent reprinting changes in contents and title, and has be of books and pamphlets out of stock. sides been translated and printed in several The distribution has been widespread, in foreign languages, to an estimated total of the new centers of Central and South one half million copies. The three pamphlets America as well as to the older Assemblies composing a unit of selections from the in Europe and the East. Writings of Bahd’u’lldh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and The most extensive single undertaking Shoghi Effendi, compiled by the National of the Committee has been the manufacture Spiritual Assembly in 1942, appeared in a of "The Dawn-Breakers: Nabil’s Narrative total of 2 5,000 sets or 75,000 individual of the Early Days of the Baha’i Revelation” copies. Finally, a word is added concerning —a work of 68 5 pages and numerous illus "Bahá’i World Faith,” the compilation re trations, including the precious Tablets re placing the "Bahá’i Scriptures” of 1923. vealed by the Báb in His own hand to the 10,000 copies of this work of 565 pages were Letters of the Living (His chosen disciples) published in 1943. and to Bahd’u’lldh. This book was printed In September, 1940, the Publishing Com in two editions, one limited to 150 num mittee became the first national Bahd’i bered copies each autographed by Shoghi Committee to establish its office adjacent to Effendi. The total cost involved was ap the Bahd’i House of Worship, which the proximately $15,000. Guardian has designated as the center of Noteworthy also has been the series of all administrative activities of the Faith in volumes published biennially, "The Bahá’i North America. World,” the international survey of Baha’i The office records show that for ten years activities. The first volume, entitled "Bahd’i ending 1943 there have been distributed a Year Book,” was manufactured by the man total of 1,074,328 items, nearly 150,000 ager of "The Baha’i Magazine,” Allen B. of which were books, the remainder pamph McDaniel, but the subsequent books have lets and study guides or outlines. been produced by the Publishing Committee. In 193 5, when "The Bahd’i Magazine” Volume VIII contains 1039 pages, colored was renamed "World Order,” the business frontispiece, insert maps and several hundred management was consolidated with the halftone plates. functions of the publishing work. The A special service rendered by the Com stock of books and pamphlets has all been mittee in connection with the Bahd’i ex transferred to Wilmette. BAHA'I T E A C H I N G I N N O R T H AMERICA Foreword

J b OR the early American believers the which the Faith of BaháVlláh, in fifty years, Faith of Bahá’u’lláh was envisioned as the has spread to all parts of the United States return of Christ. The first teaching was the and Canada, raised up its institutions, con simple declaration that He had come, that structed its magnificent central shrine, the this is the promised Day. In comparison to House of Worship in Wilmette, and dem the overwhelming importance of this fact, onstrated its capacity not only to conduct the nature and scope of the new teachings its own activities but in addition to carry did not appear to be particularly urgent. A the Faith to many other lands. For America lifetime was all too brief a period in which is accustomed to the rapid growth of move to grasp the actual fact, experience its ments, idealistic as well as material, and in glorious implication in the deepest heart, the fertile soil of her mixed population, up and strive to regenerate the character and rooted from their racial past, has fed the adapt the being to its supreme challenge. increase of many doctrines and many creeds. The experience itself was a fire to burn But all movements initiated by human be away the veils, the obstacles, the hindrances. ings are essentially selective. They are By this spiritual necessity the early Bahd’i adapted to some special type or some tem felt himself set apart from the daily world porary condition. Their real measure is a — transferred, as it were, back over nineteen predetermined limitation. When they arrive hundred years to the Holy Land associated at their measure they yield their fruit, their with the meaning of the Prophet of God. leaves fall and they live no more. Religion Prayer was more vital than philosophy. as action for crusades, religion as social Love won its victory greater than the philosophy for the guidance of political in triumph of truth. To find others with whom stitutions, religion as conserver of class and one might share this spirit of reverent love family tradition: such expressions of religion was necessarily the first requirement of have been familiar throughout American obedience to Him, the first impulse and history. But America has not known, ex method of the believer. His devotion trans cept as yearning, the descent of truth from formed him into a teacher, and his need to above and the imperative need for acceptance share the experience set his feet upon the of that higher reality before one can "join” path destined to lead in this new cycle to and "go.” Therefore, as ‘Abdu’l-Baha ex all knowledge and all truth. plained to the ardent early believers, the Those who learn that the first Bahd’is Cause develops slowly because it must create were confirmed without access to the litera the conditions of permanence as it grows. ture of the Faith and could experience it How has the Faith of Bahd’u’lldh, at first without knowledge need not be amazed. identified with a handful of persons in The early Bahd’is were simple folk, simple Chicago,, found the means and instruments with the singleness that comes from response for such development? to love, and from this very simplicity, this The answer is, first, that faith itself is the freedom from sophistication and this highest expression of action. The man and capacity to rise above acquired learning, they woman with faith possesses the power of became the chosen ones, the seeds to produce accomplishment, because they can be used the greatest harvest of history. by spiritual forces. Every Baha’i is a teach We, too, must go back to that same Holy er, not merely a passive worshipper whose Land if we would grasp the miracle by creed confines him to the role of spectator H4 B A H Á ’Í TEACHING IN NORTH AMERICA 155

at the arena of world events. Second, the ington, D. C., Agnes Alexander in Hawaii, Faith is continually creative and evolution and in all probability Mrs. Phoebe Hearst in ary, using each step of progress as founda California. Margaret Klebs became the first tion for taking a higher step. It created teacher in Georgia. In other Southern States simple local institutions in the 'stage of the Bahá’i Message was first delivered by local unity; later it created national insti Hooper Harris, Mrs. Claudia Coles and Louis tutions when national unity had been at G. Gregory. Mrs. Mariam Haney founded tained. It can work through the individual the cause in Minneapolis if not in the State of whose faith is his or her sole equipment; it Minnesota. Among those who traveled most can work through the medium of collective extensively during those years we note plans and projects commanding the resources Thornton Chase, Charles Haney, Mrs. Lua of modern life. It preserves the enthusiasm Getsinger, Mrs. Ida Brittingham, Roy C. of the individual through every stage of Wilhelm and Col. Fitz Gerald. community development, for divine truth Others served as strong pillars in their own lives through the individual and through city, holding the Baha’i group together dur the community without sacrificing either ing its formative years and by their active to the demands of the other. Like an organ faith arousing devotion and enthusiasm, as for ism filled with a new quality of life, the example, the household of Arthur P. Dodge Bahd’i community can demonstrate religion in New York, Albert H. Hall in Minneapo as a unifying force encompassing the whole lis, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Latimer in Portland, world. Mrs. Mary Revell in Philadelphia, and in In order to follow this astonishing his Chicago a number of stalwart believers such torical movement through these fity years, as Mr. Chase, Mrs. True, Charles Ioas, Mr. it is convenient and helpful to approach the Agnew and Albert R. Windust. process as a series of periods or stages of Three vital influences reinforced and also growth. The first stage is from 1894 to guided the individual believer intent upon 1911; the second, 1912 to 1921 (from the serving the Faith. First we note the great date of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s visit to America to enterprise of the House of Worship, a re His ascension); the third, 1921 to 1937 sponsibility laid upon the whole Baha’i com (the beginning of the teaching plan laid munity of North America and a potent fac down by the Guardian for the last seven tor in producing unity of sentiment and years of this Baha’i C entury); and from action. Next we perceive the development 1937 to the present year, 1944. of Bahd’i institutions and agencies, local, To the early believers, North America had regional and national, eventually coordinated once again become a continent new and un through the order initiated by the Will and known, this time not a geographical but a Testament of ťAbdu’l-Bahá, establishing ca spiritual exploration. One by one they set pacity and power for united action. Finally forth, some in the course of their business there has been the Teaching Tablets revealed travels, others planning special trips or using by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá endowing the American the opportunity afforded by personal visit, Baha’is with a world mission. From 1937 to to convey the Bahd’i Message and quicken 1944 the Guardian applied a seven year plan new hope in the achievement of unity for the which called for a definite measure of regeneration of human life on earth. As local achievement, no less than the establishment groups evolved, they sent out calls for of a Spiritual Assembly in every unoccupied teachers, until circuits could be arranged in State of the United States and Canada, and a many parts of the country. The memory of nucleus for a future Assembly in every re some of the friends constitutes our only his public of Central and South America, as tory and guide to much of the activity going well as the completion of the exterior orna on in those years. We learn, for example, mentation of the Temple. The Bahá’í has that Paul K. Dealy was the first Baha’i of thus lived not merely in a world of renewed Alabama, Mrs. Barbee was first in Missouri, truth but also in a world in rapid evolution Fred Mortensen in Montana, Mrs. Pearl Bat- under laws of ethical responsibility which tee Doty in Maryland, Mrs. Dixon in Wash the individual may not ignore. Faith is and 156 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

must be capacity to respond to the pressures so that in 1898 many students in eastern exerted by the spiritual life, and not merely cities were eagerly seeking knowledge of passive belief or hopeful expectancy. What God through this channel. emerges is the type of a civilization upheld On November 4, 1900, there arrived in by obedience to God, blessed by that obedi New York, Mirza Assad’u’llah, a Persian ence and perishing if the people abandon the teacher of authority from ‘Akkd, in Pales inner effort to draw nigh to Him. tine, and Hadji Hassan Khorassani, a promi The time for the preparation of adequate nent merchant of Cairo, Egypt; with historical records has not arrived. The be Mirza Hussein Rouhy, and Mirza Buzork, lievers are too immersed in the tasks of the as interpreters. They remained in New day and hour to stop and become researchers York, meeting and teaching large num of the past. The following series of con bers of people, until November 26, when tributions, therefore, can only suggest the they visited Johnstown, New York, for two pattern of events through which the Ameri days, and reached Chicago at 4 p. m., can Bahd’i community has attained growth. Thanksgiving Day, November 29, where Each statement, however, unlike those w rit they made their headquarters for a year ten by trained historians, has the advantage and a half. of being prepared by one who took a large A little later came another Persian gentle part in the events and carried responsibility man, Mirza 'Abu’l-Fadl, a scholar and for their outcome. historian, famous in the Orient for his learning and sincerity, one who had given 1. T he Early Y ears up a position of the highest honor in Persia, as president of the Royal College of I n the month of June, 1894, a gentleman Teheran, to embrace the Bahd’i Cause, in Chicago desired to study Sanskrit, in which resulted in his imprisonment for order to further pursue his search into three years in Persian dungeons. Two ancient religious teachings. While seeking an young Persians, Mirza Ali Kuli Khan and instructor he met a Syrian who had come to Mirza ‘Ameen’u’llah also arrived to act as Chicago from Egypt a short time before, and interpreters. who told him of the Baha’i Movement. With these teachers came the first oppor As the statements of the life and teach tunity for a correct and intimate knowl ings of Baháhťlláh and His son, Abbas Ef- edge of the true Bahd’i teachings. The fendi, the "Greatest Branch,” otherwise salient facts:—the mission of the Báb as the known as ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, accorded with the Forerunner and Proclaimer of the coming of declarations of numerous sacred prophecies, "He Whom God Shall Manifest,” His life, and with the age-long expectations of man and early martyrdom; the appearance of kind, it was deemed of value to investigate Bahd’u’lldh, the Manifestation, and Revealer those claims as far as possible. of the Divine Word, the station and au Other seekers for truth became attracted thority of Abbas Effendi, ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, as to the study of these matters, with the re the Center of the Covenant, the Interpreter sult that five accepted the teachings as true and the Establisher of the Sacred Law; during the year 1894. In 1895 a number these were known and believed; but, as of earnest students became interested, classes yet, there had been but little translation of were formed, and several became "believers,” their writings,, and but a small portion of and in 1896, the followers of the Bahd’i their beautiful and comprehensive teachings Cause in Chicago were numbered by of religion and life was known until they hundreds. were disclosed by these visitors from the A class of T ruth Seekers was begun in center of the Cause. The young inter Kenosha, Wis., another in Milwaukee, and preters, assisted by Mr. Anton Hadad of individuals from New York, Cincinnati, Syria, buried themselves in translating the Washington, and other points, came in touch Bahd’i Writings from Persian and Arabic with the Movement in Chicago, and carried into English, and a wonderful treasury information of it to their friends at home, of wisdom and knowledge was opened B A H Á ’Í TEACHING IN NORTH AMERICA 157

which has been the delight and satisfaction were started is Kenosha and Milwaukee, Wis of thousands of hungry souls in America. consin, and in suburban towns near Chicago. The instructions given by Mirza Assad’- And, again, in unusual ways, individuals u’llah and Mirza 'Abu’l-Fadl were thor from New York, Cincinnati, Columbus, O., oughly sane and practical, and so insisted on Washington, D. C., Baltimore, and else righteousness, right living—as the essen where, heard the Message in Chicago, and tial of religion, rather than physic and returned to their respective homes full of occult experiments, that many persons, enthusiasm to share, always share, with who had conceived views imbued with others the great glad tidings. In 1898 imaginations and superstitions, fell away classes were organized in New York and from the Cause—but those who remained nearby Eastern cities which attracted ear discovered such spiritual light, guidance, nest seekers, especially was the Message richness, and power in the teachings, that spread from New York City to Brooklyn, they were deeply confirmed in their belief, and then to towns in New Jersey until soon and clung to it as the most valuable in there were little groups in Newark, Orange, struction possible for man to obtain. Morristown, Hoboken, Montclair and other The classes and assemblies which had centers. diminished in number, again began to grow, The most important teaching at this time and to spread the knowledge of the Bahd’i was accomplished through personal con Cause; until at the present time its adher tacts, by word of mouth one to another, as ents in the United States are numbered seekers were found, though there were, as by thousands— there are believers in many indicated, a few small classes. The Bahá’ís cities and towns, from the Atlantic to the were not, in the usual sense, seeking to Pacific— all earnest and sincere in their propagandize the Cause nor to proselytize faith, and in their acceptance of this or convert, indeed in those days they were modern revelation of Divine Knowledge, taught not to force their views on others, and striving with their lives to carry out but when they came in contact with a real the Baha’i teachings of love to God ex seeker, to offer the Message to that person pressed in love to man."* as if "offering a gift to a king.” And that There are .assemblies of believers in was the way teaching was accomplished Chicago and New York, in Boston and very successfully even if at that time the Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia, in Bahd’is themselves had only a limited knowl Cleveland, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Milwaukee, edge of the Faith, that is, outer historical Kenosha, Minneapolis, Spokane, Seattle, data; however* the gift of the Holy Spirit Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San had given them an inner conviction which Diego and in many towns of lesser fame; was strong, and deep, and real. To pass on in all of which this wonderful, religious, as much as they could of the Message to ethical, moral, and practical teaching of others was certainly felt by all to be the the age, is received and loved as the great first obligation, and those who lived through solvent of religious, social, and economic that period will surely never forget how in problems, and the joy and beauty of life. tense was the longing to find seekers. One of the most precious memories of * Written in 1914. those first years of pioneering was the long ing of the few Bahd’is themselves to gather 2. T ea ch in g A c tiv ity 1894-1911 together in little groups and discuss the Those who called themselves Baha’is were mercy and bounty of God and the Glory anxious to share the New Light, their new of the New Day, "And there were lights in found spiritual joy, with others. They did many an upper chamber long after mid not call themselves teachers, however; they night.” Spiritual happiness was intense, and simply had an intense urge to oifer the the difference between spiritual happiness Water of Life to thirsty souls everywhere, and material happiness was so fully demon so it happened that these earnest souls went strated that this joyous spirit was felt by forth as heralds of the New Age. Classes attracted souls. 158 THE BA H Á ’Í C E N T E N A R Y

Soon new accessions to the Faith were Cairo, Egypt, and others, spent some time almost a daily occurrence until the believers in this country, particularly in Chicago; in and around Chicago were numbered by and from about 1901 to 1905 Mirza ‘Abu’lhundreds. Later many of these left the Fadl, who was considered the greatest reli Faith, for when they found that the Cause gious historian of his time, was in this coun of Bahá’u’lláh was a purely Spiritual Cause, try. This great teacher was saintly, com free from superstitions, imaginations and pletely severed, impersonal, and rendered interpretations, they were disappointed. inestimable services to the Bahá’í Cause in Some had imagined that they could retain every city he visited. He served with all their preconceived ideas, or perhaps they heart and soul and put all his spiritual gifts had a few fanciful thoughts, "rather than and graces into the work in New York factual and true spiritual interest; however, City and nearby places; in Chicago, Wash they soon found out that one must walk in ington, D. C. and other centers. He was the way of the Lord and that it was impos also a spiritual gift to Green Acre, in Eliot, sible to attain a spiritual victory in any Maine, where his great intellect and spirit other way, for a Cause which is God’s Reli ual graces and fervor were used to the glory gion must be built on a firm foundation: of God and to the furtherance of His Cause. "Except the Lord build the house they labor Mirza ‘Abu’l-Fadl was explicit in his state in vain who build it.” ments, he had the gift of teaching and was Teaching consisted not only in sharing exact and accurate in the thoughts he con the Message with new souls, but the be veyed. Baha’is and non-Baha’is benefitted lievers themselves were being taught, and greatly while he was in this country, and they realized more and more that theolog teaching had a tremendous, impetus. In ical dreams had to be set aside and only the 1902 his book, The Baha’i Proofs, was Reality of Religion accepted and passed on printed and published in Washington, D. C. to others. The unknown tomorrow was not Another impetus to teaching was through a matter of concern. There might be tests the early pilgrimage of very fortunate and trials in the vista of the future (and Americans who traveled to ťAkká and Haifa there were, many of them) but those dear to see £Abdu’l-Bahá. Some went as early as pioneers could sing, "Joy to the World, the 1898, and every succeeding year in all this Lord is Come,” with a clarified vision for at pioneer period Baha’is made the longed-for long last the real history of the beginning pilgrimage to the Prison in ‘Akka, regard of the Faith in the land of its birth (Persia, less of the almost insurmountable difficulties now Irán) had been brought to them by attending the journey. How it was all ac teachers from the Orient. They had a complished with Turkish soldiers and offi greater realization than ever that "God’s cials of the Old Turkish regime always on ways are most mysterious and unsearchable.” guard, is another one of those stirring events Always teaching others to understand the in the Bahd’i ^Gause which may well be importance of the Manifestation of God classed as a miracle. Without exception when He appears, they had now come to these pilgrims felt the marvelous influence understand themselves that all Revelation of the Spirit emanating from the Master, is progressive, and that in each New Cycle the superhuman benignity always manifest, God gives to man added knowledge, and in the magnetism of His personality, they this New Age the greatest knowledge in ac heard the Holy Words and teachings di cordance with the maturity of the Day and rectly from Him, they were able to talk the requirements of the time. and walk with Him. Bahá’í teachers from the Near East were On their return these American pilgrims sent to this country by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as would always bring back to the friends a early as 1898 to further instruct and assist record of the teachings and instructions the believers. In the early part of 1900 they received. These Notes were like manna Abdel Karim Effendi of Tihrán, Persia, from heaven, and teaching would again be gave a series of talks in New York City and greatly accelerated, for these holy instruc Chicago. In 1900, also, Mirza Khorassani of tions acted like magic on the spirits, and B A H A ’I T E A C H I N G IN NORTH AMERICA 159

many a soul became confirmed through and peace as characterized the very early days. them. It is certain that when a great Spiritual From the very beginning the believers Light comes into the world, an opposing made contact with ‘Abdu’l-Baha through force is likewise sure to raise its head. It sending a letter to Him indicating their has ever been so in the inception of all great acceptance of the Faith and asking innumer and divine religious systems. "It must needs able questions. Tablets were received in be that offenses come.” However, the more reply, and gradually these Tablets assumed antagonisms and attacks against the Faith, very large proportions. The greatest spirit the more loyal, courageous and steadfast ual teaching in all history was accomplished became the faithful among the faithless. through the receipt and dissemination of Tests merely became a challenge to firm these Tablets and the instructions therein, ness and no cause for despondency. If any for ‘Abdu’l-Baha not only answered all these one attempted in one way or another to questions, but interpreted and elucidated cause division among the believers, that one the teachings of His Father Bahá’u’lláh, merely made a thorny path for himself with solved intricate problems and upon His fol out in the least disturbing Baha’i unity. To lowers showered His divine love and kind quote ‘Abdu’l-Baha: "God’s Will is inde ness. pendent of human opinion.” . . . "Compare As it was necessary to share these precious the days of the Manifestation of the Beauty instructions, certain believers voluntarily of Abha (Bahá’u’lláh) with the days of arose in different parts of the country and Christ; consider this is identically like that had the great privilege of making typewrit and the same doubts and opposition are put ten copies of these Tablets which were given forth (by the people).” wide circulation among the Bahd’is not only Another unusual teaching activity at that in this country and Canada, but throughout time was the tour of two American Bahd’i the world, and this effort might in truth be teachers (Hooper Harris and Harlan Ober) called the first Bahá’í teaching service from to India, for the purpose of visiting the be America to other countries. One friend in lievers and spreading the Baha’i Message. particular developed what might well have Wide publicity was given to the Cause every been called an International Bureau of In place they visited, and their teaching activ formation, for it was a big teaching activ ities took them to most of the large cities ity; through these Tablets ‘Abdu’l-Baha be in India. This is mentioned because the tour stowed the Water of Life Eternal not only was undertaken in obedience to an instruc upon the recipients of the Tablets but upon tion from ‘Abdu’l-Baha. It shows how from many others. the early times He called American believers No matter what question was asked and to teach even in foreign lands. answered (and every conceivable question At this period of the Cause there were no was presented to Him frorj the naming of regularly organized teaching plans. Teach children to the most complicated scientific ing was an individual matter and it was and philosophical subjects and the most pro accomplished through study of the Revealed found spiritual and religious doctrines), He Words and the power of the Holy Spirit. invariably stressed over and vover again very However, it just so happened that many specific subjects such as firmness in the Cov Bahd’is were always traveling to and fro enant, unity of the believers, ^he peace of the across the Continent for one purpose or world, the oneness of mankind—and the another, mostly for business reasons, and as greatest of these was firmness in the Cov the greatest business in the world to a Baha’i enant for upon this depended success in is to spread the Message of this New Day, every effort and in all teaching plans. This traveling meant that the seeds of Truth instruction so often repeated, prepared His were widely scattered. Furthermore as soon followers in no uncertain way té meet the as it was known that a Bahd’i could speak inevitable tests and trials which would come to groups, that Baha’i was invited to nearby to them some day, for they could hot al cities, and many a fireside group was con ways carry on amid such spiritual sweětness firmed in this way. 160 THE B A H Á ’1 C E N T E N A R Y

‘Abdu’l-Bahá said: "I have summoned all were in one sense official for in some cases to the conveying of the Message.” . . . the friends elected them. Aside from these "Whosoever has a greater power of speech, committees, the affairs of the Cause were whosoever has a greater power of attraction, administered by individuals who seemed whosoever has a greater sincerity, will ad naturally to have the necessary ability to vance, no matter what happens.” . . . "This function. However, even the committees is an innate Cause.” Again, spiritual history did not preclude the friends from serving repeating itself, only in a larger way. Christ and teaching in accordance with their own said, "And unto one He gave five talents, to guidance. Those were the days when the another two, and to another one; to every "rugged individualism” of the Americans man according to his several ability.” So was greatly in evidence in the promulgation the friends used their talents according to of the Cause. their capacity and training, and each one As the years passed it was evident that arose in his own way and according to his these committees were rendering most valu own guidance, hoping the capacity he had able services. It was the House of Spiritu and his longing to serve would attract di ality in Chicago that initiated the work of vine assistance. the Mashriq’ul-Adhkdr in supplicating to A community of Baha’is was by now ťAbdu’l-Bahá for permission to build a Baexisting in many of the large cities, as well há’í House of Worship in this country. This as small towns, of the United States, and in request was granted. From its very incep Montreal, P. Q., Canada. In these Bahd’i tion the Bahd’i House of Worship was still communities were gathered former Protes another teaching effort of the utmost im tants from many sects, also Christian Scien portance, for ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s statements in tists, Catholics, Jews, Muhammadans, Theo- many of His Tablets and in notes of pil sophists, and some who had never before grims witness to the glory of this effort been interested in any religion, as well as a and its definite linking with teaching, in representation from different races— all hap fact one seemed to be inseparable from the pily cooperating and enjoying true fellow other. "It is an expression of the elevation ship. Through the effect of the Holy Re of the Word of God,” said ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. vealed Words in this Dispensation, Bahd’is A very important teaching activity for had taken a new flight, antagonisms had Bahd’is themselves was organized during vanished, the Light of the New Age pre this period, namely, the inauguration offi cluded hatreds and suspicions, they com cially of the Institution in the Cause known muned together sympathetically, brother as Unity Feasts, which are observed every hood and true fraternity had become an nineteen days. The program for, and con actual fact. "And the Lord shall be King duct of, this meeting, has been a teaching over all the earth: in that day shall there and training medium for Bahd’is. be one Lord and His Name one.” What were the most important teaching In the pioneering days the Baha’i Faith events of the pioneer period of the Baha’i was not organized. Of course religion in its Cause in the United States and Canada? The purest spiritual realities, that is, the funda answer is that it would be unwise to make mentals, the essential or spiritual teachings even a guess, for the whole period from of the Word of God, cannot be organized; 1894 to 1911 inclusive, was a continued but there is a second division—the laws and miracle— a miracle because it was made pos ordinances which concern human transac sible not because of human words and works, tions and relations. Briefly, there was noth but because of Divine intervention and as ing in the way of official committees to ad sistance. The believers themselves were, for minister the affairs of the Cause except in the most part, not entirely conscious that a certain cities, for instance in Chicago, the Mysterious Power was the dynamic back of House of Spirituality, in New York the all achievement. However, a few of the out Board of Council, and in other cities there standing features of that time were: were committees designated as Working 1st. The teaching about the importance Committees, Service Committees, etc. They of the Covenant, which teaching safe- B A H A ’I T E A C H I N G IN NORTH AMERICA 161

guarded the religion so that the Faith of cruel incarceration,” He left Haifa suddenly Bahá’u’lláh could not be divided into sects. and began a journey which included Egypt, 2nd. The whole-hearted obedience to the France and England, and then a return to Center of the Covenant at every point in Egypt. teaching and in all that this attitude means. Many in the United States and Canada 3rd. It was fully demonstrated that longed to see Him, to hear Him expound the "Faith is a wonder working power.” The Baha’i Teachings, and the longing was con faith manifested by the believers was sub stant and intense. However, it seemed that lime, and some day the world will realize the actual realization of such hopes was how marvelous a thing it was, and what unbelievable. these people of faith were accomplishing in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s followers in America, as their midst; it was like the faith of the well as Americans who met Him abroad early Christians, they believed truly and were insistent; they constantly appealed to deeply, it was "the normal accent of life” Him and with a poignancy which, as stated and they translated it into the world of by Shoghi Effendi, He "found Himself un action. able to resist. . . . Their passionate entreaty 4th. The spread of the Baha’i Message had, moreover, been reinforced by the nu far and wide without any organization, no merous invitations which representatives of paid teachers, nor any official Baha’i Fund. various interested organizations, whether 5th. It was the dawn in this country of religious, educational or humanitarian, had the greatest seed sowing of Truth in all reli extended to Him, expressing their eagerness gious history. The dawn-breakers of the to reecive from His own mouth an exposi Occident were at work in the springtime of tion of His Father’s teachings.” the Kingdom of God on earth. The believers in America finally were in 6th. Great emphasis at all times from such a state of spiritual joy as they contem the very beginning on the removal of preju plated ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s coming to this coun dice of all kinds, the promulgation of uni try that no words could give expression to versal peace, and the establishment of the their feelings. The very thought of His principle of the oneness of mankind. presence here was overwhelming. The ful In 1908 the people of Turkey established fillment of all the hopes and prayers of His a constitutional government through the devoted followers was the historic event of coming into power of the Young Turks and His arrival in New York in April, 1912. their "Union and Progress Society.” All the political prisoners were immediately freed, 3. ‘A bdu ’l -Baha in A merica and ‘Abdu’l-Baha left the gloomy prison city for the freedom of the world. When The Places Where He Delivered the asked later how he regarded His freedom, Addresses Published in "Promulgation He replied: "Freedom is not a matter of of Universal Peace” place. It is a condition. I was thankful for the prison, and the lack of liberty was very New York, 780 West End Ave. pleasing to me for those days were passed Brooklyn, 93 5 Eastern Parkway in the path of service under the utmost diffi New York, 39 West 67th Street culties and trials, bearing fruits and results. 141 East 21st Street . . . I was happy all that time in prison. Church of the Ascension When one is released from the prison of self, Carnegie Lyceum that is indeed release, for that is the greater 327 West End Avenue prison. When this release takes place, then Hotel Ansonia one cannot be outwardly imprisoned. . . . 273 West 90th Street Release comes by making of the will a Door Columbia University through which the confirmations of the Bowery Mission Spirit come.” Washington, Public Library Hall Some time after £Abdu’l-Bahá had been 1219 Connecticut Avenue "delivered from the shackles of a long and Universalist Church 162 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

1700 18th Street Eliot, Green Acre, Maine Howard University Boston, New Thought Forum 1700 18th Street Franklin Square House Metropolitan African M. E. Church Metaphysical Club 1937 13th Street Malden, Mass., 34 Hillside Avenue Chicago, Masonic Temple Montreal, Church of the Messiah Hull House 716 Pine Avenue Handel Hall St. James Methodist Church Hotel Plaza Chicago, 5338 Kenmore Avenue Hotel LaSalle Minneapolis, 2030 Queen Avenue, South Hotel LaSalle St. Paul, 870 Laurel Avenue Hotel Plaza Denver, Home of Mrs. Roberts Hotel Plaza Second Divine Science Church Hotel Plaza Oakland, Japanese Independent Church Hotel Plaza Palo Alto, Leland Stanford Junior University Northwestern University San Francisco, Open Forum Hotel Plaza Temple Enimanu-El Plymouth Congregational Church Sacramento, Hotel Sacramento All Souls Church Assembly Hall Wilmette, Temple Grounds Cincinnati, Grand Hotel Cleveland, Euclid Hall Washington, Universalist Church Sanatorium Jewish Synagogue Pittsburgh, Hotel Schenley Rauscher’s Hall New York, 227 Riverside Drive 1252 8th Street Montclair, Unity Church 1901 18th Street . New York, Grace M. E. Church New York, 48 West 10th Street Hotel Astor Genealogical Hall Church of Divine Paternity 575 Riverside Drive Jersey City, Brotherhood Church Great Northern Hotel New York, Metropolitan Temple 2228 Broadway Cambridge, 367 Howard Street Steamship Celtic Boston Huntington Chambers Unitarian Conference 4. T ea ch in g A ctiv ity , 1912-1921 New York, Mount Morris Baptist Church Metropolitan Temple The followers of Baha’u’lldh had many Theosophical Lodge varied and exceptional opportunities for Fan wood, Town Hall spreading the glad tidings of the New Day New York, Church of the Ascension during the period of 1912 to 1921. The 309 West 78th Street first few months of the year 1912 were Philadelphia, Unitarian Church devoted to preparations for that momentous Baptist Temple event— the coming of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to this Brooklyn, 93 5 Eastern Parkway country. After His arrival on that historic Fourth Unitarian Church (Flatbush) day of April eleventh, there was literally Central Congregational Church almost endless teaching effort, for the Ba Montclair ha’is were privileged to arrange one of the West Englewood greatest teaching tours the world has ever New York known. All-Souls Unitarian Church Many invitations had been sent to Boston, Hotel Victoria ‘Abdu’l-Baha before He arrived in this The Kensington country, but after His arrival requests Hotel Victoria poured in from distinguished individuals, Dublin, N. H. Dublin Inn from groups, from churches, peace societies, Home of A. J. Parsons and many other types of organizations re- BA H Á ’Í " T E A C H I N G IN NORTH AMERICA 163

questing the privilege of hearing ‘Abdu’l- ťAbdu’l-Bahá sailed from this country in Bahá, and to receive from Him those in December 1912, but His going did not mean structions which all evidently believed inactivity on the part of His followers. In would enlighten them and guide their foot deed He had created by His Word a family steps on the right path toward the goal of of Bahd’is who were alive to the require their hopes. He repeated often, "I have ments of teaching the great principles and come to voice the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.” religious faith which He had promulgated so Those who lived through almost nine wisely. months of hearing ‘Abdu’l-Baha voice the "I have planted the seeds in America,” great Laws for this New Age and were close said this Divine Educator. "You must nur to His perfect ministry to the people of ture them and care for them. If you do this country, recall that there seemed to be this, they will yield an abundant harvest. no end to the procession o£ real seekers, . . . You must arise with superhuman those devout souls everywhere who had been strength to spread the Teachings for the "ripened by the Holy Spirit” and who Cause is great; and whosoever shall arise in seemed to be awaiting some great spiritual this Day to teach, know thou he will be event. assisted by the Divine Concourse. . . . It is So from the Bowery Mission in New the Day of the proclamation of the King York, where the downcast and forlorn re dom!” . . . "Ere long this Call shall yield ceived ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s spiritual and material the most glorious results and will fill the blessings, to high government officials, dip world with its fruits.” lomats, rabbis, clergymen, educators, scien The firm followers of the Faith arose to tists, workers for peace, and many others, water the seeds ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had sown; ‘Abdu’l-Bahá "voiced the teachings of they never stopped for an instant but were Baha’u’lldh,” always emphasizing the prin working with all heart and with infinite ciple of the oneness of mankind and the resolution to advance the Teachings of Most Great Peace of the world; these were Baha’u’lldh. They realized more and more the fundamentals, which, expanded and elu the greatness of the work and the greatness cidated, included practically all other ques of the Power behind it. Reports from all tions. over the country indicated firmness and By invitation, ‘Abdu’l-Baha spoke in steadfastness. A loving and compassionate protestant churches of nearly all denomina Master had endowed the Baha’is and their tions, in synagogues, in universities, to work with a celestial potency; they had children’s classes and groups, in the homes of definite teaching plans. Contributions, too, the rich and the poor, to Theosophists, Es- were voluntarily and regularly sent to the perantists, and others, in most of the prin Temple Fund, for they were aware of the cipal cities from coast to coast. The meet significance of the Bahd’i House of Wor ings were crowded to overflowing. The ship as a teacher of the Word of God; they Presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá glorified every were not just helping to erect a building but scene, every place, every meeting, "The laying the foundation for unity among brilliant Light of God shone upon the West mankind. and brightened the western world.” All Not a day passed without some effective things are under the working of divine law, work being accomplished. Efforts were be and it was evident how Divine Laws were ing universalized. Heretofore in most of working out in every act and every word the cities meetings were held in the homes of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. How brilliantly shone the of the Bahá’ís, but now public meetings Light which He brought into the confused were being arranged in halls, libraries, hotel thought of the world! The lofty spiritual parlors, offices (whenever large enough), tone of all meetings cannot be forgotten for and, in a few cities halls were rented and God the Almighty protects such meetings controlled exclusively by Bahá’ís, sometimes and preserves spiritual history in the making. an entire house was rented or bought and God’s Kingdom, not man’s was being estab such a place became a Baha’i Center. lished on earth. Traveling Baha’i teachers were numerous, 164 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

for one of the activities initiated at this joined the many teaching classes already time was classes for developing teachers. organized in different parts of Chicago These traveling teachers served both Bahd’is or in other cities. It was a very impor and non-Baha’is faithfully, effectively and tant teaching activity. The Convention of spiritually. Deep gratitude was always 1912 cannot be compared to any other Con given to these illumined souls who, without vention for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Presence gave it money and without price, gave and gave a unique spiritual atmosphere impossible to gloriously of the spiritual knowledge which describe. He Himself had said that a deep had been so freely given unto them. Bahá’- spiritual experience cannot be expressed in u’llah was using them to serve His people, words. The Convention of 1920 was memo to stimulate and encourage the groups. rable and glorious. Mr. Louis Bourgeois’s Hearts of the older believers, undoubtedly model for the Bahd’i House of Worship was thrill now at the sacrificial services they chosen at that time, and the most important rendered, and the generations of the future magazines and newspapers of the entire will rise up and call them blessed. country (and even the press of foreign These teachers traveled quite extensively, countries) featured the Temple during and visiting almost all Bahá’i groups in this after this Convention. country; they also served in Canada, in the The Woman’s Assembly of Teaching in Hawaiian Islands, and in Alaska. Be it re Chicago was organized during this period corded here also that even during those early and it functioned vigorously for a number years, there were American Bahá’í teachers of years. serving in Persia (now Iran), Egypt, India, The Bahd’i Congress held in San Fran Japan, and the first tvorld tour of a Baha’i cisco at the time of the Panama-Pacific teacher was accomplished. Indeed the Ba- Exposition was a wonderful teaching proj há’í teachers worked a mighty work for ect, the international’aspects of which were they themselves, by their own acts, attracted far-reaching. divine confirmations. The first Amity Convention for harmony There were all types of teachers— those between the races was held in Washington, who could speak to crowds of people, those D. C., and certainly this, too, was a teaching who wished to speak to small groups, and activity far-reaching in its effect, for it was those whose personal work was effective be the first time in the history of this country yond any description. Often persons would that a Convention had been held for that cross the path of Baha’is, and in conversa purpose. It was organized through the in tion, it would be disclosed that they had structions of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd and was founded heard ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and longed to hear more upon the heavenly teachings revealed in this about the Bahá’i Cause. The Baha’is would Day. It resulted in the organization of many become radiantly happy, for in this way other Amity Conventions, and in the for they would often find real Truth-seekers. mation of National and Local Amity Com One of the greatest teaching activities mittees which functioned successfully and was the Annual Baha’i Convention, pri became an institution of the Administrative marily of course devoted to the subject of Order in this country. the building of the Bahá’í House of Wor Of all teaching activities during this pe ship, but also to discuss teaching activities. riod perhaps the fireside groups were the Something of a mighty nature happened to most effective. Some Baha’is who are now the delegates to these Conventions; they in the front ranks serving the Faith bril became alive, refreshed, alert, and returned liantly, joined the Cause in this way during to their respective homes resolved to increase those years. their teaching efforts. Well known people throughout the coun At the time of each Convention there was try, distinguished in one way or another, also held a Baha’i Congress for three succes heard the Baha’i Message at these fireside sive nights. Important and eloquent Baha’i groups or through very effective personal speakers proclaimed the teachings of Bahá’- work, and as a result some officials, clergy u’lláh. Attracted individuals thereafter men, prominent peace advocates and others BA H Á ’Í TEACHING IN NORTH AMERICA 165

were the recipients of Tablets (letters) from with delivering the Bahd’i Message to a wait ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. ing world, to declare that the prophecies in During these years the Tablets revealed all the Holy Books had been fulfilled in the by this Divine Exemplar from His home in Revelation of Baha’u’lldh. Similar gather the Holy Land on the subject of the peace ings were held in New York and other cities. of the world were voluminous. He firmly, The organization of Bahd’i Children’s and with no equivocation whatsoever, indi Classes was also a very definite work of this cated that purely political questions must be period. Bahd’i groups in all the larger cities subordinated to this great question of peace. devoted much effort to this very important In August 1920 and in January 1921 activity. ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s Tablets "'To the Central From year to year the publishing of Organization for a Durable Peace” at The Bahd’i literature was one of the great teach Hague, were published in America and these ing efforts, for the then National Commit fortified the Baha’i teachers with added tee known as the Bahd’i Temple Unity was spiritual knowledge for ‘Abdu’l-Baha fully giving this subject a more or less organized explained Baha’u’llah Revealed Words on and authoritative status. Non-Baha’is were Peace and recorded in detail the Baha’i Plans eager for Bahd’i literature, they wanted the and requirements for Universal Peace. Holy Words to study, something that would ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s emphasis on the subject of bring them closer to the Faith. It was pro religious unity was given wide publicity— vided through the work of those indefati that there must be a new vision, a complete gable servers who realized its importance. sincerity of intent and purpose in this great Study of this branch of teaching indicates study, a united effort, definite progress in what a big and vital work was accomplished, the field of pure religion for the foundation because the faith and devotion of the work of all divine religion is one, and understand ers was so deep and real. ing of this fundamental truth was of the The Bahd’i Magazine, "Star of the West,” first importance. Some ripe souls in the continued to develop through this period churches attended Bahá’i meetings and and proved to be one of the greatest teach classes, were convinced of the divine origin ing mediums for therein were published of the Baha’i Faith, and in time did strive many of the Addresses of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd and as Baha’is in teaching the unity of religious vitally important Tablets. Precious indeed thought of the whole world. beyond any material value are the bound Another teaching activity of this period volumes of these magazines. which was most successful was the gather About this time ‘Abdu’l-Baha revealed ing of the Baha’is and their friends every what are known as the Teaching Tablets, summer at Green Acre, Eliot, Maine. Teach now printed under the title America's Spir ers and friends traveled to this Center every itual Mission. According to these instruc year, proclaimed the Bahá’i Faith definitely tions the country was divided into sections and directly at well arranged public meet or regions, including the Northeastern ings and taught classes and individuals. States, Southern States, Central States, Pa Many Baha’is have told their story of being cific Coast area, Dominion of Canada, etc. confirmed and brought into the Faith in These Tablets were so stimulating that al that Center, which later developed into the most immediately there were new journeys first Baha’i Summer School and Baha’i Sum for teaching. Many times two teachers trav mer Colony. eled together. A special effort was made in The One Hundredth Anniversary of the the Southern States, and hundreds and thou birth of Bahd’u’llah was an occasion "for sands both white and colored people heard the universal proclamation of the supreme the Baha’i Message. Several teachers also mission of that great and radiant Manifesta traveled throughout the West and it is re tion.” On November 12 , 1917 a memorable called that one teacher reported speaking to Festival and Convention for Teaching was one hundred and thirty-three different held in Chicago, and proved a most wonder groups on just a short tour. One has only ful opportunity for the Baha’is, charged to review the history of this period to realize 166 THE BAHÁ1 CENTENARY

how faithfully the teachers shared their this really enhanced the working of mystic knowledge of the Baha’i Teachings with the forces. The Bahd’is prayed and worked and world. faithfully tried to translate into the world In 1920 a National Teaching Committee of action the divine and sublime instructions was appointed, as well as Regional and Lo they had received. ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s followers cal Teaching Committees throughout the had a spiritual mission; they tried to ac country. These Committees and their work complish it. They lived in and for their mis constituted an immense forward movement, sion, they were building on the bedrock of they functioned marvelously, there was life reality, and they kept the balance most of — the life of the spirit—in their work, there the world had lost. was intense fervor and enthusiasm. W ith the ascension of ‘Abdu’l Bahá in Undoubtedly the crowning event of the 1921, the Baha’i Faith passed into another latter part of this entire period was the ar and distinctly different period of develop rival in this country of the distinguished ment. The Tree of the Covenant continued Bahd’i teacher from Persia, a precious gift to grow, and from His Supreme Heights of from ‘Abdu’l-Baha to the Bahd’i teaching Glory ‘Abdu’l-Baha must have witnessed program in America for ‘Abdu’l-Baha had how His wishes were being fulfilled. He had said He would send us "a ripened soul.” He said: "When I leave the world I want My did fulfill this promise in the person of heart to be assured that the Blessed Beauty Jenab-i-Fadil who He said had been "grow (Baha’u’lldh) has self-sacrificing servants ing for a long time,” that "he was wise, well who, in the utmost reverence, arose to serve informed and a thinker, a revered person, the Cause of God.” Many self-sacrificing learned, sincere, humble and severed from servants and maid-servants did arise and mortal things.” serve, and historians of the future will re Jenab-i-Fadil’s arrival in this country cord the stirring details of their loyal produced the greatest happiness, and he was services. welcomed with true Bahá’í hospitality. To make a beginning of the future record Literally volumes could be written about his of teaching activity in those years associated brilliant services to all, Bahd’is and non- with the Master, the following list has been Baha’is. He traveled from the Atlantic to compiled by one of the friends having first the Pacific, visiting every Baha’i Center hand knowledge of the Bahd’i work in var enroute and in each Center he spoke before ious parts of North America. These teachers crowded audiences in churches, colleges, or have accomplished their work and passed on ganizations of every kind. Indeed he trav to their reward in the Abhá Kingdom. eled a pathway of Light, the Light of the Thornton Chase Kingdom, and there is no doubt that thou Lua Getsinger sands and thousands heard the Baha’is Mes Howard MacNutt sage proclaimed by him in a scholarly man Arthur Pillsbury Dodge ner. He served sincerely and brilliantly, Hooper Harris and, with wisdom, graciousness and elo Helen S. Goodall quence. He proved to be indeed ‘Abdu’l- Nathan Ward Fitzgerald Bahd’s "gift to America.” The story of his Mrs. Agnes S. Parsons teaching tour when recorded in detail will Charles F. Haney form a unique and brilliant chapter in the Henrietta Wagner Baha’i history of this country. This blessed Mrs. Ida Finch sage and revered Baha’i teacher was loved Mother Beecher by every Baha’i, and his work was so deeply Mr. J. W. Latimer appreciated that it greatly surpassed any Mr. and Mrs. Myron Potter adequate expression of gratitude. Wm. H. Randall During World War I, in progress during May Maxwell some of the years of this period, outer com Dr. D ’Evelyn munication between ‘Abdu’l-Baha and His Annie Parmerton followers was almost completely cut oif, but Claudia Coles B A H Á 5Í T E A C H I N G IN NORTH AMERICA 167

Joseph Hannen Bahá during the latter years of the first Alma Knobloch world war in 1916-1917, the news of His Mr. and Mrs. Nash ascension to the Abhá Kingdom on No Mrs. Katherine Ives vember 28 came as a sudden and over Mr. and Mrs. Paul K. Dealy whelming blow. The greatest Teacher and Isabella D. Brittingham Exemplar of the Faith was no longer pres Edward Getsinger ent with His unerring guidance and it took Mary Stokes MacNutt the friends some time to realize that the William H. Hoar Light of the Covenant had been transferred Mrs. Pearl Battee Doty from the eye to the heart and that His words: Mr. Charles Ioas "I am always with you, whether living or Mrs. Clark dead, I am with you to the end,” would Nathaniel Clark serve as an eternal inspiration for the even Mrs. Barbee tual fulfillment of His Divine Plan. Sarah J. Farmer However, the Master, anticipating His Albert H. Hall final call, began to lay the foundation for Grace Ober His vast teaching program with His in Alfred E. Lunt structions to believers and returning pil Mabel Rice-Wray Ives grims that now was the time for the estab Howard Colby Ives lishment of Spiritual Assemblies throughout Mrs. Mary Revell the United States and Canada, for one of the Shahnaz Waite main functions of these administrative Mrs. Ida B. Slater bodies was the promulgation of the Word Josephine Cowles deLagnel of God in their particular city or town. To Pauline Hannen assist with this new responsibility, he sent Dr. Clement Woolson the renowned Persian teacher, Jinab’i-Fadl Charles Sprague to America to explain the method of for Dr. Zia Bagdadi mation and the functions of trusteeship in Helen Ellis Cole vested in a Spiritual Assembly. Mrs. Dixon In order to initiate the teaching program Mrs. Fred Woodward outlined in the Teaching Tablets, the North Charles Greenleaf American continent, for some years, had Elizabeth Greenleaf been divided into five sections— the N orth Byron S. Lane eastern States, the Southern States, the Cen Mrs. Grace Krug tral States, the Western States and the Prov Gertrude Buikema inces of the Dominion of Canada, and a Dr. Thatcher National Teaching Committee of nineteen Dr. and Mrs. Rufus Bartlett members with regional secretaries had been Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford appointed to direct the teaching activities Mrs. Emma Foster in each section and to assist local Assemblies George Lesch to enhance the scope of their teaching work. Mrs. Aimée Jaxon This committee published a series of Bul Mrs. Eva Webster Russell letins, replete with the news of activities in Dr. Susan I. Moody each section of the country and stimulating Mrs. Frances A. Rowe quotations from the Master’s talks and Tab lets, ably edited by Mrs. Mariam Haney. 5. T ea ch in g A ctiv ity , 1922-1936 Such a large committee proved to be un wieldy, and in 1922 a committee of five The year 1921 was a momentous one for members was appointed with its headquar the American Bahd’i community for just as ters on the eastern Coast. Later on, during it started to accelerate the vast teaching this period, this program was again changed program outlined in the remarkable series and a National Teaching Committee was of Teaching Tablets revealed by ‘Abdu’l- appointed with a representative in each of 168 THE B A H Á 5Í CENTENARY

Program, First Bahá’í Race Amity Conference, Initiated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha. B A H Á ’Í T E A C H I N G IN NORTH AMERICA 169

the five divisions and coordinated by a sity serving as honorary chairman, and such chairman and secretary. With the ever- outstanding speakers as Dr. Aurelia Rein expanding growth of the Bahá’i Faith came hardt, President of Mills College, Professor the need for greater concentration, and a Kenneth Saunders, Professor J. V. Breitnational committee was created with mem wieser, Rabbi Rudolph I. Coffee, Dr. W. J. bers representing an eastern and western J. Byers, representing the Negro race, Dr. section of the country headed by a chairman Ng Poon Chew, a Chinese editor, Dr. Torao in one section and a vice-chairman in the Kawasaki, the Honorable Clinton N. How other section. Finally toward the end of ard and Jinab’i-Fadl who pointed the way this period, a smaller committee, centered to real peace and world brotherhood. on the Pacific Coast was appointed and was In 1922 the first Western States Teaching assigned the additional functions of train Conference was inaugurated in San Fran ing teachers; directing the itinerary of cisco with delegates in attendance repre traveling teachers; enrolling isolated be senting all the Western and Rocky lievers and preparing groups for the forma Mountain States, the Hawaiian Islands and tion of Spiritual Assemblies. British Columbia. A second successful con About a year after Shoghi Effendi took ference was held in 1924. During this same up his mission as the appointed Guardian of period a number of conferences and public the Baha’i Faith in accordance with the meetings were held in the Chicago area for provisions of the Will and Testament of the Central States and Green Acre pro Abdu’l-Bahá, his second message (March, vided a summer session for similar programs 1922) to the western friends contained for the eastern friends. these words: "Now is the time to set aside, The National Spiritual Assembly in 1926 nay, to forget altogether, minor considera sent a special appeal to forty-five "thor tions regarding our internal relationships, oughly informed, capable, experienced and and to present a solid and united front to distinguished Bahd’is” of this continent to the world, animated by no other desire but arise as teachers directly representing that to serve and propagate His Cause.” A year body to make a supreme effort to spread the later he further aroused us from the inertia Glad Tidings in their respective localities which followed the passing of the Master by and elsewhere as their resources and per this clarion call: "How great our privilege sonal plans would permit. This step was to labor in this Day in the Divine Vineyard! an early fore-runner of the effective appeals Is it not incumbent upon us to arise and that were later to make the goal of the teach His Cause with such an ardor which Divine Plan nearer of attainment. no worldly adversity can quell, nor any The year 1926 also witnessed the start of measure of success can satiate?” To further a series of World Unity Conferences at reinforce the friends in their united efforts which leaders in the fields of education, he again sent Jinab’i-Fadl to America to science, philosophy, ethics and religion were aid the inauguration of a nation-wide teach called upon to interpret the fundamental ing campaign. principles of human association capable of The results of the teaching tour of this overcoming traditional prejudices and pro learned Persian teacher were manifold. N u moting the ideals of brotherhood and world merous societies for peace, international peace. Several prominent Baha’is in col clubs, women’s organizations and progres laboration with liberal ministers, college sive movements offered their platforms for professors and scientists sponsored this his lectures which so impressed these organ movement which became a strong factor izations that in later years they were again of indirect teaching of the principles of the happy to open their doors to other visiting Bahá’í Faith. From March 1926 to June Bahá’í teachers. One of the outstanding 1927, these conferences we/e held in the meetings of this period was a two-day con following cities: Worcester, Green Acre, ference for World Unity held in San Fran Philadelphia, Buffalo, Cleveland, Boston, cisco, March 20-22, 192 5, with Dr. David Dayton, Chicago, New York, Springfield, Starr Jordon, President of Stanford Univer Mass.; New Haven, Rochester, Hartford, 170 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Montreal, Quebec, and Toronto, Ontario. 193 5 showed that there were 12 States A few of the prominent speakers at these without a registered believer. It was at this conferences included: Dr. Herbert Adams time that the Guardian made his first appeal Gibbons, the noted historian, Chancellor for Bahd’i pioneers to go forth to teach and Capen of Buffalo University, Professors to settle in these areas. The time for lec Kirtley F. Mather and William E. Hocking tures on the philosophy of the Faith had of Harvard, Professor Joshi of Dartmouth, temporarily passed, for in the words of Dr. Teh-yi Hsieh, Professor Adolphus Miller, Shoghi Effendi: "The Cause is not a system Rabbi Silver of Cleveland, Alfred W. Martin of philosophy; it is essentially a way of life, of the Ethical Culture Society, Rev. John a religious faith that seeks to unite all Herman Randall, Mr. Mountfort Mills, Mr. people on a common basis of mutual under Horace Holley and Jinab’i-Fadl. In com standing and love and in common devotion menting on these conferences, the Boston to God.” Pioneers and teachers started out Evening Transcript on December 11, 1926 into virgin territory to carry the banner of printed the following: "Whether we regard Bahd’u’lldh. The National Spiritual As world unity as a feasible program or a sembly accepting its responsibility for sus remote, unattainable ideal, the fact that tained teaching assistance in the new areas, prominent scientists, educators and states especially in the Southern States, began to men, as well as representative Christians, hold its sessions in new cities with public Jews and followers of other faiths are willing meetings, in order to stimulate the teaching to participate in a public meeting devoted work. The first of these meetings was held to this object is a very significant indica in Nashville which was the occasion of a tion of the new trend.” The Institute of historic event for the South, as a public World Unity was founded as a result of presentation of the Faith was held in the these conferences and for some years pub large ball-room of the leading hotel of this lished a monthly magazine interpreting City with a mixed audience assembled for the spirit of the New Age. the first time without segregation. Other The National Teaching Committee of meetings of this type were held in Knox 1929 made definite plans to develop plat ville, Washington, D. C., Lima, Urbana, Los forms for the unity between fundamental Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, New ists and modernists; for the solution of the York and Chicago. social-economic problems based upon the During this period dating from the pass Baha’i Teachings; for an approach to social ing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the National Assembly service workers; to study modern educa issued a series of printed leaflets, titled "A tional methods in order to develop a Baha’i New World Order,” which were mailed to program and for the study of movements a large selected list of prominent people. It and groups working for racial unity. This also maintained Mr. Louis Gregory and period was marked by a series of inter another teacher constantly in the teaching assembly teaching conferences held in dif field for a number of years. Space does not ferent parts of the country which were permit a complete list of the many teachers productive of far-reaching results. In 1931, who lent their aid at this time, but the fol the National Teaching Committee an lowing list includes a number who made nounced nineteen different methods for the extensive and nation-wide teaching tours presentation of the Faith and the following throughout the States and Canada: Martha year a series of instructive teaching bul L. Root, May Maxwell, Keith Ransomletins was started. The next few years Kehler, Elizabeth Greenleaf, Lorrol Schopwitnessed the development of many teach flocher, Orcella Rexford, Dr. Susan I. ing circuits and groups of traveling teachers Moody, Wm. H. Randall, Howard and toured surrounding areas, thereby widening Mabel Ives, Dr. Ali-Kuli Khan, Howard the scope of interest in new fields which M cNutt and Mason Remey. later were productive of many new Baha’i When the annual Baha’i Convention was groups and Assemblies. assembled in the Baha’i House of Worship in A survey of the American community in 1936, the delegates were greeted with the BA H Á ’Í TEACHING IN NORTH AMERICA 171

cabled appeal from the Guardian which must turn back to the pregnant years of urged them to "Ponder historic appeal 1932-33. For in that period the exterior voiced by ťAbdu’l-Bahá (in) Tablets (of) ornamentation of the Temple was started, Divine Plan. . . . Would to God every State and a reconstructed plan for our teaching within American Republic and every Re work projected. The purpose of this plan public in American continent might ere was to release a new creative spirit in each termination this glorious century embrace individual, causing them to arise to new light (of the) Faith of Baha’u’lldh and heights of sacrificial teaching service of establish structural basis of His World increasing intensity; to coordinate all these Order.” This appeal set in motion a nation pulsating and driving efforts into a con wide and systematic teaching campaign and structive dynamic whole; to reinforce the a special teaching fund of $30,000.00, to pioneer teachers with not only the spiritual which the Guardian, himself, was the first and moral, but also the material and or contributor, was budgeted for this purpose. ganized strength of the entire community. Thus the foundation for the intensified Thus the power of the Holy Spirit might Seven Year Plan was laid. be canalized and more effectively brought to the people, perishing in their thirst for 6. T e a c h in g A ctivity , 1937-1944 the water of life. Therefore, the recon The last seven years of the first Bahd’i structed teaching plan, while seeking to century gave to the American believers the renew individual acts of heroism for the epochal opportunity to inaugurate the world Faith, yet reinforced those services by the mission to which ‘Abdu’l-Baha called them, united influence of all the Baha’is, and the in the tablets of the Divine Plan. "Every one pioneer teacher became a strong outpost of of the important souls must arise, blowing the new world order of Bahá’u’lláh. The over all parts of America the breath of life.” spirit of the reconstructed plan was to raise Calling upon them to follow in the foot individual effort to collective service; and steps of the heroes of the first seven years in so doing laid the foundation for the of the first Baha’i century, the Guardian work of the Seven Year Plan, which the cabled on October 29, 1933: "The Dawn- Guardian referred to, as "the greatest col Breakers in previous age have on Persian lective undertaking in the annals of the first soil signalized by their acts, the birth of the Baha’i Century.” Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Might not American The Seven Year Plan was inaugurated by believers, their spiritual descendants, prove the Guardian by his message to the 1936 themselves in turn capable of ushering in on Convention: "Would to God, every State world scale the civilization of which that within American Republic and every Re Faith is the direct source and sole be public in American continent, might ere getter.” termination of this glorious century em To parallel the spirit, dedication, and brace the light of the Faith of BaháVlláh, self-sacrifice of the Dawn-Breakers, the and establish structural basis of His World American Baha’is arose to achieve the goal Order.” At that time there were Spiritual set for the seven year plan, and in so doing Assemblies in twenty-six of the sixty States to lay the foundation for the world teaching and Provinces of the United States and mission envisaged in the Divine Plan. Did Canada, including Alaska, Hawaii, and the not Shoghi Eifendi call for this spirit of District of Columbia. During the first dramatic and dynamic effort on their part, forty-three years of the development of the in his message of June 21st, 1932: "Feel Faith in N orth America, the Faith had es impelled to appeal to entire body of Ameri tablished its administrative posts in twentycan believers to henceforth regard Nabil’s six States and Provinces, whereas the Seven soul-stirring Narrative as essential adjunct Year Plan contemplated establishment of to reconstructed teaching program.” Spiritual Assemblies in a seven year period In fact, in order to get the spiritual in the remaining thirty-four areas. At that setting for the accomplishment of the time ten States and Provinces did not have arduous tasks of the Seven Year Plan, we even one Baha’i. Furthermore, these States 172 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

and Provinces were found to be the most As the Plan progressed and its needs be backward of the country, not only from the came more apparent, many souls arose to test standpoint of religious intolerance, but also their strength in the field of spiritual serv from the standpoint of educational develop ice, so that since the inception of the Plan ment, cultural achievements, and economic 22 5 "holy souls,, have "scattered more welfare. widely throughout the length and breadth The status of the Faith then, in North of the American continent”—and earned America, in 1937 presented a picture of the "lasting gratitude of the present genera seventy-two Spiritual Assemblies in twenty- tion of believers in both the East and West,” six States and Provinces; twenty-four and have, as the Guardian in his latest mes Bahá’í Groups, 246 isolated Bahd’is, with sage acclaimed, "vouchsafed the special the Faith established in 303 cities. benediction of the Concourse on High, and On December 31, 1943 (five months made the recipients of the imperishable before the close of the Seven Year Plan), bounties of Him Who is the Divine Author there were 132 Spiritual Assemblies, 220 of the Plan itself.” Bahá’í Groups, 984 isolated Bahd’is, with The first year, of the Plan was marked the Faith established in every State and by a deepening of consciousness on the part Province, and in over 700 cities. On the of all the friends of the magnitude of their same date there were only five areas without task, and the sacrifice and devotion required Spiritual Assemblies, but the Bahd’is in the for "resounding victory.” Some twenty key cities are working diligently and Spir pioneers left their homes and established itual Assemblies should be formed shortly. themselves in virgin areas; circuit teaching Thus as the Bahá’í year draws to a close, we was expanded, and follow-up work and see before us the attainment of the complete assistance aggressively carried forward. victory of the Seven Year Plan. The second year found deepening con Little did the Bahá’ís, assembled at the sciousness and devotion to duty translated 1936 Convention, realize the sacrifices, ef into action on all fronts. Action on the forts and deeds of spiritual valor, the tasks part of individuals, action on the part of which they were assuming would entail; as groups, action on the part of Assemblies; well as the separations from home and and a more complete orientation of our family, the continuous adjustment of the collective activities to the tasks of the great lives and fortunes of so many to the greatest teaching program. The doors of guidance spiritual campaign ever attempted. The opened and the confirmations became so friends however were firmly united in their overpowering, that no effort, however feeble, determination to fulfill the divine tasks was without result. The Guardian himself, assigned them by their beloved Master, and expatiating on the confirmations of the now set in motion by the Guardian. While Holy Spirit on the intrepid pioneers of the they planned on itinerant teachers to carry new day, dramatically challenged every the work forward, with carefully laid plans Baha’i with his urgent appeal: "Let the of follow-up; yet the achievement of the doubter arise and himself verify the truth goal required the settlement of ever- of such assertions.” increasing numbers of Bahá’í pioneers in the In January, 1939, the Guardian aroused virgin areas of the country. This was greater enthusiasm and created a spiritual brought poignantly before the believers by upheaval by his call for the settlement of Shoghi Effendi, by his cable of May 19, the nine remaining virgin areas by "nine 1936: "Convention plea addressed to Ameri holy souls, who, independently or as depu can believers cannot achieve its purpose ties, will promptly, fearlessly volunteer to unless dauntless pioneers promptly arise and, forsake their homes, cast away their attach forsaking their homeland, permanently re ments and definitely settle in these terri side in countries where light of Faith has tories to lay firm anchorage of the Admin not yet penetrated.” Some twenty daring istrative order of this undefeatable Faith.” souls immediately left their home ties, and Within a few weeks the National Spiritual went to the newly opened areas as settlers. Assembly had approved the application of BA H Á ’Í TEACHING IN NORTH AMERICA 173

three of these holy souls; and before the new areas. Up to this time, teaching work Impetus of this call had waned, not only in the virgin areas had been directly super nine had offered their lives and services for vised by the National Teaching Committee, this divine mission, but nine times nine, a but with the settlement of these virgin total of eight-one had arisen for the victory areas, and the increasing work in connection of the Faith. with the developing projects throughout the The third year was marked by an energy country, it was found desirable to place all of enthusiastic service such as the Faith had sections of the country under auxiliaries of never demonstrated in this country. The the National Teaching Committee, and thus entire continent arose as one unit, throbbing ten additional Regional Teaching Commit with an insatiable desire for service in this tees were appointed, bringing the total to greatest spiritual drama. twenty-two. During this year, while many Early in the third year, all the virgin areas were strengthened, the over-all pic areas were settled; teaching circuits for the ture found seven less Assemblies at the end newly established centers were arranged, of the year, and an increase in the virgin and follow-up work actively under way. areas from twenty-six to twenty-nine. In the sixteen Southern States the Faith The fifth and critical year of the Seven spread very rapidly. Up to the beginning Year Plan, found a new resurgence to of the Seven Year Plan, there were only sacrificial service, and increase in the number eight Assemblies, two groups and sixteen of pioneers and settlers, as well as sustained isolated Baha’is; while in six states there teaching activity throughout the country. were no Baha’is. By the end of the third During this year the Guardian gave year, the sixteen States could boast of nine greater responsibility to the believers by Assemblies, twelve groups, and ninety iso indicating that each State and Province lated Baha’is, with some Baha’is in every must have a Spiritual Assembly by the end State. of the first Bahd’i Century. With this in In Canada likewise the Faith spread like creased responsibility, there was increased wildfire from East to West. In 1936 there activity on the part of the friends. This were two Assemblies, no groups, and only enlarged task, at the same time, necessitated four isolated Bahd’is. By the end of the third the focusing of all activities on the unfin year, there were five Assemblies, and all ished tasks of the Seven Year Plan; and con virgin areas settled. Teaching circuits were centration on key cities in each virgin area. taking place everywhere and study groups During this year the problems were developing in most of the larger cities. further increased by a great many As Even the most northern outpost of the semblies reverting to group status through United States, Alaska, felt the warmth of the application of the administrative prin the Bahd’i spirit by settlement of one of ciple that only Bahd’is living in the civil the "holy souls,” followed quickly by limits could belong to an organized com another pioneer, and the confirmation of munity. Thus during the fourth and fifth the first Bahá’í in Alaska under the Seven years of the plan twenty-two Assemblies Year Plan. reverted to group status. During the third year, the Guardian Notwithstanding these problems, the new spurred the Baha’is to even further effort, resurgence of spirit and service brought the by calling for 100 Spiritual Assemblies by virgin areas without Assemblies down from the end of the Bahá’í year. Notwithstand thirty-one to twenty-four, and the number ing two Assemblies were disbanded during of Spiritual Assemblies in the country up the year, the Convention found 102 Spirit from ninety-five to 101. ual Assemblies in the roll call, as contrasted "Upon the crucial year ahead hinge the to the 100 suggested by Shoghi Effendi. fortunes of this historic crusade,” was the The fourth year (1940-1941) called for challenge of the Guardian to the Bahd’is close consolidation of the gains won during at the 1942 Convention. The "fate of the the first three years of the plan, as well as seven year plan is periously hanging in the steady expansion of the Faith in all these balance.” "The present tempo of teaching 174 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

activities is clearly insufficient to insure ing campaign to fittingly close the first definite all-embracing victory.” “Swift century of the Bahá’í Era, and third, prep action, boldly conceived, unanimously sup aration for the great celebrations and ported, systematically conducted, can alone teaching activities of the Centennial period. retrieve present situation.” At this writing there are only five re The Convention of this sixth year fo maining virgin areas without Spiritual As cussed its entire attention on the unfinished semblies, requiring only nine Bahd’is to tasks of the Seven Year Plan. The “Guard complete the task, and thus fulfill, in its ian’s Summons to Teaching” was issued in entirety, the Seven Year Plan, and achieve September, carrying the startling informa for America the first step in its glorious tion that our progress had not been suf spiritual mission. ficient since the Convention to insure suc The One Hundreth Year teaching cam cess, and calling for eighty-one pioneers to paign throughout the country surrounds complete the establishment of Spiritual four main themes, the principle causes of Assemblies in all the virgin areas. Within a the ills of the world today, as well as the few weeks the National Teaching Commit pillars of the divine plan of Baha’u’lldh for tee received a flood of pioneer offers, and by the healing of the nations:—Race Unity, January 1943, over thirty-two were in the Religious Unity, World Unity, and The new fields of service. Manifestation of God. This national pro The spirit of activity aroused by the gram gives for the first time, an over-all seriousness of the plight of the Seven Year teaching program toward which the teach Plan, brought new victories, and the most ing resources of the Faith might be oriented, critical year, on whose activities hung the and the plans of all National committees, fate of the Seven Year Plan turned out to Assemblies, Regional Committees, Groups be the most successful year of the Plan. and Isolated Bahd’is be focussed. Thus the During the year, 105 pioneer settlers entered entire Bahá’í Community, from East to the virgin areas; there were established West, from N orth to South, shining in twenty-eight Spiritual Assemblies, the the splendor of complete and resounding largest number in any one year of the victory of the Seven Year Plan, has set the history of the Faith in North America; and country aglow with a conflagration of the virgin areas were reduced from twenty- spiritual power, bringing to a fitting climax four to seven. The total number of As the power of Bahá’u’lláh in these closing semblies rose from 101 to 124, the number days of the first Bahd’i century. of groups from 203 to 220, and the number While, of course, statistics do not carry of isolated Bahá’ís from 872 to 984. anything of the spirit, or devotion of those The Guardian indicated his joy over the who make the history they portray, yet the manner in which the believers had responded fortunes of the Seven Year Plan may be to the crying needs of the eleventh hour, followed in the statement appended to this with his usual gracious words of encourage report, which shows how the Faith has ex ment: “I acclaim magnificent victory in panded during the period when the Seven the teaching field during the course of the Year Plan was successfully carried to its sixth year of the Seven Year Plan. I appointed goal. heartily congratulate the National Teaching It is entirely impossible to portray even Committee and feel proud of its high in the slightest degree the inspiring services endeavors; and of the self-sacrifice of the of the friends individually or collectively beloved pioneers.” in the greatest spiritual drama of American The last year of the first Baha’i Century, History; nor to pay proper tribute to the the last year of the Seven Year Plan, set sacrifices of our glorious pioneers—to say for its unique goal, and service to the Faith nothing of the deep gratitude for their of Baha’u’llah, three distinct teaching activ spiritual conquests. Each and every one ities; first, the completion of the unfinished has recounted how the doors of guidance tasks of the Seven Year Plan; second, the have opened before them—each has most carrying forward of a great national teach enthusiastically told of the overwhelming BA H Á ’Í TEACHING IN NORTH AMERICA 175

confirmations which have come to them of the two local centers, East and West. from the realms on High— all have felt The most significant fact concerning the themselves drawn ever nearer to Baha’u’llah Faith in Montreal is that when ‘Abdu’las they have striven to grow closer to Him. Bahá came to North America in 1912 there Indeed, the spiritual tum ult of the past were devoted Baha’is in that city to attract seven years has deepened the spirit of faith the Master and to arrange for meetings at in every heart; has enlarged the vision of which He might address representative every one; and laid a firm foundation for audiences. 'Abdu’l-Baha was introduced to the more glorious teaching work of the the Montreal public by the Rector of Christ second Baha’i Century. It is the prayer of Church Cathedral, Dr. Herbert Symonds. the American Baha’i Community that it It was on September first of that year that may be found worthy to serve the Beloved ‘Abdu’l-Baha delivered an address at the Master, follow in His Footsteps, respond Church of the Messiah, Dr. Frederick G rif to His behests, in the Divine Plan, and thus fin, Minister. On the same day He spoke aid in more quickly establishing the World twice at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Order of Bahd’u’llah. Sutherland Maxwell, the pioneer believers of

America During Period of Seven Year Plan ■1944

8. B a h a ’1 T e a c h in g I n C a n a d a Canada, and a third time on the following day, while on September 5 the Master The Baha’i Faith has spread through addressed the congregation of St. James Canada from two centers, Montreal and Methodist Church. During this visit He Vancouver. Believers were active in Mon spoke to a meeting of Socialists, but this treal as early as 1902. In Vancouver the address is not included in the two volumes date of active participation in the Faith is of "The Promulgation of Universal Peace.” 1920. From the local communities of be The Montreal "Star” published interviews lievers in these cities the Message of Bahá’- with ‘Abdu’l-Baha obtained by Archie Ed u’lláh has been carried out to other cities dington, of the editorial staff. and Provinces, reinforced since 1937 by The master remained three days and four pioneers and settlers who have established nights at the Maxwell home, 1 548 Pine residence in Canada under arrangements Avenue West, and the remainder of the made by the National and Regional Teach visit He was a guest at Windsor Hotel. ing Committees. As the first Baha’i Century At that time, the daughter of Mr. and draws to a close we see an active Baha’i Mrs. Maxwell, Mary, now Ruhiyyih Khanum community of Canada, but the historical rec Rabbani, the wife of the Guardian, was a ord of development requires consideration child of two years. 176 THE B ^ H Á ’Í CENTENARY

In 1916 and 1917, when ‘Abdu’l-Bahd Delegates representing all local communi revealed Tablets to the Baha’is of five ties of the United States and Canada met regional areas in which He divided the in Montreal for their Nineteenth Annual Bahd’i communities of the United States Convention and Congress in 1927, bringing and Canada, the two Tablets addressed to to the Canadian friends a strong reinforce Canada were sent through Mrs. May Max ment and encouragement. The public well, and these messages gave the believers of World Unity conference held in the Uni Montreal a vivid realization of the spiritual versity auditorium presented a program of bounties destined for their country. distinguished speakers advocating the Bahd’i Mrs. Maxwell, whose Memorial designed ideals. by Mr. W. S. Maxwell stands in white and The eminent Persian Bahd’i teacher, radiant beauty at her grave near Buenos Jenabi-Fadil, held many meetings in Mon Aires, was a teacher distinguished by rare treal during the winter of 1920-21, and intuition, sympathetic understanding of again during his second American visit, personality, clear perception of the Bahd’i making many contacts for the Bahd’i com teachings and a spirit of intense activity. munity. Despite her physical frailty she traveled In April, 193 5, the Spiritual Assembly extensively, carried on a large correspond adopted incorporation papers registered with ence, lectured frequently, and conducted the authorities of the Province, the first study classes and informal home meetings official recognition by the civil government whenever possible. The Maxwell home was of the Dominion. More recently, the Na for years the Bahd’i center not only of tional Spiritual Assembly has obtained trade Montreal but for the entire Dominion. It mark registration in Canada of the symbol was there, on December 10, 1922, that the of the Greatest Name and of the word first local Spiritual Assembly of Canada "Bahd’i” ; and has filed with the Defense was established in accordance with the Ministry a statement concerning the Bahd’i directions issued that year by Shoghi Effendi. Teaching on Universal Peace. The cities developed by the Montreal Turning now to the development of the Baha’is through travel and correspondence Faith in Vancouver: were St. John, N. B., Toronto, and Van The story begins with the journey of couver in those days. As public interest Marion Jack to Vancouver in 1920 to lay developed following the inspiration released the foundation for the coming of Jenabiby £Abdu’l-Bahd, a number of important Fadil in January of 1921. Accompanying public meetings and conferences became this distinguished Persian teacher, besides landmarks of quiet, steady growth. Thus, an interpreter, were George O. Latimer of William H. Randall presented the Bahd’i Portland and Laura Luther from Seattle. peace program to the Men’s Canadian Club Jenabi-Fadil’s stay in Vancouver lasted during the war years 1914-1917, a series about five or six days and included as many of Race Amity Conferences was conducted, public lectures and private gatherings as and a strong Bahd’i youth group later the time would allow, as well as brief visits evolved whose experience and activity stimu to West Vancouver, New Westminster and lated a national youth activity cherished Victoria. by the Guardian and administered by a Many hundreds heard of the Faith during Committee of the National Spiritual As this short but intensive teaching campaign sembly. More recently, summer teaching and the first five believers were confirmed. classes and conferences have greatly stimu These were Mrs. Rhoda Anne Harvey, Mrs. lated the work of the believers in the Grace Ethel Joyce, Mrs. Frances Elizabeth eastern Provinces. Collin and Austin F. L. Collin, who were Besides the Maxwell home, Bahd’i centers joined by Mrs. Christine Monroe, a Seattle conducted in Montreal have been situated Bahd’i, who took up residence in Vancouver in Fellowship Hall, St. Catherine Street at that time. West, in the Guy Block and in the Corona Miss Marion Jack and Mrs. Laura Luther tion Building. remained in Vancouver for several months BA H Á ’Í TEACHING IN NORTH AMERICA 177

after Jenabi-Fadil’s departure, leaving books followed by the settlement in Vancouver of and literature and encouraging the con Rowland Estall, who had been active in tinuance of a study class. Between the period Youth groups in Montreal for some years. from January 1921 to the forming of the It was largely from the influx of new young first local Spiritual Assembly in 1927 many believers in the following years that the early teachers came to help, including such Vancouver community was able to supply nationally known figures as Louis G. pioneer settlers and teachers to the other Gregory, Charles Mason Remey, George O. western provinces. Latimer, Horace Holley, Elizabeth Green- With the help of these recent additions leaf and May Maxwell. Mrs. Maxwell and to the community who rapidly equipped Mrs. Greenleaf visited Vancouver together themselves with a good knowledge of the in June, 1926, the latter going on to Vic Faith, especially its humanitarian aspects, toria. Mrs. Maxwell gave many talks and this mother Assembly of Western Canada lectures, leaving behind a study group of ten was able to lend its assistance during the which met faithfully together for weekly Seven Year Plan to the expansion of the meetings during the remainder of the year. Faith to Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatche In January, 1927, John Bosch and George wan. In the Fall of 1937, at the opening O. Latimer visited the group and the first of the Seven Year Plan, an eleven weeks’ Spiritual Assembly was subsequently formed, radio program, one of the first of its kind with the following members: George Mon undertaken by any Bahá’í community, car roe, Stanley Kemp, Mrs. Evelyn Kemp, ried the principles of the Faith to a large Mrs. Rhoda Harvey, Mrs. Christine Mon potential audience, and invited listeners to roe, Mrs. Seifert, Mrs. Warnicker, Mrs. Flor attend fireside meetings held simultaneously ence Sherborne, Mrs. M. Clark. to discuss the subject of the evening. Mrs. A milestone had been passed with the Dorothy K. Baker, representing the National establishment of the first Spiritual Assembly Spiritual Assembly, went to Vancouver in Western Canada. From then on the be during this time and laid special stress on lievers in Vancouver met frequently to the needs of the Seven Year Plan, which study and search the teachings for them was also emphasized by a later visit from selves. None of them knew very much Mrs. Mamie L. Seto. Teacher training about the Faith and were left alone for long classes were organized and with the help periods at a time. They owed much in sub of the Regional Teaching Committee efforts sequent years to the Portland believers and were made to establish the Cause in West especially to the Latimers, Louise Caswell Vancouver, New Westminster and Victoria. and Helen and Charles Bishop. After the Here was laid the foundation for the con first few years a steady stream of teachers tribution which members of this community visited Vancouver, notable among them be were subsequently able to make towards the ing Keith Ransom-Kehler. success of the Seven Year Plan and made This period was also one of integration Vancouver a reservoir of teaching assist into the national Bahd’i community. Be ance to the three. Prairie Provinces. Pioneer lievers from Vancouver attended the first settlers from Vancouver were Doris Skinner, summer school at Geyserville in 1927 and Rowland Estall, Ann McGee and Cliff an important teaching conference in Seattle Gardiner, and visiting teachers were Kath in 1929. Delegates went to the 193 8 con erine Moscrop, Ruby China, Evelyn Cliff vention; the Assembly sought and obtained and Muriel Warnicker, who were able to incorporation in 1939. Important contacts spend some months in pioneer cities. were made with the various racial groups Outside of Vancouver, as far as is known, in Vancouver which served to establish the and up until 1937, other teaching develop Bahá’ís as ardent promoters of race unity. ments in Western Canada were meagre. The Youth Group idea, encouraged by Scattered visits had been made to Victoria similar development in other communities, and New Westminster from time to time. received special impetus from a further visit Mrs. Collin and Mrs. Joyce lived in Vic of Mrs. Maxwell in the summer of 1934 toria for a time and then settled in Arm- 178 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

strong, B. C., from which city Mrs. Pine of Rowland Estall later in the same year, became a Bahá’í and moved to Vermilion, But these left few definite traces, and it was Alberta, later assisting in the early develop- not until settlement under the Seven Year ment of the Edmonton community. In Plan that work in Alberta, Manitoba and 1934, Mrs. Maxwell visited Calgary, staying Saskatchewan went ahead. This, however, for some weeks, followed by a similar visit is another story and is told elsewhere.

BAHA’I T E A C H E R S GO T O EUROPE, ASIA AND A F R IC A

1. F oreword who likewise provided teachers like Eliza beth Stewart, Lillian Kappes, Genevieve L. T h e world upheavals of these years have Coy, Dr. Clock, and Clara and Adelaide sent millions of the youth of America to Sharp; the teachers who undertook to main distant lands. They have been made by des tain the International Baha’i Bureau in Ge tiny to mingle with all races and peoples, to neva, Switzerland, such as Helen Bishop; witness for themselves the underlying unity the part played by American Bahá’ís in es which the Creator imprinted upon His tablishing the Faith in Paris, London, S tutt Image borne in the souls of all men. Here is gart and many other places; the fund do enacted the supreme dispersal of history, the nated for a monument at the grave of the great shattering of molds and the over revered Abul-Fadl in Cairo; and the full throwing of all frontiers. responsibility assumed in the development Preceding them went out the confirming of the Faith in Latin America. light of truth revealed by Baha’u’llah, re One of the most significant international flected through a host of pioneer souls in Baha’i matters in which American believers tent upon bringing the world back into the have taken an active part was the case of the divine embrace of peace and brotherhood. House of Baha’u’llih in Baghdad, seized The outposts of this outpouring of spirit some ten years ago by hostile religious lead are today symbolized by five monuments ers and later sequestrated by the civil gov raised over the graves of heroic martyrs: ernment. The Bahá’i claim was eventually Dr. Susan I. Moody, Tihrán, Persia; Keith carried to the League of Nations on appeal Ransom-Kehler, Isfahan, Persia; Lua Get- and the verdict called upon the Mandatory singer, Cairo; Martha L. Root, Honolulu; power to see that the House was restored. and May Maxwell, Buenos Aires. They rest W ritten appeals were sent to Baghdad by in soil which has become part of the destiny the American local Baha’i Assemblies, while of America. Before the nations could be the legal papers were prepared by Mountfort prepared for political and economic union, Mills under the direction of the Guardian these souls realized that in reality the nations of the Faith. are one. At the time of the ascension of ‘Abdu’l- But scores of others also served the Faith Bahá, the keys to the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh in distant lands, fulfilling each one his or in ‘Akka were wrested from the Bahá’i cus her trust under the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l- todian by Mohamet-Ali, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Bahá. younger brother and for years the center The following brief statements are but of dissention and antagonism seeking to de glimpses at these great scenes. The full stroy the Center of Baha’u’llah’s Covenant. panorama can only be depicted by later Immediately the American believers pro students who gather the records together in tested this spoliation of the sacred Shrine times of peace. and violation of the Will and Testament of One can, however, at least point to cer ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in letters addressed to the tain salient features in the historic record: Mandatory Power, joining with the believers For example— the founding of the Tarbiat of the entire world in a mighty demonstra Schools for boys and for girls in Tihrán, to tion of unity of faith. The keys were soon which Dr. Moody devoted her life, gener given to Shoghi Effendi, named Bahá’i ously supported by the American believers Guardian in that Will. 180 THE BA H Á ’í CENTENARY

Over a long period of years beginning Pressing on to Japan I observed in Agnes with the era of the Master, the American Alexander that untiring service that has Bahá’ís have prepared and dispatched ap made her the trusted agent of ‘Abdufl-Bahá peals to the authorities of various countries and of Shoghi Effendi in this ancient and in behalf of the believers suffering oppres remarkable land; a land to which ‘Abdu’lsion: Turkey, Persia, Iráq, Germany, Egypt Bahá has given such unqualified promises of and the U. S. S. R. Funds have also been do spiritual expansion and attainment. nated for relief, as for example following How simple a thing when trees have been the disastrous floods in Nayriz. felled and underbrush cleared, the unyield ing earth broken, the seed sown, tended and 2. A Survey by K e it h R a n s o m -K e h l e r watered; drought, hail, hurricane and flood withstood; how exceedingly simple to walk To have spread and established a religion "through the land at eve . . . and pluck the throughout the world in less than four score ripened ears!” No name is worthy of men years is eloquent testimony to the spiritual tion in any country except the name of those quantum contained in the message of Bahá’- who with heroism and intrepidity first went u’lldh. forth to face the odds and difficulties, yes, Historians record as phenomenal the ac terrors of the untried and the unknown in complishment of the followers of Muham order to plant the mighty standard of Bahá’- mad in carrying His teachings from the Red u’lláh in the midmost heart of the world. Sea to the Baltic, from India to Gibraltar, in The names of Dr. Augur and of Agnes Alex eighty years; but in a corresponding period ander must ever remain the names to which the Bahd’i Faith has become firmly rooted on all others are subsidiary in recounting the all the continents of the earth. history of the Cause in Japan. Mrs. Ida Needless to say this has not taken place of Finch, Mrs. Greeven (then Inez Cook), itself. The divine rapture that sent our Per Martha Root, and later Mrs. Schopflocher sian martyrs dancing to their death had its and Mr. George Spendlove have assisted in more practical reflex in the worldwide pro furthering Bahá’í interests in this fascinat jects of those who, scattering near and far, ing country. bore to mankind the "imperishable evangel Reaching China I encountered for the first of eternal salvation,” reiterated today by time on my journey the illustrious name of Bahi’u’lldh. Martha Root as the pioneer Baha’i teacher. Leaving California where the historic pio She had sojourned in other lands that I had neers Thornton Chase, Lua, Mrs. Goodall, visited, but like myself was treading in the Mrs. Cooper, and others prepared the way footsteps of others. Here she herself had for the coming of *Abdu’l-Bahá, my first been the first to bring this great evangel, and objective was Japan. Calling en route at the evidences of her strenuous and ceaseless Honolulu, consecrated by the labors of Dr, toil in that great vineyard will be immortal. Augur and Agnes Alexander, I found a bril In America she had given the message to liant Bahd’i Community; alert, active, zeal President C. S. Liu of Sun Yat Sen Agricul ous, ably abetted by the tireless enthusiasm tural College while he was an undergraduate of Miss Julia Goldman. Charles Mason at Cornell; and later to his sister, President Remey and George Orr Latimer, Mr. and Fung Ling Liu of Union Normal College, Mrs. Charles R. Bishop, Orcella Rexford, then a graduate student at the University Mr. and Mrs. Hyde Dunn, on their journey of Michigan. to Australia, Martha Root who had left a At Tsing Hua University she confirmed few months before my arrival; and since my President Y. S. Tsao and his wife in the departure from America, Mrs. Schopflocher, Cause, and the Bahd’i world is aware of his Mrs. Loulie Mathews and Mrs. Marion Little outstanding service in translating ‘Abdu’lare among the Bahá’ís who have made their Bahá and Dr. Esslemont into Chinese. contribution to the advancement of the On her journeys through the Celestial Cause in Hawaii: which incidentally I think Empire Martha carried on in her great tra the most beautiful spot in all this earth. dition; interviewing statesmen, publicists TEACHING IN EUROPE, ASIA AND AFRICA 181

and dignitaries; speaking in the foremost spiritual attributes fit him peculiarly to Universities; obtaining constant publicity teach the Bahá’í Cause. Mrs. Dunn has a for the Cause through the newspapers; quality of faith that I have seldom met. She broadcasting; receiving innumerable visit lives in the Presence of God with a kind of ors. It was rewarding to meet those whom awe and candor that assure men of His she had interested and gratifying to witness Power and Benignity; while her service is the steadfast devotion of those whom she like the service of the earth to the sun, of had confirmed. the magnet to the pole, of the lover to his Miss Alexander and Mrs. Schopflocher beloved. When so ill, with a dangerous ill have also paid several visits to China. ness, that any other woman would have been The traces of a world pioneer I have found in a hospital, she was still ministering and in many places where his foot has never serving and helping and soothing, until her trod; our "ambassador without portfolio” as very persistence in doing carried its own it were, Roy C. Wilhelm. Carrying on great message. a world-wide correspondence, his cordial and What a simple matter then to harvest all cheerful letters, his gifts of reading matter this effort and sacrifice and self-effacement and Bahá’í books, his continuous encour in my joyous visits to Australia and New agement and helpfulness to those scattered Zealand. Martha and Effie Baker, one of th: beyond the confines of ordinary Bahá’í asso first Australian Bahd’is, visited New Zea ciation, have made him, though personally land before me; and Martha and Seigfried unseen, one of the most popular and beloved Schopflocher, Australia. of the Bahá’í teachers. There was much activity among the No more romantic story will embellish friends to receive me. Full and interesting the history of the Cause than the recital of programs had been arranged, resulting in how Mr. and Mrs. Hyde Dunn, then well confirmations in the various centers visited, past middle-life, burning all their bridges and in the formation of active study classes. behind them, answered the summons of Perhaps fuller details will be furnished by ‘Abdu’l-Baha and arose to carry the Bahd’i the friends in the Southern Hemisphere; message to Australia and New Zealand. "Down Under” as they say. Their endeavors have been indefatigable, No tribute that I could pay would be ade their accomplishments stupendous. "Whoso quate to express the heartfelt gratitude and maketh efforts for Me in My way will I appreciation of the entire Baha’i world, for guide them.” The trials, difficulties and vi the cordial welcome and sincere cooperation cissitudes that they faced and conquered which is everywhere and continuously ex must be recorded at length in a suitable me tended to us by the Theosophical Society. morial. Wherever we may go this is alwiys the first At last there was a happy, issue out of all platform open to us; these audiences, always their afflictions. Mr.. Dunn found an excel intelligent and responsive, offer us our first lent position that necessitated his travelling encouragement. over the whole Commonwealth, so that he In Sydney I spoke twice in the great The has actually given the message in every set osophical Auditorium and from their station tlement on that vast continent. my lectures were broadcast to thousands of Equally persevering, Mrs. Dunn remained listeners. I was entertained at "the Manor,” behind in the larger cities, consolidated their their community center, and sent off with joint labors, formed classes, conducted meet letters of introduction to other lodges in ings, fostered Assemblies, until at last, as a different countries. Mr. and Mrs. van Gelder reward of their efforts, the National Spir and their family, who live in beautiful Blaitual Assembly is in process of formation. vatsky Park in Batavia, extended to me the Mr. and Mrs. Dunn (lovingly called Fa most exemplary kindness and hospitality at ther and Mother by all Baha’is) are of sin- the request of the Sydney Theosophists. All gular beauty both of person and character. over the world this Society displays toward Mr. Dunn has the rarest and most charming us the same spirit and the same goodwill. disposition: loving, forgiving, genial, his Mr. Grosfeld, our dear Bahá’í pioneer in 182 THE B A H Á ’í CENTENARY

Java, is awaiting' the arrival of an Egyptian ity, and the sincerity of their lives these Bahá’í friend of his in order to carry on a village Bahd’is are a source of pride and fuller program of activities. pleasure to the Western visitor. My stay in Malay was not kmg enough to The Rangoon friends had arranged a com admit of more than newspaper reports and prehensive program for me that they may private interviews. perhaps discuss in their report. They were Sharing the ardors and rewards of the first very efficient in their cooperation, arranging mission to India and Burma were, among my conferences so that I met the most intel others who assisted the saintly Jamál Ef- ligent, progressive and inquiring in the city. fendi, Dr. *Abdu’l-Hakim, now of Ran By now their H aziratu’l-Quds must be goon, Burma, an<í Siyyid Mustafá Rúmí of completed, which will greatly increase the Mandalay, the latter accompanying Bahá’- prestige of the Cause. u’lláh’s great emissary on his extensive jour The crowning joy of my visit was meet neys to the East. ing in person those great pioneers of the Day Arriving in Burma I went at once to of Bahá’u’lláh, Siyyid Mustafá Rúmí and Mandalay where to my great delight I met Dr. Hakim, who had in their youth, with Mrs. Schopflocher and Lionel Loveday just Jamál Effendi, helped establish the Cause in down from a thousand-mile trip on the India and Burma. Irrawaddy, "where the flyin’ fishes play.” The calm beauty of their lives seems a These flying fish, by-the-bye, were the miracle amidst the haste and noise and vul women who plied back and forth on the garity of our disintegrating civilization. I river boats. know that they belong to that host whose In addition to my many engagements in tread is measured to the tap of an unseen Mandalay, we drove twice to the hill station drummer. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá expresses it, of Maymyo where I spoke to the Young "the horse gallopeth though the rider is in Men’s Union. I was very cordially received visible.” Their ears were constantly listening throughout Burma and was especially happy for commands that mine were too gross to in the great house of Ma Tin in Mandalay; hear. designed and built to accommodate ‘Abdu’l- Later several Western teachers visited In Bahá on His hoped-for but never accom dia; among, them Hooper Harris and Harlan plished journey to Burma. Ober; Dr. and Mrs. Getsinger; Mrs. Lorol Very handsome properties are owned by Schopflocher; on three occasions Mrs. Gree the Bahá’í Community of Mandalay, the ven, Mrs. Stannard and Martha Root. most recent acquisition being the estate of A large number of the Bahá’ís of Western Siyyid Mustafá Rúmí, in which he is now India (Karachi, Bombay, Poona) are Persian merely holding a life trust. Zoroastrians or Parsis. There are no Bahá’ís Our tireless Martha has preceded me there in the world superior to those recruited from as usual and has written a lively record of the Zoroastrian group. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá again her visit. and again attested to their sincerity, their The grace and charm of the Burmese simple faith, their purity of motive, their young people are worthy of comment. The sacrifice and their utter devotion. beautiful and accomplished daughters and A generous account of my activities in grand-daughter of U. Nyunyu, chairman of Bombay and Karachi appeared in the pre the Assembly; the son and daughter of Dr. vious number of this series. Professor Pri- Hakim, so earnest and devoted; the lovely tam Singh, M. A., late of the chair of eco and gentle Baha’i children that I met wher nomics in Allah Abad University, Secretary ever I went, impressed me deeply. of the National Spiritual Assembly of the So much has already been written about Bahá’ís of India and Burma, was designated Daidenow Kalazoo Kungjangoon, "the vil to accompany me and to arrange my meet lage of ‘Abdu’l-Baha,” that I cannot ings. Due to his initiative and connections heighten the descriptions of Mrs. Greeven I spoke in all the great universities in the and Mrs. Schopflocher. In the warmth of various Indian cities that I visited, and to their welcome, the extent of their hospital many associations, churches, clubs and so- TEACHING IN EUROPE, ASIA AND AFRICA 183

cial groups, where the message was cordially language and supporting themselves as they received. But it is practically impossible for established the Cause, their conquest of diffi me to write of my own activities; I never culties, their unremitting perseverance, is seem to myself to be accomplishing any surely written in ineffaceable letters "upon thing. the preserved Tablet of God.” Through the kind offices of Sir Akbar Martha Root has also visited several South Hydarí I received an official invitation from American cities. Hyderabad Deccan to be the guest of the Leonora had preceded me to some of the state. I cannot sufficiently thank Mr. Růs islands of the West Indies, but to a few of tům Khosrove, Secretary of the Spiritual them I was the first to carry the message. Assembly of Poona who accompanied me, My longest teaching period on that tour was acting as my personal secretary as well. in Barbadoes where Leonora had ably paved It was very gratifying to meet here the the way for me a year or two before. Minister of Finance, the Minister of Justice, Let me record that I have found nowhere the Minister of Education, the Minister of people more eager, more receptive, more Court, the former Prime Minister, the Min alert or kinder than the Barbadians. God ister of State, Nabob Mehdi Yar Jung Ba- willing, I yearn to go back there for further hádur, and others of the nobility and cabi teaching. I was very gratified to hear of the net, and to discuss with them our teachings. visit of Miss Ella Robarts to this beloved The programs arranged in Poona and Su spot. rat, respectively, afforded me the liveliest Returning to Haifa for further instruc pleasure, for the meetings proved very popu tions, Shoghi Effendi graciously permitted lar and were attended by the representative me to come to the land of God’s pioneers, people of these cities. Sir ‘Ali Delavi, Prime the Báb and Baha’u’llah; to walk the earth Minister of the Bombay Presidency, acted deified by Their Presence; to visit the scenes as my chairman on one occasion, and spoke sanctified by Their noble army of martyrs; with great appreciation of the Baha’i teach to read in the lives of their survivors those ings. lessons of sacrifice, patience and steadfast The next continent that I touched upon faith that illumine the Cause. was Africa, which I had visited several En route I spent a few days in the holy times before; but alas! I was not able to city of Baghdad where Bahá’u’lláh declared follow in the hallowed footsteps of Miss His Mission and, finally sojourning in the Fanny Knobloch, who with her sister, Mrs. Garden of Ridván, gave to our Faith its Pauline Hannan, established the Cause in most joyous festival. South Africa. I disembarked at the Soudan These Bahá’ís are full of spirit and energy, but approached no nearer to the scene of her and though I met only a few representatives repeated activities. More advanced in age from other ‘Iráqí Assemblies I was im than Mr. and Mrs. Dunn when she under mensely assured ^>f their devotion and zeal. took this trip, with extremely straitened fi The monumental work of Mountfort nances, again and again she literally taught Mills in representing before the League of until she dropped; due to the exigencies of Nations Baha’i interests in Baghdad has al the climate that brought on a dilatation of ready been fully recorded, in a volume of the heart. Who can estimate the incalculable The Baha’i World. harvests that will one day be garnered from Mrs. Schopflocher’s visit left a deep im her love and sacrifice? pression and wrought good results. She had My brief visit to the Northern coast of several audiences with His Majesty, the late South America some years ago was equally King Feisal, and Martha, following her, also remote from the pioneer work of Leonora had an audience with the King. Holsapple and Maude Mickle; who like the Incidentally I know of no better place to other American pioneers already mentioned, mention Mrs. Schopflocher’s memorable visit answered the summons of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, to Russia; the only American Bahá’í, so far proceeding to Bahia, Brazil. Their gallantry, as I am informed, to teach in the Soviet their hard work in mastering an unknown Union. 184 THE B A H A ’i CENTENARY

Years since, M. and Mme. Dreyfus- ridden, so unconquerable is her spirit, so Barney and Mason Remey had come to Per cheerful her disposition, so intense her eager sia; then, to the Tarbiyat School, Miss Kap- ness for the Cause and its welfare, that pes, Miss Coy, Miss and Mrs. Sharp; Dr. young and old throng to see her, and her Clock had come to be near Miss Kappes; presence is a blessing to every meeting that Mrs. Schopflocher had visited Persia on two she finds strength to attend. occasions; Martha traveled through some She always reminds me of the lines of of the provinces; and Effie Baker, photo Stevenson: graphing for The Dawn-Breakers, reached places that no western Bahá’í has seen before "I knew a silver head was bright beyond or since. compare, The important work of Miss Lillian Kap I knew a queen of toil, with a crown of pes, who gave her life to the Bahá’í Cause silver hair; in Persia, is attested by the present position Garland of valor and sorrow, of beauty of the Tarbiyat School, so ably managed and renown; by Miss Adelaide Sharp. She has today Life that honors the brave crowned her brought it to a position of preeminence in himself with the crown.” this educational field. Her unflagging zeal, her sound management, her personal dedi Some of my most impressive experiences cation to teaching as a profession, are here have been recorded in letters to Mrs. crowning with success the hardships and Helen P. Bishop, published in the Bahd’i difficulties that still surround the educa Magazine. At present (August, 1933) I am tional activities of Persia. in Tihrán and have not yet visited the South But foremost amongst the Western pio of Persia. neers in this sacred land must ever stand the This would seem the appropriate moment name of Susan Isabel Moody, M. D., who, to mention those immortal Persian pioneers blessed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, was entrusted with to America, sent us through the bounty of the great mission of spreading scientific ‘Abdu’l-Baha: Mí rzá Abu’l-Fadl-i-Gulpayimethods and hygienic measures amongst the gání, and Jináb-i-Fádil Mázindaráni. My women of Persia. advent to the Holy Cause of God is so recent At the time of her arrival not only crude that it exactly corresponds with Jináb-ibut barbarous practices sometimes obtained FádiPs first visit, but all America bears tes in obstetrical work; infant mortality still timony to the outstanding achievements of remains very high; the care and feeding of these powerful and notable pioneers. children was little understood. For many Having been identified with the Baha’i years she labored valiantly against the hosts Cause for only twelve years, there must have of ignorance and resistance to change, work been countless teachers in the early days ing on against great obstacles until the vio with whose names I am unfamiliar. I hope lent fanaticism that ended in the murder of that all such oversights will be forgiven. I Major Imbrie made it inadvisable for foreign have mentioned the name of every teacher Bahá’ís to remain longer in Persia. in foreign fields known to me. Undoubtedly When under the enlightened regime of the Jináb-i-Fádil in his forthcoming history present ruler, Ridá Sháh Pahlavi, all danger will record the work of those whose names was obviated, so deep was her devotion to I have unintentionally omitted. her spiritual fatherland that she determined Though residing in Europe during several to end her days in this beloved country; and years my itinerary has not yet taken me, as though nearing eighty, took the long and a Bahá’í, to the scenes made memorable by difficult trip from America back to Persia, early Bahá’í teachers. May Ellis Maxwell, a few years ago. who also established the Cause in Canada, Her work in founding the girls’ Sunday Alma Knobloch, George Latimer and Mason School and in assisting the Tarbiyat School Remey, Dr. and Mrs. Getsinger and more is still another monument to her greatness. recently Mrs. Louise Gregory, Miss Marion Although very feeble and partially bed Jack, Orcella Rexford, Mr. Kluss, Mrs. TEACHING IN EUROPE, ASIA AND AFRICA 185

Emogene Hoagg, Miss Julia Culver, Mrs. Builder and Maker is God” ; that Holy City, Stannard, Dr. and Mrs. Howard Carpenter, New Jerusalem, shall descend to earth and Lady Blomfield, Mrs. Stuart French, Mrs. that the tabernacle of God shall be among Amelia Collins, Miss Louise Drake Wright, men. The doors of that city "shall never be and others have taught on the continent; closed by day and night; there shall be none; but preeminently Martha Root, who has and into it will the kings of earth bring their spread the message not only in the leading glories.” It is for the speedy fulfillment oi universities and highest circles of Europe, this promise that Bahá’i pioneers are labor but to royalty, confirming the present Dow ing so arduously throughout the world. ager Marie, then Queen of Rumania, in the Cause. 3. A St a t e m e n t by C h arles M aso n Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher, a veteran R em e y world traveler, has supplemented his fre quent business voyages with Bahá’í teach In 1901 I made my first pilgrimage to ing. Haifa to visit ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and in connec In 1932 the Guardian bade me good-bye tion with this journey I spent several days with a smile; that smile that soars like a bird with the Bahd’is in Egypt. from his lips to its heavenly nest. "You Apart from having heard the Bahi’i mes should be very grateful to Bahá’u’lláh for sage in France in 1899 and having spent the extending to you this opportunity for serv first three years and a half as a believer in ice,” he said. that country engaged in the work of the Amidst the perplexities, hardships and Cause, my first real Bahá’í teaching travels problems that often beset my path I think in foreign lands began in the summer of that my abiding protection is a sense of deep 1907 when in company with Frank Phipps and reverent gratitude; gratitude that I of Washington, I visited the Master, have been privileged, not to hear about, but ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in ‘Akka, going over by way to witness, in a thousand gleaming camp of the Mediterranean by ship to Egypt and fires round the world the marshalling of the Syria. There Frank and I parted, he return army of the Lord of Hosts; to behold in ing direct to America, I going up the Le every land the unsheathing of His terrible, vantine Coast visiting Baha’i friends in swift sword; to see, with mine eyes, the Beirut and Alesandretto on my way to Con Glory of the Coming of the Lord. Men and stantinople and from there on to Munich in women from every tribe and kindred of the ^Germany. earth, forgetting their age-old tutelage of In Munich, I had several Bahd’i contacts hatred and antagonism, abandoning their with people interested in the Faith, so re prejudices and racial inhibitions, rejecting mained there for two days before going on the animosities of ancient creed and dogma, to Stuttgardt. In this latter place I spent learning new and shining lessons of forbear several days with Dr. Fisher who was at that ance, love and forgiveness; pressing forward time interesting a few people in the Cause. in deadly, deadly earnest against man’s eter We spent some time going about calling on nal foes: ignorance, oppression, superstition, people and talking with them, but there greed, crime, war, poverty, injustice; put were no gatherings that could be called ting aside every personal consideration to "meetings.” serve the mighty ends of peace and right From Stuttgardt, I went on to Paris where eousness. Surely gratitude is the only appro I spent six weeks busily engaged in looking priate emotion with which to regard the up the friends and attending gatherings. It spectacle of life at the flood tide of its spir had been but less than four years since I had itual ardor. For in this Cause every Baha’i lived there, so I was able to follow up a is a pioneer; a pioneer in a new manner of number of former personal contacts as well living, a new outlook on life; a new assur as meet with the groups of Bahd’is at that ance; a new fortitude, because ours is a new time, continuing the work as established promise; the promise that at last that celes there seven or eight years previously by tial city "eternal in the heavens, whose May (Bolles) Maxwell. 186 THE B A H Á ’í CENTENARY

While in Paris, I went over to England to ‘Ishqábád—back to Bakou and into for a two weeks’ stay in London with Syd Persia as far as Tihrán. This, however, could ney Sprague who had made many contacts not come under the classification of Bahá’i there. Our time was busily spent meeting teaching, since I was learning from the the Bahd’i friends and attending meetings many old and firm Believers in those parts of various kinds of thought where Sydney rather than teaching, although here and had made openings to speak of the Cause. there I did meet people attracted to the On my return to America at the Master’s Faith and talked with them. instruction, I made some travels to Mon Leaving Sydney Sprague in Persia I re treal in Canada and visiting the Baha’i turned to the Holy Land by way of Bakou, centers as far West as Chicago and the near Batoum and Constantinople, meeting the points in Wisconsin— Racine, Kenosha and Baha’i friends in Beirut. Milwaukee. While Stanwood Cobb was the only Ba- The following year, in 1908, I sailed early há’í I met at that time in Turkey, at the in April for England where I visited the Master’s definite instructions on going out Bahá’ís in Manchester where Miss Ridgeway to Persia I called on the Persian Ambassador had attracted a small group that was found to Constantinople who was a friend of the ing the Bahá’í cause in those parts. From Master’s and was kindly disposed toward the there I went on to London for a few days Cause. This gentleman received me very with the friends where Sydney and I made graciously and gave me several books of his the round of contacts as we had done the own w riting on World Peace. (These are previous *summer. with my other documents now in the Na Then on to Paris for a week where I at tional Archives in the Temple in Wilmette.) tended several gatherings of friends and I had a few days with the Master in those interested, from there going on to ‘Akká. The Revolution of 1908 had taken Stuttgardt in Germany. By then Miss place while I was in Persia and the land Alma Knobloch of Washington had settled was then under the Young Turk rule. It herself in Stuttgardt at the Master’s, was easy for the Baha’i pilgrims to come ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s, instruction, as a Baha’i and to go to and from the Holy City—the teacher and already a group of enthusiastic old Turkish reign of oppression was at its believers was in progress. There I remained end. for several days before going on to Italy (by On my return through Europe I visited way of Vienna), where in Florence I spent Sr. Bonsignori in Milan, then went on to a day or two with Sr. Artura Regini, the Stuttgardt, Paris, London and Manchester, leader of a group of Philosophers who re meeting the friends in those cities. „ ceived me very kindly. I had been in corre It was in the Fall of the following year spondence with this gentleman for some that Howard Struven and I started forth on time, had fuťnished him with Baha’i litera our world tour. I am under the impression ture and he had published some articles on that we were the first Baha’is to make the the Cause locally in Florence. entire tour of the world, but I may be in So far as I know Sr. Edouardo Bonsignori fault on this point. of Milan was the first Baha’i in Italy. He Leaving Washington and Baltimore, in received his message from Mrs. H. Emogene June, we traveled westward visiting almost Hoagg in about 1900. I had met him in all of the centers of Baha’i teaching in this Paris some years .before this visit to Italy. country from Green Acre on the East to the From Italy I went on to Egypt, to the length of the Pacific Coast from Los Angeles Holy Land, where I spent some days near to Seattle and Spokane. It was in November the Master— then on to Constantinople that we sailed for Hawaii where we spent where I visited Stanwood Cobb at Robert three weeks with the friends of the Group in College, meeting with him and his friends Honolulu that Agnes Alexander had formed, and there joining up with Sydney Sprague, and it was Christmas week before we we two going from there by sea to Odessa reached Japan where we spent some days in and acrcss Southern Russia to Bakou—east Tokyo meeting with individuals and groups TEACHING IN EUROPE, ASIA AND AFRICA 187

attracted to the cause. Our first meeting in Tokyo was in the Chapel of the American Mirza Mahmoud Irani to Baroda to teach, Y.M.C.A. and numbered about 12 5 people. therefore we placed ourselves in correspond The Honourable Mrs. Gordon, an Eng ence with Mirza Mahmoud who asked us to lish lady who had lived for years in Japan, include Baroda in our travels. Professor and Mrs. Dodge (American) and On our arrival in Baroda the Gaikwar was others were most friendly and were instru absent from the City. We therefore awaited mental in arranging this one very large for some days his return. A day or two meeting as well as several smaller ones. after his arrival the Gaikwar received us Shanghai was our next Bahá’í field of and we stated our cause with the result that activity. There we met with the groups of a few days later a meeting was arranged for Persian believers of the "Ommid Tea Com us in the rotunda of the University presided pany.” Through these friends we met the over by the President of the University (an Rev. Timothy Richard, a Missionary Amer Englishman whose name I do not recall) ican who, unlike most American Mission and attended by the Gaikwar and his court aries, had been most friendly to the Cause. and the principal people of the city, both His associate, the Rev. Gilbert Reid was also British and native. most cordial and on his return to America It was an impressive gathering and I must shortly before his death, was associated with say a somewhat terrifying one to me, at the Baha’is in meetings in New York and least so until I was launched in my talk, Washington. when embarrassment passes from one. These Missionaries founded "The Interna We were all assembled when the Gaikwar tional Institute of China” for the harmoni arrived and seated himself on a throne ele ous relations between the Religions of the vated on a dais and flanked by two attend Far East, and in their publications men ants who fanned him with large long-han tioned the Cause and gave it publicity. dled fans throughout the ceremony. Our next Baha’i contacts were in Burma The introduction by the President was in Rangoon and Mandalay and in Quongoon very friendly as was the entire procedure. not far from the former place. In these So far as I have been able to ascertain this parts we spent six weeks—very busy ones— occasion was the first time in the history holding meetings daily and meeting people of our Cause for a king or ruler to openly of many religious groups, Christian, Mus receive in a friendly way representatives of lim, Hindu, and Buddhist. the Bahd’i Faith. The earliest recognition Calcutta in India wa% our next Bahd’i of the Bahá’í Cause by Persian kings was to field of activity. Here the community of persecute, but this kingly gesture of the friends had a house for their center of ac Gaikwar was friendly. This meeting was on tivity. We visited neighboring towns, made March 20, 1910. contacts with educational and other groups, From Baroda we went to Bombay where both Muslim and Hindu, one week or there we spent six weeks or thereabouts teaching, abouts passed quickly with these friends. meeting groups of Hindus, Muslim and Twice during the two or three years be Parsees. One meeting that stands out in my fore the time of which I write, the Maha memory was in the auditorium of Elphmisrajah of Baroda, or more commonly known ton University attended by several hundred as the Gaikwar of Baroda, traveled in Amer students. We were kept very busy in Bom ica and on each occasion he visited Wash bay. From Bombay we went to the Holy ington. It was in Washington that I first Land where we had some days with the met him and spoke with him about the Master before parting one with the other, Bahá’í Cause. Some others of the Bahd’is Howard returning to America by one route, made similar contacts with him and he re I by another, my travels taking me by the sponded by showing his friendliness to our quickest way possible to America while Faith. About the time that Howard Stru- Howard visited the friends in Germany be ven and I started on our travels we learned fore returning home. that the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, had sent In the early summer of 1913 George O. Latimer and I spent some time in Honolulu 188 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

engaged in Bahd’i activities and in the fol Late in September of that year we four lowing spring of 1914, at the Master’s call traveling Bahd’is left Germany going into we went to Europe on a teaching mission, Switzerland and Italy where we embarked landing in France and spending three months at Venice for Egypt and the Holy Land. in Paris holding gatherings and meeting We remained on Mount Carmel for about many people. two weeks with ‘Abdu’i-Bahd at the end of From Paris we went to London for sev which time George and I returned to Egypt eral weeks. By that time there was a very and from there to Italy and America arriv active Baha’i community in London with ing home shortly before the end of Decem several large meetings each week and small ber, having been able to travel in comfort groups meeting in homes. during these first few months of the World This was a momentous time for during War I. our visit Fareed and his family arrived in Commissioned by the Master to visit the London from the East and the Master ca Bahd’i communities in this country and bled to us in London that they should be Canada, George and I went to Montreal for "avoided” by all Bahd’is. These were in some days arriving there during the upset deed turbulent times. For the most part the occasioned by the adherence of the Wood friends obeyed without question, but a very cock family to Fareed and his family. few clung to Fareed. Finally the division or During the years of World War I, George separation was formed and established and and I made two visits to Hawaii and I alone the problem was solved definitely, and made one visit there— then for several years shortly after that George and I took a ship foreign travel wa% not possible. from England for the Netherlands. There Finally after peace had been established in Blaricum in North Holland we visited the Master instructed me to go to Germany Mr. Van Winkle, a Theosophist, with whom on my way to the Holy Land. I sailed in I had been in correspondence for some time June, 1920, landing in Rotterdam, going on and who was interested in and attracted to to The Hague where I met Jenab Eben the Faith. We first met this gentleman in Astaque of Russia whom the Master had Paris, then in Amsterdam, and while in the sent thither as bearer of His Tablet to The Netherlands through his kindness we went Committee on Durable Peace. There with to The Hague and there spoke of the Cause this Persian friend and his companions, I to some members of the Netherlands For met people attracted to the Cause— then I eign Service. went on to Amsterdam where Mr. Van The last few days in that country were Winkle was there living and through him spent with Mr. and Mrs. Van Winkle at I was introduced to some Theosophists who their home in Blaricum where we met a were sympathetic to the Bahd’i teaching. number of people to whom we talked. Several days passed with these friendly peo From North Holland we went to Berlin ple in Amsterdam and through a Theoso and to Leipzig arriving at this latter place phist, Miss B. Kerdike, I was invited by her the day of the Declaration of World War I. brother and his wife to visit them at Appel- There we met Miss Alma Knobloch and a doorn in Eastern Holland on my way to group of friends in a public meeting on the Germany. Mr. Kerdike was an architect and night of our arrival carried out as planned during the two days I spent in that home, I regardless of the tumult of war that was met several of their friends, whose names I going on in the city about us. no longer recall, but who were all responsive From Leipzig we traveled to Stuttgardt and friendly to the Bahd’i teachings. where we remained for several weeks teach That season I spent about six months in ing and holding Bahd’i meetings in that city Germany. This was a time of much Bahd’i and the towns nearby. Here our efforts activity among the believers there. The war were reinforced by those of two Persian was over and the Revolution was also at an Baha’is, Mirza Azizullah Bahadur and Mirza end. Most of my time was spent in the Habibellah Khodabasah whom the Master vicinity of Stuttgardt. I did much traveling had also sent there to teach. about making repeated visits to Karlsenke, TEACHING IN EUROPE, ASIA AND AFRICA 189

Heidelburg, Tubingen, Leipzig, Manheim, in Paris attending the gatherings of the Ba Ludwigshafen, Freiburg and several other ha’is and meeting former old friends there small towns in Wurtenberg. Also I made of many years of service in the Cause. five different trips going to Switzerland to hold meetings in Zurich where a group of 4. A R eport o n I n t e r n a t io n a l Bahá’ís was formed. A ctivities of M a r t h a L. R oot While in Germany I met Malcolm Mac- Space is not available for the description Gillvray from America who was there for of all the teaching activities carried on by several weeks and we were associated to Martha L. Root since her first journey to gether in Bahá’í work. South America in 1919 and up to the time Late in December I left Germany and the of her lamented passing in Honolulu twenty friends with whom I had been so happy and years afterward. Hailed by the Guardian started for the Holy Land by way of Italy. of the Faith as the foremost teacher and In Naples I met Mrs. H. Emogene Hoagg Hand of the Cause, Miss Root exemplified and others of the Faith. A few days— then complete and immediate response to ‘Abdu’ltook ship for the Holy Land where I re Bahá’s call for teachers uttered to America mained for almost two months, during in 1916 and 1917 in Tablets which could which time I was joined by my brother not be conveyed to their destination until William and other American Believers on the termination of the war. pilgrimages to the Holy Places. This believer traveled well-nigh continu My brother and I made the return to ously in Europe, Asia and Africa, as well gether to Italy where we spent some days in as Australia, New Zealand, and Central and Naples with Mrs. Hoagg and her small South America. She interviewed prominent group of believers. From there my brother persons, educators, statesmen and rulers, returned home by the Mediterranean and and she carried the banner of the Faith to Gibraltar while I went across Europe stop heights beyond the capacity of her fellowping in Milan to see Sr. Bonsignori and from believers in those years. there to Stuttgardt and the vicinity where The following brief notes, taken from I met with the believers— then to Paris, "The Bahd’i World,” Volume VII, cover a London and Manchester, contacting with period of two years only but are typical of the friends of the Cause in these places, her effort and achievement throughout her sailing for Canada f(fom Liverpool, with a twenty years of service in the teaching field. visit in Montreal, then home. A firmly established faith, a centered will, In 1922 I visited the Holy Land, Switzer and indefatigable activity, have given to land, Germany and France, and in subse Miss Martha L. Root an international sphere quent summers in 192 5 and 1927, I went in the realm of teaching. In her, the ordi to Europe, on the former occasion going nary restrictions placed upon personal life, direct from New York to Italy where I spent limiting it to one local environment, have several months engaged first in Baha’i activ been broken through and the world is be ity with Mrs. Hoagg in Florence and then come her spiritual home. going to Geneva, Switzerland, for some days Miss Root’s activities from April, 1936, with a group that Mrs. Elizabeth B. Nourse to April, 193 8, were successively, the United and her family had assembled there during States, Japan, China and India. The follow their stay of several months in that city. ing reports can but briefly indicate and out From Geneva I went again to Stuttgardt line the full story of her Bahi’i teaching and the vicinity holding meetings there, during those two years. and in neighboring towns including Karl- Miss Martha L. Root had served the senke. Then to Paris for a few days with the Bahá’í Faith vigorously with great efficiency Baha’is and again to Manchester on my way and without stopping for rest and comfort to Liverpool and back to America. for many years, but in the summer of 1936, In 1927 I repeated my visit to Florence, our beloved Guardian cabled her (she was going to Paris, but not to England, and working in Europe) to return to United again in 1930 and 1931 I spent some time States for a rest. She returned July 29, 190 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

1936, very broken in health. Mr. Roy C. in that important island country. Jamal Wilhelm invited her to 'Evergreen Camp,* Effendi had gone to Colombo for a few days his summer home in Maine, for two months, in 1877 and met a few merchants where everything was done for her recupera Miss Root reached Bombay, India, Octo tion. ber 15, 1937; the N. S. A. of India and Then she met the friends and lectured in Burma and several hundred Bombay Baha’is Green Acre, the Northeastern States, the welcomed her warmly. After the N. S. A. Regional Committee arranging very care meeting of consultation, and working under fully to protect her health. This was fol the fine planning of the N. S. A. of India lowed by a short program of lectures in and Burma, Martha Root has done great New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and service in India and Burma with their help. Washington, D. C. She first visited Surat and Poona, then In January, 1937, when she was on a lec crossed the continent from Bombay to Cal ture tour, she was very ill with influenza cutta and on tó Burma. She toured Burma in Buffalo and as soon as she was able to where many lectures had been arranged for travel she went across the continent to Cali her in Rangoon, Mandalay, Toungoo and fornia, stopping over in Lima, Ohio, and in Daidanaw and Kunjangoon. Returning to Chicago, where she spoke once in each city Calcutta she took part in the Second Allto believers, on teaching the Cause. People India Cultural Conference and the First came to Lima from all the Bahá’i cities in Convention of Religions, both held in Cal the State of Ohio. cutta in December, 1937. Her talks on the Resting in California for several weeks, Cause were broadcast throughout India. she later addressed the friends in Los An After the lectures and work in Calcutta, she geles, San Francisco and Portland. These next visited Dr. Rabindra Nath Tagore. were really regional gatherings, for believers Miss Martha Root arrived in India from came from many surrounding cities. Ceylon on October 15. The believers of Miss Root sailed May 20, 1937, from San Bombay accorded her a right royal reception. Francisco for a Far Eastern tour. June was The National Spiritual Assembly had also spent in Japan where several lectures were fixed their half-yearly meeting to be held in given in Tokyo, Kyoto and Kobe. Editors Bombay in order to meet the beloved sister. used Bahá’í articles, and she visited nearly Miss Root stayed in Bombay for five days every Baha’i in Japan. and these five days were gala days for the Sailing to Shanghai the last of June, she believers of the place. While the Bombay was working in China with the devoted friends held meetings and arranged for lec faithful Bahá’ís when the war came. She tures, which were fully reported by the press, was in the deadly bombings in Shanghai in the N. S. A. in consultation with Miss Root, August and barely escaped alive. A refugee chalked out a program for her. on the steamship President Jefferson, she After attending the public meeting on reached Manila, August 20 in the evening, the Birthday of the Báb, which was presided and five minutes later endured the worst over by an ex-Mayor of the Town, Miss Root earthquake Manila has known in a century. left for Surat. Still, though ill and with a temperature of Su r at —During her two days’ stay here 102, she courageously gave the Message in Miss Root met lawyers, judges and other Manila. notables of the town at the home of Mr. Miss Root took the first ship on which Vakil and delivered a public lecture in the she could get passage out from Manila and Arya Samaj Hall. This was attended by 2 50 came to Colombo, Ceylon. Here she recu to 300 people— students, lawyers and other perated and during the month met the notables. The press published elaborate ar Mayor of Colombo, gave three radio talks, ticles and thus good publicity was achieved spoke before the League of Nations Union, for the Divine Faith. the university students and was one of the P o o n a —Owing to her brief stay here no first Bahá’í teachers to go to Ceylon to lec public lecture was arranged; but she met ture, work and try to establish the Faith press representatives and the believers of the TEACHING IN EUROPE, ASIA AND AFRICA 191

place. She visited the Baha’i School and the later on to see Miss Root and asked ques Baha’i Cemetery. To the friends she deliv tions. Baha’is who live in towns near Man ered a talk on teaching. Miss Root will visit dalay came all the way to see their beloved Poona again when she returns from her tour guest. in South India. T o u n g o o —On leaving Mandalay Miss R a n g o o n —Leaving Poona on October Root detrained at this town of about 23,000 26 she stayed one day at Bombay and then inhabitants. No Bahá’i teacher has ever be left for Burma where she arrived on Novem fore visited this place. It was through the ber 2. The believers of Rangoon had efforts of Dr. M. A. Latiff, that the town chalked out a busy and elaborate program was opened. He had gone to the place and for her. She spoke at the Y. M. C. A. had arranged for a lecture in the Jubilee (Town Branch), Arya Samaj (Central), Library. Dr. Bahl, Civil Surgeon of the Theosophical Society, Brahmo Samaj, Mala district, presided. He also gave a dinner in bar Club and Rotary Club. Press publicity his home after the lecture and four inter had preceded her arrival and when she ar ested people came to meet the Bahd’i teacher. rived all the leading dailies of Rangoon pub Miss Root took the train that same night lished glowing articles about her and about and nine people who had attended the lec the Cause she had come to teach. Rangoon ture were on the station to see her off. It is a "Times,” widely circulated English daily, great thing for our Faith that Toungoo is published an interview with her about Bahd’i opened and we have our dear brother Dr. work in Shanghai. Rangoon "Times” has M. A. Latiff to thank for it. been devoting weekly two to three column D a id a n a w (Kunjangoon) —Accompanied space to Bahd’i articles for the last eleven by Siyyid ‘Abdu’l Hussain Shirdzi and Mr. months. Rangoon "Gazette,” another Eng Siyyid Ghulám Murtaza ‘Ali, Miss Root lish daily, had an equally fine interview of reached this Bahd’i village of 800 believers more than a column and in addition there on November 20. The believers of the place was an editorial about the history of the had made elaborate preparations for the re Baha’i Faith. Miss Root’s lectures attracted ception of their beloved guest. A special a large number of hearers and were presided roadway was cut through the grass from the over by religiously inclined public men. In main road to the Assembly Hall, which was fact, Miss Martha Root created a stir in the tastefully decorated. The Assembly Com religious circles of that great city of 500,000 pound was full of believers when Miss souls comprised of almost all civilized na Root’s car arrived. Mrs. Kahn garlanded tions of the world. her amidst the acclamations of Ya-Bahd’u’l- Miss Root had two meetings with the Abhá. She met these friends and they Bahá’ís of Rangoon in the H aziratu’l-Quds chanted holy songs and prayers. (Bahá’í H all). The meetings with the chil At 4 p. m. Miss Root drove to Kunjan dren were very interesting. She started a goon, an important town of 6,000 people children’s class and gave first lesson to situated about three miles from the Bahd’i youngsters. This class the Rangoon Spiritual Village. The lecture was held in the N a Assembly is determined* to continue in ré- tional School under the Chairmanship of Dr. membrance of the visit of our beloved sister. Gurbaksh Singh. It was translated into M a n d a l a y —Miss Root arrived in this Burmese by U. Sein, the headmaster of the ancient city of Upper Burma on November School. There were about 150 people pres 10. She was received at the station by the ent including the Township judge, the staffs believers led by our revered Baha’i teacher of the National and Board Girls’ High Siyyid Mustafa Roumie. She delivered a Schools. The lecture was well received. Dr. public lecture in Mandalay Municipal Li and Mrs. Gurbaksh Singh called on Miss brary. The attendance was the largest of Root that evening and had a long talk with any public Baha’i lecture given up to this her. time in Mandalay. The Headmaster of the Next day the friends again met in the Normal School, U. Thet Swe, B. A., B. L., Assembly Hall. After the usual prayers, was Chairman. Some of the hearers came Mr. M. I. Kahn read a beautiful address of 192 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

welcome to which Miss Root replied in suit Questions were asked and answered. They able words and the meeting closed in an brought all the Bahá’i books for an exhi atmosphere of spiritual joy and happiness. bition in the hall, and near the close of the Mr. Murtaza ‘Ali describes the scene of lecture I explained the books, one by one. Daidanaw as follows: Mr. BaHitiari was invited to chant some "The friends of Daidanaw gave a right Bahá’i prayers in íránian. (Many of the royal reception to our sister Miss Martha cultured people of India know íránian, and Root. She was deeply moved. They laid out the Urdu language, which is used by several the heavenly table for us for supper that millions of people, is akin to íránian). night and each family brought in their share The Associated Press and the United to feed us. We were immensely touched and Press used interviews and one professor we thanked Bahá’u’lláh for the love and whom I had known in Marburg University spirit of service which He has taught to His and who knows the Cause well wrote an followers. We spent one heavenly night in article about the lectures for the Associated this village of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá who used to call Press of India. it fondly 'Deed-a-Naw’ which in Persian When can a Chair of the Bahá’i Faith be means the 'New Sight/ ” established at Shantiniketan? Bahá’ís must Miss Root returned to Rangoon on Nov. help in this. 21 and attended the farewell meeting at the T r iv a n d r u m , T r a v a n c o r e . Mr. Baldi- H aziratu’l-Quds (Bahá’i H all). * tiari and I worked in Trivandrum, Decem On Tuesday, November 23, Miss Root ber 19-23, 1937. I do not know that any sailed for Calcutta. Bahá’i teachers had ever visited Trivandrum Sh a n t i n i k e t a n , India, at the Interna and given lectures and press interviews be tional University of Dr. Rabindra Nath fore. It is a very progressive State where the Tagore. Miss Root’s own report follows. young Maharaja of Travancore, twenty-six Mr. Isfándiar Bakhtiari of Karachi, a years old, has recently opened the Hindu member of the National Spiritual Assembly State Temples to peoples of all castes—a of India and Burma, and I visited Shanti most courageous, thrilling move that may niketan on February 13, 14, 1938. We were help untouchables in other States likewise to guests in the School Guest House. It was a receive similar privileges. great privilege to meet Dr. Tagore and to We had a charming, illuminating audi hear him talk with deep love and apprecia ence with the Maharaja of Travancore and tion of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá whom he had met in his very cultured progressive mother the Chicago in 1912. I am writing the inter Maharani of Travancore, at the Palace. I am view for Baha’i World, volume VII. Dr. sure they know very well all the modern re Tagore said that the Baha’i Faith is a great ligious movements, for they are most liberal ideal to establish and that they in Shanti Hindus, and awake to the needs of world niketan welcome all great religious aims and unity. (I am writing an article about the will be most glad if a Bahd’i Chair of Reli audience.) gion can be arranged in their school. Mr. Clarmont P. Skrine, British Resident He and Mr. BaHitiari spoke of Írán (Mr. of Madras States, received us graciously, at BaMitiari is an Iranian, he came from Yazd the British Residency in Trivandrum. He to India about twenty years ago), and of Dr. has known much about the Bahá’í Teachings Tagore’s trip to Írán. The Poet asked par and met many Bahá’ís during his visits to ticularly about the progress of the Bahá’í Írán. We learned from him that the late Faith in the land of its birth, and praised the F. H. Skrine of London, who wrote a book tolerance and fineness of the Bahá’is. about the Bahá’í Faith nearly thirty years Dr. Tagore’s School has a very excellent ago, was his father. The Resident told us his selection of Bahá’í books in the Library and father had been very interested in the Cause. they take great interest to have it as com We lectured in the Theosophical Hall of plete and up-to-date as possible. Trivandrum. The President of the Lodge, A lecture was given in the hall before the Professor R. Srinivasan, Principal of the whole student body and the professors. Maharaja’s College of Science, arranged it. TEACHING IN EUROPE, ASIA AND AFRICA 193

Dr. and Mrs. Jayaram Cousins were present but up to this time he had never met a and both spoke a little. Dr. Cousins, one of Bahá’i. His face is full of light. He said the the great scholars of Travancore, said that Bahá’i books are drawn out and much read. thirty years ago they had been given Eric (We later found many who have been read Hammond’s Book "The Splendour of God” ing the books.) and that they have always loved this Bahd’i Adyar Theosophical Library, at Adyar, book. Mrs. Cousins who is a friend of Lady Madras, also has a good collection of Baha’i Blomfield stopped over in Haifa on her’way books, and we found that many university to India and visited Shoghi Effendi. She students living in that section háve been spoke with enthusiasm of Shoghi Effendi, his reading these books. We visited editors of spirit, his culture, his charm. Dr. Cousins all the leading newspapers of Madras and all sometimes accompanies the Maharaja on the used interviews followed by other articles latter’s trips abroad. I hear from others, but about the Faith and résumés of our lectures I do not know, that the great Dewan (Prime later. Over two hundred articles about the Minister) of Travancore is a fervent The- Bahá’i Faith have appeared in the news osophist. papers of Ceylon and India from September One reason that we went to Trivandrum 13 to February 13, 1938. just at this time was because the N inth All- A large public lecture was given in Ra- India Oriental Conference, which convenes nade Hall, a cultural center whose directors only once in two years, was to be held there are connected with the university and some December 20-22, and it seemed most impor newspapers. Dewan Bahadur K. S. Ramastant to try to get the Bahd’i Teachings to as wami Sastri, retired District Sessions Judge many Oriental scholars as possible—for who and one of the brilliant scholars of Madras, will be the Professor Edward G. Brownes, presided; the lecture was under the auspices the Count Gobineaus, the Baron Rosens of of the South Indian Cultural Association. India if we do not interest the scholars? We In introducing us he spoke concisely about wish the great Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, the Cause, quoted "The Dawn-Breakers” and Zoroastrian scholars to write about the Ba Words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, has since presided ha’i Faith in its relation to their own Faiths. again and has written for me to use in the I gave a very short talk in the Conference West, two short articles, which were really on the Bahd’i Faith from the standpoint of his introductions. These are most interest great Oriental scholars. Mr. BaHitiari gave ing because they show the Bahá’í Faith in a short talk about Qurratu’l-‘Ayn, Iran’s its relation to Hinduism. He is a great great woman poet. Hindu Indian scholar who has arisen to Articles about the Cause were prepared write about the Faith. I lectured in the for the press from the very first day we Y. M. C. A. in Madras, Mr. BaHitiari arrived, and then the Travancore Journal chanted and we both spoke before the ists’ Association gave a tea in our honor in Brahmo-Samaj Soci^y of Madras. Brahmotheir clubhouse. They wrote several articles Samaj is a very quickened spiritual move and they will write articles in future about ment of India, a little like our Unitarianism the Cause. They wish news of the progress of the West, its members are always friendly of the Cause in different parts of the world. and very sympathetic to the Bahá’í Teach M adras . Mr. Bakhtiari and I worked in ings. The Madras Brahmo-Samaj has since Madras, December 25-January 3, 1938. We translated into Telugu language, "What is met the few friends and talked about how the Bahd’i Movement?” and one thousand to promote the Faith, and had the Feast. copies are being distributed. This is the first We visited all the large libraries to see what booklet, I think, that has ever been published Baha’i books they have. The University of in Telugu, and it is a fruit of the visit to Madras Library has an excellent collection Madras. and the Librarian, Mr. S. R. Ranganathan, Also, two thousand booklets, "The Dawn is keenly interested to build up the depart of the New Day” translated into Tamil lan ment of Bahá’í books. He is in correspond guage, are being published (were to be finence with American Baha’is, and the N.S.A., ished by February 15). Mr. Ishaq Pahlaván, 194 THE BAHÁ1 CENTENARY

a devoted faithful Bahd’i in Madras, helped out to Adyar to three sessions of the Inter with this. The Tamil newspaper that pub national Theosophical Convention held De lished the booklet used the history and prin cember 26 to January 3, 1938; we met many ciples in a nearly three column article that friends. The Vice-President of the Inter has a circulation of twenty thousand. We national Theosophical Society, Mr. Datta, felt very happy about these booklets because said to me that the Bahd’i Teachings are the Tamil is much used in Southern India, highest essence of Hinduism. Ceylon, Straits Settlements and a large col Mr. Bakhtiari, who did such great work, ony in Durban, South Africa. returned to Karachi the evening of January Mr. BaMitiari, Mr. Pahlaván and I went third.

i BAHÁ1 T E A C H I N G I N LATI N AMERICA TO 1940 A St a t e m e n t by L o ulie A. M a t h e w s

VV ELL do I remember the day and the fierce scramble to reach the wharf before the hour that my husband announced that we steamer moved on. I remember one short might visit China, India and the Islands of cut that led under three successive water the South Seas. I could scarcely believe my falls without a pause to undo the damage. ears! To journey through the Arabian Sometimes the boat, proud and independ Nights on a magic carpet. That night I ent, would have begun to move out from unfolded ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s Tablet and read the shore, when we dashed up. Then, with again the transforming words: "Be thou tooting and churning of water beneath the humble, be thou submissive and some day big paddle, it would back up so that we thou wilt become ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s lion and could be pulled and pushed on board. roar across the seven seas.” At the head of the largest lake is the town, We sailed from San Francisco towards the of Bariloche. Here a brand new train service lands where the sun is rising as our sun sets. had been just opened. Each Sunday a train Wonderful Bahá’í experiences we had and left for Buenos Aires where it arrived some thus emboldened we wrote Shoghi Effendi time Thursday. It was considered a miracle upon our return and asked him if there of rapid transit. And was the occasion for was a special mission we could undertake. a special festival. Young girls carrying A country, perhaps, that would be helpful bright colored silks pretended to polish the for us to visit. While waiting for a reply spotless engine. Children sold bunches of we talked of various lands to which we might wild flowers to those favored beings travel be called, but never thought of the continent ing on the magic road. at our doors. It was a great surprise when Leaving the Argentine for Brazil the cities the Guardian wrote that Central and South of Bahia and Belam can be reached only by America and the West Indies must be sur water, no road exists to connect them with veyed. The destiny of the Americas was in Rio de Janeiro. In all the vast continent we the making. We should serve the Cause of knew only one Baha’i, Leonora Holsapple. BaháVlláh by such a journey. We spoke neither Spanish nor Portuguese. It was early in the Autumn of 193 5 that An entrenched religion barred our^path. A we started on a long trek that covered the new adaptation was required as we moved countries designated by the Guardian. from one country to the other. It was like Travel by air was, in that day, reserved for no other voyage. It was set apart. We real aviators, the earth was still the medium of ized that a great spiritual drama was about travel for common mortals. There were to be enacted and the land must needs be stretches of country that had no means of accurately remembered. communication except by decrepit motors. Upon our return, Shoghi Effendi inaugu The wild lakes of Chile connected by small rated the work of sending pioneers to these islands were navigated by old fashioned side countries. We scarcely realized the scope wheelers. They cast you up on one of the and meaning of the undertaking. We took islands and departed leaving you for an in one step at a time, guided by the Guardian, definite period, as there were no time tables until the Convention of 1939 when Shoghi and no regular schedules. You remained on Effendi sent to America a strong appeal for the island until the shrill blast of an incom settlement of the Faith in Latin America. ing steamer announced itself. Then ensued a His book on "The Advent of Divine Justice” 196 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

opened our eyes to the gravity of the under Bahia. Loulie and Edward Mathews jour taking. Believers young and old pressed for neyed throughout South America in 193 5 ward to share in the settling of Latin and again in 1937. Nellie and Stuart W. America. French were there in 1936. Frances Stewart The Bahd’is of the second century will taught in 1937 and again in 1939. want to know who made these early journeys B o livia : La Paz had no early pioneer. so I have affixed a list known to me. Visitor Sra. Cravioto, wife of the Mexican ambas indicates one who stayed less than six sador, who had embraced the faith in Mex months; teacher or pioneer indicates those ico City, lived there for one year. She could who remained longer. not teach publicly, but interested her friends M e x ic o : City of Mexico was first visited in the Faith. by Mr. and Mrs. Frankland of California C o l o m b ia : City of Bogota had no early in 1912 at the suggestion of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. pioneer. Mrs. W. D. McMillan lived for Mark Toby went there in 1919. Mathews awhile in the El Canada Mines at Pasto. in 1939. Early in 1937 Beatrice Irwin be E c u a d o r : Quito has had John Stearns of came a resident teacher and later that same Jamestown, N. Y., since 1939. year Frances Stewart brought into the Faith P e r u : City of Lima. Here the first resi the first Latin American Assembly. Orcella dent teachers were Mrs. Joel Stebbins and Rexford spent a winter teaching on the Isabel Dodge in 1936. Sra. E. R. de Garcia Mexican border. Rosell, a well known writer and lecturer, Y u c a t a n once an independent country, opened her home for their meetings. Iris now part of Mexico, was visited by us in Wigington, married to a Peruvian, inter 1939. The newspaper "El Yucatan” cham ested many people at Huanta, Peru in the pioned the Cause and printed articles on the early days. Bahd’i principles. C h il e : City of Santiago. Frances Stew G u a t e m a l a : Guatemala City had Ger- art taught in 1937 and 1939. Otto and rard Sluter as pioneft- in 1939. Ruth Maier lived here for a year in 193 8 E l Sal v a d o r : City of San Salvador was and the de Burmuihts of Puerto Varas sur, settled by our youngest pioneer, John taught a large group between the years of Eichenauer, Jr., who was not quite eighteen 1935 and 1939. when he went there. Clarence Iverson soon A r g e n t in a : City of Buenos Aires. followed and worked with him. Frances Stewart gathered a large group that H o n d u r a s : City of Telucigalpa had as its became an Assembly in 193 8. Here May earliest teacher, Antonio Roca of Milwaukee, Maxwell died in March 1940. The teachers, in 1939. pioneers, groups and Assemblies of South N ic a r a g u a : Mathew Kaszab arrived here America, Central America, the West Indies, in 1939 and taught in the cities of Managua, united with the friends in North America Cortino, Granada and in the mines of Blue- for a memorial service on April 26th at 8 fields. His untimely death in 1943 was due o’clock. This marked the first unified action to the hardships he had endured. of the Americas. Under Maria Casati and C osta R ic a : Amelia Ford and Gayle Frances Stewart the leaders of the Pata Woolson settled in San Jose in 1939. Roy gonia Indians received the Message. The C. Wilhelm spent the year of 1896 in Costa Hon. Ernin Arslan, who had been one of Rica. the leaders of the Young Turk’s revolution T h e P a n a m a C a n a l Z o n e : Louise Cas in 1908 that freed ‘Abdu’l-Baha, assisted well and Cora Oliver went out as the first the growing Assembly, though not himself pioneers in 1939. a Bahá’í. P a r a g u a y : Our pioneer teacher was Sra. So u t h A m erica Maria Casati of Formosa, whose untimely The first journey to South America was death in January, 1940 was greatly la made by Martha L. Root in 1921. That mented. same year Leonora Holsapple left her home U r u g u a y : City of Montevideo had Wil in California and settled permanently in frid Barton, who arrived in 1939. BA H Á ’Í T E A C H I N G IN LATIN AMERICA 197

B r a zil : Resident pioneer, Leonora Hols- following year. They became our first pio apple. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Worley were sta neers. tioned at Santos in 1939. Miss Eve Nicklin H a it i : Mr. and Mrs. Louis G. Gregory spent some months in Bahia in 1937. In the spent six months here in 1934. Our first early days our literature was distributed in pioneers were Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell of South America through the courtesy of Chicago. Charles O’Hanion. J a m a ic a : An English believer, Mrs. Con British G u i a n a : Georgetown was vis nie Langdon-Davies, spent the winter here ited by Dudley and Elsa Blakeley in 1936. in 193 8, sending constant news of her prog D u t c h G u i a n a : Taught by Miss Hols- ress in teaching to the Inter-America Com apple in 1927. mittee. Our first pioneers were Mr. and V e n e z u e l a : City of Caracas visited by Mrs. John Shaw of San Francisco in the Mr. and Mrs. Blakeley in 1936. Our first Autumn of 1939. pioneers were the Emeric Salas of Canada D o m in ic a n R e p u b l ic : William de Forge and Priscilla Rhoades of New York, March, visited here in 193 8 and Margaret Lentz 1939. became our resident teacher in 1939. T r in id a d : Visited by the Blakeleys in T h e I slands 1937 and by the Mathews in 193 5 and 1937. P uerto R ic o : Visited by William de C u r a c a o : Miss Holsapple taught here Forge in 193 8. Pioneers, Katharine Disdier in 1927. and Rouhieh Jones in the Spring of 1940. B e r m u d a and B a h a m a s : Visited by the C u b a : Havana visited by Mr. and Mrs. Mathews in 1935. Ward Calhoon in 1938; also by Philip Ma- B ar bado s : Visited by Wilfrid Barton on rengella, who returned with his wife the his way to South America. BAHA’I T E A C H I N G I N LATIN AMERICA, 1940-1944 T o SUMMARIZE the wonderful growth ess. Portuguese translations are to be had in of the Faith in Latin America during Brazil. these three years is a difficult task. So much One of the most outstanding accomplish is due to the splendid foundation work done ments cf the recent period has been the before by those intrepid pioneers who either work done with children in Havana where went to Latin America to reside perma the classes are constantly increasing and nently or traveled throughout the Re where the children are memorizing the publics sparing no effort to awaken the Words and the Prayers and are sparkling people and building a permanent base upon with enthusiasm and love for the Faith. which to rear a superstructure of surpass- Many Youth Groups throughout Latin ing glory. America have participated in the annual By 1941 there were already three local celebration of Baha’i Youth Day in co Spiritual Assemblies, those of Mexico City, operation with the National Youth Com Buenos Aires and San José, Costa Rica. mittee of North America. Much valuable publicity had been secured Radio has played an important part in especially in Costa Rica and Chile; traveling introducing the Faith, notably in Buenos teachers were addressing public meetings in Aires where brief quotations for some time most of the Republics and some radio work formed part of a regular program, but also ha<f been done. During that year, from especially in San Salvador and Quito, Ecua Convention time to Convention time, a re dor. In this latter city a season of regular markable growth took place and by the broadcasts sponsored by our resident pioneer Convention of 1942 beside the local Spirit teacher has presented Baha’i Readings in ual Assemblies already mentioned there were connection with classical musical programs added to the list those of Montevideo, offered by the Symphony Orchestra of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Port-au-Prince, Quito. Havana, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, San Sal A Spanish presentation of the history and vador and Puebla, Mexico. During the past teachings of the Faith made by one of our year, while two local Assemblies were dis pioneers was graciously received by a select solved because of changes of residence, Gua group of members and friends of the Uni temala City, Santiago, Chile, and Bahia, versity of Chile at Santiago and the Press Brazil were added to the list while in Ecua of that city has been most cooperative. dor, Panama, Mexico and Argentina there The Alma Tica magazine of San José, Costa are groups lacking only one or two members Rica, has repeatedly published lengthy ar to reach the required nine to form a Spir ticles with rich illustrations and Central itual Assembly. America generally has been very well pub The question of literature has been a most licized. The Costa Rican Government has anxious one as translations can only be made legally recognized the Faith and granted a by those who understand the Faith and charter to the Local Assemblies of which have become accustomed to its unique there are two in that country. phraseology. Of French books there were The Inter-America Committee has issued almost none to supply the need of Haiti monthly bulletins to all pioneers, Assem as the abundant supply reposing in France blies and groups, contributing in this way was unavailable. However little by little a to the unification of the two continents and limited library in Spanish and French has advancing the teaching work as much as been provided with other additions in proc possible. BA H Á ’Í TEACHING IN LATIN AMERICA 199

Too much cannot be said in appreciation fulfill the requirements set by the Guardian of the services of our pioneers and also of for the Seven Year Plan, which is now the local believers who have arisen so sin drawing to an end, there remains still some cerely and with so much enthusiasm to fu r very important work to be done. As we es ther the spread of the Faith. Our teachers timate the growth and awakening of Latin have encountered many difficulties not the America, however, we appreciate that the least of which was the acquisition of the steps there have been more rapid than was language, for to teach and speak eloquently our progress in the early years of the Faith in so short a time is a task which could only in North America and we raise our hearts have been accomplished with the assistance in prayerful gratitude for what has already of the Hosts of the Supreme Concourse. been attained, rejoicing at the same time At the present writing and in order to in the glorious promise of the future. AMERI CAN BAHA'I TEACHERS W H O SE R V E D I N O T H E R LANDS

1. E urope Louise Erickson May Ellis Maxwell Sylvia Matteson Laura D. Barney Julia Goldman Charles Mason Remey Bertha Matthisen H. Emogene Hoagg Ruhanghiz Bolles Herbert Hopper Jeanne Bolles Marie Hopper Loulie A. Mathews Edith Sanderson Edwin Scott 2. A frica Mrs. Scott Martha L. Root Mountfort Mills Fanny Knobloch George O. Latimer Pauline Hannen Sydney Sprague Charles Mason Remey Martha L. Root Lorol Schopflocher Bertha D. Herbert E. R. Mathews Howard Struven Loulie A. Mathews Alma Knobloch Dr. Fisher 3. A sia Malcolm MacGilvray Juliet Thompson Dr. Susan I. Moody Grace Krug Martha L. Root Lua Getsinger Elizabeth Stewart Edwarď C. Getsinger Lillian Kappes Stanwood Cobb Genevieve L. Coy Horace Holley Keith Ransom-Kehler Harry Romer Laura D. Barney Annie Romer Charles Mason Remey Charles Bishop Howard Struven Helen Bishop Lorol Schopflocher Mary Maxwell Howard Carpenter Siegfried Schopflocher Marzieh Carpenter Lorol Schopflocher R. Y. Mottahedeh Amelia E. Collins Mildred Mottahedeh Mrs. Emery Clara Sharp Marion Jack Adelaide Sharp Louise Gregory Agnes Alexander Gita Orlova Dr. George Augur Nellie S. French Ida Finch Julia Culver Inez Cook Claudia S. Coles George Spendlove Mr. Wragg Mark Tobey Mary Hanford Ford Siegfried Schopflocher Albert R. Windust Hooper Harris Marjorie Morten Harlan Ober T E A C H E R S W H O SERV ED IN O T H E R L A N D S 201

Sydney Sprague Iris Wiginton Lua Getsinger Elisabeth Cheney Lionel Loveday Wilfrid Barton Stanwood Cobb Roy Worley Mountfort Mills Eve Nicklin Marjorie Morten Emeric Sala Dr. Frank Clark Rosemary Sala Mrs. Clark Priscilla Rhodes William de Forge 4. C e n t r a l a n d So u t h A merica Katherine Disdier Martha L. Root Rouhieh Jones Roy C. Wilhelm Ward Calhoon Leonora Sterling Holsapple Mrs. Calhoon Maud Mickle Ellsworth Blackwell Keith Ransom-Kehler Ruth Blackwell Mr. Frankland John Shaw Kathryn Frankland Mrs. Shaw May Ellis Maxwell Mary Barton Frances B. Stewart R. Y. Mottahedeh E. R. Mathews Mildred Mottahedeh Loulie A. Mathews Carol Wood Louis G. Gregory Gertrude Eisenberg Louise Gregory C. E. Hamilton Isobel Stebbins Dodge Mrs. Hamilton May Stebbins Benjamin Schreibman Philip Marangella Eve Nicklin June Marangella Ella Guthrie Dudley W. Blakeley Edith Marangella Elsa Blakeley Lucien McComb Amelia E. Collins Ayned McComb Philip G. Sprague Marcia Stewart Atwater Mark Tobey Margaret Lentz Margarita Smyth Josephine Kruka Juliet Thompson H. Emogene Hoagg Helen Campbell Jean Silver Charles Bishop Eleanor Adler Helen Bishop Flora Hottes Beatrice Irwin Ruth Shook Orcella Rexford Winnie Lou Baker Gerrard Sluter Gwenne D. Sholtis Mathew Kaszab Dr. Malcolm King John Eichenauer, Jr. Lorol Schopflocher Marshall Eichenauer Siegfried Schopflocher Clarence Iverson Virginia Orbison Antonio Roca Julia Regal Amelie Ford Florence Keemer Gayle Woolson 5. Ic e l a n d Louise Caswell Martha L. Root Cora Oliver Amelia E. Collins Nellie S. French 6. T a h iti Mrs. W. D. McMillan John Bosch John Stearns Louise Bosch TEACHING ACTIVITY SERVING RACE U N I T Y HEN the Lights of the Splendor of Word, has revealed universal ideals for the King of Oneness are seated upon the world betterment and among these there is throne of the heart and soul, His Light none more important than that which di becomes manifest in all the parts and mem rects the unity of mankind. In no uncertain bers.”—Bahd’u’lldh. terms He directs His followers to work for Race unity as a title suggests the new that exalted aim. ‘Abdu’l-Baha during the treatment of an old disease. Old theories, years of His ministry, held before His Amer however popular, are now largely discred ican friends the great service they could ited by their evident ineffectiveness to re render the nation, and the nation in turn solve the most difficult of human problems. the world, by proclaiming and acting upon If the right talisman is discovered it will the principle of the oneness of humanity work a mighty transformation on earth. It as the foundation for universal peace. He will call into action the hidden springs often mentioned this to His visitors; among and motives of life. It will oil the machin these were two colored Americans to whom ery of civilization. It will elevate mankind he was especially gracious and kind, perhaps to the highest plane and aid every one’s in view of their state of oppression. Tablets quest for God. What is needed is to widen to His friends in various forms conveyed the the circle of our thoughts so as to consider same significances. During His visit to world as well as local conditions. What will America which covered a period of nine make people truly friendly to those of all months in 1912, this absorbing theme races? As all men have the ills of maladjust reached many audiences with overpowering ment vividly and increasingly forced upon eloquence. As exemplar of the Teachings, their attention, what is now needed is not He put these ideals into visible action at diagnosis, but the remedy for existing ills every opportunity. caused by. prejudices. The only answer is Following the former world war, He gave that of Guidance from the Supreme World. instructions for the first convention for race The more man knows about his Maker the unity to be held. This was undertaken and more he realizes his own being and his duty carried through with great success in Wash to be God-like in striving for the well-being ington, D. C., in 1921. He was well pleased of all his fellow men. with this historic gathering and to it sent The Bahá’í Teachings are a reservoir of the following message through Mountfort inspiration and power freely supplied to all Mills: who would put into action new ideals for "Say to this convention that never since the New Day. The Holy Books of the past the beginning of time has one more impor record the Promise of God to remove the tant been held. This convention stands for veils and clouds that cover mankind in the the oneness of humanity; it will become the latter days. The creational days of Moses, cause of th^ enlightenment of America. It Jesus and Muhammad were progressive steps will, if wisely managed and continued, check to the Great Day of God which has now the deadly struggle between these races appeared. In this Day of Days, God has which otherwise will inevitably break out.” vowed to remove the superstition, preju The effect of this effort upon the atmos dices, oppressions and idol worship which phere of the national capital was truly won obscure the reality of man. Wisdom testi derful. It lifted the gloom of a bloody riot of fies that His promises do not fail. races about a year before. It restored hope Bahá’u’lláh, the mighty Speaker of the and confidence to hearts inflamed by hatred. TEACHING ACTIVITY SERVING RACE UNITY 203

It unfolded a vision of reality, the high local Race Unity Committees in holding possibilities of humanity when aided and conferences. It has been especially success guided by Divine Favor. It brought a wave ful in arranging circuits for Bahá’i lecturers of spirituality which was life to many. It to convey the Divine Plan of race relations had wide publicity and assembled great au to many colleges North and South. Such diences in which could be seen a number of tours have brought cordial receptions and the most eminent and influential people, as happy responses from many progressive souls, well as the rank and file, whose need may be eagerly looking for a way out of the impend greater. ing and deepening gloom. This activity is The following is a partial list of its work continuous. Press acceptances of Baha’i edi ers and helpers: Mrs. Agnes S. Parsons, the torials extend the teachings over a vast area. noble Bahá’í lady whose sacrifices financed Social sciences have sprung up in this it and who in consultation directed it; Dr. new day, doubtless due to the creative Spirit Jason Noble Pierce, pastor of the First Con of the Manifestation of God. Special courses gregational Church in which all the meet have been arranged in Baha’i schools in ings were held; Hon. Moses E. Clapp, former which the Bahd’i teachings have been cor Senator from Minnesota; Senator Samuel related with facts and laws scientifically Shortridge of California; C. Lee Cook, fa brought to light. Hearts and minds are thus mous southern business man and philanthro trained. And thus we may discover that pist; Dr. Alain L. Locke, professor of philos human beings, regardless of race, have the ophy, Howard University; Hon. Martin B. same essential human characteristics; that Madden, Congressman from Illinois; Alfred the soil of human minds and hearts is a W. Martin, leader of the Ethical Culture So most fertile field, with amazing possibilities ciety of New York; Dean and Mrs. George of development through education, environ W. Cook of Howard University; Lieut. Gen. ment, better economics and spirituality; that Nelson A. Miles, commanding the American cultural excellence has been limited to no Army. Prominent among the Baha’is who race; that the savage is lacking in no basic rendered whole-hearted aid were Howard trait found in civilized man; that the fore MacNutt; Albert Vail; Mountfort Mills; front of civilization has veered during the Martha L. Root; Roy C. Wilhelm; Mariam ages from one group to another; that pro Haney; Louise D. Boyle; William H. Ran gressive peoples learn from each other; that dall and Janab-i-Fadil-i-Mazandarani of the amassing of wealth is not necessarily a Irán. proof of culture; that the civilized man can This activity led to the holding of thirty- learn much from, as well as bestow much five similar conventions or conferences in upon, his savage brother; that the mingling Washington and other cities as follows: of races so increasingly apparent today, need Springfield, Mass.; New York City; Phila not cause fear, since it has happened before delphia; Dayton, Ohio; Green Acre, Maine; during the ages without debasing mankind; Chicago; Montreal, Canada; Urbana, 111.; that due to the overlapping of races, a uni Wilmette, 111.; Geneva, N. Y.; Portsmouth, versal condition, racial differences are fanci N. H.; Rochester, N. Y.; Boston, Mass.; ful rather than real; that "as humanity Detroit, Mich.; Atlantic City, N. J.; Pitts advances the idea of race recedes” ; that in burgh, Pa.; Cincinnati, Ohio. Besides these, the past similar cultures have appeared on racial amity dinners and meetings on a all the continents; that as God is one, Truth smaller scale have been held in many cities, is one, humanity is also one. those in New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, The Baha’i Teachings are an inexhaustible Peoria, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Urbana, treasury of both scientific and spiritual Chicago, Columbus and Cincinnati, being knowledge. They establish divine justice and the most outstanding. Over a period of years prove the oneness of humanity beyond all a National Race Unity Committee has been possible doubt. The majestic Utterances of an arm of service to the National Spiritual Bahá’u’lláh are a veritable Sun of Truth. Assembly. It has stimulated this phase of Other sources of knowledge are the Tablets, service nationally and has cooperated with printed addresses in Paris and America of THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY Third Annual Amity Conference, August, 1929, at Green Acre, Eliot, Maine. T E A C H IN G A C T IV IT Y S E R V IN G R A C E U N IT Y 205

‘Abdu’l-Baha, and His Instructions to next great letter, "The Promised Day is friends who find joy in the great work of Come,” he classifies racialism as one of three reconciliation. Harmony in diversity is the idols, all of which are being demolished by noble, inspiring theme. the greatest upheaval known to mankind. Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Faith, has The Bahd’i Publishing Committee has vigorously yet with loving kindness, upheld many books of the Faith. The Baha’i the standards of the Great Ones Who pre World, biennial publication, includes ar ceded him; but as a wise approach to in ticles on this all important subject through quirers and a willingness to give everyone all of its numbers. The World Order Maga an opportunity, he has authorized separate zine and the Baha’i News, the former con study classes, in the South, for those inves tacting the general public and the latter tigating the Faith. But he maintains the the confirmed Bahá’ís, not infrequently highest standard of justice and freedom carry articles on this subject and record from prejudices on the part of those who ac activities. cept the Faith. The wisdom of this is clear. The fiftieth year of the evolution of the It cannot be expected that the college en Faith in America may well record pleasing trant should have a college education; but gain within the Faith as well as much en when he gets knowledge he is guided to act couragement visible without, as the world with wisdom. Those who are heart-attracted develops through afflictions and trials, find themselves becoming free from the lim greater capacity to evaluate and execute the itations of the old order. Divine Will, which today calls into being a The Guardian has summarized in his let limited world. ter, "The Advent of Divine Justice,” the Bahá’u’lláh enjoins it upon His followers Teachings on Race Unity. This summary, "not to fear in a day when all men fear.” though brief, is most comprehensive, cover ‘Abdufl-Bahá gives this assurance: ing every aspect of race relations and stimu "If ye make an effort, this Light shall lating the highest and noblest efforts on the shine; this soul-refreshing Breeze shall waft; part of mortals regardless of race. In his this sweet-scented nectar shall be diffused.” T H E BAHA’I FAITH I N T H E C OLLEGES O v E R a long period of years, Baha’is mittee, later known as the Bahi’i College have, without organized assistance, inter Speakers Bureau, definitely transferred the ested themselves in presenting the spirit of college emphasis from the field of race re the Bahá’i Faith to colleges. The well- lations to the general teaching field. received lectures of Mrs. Beatrice Irwin in Under the direction of the Race Unity the west, the Carolina college contacts of Committee alone, one hundred and sixty Mrs. Gail Woolson and Mrs. Marguerite schools have entertained Baha’i speakers. Sears, the twenty-seven colleges and nine Mrs. Joy Earl visited eight Southern col teen high schools visited, and in many in leges, spending a number of days in each stances revisited, by Mrs. Ruth Moffet, and one; Mr. Lothar Schurgast visited two lively finally, the twenty-five years of magnificent schools; Mr. Louis Gregory lent inspiration service in the Negro Institutions of the to no less than fifty schools, covering a large South by Mr. Louis Gregory, whose achieve area of the South; and Mrs. Dorothy Baker ment at Tuskegee in forming a permanent visited over a hundred schools and col Baha’i Group, leads the list, all these and leges of the South and Southwest, including undoubtedly other unrecorded adventures Indian territory and coming as far north as in meeting American youth, have helped Iowa. Under the subsequent committee immeasurably to carry news of the World Mrs. Baker’s college visits have been ex Faith to American colleges. tended to Vermont, Ohio, Michigan, and It was in the winter of 1940, under the upper New York. The total number of auspices of the Bahd’i Race Unity Commit schools and colleges to receive Bahd’i speak tee, that the colleges received the first or ers is now over two hundred and it is esti ganized service from Baha’i Institutions. mated that some three hundred and fifty The southern college project came out of actual talks have been delivered before keen awareness of the problem that exists chapels, assemblies, classrooms, and student between the two great races of that area clubs. and the conviction that such a problem, Books have been left in all school libra spiritual in its nature, could be solved by ries and pamphlet literature distributed the healing agencies of the Message of freely to all students. Special interest was Baha’u’lldh to a stricken world. shown in the "World Order” pamphlets Under the Race Unity auspices, Mrs. written by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Dorothy Baker undertook a tour of investi Baha’i Faith, and there was no. little interest gation through Southern colleges to ascer in the Guardian himself as a point of stabil tain whether interest in the South war ity in a rising civilization. One youth, at ranted speaking tours especially built the close of a discussion period, came for around college platforms. Thirty confer ward and said, "Where does the Guardian ences were held with college leaders, with live? I am to be inducted next week, and the result that eleven colleges made imme may find myself in Haifa! Perhaps I shall diate openings for talks, and the rest, with see the Guardian of the new civilization few exceptions, encouraged a project of before you do!” platforms scheduled with advance notice. Older school men showed like interest in Thereupon the Race Unity Committee the writings of Shoghi Effendi. At one col launched its campaign in earnest, a cam lege in North Carolina the president sympa paign lasting from 1940 to 1943 when the thetically prepared the speaker for a bleak formation of the College Foundation Com reception. "My students,” he remarked, THE BA H Á ’Í FAITH IN THE COLLEGES 207

"almost stopped the last speaker who men Spanish-American Normal College. These tioned peace, and he is a minister wearing students spoke Spanish and English equally the cloth, mind you!” Looking carefully well. They were fiery, ardent young people, through the Baha’i pamphlet, "A Pattern who felt keenly the Baha’i view of Ameri For Future Society,” he said, "O but I un ca’s spiritual leadership. One young woman derstand. You Bahá’is do not teach paci said, "After the war we might be able to fism; you offer a program. Every college travel, as you do, and go about in the Latin should hear this.” The talented head of an countries, telling these things in Spanish!” Indian Normal College where no speaking On the campus of a large State Negro appointment had previously been made, said, University, the members of the faculty after scanning the pamphlet, that if neces came forward at the close of Chapel, and sary, classes could be disbanded to hear such talked for almost an hour, giving up their a subject. As a matter of fact, a tubercu lunch period to do so. The Bahi’i princi losis clinic of some importance was actually ples interested them not at all, but they postponed the following Monday because were held by the thought that a spiritual that was the only day that could be offered. commonwealth had been born, indivis The subject almost always dealt with the ible in its nature, and committed to a uni need for a unified world with a universal fied racial life in its essential pattern; that Faith at its heart. Class-room discussions it could never be rent apart religiously, and often followed the chapel presentations and that its unique organism, under the Guar in these instances the great, warm, spiritual dian, was already an actual, living, breath side of the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh were ing civilization, slowly growing up. This more fully given. Questions moved around was no hollow promise but a tested Reality. the historic religious cultures of the past The race question came up occasionally and the hope of a great, new upward sweep but never offensively. The friendly reac of civilization today through the spiritual tions of the Southern white schools to a potency of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. colored Baha’i speaker, in the light of exist Most of the colleges were on the beaten ing prejudices, are of deep interest. In the track of civilization and city life. One, heart of Mississippi, where race feeling runs however, offered a real contact with the high, the students waited in long rows in "hill” type of youth. It was a Kentucky the hall to shake his hand and wish him Junior College, so far removed that the well. It was their first adventure in re speaker was strongly advised not to go. She ceiving a colored speaker, and only their persisted in her intention, and was well re second experience with the Faith of Bahá’- warded. She found that graduates of this u’lláh. Proof of the rising tide of sympathy two-year college are accepted with full was the invitation of a white West Virginia credit by every university in the country. College to this speaker to attend and ad They have an International Relations Club, dress state-wide seminar on race relations and invited the speaker to spend the week held by teachers and students in the college end there and hold discussions. Unfortu auditorium in June of this year. A white nately this invitation could not be accepted, speaker, while visiting one of the Negro but the Club made the pamphlets the sub schools, found that a young Negro dean of ject of discussion for several meetings, and unusual thoughtfulness and charm enter requested further literature. So courteous tained some doubt of the wisdom of the were these shy, soft-spoken people that after pattern of unity required in Bahd’i com luncheon in the candlelighted, rustic dining munity life. "Don’t you think we might hall, one of the young men offered to ride compromise a little because of the Ku Klux over the mountain with her lest she be Klan?” he asked. A listener quickly rose to fearful of going alone. It would be only a defense of the Baha’i pattern, saying: "The short stretch back on foot, he assured her! speaker has said that this Faith is the King Sixteen miles of Southern courtesy! dom of God in practice. If this is true you A unique institution to hear the Message cannot compromise or divide it without los of the Baha’i Faith and its Guardian was a ing it. In Europe we have class war; in India 208 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

we have caste war; in the Holy Land we press the speakers to stay on for a day or have religious strife; if Baha’is do not com two, or send others. There were Baptist promise the issue of a Ku Klux Klan in this schools, Presbyterian schools, Methodist country then they are our hope of a real schools, and State Colleges; colored schools, world community in all countries. There white schools, Indian schools; city schools is enough unorganized aspiration and senti and hill schools, and one was a large and mental feeling in every country and in every beautiful Quaker College. These schools religion, but where except among the Ba- were worlds within a world, each college a há’ís do we see a world organism with unit unto itself. Sometimes a college head unbroken standards?” The dean became feared that his young world was hopelessly thoughtful and then slowly said, "This is a self-sufficient, hopelessly disinterested in the world Faith then. This Faith is different. world outside, and hopelessly disinterested This Faith may be worth dying for.” in God. Often he would say, "The Bahá’í One could never tell where the interest viewpoint is needed here; come often to our would flare most brightly. Here an aristo young people; it is the thing they have been cratic college in the heart of the "blue- waiting for.” grass,” there a four-year business college of And so the long trek goes on, to win practical turn of mind, and again one of American youth for God, for a common the state colleges, colored or white, would humanity, and for World Order. t e a c h i n g at t h e h o u s e o f WORSHIP Imette, N THE Baha’i Hdusc of Worship at Wil- and see and learn about it for themselves. the American believers have raised Records of daily visitors kept since July 1, up their most potent and significant center 1932 show that the total number who of spiritual influence, produced their great went through the building with Bahd’i est instrument for public teaching of the guides up to October 1, 1943, was 164,360. Faith. To deal with this throng of inquirers a body Between 1919 and 1931, when the super of Temple guides has been rendering serv structure was finished, the Baha’i Temple ice, its members prepared by a special course constituted a unique subject for publicity. of instruction based upon long experience The selection of the Bourgeois design with the types of question asked and the by Convention delegates authorized by information desired. 'Abdu’l-Baha to make the final choice, and In addition, the score of scaled models the exhibit of Mr. Bourgeois’ model in New exhibited in cities throughout North Amer York and Chicago, produced immediate ica in recent years, and especially at the response. Newspaper and magazine articles three World Fairs in Chicago, New York appeared not only in North America but in and San Francisco, the Canadian National Europe and the Orient. The world became Exposition and many State Fairs, have de familiar with the nine-sided, domed struc veloped an even larger range of general ture and recognized in it an expression of interest. The registry at the House of Wor principles needed to give direction and pur ship itself lists visitors from countries in pose to the vast chaos of modern civilization. all parts of the world. Many come in parties Later, when the superstructure gave ac and groups of members representing organi tual substance to the Temple design, a zations located in the Temple area or con mighty tide began to impel individuals and vening in Chicago and visiting the Baha’i groups to visit this new type of institution Temple as one of the points of interest.

Fellowship House, Green Acre School, Eliot, Maine.

Interior of Green Acre Fellowship House. PART S E V E N BAHÁÍ SCHOOLS 1. G reen A cre

JtheULY 1, 1890, Moses Farmer signed on topics which will quicken and energize the first line of the first Hotel Register— spiritual, mental, and moral natures.” On Green Acre, Eliot, Maine. Green Acre Inn the opening day, July 3, 1894, a great white had been built the year before on a high flag bearing the green lettered word "Peace” point of land already famous as a spot was unfurled and Green Acre was dedicated from which to view the beautiful sunsets to a unified humanity. Sixty-one lectures over the New Hampshire hills across the were given that summer. broad Piscataqua River. It was planned to The foreword of the second year’s pro bring more summer boarders to Eliot. The gram read: "for the express purpose of four townsmen who formed the partnership bringing together all who are seeking earn for the undertaking were soon joined by a estly for the new day which is surely woman, Sarah Jane Farmer. The Inn was a breaking over the entire world.” That year success from the start. But it was not des there were eighty lectures. The third sea tined to remain a simple summer boarding son’s program added: ". . . and by the recog place. The Farmers were always mindful of nition of truths held in common, to bring the welfare of man. peace and unity throughout the world.” In One day in June, 1892, Miss Farmer conferences for Peace, Comparative Reli was in Boston listening to a lecture. She gions, Education, Home, Anthropology, recounts her experience: "The day was hot Evolution, Nature, Art, Sociology, there and through the open window came a noise were eighty-two lectures. There were Peace of traffic that almost drowned the speaker’s Day, Emerson Day, W.C.T.U. Field Day voice. The people were so eager for knowl and a reunion of the Concord School of edge that they sat patiently two hours at a Philosophy. The Green Acre School of Mu time. I looked at them and thought of the sic provided entertainment of the finest spot which Whittier loved and found so kind. There was no charge. "All classes restful—Green Acre— and I saw them are open to those who apply to the secre seated in a large tent on the green bank of tary, Miss Farmer. These and the lectures the beautiful river, the cool breeze from are maintained through the generous co the water fanning their cheeks, and I real operation of those in attendance.” ized how much more receptive the mind and The Ideal of Green Acre caught fire in heart would be in such a cool and healthful many hearts. Sometimes as many as two environment. The details of the work came thousand attended the lectures in the big quickly before my mind and when we left tent. People from all walks of life and the room I had it all. Green Acre had a many races, nationalities and religious be part in the great work of unification.” Her liefs mingled freely. conception of a universal platform was con In 1900 Miss Farmer sailed for Egypt for firmed the next year by her experiences at a much needed rest. On the ship were two the World Congress of Religions at the Co friends who were on their way to visit lumbian Exposition in Chicago. She invited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the prisoner of ‘Akká, son of some of the outstanding speakers to Green Baha’u’llah the Bearer of a new divine Rev Acre. elation. Instantly attracted, she sought anil Her first program of Lectures appeared obtained permission to visit Him. Record in 1894. In the foreword, "Green Acre ing the meeting with ťAbdu’l-Bahá, she proposes to add to its rural attractions and wrote in her diary, "I have found my Lord.” comforts a series of lectures and classes on "Green Acre confirmed.” 212 THE BAH Á ’Í CENTENARY

The next year her Green Acre program In 1925, a resolution was adopted to place announced "Believing that the Revelation Green Acre under the control and supervi of Bahá’u’lláh of Persia is the announce sion of the National Spiritual Assembly of ment of this great day . . . and finding that the Baha’is of the United States and Canada. it provides a platform on which all great This was consummated, August 12, 1929, religious bodies can stand together in love by a deed legally transferring to them the and harmony, Miss Farmer feels that her title to all Green Acre properties. In 1941, previous work has been but the preparation the N.S.A. voted that Green Acre be for the greatest of all joys the giving of the known as "Green Acre Bahá’í School.” Message to all who are willing and ready to The major properties of the school, the receive it.” There were quotations from Inn and cottage annexes, a lecture hall, arts ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Bahá’u’lláh. Names of and crafts studio, Fellowship House, over Bahá’í teachers appeared in the Monsalvat sixty acres of land on Monsalvat, forty acres School. of the Pines, and other smaller plots, are In 1902, the great Bahd’i scholar, Mirza but the visible housing for something more Abul Fadl, was sent by ‘Abdu’l-Baha to intangible, the Spirit of Green Acre. There, teach at Green Acre. Mirza Ali-Kuli Kahn for fifty years, men and women have given was his interpreter. their energies and resources to an ideal. For In these first years, Miss Farmer was re half a century, people have come seeking sponsible for the program and the financing and left with gain. Today the Message of it. Now her health began to fail. Partly taught there is vitally needed. It offers to relieve her, the Green Acre Fellowship peace of heart and security in a war torn was incorporated in the State of Maine in world. It is a place where brotherhood is 1902 to "perpetuate the work of the Green real, where prejudice is erased, where unity Acre Conferences.” It began to function is practical. in 1904. Members pledged two dollars an "In the future, God willing, Green Acre nually, more or less, for the support of the shall be a great center, the cause of the school. unity of the world of humanity, the cause Miss Farmer, in 1905 stated in her pro of uniting the hearts and binding together gram that the Bahd’i religion "is not a new the East and the West.”—‘Abdu’l-Baha *ism’ to stand side by side with and rival It is interesting today to compare two former religious systems, but is a completion summer programs, one at the height of Miss and fulfillment of all that has preceded it.” Sarah J. Farmer’s success and one con Again Confirmation came. In the sum ducted since Green Acre became wholly mer of 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahd spent a week at Bahi’i. Green Acre. Once more He and Miss Farmer The program of 1901 was announced as met. He lectured, held interviews, ex "The Monsalvat School for the Compara amined the Fellowship properties, served a tive Study of Religion.” feast for the people of the Community. He Topics attended a picnic on Monsalvat, walked Lectures on Social Science and Applied about on the summit, prayed, sent word to Religion—Fillmore Moore, M. D. Miss Farmer that the great University Lectures on Social Conditions and Mission which she had envisioned there was a reality. ary Work in India—M. L. Rallia Ram At the annual meeting in 1913, the by Lecture on the Religious Systems of Japan laws of the Green Acre Fellowship were —Rev. Joseph S. Motoda amended. A nine-member Board of Trus Lectures on the Revelations of the Báb and tees was established. A majority of the new Bahá’u’lláh of Persia—Mirza Abu’l-Fazl Board were Bahd’is. The Conferences were Lectures on the Eastern Wisdom—Charles continued. However, the World War Johnston, M. R. A. S. brought about a change of emphasis. More Lectures on Science and Philosophy—Pro and more the teaching centered on the fessor Egbert Morse Chesley World Order of Baha’u’llah as the lasting Lecture on Ecclesiastical History—Rev. Al solution for Peace. bert Danker, Ph. D. r

B A H Á ’Í SCHOOLS 213

Bahá’í Hall, Green Acre School. 214 THE B A H A ’I CENTENARY

Lecture on Science and Theism—Professor five sessions, with a final summary and re A. C. Dolbear view. Lectures on Literature—Mrs. Mary Han As Green Acre is the only Bahd’i School ford Ford blesssed by the Master’s presence, His tab Lecture for Training for Workers—Rev lets revealed at different stages in its devel erend H. B. Frizzell, S. T. D. opment are cherished by all who participate Lecture on the Kingdom of God— Rev. in the work today. The collection of Tab Edward Everett Hale, D. D. lets addressed to Miss Farmer between 1900 Lectures on the Talmud and Jewish History and 1908, now preserved in the National — Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf, D. D. Archives, lay a bridge across the wide Lectures on Heredity— Rev. E. P. Powell chasm between general religious and philo Lecture on the Persian Revelation—Fred sophical culture on the one hand, and faith erick Reed in the Manifestation of God on the other. Lecture on Philosophers— Frank S. Sanborn To her He said: "I hope that through the Lectures on History—Miss Jane De Groff favor of the Blessed Perfection thou wilt Thompson become the lamp of the society of Green Lectures on the Old Testament and Swe Acre, and wilt become the cup bearer of denborg— Professor J. E. Werren the wine of the love of God; that thou wilt Miss Sarah Farmer herself opened the invite a great number unto the Kingdom season on July 3 with an address on "The of the powerful Lord, and wilt teach nu Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh and Its Relation merous souls. . . . O thou beloved maid to the Monsalvat School.” In addition to servant of God, exert thyself with all heart the above list of lecturers, we note the and soul that Green Acre may become the name of Prof. Nathaniel Schmidt, who arena for the action of the beloved of Bahá spoke on "The New Jerusalem, or the and its administration pass into the hands City We W ant,” and the name of Sister of the friends. If such become the case, Mariam of England, whose topic was "U t good results will ensue, otherwise all en terances of Bahá’u’lláh.” Mrs. Mary Han deavors will come to naught.” ford Ford, who lectured on Literature, later In 1933, the Guardian wrote to the Eliot wrote books and pamphlets on the Faith Bahá’í community: "Your group occupies and taught the Message continuously for an important position in the Bahd’i world many years in a number of cities. for you are situated in that locality where In 193 8 a program was conducted in the Green Acre Summer School is held— the which the early lecture method had become most important institution of its kind in superseded by the study class and discus the world.” sion. The courses prepared by the School 2. G eyserville Committee included: Education for the "O my brother, the gems of the Supreme New Humanity, Dr. G. A. Shook; The Knowledge can only be obtained from the Art of Growing Up, Orcella Rexford; Spir Divine Mine; the Fragrance of the Ideal itual Development and Law, Dorothy Myrtle can only be inhaled from the Rose- Baker; Esperanto, Lidia Zamenhof; Com garden of Reality; and the Flowers of the parative Religion, Doris and Willard Knowledge of Unity only grow in the city McKay; Prayer and Meditation, Lorol of pure hearts!”—Baha’u’lldh Schopflocher; The Transformation of H u "Everyone without exception is urged to man Society, Horace Holley, a general take advantage of attending it (summer study of the teachings, conducted by Mamie school)—Let him consider such an occasion L. Seto. In addition a youth program, pre as a welcome and precious opportunity so pared by a committee of young people, fea to enrich, through lectures, study and dis tured a course by Dorothy Baker on The cussion, his knowledge of the fundamentals Bahd’i Life, a discussion of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s of his Faith as to be able to transmit, with Will and Testament by Caroline Rogers, greater confidence and effectiveness, the and a series of lectures by different youth Message that has been entrusted to his on Bahá’í books. Each course consisted of care.”—Shoghi Effendi B A H Á ’1 S C H OOL S 215

Early in 1927 great interest was being north of San Francisco on one of the main displayed by the public in the social and highways serving the entire Pacific Coast, spiritual teachings of the Baha’i Faith, re and on a railroad, facilities are excellent for sulting in the establishment of many Bahá’í public and private transportation. There study classes. There were an insufficient were two ranch houses, a small dormitory, number of teachers, and thus the work of with accessory buildings, permitting the caring for these classes devolved on too few housing of approximately forty people on of the believers. This led to the suggestion the property. that steps be taken to establish a school on The first sessions of the school were held the Pacific Coast for the training of Baha’i in 1927 during the entire month of August. Teachers, and the deepening of the under The Committee felt that for this first standing of the Faith. year, if only nine believers sincerely desirous In response to this suggestion, the N a of perfecting their services in the Faith tional Spiritual Assembly appointed a Com could come together, it would be a most mittee consisting of Mr. John D. Bosch, successful beginning. However, the open of Geyserville, Mr. George O. Latimer, of ing Unity Feast, held under the wide- Portland, and Mr. Leroy Ioas of San Fran spreading boughs of a majestic fir tree, cisco, to study the possibility of working found some 130 friends from various parts out plans for a summer school in the West, of the Pacific Coast gathered in spiritual and its development into a permanent in joy and enthusiasm to open the school and stitution. dedicate the property to the Cause of God. While a number of locations were sug Over forty remained throughout the school gested, it was decided that the Bosch prop for study and preparation for teaching erty in Geyserville, California, should be work; as well as fellowship and association selected as the site of the first Baha’i School under the benign influence of the spirit of the West; in fact, the first Baha’i educa of the new day of unity and order. tional institution in North America, con In the succeeding years, the numbers in ceived for, and dedicated exclusively to the attendance increased steadily, until there training of Bahá’i teachers, and the study was insufficient housing on the property for of the teachings of Baha’u’lldh. In connec those in attendance, making it necessary to tion with this selection, it developed that the secure accommodations at various homes in owners of the property, Mr. and Mrs. John the vicinity. D. Bosch, had for years planned on their In the ninth year, Mr. and Mrs. Bosch property being dedicated to Bahd’i service. deeded the property to Trustees for the In fact, they had written ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in benefit of the National Spiritual Assembly. 1911: During this nine year period they had been "May this simple place on the hills, and hosts to the friends, housing them without directly west of Geyser Peak be dedicated cost, demonstrating that hospitality which to the Universal Spirit of the Teachings of is the new spirit of the social principles of Bahá’u’lláh, combining the good of all the the Faith; and is the touchstone of love Messengers of God. which melts all hearts into one— and estab "I pray that the atmosphere here will lishing the basis of creative and unified henceforth be filled with the true spiritual service. ity and power, and be guided by the strong The Geyserville school grew in this spirit hand of the Almighty; that it may be a of fellowship, lov£, and eagerness for activ natural source of pure water for the be ity in the Faith. Studies and activities were lievers to drink and to flow to all good participated in by young and old alike— hearts which are earnestly seeking enlight- establishing a social institution catering to ment.” all ages, and becoming a true prototype of The property consisted of some forty- the Bahá’í "way of life.” The Guardian two acres of land in the beautiful rolling commenting on this aspect of the Geyser foothills in and behind the village of Gey ville school, wrote: "It would be no exag serville. Located about seventy-five miles geration to say that the unique contribution 216 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

The Dormitory, Geyserville Summer School.

Interior of Bahd’i Hall, Geyserville Bahá’i School. BA H Á ’Í SCHOOLS 217

which the Geyserville Summer School has the Redwood Highway Association includes made to the extension of the teaching work the Bahá’í Summer School as one of the during the last few years has been to teach places to visit on this famous motor high the friends, and inspire them to live up to way. the high standard which the Teachings in In 1936 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Collins culcate, and thus teach the Cause through erected and presented to the Cause a very the power of example.” attractive Baha’i Hall of rustic redwood, Illustrating how effective the spirit oi for the study classes and public meetings. love and unified action is, the following This generous contribution was followed is quoted from a noted educator of the West in 1937 by the gift of a then much-needed who attended one of the sessions of the dormitory of corresponding rustic material, school: . "My greetings I send to you; and fully equipped and modern in every detail, everlasting gratitude for an experience that with a housing capacity for approximately has enriched my whole life. May I not send fifty people. through you my sincerest expression of lov Since that time two friends have built ing appreciation to all those dear Baha’is attractive cottages on the property and with whom I have just enjoyed a season of others have plans to erect summer homes in unique happiness and spiritual growth.” the future. Also this same spirit is portrayed in the The Baha’i Hall was dedicated on July annual *report of the 1942 program Com 12, 1936 in a simple, direct, and spiritually mittee:. "For the Geyserville school leaves impressive ceremony. Beautiful bouquets of with those.who take part in it, a rich and flowers were received from Geyserville citi lasting memory— a memory of peaceful, zens. Opening with the words of Shoghi orchard-covered hills, where believers from Effendi received by cablegram: "Heartily near and far gather to know one another, join celebration opening Auditorium gen to acquire a more comprehensive view of the erously founded by well beloved distin Cause; to be cheered and inspired by living guished friends Mr. and Mrs. Collins. Assure and working together as one Bahá’í Com them profound abiding gratitude. Love to munity, the proving ground for a new assembled friends.” A short history of the world.” development of the summer school was Many are the stories of the effect the dy given by Leroy Ioas. Then followed a beau namic and spiritual lives of the Baha’is tiful presentation of the services of the have had on non-Bahá’ís, especially in the School by Mrs. Louise Bosch and the turn early days of the Faith. This same influence ing over of the property to the Trustees by was felt in the village at Geyserville, as the Mrs. Robert Norton of San Francisco, a school grew into a permanent part of the cousin of Mrs. Collins. Mr. George O. Lati life of the city. Originally the local citizens mer acted as chairman and received the were quite opposed to the Faith. They even property on behalf of the Bosch Trustees went so far as to warn newcomers to beware for the benefit of the National Spiritual of the Bahd’is and their "pernicious teach Assembly. Fitting messages were sent to the ings.” Disregarding such attitudes, the Guardian and to Mr. and Mrs. Collins, who Bahd’is followed their teachings of serving were in Bad Nauheim at that time. The those who dispitefully use you— and seeing meeting was closed with the reading of a only the good in every one. This resulted in cablegram just received from Mrs. Collins: those who were warned against us investi "Utmost gratitude for the Name that has gating the teachings, and some becoming taught us there is no separation.” declared Bahd’is. Furthermore, the local The following year on July 3, there was press gradually increased the space devoted a dedication of the new dormitory, follow to the School activities, and now full page ing the Annual Reunion and Feast of announcements are made of the school pro friends and their guests, with about 2 50 in gram and messages of welcome by the attendance. Attractive pictures of both Chamber of Commerce and business men buildings were taken for the permanent rec carried regularly. A brochure published by ords of the School. A truly international 218 THE B A H Á 5f CENTENARY

spirit was manifest at this opening gather tailed presentation; which is followed by ing of the school, there being ten nationali creative discussion, questions, answers, and ties represented at the meeting, with ad contributions by students. Many teachers dresses in Esperanto and French. are used, instead of one lecturer; thus giv After the dedication of the Dormitory, ing a more rounded out program; and at the Mr. Leroy Ioas read a fitting memorial serv same time, permitting the development of ice for Mr. Thomas Collins who had passed Bahá’í teachers^ not only through their from this life shortly before the opening of study, but also their participation in the the School. All present felt the great loss conduct of the classes themselves. of this friend who had done so much to The youth have their own round table dis ward the recent development of the Gey- cussion group, arranged and conducted by serville educational institution and his mem themselves. In all other respects they are ory will be enshrined in the hearts of all an integral part of the school, attending students who attend the school sessions in regular classes, assisting with the devotional the future. meetings, providing entertainment for the The school library has been dedicated to recreational hours, contributing to the mu the memory of Mr. Collins, being named sical programs, etc. They participate in full the "Collins Memorial Library.” The li measure with the adults in the entire activ brary now contains over 500 books. Re ities of the Baha’i community life. cently Mr. Leroy Ioas arranged a gift from Separate classes are conducted for the the Estate of Mrs. Mary M. Rabb of a full children. Skilled supervisors teach the chil set of the bound volumes of the "Star of dren the true bases of religion and the effect the West,” containing those early volumes upon the life of the individual as well as which are now out of print. society. There are classes also in the useful The curriculum of Bahd’i Schools is of a arts, and suitable recreational arrangements. distinctive type; distinctive, because the The School has always undertaken public Word of God is the measure against which teaching meetings, not only in Geyserville, the civilizations and cultures of the world but also in surrounding cities such as Cloare oriented. The findings of history and verdale, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, etc. social science have their true meaning in re The Summer School provides an educa lation to the development of world religion. tional center where the believers can gather The faith and devotion of people, under together in large numbers to study the the creative influence of the teachings of the Teachings of Baha’u’llah, and their effect Prophets, are the elements which evolve on society; exchange views and experiences, society; and only an understanding of the associate with one another in an active com emergent which the Holy Spirit gives to munity life, and thus deepen their knowl human aspiration, can give meaning to a edge and understanding of the Faith in a planned evolutionary process for the hu distinctive Bahá’í atmosphere. The impor man race. All truth is rooted in the teach tance of these institutions has been stressed ings of the Prophets; all human knowledge over and over by the Guardian. The Gey is derived from our search of the realities serville Committee is ever seeking the goal of life and nature. This search is ever set by Shoghi Effendi for the Geyserville pushed forward by the impact of a soul School; namely, he "hopes that through the stirring message calling humanity to wider combined and united efforts of the friends, horizons, and a more universal civilization. the Geyserville Summer School, which is so Thus knowledge, scientific and spiritual find ideally situated, will draw an increasing their true relationship in the Bahá’í teach number of visitors, both believers and non ing that these are the two wings upon believers, and will thus gradually develop which the soul of man may reach the into an important and world-wide known realms on high. center for the training of Bahd’i scholars Classes at the Geyserville school are con and teachers. The first pioneers under the ducted on the creative discussion plan. The Seven Year Plan went forth with the speaker introduces the subject with a de inspiration of this School. B A H A ’I SCHOOLS 219

Louhelen Ranch, Davison, Michigan, the site of the Bahá’í School of the Central States.

3. Lo u h elen building. This not only furnished a place for books and study, but made it possible On the first day of August, 1931, a to have a short winter session of the School. score of Baha’is and their friends, respond There has been a gradual enlargement of ing to an invitation issued by Mr. and Mrs. the scope of the School and an increase in L. W. Eggleston after consultation with the number of sessions until now Louhelen Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá’í Baha’i School has five summer sessions and Faith, and with the National Spiritual As is in active operation during most of July sembly, gathered at a farm near Davison, and August, besides the winter session of a Michigan, which had recently been acquired week. Many conferences and special cele by Mr. Eggleston, to study and spread the brations have been held there and even sev Baha’i Faith. Others came later for a day eral Bahd’i weddings. or more so that all told some ninety souls The aim of the school is three-fold: to were present that first summer. Mr. and have a real school, a place to learn Truth, to Mrs. Harlan Ober and Mr. and Mrs. How find the root of all knowledge, the knowl ard Ives planned the splendid nine days’ edge of God and of His Will for today as program and did much of the teaching. revealed by Baha’u’lldh; to have a place Among others who contributed to the suc where people may live for a time as a cess of this first session were Miss Fannie Baha’i community, practicing the oneness Knobloch and Mrs. Dorothy Baker. At the of mankind, promoting unity in the Cause; end of the nine days all agreed that plans and to have one more spot whence the Light should be made for the next summer. of the New Day is radiated. The plan so far By the summer of 1932 the school had be has been for short sessions, eight to twelve come more fully organized and publicized days, or even as few as four for some youth through the program committee appointed sessions, with three or four teachers who by the National Spiritual Assembly. It give daily lectures or talk or conduct was now a recognized Bahd’i institution. classes on some specified subject. Thus a During the year the Egglestons had added great amount of ground is covered in a short buildings to the property. Since then other time at each session. This rather intensive buildings have been added so that now work at the school furnishes a basis for seventy-five or more can be accommodated more study at home and a stimulus to teach in summer and about twenty-five in win others. There are hours for freedom and ter. In 1939 through gifts from Mrs. recreation, fellowship, conferences with Amelia Collins and Mrs. Dorothy Graf it teachers or each other. All this with the was possible to erect a long desired library common dining rooms, the nearby lodgings,

I 220 THE BA H Á ’í CENTENARY

the outdoor life gives opportunity for real ence with him gave a constant urge to the Baha’i community life. Committee to make these summer sessions From year to year study courses and even more of an aid in learning to really projects in all sessions have varied to in study, in deepening in the Faith and in clude such subjects as: History and Prin learning to teach others. In 1938, therefore, ciples of the Bahd’i Faith, Understanding a ten day session was planned with two spe and Practice of the Baha’i Administrative cial projects, one a course of study care Order, Studies in the Islámic Faith, Studies fully outlined by Mrs. H. Emogene Hoagg, in Christian and Jewish Prophecy, History the other a project in systematically spread of the Christian Church, Prayer and Medi ing a knowledge of the Cause in neighbor tation, Deepening in the Spiritual Life, ing places. Volunteers in this project went Survey and Classification of Bahd’i Sacred out in pairs to nearby communities, litera Writings, Teaching Methods and Problems, ture was left in libraries or with individuals Public Speaking, History and Culture of and an invitation extended to come to a Latin America. special public meeting at the school. Sim The development of Louhelen Bahd’i ilar sessions but with varied projects each Youth School is outstanding. For the first year since have attracted a large number three summers just one joint session for of earnest students and workers. Much val adult and youth was held. The young peo uable study aid has been developed at these ple were the first to call for another session. sessions and made available to others. A strong group of young people was pres The School has used various means be ent the second summer which increased so sides the one just mentioned to reach out much in number and enthusiasm the third to the general public. Newspapers have co summer, that plans were made at the request operated in publishing feature articles and of the young people themselves for a sepa announcing public lectures. Many individ rate youth session and in 1934 this became a uals and groups who have some common reality under the direction of Mrs. Dorothy interest with Baha’is have been invited and Baker. This Bahd’i school attracted youth come to the school. Teachers at the school from nearby and a distance since it was the have been invited by Rotary and other clubs only Bahá’í school distinctly for young peo to give talks. The library, which contains ple. It grew so rapidly that in a few years over 2700 books on many subjects, is free it was necessary to have two youth sessions. to the public. Hundreds of Bahd’i books At first only youth over fifteen were al have been sold at the school in the thirteen lowed to come but now they are divided years of its history and much free literature according to age, those from twelve to fif distributed. The Flint .Bahd’i community teen making one group and those over fif was rebuilt and strengthened through its teen another. Young people of any and all influence and the Davison Township Bahd’i races and creeds are welcome to come and community is in the process of building. learn about the Bahd’i Teachings of the A recent project using part of the school New Age and to live the Baha’i life. Rec grounds and equipment is a play school for reational activities reflect the Baha’i spirit young children. This is privately conducted of cooperation and high standards of con on Bahd’i principles for children from both duct and fellowship. From the beginning Bahd’i and non-Baha’i families and is an the young people have been consulted in other link connecting the school with the regard to study program, teachers, recrea public. tion and simple necessary rules and in 1942 Although the School is in active session the National Spiritual Assembly added only eight or nine weeks in the year its three young people to the Louhelen program influence is continuous since it is the home committee. of the Eggleston family and Bahd’i gather Another distinguishing feature of Lou ings are held there throughout the year. helen Bahd’i School is the so-called Labora And who can estimate the influence of the tory Session. Suggestions which came from magic words "Bahd’i School” swinging in the Guardian through annual correspond- full sight of passers on state highway Ml 5? BA H Á ’Í SCHOOLS 221

4. I n ternatio nal Public meetings are held in the city of The International School in Pine Valley, Colorado Springs to further the teaching Colorado Springs, is the youngest member work and a Regional Conference is held of our Baha’i summer schools. It held its whenever possible. initial session in 1940, having been deeded A cable, dated June 13, 1940, was re to Trustees for the benefit of the National ceived from Shoghi Effendi at the opening Spiritual Assembly by Loulie Mathews to of the School: supply a future gathering place for Bahd’is "Delighted at opening of school. Praying from Latin-America and other countries. for increasing success, loving appreciation.” Its present program, as suggested by Shoghi (signed) Shoghi Rabbani. Effendi, is devoted to Latin-America. On June 10, 1940, the National Baha’i Temerity accommodates only about six Assembly sent this message: teen guests; therefore, we try to fill this "Loving best wishes for successs of school quota from those believers who have ded session representing foundation structure icated their lives to teaching. of institution dedicated to education for in Each year we bring out a few notes that ternational teaching of the New World our efforts may have a wider field through Order.” The conference teaching method is out the Baha’i world. employed.

International Baha’i School, Pine Valley, Colorado Springs. PART E I G H T

T H E A M E R I C A N BAHA’I C O M M U N I T Y

1. Cities and Townships having Assemblies C o nnecticut New Haven A labama West Haven Birmingham D elaware A laska Wilmington Anchorage D istrict of C olumbia A rkansas Washington, D. C. Little Rock A rizona Florida Phoenix Jacksonville East Phoenix Rural Miami St. Augustine C alifornia G eorgia Alhambra Berkeley Atlanta Beverly Hills H awaii . Burbank Honolulu Burlingame Maui Cloverdale Township Glendale Idaho Los Angeles Boise Oakland Pasadena Illinois Sacramento Chicago San Diego Danville San Francisco Evanston Santa Barbara Maywood C anada Peoria Springfield Edmonton, Alberta Urbana Vancouver, British Columbia Waukegan Winnipeg, Manitoba Wilmette Moncton, New Brunswick Winnetka Halifax, Nova Scotia Toronto, Ontario I ndia na Charlottetown, P.E.I. Indianapolis Montreal, Quebec South Bend St. Lambert, Quebec Regina, Sask. I owa Cedar Rapids C olorado Colorado Springs K ansas Denver Topeka THE AMERICAN BA H Á ’Í COMMUNITY 223

K entucky Newark Teaneck Louisville N ew M exico Louisiana Albuquerque New Orleans N ew Y ork M aine Binghamton Eliot Buffalo Maryland Geneva Baltimore Jamestown Cabin John New York Chevy Chase— Bethesda Rochester Syracuse M assachusetts • Yonkers Beverly N orth C arolina Brookline Boston Greensboro Springfield N orth D akota Worcester Fargo Michigan O hio Ann Arbor Cincinnati Detroit Cleveland Flint Columbus Grand Rapids Dayton Lansing East Cleveland Muskegon Lima Minnesota Toledo Minneapolis O klahom a St. Paul Oklahoma City Mississippi O regon Jackson Portland Missouri P en n sylvania Kansas City Philadelphia Mo n t a n a Pittsburgh Helena Scranton West Chester N ebraska P uerto R ico Omaha San Juan N evada R hode I sland Reno Providence N ew H ampshire So u th C arolina Portsmouth Greenville N ew J ersey So u th D akota East Orange Montclair Sioux Falls 224 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

T ennessee C alifornia Memphis Atascadero Bakersfield T exas Big Bear Lake Houston Compton Elsinore U tah Fresno Huntington Pk. Salt Lake City Inglewood Township Inglewood V erm ont Knightsen Brattleboro Long Beach Lynwood V irginia Monrovia Alexandria Monrovia Twp. Arlington Napa Pacific Palisades W ashington Pasadena Twp. Piedmont Richmond Highlands Riverside Seattle San Bernardino Spokane San Marino Tacoma San Mateo Santa Barbara W est V irginia Santa Rosa (Analy Twp.) Charleston Santa Rosa South Gate W isconsin C anada Kenosha Madison Calgary, Alberta Milwaukee Armstrong, British Columbia Racine Vernon, British Columbia Shorewood West Vancouver, British Columbia Wauwatosa Hamilton, Ont. Ottawa, Ontario W yoming Westmount, Quebec Laramie C a na l Z one Balboa 2. Cities having Groups C o nnecticut A labama Hamden Tuskegee Hartford Norwich A rizona Orange Washington Glendale Rural Phoenix Rural (West) Florida Poston Florida City Tucson Pine Castle THE AMERICAN B A H Á ’Í COMMUNITY 225

Illinois Plainville Cicero Princeton Glenview Salem Hollywood Sharon Melrose Park Upton Melrose Township Wenham Moline West Brookfield Northbrook Woburn Oak Park M ichigan Park Ridge Pekin Davison Limestone Township Dearborn Rockford Flint (Burton Twp.) Villa Park Fruitport Western Springs Grand Haven Grosse lie India n a Grosse Pointe Fort Wayne Highland Park Kalamazoo I owa Lake Harbor Independence Lansing Waterloo Lincoln Park Marysville Kansas Muskegon Heights Burlingame Nirvana Elwood Pentwater Topeka (Mission Township) Plymouth Wichita Roseville St. Clair Shores Louisiana Smith’s Creek Covington Van Dyke Wyoming Park M aine Canaan M innesota Portland Duluth South Windham Stoneham M issouri Independence Massachusetts St. Louis Arlington St. Louis County Auburn Belchertown M o n ta n a East Hampton Butte East Longmeadow Fitchburg N ew H am pshire Ipswich Ashuelot Malden Dover Natick Hinsdale Needham New Market Newton No. Scituate N ew J ersey Norton Atlantic City Palmer Bloomfield 226 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Dumont So uth D akota Englewood Lead Hackensack Haworth T ennessee Jersey City Knoxville Marlton Nashville Maywood T exas Neptune Red Bank Carrizo Springs Riverton Winter Haven (Dimmit County) Tenafly San Antonio Weehawken V irginia N ew Y ork Loudoun County (Waterford) Albany Franklin Ballston Spa Newport News Little Falls W ashington Mamaroneck Ransomville Brooklyn Roscoe Halford Geneva (Seneca Township) Kirkland Victor Monroe Waterloo Sultan

O hio W isconsin Akron Bristol Bucyrus Chenequa Circleville Eagle River (Lincoln Twp.) Cleveland Heights Green Bay Columbus Grove Lake Geneva Cuyahoga Falls Manitowoc Dayton (Harrison Twp.) Oconomowoc Findlay Somers Twp. (Kenosha) Lakewood Whitefish Bay Mansfield Wisconsin Rapids Medina (Granger Township) Mechanicsburg (Union Township) 3. Cities and Postal Zones having Isolated Hinckley Twp. (Medina County) Believers Waynesville A labama P en n sylvania Birmingham (Homewood) Ingomar Birmingham (Jefferson County) New Castle Fair hope Wilkensburg Huntsville Mobile R hode I sland Springhill Pawtucket Tuskegee Warren A rizona So u th C arolina Buckeye Charleston Coolidge Columbia Douglas N orth Augusta Glendale THE AMERICAN B A H A ’I COMMUNITY 227

Kingman Puente Payson Reedley Phoenix Richmond Prescott Sacramento Sonita St. Helena Tucson Salinas San Bruno A rkansas San Diego Camp Robinson San Francisco Eldorado San Gabriel Harrison San José Malvern San Pablo No. Little Rock Santa Barbara Ola Santa Clara Santa Cruz C alifornia Santa Maria Alma Santa Paula Arcadia Santa Rosa Arroyo Grande Sausalito Beaumont South Laguna Bell South Pasadena Beverly Hills Twp. (Los Angeles) Templeton Chula Vista Turlock Claremont Valley Center Corte Madera Walnut Park Culver City West Los Angeles Downey Whittier El Monte Wilmar Escondido Woodlake Exeter Fresno C anada Gardena Ardmore, Alberta LaCanada (Glendale Twp.) Calahad, Alta. Verdugo City (Glendale Twp.) Taber, Alberta Montrose (Glendale Twp.) Cultus Lake, British Columbia Glen Ellen Kamloops, British Columbia Gridley Penticton, British Columbia Hayward Victoria, British Columbia Healdsburg Elgin, New Brunswick Hondo Lewisville, New Brunswick Kenwood Debert, Nova Scotia Lakeport Halifax, Nova Scotia La Mesa Bartonville, Ont. Livermore Bluevale, Ontario Long Beach Farran Point, Ontario Los Angeles (outside city limits) Rice Lake, Ontario Los Gatos London, Ontario Millbrae Toronto, Ontario (York County) Modesto Summerside^ Prince Edward Island Oakland Arvida, P. Q. Palo Alto Huntingdon, P. Q. Palmdale Longueuil, P. Q. Paso Robles Montreal West, P. Q. 228 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Mount Royal, P. Q. Keesville Outremont, P. Q. Midville Riv. Beaudette, P. Q. Savannah Verdun, P. Q. Wrens Carmichael, Sask. H awaii, T. H. C anal Zone Naalehu Corundo, C.Z. Idaho C olorado Boise Arvada Coeur d’Alene Boulder Climax Illinois Denver Alton Pine Valley, Colorado Springs Antioch Fountain Batavia Loveland Champaign Wheat Ridge Charleston C onnecticut Chillicothe DeKalb Bridgeport Dixon N orth Stoning ton Downers Grove Meriden Elmhurst Norwalk Glen Ellyn Y alesville Glenview D elaware Greenup Arden Harvey Henry Florida Highwood Boynton Hinsdale Coral Gables Jacksonville Daytona Beach Joliet Fernandina LaGrange Gainesville LaGrange Park Hollywood Lake Forest Jacksonville Beach Lincolnwood Lakeland McHenry Miami Marengo Miami Shores Markham Okechobee Melrose Park Orlando Morrison Palm Beach Morton Ruskin Oak Lawn St. Petersburg Peoria West Palm Beach Peoria Heights Winter Haven Phoenix Quincy G eorgia River Forest Atlanta Riverside Augusta St. Charles Daniel Field Serena Decatur Tower Hill Griffin Watseka THE AMERICAN B A H Á ’1 C O M M U N I T Y 229

Waukegan Halethorpe West Peoria Hyattsville Wheaton Laurel Silver Spring Indiana Taney town Anderson Bloomington Massachusetts Fort Wayne Belmont Gary Bernardston Mishawaka Buzzards Bay Monroeville Cambridge Monticello Everett Muncie Fitchburg New Haven Marblehead South Bend Marlboro Winamac Medford Iowa Norfolk Petersham Belknap Sherborn Correctionville South Dartmouth Davenport South Hamilton Des Moines Springfield Dubuque Wellesley Hills Independence West Somerville Walker Whitman Waterloo Michigan Kansas Ann Arbor Kansas City Battle Creek Kentucky Berkley Cave City Birmingham Elizabethtown Brighton Franklin Cassopolis Louisville Clio Coloma Louisiana Dearborn Baton Rouge E. Fruitport Ferry sburg Maine Flint Bangor Goodrich Cortland Grand Rapids Gardiner Grosse Pointe Lovell Hazel Park South Berwick Inkster South Portland Lansing (Grand River Twp.) Springvale Lawrence Wells Lawton Ludington Maryland Mears Chestertown Mt. Clemens Cheverly, HyattsvilK Mt. Morris Dundalk Muskegon Essex Niles 230 THE BA FI Á ’ f CENTENARY

Olivet Bradley Beach Port Huron Cranford Selfridge Field Grenloch Ypsilanti Hamburg Harrington Park Minnesota Irvington Detroit Lakes Little Falls Halsted Maywood Hopkins Millburn Mankato Morristown Moorehead Ocean Grove Northfield Palisades Park Preston Passaic Red Wing Paterson Sabin Point Pleasant Mississippi Princeton Ridgefield Park Columbus Ridgewood Greenwood Rochelle Park Money Short Hills Vicksburg South Orange Missouri Spring Lake Tenafly Carthage Westfield Independence Wyckoff Jefferson Kansas City N ew Mexico Poplar Bluff Alamogordo St. Joseph Las Vegas St. Louis Albuquerque Montana N ew Y ork Fairview Winifred Babylon Bayshore N ebraska Bellmore Brock Farmingdale Waterbury Floral Park Glenwood Landing N evada Hempstead Gardens Boulder City Locust Manor Hawthorne Lynbrook Las Vegas Mineola Reno Auburn Binghamton N ew H ampshire Cortland Fitzwilliam Dunkirk Eden N ew J ersey Elmira Basking Ridge Freehold Bayonne Geneva Bergenfield Hamburg Bogota Jamestown Bordentown Jamesville THE AMERICAN B A H Á ’1 C O M M U N I T Y 231

Johnstown Cleveland Kenmore Dayton Lima Doyles town Linwood Eaton Little Falls Fremont Lockport Geneva Massena * Jerry City Mayville Kent Norwich Lima Penn Yan Loudonville Pike Loveland Port Chester Marietta Port Dickinson Milford Port Washington Montezuma Potsdam North Bloomfield Rochester North Olmsted Rye Norwood Saratoga Springs Rocky River Schenectady Salem Snyder Springfield Trumansburg Upper Arlington Unadilla Urbana Union Worthington Utica Xenia Wolcott Woodbourne O klahoma Youngstown Carmen Briarcliife Manor Mt. Vernon Oregon Port Jervis Corbett Mt. Kisco Corvallis Merrill N orth Carolina Newport Asheville Seaside Durham Taft Hendersonville Talent Kannapolis The Dalles Lenoir Timber New River Raleigh Pennsylvania Rich Square Allentown Winston-Salem Bellevue Breinigsville N orth D akota Broomall Glenfield Cheney Sutton Clifton Heights Dunmore O hio Elkins Park Bethesda Fallsington Brady Lake Glenolden Bryan North Hills Celina Oxford Chagrin Falls Upper Darby 232 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

West Chester Outside city limits Tooele Cambridge Springs Topaz Eau Claire Gettysburg V ermont Needmore Burlington Saltsburg Rutland Union City Warfordsburg V irginia Wesley ville Cartersville Puerto R ico Farm ville Fredericksburg Arecibo Grottoes Juncos McLean Rio Grande Millers Tavern Petersburg R hode Island Richmond Ashton Staunton Cranston Newport W ashington Almira South C arolina Bothell Aiken Bremerton Belvedere Chelan North Augusta Ferndale Monroe South D akota Moran Prairie Wall Olympia Watertown Omak Seattle T ennessee Snohomish Knoxville Vancouver McMinnville Manchester W est V irginia Nashville Huntington Oliver Springs W isconsin T exas Eagle River Austin Madison Big Springs Manitowoc Conroe Mauston Corpus Christi Milwaukee—Fox Point Dallas Oshkosh Flatonia Racine Greenville Ripon Houston Schofield Lubbock Stoughton Port Arthur Waukesha South Houston Wauwatosa West Allis U tah Murray Wyoming Salt Lake City Cheyenne THE AMERICAN B A H Á ’1 C O M M U N I T Y 233

4. Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies, 5. Bahd’i Properties Held in Trust North America a. Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois 1932— Chicago, New York b. Bahd’i Headquarters, Wilmette, Illi 1933— Teaneck, Washington, D. C. nois 193 5—Montreal c. Green Acre Bahá’i School, Eliot, 1937— Detroit, Kenosha Maine d. Geyserville Baha’i School, Geyserville, 1938— Racine, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Calif. Minneapolis, Cleveland, Seattle, e. Wilhelm Estate, West Englewood, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Co N. J. lumbus f. Wilson House, Malden, Mass. 1939— Lima, Vancouver, Portland, Phoe g. International Bahá’í School, Pine Val nix, Philadelphia, Jersey City, ley, Colorado Springs, Colo. Winnetka 1940— Wilmette, Boston, Peoria, Helena, 6 . Literature Distributed by the Publishing Honolulu, Miami, Binghamton Committee 1941— Pasadena, Urbana, Berkeley, Oak land, Indianapolis, St. Paul 1943— Springfield, Illinois, Flint, Evans ton B AH A I S A CR E D R E L I C S I N NATIONAL ARCHIVES ( L I S T O F 1934 ) 1. TABLETS. Ten framed Tablets of “The Divine Illuminated Tablet containing in one Plan.” section, the original handwriting of Two framed Tablets of General Tablets. BaháVlláh. Original Tablet to Counsel Board, Chi The “Cock” Tablets, illuminated. cago, prior to organization of the “Star” Tablet (photographic copy of “House of Justice,” framed. original in the British Museum. This Original Tablets to “House of Justice,” Tablet is in the form of a five-pointed Chicago and to the Ladies of Assem star. It was written by the Báb to bly of Teaching. celebrate the Station of the Greatest Illuminated Tablet done by Mishkin Name, and is said to contain 365 Qalam of the Tablet to the “House derivatives of this N am e). of Justice.” Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to American Seventeen Tablets to the “House of believers and to Spiritual Assemblies Spirituality,” Chicago. Originals and or Bahd’i Communities. translations. (a) The first group of approxi Letters from Shoghi Effendi, a number mately 600 to 700 Tablets, arranged of envelopes containing letters to As in alphabetical order, according to semblies and individuals also an en names of those to whom Tablets are velope containing cables to the NSA. addresssed, those to a given individ Probably not over 50 letters in all. ual or Assembly being filed together It is reported that there are several in a single large envelope. Original manuscripts in this country contain translations are filed with the Tablets ing the hand-writing or signature of in this group and copies have been BaháVlláh. There is only one Tablet made of each translation. in the archives with a small section (b) The second group of approx containing His writing. Perhaps more imately 3 50 to 400 Tablets has been than one-third of the Tablets ad arranged in a similar manner to those dressed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha to American in the first group, but no copies have friends have never been forwarded to been made, because the originals in the archives. many cases are not accompanied by translations. (It is also true that 2. OBJECTS OF SACRED OR HISTOR many translations of Tablets which ICAL INTEREST. have been sent in to the Archives are copies of original translations and Coat of BaháVlláh. have been accompanied by neither the Master record of the voice of ‘Abdu’loriginal Tablet nor the original trans Bahá. lation.) Book of íqán used by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. (c) A third group of Tablets, Pens, pen case, and case covers used by have neither been collected and ar ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. ranged alphabetically nor copied. ‘AbduVBahá^ comb. There are probably half as many of Locket containing two hairs of Bahá- these as are in the second group. u’lláh and one hair of ‘AbduJ-Bahá. BAHÁ’Í SACRED RELICS lN NATIONAL ARCHIVES 235

Cup and saucer used by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in of Mr. Wm. H. Randall as Treasurer. New York. Package containing receipt records of Cup and saucer used by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Baha’i Temple Unity for August 5, Minneapolis. 1907 to April 17, 1913. Spiced apple presented to Mrs. Bonds Report of Baha’i Committee of Inves by ‘Abdu’l-Baha. tigation 1917-1918. Silk handkerchief and bottle of attar Printed Book containing history of Baof rose with history. há’i Cause in Manchester, England Sheet taken from bed on which ‘Abdu’l- sent by Mr. E. T. Hall. Bahá slept while at the Wilson home Notes on "The Death and Burial of in Minneapolis. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.” By Louise Bosch. Diaries, travel records, report 1920- RECORDS AND MANUSCRIPTS OF 1924 by Chas. Mason Remey. HISTORICAL INTEREST. List of Bahd’is in America in 1912. 4. P H O T O G R A P H S , N E G A T IV E S , Seven bound books (journal form) DRAWINGS. containing names in order in which Package containing about forty un believers entered the Cause in the mounted photographs of \Abdu’l-Bahá following cities: Chicago, Kenosha, alone and in groups, America and Cincinnati, New York, Baltimore, Europe, published in the "Star.” Washington, California and miscel Architects drawing of Mashriqu’llaneous locations. Adhkár in ‘Ishqábád (framed). Directory of Bahd’is, Chicago and vi Large mounted photographs of New cinity. York, Baltimore and Kenosha Assem Record book containing entries of blies. monthly contributions by names, Package containing about 20 to 25 pho Chicago 1897-1900. tographs, chiefly of Chicago Baha’is. Paper bound note-book containing "In Package of used photographs published formation concerning the Cause,” in the "Star.” from Mrs. I. D. Brittingham. Photograph of Baha’i friends of Central Wooden box 12"xl 8"x6" containing States attending first meeting held in letters, papers, early pamphlets, etc., Temple structure, July 9, 1922, in preserved for the archives by Mrs. commemoration of the martyrdom of Eva W. Russel. the Báb. About fifty 9 "x l2 // envelopes labeled Photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s hand. "National Baha’i Archives Experi Photograph of first all-India Baha’i ences” (Name of oné of early Amer Convention. ican Believers) and containing rec Photographs of Baha’is of Western ords of personal experiences. States, chiefly California, sent by M. List of first subscribers to the Baha’i L. Fenn, La Jolla, Calif. News. Photograph of Baha’i martyrs in Persia. Loose-leaf account book showing finan Elevation for the Temple—blue print cial receipts classified by foreign of drawing by Mr. Brush. countries and by cities of the United Approximately 200 negatives (on glass States and Canada, with entries of in plates) of Bahd’i subjects taken in the dividual donors and amounts for the United States, Palestine and Persia by years 1907 to 1913. Total receipts the companion of Dr. Moody, Mrs. shown $52,430.20. Eva Russel. Similar account book showing receipts 1913-1923 which, with those of 5. MISCELLANEOUS MATERIAL. 1907-1913, total $343,099.51. Two black metal cases, about 22//12//x Account book of Building Fund and 10" sent to the archives by Mr. Chas. Bahá’i Temple Unity during service Mason Remey and containing miscel- 23 6 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

laneous printed matter published by Proof of Abu’l-Fadl’s book "The Baha’i Baha’is, and copies of newspapers and Proofs,” given to Mr. Windust by periodicals containing articles on the ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Cause. Manuscript used by printer in setting up Three 9"x 12" envelopes containing ma Hidden Words, Seven Valleys and terial similar to above. Tablet of Ishrdqdt. Plat of Temple Grounds on tracing Original copy, Persian section of the cloth (large scale) made by Chicago "Star” marked ‘for preservation.’ Guaranty Survey Co. Abstract of Title to Temple Grounds, (Supplementary List, 1943) Wilmette. A. -R E L IC S OF B A H Á ’U ’L L Á H : Volume 1 of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Tablets, GIFTS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI. containing writing by the Master. Two printed copies, "Letters of 'Abdu’l- Illuminated Tablet in the hand-writing Bahá to the children.” of Bahd’u’llah containing a prayer Baha’i hymn book by Mrs. Waite con revealed for the Greatest Holy Leaf. taining ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s statement re Two illuminated' Tablets in the hand garding the "Benediction.” writing of Bahd’u’llah which were Music Plates— "The New Jerusalem,” addressed to ‘Abdu’l-Baha. by Mrs. Waite. Three Locks of Hair of Bahd’u’lldh ar Bound book containing translations of ranged by the Greatest Holy Leaf. all Tablets, 86 in number, ‘Abdu’l- (Contained in silver case bearing the Bahá to Chas. Mason Remey. Greatest Name on cover.) , Architectural designs of Baha’i edifices G ifts of Believers by Chas. Mason Remey, some of Four original Tablets of BaháVlláh, which were made at the request of one in His Hand. (From Dr. Moody Shoghi Eifendi. collection.) Bound documents of Chas. Mason Re Illuminated Cock Tablet, framed, done mey, regarding the Mashriqu’lby Mishkin-Qalam. (From Dr. Adhkdr. Moody collection.) Five miscellaneous bound manuscripts Three separate gifts of dried Blood of of Chas. Mason Remey, 1922-1923. Bahd’u’lldh. (One of these gifts is Framed letter of Mrs. Josephine Cowles contained in two small gold boxes.) as a memorial to her father. Eight separate gifts of Hair of Baha’u’ Two packages of miscellaneous printed lldh. (Four of these are contained in matter labelled, "Windust.” gold lockets. They vary in number Mr. Louis Bourgeois’ architectural from one to many hairs from the Plans for the Baha’i Temple. Head of Bahd’u’lldh.) Comb of Bahd’u’lldh. "COPY” AND PROOF USED IN THE Red silk handkerchief used by Bahd- ‘STAR OF THE WEST’ AND BOOKS u’lldh. ON THE CAUSE. Pieces of sugar "made by the Blessed Perfection.” Original translation of the Ishrdkat and the Glad Tidings by Ali Kuli Khan. Piece of wood from the window frame Proof sheets of addresses of ‘Abdu’l-Baha of Bahd’u’llahs room in the prison of in America sent by Howard Mac- ‘Akkd. Gold ring mounted with ruby which N utt. Proofs, Vols. 1, 2 and 3 of the Tablets was blessed by Bahd’u’lldh. Small gold coin which belonged to of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Bahd’u’lldh. Original manuscript of Addresses of ‘Abdu’l-Baha published in the Star of * It appears that the Guardian uses the term "Sacred Relics” or "sacred objects” with a meaning which the West. would include Tablets. BAHAI SACRED RELICS IN NATIONAL ARCHIVES 237

B. RELICS OF THE BÁB. Steamer rug blessed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Ringlet of a single Hair of the Báb Comb used by ťAbdu’l-Bahá. mounted between transparent paper Five Bahá’í rings and unmounted ring at center of an illuminated matt stones blessed by the Master. contained in small circular frame. Cut glass flask "containing attar of Photographic reproduction of miniature rose.” of the Báb. Brass bowl, cut glass pitcher, and towel, used in ablutions by the Master. C. RELICS OF ‘ABDUT-BAHÁ. Several pieces of bread, rock candy, etc., Eight framed Tablets of the Divine from the Master’s plate. Plan. (This is a correction of the Seventeen British gold pound coins 1934 report of ten framed Tablets, brought to America by the Master. since two of the long Tablets to the Turkish gold guinea which belonged to United States and Canada are con the Master. tained in two frames each. These One negative and one positive 3 5 mm. Tablets bear the Persian signature of motion picture film taken of ‘Abdu’l- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.) Bahá in New York and Brooklyn, Six original Tablets of the Divine Plan, 1912. (The original matrix record of unframed. (These six Tablets of the ‘Abdud-Bahá^ voice was listed in the 1917 series bear numerous hand w rit 1934 report.) ten corrections made by the Master.) Approximately 2000 original Persian or D. RELICS OF THE GREATEST HOLY Arabic Tablets bearing the seal and LEAF. initials or the signature of ‘Abdu’l- Three handkerchiefs and five scarfs be Bahá, addressed to Assemblies, groups longing to the Greatest Holy Leaf, and individual believers in America some of which were made by her. and other parts of the world. (1934 Shawl made by the Greatest Holy Leaf. report contained about 1050 Tablets.) Undergarment worn by the Greatest Three coats or cloaks (abas) worn by Holy Leaf. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. One of these was Three old Persian coins owned by the ripped apart, and left in this condi Greatest Holy Leaf. tion, in order to obtain a pattern for Fan and eye stick used by the Greatest a new cloak. Holy Leaf. Five taj or fez type caps and one turban Approximately twenty-five original let worn by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. ters in English bearing the seal or Six gifts of ringlets or locks of hair of signature or both seal and signature \Abdu’l-Bahá. of the Greatest Holy Leaf. All of Seven Persian scarfs or large handker these were written to American be chiefs used by the Master. lievers. Two rosaries used by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. A pair of Persian shoes or boots and a E. RELICS OF OTHER MEMBERS OF pair of woolen socks, both worn by THE HOLY FAMILY. ťAbdu’l-Bahá. The boots were used Eye stick used by the Mother of in America. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. A small leather handbag used by the Handkerchief which belonged to the Master for carrying important Tab Holy Mother. lets of BaháVlláh. Pen with which ‘Abdul-Bahá signed the F. MISCELLANEOUS RELICS. Divine Plan Tablets. Large white cloth with the Greatest Metal tube in which the Master buried Name worked in beads. His Will and Testament. Glass plaque bearing an inscription of Pen case, pen, inkwell and scissors used the Greatest Name. by the Master. (These two gifts came from the Na- 238 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

tional Spiritual Assembly of India with illuminated title page, the Tab through Martha Root.) lets to the Kings, and numerous Tab The Greatest Name embroidered and or lets and poems of Bahá’u’lláh. namented in colors by Bahi’i Zoroas- Bahá’í seal made and used by Thornton trián women of Bombay. Chase. Three copies of the Greatest Name Phonograph record, Tablet of Ahmad written on parchment and paper by and prayer, Martha Root’s voice. Mishkin-Qalam. "Finger nail” copies of the Writings, Collection of fifty-five copies of Baha’i done by Mishkin-Qalam. Writings in Persian and Arabic from Tile from the Bahd’i House of Worship, Dr. Moody. This collection includes ‘Ishqábád. numerous handwritten as well as "Star tile” from the Masjid-i-Vahil, printed volumes. Among them are a Shiráz, where the Báb spoke to the beautifully illuminated, unbound congregation. # copy of the Aqdas, the Persian Bayán BAHA'I LITERATURE 1. W ritings of Bah A’u ’llAh Promulgation of U niversal Peace Edited by Howard MacNutt. Public ad (Book of Certitude) K it A b - i - Í q A n dresses delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Baha through Translated by Sboghi Effendi. An interpre out the United States and Canada in 1912. tation of the Sacred Scriptures of the past This work contains ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s spiritual to demonstrate the oneness of the Prophets message to the American people, whom He and their significance as the expression of summoned to establish the "Most Great the Will of God. 198 pp. Peace.” 492 pp. H idden W ords T ablets of ‘A bdu ’l -Bah A Translated by Shoghi Effendi. The essence Edited by Albert Windust. Intimate letters of the teachings of all the Prophets. 54 pp. written by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in reply to ques T he Seven V alleys and T he tions addressed by individuals and groups. Four V alleys Volumes I, II, III, 238-730. Two treatises revealed by Baha’u’llah on the T he Bah A’í Peace Program nature of spiritual evolution. Translated by (Tablet to the Committee on Durable Ali-Kuli Khan, N. D. 60 pp. Peace, the Hague, and Tablet written by Gleanings from the W ritings ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the late Dr. Forel of of Bah A’u ’llAh Switzerland.) An exposition of the princi ples of Universal Peace. 48 pp. Excerpts from the Sacred Writings of BaháV lláh selected by the Guardian of the ‘Abdu’l-B ahA in N ew Y ork Faith. This work presents the largest vol Selected addresses delivered by ‘Abdu’lume of Baha’u’lldh’s writings available in Bahá at Columbia University, a number of the English language. 3 54 pp. churches, and at public meetings of peace Epistle to the Son of the W olf societies and other organizations. Issued by the Bahd’i Community of New York to Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Revealed by commemorate ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s visit during Bahd’u’llah toward the end of His earthly 1912. 78 pp. mission, this text is a majestic and deeply - moving exposition of His fundamental prin A merica’s Spiritual Mission ciples and laws and of the sufferings en Teaching Tablets revealed to Baha’is of the dured by the Manifestation for the sake of United States and Canada by ‘Abdu’l-Baha mankind. 186 pp. during 1916-1917. 54 pp. Prayers and M editations by T he Foundations of W orld U nity B a h A’u ’l l A h This work is a compilation of published ad Translated by Shoghi Effendi. This supreme dresses from "Promulgation of Universal book of devotions is issued in the same style Peace.” 112 pp. as the Gleanings. 348 pp. T he R eality of Man T hree O bligatory D aily Prayers Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha explaining the na Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 14 pp. ture of mind, soul and eternal life. 52 pp. 2. W ritings of ‘A bdu ’l -Bah A W ill and T estament of £A bdu ’l -Bah A Some A nswered Q uestions Selected passages from the document consti Edited by Laura Clifford Barney. An expo tuting the authority under which the Ba sition of fundamental spiritual and philo ha’is have, since the Ascension of ‘Abdu’lsophic problems. 3 50 pp. Baha in 1921, administered their collective 240 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

activities. These excerpts are accompanied ment of ťAbdu’l-Bahá concerning the by passages from the Writings of the Báb organic development of the Bahá’í com and BaháVlláh which reveal the continuity munity. This volume constitutes the au of the Faith, and by passages from the com thoritative interpretation of that Will and munications of Shoghi Effendi explaining of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings on the subject of the significance of the Will and Testament the principles determining the character of itself. A pamphlet, uniform in size and the Faith as an evolving religious society. appearance with the series of World Order These letters define the institutions of local, letters of Shoghi Effendi. national and international Bahá’í adminis trative bodies forming the nucleus of the 3. W orks C ompiled from W ritings of new world order of BaháVlláh. The vol Bahá V lláh and ‘A bdu ’l -Bahá ume also contains excerpts from ‘Abdu’l- Bahá’s Will, and an Index. 198 pp. Baha ’i Prayers A selection of the prayers revealed by Bahá T he W orld O rder of Baha ’u ’llah V lláh, the Báb and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which By Shoghi Effendi. A letter (dated February have been translated by Shoghi Effendi. 27, 1929) from the Guardian of the Bahá’í 72 pp. Faith explaining the continuity of the Faith after the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and re Peace a D ivine Creation lating Bahá’í institutions to the ideal of Excerpts from the Writings of BaháVlláh world order and peace. 16 pp. and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and statement on World Order by Shoghi Effendi. 30 pp. T he W orld O rder of Bahá V lláh : Further C onsiderations Selected W ritings By Shoghi Effendi. This letter (dated Three 4 8-page pamphlets, one containing March 21, 1930) develops the subject with selections from writings of BaháVlláh, one remarks on the distinguishing features of from ťAbdu’l-Bahá, and one from writings Bahá’í world order, and on the essential of Shoghi Effendi. differences between the Bahá’í Faith and ecclesiastical organizations. 16 pp. Bahá ’í W ritings Prayers and passages for meditation chosen T he G oal of a N ew W orld Order from the writings of BaháVlláh, the Báb, By Shoghi Effendi. In this communication and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. (dated November 28, 1931) the Guardian analyzes the existing international, political, C ommunion with G od economic and social problems, points to the A brief collection of Bahá’í prayers. signs of impending chaos, and emphasizes the guiding principles of world order estab Baha ’i' W orld Faith lished by BaháVlláh. The goal of world The most extensive selection of Bahá’í w rit federation is upheld, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ings in one volume. 465 pp. Index. Refer prophecy of the failure of the present civili ences to sources. zation is called to the attention of Bahá’ís. 32 pp. 4. W ritings of Shoghi Effendi T he G olden A ge of the Cause of Bahá ’í A dministration Bahá V lláh The letters written by Shoghi Effendi to the By Shoghi Effendi. The Guardian’s letter American Bahá’í community, from Janu (dated March 21, 1932) referring to the ary, 1922, to July, 1932, in his capacity of spiritual importance of America in the new Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, to encourage, world order, the progressive character of guide and instruct the believers in carrying divine Revelation, the station of the Báb, out the provisions of the Will and Testa the release of spiritual forces for human BA H Á ’Í LITERATURE 241

regeneration, and the non-political charac istrative bodies, and the virtue of chastity. ter of the Baha’i Faith. 24 pp. It refers to the increasingly crucial charac ter of the old order, and summons the A merica and the Most Great Peace American believers to extend the Faith to By Shoghi Effendi. A letter addressed to other nations. American Bahd’is, dated April 21, 1933. This communication summarizes the forty Spiritual Potencies of T hat years of American Bahd’i History (1893- C onsecrated Spot 1933), and develops in greater detail than This letter from Shoghi Effendi, dated Oc in the preceding letter, the responsibility tober 25, 1939, conveys to the Bahd’is of laid upon America in the divine plan for the the West the significance of the interment establishment of universal peace. 28 pp. of members of Bahd’u’lldh’s Family near the Shrine on Mount Carmel. 8 pp. T he D ispensation of Bah A’u ’llAh By Shogbi Effendi. A letter addressed to the Messages from the G uardian Bahd’is of the West, dated February 7, 1934. Messages from Shoghi Effendi t>o the Ameri In this letter the Guardian of the Baha’i can Bahd’is, between the years 1932-1940, Faith clarifies, with numerous quotations written in the form of cablegrams and as from Bahd’i sacred writings, the spiritual postscripts to letters written through his station and mission of Bahd’u’lldh, the Báb, Secretary. This text has not been included ‘Abdu’l-Bahd and the nature of the World in "Bahd’i Administration” or "The World Order which Bahd’u’lldh established. In Order of Bahd’u’lldh” but was published this statement, prepared by the one author for the Bahd’is in "Bahd’i News.” 80 pp. ized in ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s Will and Testament to be the sole interpreter of Bahd’i writings, T he Promised D ay Is C ome students of the Faith possess the first com By Shoghi Effendi. General communication plete and authentic outline and summary addressed to the believers throughout the of the Bahd’i Faith in its development from West, dated March 28, 1941. This work is the Announcement of the Báb in 1844 to a powerful exposition of the thesis that cur the Administrative Order defined by rent world events reflect the results of the ‘Abdu’l-Bahd for the era following His repudiation of the Message of the Báb and departure from this world in 1921. 66 pp. of Bahd’u’lldh by the religious and civil leaders of this age. 130 pp. and Index. T he U nfoldment of W orld Civilization G od Passes by By the Guardian of the Faith. A letter By Shoghi Effendi, with Introduction by dated March 11, 1936, giving an analysis George Townshend, Archdeacon of Clonfert of the death of the old order and the birth and Canon of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dub of the new. 46 pp. lin. The Guardian’s survey of the first cen tury of the Bahd’i era: a vivid narrative of T he W orld O rder of Bah A’u ’llAh its history, presenting the Báb, Bahd’u’lldh This book contains the seven successive and Abdu’l-Bahd in Their lives, Their mis World Order letters from the Guardian. sions and Their written teachings and expo February 1929 to March 1936. 226 pp. sition of the Faith; delineating the evolu tion of the religion through its successive T he A dvent of D ivine Justice stages; etching the heroism of its heroes and A general letter written by Shoghi Effendi saints, and the motives of its enemies and to the American Bahd’is, dated December betrayers; with a summary of the Bahd’i 25, 1938. This communication emphasizes truths and principles against the background the Bahd’i teachings in the encouragement of the time and place where these truths and protection of racial and religious mi were given life and effect. (On the press at norities, the quality of integrity in admin time of this writing.) 242 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

5. W ritings on the Bahá ’í Faith contemporary Persian scholar, the manu script having been presented to the trans T he D aw n -Breakers: N abi'l ’s lator by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Printed from the N arrative of the Early D ays original plates by Cambridge University of the Baha ’i' R evelation Press. 178 pp. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. This work is Baha ’u ’llah and the N ew Era essential to a true understanding and appre ciation of the spiritual character of the By J. E. Esslemont. An authoritative and Bahá’í Faith. The text was written by an comprehensive survey of Bahá’í history and eye-witness to many of the most moving teachings as related to present religious, sci incidents of the early days of the Faith, and entific and social conditions in Europe and contains a detailed account of the m artyr America, with many quotations from the dom of the Báb on July 9, 18 50. The trans writings. New edition revised by the Na lator has added an Introduction, a Conclu tional Spiritual Assembly under the direc sion and footnotes which amplify the vivid tion of Shoghi Effendi. 3 50 pp. narrative with important historical refer T he Bahá ’í Proofs ences. 736 pp. Standard Edition, bound in By Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl Gulpaygan. The bestleather. known book of this Oriental scholar, philos T ranslation of French Footnotes opher and disciple of Bahá’u’lláh translated of the D a w n -Breakers into English. It presents the reality of the Bahá’í Revelation as the true theology, with Translated by Emily McBride Périgord. a biographical outline of the lives of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. 288 pp. A T raveller’s N arrative Translated by Edward G. Browne, M.A., T he Promise of A ll A ges M.B. The Episode of the Báb written by a By George Toivnshend. An important con-

Bahá’í Book Exhibit. An exhibit of Bahá’í books placed on view at the Dean Hobbs Blanchard Memorial Library in Santa Paula, California. BA H Á ’Í LITERATURE 243

tribution to the literature expounding the T áhirih the Pure significance of the Baha’i Faith. The author By Martha L. Root. A study of the great traces the true spiritual content of religion Bahd’i heroine by one who has travelled to through the Dispensations of the past, to the places in Írán which are consecrated to culminate in the World Order revealed by her memory. Miss Root’s book was com Bahd’u’lldh. Originally published in London, pleted in India and published in that coun England. American edition, 2 54 pp. try. T he U niversal R eligion T he G lorious Kingdom of the By Hippolyte Dreyfus. An introductory Father Foretold work on the Baha’i Faith by a French Ori By Virgie Vail. A book dealing with proph entalist, who translated many of the w rit ecy referring to the Cause of Baha’u’llah. ings of Bahd’u’lldh. 176 pp. Bound in dark blue fabrikoid stamped in gold. 262 pp. T he H eart of the G ospel A ppreciations of the Bahá ’í Faith By George Toumshend. Helpful in present ing the Faith to students of the Christian The series of remarkable statements made Revelation. 188 pp. about the Cause by prominent persons in many countries, which have been a feature Security for a Failing W orld in successive volumes of The Baha’i World, By Stanwood Cobb. A study of the Faith have been reprinted in pamphlet form. as sole spiritual power able to overcome the Baha ’i' C entenary : 1844-1944 political and economic differences of the A volume compiled by the National Spiritual nations today. Assembly to commemorate the first century T he C hosen H ighway of the Bahd’i era. Illustrated. Selections from writings of the Báb, Bahd’u’lldh, By Lady Blompeld. An intimate and heart- ‘Abdu’l-Bahd and Shoghi Effendi. Articles moving history of the Faith developed narrating the development of Bahd’i activi through the experiences of its Founder and ties and institutions in North America since the Center of His Covenant. 1894 by a number of contributors. Two Shall A ppear 6. Bahá ’í R eprints By Olivia Kelsey. A five act drama based The following titles provide reprints of upon vivid scenes in the actual history of some of the passages in the Writings of the Cause. Bahd’u’lldh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahd and Shoghi E f R ace and Man fendi which throw clear light on important current problems and situations. Edited by Maye Harvey G ift and Alice Simmons Cox. The most comprehensive No. 1. T he Image of G od selection yet made of current writings on By ‘Abdu’l-Bahd. Address delivered at the race from non-Baha’i and Baha’i sources. Fourth Annual Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Col A W orld Faith ored People. Chicago, April 30, 1912. 4 pp. Studies in the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh de veloped by ten different contributors to a N o. 2. C hristians, J ews and symposium published in World Order Mag Muhammadans azine. 68 pp. By ‘Abdu’l-Bahd. Excerpts from address delivered at Temple Emmanu-El, San Fran Lessons in R eligion cisco, October 12, 1912. 8 pp. By Shay kb Muhammad ‘Ali Qd’ini; Trans lated by Edith Roohie Sanderson. Lessons N o. 3. Industrial J ustice prepared especially for children by a Persian By 'Abdu’l-Bahd. An answer to a question Bahá’i feacher. 98 pp. addressed to ‘Abdu’l-Bahd by Laura Clif- 244 THE B A H Á ’1 C E N T E N A R Y

ford Barney in 1907 and incorporated into dias and public organizations to be filed by the work published under title of “Some An them for reference. Four-page folder, let swered Questions.” 8 pp. terhead size.

No. 4. R eligion a Living O rganism T he Bahá ’í Faith By Shoghi Effendi. Excerpts from a letter By Horace Holley. Reprint of a magazine addressed to the Baha’is of the West by the article explaining the nature of the Baha’i Guardian of the Bahd’i Faith on March 21, community and outlining the history and 1930. 8 pp. teachings of the Faith. 14 pp. No. 5. A Pattern for Future Society T he Bahá ’í T eachings on By Shoghi Effendi. Excerpt from a letter U niversal Peace addressed to the Baha’is of the West by the Guardian of the Bahd’i Faith on March 11, Reprint of statement submitted by the Na 1936. 4 pp. tional Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada to the United No. 6. T he D estiny of A merica States Government in 1934 and to the Gov By Shoghi Effendi. Excerpt from “The ernment of the Dominion of Canada in Advent of Divine Justice,” a communica 193 5, as an authorized, authoritative and tion irom the Guardian of the Bahd’i accurate explanation of the relation of Faith, addressed to the Baha’is of the United Baha’is to war. 12 pp. States and Canada, dated December 25, A ssurance of Immortality 1938. 8 pp. A Compilation. A selection of passages 7. Pamphlets from the Writings of Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha which create firm assurance T he W orld R eligion that the spirit survives physical death and A brief outline of the aims, teachings and is conscious of itself and of its new, heav history of the Baha’i Faith, by Shoghi Ef enly environment. 4 pp. fendi. T he Baha ’i Movement T he W orld Moves on to Its D estiny A statement of the history, purpose and By Shoghi Effendi. A four-page leaflet re administrative principles of the Bahd’i Faith printing excerpts from recent words of the reprinted from The Bahd’i World, followed Guardian, including passages from The by excerpts from Bahd’i sacred writings. Promised Day Is Come, explaining the spir 48 pp. itual significance of the present worldstruggle. D eclaration of T rust The Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of T hree Spiritual T ruths for a the National Spiritual Assembly of the W orld C ivilization Baha’is of the United States and Canada, Words of Baha’u’lldh with explanation and with amendments adopted to April 1, 1933. application to current conditions taken The legal instrument defining the nature from the Guardian’s World Order letters. and functions of the institutions existing Temple illustration as frontispiece. in the American Baha’i community, with the By-Laws approved for use by Local Bahá ’í T eachings for a W orld Faith Spiritual Assemblies. (Reprinted from “Ba A compilation briefly outlining the Baha’i hd’i Administration.” ) 24 pp. principles. 16 pp. T he O neness of Mankind T he W orld Faith of Baha ’u ’llah By Hussein Rabbani. An exposition of the A brief outline and summary of the Faith Bahd’i teachings on the unity of races. prepared for newspaper editors, encyclope 24 pp. B A H Á ’Í LITERATURE 245

Victory of the Spirit available Bahá’í texts in the English lan By Dorothy Baker. Presenting the Faith as guage, classified according to their source. the power to regenerate personal life and A guide to the literature for all Baha’i stu remold society. 24 pp. dents. Paper pamphlet, eight pp.

Baha ’i' Principle of Civilization Baha ’i' Procedure By Horace Holley. How the unifying spirit Compiled by the National Spiritual Assem of divine truth is creating the future so bly. A compilation and codification of sec ciety. 32 pp. ondary administrative material. Revised edition 1942. 116 pp. T he Spiritual Meaning of A dversity Formerly under the name of Tests., Baha ’i' Study C ourse By Mamie L. Seto. 2 8 pp. An invaluable aid for individual students of the Teachings and for Baha’i Communi T he Lesser and the Most Great Peace ties and Groups who desire to follow a defi By George O. Latimer. nite course of study. The Course may be A discussion of the evolution of World Peace obtained with or without the two books from Political to Spiritual civilization. 32 pp. needed for reference. T he Manifestation T he D ispensation of Baha ’u ’llah By Albert P. Entzminger. Expounds the Compiled by the Study Outline Committee. central mystery of religion: the relation of the Messiah or Law Giver to God, and His Study O utline for the Kitáb-i-Í qán relation to man. 32 pp. (Bahá’u’lláh’s Book of Certitude) by Horace R eligion and the N ew A ge Holley. Revised edition 1942, 6 pp. By George Towns bend. This New Age is Study G uide for T he D a w n -Breakers marked oif from previous eras by the knowl edge of the Unity of God. 24 pp. An aid for classes and individuals in making a careful study of this historical work. Feast D ay and A nniversary Calendar 34 pp. This four-page, card-size pocket reference contains the list and the dates of the Bahd’i Study C ourse Based on Baha ’u ’llah and the N ew Era Anniversaries, Festivals, Days of Fasting, Holy Days on which work should be sus By Gertrude Robinson. 8 pp. pended, dates of the Nineteen Day Feasts, and the Guardian’s letter of explanation. Information A bout the Baha ’i' H ouse of W orship Bahá ’í T emple , H ouse of W orship A source book prepared for Temple guides. of a W orld Faith 48 pp. Statements on the meaning, architecture, construction and history of the Bahd’i Study O utline on Public Speaking House of Worship at Wilmette. 34 pp. Prepared by Study Outline Committee. 4 pp. Illustrated. Study O utline on the E ssential T he Bahá ’í T emple . 16 pp. Principles of Creative W riting Illustrated teaching pamphlet in smaller size. Prepared by Study Outline Committee. 7 pp. 8. O utlines and G uides for Baha ’i' Study O utline and A ids for T he Study C lasses A dvent of D ivine J ustice Classification of Bahá ’í Study Sources Prepared by Study Outline Committee 1942. By William Kenneth Christian. A list of all 26 pp. 246 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Introduction to the Study of the 10. Baha ’i' Literature in Foreign Q ur ’an Languages Prepared by Study Outline Committee 1942. Spanish 25 pp. Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era Muhammad a n £> the Founding Some Answered Questions of Islam Wisdom of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh By Study Outline Committee. 36 pp. French D eepening the Spiritual Life Bahd’u’lldh and the New Era By Horace Holley. 4 pp. Le Vrai Baha’i Les Sept Vallées. Seven Valleys in French. T he W orld O rder of Baha ’u ’llah 44 pp. By Horace Holley. 5 pp. Les Paroles Cachées. Hidden Words in French. 52 pp. Fundamentals of Bahá ’í Membership L’Economie Mondiale de Bahd’u’lldh. By Prepared by Study Outline Committee. Horace Holley. 32 pp. 11 pp. Chinese Study O utline and A ids for Bahd’u’lldh and the New Era W orld O rder Some Ahswered Questions Introduction to the Bahá’í Teachings. A ten Dutch lesson study course by Mamie L. Seto. Bahd’u’lldh and the New Era Prepared by Study Outline Committee. Let ters of Shoghi Effendi. Paper cover, 70 pp. Russian Bahd’u’lldh and the New Era Index to Bahá ’í N ews Kitáb-i-íqán A key to the contents of Bahd’i News from December, 1924 to November, 1933: No. 1 Esperanto to No. 79. 58 pp. Parolado de Báb. Words of the Báb ad Index to Bahá ’í N ews dressed to Letters of the Living. 4-page leaflet. A key to the contents of Bahd’i News from 1934 to 1936: No. 80 to No. 104. 2 5 pp. Icelandic Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era. 9. C hildren ’s C ourses Creation . How to present the theme of 11. Periodicals divine creation to small children. With pic W orld O rder tures. Fifteen lessons. A monthly magazine, the public organ of To Live the Life . Lessons and stories, the National Spiritual Assembly, of the with cutouts of the Temple. Twenty-four Bahd’is of the United States and Canada. lessons for children of six to ten. It aims to clarify the vital elements of the Bahd’i Faith in relation to the problem of Study C ourse for Bah A’u ’llah and social regeneration. First issue April, 1935. the N ew Era for children. Vol. I April 1935-March 1936. Vol. II C omprehensive Study O utline for April 1936-March 1937. Vol. Ill April Children . In three parts, Creation, Pro 1937-March 1938. Vol. IV April 1938- gressive Revelation, Bahd’i World. Twenty- March 1939. Vol. V April 1939-March five lessons. For children in intermediate 1940. Vol. VI April 1940-March 1941. and upper grades. Vol. VII April 1941-March 1942. Vol. VIII April 1942-March 1943. Vol. IX April C hild ’s Prayer Book. 36 pp. 1943-March 1944. B A H Á ’Í LITERATURE 247

T he Baha ’i Magazine relations of the Bahd’i Faith to present-day Founded in 1910 as Baha’i Netvs, later pub world problems. Each volume illustrated lished as Star of the West. Name changed with many photographs. Bound in cloth. to World Order, April 1935. The back Volume I, for the period April, 192 5-April, numbers and bound volumes of this pe 1926. Published under the title of "Baha’i riodical form an important part of the stu Year Book.” 174 pp. dent’s library of Baha’i literature. Vols. I, Volume II, April, 1926-April, 1928. 304 pp. II and III incomplete. Vols. IV to XXV in Volume III, April, 1928-April, 1930. half leather. 378 pp. Volume IV, April, 1930-April, 1932. 12. T he Bahá ’í W orld 548 pp. Prepared by an International Editorial Com Volume V, April, 1932-April, 1934. 712 pp. mittee under the direction of Shoghi Ef- Volume VI, April, 1934-April, 1936. fendi. The record of international Baha’i 772 pp. activity; lists of Baha’i centers in America, Volume VII, April, 1936-April, 1938. Europe and the East; Bibliographies of Ba- 916 pp. há’i literature in various languages; trans Volume VIII, April, 1938-April, 1940. lations of many important selections from 1088 pp. the text of BaháVlláh, the Báb and ‘Abdu’l- Volume IX, April, 1940-April, 1944, on the Bahá; and general articles dealing with the press. PART N I N E

APPRECIATIONS OF T H E BAHA'I FAITH

A lfred W. Martin said deserves—nay, compels—our respectful Excerpts from Comparative Religion and recognition and sincere appreciation. the Religion of the Future, pages 81-91. . . . Taking precedence over all else in its gospel is the message of unity in religion.

I NASMUCH a5 a fellowship of faiths is at once the dearest hope and ultimate goal of . . . It is the crowning glory of the Baha’i movement that, while deprecating sectarian ism in its preaching, it has faithfully prac the Bahd’i movement, it behooves us to take tised what it preached by refraining from cognizance of it and its mission. . . . Todaybecoming itself a sect. . . . Its representa this religious movement has a million and tives do not attempt to impose any beliefs more adherents, including people from all upon others, whether by argument or brib parts of the globe and representing a re ery; rather do they seek to put beliefs that markable variety of race, color, class and have illumined their own lives within the creed. It has been given literary expression reach of those who feel they need illumina in a veritable library of Asiatic, European, tion. No, not a sect, not a part of human and American works to which additions are ity cut off from all the rest, living for itself annually made as the movement grows and and aiming to convert all the rest into ma grapples with the great problems that grow terial for its own growth; no, not that, but out of its cardinal teachings. It has a long a leaven, causing spiritual fermentation in roll of martyrs for the cause for which it all religions, quickening them with the spirit stands, twenty thousand in Persia alone, of catholicity and fraternalism. proving it to be a movement worth dying . . . Who shall say but that just as the for as well as worth living by. little company of the Mayflower, landing From its inception it has been identified on Plymouth Rock, proved to be the small with Bahá’u’lláh, who paid the price of pro beginning of a mighty nation, the ideal longed exile, imprisonment, bodily suffering,germ of a democracy which, if true to its and mental anguish for the faith he cher principles, shall yet overspread the habitable ished— a man of imposing personality as globe, so the little company of Baha’is exiled revealed in his writings, characterized by from their Persian home may yet prove to intense moral earnestness and profound be the small beginning of the world-wide spirituality, gifted with the selfsame power movement, the ideal germ of democracy in so conspicuous in the character of Jesus, thereligion, the Universal Church of Mankind? power to appreciate people ideally, that is, to see them at the level of their best and to D r . H enry H. J essup, D.D. make even the lowest types think well of From the World’s Parliament of Religion; themselves because of potentialities within Volume II, 13 th Day, under Criticism them to which he pointed, but of which and Discussion of Missionary Methods, they were wholly unaware; a prophet whose page 1122. At the Columbian Exposi greatest contribution was not any specific tion of 1893, at Chicago. Edited by the doctrine he proclaimed, but an informing Rev. John Henry Barrows, D.D. (The spiritual power breathed into the world Parliament Publishing Company, Chi through the example of his life and thereby cago, 1893.) quickening souls into new spiritual activity. This, then, is our mission: that we who Surely a movement of which all this can be248 are made in the image of God should re- APPRECIATIONS OF THE B A H Á ’Í FAITH 249

member that all men are made in God’s there is no true sense of proportion. I have image. To this divine knowledge we owe never met any one concerned with the phi all we are, all we hope for. We are rising losophies of life whose judgment might seem gradually toward that image, and we owe so reliable in matters of practical conduct. to our fellowmen to aid them in returning My regret is that my meetings with him to it in the Glory of God and the Beauty of were so few and that I could not benefit by Holiness. It is a celestial privilege and with a lengthier contact with a personality com it comes a high responsibility, from which bining a dignity so impressive with human there is no escape. traits so engaging. In the Palace of Bahji, or Delight, just I wish that he could be multiplied! outside the Fortress of ‘Akká, on the Syr ian coast, there died a few months since, a C harles H. Prisk famous Persian sage, the Bábi Saint, named Editor, Pasadena Star News BaháVlláh—the "Glory of God”— the head Humanity is the better, the nobler, for of that vast reform party of Persian Mus the Bahd’i Faith. It is a Faith that en lims, who accept the New Testament as the riches the soul; that takes from life its dross. Word of God and Christ as the Deliverer of I am prompted thus to express myself men, who regard all nations as one, and all because of what I have seen, what I have men as brothers. Three years ago he was heard, what I have read of the results of the visited by a Cambridge scholar and gave Movement founded by the Reverend Bahá- utterance to sentiments so noble, so Christ- ’u’lldh. Embodied within that Movement like, that we repeat them as our closing is the spirit of world brotherhood; that words: brotherhood that makes for unity of "That all nations should become one in thought and action. faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds Though not a member of the Bahá’i of affection and unity between the sons of Faith, I sense its tremendous potency for men should be strengthened; that diversity good. Ever is it helping to usher in the of religions should cease and differences of dawn of the day of "Peace on Earth Good race be annulled. What harm is there in Will to Men.” By the spread of its teach this? Yet so it shall be. These fruitless ings, the Bahd’i cause is slowly, yet steadily, strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, making the Golden Rule a practical reality. and the ‘Most Great Peace’ shall come. Do With the high idealism of Bahá’u’lláh as not you in Europe need this also? Let not its guide, the Bahá’í Faith is as the shining a man glory in this, that he loves his coun light that shineth more and more unto the try; let him rather glory in this, that he perfect day. Countless are its good works. loves his kind.” For example, to the pressing economic prob H erbert Putnam lems it gives a new interpretation, a new Librarian of Congress solution. But above all else it is causing peoples everywhere to realize they are as one, The dominant impression that survives by heart and spirit divinely united. in my memory of ‘Abdu’l-Baha is that of And so I find joy in paying this little trib an extraordinary nobility: physically, in the ute to a cause that is adding to the sweet head so massive yet so finely poised, and the ness, the happiness, the cleanness of life. modeling of the features; but spiritually, in the serenity of expression, and the sugges Prof. H erbert A. Miller tion of grave and responsible meditation in the deeper lines of the face. But there was In World Unity Magazine also, in his complexion, carriage, and ex The central drive of the Baha’i Move pression, an assurance of the complete health ment is for human unity. It would secure which is a requisite of a sane judgment. And this through unprejudiced search for truth, when, as in a lighter mood, his features re making religion conform to scientific dis laxed into the playful, the assurance was covery and insisting that fundamentally added of a sense of humor without which all religions are alike. For the coming of 250 THE B A H A ’I CENTENARY

universal peace, there is great foresight and your kind thought of me, and for the inspi wisdom as to details. Among other things ration which even the most cursory reading there should be a universal language; so the of Bahd’u’llah’s life cannot fail to impart. Baha’is take a great interest in Esperanto What nobler theme than the "good of the though they do not insist on it as the ulti world and the happiness of the nations” mate language. No other religious move can occupy our lives? The message of uni ment has put so much emphasis on the versal peace will surely prevail. It is use emancipation and education of women. less to combine or conspire against an idea Everyone should work whether rich or poor which has in it potency to create a new and poverty should be abolished. . . . What earth and a new heaven and to quicken will be the course of the Bahd’i Movement human beings with a holy passion of service. no one can prophesy, but I think it is no (In a personal letter written to an American exaggeration to claim that the program is Baha’i after having read something from the finest fruit of the religious contribution the Braille edition of "Bahd’u’lldh and the of Asia. New Era.” ) . . . Shoghi Effendi’s statement cannot be improved upon. The Baha’is have had D avid Starr J ordan the soundest position on the race question of any religion. They not only accept the Late President of Stanford University scientific conclusions but they also imple ‘Abdu’l-Baha will surely unite the East ment them with spiritual force. This latter and the West: for He treads the mystic is necessary because there is no other way way with practical feet. to overcome the emotional element which is basic in the race problem. . . . Ex -G overnor W illiam Sulzer I have not said enough perhaps in the While sectarians squabble over creeds, first paragraph. Please add the following: the Bahd’i Movement goes on apace. It is The task of learning to live together, growing by leaps and bounds. It is hope though different, is the most difficult and and progress. It is a world movement— the most imperative that the world faces. and it is destined to spread its effulgent The economic problem will be relatively rays of enlightenment throughout the earth easy in comparison. There are differences in until every mind is free and every fear is the qualities of cultures but there are no banished. The friends of the Bahd’i Cause differences in qualities of races that corre believe they see the dawn of the new day— spond. This being recognized by minorities the better day— the day of Truth, of Jus leads them to resist methods of force to tice, of Liberty, of Magnanimity, of Uni keep them in subordination. There is no versal Peace, and of International Brother solution except cooperation and the grant hood, the day when one shall work for all, ing of self-respect. and all shall work for one. Miss H elen K eller (Excerpt from the Roy croft Magazine) The philosophy of Bahd’u’lldh deserves the best thought we can give it. I am re Luther Burbank turning the book so that other blind people I am heartily in accord with the Bahd’i who have more leisure than myself may be Movement, in which I have been interested "shown a ray of Divinity” and their hearts for several years. The religion of peace is be "bathed in an inundation of eternal the religion we need and always have needed, love.” and in this Bahd’i is more truly the religion I take this opportunity to thank you for of peace than any other. R E F E R E N C E S TO T H E BAHA'I F A I T H IN BOOKS A N D PAMPHLETS Adams, Rev. Isaac: Persia by a Persian, Dos Passos, John: Between Journeys. 1900. Edwards, Arthur Cecil: A Persian Caravan. Andrews, Fannie Fern: The Holy Land Harper, New York, 1928. Under Mandate. Houghton Mifflin Com Ehrenpreis, Marcus: The Soul of the East. pany, Boston, 1931. Viking Press, New York, 1928. Annual Report, by Near East College Asso Ellwood: Reconstruction of Religion. ciation, 1930-1931. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Atherton, Gertrude: Julia France and Her Times. Stokes and Co., New York, 1912. Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, Vol. 7, Atkins, Gaius Glenn: Modern Religious Macmillan, New York, 1932. Cults and Movements. Fleming Revell, Ferguson, Charles W.: The Confusion of New York, 1923. Tongues. Doubleday, Doran and Co., Barrows, Rev. John Henry: The World’s Inc., Garden City, New York, 1928. Parliament of Religions. 2 Vols. The Gazvini, M. J.: A Brief History of Bahd’- Parliament Publishing Co., Chicago, 1893. u’lldh, the Founder of the Bahd’i Religion. Baudouin, Charles: Contemporary Studies. San Diego, Calif., 1914. Fr. trans., E. and C. Paul. E. P. Dutton, Gibbons, Herbert Adams: Wider Horizons. New York, 1925. Century Co., New York, 1930. Bell, Archie: The Spell of the Holy Land. Hammond, Eric: The Splendor of God. E. The Page Co., Boston, 1915. P. Dutton & Co., New York, June, 1919. Benjamin, S. G. W.: Persia and the Persians. Harmon, W. W.: Microcosm, Macrocosm. Ticknor & Co., Boston, 1886. By the Author, Boston, 1915. Bentwich, Norman: The Religious Founda Harrison, Marguerite: There’s Always To tions of Internationalism. George Allen morrow. Farrar and Rinehart, New York, & Unwin, London, 1933. 1935. Bibesco, Princess G. V.: The Eight Paradises. Harry, Myriam: A Springtide in Palestine. English translation. E. P. Dutton, New Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1924. York, 1923. Higgins, Harold H.: Shadows to the Unseen. Chapman, John Jay, and His Letters, by The Driftwood Press, Montpelier, Vt., M. E. De Wolfe Howe. Houghton Mifflin, 1937. Boston, 1937. History of the nineteenth Century Year by Columbia Encyclopedia. Columbia Univer Year. 3 Vols. (See page 1131.) P. F. sity Press, New York, 1935. Collier & Son, New York, 1902. Cowles, Alton House: The Conquering Horsemen. Christopher Publishing Co., Holmes, John Haynes: Palestine: Today and 1923. Tomorrow. Macmillan, New York, 1929. De Lorey, Eustache and Sladěn, Douglas: Hoover, W. I. T.: Religionisms and Chris Queer Things About Persia. Lippincott, tianity. The Stratford Co., Boston, 1924. Philadelphia, 1907. Hubbard, Elbert: Selected Writings. Vol. X. Dodd, Edward M. and Rose Wilson Dodd: Jessup, Henry Harris: Fifty-three Years in Mecca and Beyond. Committee on United Syria. Fleming Revell, New York, 1910. Study of Foreign Missions. Jewett, Mary: Reminiscences of My Life in Donaldson, Dwight M., D.D., Ph.D.: The Persia. Torch Press, Cedar Rapids, 1909. Shi’it e Religion. Luzac Co., London, Jordan, Rev. F. M.: The Muhammadan W.C. 1, 1933. World of To-day, 1929. 252 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY

Kennedy, J. M.: The Religions and Philoso Sinclair, Upton: The Profits of Religion. phies of the East. Werner Laurie, London, Pasadena, 18. 1911. Spear, R. E.: Missions and Modern History. Keyserling, Hermann: Travel Diary of a 2 Vols. Philosopher. Harcourt, Brace & Co., New Spengler, Oswald: The Decline of the West York, 1925. —Perspectives of World History. Alfred Kohn, Hans: A History of Nationalism in Knopf, 1928. the East. Harcourt, Brace, New York, Stark, Freya: Baghdad Sketches. E. P. D ut 1929. ton and Co., Inc., 193 8. Linton, Bishop J. H., D.D.: Persian Titus, Murray T.: The Young Moslem Sketches. London. Looks at Life. New York, Friendship Malcolm, Napier: Five Years in a Persian Press. Town. E. P. Dutton, New York, 1907. Todd, A. J.: Theories of Social Progress. Martin, Alfred W.: Comparative Religion Macmillan & Co., New York, 1924. and the Religion of the Future. Appleton Vail, Albert: Heroic Lives. Beacon Press, Co., New York, 1926. Boston, 1917. Matthews, J. B., and Duvall, Sylvanus M.: Vaughan, John Gaines: Religion, a Com Conflict or Co-operation, A Study Out parative Study. Abingdon Press, Cincin line. The American Committee, World nati, 1919. Youth Peace Congress. New York, 1928. Walstrum, Mary Price: The Nineteenth and Miller: Bahd’ism: Its Origin, History, Twentieth Centuries Reminiscences. Dor Teachings. Fleming Revell Co., New rance & Co., Philadelphia, Í935. York, 1931. Watson, Albert Durant: Birth Through Miller, Herbert A.: The Beginnings of To Death. McClelland & Stewart, Toronto, morrow. F. A. Stokes, New York, 1932. 1920. Miller, Janet: Camel-Bells of Baghdad. Watson, Albert Durant: The Poetical Houghton, New York, 1934. Works of. Ryerson Press, Toronto, 1924. Pemberton, L. B.: A Modern Pilgrimage to Watson, Albert Durant: The Twentieth Palestine. Dorrance & Co., Philadelphia, Plane. George W. Jacobs & Co., Phila 1925. delphia, 1919. Randall, John Herman: A World Com Wells, Lady Dorothy: Beyond the Bospho munity. F. A. Stokes, New York, 1930. rus. Reinach, Salomon: A History of Religions. Wilson, Rev. S. G.: Bahd’ism and Its Religious Bodies, 1926: Department of Claims. Fleming Revell Co., New York, Commerce, Bureau of the Census. 2 1915. Vols. Washington, D. C., 1929. Wilson, Rev. S. G.: Persian Life and Cus Rudhyar, D.: Cycle of Culture and Sacri toms. Fleming Revell Co., New York, fice. Harbinson and Harbinson, Oceano, 1895. Calif. Wood, Clement: The Outline of Manys Rudhyar, D.: Synthetic Drama As a Seed of Knowledge. Grosset and Dunlap, New Civilization. Harbinson and Harbinson, York, 1927. Oceano, Calif. World Fellowship, edited by Charles F. Rudhyar, Dane: The New World Religion. Weller. Liveright Publishing Co., 193 5. Article in American Astrology for No Zwemer, Samuel M.: Islam, a Challenge to vember, 1939. Faith. New York, 1907. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

T h e articles and data which have gone into the making of this Centenary book have been contributed by a number of Bahd’i workers, and the National Spiritual Assembly makes grateful acknowledgment. In addition, the book reprints selected passages from Bahd’i literature already published, and these selections are each identified in the text.

In Part Three, “The Baha’i Faith Comes to America” is by Garreta Busey; “ ‘Abdu’l- Bahá in America” was written by Marzieh Gail for “The Baha’i World” several years ago.

In Part Four, “Formation of an Organic Religious Community” is by Horace Holley; “Bahd’i Properties” by George O. Latimer.

Part Five: The articles on the subject of the Temple are by Horace Holley, Corinne True, Carl Scheffler and Allen B. McDaniel.

Part Six: Corinne True and Mariam Haney provided information for the list of be lievers who made pilgrimage to ‘Akka and Haifa. “Persian Teachers Sent to America,” by Fannie Lesch. Data for “The Development of Baha’i Publications” was provided by Mary Lesch, Albert R. Windust, Horace Holley, and Clara R. Wood. “Bahd’i Teach ing in North America” : “Early Years” by Thornton Chase; “ 1894-1911” and “ 1912- 1921” by Mariam Haney; “ 1922-1936” by George O. Latimer; “ 1937-1944” by Leroy Ioas; “Eastern Canada” from information compiled by Anne Savage, Ernest Harrison, and Elizabeth Cowles; “Western Canada” by Rowland Estall; “Baha’i Teaching in Latin- America to 1940” by Loulie A. Mathews; “Baha’i Teaching in Latin-America 1940- 1944” by Nellie S. French; “Baha’i Teaching for Race Unity” by Louis G. Gregory; “The Bahd’i Faith Presented to Colleges” by Dorothy Baker; “Teaching at the House of Worship” from data compiled by Mary Haggard.

Part Seven: “Bahd’i Schools”— “Green Acre” by Bahiyyih Randall Ford; “Geyserville” by Leroy Ioas; “Louhelen” by Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick; “International” by Loulie A. Mathews.

Part Eight: “The American Bahd’i Community,” data compiled by Sophie Loeding; “Bahd’i Sacred Relics,” reported by the National Archives Committee through Edwin W. Mattoon.

Foreword and Introduction by Horace Holley.