# Reality magazine: Volumes 3-4 *Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.* --- > Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: (unknown), Reality magazine: Volumes 3-4, New York: Reality Publishing Corporation, 1921, bahai-library.com. > ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── > > AL DEPT. > > A Real Magazine for Real People > > Disarmament Compilation > Faith's Vision Louise Waite > " > Our Future Government • Dr. Richard M. Bolden > Cla~de Bragdon on the Fourth Dimension > Mary Hanford Ford > > JANUARY. 1921 PUBLISHED MON1llLY 20 CENTS > I Cap,ript. 1921 • .., ~ ~ ea..-, > ,. > > THE ONENESS OF MANKIND > 01 Itlzed bv > • I, > The Bahai Movement > Rapidly spreading throughout the world, and attracting > the attention of scholars, savants and religionists > of all countries-oriental and occidental > > For the information of those who know little or nothing ot the > Bahai Movement we quote the following account translated from > the (French) Encyclopaedia of Larousse: > BAHAISM: the rellgimJ of the discipks of a better social organization I BARA'O'LLAR > BARA'O'LLAR, an outcome of Ballism.- represents all these. and thus destroys the > Mirza Husian Ali Nuri BARA'O'LLAR was rivalries and the enmities of the different > born at Teheran in 1817 A.D. From 1844 religions; reconciles them in their primitive > he was one of the first adherents of the purity. and frees them from the corruption > Bab, and devoted himself to the pacific of dogmas and rites. For Bahaism haq no > propa'tation of his doctrine in Persia. clergy, no religious ce~onial. no puNic > After the death of the Bab he was, with the prayers; its only dogma is belief in God > principal Babis, exiled to Baghdad. and and in His Manifestations.... The > later to Constantinople and Adrianople. principal works of BARA'O'LLAH are the > under the surveillance of the Ottoman Kilab-ul-lgluJn, the Kitab-al-Akdas, the > Government. It was in the latter city Kitab-al-Ahd, and numerous letters or > that he openly declared his mission. • • • tablets addressed to sovereigns or to private > and in his letters to the principal Rulen! of individuals. Ritual holds no place in the > the States of Europe he invited them to religion, which must be expressed in all the > join him in establishing religion and uni- actions of life, and accomplished in neigh- > versal peace. From this time, the Babis borly love. Every one mu~t have an > who acknowledged him became Bahaia. occupation. The education of ("hildren is > The Sultan then exiled him (1868 A.D.) enjoined and regulated. No one has the > to Acca in Palestine. where he composed power to receive confession of sins. or to > the greater part of his doctrinal works. give absolution. The priests of the exist- > and where he died in 1892 A.D. (May 29). ing religions should renounce celibacy. and > He had Confided to his son. Abbas Effendi should preach by their example, mlnglinl! > (Abdul-Baba). the work of spreading the in the life of the people. Monogamy is > religion and continuing the connection univen!ally recommended, eU. Questions > between the Bahais of all parts of the not treated of are left to tbe civil law of > world. In point of fact, there are Bahais each country. and to the decisions of the > everywhere. not only in Mohammedan BaU-ul-Adl. or House of Justice. instituted > countries. but also in all the countries of by BARA'O'LLAR. Respect toward the > Europe. as well as in the United States. Head of the State is a part of respect > Canada, Japan, India. etc. This is because toward God. A univenlBi language. and > BARA'O'LLAR has known how to transform the creation of tribunals of arbitration > Babism into a universal religion, which is between nations. are to suppress wa~. > presented as the fulfilment and completion "You are all leaves of the same tree, and > of all the ancient faiths. The Jews await drops of the same sea." BARA'O'LLAR has > the Messiah. the Christians the return of said. Brietly. it is not so much a new reli- > Christ, the Moslems the Mahdi, the gion. as Religion renewed and unified. > Buddhists the' fifth BUddha. the Zoro- which is directed today by Abdul-Baha.- > astrians Shah Bahram, the Hindoos the NOItfICa. I..t.roasse IUlUtre, supplement. p, > reincarnation of Krishna. and the Atheists 60. > L-136 > > Digitized by Coogle > THE NEW YORK > PUBLIC LIBRARY > 688939áA > ASTOR. LENOlC AND > TIl.DEN FOlTNOATrn",~ > a 19!'3 L > > REALITY EDITORS > WANDEYNE DEUTH EUGENEJ.DEUTH > PUBLISBBD MONTHLY BY > REALITY PUBLISHING COMPANY > 416 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK, N. Y. > Single Copies, to cents. Sold at all Newsstanda.-Subscription.12.25 per year > Money Orden Payable to Reality PubUahing Company. > 416 Madison Avenue, New York City > CopyrIJbt, 1921, by Reality Publlahiq CompaDY > > I > .j > Volume III JANUARY, 1921 No.1 > > CO~TENTS > PAGE > DISARMAMENT-Compilation 3 > WORDS OF ABDUL BAHA 4 > > THE ATTITUDE OF A BAHAI TOWARD OTHERS 10 > > FAITH'S VISION-Louise Waite 14 > OUR FtJTURE GOVERN~fENT-Richard Manuel Bolden . 20 > > CLAUDE BRAGDO!lr ON THE FOURTH DIME!lrsIO!Ir-Mary > Hanford Ford 22 > > A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM-Charles L. > Robinson 24 > THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS AND ESPERANTo-lr:~~1. P.ilge 26 > . ' .... ~.;. ~ > > THE ADDRESS OF VERA SIMO~TOX ••. :.- ~:.< t>.> 3,1. > GOOD NEws-The Editor . " ,~:,.::,:::.~:/~ / .. ::~á6' > BAHAI ACTIVITIES 41 > > ... -- > Digitized by Coogle > , > > ABDUL BAHA > > DigitlzedbyGoogle > Lay down your arms, oh, Worldl > Cease your endless strife. > Do you not know God's 8weetest > Gift to you-is life? > > R IGHTLY understood human life is the opportunity for > spiritual development. > On any other plane it is merely mineral, vegetable 'or > animal. . > This opportunity for spiritual development is the dividing > line. > Therefore it is God's greatest gift. > In all so called civilized countries, it is unlawful for indi- > viduals to carry weapons. > This law was made for the protection of the weak from the > strong by our courts of justice. > Countries are made up of individuals. > What is good for the individual is good for the country. > Therefore there should be a court of justice to force the > disarmament of countries. > There is a court of justice, God's Justice, forcing this faCt > through the density of man's false conception of life. > Disarmament is in the air. > People are thinking of it. > People are talking of it. > People are believing in it. > If the great nations of the world turned their cannon into > ploughshares, there would be peace and happiness on earth, and > plenty for all. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > Let every individual in the world spread the doctrine of dis- > armament. > Let America be foremost in her physical demonstration of > her spiritual supremacy by insisting upon disarmament. > Tohroughout the ages much has been written and said as to > the power of "right" and "might." > Perhaps never before in history has a nation had both "right" > and "might" behind her. > As America set a new spiritual standard by crossing the > ocean to fight for "right," now by the power of "might," she can > complete that spiritual progress. > The world is sick of war. > The hearts of humanity are crying aloud against it. > YOU CAN~OT PREPARE FOR PEACE BY PREPAR- > ING FOR WAR. > Let America demand disarmament. > Disarmament for the world. > The following words of Abdul Baha will demonstrate the im- > portance both on the spiritual and material plane of-disarma- > ment. > THE EDITOR. > > Words of Abdul Balla > T HE government of America has recently budgeted $ I 5,- > 000,000 towards the expenses of making a new battleship. > This means that prior to the illtemational peace an in- > ternational war will in all certainty take place." > Abdul Baha: Extract from a talk given in Montreal, Septem" > ber 21, 1912. > > "When perfect justice reigns in every country of the eastern > and western world, then will the earth become a place of beauty. > . The dignity and equality of every servant of God will be ac- > knowledged; the ideal of the solidarity of the human race, the > true brotherhood of man will be realized; and the glorious light > of the Sun of Truth will illumine the souls of all men." > Abdul Baha: Talks by Abdul Baha gi'l:en in Paris, p. 156. > > Digitized by Coogle > WORDS OF ABDUL BAHA 5 > " It is our hope that after the cold winter a new spring > will come, giving new life to nature, so that the trees of hu- > manity will again sprout and become verdant in the gardens, so > that they bring forth leaves and blossoms and fruit. Thanks > be to God, the illumined century has dawned. Thank God > that this spiritual spring has come. Thanks be to God, that > the reality of all things has been revealed. This century is the > century of light. This period is the period of science. This > cycle is the cycle of reality. This age is the age of progress and > freedom of thought. This day is the greatest day of the Lord. > This time is the time of eternal life. This age is the age of the > breath of the Holy Spirit. This time is the time in which all > is resurrected into new life. Therefore, I desire that all may > be united in harmony. Strive and work so that the standard > of the world of human oneness may be raised among men, so > that the lights of universal peace may shine and the East and > the West embrace, and the material world become a mirror of > the kingdom of God, that eternal light may shine forth and > that the day break which will not be followed by the night. > Abdul Baha: Star of the West, Vol. 4, NOá4, p. 69. > > "Among the teachings of Baha O'llah is likewise the following: > That the world of humanity is in need of the breath of the Holy > Spirit, for the oneness of humanity is necessary. The most great > peace, is necessary, and it is self-evident that this cannot be as- > sured through racial force; it cannot be promulgated through > the patriotic force, for countries differ. And it is certain that > political force will not accomplish it, for the interests of the gov- > ernment differ. And it will not be accomplished through a con- > sensus of opinion, for opinions differ. There is need of a force > which can execute the oneness of humanity and which can destroy > the foundations of warfare and strife. Through human agen- > cies this is an impossibility. Hence it must be through spiritual > agencies. And no other force has such power as the Holy Spirit, > hence this can be made feasible through the breath of the Holy > Spirit. > "No matter how far the material world advances, it cannot > establish the happiness of the human world. Rather when the > > Digitized by Coogle > 6 REALITY > > material civilization shall be linked with the spiritual or divine > civilization, then happiness will be assured. Then material civ- > ilization will not contribute its services to the forces of evil to > destroy the oneness of humanity, for through the factors of the > material civilization good and evil advance together-keep up > the same pace. > "For example, -consider how greatly material civilization has > advanced in the last decade, in this century. Consider how many > schools and colleges have been founded, hospitals have been > founded, asylums for the orphans have been founded, the science > of medicine has advanced. Together with this there has been > an advance in the inventions of the means and instruments of > destruction. In the early days the instrument of destruction was > the sword; today it is the gun. In_the early days the organ of > destruction or warfare was the dagger; today it is the rifle. How' > many torpedoes have been invented, and how many kinds of > ammunition have been invented 1 > "All this is the result of material civilization. Therefore, just > as material civilization serves the good purposes of life it also > serves the evil ends. But the divine civilization is good because > it is concerned .with the reign of morals. Consider how much > the prophets have contributed to the reign of morals. His holi- > ness, Jesus .christ, summoned all to the most great peace. He > called all to the acquisition of good morals. > "If good morals which constitute the divine civilization shall > become united with the material civilization there is no doubt > that the happiness of the world of humanity shall hoist its banner > and from every direction composure and rest shall be forthcom- > ing. Humankind shall achieve extraordinary progress, the sphere > of thought will be greatly enlarged, great inventions will be > made, great spirituality shall reveal itself, for humanity there > will be great joy, and the life eternal will then be conferred > thereon. The spiritual force will make itself effective and the > breath of the Holy Spirit will penetrate. > "Therefore, just as the material civilization progresses so > should the merciful civilization likewise become progressive until > the greatest and utmost aims and desires of humanity may be > realized. " > Abdul Baha: Star of the 'West, Vol. 5, No.6, p. 4. > > Digitized by Coogle > WORDS OF ABDUL BAHA 7 > "Japan has made wonderful prggress in material civilization, > but she will become perfect when she will also make spiritual > developments and the power of the kingdom become manifest > in her." > Abdul Baha: Tablets of Abdul Baha, Vol. 3, p. 564. > > "~o matter how much the world of humanity advances in > material civilization, it is, nevertheless, in need of the spiritual > development mentioned in the Gospels. The virtues of the ma- > terial world are limited, whereas divine virtues are unlimited. > Because the \áirtues of the material world are limited, therefore > man's need of the divine world, the divine perfections and vir- > tues, is unlimited. > "Consider me history of humanity. You will find that al- > though the very apex of human virtues has been reached at cer- > tain times, yet they were limited; but the divine virtues have > ever been unlimited. The limited is ever in need of the un- > limited. The material must be confirmed by the spiritual. The > material is I'kened unto áthe body, but the breaths of the Holy > Spirit are the Spirit itself. The body without spirit may be in > the utmost state of beauty, it is, nevertheless, in need of the > spirit. The chimney of the lamp, no matter how polished it be, > is in need of the light. Without the light within the candle or > the lamp, it is not illuminating. The body without the spirit > is not productive. The teaching of a merely material teacher > is limited. The philosophers claimed to be the educators of > mankind, but if we refer to history, we find that greatest phil- > osophers were at most enabled to educate themselves. If they > educated others, it was within a limited circle; but they failed > to give a general education. The divine power, however, the > power of the Holy Spirit, conferred this general education. > "For example, his holiness Christ ~ducated universally. Nu- > merous nations, numerous peoples he rescued from the world > and bondage of idolatry. He summoned them all to the oneness > . of God. They were dark, they became illumined. They were > material, they became spiritual; they were earthly, they became > heavenly. He illumined the world of morality. And this gen- > eral education is not possible through the power of philosophy. > > Digitized by Coogle > 8 REALITY > > This is possible through the 'Power of the breaths of the H~ly > Spirit. That is why no matter how far the world of humamty > advances, it fails to reach the highest degree except through the > breaths of the Holy Spirit; through spiritual education and divine > bestowals. They insure progress and prosperity. > "Therefore I exhort. you that you may be thinking of develop- > ing your spirits. Just as you have striven along material lines > and have reached this degree, may you likewise advance in order > that your spirits may become strengthened, your spiritual sus- > ceptibilities increased, your devotion to the kingdom of God aug- > mented. May you be the recipients of the Holy Spirit, be aided > in the world of morality and attain ideal power, so that the > sublimit}t of the world of mankind may become apparent in you. > Thus may you attain the highest happiness, the life eternal, the > glory everlasting, be born again and become the manifestations > of the bestowals of God." > Abdul Baha: Star of the West, Vol. 4, NO.5, p. 86. . > > "In this cycle there shall be such progress along the lines of > civilization as to be unparalleled in the history of the world; > for the world of humanity has heretofore been in the state or > stage of infancy. Now, it is beginning, or it is in the process of > attaining, maturity. > "Just as the human organism, attaining the period of ma- > turity, attains a great development, the intellectual faculties ripen > to the fullest extent and in one year of this period there is ac- > complished a tremendous, unprecedented development, likewise > the world of humanity having reached the period of maturity, > will accomplish a tremendous upward progress, and that power, > which is the depository of God in the human realities, that uni- > versal power like unto the intellectual faculties of man, will > reveal tremendous development. > "Therefore, thank ye God that ye have come into the plane > of existence in this radiant century, wherein the bestowals of > God are appearing from all directions, the doors of the king- > .dom have been opened unto you, the summons of God are beingá > raised, and the virtues of the human world are in the process of > promulgation. > > O;9itized by Coogle > WORDS OF ABDUL BARA 9 > liThe day has come when alL darkness is to be dispelled, and > the Sun of Truth is to shine forth radiantly. > "This century may be likened unto the equinoctial in the annual > cycle: For, verily, this is the spring season of God I > "It is, therefore, that in the Holy Books a promise is given > concerning a time when the springtime of God shall make itself > manifest, and the Jerusalem-the Holy City-shall descend > from heaven, and that Zion shall leap forth and dance, and that > the Holy Land shall be submerged in the sea of the holy lights. > ") ust as you observe a tremendous motion 'in the time of > spring in the material world-how the vegetable kingdom re- > ceives a new life, a new stimulus,-how the animal kingdom and > the ,human kingdom 'are resuscitated and moved forward,- > what a circulation takes place in the blood; how the gentle > zephyrs are set in motion; how flowers are in bloom i what de- > lightful and temperate air is enjoyed i how pleasant and delight- > ful become the mountains, the fields and meadows! > "Likewise, this bounty of God will endow the world of hu- > manity with a new motion, a new movement. All the virtues > which have been deposited in the human verities and realities, > like unto these flowers will be revealed from that Reality. > "It is a day of joy. It is a time of happiness. It is a period > of spiritual progress. > "I beg of God that this divine spiritual civilization may have > a tremendous impression and effect upon you. May it make > you growing plants. May your trees bring forth leaves,. varie- > gated -blossoms i may they bear the ideal fruits appearing there- > from in order that the world of humanity-akin to the growth > and development of material civilization-may develop spirit- > ually along the lines of idealism. > "Just as the intellects have revealed mysteries of matter and > have brought forth from the invisible nature her mysteries, may > the minds and spirits likewise come in touch with the verities of > God, and the realities of the kingdom be made manifest. > "Then the world will be the paradise of Abha, the standard > of the most great peace will be upraised, and the oneness of the > world of humanity, in all its beauty, glory and usefulness, become > apparent I > Abdul Baha: Star of the West, Vol. 3, NO.3, p. 9. > > Digitized by Coogle > 10 REALITY > > From Hidden Words-Baiza O'//alz > (IS) Page 7 > o Son of Man! > Thou art My Possession, and My Possession shall never be > destroyed: Why art thou in fear of thy destruction? Thou art > My Light, and My Light shall never become extinct: Why dost > thou dread extinction? Thou art My Glory (Baha), and My > Glory shall not be veiled: Thou art My Garment, and My Gar- > ment shall never be outworn. Therefore abide in thy love to > Me, that thou mayest find Me in the Highest Horizon. > > TlzeAttitude Of a Balzai Towards Otlzers > Words of ABDUL BAHA > > P EOPLE who have never heard of BAHA O'LLAH, yet > are they doing His will, the power of His words compels > them to do so. You must love and honor them. It is just > as in the spring, the warm sunshine and showers make the Rowers > grow, though they know not why. It is the spirit of spring that > compels them to grow." > > To the Higher Thought Center, London. > > "It matters not by what name one calls himself-the great > work is one. Christ is ever in the world of existence. He has > never disappeared out of it. Rest assured Christ is present. > The spiritual beauty we see around us today is from the breath- > ings of Christ." > Someone asked if the Humanitarian Society was good. Abdul > Baha said : "Yes, all societies are good; all organizations that > are working for the betterment of the human race are good, very > > Digitized by Coogle > ATTITUDE OF A BAHAI II > > good. All "who work for their"brothers and sisters have the > blessing of BAHA O'LLAH; they will surely succeed." > A painter asked, "Is Art a worthy vocation?" Abdul Baha, > turning to her, said, "Art is worship." > An actor mentioned the drama and its infiuence. Abdul Baha > said: "The drama is of the utmost importance. It has been > a great educational power in the past; it will be again." > A student of modern methods of the higher criticism asked > Abdul Baha if he would do well to continue in the church with > which he was associated, and had been all his life, and whose > - language was full of meaning to áhim. Abdul Baha answered: > "Y ou must not disassociate yourself from it. Know this: The > Kingdom of God is not in anyone society. You can be a Bahai- > Christian, a Bahai-Freemason, a Bahai-Jew, a Bahai-Moham- > medan. The number 9 contains eight and seven, and all the > other numbers, and does not deny any of them." > Wáhen asked by an American friend, "Which is the best way > to spread the teachings?" Abdul Baha said, "By deeds i this way > is open to all, and deeds are understood by all. Join yourselves > to those who work for the poor, the weak, the unfortunate. > This is greatly to be commended." > "I have never heard of BAHA O'LLAH," said a young man. > "I have only recently heard of this movement, but I recognize > the mission of Abdul Baha and desire to be a disciple. I have > always believed in the brotherhood of man as the solvent of > all our national and international difficulties." > "It makes no difference whether you have ever heard of > BAHA O'LLAH or not," Abdul Baha answered. "The man > who lives the life according to the teachings of BAHA O'LLAH . > is already a Bahai. An ugly man may call himself handsome, > but he deceives no one, not even himself." > Abdul Baha was asked, "By what process will peace be estab- > lished on earth? Will it come after a universal declaration of > Truth?" "No," He replied, "it will come gradually. A plant > that grows too quickly lasts but a short time. Through edu- > cation and the power of the Word of GOD to change the hearts > of the people Peace will eventually be established."" > > Digitized. by <;;oogle > REALITY > > "When a man turns his face to God he finds sunshine every- > where; all men are his friends, his brothers. Let not conven- > tionality cause you to seem cold and unsympathetic when you > meet strange people. Ask if you can render them any service. > Try to make their lives a little happier. Let ~hose who meet > you know without your proclaiming the fact that you are indeed > a Bahai. Do not be content with showing friendship in words > only. Let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who > may cross your path." > "Wáhat profit is there in agreeing that universal friendship > is good, and talking of the solidarity of the human race as a' > grand ideal? Unless these thoughts are translated into actions > they are useless." > "The wrong in the world continues to exist, just because peo- > ple talk only of their ideals, and do not put them into practice. > If actions took the place of words, the world's misery would > soon be changed into comfort." > "Set your faces steadily toward the Light of the World. Show > love to all. Love is the breath of the Holy Spirit in the heart > of man. Take courage; God never forsakes His children who > strive and work and pray., Let your hearts be so filled with > the strenuous desire for peace, that tranquility and harmony > may encircle all this warring world, and with the Universal > Brotherhood will come the Kingdom of God, in peace and good- > will. Let this gathering be a foreshadowing of what will in very > truth take place in this world when every child of God realizes > that they are all leaves of one tree, Rowers in one garden, drops > in one ocean, and sons and daughters of one Father whose name > • is Love." > "All are seeking Truth and there are many roads leading to > it. Truth has many aspects, but it remains always and forever > One." > "Do not allow difference of opinion or diversity of thought > to separate you from your fellow men., or to be the cause of dis- > putes, hatred and war in the hearts of your enemies. Rather > search diligently for Truth, and make all men your friends." > "Let your actions cry aloud to the world that you are indeed > > . > Digitized by Coogle > ATTITUDE OF A BAHAI 13 > !l Bahai, for it is action which speaks to the world and is the > cause of the progress of humanity. If we are true Bahais speech > is not needed; our actions will help on the world; will spread > civilization i will help the progress of science and cause the arts > to develop. Without action, nothing in the material world can > be accomplished i neither can words unaided advance man in > the Spiritual Kingdom. It is' not through lip service only that > the elect of God have attained to holiness i but by patient lives > of active set'L';ce they have brought Light into the world. There- > fore strive that your actions day by day may be beautiful prayers i > turn to God and seek to do always that which is right and noble. > Enrich the poor; raise the fallen; comfort the sorrowful; reas- > sure the fearful i rescue the oppressed i bring hope to the hope- > less, shelter to the destitute. This is the work of a true Bahai. > If we neglect to do it, we are not followers and we have no > right to the name. God, who sees all our hearts, knows how > far our lives are the fulfillment of our words." > "When. we are in earnest in our search for anything, we > search for it everywhere. This principle we must carry out in > our search for Truth. The Truth sh.all make you free. So > shall we see the truth in all religions, for. the Truth is in all, > and Truth is One." > Question asked ABDUL BAHA: "Does Abdul Baha wish > the Bahais to take part in charitable and political affairs, or > should they interest themselves in spiritual things only?" > Answer: "Any movement that is for the benefit of mankind > should be joined by the Bahais. If they are not asked to help, > they should offer their services, especially in all kinds of char- > itable work. They must not be exclusive, but general, and serve > all alike. They should also take the voter's part in all elec- > tions." > > "The only difference that exists between people is that they > are at various stages of development. Some are asleep i they > must be awakened. Some are negligent i they must be aroused. > But one and all are the children of God. Love' them with your > whole heart. No one is a stranger to the other-all are friends." > > Digitized by Coogle > 14 REALITY > > "I in the East and you in the West-let us try with heart > and soul, that Unity may dwell in the world; that all the people > may become as One people, and that the whole surface of the > earth may be as one country, for the Sun of Truth shines on > all alike. " > > "I DESIRE THAT YE BE STt:DESTS OS THE PATHWAY OF REALITY." > -A btlul Btllttl A bbtU. > > Faith's Yision > Dedicated to the Bahai Unity Circle. > By LOL"ISE WAITE > > We hear a song above the din of battle, > Above its roar, its discord and its strife, > Above its bloodshed and above its horror > We hear a song of Life. > > We see, beyond the darkness of the hour, > Beyond the smoke and lurid fires of hate, > Beyond the earth, within Love's dear horizon > We see the morning break. . > > We feel, above the clash of arms and shrapnel, > The throb of Love, born in the heart of man. > Out of the storm shall come a Peace enduring, > Out of the chaos, God's Eternal Plan. > > Out of the .strife a song of life arising, > Out of the darkness, Light and Liberty, > Out of the chaos, Peace and Love abiding > And a new world for all humanity. > > Ignorance. > "Whatever lessens ignorance and increases knowledge was, is, > and ever will be acceptable to the Creator."-Baha O'llah. > > Digitized by Coogle > FAITH'S VIsfoN IS > Study of Self. > "Know thyself. He who hath known his Lord hath known > himself," and "Think not thy body a small thing while in thee > is enfolded the universe."-Baha O'Uah. > > "The aim áof the prophet of God is to raise man to the de- > gree of knowledge of his potentiality, and to illuminate him > through the light of the kingdom, to transform ignorance into > wisdom, injustice into justice, error into knowledge, cruelty into > affection and incapability into progress. In short, to make all > the attainments of existence resplendent in him."-Divine Phi- > losophy. > > Divine Tolerance and Appreciation. > Tolerance must yield to sympathy, sympathy to appreciation, > appreciation to love, and love to understanding which is the > Reality of Unity. > > Unity. > We realize that there is room in God's Love for all our dis- > tinctions but no room for intolerance, prejudice and exclusion. > We realize that all life is a means to an end and that end God- > consciousness, or consciousness of our oneness with God. > > "0 Son of Man I In my Ancient Entity and in My Eter- > nal Being was I hidden. I knew My love in thee, therefore > I created thee; upon thee I laid My Image, and to thee > revealed My Beauty." > > "0 Son of Spirit I I created thee sublime, but thou hast > degraded thyself: Therefore ascend to that for which > thou wast created." > > "0 Children of the Spirit! Ye are my treasures, for > in ye I hare treasured the pearls of My Mysteries and the > Gems of My Knowledge." > > We realize that we are deathless souls on an endless journey > and above our own self-created pathway. > > Digitized by Coogle > i6 REALITY > > "0 Son of Man! My Eternity is My creation. I have > created it for thee; therefore make it the garment of thy > temple. My Oneness is My design. I have designed it > for thee. Therefore clothe thyself with it. Thus thou > mayest be a star of My Omnipotence forever." > "0 Son of Spirit I The first counsel is: Possess a good, > a pure, an enlightened heart, that thou mayest possess a > Kingdom eternal, immortal, ancient and without end." > "0 Son of Spirit I The Gospel of Light I herald to thee; > Rejoice in it. And to the state of Holiness I call thee! > Abide in it, that thou mayest be in peace forever and ever." > "0 Son of Man I Clothe thyself with My Beautiful Gar- > ment and forfeit not thy portion from My Living Fountain > that thou mayest not thirst forever." > "0 Son of Man I Ascend to My Heaven that thou may- > est drink of the pure Wine which has no likeness-from the > Chalice of everlasting Glory."-Baha O'Uah. > We realize that all creation is vibration; each atom in the > universe is conscious intelligence in action, in form. "This "ma- > terial universe is infinite, and if material existence is endless how > much more is the world of God? When we think of the material > worlds as infinite, bow can we think that the worlds of God are > limited? There is no beginning and no end in the material or > spiritual worlds. Man passes through different degrees and > when in a lower consciousness he cannot comprehend the con- > sciousness above."-Divine Philosophy. > "0 Son of Existence I By the Hands of Power I have > made thee, and by the Fingers of Strength have I created > thee. I have placed in thee the essence of My Light: > Therefore depend upon it, and upon nothing else, for My > Action is perfect and My Command has effect. Doubt this > not, and have no uncertainty therein."-Baha O'llah. > "Each soul is an individual center of God-consciousness. Each > being is a center for the shining forth of the Glory of God."- > Abdul Baha. > > Digitized by Coogle > FAITH'S VISION 17 > We realize that if weá would know the truth of a matter, we > must not look at it onesidedly, but from all sides within and > without. Consider it not only as it appears, but the cause, and > above all else-the effects. . > We rc;alize that many are desirous of attaining spiritual pow- > ers, but few are willing to cultivate spirituality. To get some- > thing for nothing, to reap where one has not sown is impossible. > Spirituality is a flower which grows in the soil of loving service > to our brother man. Abdul Baha has said: "To be spiritual > is to characterize yourself with the characteristics of God." > True Law is the Command of Principle, the working of Spirit: > therefore there is but one Divine Law which is God's Law and > as a result of this a man demonstrates his loyalty in proportion > as he demonstrates his understanding of Truth or Principle, with > the result that the measure of a man's loyalty is the measure of > his demonstration. We follow only in so far as the Master fol- > lows the Christ Principle and lives the Christ Life. > We realize that to follow the Master is to manifest the life > of the Spirit He manifests in deeds: tli be patient, forgiving, non- > resistant, truthful, compassionate, etc. This loyalty is mani- > festation of the Principle followed in "living the life," and this > Principle is Universal and Divine. Thus in the final analysis > theá Principle manifested through the Instrument or Master and > not His Personality is that to which we must be loyal. > We realize the glory of service and self-sacrifice-that the > golden key which opens all the doors of the Kingdom of Reality > is that of service to the world of humanity. > We realize the sublime truth of these words of Abdul Baha: > "The key to self-mastery is self-forgetting," and we strive to > manifest tJte fruits of the spiJ;it. Abdulá Baha has said, "First of > all be ready to sacrifice your lives for one another, to prefer > the general well-being to your own personal well-being. Create > relationships that nothing can shake; form an Assembly that > nothing can break up; have a mind that never ceases acquiring > riches, that nothing can destroy. If love did not exist, what of > Reality would remain? It is the lire of the love of God which > renders man superior to the animal. Strengthen this superior > force through which all the progress in the world is attained. > May the light of divine advancement shine upon you. This is > the glory and the progress of man. This is eternal life" that > > Digitized by Coogle > 18 REALITY > > he who loses his life (in service) shall soon "return rejoicing, > bringing in his sheaves." > We realize that in meeti.ng in the spirit of true love and the > Reality of Unity that we are establishing a center from which > the rays of harmony and love emanate, bearing pe~ce ~nd heal- > ing on their wings and encircling the whole world and thus > uniting our forces with the constructive forces of the universe > and helping to overcome the powers oJ darkness and to hasten > that day of which Abdul Baha has said, "If the people of the > entire globe are welded into one great commonwealth, the prayer, > 'Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven' > will be a reality, for each will have the Kingdom of God within > himself. What sublime happiness I What God-inspired prog- > ress I What a heavenly ideal I What a Divine Disposal I I de- > sire that each one of you work for this great Cause, that blood- > thirstiness may be forever quenched; that the horizons of the > world may become illumined by the rays of a divine humanity > and the East and West become radiant with the Light of the > Lord." > We realize that "should we spend all our time in praising God, > we could never be sufficiently grateful for His having brought > us to this great Day of fruition when the Tree of Reality is > bearing Its Fruit."-Divine Philosophy. > We realize that the Bahai Cause is an inclusive movement; > that it asks of its followers the giving up of no former ideals; > and that it teaches that all great spiritual revelations which have > come from the Divine Educators of the past are essentially one > and will be so understood when their followers are willing to > divest them of the traditions, doctrines and dogmas instituted > by man. > That the Bahai teaching is constructive; its aim the brother- > hood of man, but it does not sympathize with the breaking down > of all degrees and distinctions between men as held by radical > thinkers. > To the end that all nations may become united and that we > may, in obedience to the desire of Abdul Baha, lielp thoSe sunken > in materiality to realize their divine sonship and encourage them > to arise and be worthy of their birthright, we will endeavor to > study the Twelve Basic Principles revealed by Baha O'llah, "one > by one, until they are realized and understood by mind and > > Digitized by Coogle > FAITH'S VISION 19 > heart." So will we become "strong followers of the- Light, > truly Spiritual, Heavenly Soldiers of God, acquiring and spread- > ing the true civilization j for this will be the Paradise which is > to come on earth when all mankind will gather together under > the Tent of Unity in the Kingdom of Glory." > We turn to Abdul Baha as the Expounder of His Father's > Words and the Standard Bearer of Love and Unity. > > From Hidden Words-Baiza O'//a/z > (9) Page 5 > o Son of Spirit! > No peace is ordained for thee save by departing from thyself > -and coming to Me. Verily thy glory should be in My Name, not > in thy name j thy trust upon My Countenance, not upon thine > own; for I will to be loved above all that is. > > Digitized by Coogle > 20 REALITY > > . Our Future Government > By RICHARD MANUEL BOLDEN > > W E believe th.e administrators of Government in our coun- > try have attempted to function the government from the > basis of the national constitution by the way of two > theories, one the Jeffersonian theqry, and the other the Hamil- > tonian theory. A study of these two political schools of thought > will disclose a difference in minor details,. but they agree in funda- > mentals. These fundamentals are that this nation is a union > of states, and that each citizen within these states is to act upon > the rights given him or her by our paternal instrument, the Fed- > eral Constitution. The idea is that each citizen is a co-sov- > ereign in the governmental affairs of this nation, and that this > nation is to be a real Democracy. > In the past these conceptions and ideas have not been realized > by one of the great masses of the people in the United States, > for the colored people in this country have had their political > rights flagrantly violated. > Among the thinking minds of this country. the colored race > has been and still is classed as a loyal type of citizen. While > some may think that the unrighteous treatment of this race and > the unjust legal enactments against them may tend toward na- > tional disillusion and anarchy, it is also believed that we are in > the dawn-of a New Day-a day that gives hope to all oppressed > people. > The Divine spirit in this day is leavening the whole lump of > humanity, and everywhere throughout this world a higher and > more glorious brotherly form of government is coming to the > front. And in these United States our forty-eight (48) states > will soon come to realize, through the force of our national gov- > ernment that they are forty-eight (48) limited co-sovereign > states whose citizens' interest and rights are to be guarded and > protected in the light of the Federal Constitution. The na- > tional government will regulate and control the election laws > with a view of seeing that justice is done to each and all of her > citizens. Men are beginning to see that the good of this nation > rests upon good will toward the government. They are realiz- > > Digitized by Coogle > OUR F U T U REG 0 V ERN :\1 E N T 21 > > ing that the best energy and activity can only be given to the > country from minds that are peaceful and contented. They are > realizing that they are to begin to educate and inspire men and > women to feel and realize the responsibility of good citizenship. > All the people must be tra.ined to understand and regard the > President of these United States, as the President of each and > all of the people in this nation. Tqey are to be taught that our > President is more than a party leader, a sectional representative, > a class champion, or an expounder and an exponent of white race > supremacy only. For according to our constitution, and the theory > of our democratic form of government, he is my President, > your President, our President, and by virtue of his great posi- > tion in the eyes of the world the champion and the silent exalted > defender of the rights of humanity. As to this country, he is > the President of all the people, regardless of party, race, creed, > or color. This day that is upon us calls for a review and a clari- > fying of the political methods by which Senators and Con- > gressmen come into office and position in our government. Our > Senators and Congressmen from every section of these, our > United States, will come into their offices through political jus- > tice and true representation. This will assure each and every > citizen in each and every county and state in the Union that > he hath a Counsellor at the bar of Justice. Though it was a > repetition of others who had preceded him, and it also showed > that the intentions of the fathers of the Declaration of Inde- > pendence and the Constitution was again being proclaimed, we > feel that President Woodrow \Vilson's declaration on January > 22, 1917, is very fitting at this time. In his discussion on Peace > terms between the belligerent nations on the date previously > mentioned, he said, "The governments derived all their just > powers from the consent of the governed, and that inviolable > security of life, of worship, and of industry, and social develop- > ment should be guaranteed to all the peoples." > Our Senators and Congressmen will become the guardians > and trustees of the people's estates, such as the coal, iron, and > other mineral mines, oil wells, transportation facilities and any > and all o~her necessary industries that are so very important > in the development of a nation and the people's welfare. We > are going to centralize our industries. This national goodwill > will cause all of our citizens to endeavor to be and do their best. > > Digitized by Coogle > 22 REALITY > > We shall soon see a good citizens' national insurance and chil- > dren's protective associations and old-age pensions. > Our Mayors will sit in counsel with the Governors of the > various states once a year. Our Governors will perhaps be called > in counsel with our President bi-annually. For it will be the > purpose of the leaders of the people to have a closer and a clearer > understanding as to a nation.,l plan and purpose. Our national > cabinet will be automatically formed upon the basis of repre- > sentation as expressed in the party candidates for the Presidency, > based upon the graduating, voting strength of the parties, the > official standing, as members of the Cabinet will be designated. > This will give our' President a clearer and a better under- > standing of the people's desires and aims. This will give the > President and Legislators the Cnited support of the party units > and groups in our nation. And then when our President'speaks > and acts he has behind him a truer representation of the whole > people, and then it might be said, with this spirit functioning > through the people and the government, that the "Voice of the > people is the voice of God." > > Claude Bragdon on tlte Fourth > Dimension > T HE address given by Mr. Claude Bragdon at the Bahai > Library, on \\~ednesday evening, December 27th, was a > very remarkable and luminous exposition of the much > discussed question of 1I':hal Is The Fourth Dimension. Mr. > Bragdon is an architect of distinction, and became interested > in the reality of the fourth dimension first through mathematical > experiments and studies, and has written several books upon > this subject, besides having englished the translation of Tertium > Organum. > He began with a little resume of the meaning of religious > truth, saying he was a Bahai because a Bahai is a follower of > the Light, and his friend Ledoux, he must claim as a theosophist, > as a theosophist is a seeker after the wisdom of God, and that > both must recognize the real significance of the much abused > > Digitized by Coogle > THE FOURTH DIMENSIO!ll 23 > Yogi, who is a receiver of divine illumination. He said that > he would endeavor to define the fourth dimension intellectually, > but that it represented a state into which one could only come > spiritually, that the great Messengers who had come to man- > kind successively lived in the fourth dimension and came to > lift mankind to that plane, so that the way to the fourth dimen- > sion spiritually is fqund in all the sacred books of the world, > in the Bible, especially the New Testament, the Bagavat Ghita, > The Koran, and the great utterances of the Revelators of today. > Most of mankind, he said, is third dimensional, and so one must > make an effort to get away from this materialist conception > of life, which is based upon ideas of space and time allied with > concepti-ons of length, breadth and thickness, and reach that > fuller apprehension which is without material limitation and > partakes of the infinite. > The fourth dimension Mr. Bragdon frankly defined as the > plane of life beyond the physical. To recognize it fully demands > the growth of a new spiritual capacity or faculty of the mind, > and this is induced by spiritual teaching of a great Master, but > may be explained as to its existence and meaning through the > new fourth dimensional geometry. We see all objects on three > sides, in length, breadth and thickness. Weá discern space by > their distances from one another. We must learn to discern that > other dimension, which is not at first appreciable. We have the > sensation of a moving landscape in looking from the window > of a Bying train, and have no perception of motion in a descend- > ing elevator unless we observe the walls about us. These are > all illustrati-ons of the effect of impressions upon the mind which > are c~rrelated mentally and which lead us from impression to > conscIOusness. > Mr. Bragdon went on to speak of a beautiful system of orna- > mentation which came to him through his habit of drawing cubes > and squares with the idea of expressing fourth dimensional > conceptions. He saw to his surprise and delight that a beauty > grew out of these combinations he had never dreamed of, and > realized that he had penetrated unconsciously, the Creative > sphere of the fourth dimension. > Following along this line he said that the Einstein theory of > relativity partook of the fourth dimensional, though he did not > (Continued on page 29) > > Digitized by Coogle > 24 REALITY > > A Little Child Shall Lead Tltem > By CHARLES L. ROBINSO:S > > W been selected as the title of this essay, he plumbed the > HE~ the Prophet Isaiah uttered the words which have > > very depths of the Science of Life, for, in the final > analysis, all human problems center in one problem, namely, > WHAT IS THE NATURE OF MANKI~D? > Solve that single problem in terms of REALITY, thus re- > moving it from the realms of "public opinion," Ideals, faith or > belief, and you automiltically solve such related problems as Edu- > cation, Evoluti~n, Religion, Immortality and GOOD GOVERN- > MENT. In other words, you solve the problem of LIFE, here > and hereafter, and do it in terms of Science, Truth, Law, First > Principles, Cause and effect. > And what is the line of least resistance to the solution of the > problem of LIFE? Obviously, we must reduce it to its lowest > terms-a little child, for what is Man but Child writ large? > Now the writer is well aware of the Spiritual application of > the words-lithe mill does not run by the water that is passed," > and the only reason for quoting the words of a Man who lived > some 2600 years ago, is because Isaiah was pointing out to his > generation the solution of the problem of "Peace on earth, good > will toward-man," and he reduced that problem to its lowest tenn > -a little child. . > It is self-evident that if the Prophet solved the problem in his > day in terms of cause and effect, he solved it for all time, and > since this generation is confronted by the same identical problem, > he solved it for us, and if the men who were charged with the > duty of ~ringing forth "A Peace of Justice" had based their > deliberations on this simple truth, that alleged Peace Treaty > would not have been-a War Treaty. > Surely, if there had been one little child at that Peace Con- > gress as the REPRESE~TA TIVE of the untold millions of > little children who, having never lived under a Just Government, > have been exploited from birth to death, or if One Man at that > > Digitized by Coogle > A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM 25 > Congress had pointed tdl a picture of "MOTHER AND > CHILD" as a symbol of the sacredness and holiness of Mother- > hood and Childhood, the Era of Justice would have started then > and there and the Sun of Righteousness would, by this time, have > illumined the whole earth. But, as it is, we face a condition and > not a theory, and it is a safe prediction that while apparently > the worst is yet to come, that wonderful Principle of Justice > known as Compensation, will turn evil into GOOD, and since > "man's extremity is God's opportunity," this is a good time to be > alive, and especially to participate in the rediscovery of God > and the rebirth of the race as an indivisible whole. > As the subject is so comprehensive that it would require a > volume to do it justice, we can do no more than introduce a > thought that is NEW so far as this generation is concerned, > namely, THAT THE FIRST A~D LAST WORLD > TEACHER I~A LITTLE CHILD. > For instance, if a man were to attempt to write an essay on > THE LIFE OR NATURE OF THE OAK-TREE, he would > start, if he started right, with its seed, the acorn, and if he studied > for twenty years THE LIFE OF THE BEE he might be known > as a Great Teacher of that specialty, but the fact remains that > THE BEE WAS HIS TEACHER. > So it is in the relations of Mother and Child during the period > of helpless infancy or before the force called Curiosity causes > it to ask-WHY?, for in that early period all children are > alike because their necessities are alike, and in the manifestation > of those elemental necessities, the child is the teacher and the > mother the learner. From this point we might go forward' and > show how the Principle of Reciprocity enters into the relations > of the twain, but because the Science of Motherhood has become > a lost science, so far as nations are concerned, we are constrained > to go backward, as it were, and apply the words, A LITTLE > CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM, to the prenatal per~od as the > very foundation of THE ERA OF JUSTICE. > It will suffice to point out here that the law "action and reac- > tion are opposite and equal" is a Psycho-physical law and not > alone a Physical law as Newton supposed,. and we have only to > understand why, under that law, "as a man thinks, so IS he," to > understand how and why the thoughts of the mother during the > (Concluded on page 28) > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > • > The League of Nations and Esperanto > By W. M. PAGE > > W HATEVER be the result of tire war, of one thing we > are now certain-there will be a League of Nations. > Whether it will be a League on the scale contemplated > by President Wilson and Viscount Grey depends upon events, > but all those who desire the advance of civilization hope for > the establishment of an effective League with the positive objects > of the mai~tenance of peace and development of good under- > standing between the peoples, rather than the negative. object > of the prevention of war. > The League of Nations must not be a mere Court of Appeal > in international disputes, not a mere super-power withá a velvet > glove over a hand of iron, but it must foster and encourage > friendly relations between the peoples. Goodwill among men > must be its deliberate aim, goodwill based on knowledge and > mutual esteem. "What we seek," said President Wilson in his > Independence Day speech, "is the reign of law based upon the > consent of the governed and sustained by the organized opihion > of mankind." > To obtain expression of the organized opinion of mankind we > require a Parliament-"The Parliament of Man," which Tenny- > sbn . foreshadowed. The word "Parliament" really means > "speaking the mind." Now, how can a member of a Parliament > of Nations speak his mind to another member of this Parlia- > ment of a different nationality and language? Is the tedious > and unsatisfactory interposition of interpreters still to be per- > petuated? Is it not time that the problem of an international > language be now faced by the Governments of the world? > It is obvious that without a common language any League > of Nations will never hold together.' "The tie of language," > said de Toqueville, "is perhaps the strongest and most durable > that can unite mankind." It is amazing that none of the writers > on the Leagl,le of Nations either in America or Britain seems to > have seen this. This, no doubt, arises from the practically uni- > versal use of English in America and Britain. \Ve do not sup- > > Digitized by Coogle > LEAGUE OF NATIO~S AND ESPERANTO '1.7 > post that President Wilson, or any other supporter of the > League of Nations, has the slightest intention of suggesting > English as the official language of the League. The League must > have an official language, but which language is it to be? If > Germany is to sit at the council table, either French or English > will be as abhorrent to her as German would be to other nation- > alities. If more than one national language is to be used simul- > taneously, would not the use of, say, the three languages men- > tioned humiliate other countries like Spain and Italy and Portu- > gal and China and Japan, whose languages are spoken over a > vast tract of the world? > There is only one way of meeting the situation: the adoption > of a neutral, international language. We Esperantists have > proved during the last thirty years that such a language is not > only possible, but practicable. In our international congresses > we have seen tnen of all nationalities, some with only a few > weeks' acquaintance of Esperanto, address our meetings clearly > and fluently on all kinds of topics without any misunderstanding > of their meaning. The widespread practical use of Esperanto > has abundantly demonstrated its adequacy. The fact that since > the beginning of the war the Germans have run a magazine in > Esperanto, wholly devoted to political subjects, shows its po- > tentialities for the purposes of diplomacy. The French have > published several war booklets and pamphlets in Esperanto. in- > cluding President Wilson's classic Congress speech of April 2, > 19 I 7 j and the American League to Enforce Peace, the pioneer > body for the propagation of the League of Nations idea, has > now issued an official appeal in Esperanto to the Esperantists > of the world to support the objects of the League as set forth > in the words of ex-President William Howard Taft. > It is to the work of ZameD'hof that the world must look for > the common tongue of the League of Nations. It is a tongue > that will not only bind, but will unite. It is a tongue that was > invented not only to prevent war, but to make war impossible, > because its ~uthor intended it to be used to show men that they > are brothers. "Brotherhood and justice between all peoples;" > was the idea which accompanied Esperanto from the moment > of its birth. And is not peace brotherhood and justice in action? > As Esperantists we welcome the idea of the League of X a- > tions, a League founded on a mutual desire to promote mutual > > Digitized by Coogle > 28 REALITY > > understanding. One of the first duties of the League will be > to make the schools of the world teach the common language > to every child in addition to its native tongue. In less than one > year the language walls dividing the nations will have fallen. It > will then be possible for future generations to know men of all > nations in a way their forefathers have never done. It will > bring about "the single race, the single tongue," which -Tenny- > son foresaw, the time "when man to man the world o'er, shall > brothers be," of which Robert Burns sang, and when > > "Sur neutrala lingva fundamento > Komprenante unu la ali an, > La populoj faros, ell konsento, > L"nu grandan rondon familian." > > A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM > (Continued from page 24) > pre.natal period are determining the history of the race before > the race is born. > \Vhen Plato declared, "\Ve breed thieves and then prosecute > them," he was very close to "the foundation of the world," and > to the "Lamb that was slain" since that foundation, but it re- > mained for Jesus of ~azareth to found the Religion of Justice > and Love on-A LITTLE CHILD. > > Digitized by Coogle > THE FáO U R T H DIM ENS ION 29 > (Continued from page 23) > think Einstein was aware of it. The fourth dimension, he went > on, is the world where we all dwell in life. Where we under- > stand one another, in which our thoughts pass back and forth, > not the physical world. Space, he said, is not subject to dimen- > sions. We impose them upon space. It is a formula weá have > developed, a sequence, in contrast to that other thing, the sense > that we abide in God. Space is the mirror of consciousness. > It is Maya-illusion. Nature, he said, is a great tapestry upon > which are. embroidered all the beauties that we see. Bishop > Berkeley called nature the divine voice in which God speaks > to man. There are no symbols in nature for the crude aggres- > sive civilization surrounding us. \Ve create them symbols of > the sinister dreadful consciousness within us. A hat and shoes > are felt and leather insulators by which we cut ourselves off > from the divine currents. The house in which we live is the > same in a more collective measure. Consciousness is the onlv > reality. Become what you are. He said he should revise th~ > title of his lecture, for it really dealt with the fourth dimen- > sional stage or plane of the unfoldment of consciousness. > In every stage or plane, he said, is a key to unlock it. In the > animal world it is perception, the animal is beyond the plant, > which cannot see. Human intelligence is the next step, and the > animal consciousness knows nothing about it. The animal thinks > of the world as he sees it; when he runs a world is in motion, > and he has nothing to contradict it. Man has an impression of > a moving world as he rides in train or carriage, but contradictsl > it by his reasoning faculty, and in this way understands the con- > tradictory facts of the third dimension, but we need a new clue > to resolve their paradoxes, and we find this in intuition. This is > for the fourth dimension what reason is for the third, and > through this we rise to the apparent paradoxes of sacred scrip- > ture and revelation. > For instance, we have a solid, a ball, we throw.it and follow > its line, which is direct and gives two dimensions. We apply > heat, it melts, we pour it out, it has three dimensions, more > heat, it becomes vapor, air, four dimensions. > We dwell in phases áof consciousness. \Ve are like the solid, it > will bear a certain amount of heat without change, but with in- > tense heat the change comes. The heat which changes con- > > Digitized by Coogle > 30 REALITY > > sciousness is the love of God, and this brings us to the fourth > dimension. > "There is a marvelous symbolization of these things in mathe- > matics, in fourth dimensional geometry. Planes bound solids, > what do solids bound? They bound higher solids, as they are > r~latáed to planes and this suggests a space which is bounded by > the infinite indicated by the relativity of Einstein. The third > dimensional logic says, "I am, and I am not the not I." The > fourth dimensional logic says, "I am and I am also the not I." > There is strong indication of a great change in man, mani- > fested by his interest in the fourth dimension. Man is the only > animal that has changed the face of the world. The power of > mind dominates the fact of nature and hurts. Another power of > mind develops. and the super man is born.. There is coming > a new differentiation between races, those who have the fourth > dimension, those who have only the third. The third and fourth > cannot live together, either as individuals or races. The de- > velopment to the fourth dimension is absolutely necessary, the > world will destroy itself in ignorance without it. Our leaders > do not have it as a rule, and we rush to destruction in following > them. > Equality of brotherhood is not equality of development." > Brothers may be of very different quality but still brothers. > True leadership is only of the spirit, and recognition of the > Master is a necessary part of the higher etiquette. In every > race there are some of the higher "race, so we have no right to > condemn wholesale as we do when we say, "The Jews are no > good," or "The Irish are awful fighters." > Our impressions are all fleeting, and impermanent. We n"ever > know things in themselves, only impressions of them. This was > expressed long ago in the Kantian proposition, that only con- > sciousness is real, and the common conception of object and space > is "knocked galley west. by Einstein." > If we could have plaster casts of man's life from birth to > death, it would be a fourth dimensional section, the permanent > body, or linga .sharira of life. > I t is impossible in the foregoing limited sketch to convey the > power and charm, the definiteness of the speaker's delineation of > the quite indescribable Fourth Dimensional consciousness. Those > who heard it were very happy, and the prest:nt resume is only > > Digitized by Coogle > ADDRESS OF VERA SIMONTON 31 > offered as an aid to memory, and a suggestion to those who were > not so happy. > Among the notable books written by Mr. Bragdon are the > following:-"Four Dimensional Vistas," "A Primer of Higher > Space," "Projective Ornament," and "Architecture & Democ- > racy." > > The Address of Yera Simonton > D DRING the month of December Miss Vera Simonton > gave a most interesting and instructive lecture upon the > "Superstitions of the African Tribes." One of the great > benefits to humanity coming through the Bahai Revelation is > that "superstitions must be abolished." In listening to Miss > Simonton's most thrilling account of the fear-ridden Africans, > bound by his superstitious dread of ju-ju and Fetishism, to the > wicked Priest and his death dealing power, one cannot help but > realize that the doing away w.ith superstition ,is one of the most > important factors in our new world Civilization.á > Quoting from Miss Simonton, "The running sore of Africa is > Ju-Ju, fetishism, and until that sore is thoroughly cleansed, cau- > terized and healed Africa will remain the domain of degrading > superstitious practices." > "The high-priest of ju-ju is the sorcerer, the witch doctor. > His art is that of primitive black magic ever enhanced by new > forms of deviltry which enthrall and hold the natives in the > worst form of slavery, the slavery of superstitious fear." > "Gifts are perpetually offered to bad spirits, to devils, and > witches in purchase of immunity. All is evil and the eternal > supplication of the savage is not that blessing might descend > upon him and his, but that evil might pass him by and lodge > in the souls of his enemies." > "Sickness, death, drouth, the drying up and the flooding of > rivers, bad crops and other natural effects, following natural > causes, are believed to be wrought by devils, and to discover > these devils, to cast them out, to banish and to kill th'em is the > sole province of the sorcerer." > > Digitized by Coogle > Miss Ida Vera Simonton, African Explorer, Writer, Lecturer, in Command of > Senegalese Troops in the French Congo. > > Digitized by Goog Ie > ADD RES 5 0 F V ERA 5 I M 0 N TON 33 > "He has a charm, a talisman for every conceivable ache or > pain or misfortune. And these talismen and charms are always > sold at the highest possible price. Hence, the poor savage > is in a perpetual state of pawn to black magic and, in his dread > of it, he still continues to make human sacrifices and to practice > the most degrading acts despite the efforts of white governments > owning and ruling Africa, to stamp out these debasing influences > which are the enemy of Christianity and of civilization." > "More powerful than Kings, rich beyond computation, secure > in his devilish art, the ju-ju man has but to speak, and men mur- > der, steal, violate and destroy at his command. They deliver > unto them their young, tender daughters that he may drink of > their heart's blood, eat of their vital organs and possess him- > self of their souls that he might draw unto himself greater wis- > dom ( ?), greater strength, renewed youth and prolonged Ii fe." > "If a man fails to do his instant bidding, he is soon food for > vultures and his cleanly picked bones lie under Africa's white > hot sun as a lesson of terror for all who pass to read. Al)d > those who do not pass are told of the victim's death by those > who have read the warning in the inanimate bones." > "Ju-ju brooks no questioning, no opposition. And in order > to save their newly born infants from its evil, ju-ju charms are > hung about tiny necks the moment the breath of life forces itself > through expanding lungs in their first battle for existence." > All these things and more are described in Miss Ida Vera > Simonton's new African novel, "The Great White Eye," which > will be published within the next six months. > Miss Simonton had most unusual opportunities to study the > superstitions and customs of the savages "uncontaminated with > civilization," as she expresses it. And to her, in her lone, de- > fenseless state the bush men and women were kind and tender, > tribes fighting to adopt her as their white woman stranger, and > voluntarily taking upon them her welfare and safety. "They > would look shame for their hearts" if aught befell her when she > was under their protection and when an enemy from another > tribe stole anything from Miss Simonton's outfit, his punishment > was short and decisive. . > Miss Simonton's first novel, "Hell's Playground," deals with > life at the equator in the French Congo where "there ain't no > ten commandants," hence the local name of "Hell's Playground." > > Digitized by Coogle > 34 REALITY > > Like Conrad, she depicts with bold strokes the demoralization > and utter ruin of the white man removed from men and women > of his race and without the stamina, the courage to fight stagna- > tion and its attendant evils. > Miss Simonton described the confusion in the minds of the na- > tives over the efforts of the missionaries to convert them to > Christianity, stating that the different creeds and denominations > such as Roman Catholic, and different forms of .the Protestant > faith, inspired in the natives incredulity in the white man's God. > It brought very forcefully before the audience the fact that > the Bahai Revelation could be the only medium which would > dispell the darkness from the minds of these ignorant and super- > stitious people. > Mr. James F. Morton, Jr., delivered the Bahai message to the > audience who had gathered to hear Miss Simonton, and during > the period of questions which followed her address, a discussion > of the superstitions of the Western world arose with their at- > tendant evils and limitations upon human endeavor. > When we are viewing with horror and contempt the ignorance > of this far off race of people, living under the burning sun of > Africa, without the advantages of education and enlightenment, > it is well to turn our attention to conditions within our own so- > called civilized cities and eliminate that intolerance and contemptá > which we are so prone to extend to those whom we deem beneath > us in intelligence, culture, and civilization. > The following clipping will undoubtedly make us more char- > itable to the African: > > WITCHCRAFT RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY > > WASHINGTON HEIGHTS RESIDENTS BACK WOMAN WHO CHARGES > ANOTHER CAST SPELL > ALL APPEAR IN OOUl.T > > Witches I > We have them right here in New York according to a number of Washington > Heights residents who flocked to the Magistrate's Court recently to uphold Mrs. > Sophie Stem, who accuses her neighbor, Mrs. Bessie Avom, according to the > complaint, of having cast a 8pell upon her daughter. > Mrs. Avorn was the complainant, and not Mn. Stem, and the complaint grew > > Digitized by Coogle > WITCHES 35 > out of Mrs. Stem'a alleged acculatioD. The defendaDt waa charged with dia- > orderly conduct. > The complaiDaDt averred UDder oath that not oDly Mrs. SterD but others aD- > noyed her by cryiDg out: "Witch! Witch!" or "There goes the witch!" wheD- > ever she palled through the streetl. > A number of aympathizers of Mrs. SterD were iD court aDd kept calliDg > "witch," "witch," "witch" at turns of the proceedings and the magistrate was > forced to baDg his gavel aDd threaten the interpolaters. > Mrs. Stern appeared in court with her two aDd a half year old daughter, who, > Ihe il laid to have alleged had been curled by the complainaDt, and as a result > had 10lt the power of her legs. > "Up to two mODthl ago," the defendaDt aaid, "my baby was Itrong and healthy. > Then thia womaD weDt aDd cursed it, aDd now the child is paralyzed in the legs, > and all the mODey we have is goDe aDd all the treatmeDt it has gotten at MouDt > Sinai HOlpital seeml to do DO good. There is DO cure, I am afraid. Your > HODor, that womaD is a witch. Two bundred yearl ago ahe would have been > burned at the atalte." > "Oh, the witch! The witch!" came groana from womeD iD the audience. Others > who sympathized with Mrs. AborD hissed the witch-believers, and there was a > lively uproar, which made Decessary vigorous uae of the court's gavel. > The Magistrate turned to the defeDdaDt and asked her poiDtedly: "Do you be- > lieve thil woman to be a witch 1" . > "Yes," laid the defendant. > After conaideriDg the matter for a momeDt, the Magiltrate dismissed the sum- > mODa apinlt Mrs. Stern for lack of evideDce. > The cae: waa heard by Magistrate Jesse SilbermaD. > > From Hidden Words-Baiza O'llalz > (6) Page 5 > o Son of Existence! > Love Me, that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My > Love can never reach thee. Know this, 0 Servant! > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > Good News > W ties and generals in the army realizing that disarma- > HE~ we find the great leaders of nations, political par- > > ment is the vital need of the day for the establishment > of peace, that peace for which the world prays, it is indeed > "Good News." It revives the hope of the starving millions > in Europe, of the struggling masses in America, of the thinkers > and savants of the World who know that only through the > spiritual development of mankind to ideas of peace, mutual as- > sistance and co-operation can the er~ of true civilization be born. > The following quotations are of interest: > David Lloyd George: "~o peace until nations disarm. Th~re > can be no real peace until competition in armament ceases, and > before disarmament was possible all the nations must be in the > League, for all must march together." The premier is sanguine > there will be no obstacle to Germany's admission to the League > ifshe manifests an intention to fulfill her obligations. > "There was no u~e, on the one hand, of laboring for the asso- > ciation of nations and for the establishment of peace," the prime > minister declared, "and on the other erecting great armaments > in order to force other nations into competition in that terrible > race for armaments which had more to do with the late war > than almost any other individual force." > > :\IL'ST EMBRACE ALL NATIONS > > Mr. Lloyd George said the nations could not take the risk of > disarmament until every nation was included. It could be done > only by agreement. "Disarmament," he declared, was not a thing > which would be done secretly and behind closed doors. It must > be done in such a way that everyone knew, so that the agree- > ment, once arrived at, was at once respected. > > Mr. Lloyd George said all the nations must reach a common > agreement not to start again that disastrous rivalry in arma- > ments, which must inevitably end in a clash, unless arrested. Cer- > tain amendments, he asserted, would be necessary before áthe > le~~e became a really effective exponent of international > opmlOn. > > Digitized by Coogle > GOOD NEWS 37 > PRAISES COt:RT OF ]l"STICE > > The League already had done much, the prime mlOlster as- > serted. For ODe thing, it had raised the status of labor through- > out the world and the labor bureau was doing great things. The > League's most conspicuous work probably was the establishment > of the international court of justice, he declared, which would > have a very determining effect on international justice in the > future. > No league of nations, however, could possibly be regarded as > complete until America was included, Mr. Lloyd George said. > > General John J. Pershing: > "Armies and navies breed war," the commander-in-chief of > the A. E. F. cried. "Swashbuckling nations, armed to the teeth, > parading through the world, invite war. The way to prevent > war is to disarm by agreement." > "Therefore, if the other nations have the same attitude, it > seems to me all would beá willing to prove it by consenting to > limit armaments." > "It is folly for the nations of the world to follow the headlong > course they are at present so madly pursuing. The war has > shown us the madness of excessive armies and navies. The > time has come to call a halt and call it quickly. If we do not- > if we continue in the race for naval and military supremacy- > it will shatter the foundation upon which our financial and social > system rests and the entire economic structure will collapse. > When this happens the civilization that we know today-the > supremacy of the white race-will go sliding into the abyss of > barbarism. > "Do you realize the amount of appropriation which Congress > has been recommended to spend upon our army and navy for > the coming year? Have you read that report-and thought of > what it means? N ext year Congress has been asked to spend > $5,000,000 on our army and navy for every working day in > the year. This is made necessary if super-armament program is > to continue, and we hope to keep abreast of our competitors. > "It is a gloomy commentary upon world conditions that ex- > penditures several times greater than ever before in peace times > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > should be considered necessary, especially when the most rigid > economy in government administration is imperative if we would > avoid national bankruptcy. ' > > WORLD DOES NOT LEARN > > "Yet we are only one of the nations who contemplate taking > upon themselves such an enormous burden, in addition to their > stupendous war debts. > "But the world does not seem to learn by experience. It would > appear that the lessons of the last six years should convince > everybody of the danger of nations striding up and down the > earth, armed to the teeth." > > Herbert Hoover: > "The expense of such a course of national endeavor (refer- > ring to army or navy appropriations) should be turned to a > better cause, the cause of humanity and of love. We could > use the money not only to improve, our own social conditions > but to the work of charity in Europe." > > Hiram W. Johnson: > "We are all agreed, I take it, that if there is a real desire > among the Powers of the earth to prevent war they can prevent > it by disarmament. If the five great nations of the earth who > were associated in the war were to meet together and decide > upon disarmament we would have taken the one great step that > could be taken toward the promotion of peace and the preven- > tion of all future wars." > > Charles F. Murphy: > "The World must disarm or the' world must starve." > > It is also "good news" to read the following manifest point- > ing to that elimination of prejudice which in itself will build a > new and better world- > > Digitized by Coogle > GOOD NEWS 39 > "An immigrant mistreated today may, like Trotsky, become > a world menace tomorrow," declared a manifesto issued last > night by the American Committee on the Rights of Religious > l\rfinorities, of No. 70 Fifth avenue. > Anti-Jewish propaganda in the United States was condemned. > Among those who signed the statement were William Howard > Taft, Herbert Hoover, Cardinal Gibbons, Wmiam J. Bryan, > Charles E. Hughes, Robert Lansing, Rabbi Septhen S. Wise, > the Rev. Arthur J. Brown, the Rev. Nehemiah Boynton, the > Rev. Henry Sloan Coffin, Bishop William F. McDowell, Charles > W. Eliot, president emeritus of Harvard University, and Louis > Marshall. > The committee asserted that a liberally financed organization > was apparently behind the accusations printed that Jews were > responsible for the present world-wide unrest. It was asserted > that a determined effort was being made to "poison" the minds > of lawmakers. The statement, in part, read: > "Our first feeling against the anti-Jewish campaign is one of > contempt. It seems incredible that such palpable bigotry should > be taken seriously. We were startled and humiliated by the out- > break of this propaganda. > "Among a few overstrung people the war has produced a > species of quasi-insanity. The minds of some have run amuck. > They are a prey to violent and groundless obsessions that they > do their best to convey to others." > > It is also good news to know that a Babson Report, distributed > to subscribers throughout the ~ountry as the most authoritative > analysis of current business conditions, declared, "during the past > year that the only solution of the present day industrial unrest is > through the power of religion. > > '688939A > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > Tlte Rainbow CIrcle > T HE Holiday season at the Rainbow circle was a very happy > time. Both Christmas and New Year dinners were served > at the centre to many guests, and as the Thursday of Holi- > day week was the dinner-Thursday of the Circle, a G90d \Vill > dinner was served on that evening, which was made especially > commemorative of the blessing Christ brought to the world. All > the Rainbow gatherings were penetrated by the truest form of > the Christmas spirit, that is, the realization of what this spirit > means to mankind, and the necessity of letting it penetrate all > life, so that in this way Christ is again in the world. > The in8uence of the Rainbow Circle as a centre of veritable > love between the races is becoming very great. The Bahai meet- > ing held every Sunday afternoon at Dr. Bolden's church is more > and more largely attended, and the audience seems each time > more sympathetic, while the Rainbow circle meetings on Thurs- > day evenings threaten soon to pass the limit of the church walls. > Madame Hirsch who conducts the French Class finds the in- > terest of her students constantly growing and Professor Clajin, > who teaches Esperanto to all who will come, sometimes has a > room full of eager students. > All the universal tendencies of the great Bahai movement are > seen in the Rainbow Circle, so each one who comes there finds > a desire arising to widen boundaries, to learn a universal lan- > guage, and touch sympathetically as many races as possible. > > Digitized by Coogle > BAHAI ACTIVITIES - 41 > > Balzai Activities > T HE Bahai Forum continues every Sunday evening, at the > Bahai Library, 416 Madison Avenue. These meetings > are attracting large gatherings of all types of minds, in- > terested in the investigation of truth, and in the time allotted > to questions a-nd answers most interesting discussions occur and > general enlightenment follows. > > On Monday evening of each week Mrs. Florian Krug, assisted > by Miss Ann Boylan, will speak in the Bahai Library upon "The > Bahai Revelation." The eloquence and charm of Mrs. Krug and > Miss Boylan assures these meetings of a large attendance. > > Tuesday evening meetings are conducted by' Mrs. Mary Han- > ford Ford for the elucidation of selected subjects of the Bahai > Revelation. Those who know the clearness and the spiritual > vision of Mrs. Ford will be glad to know that she has given her > services on these evenings. > > Wednesday evenings are devoted to the arts and sciences and > conducted by Miss Beatrice Irwin, Urbain Ledoux,á Mrs. Van > Bergen, and ~Ir. and Mrs. Deuth. > > Friday evening meetings are conducted by Miss Juliet Thomp- > son, who will be assisted by Zia Bey, who has just returned from > Constantinople. . > > There is a Wednesday evening meeting at St. Marks con- > ducted by Mr. and Mrs. Saffa Kinney. > > A Saturday evening meeting is held under the direction of > Miss Regine Sunshine at 189 Second Avenue, corner 12th Street. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > On Sunday evening, January 2nd, Howard C. Ives, addressed > a large audience at the Bahai Library. His subject, "Is Abdul > Baha The World Master?" was one which so appealed to him > that it carried with it a force of conviction and eloquence which > touched the hearts of his hearers. Possessing a voice of qual- > ity and tone rarely to be found, Mr. I ves presented his subject > in a masterly manner. The expression of opinion of those present > was to the effect that it was one of the most exquisite lectures ever > heard in the Library. That it was inspired no one who heard > it could doubt, and in the period of questions which followed > Mr. Ives brought forth very clearly and convincingly the facts > for his knowledge that Abdul Baha is indeed today the great > leader of the thought of the world. > > On the evening of January 4th Mr. Horace Holley read the > synopsis of his book shortly to be published, "The Cosmic Trin- > ity." This book promises to be one of the most valuable books > contributed to the world's literature for many years. It is log- > ical, clear and convincing. Mr. Holley handles his subject in > a way that appeals to all. types of mind. Every sentence is a > volume in itself. We believe this idea of a cosmic trinity as > elucidated by Mr. Holley to be inspired and we look forward > with eagerness to the time when this :valuable testimony of true- > vision may be placed in the hands of the general public. The > comments from the audience who were privileged to hear Mr. > Holley were enthusiastic in praise of this great work. After > a careful study of the other books written by Mr. Holley, we > feel that this is his masterpiece. His reading was full of charm > and ease, and we take this opportunity to thank Mr. Holley for > the privilege accorded to us during that evening. At the close of > his reading Sadeli Waleditch sang in his inimitable manner three > charming Russian folk songs. His rendering of this music of > the soul of a people is very touching and carries the minds of > his hearers to that far distant land struggling to rid itself of > oppression and tyranny. His spoken description and .explanation > of his music is almost as exquisite as the music itself. He re- > ceived many encores and the thanks of the audience. Tea was > served and this inaugurated a series of social evenings whereby > both those accustomed to attendance at the Library meetings > > Digitized by Coogle > BAHAI ACTIVITIES 43 > and those who have come for the first time may make closer con- > tact on that footing of. hospitality which Abdul Baha has given > us as the basis of true and lasting fellowship. > > The work of Urbain Ledoux on the East Side is attracting the > attention of the entire city of X ew York. This great soul know- > ing no limits or boundaries to his spiritual growth, fearless in > his efforts to assist the human family, .towering above those who > fear and are bound by dogma and forms, has again undertaken > to do a great humanitarium work am~ng the unemployed. Thou- > sands of men and women throughout this great city know and > love Mr. Ledoux, for his untiring efforts on their behalf. > REALITY knows him for what he is, for what he stands, and > for what he does. . That he is a Bahai showing forth the prin- > ciples of Abdul Baha in active service should be a matter of > pride to the Bahais in the world. > > On Sunday evening, January 9th, Mr. Sol Fieldman delivered > a lecture on "Occupational Representation in. Government." > This lecture was of such vital importance and so constructive in > its outline that REALITY hopes to publish it in full in a later > issue. Mr. Fieldman made clear to his hearers that the hope of > a change in the conditions of the laboring classes rested not in > violence and bloodshed, but a concerted and constructive effort > to bring about their ideals through legislation and organization > throughout all the forms ot work. Mr. Fieldman's plan is not > in its true essence based upon politics. It is a spiritual plan > based upon co-operation and consultation, and as all spiritual > plans are simple and easy of accomplishment, provided they can > be brought to the attention of the public. > > All meeting. in tbe Babai Library, 416 Madison Avenue. > OPEN TO THE PUBLIC > NO COLLECTIO~S EVERYBODY WELCOME > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > Subscribe Now > for "Reality" > rl . > EALITY is a magazine designed to be what its name > implies. Its dominant spirit is "Investigation." To > be sure, it calls special attenti9n to the Bahai Reve- > lation, because from a profound study of that Reve- > lation it believes it to be worthy of a broader field of > discussion and investigation than it has had hereto- > (ore. REALITY also believes in this Revelation as embodying all > (orms of modem and ancient thought, with a specific signifi- > cance at this time. The columns of REALITY are open to those > who care to enlighten us . if we are wrong in these assertions; > hence it may become, if it is not at present, the clearing-house > o( the difficulties between many of the different cults emanating > (rom and advancing toward, a mutual co-operation for the ulti- > mate benefit of the World of Reality, which is an understanding > of the Will of God-of the purpose of man's creation, or any > other benefit which is universal. REALITY has no prejudice > -social, class or religious. It is open to and invites criticism . > . PublisJud by > > Reality Publishing Company > #5 Madison AOlnut, Ntw York City. > > Makt mt a Co-fOorktr in your grtat unif/trsal mlSsagt. Acupt > my subscription of $~.~5 for REALITY for ont ytar. > > Datt ..... ................... . .. . > > Namt ................ . ................................ . . . > > Address .•... .. . •.•..••••.•......... . ...... . ..... : ... . . . . . . > > SEND US NAMES OF YOUR FRIENDS' > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > , > > - / > ~c . > > ,. > tjH'~ - > r. LG.~. > I q" > • > A Real Magazine for Real People > > The World Needs a Saviour Compilation > Speech Shahnaz Waite > If Peace is to Come Alfred Lunt > Anti-Semitism The Editor > > , > FEBRUARY, 1921 PUBLISHED MONlHLY 20 CENTS > 'l- Cap,ript. 1921 • .., RMIitJ JluIoIioIaI.,. c.....-, > v.~ > > " > > THE ONENESS OF MANKIND > Di itizedb ~oQle :' > The Bahai Movement > Rapidly spreading throughout the world, and attracting > the attention of scholars, savants and religionists > of all countries-oriental and occidental > > For the information of those who know little or nothing of the > Bahai Movement we quote the following account translated from > the (French) Encyclopaedia of Larousse: > BAHAISM: the religion of the disciples of a better aocial organization I BAHA'O'LLAB > BAHA'O'LLAH, all orUCOJJU of &bism.- represents all these, and thus destroys the > Mirza Husian Ali Nuri BAHA'O'LLAH was rivalries and the enmities of the different > born at Teheran In 1817 A.D. From 1844 religions; reconciles them in their primitive > he was one of the first adherents of the purity, and frees them from the corruption > Bab, and devoted himself to the pacific of dogmas and rites. For BahaIsm has no > propagation of his doctrine in Persia. clergy, no religious ceremonial, no public > After the death of the Bab he was, with the prayers; its only dogma is belief in God > principal Babis, exiled to Baghdad, and and in His Manifestations.... The > later to Constantinople and Adrianople, principal works of BAHA'O'LLAH are the > under the surveillance of the Ottoman Kilab-a£-Igllall, the Kilab-al-Akdas, the > Government. It was in the latter city Kilab-al-Ahd, and numerous letters or > that he openly declared his mission, • • • tablets addressed to sovereigns or to private > and in his letters to the principal Rulers of Individuals. Ritual holds no place in the > the States of Europe he invited them to religion, which must be expressed In all the > join him In establishing religion and uni- actions of life, and accomplished in neigh- > versal peace. From this time, the Babls borly love. Every one must have an > who acknowledged him became Bahals. occupation. The education of children is > The Sultan then exiled him (1868 A.D.) enjoined and regulated. No one has the > to Acca in Palestine. where he composed power to receive confession of sins, or to > the greater part of his doctrinal works, give absolution. The priests of the exist- > and where he died in 1892 A.D. (May 29). ing religions should renounce celibacy, and > He had confided to his son, Abbas Effendi should preach by their example, mingling > (Abdul-Baha>, the work of spreading the In the life of the people. Monogamy is > religion and continuing the connection universa1ly recommended, elc. Questions > between the Bahais of all parts of the not treated of are left to the civil law of > world. In point of fact, there are Bahais each country, and to the decisions of the > everywhere, not only in Mohammedan Bail-al-Adl, or House of Justice, instituted > countries, but also in all the countries of by BAHA'O'LLAH. Respect toward the > Europe, as well as in the United States, Head of the State Is a part of respect > Canada, Japan, India, etc. This is because toward God. A universal language, and > BAHA'O'LLAH has known how to transform the creation of tribunals of arbitration > Bablsm into a universal religion, which is between nations, are to suppress wars . > presented as the fulfilment and completion .. You are all leaves of the same tree, and > of all the ancient faiths .. The Jews await drops of the same sea," BAHA'O'LLAH ha9 > the Mes.~iah, the Christians the return of said. Briefiy, it is not 80 much a new reli- > Christ, the Moslems the Mahdi, the gion, as Religion renewed and unified, > Buddhists the fifth Buddha, the Zoro- which is directed today by Abdul-Baha.- > astrians Shah Bahram, the Hindoos the NOXNaa Lt.roass, IUastr" supplement, p. > reincarnation of Krishna, and the Atheists 60. > ~135 > > I > > Digitized by Coogle j > , REALITY EDITORS > WANDEYNE DEUTH - EUGENE J. DEUTH > PUBLJSJmD 1I0NTBLY BY > REALITY PUBLISHING COMPANY > 416 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK, N. Y. > Single Copies, 20 cents. Sold at all Newsstands.-Subecription, '2.25 per year > Money Orden Payable to Reality Publishing Company, > 416 Madiaon Avenue, New York City > > Copyrilht. r9l1. by Redty PubUahina Comparay > > i > Volume III FEBRUARY, 1921 No. z " > > CONTENTS > PAGE > The \Vorld ~eeds a Saviour Compilation 3 > Speech Shahnaz TJ? a;1e 16 > > Welcome to the "Star of the East" 23 > > Press Comment on Bourgeois of Temple :\Iodel 26 > If Peace is to Come . .11fred E. Lunt 30 > In Memoriam (Thomas Armitage, D.D.)- > Howard AlaeSlltt 33 > The Great Memorial of George Grey Barnard- > Alary Hmlford Ford 35 > > The God-Swept Heart .11bert Durrant Tf'olson 40 > > Anti-Semi tism The Editor 40 > > Bahai Activities 43 > > Digitized by Coogle > Photo b.,' Tr/J T•. HiII'$ Stfltlio. > "TilE Lose AND SIIORT OF IT" > > Left, Eug~n~ J. D~uth, found~r of THE BAHAI LIBRARY, N~w York City. > Right, Louis Bourg~ois, Architect of THE {T~IVERSAL TEMPLE, to be > built in Chicago. > > Digitized by Coogle > EDITORIAL > ~~!li!li!li!fi!lilli > I > The World Needs a Saviour > A T a dinner given by distinguished scientists in the Plaza > Hotel during the month of January, one of the speakers > outlining the unrest and disturbing elements in the world, > searching for a r~~edy to cure the disease rancoring in the soul > of humanity, and feeling the limitation of human effort to cure > this disease, made the statement "that the world needs a > Saviour." > Thi sentiment expressed by one of recognized scientific > authority, but voices the sentiment growing in the hearts and > miad8 of all classes, creeds and nations, at the present time. > experience of the past few years has convinced the thinká > ers Gf the world that the old standards of life and civilization > have proven false, and have produced a chaos which only a > higher than human power can relieve. > rich have become poor. > e in Europe who have been made poor, now have the > edge of what that station in life has meant to the milá > born to it, and kept to it by the oppression of the rich. > _ ---:,,..,:a..ll.of the rich have been made poor, but even those posá > sessing gr~at wealth today, are beset by fear of losing that > wealth. > When fear enters the human breast it is almost invariably the > forerunner of a turning to spiritual guidance. > We see that manifesting in many instances in this country. > We see upon the part of those controlling the destiny of thou- > sands .of souls, a feeble effort, in some instances misguided, in > others misdirected, but nevertheless an effort, to use wealth in > a less selfish manner than heretofore. While this effort is not > > Digitized by Coogle > 4- REALITY > > one of pure enlightenment, nor as yet of right understanding > for the amelioration of conditions and suffering among the > poorer classes, yet it gives hope that this beginning may be the > foundation of better things. > Many of the poor have become rich. . > These will in the course of time discover the experience of > wealth, and will use or misuse it according to their develop- > ment, reaping as they sow, and will promote the welfare of the > world, or put limitations upon it, according to their knowledge > of the value of their opportunity. > The wheel has turned and in its turning has developed the > consciousness of the world. • > That humanity is sensing that it needs a Saviour is only a > form of that spiritual sense which is often called common sense, > and this common sense is but a spark of guidance which is com- > mon to all mankind. > The troubles of the world can be analyzed upon common > sense grounds. • . > If your business is involved you call an expert in that line for > advice and counsel. You first demand the qualifications of that > expert, and if you are convinced that his qualifications are such > and his experience such as to entitle him to your confidence, you > follow his counsel and advice in the reconstruction and changes > in the form, management and conduct of your business. This is > common sense. I t is also business sense. > The same law applies to this planet known as the world. > History has proven that in every cycle when the economic life > of the world, the spiritual life of the world, and the civilization > of the world needed new laws upon which to construct a higher > civilization, a higher development, God, or whatever name you > choose to call the great power directing all things, has sent a > Divine Expert into the world to outline these laws, and lift > man from the wilderness of confusion and darkness with which > man has willfully surrounded himself by his selfishness and > greed. > Just as your business suffers if you do not follow the expert's > advice which you have called in through your necessity, so has > the world suffered through its deafne.ss to the counsel and ldvice > of the Experts whom God has sent from time to time. > The principles of Christ or Moses would have saved the world > > Digitized by Coogle > THE WORLD NEEDS A SAVIOUR 5 > > had they not been lost, but having been lost, a new Saviour with > principles adapted to the needs and state of the evolution of the > world of this century has been sent to us. > Today every country is dependent upon the salvation of every > other country. As the means of communication have advanced > and are advancing, the countries of the world will become as > one country. > Through the economic upheaval following the war the world > is awakening to the fact that for one to live and prosper-all > must live and prosper, and so the Saviour of our day must bring > the laws to unify the nations of the world, to solve the economic > war raging, 'to do away with the possibility of religious wars, > or of the injustice of one class to another-in short our pres- > ent Saviour must embody all the purity of all the laws of all > times, and must have added to them laws which appeal to our > common sense, our intelligence, and our spiritual insight, and > which we will recognize at once as the basis of a real, lasting > and world civilization. > THE WORLD NEEDS A SAVIOUR. > THE WORLD HAS A SAVIOUR. > The Saviour of the world is He who teaches the principles > which will save the world. > What are those principles? > Where will they be found? > Who gave them? > When were they given? > What was the state of the consciousness of the world at the > time they were given? > The investigation of this all-important subject is one of in- > dividual responsibility. > The following words of Abdul Baha, the Servant of God, > are illumined and will assist the seeker. > THE EDITOR. > > Digitized by Coogle > 6 REALITY > > Words of Abdul Baiza > W HEN His Highness Christ appeared in this world nine- > teen hundred years ago to establish the ties of unity > and the bonds of love between the various nations and > different communities, he cemented together the sciences of > Rome and the greatness of Greece. > "He also brought about and established affiliation between the > Assyrian kingdom and the power of Egypt. It had been impos- > sible to establish unity, love and accord and agreement between > these nations, but His Highness the Christ, through the divine > power, established this condition among the children of men. > "~ow, a much greater difficulty is encountered when we desire > to establish this great unity between the Orient and the Occident I > "His Highness Baha'o'llah, through the power of heaven, has > established union between the East and the \Vest. . Ere long we > shall know that the East and the \Vest arc cemented together > with the power of God. That oneness of the kingdom of > humanity will supplant the banner of conquest and bring under > its shade all communities of earth. > "N 0 nation like Persia will be left; America will be known > only in name; Germany also; France, England, Turkey, Arabia, > -all these various nations will be welded together in unity. > "In the future, when people of theseá various nations are > asked: 'To which nationality do you belong?' The answer will > be, 'To the nationality of human beings: I am living under the > shadow of Baha'o'llah; I am the servant of Baha'o'llah; I > belong to the army of the "Most Great Peace.'" The people in > the future will not say: I belong to the nation of England, > France, or Persia. All of them will become citizens of one > nation. These warfares and strifes will pass away and all the > people will be of one family, belonging to one country. > "His Highness Baha'o'llah appeared in a country which was > the center .of prejudice. In that country were many different > communities. There were many religious sects and denomina- > tions. The greatest animosity of the past existed among these > people. They were ready to kill each other. They considered > > Digitized by Coogle > WORDS OF ABDUL BAHA 7 > the killing of others who did not believe as they did an act of > worship. > "His Highness Baha'o'llah established such a unity and agree- > ment between these various communities that the greatest love > and amity are now witnessed among them. Today the Bahais > of the East are longing with the greatest desire to see you face > to face. . > "Their highest hope, their greatest aspiration, is that the day > may come when they will be gathered in an assembly with you. > Consider well the power that made this great change." > Star of the Trest, Yol. 10, p. 16. > > "Today the human world is in need of the heavenly teachings > which are the very spirit of this age and the light of this cen- > tury. The physical and material civilization ha\'e made extraor- > dinary ad\'ancement, but the divine civilization is totally for- > gotten, while in reality divine civilization is like unto the light > and material civilization is like unto the lamp. This lamp with- > out the light is dark. Therefore we must strive in order that > the heavenly light may shine within the human glass; the world > of humanity (mortality) may become illumined and the infinite > excellences which are the adornments of the reality of humanity > may shine forth like unto a transcendent luminary. > "The world of nature is an arena which .belongs to the ani- > mal kingdom. 'When you look upon any kind of animal or bird > you observe that the boundaries of the material world are pre- > pared for its enjoyment to the utmost of perfection, which boun- > ties are not so easily accessible or readily obtainable by man. > For example, imagine the state of a sweet-singing nightingale I > \Vith the utmost delicate taste and artistic temperament it has > built its nest upon a mountain. In reality this nest is superior to > the palaces of kings. The air is in the utmost purity, the sur- > rounding scenery most ravishing; the sweeping panorama very > entrancing; the luxuriant verdancy and rich colors; and all the > han'ests gathered on the plains and in the farms are the wealth > of this bird. In the immensity of its freedom it can fly from > mountain to mountain and it can eat from any harvest it chooses. > It toils not, neither does it spin. It entertains no thought for > tomorrow; it has no sorrow, no disappointment, no regret and > > Digitized by Coogle > 8 REALITY > > no pessimism. In its own nest it lives in the utmost happiness > and joy, and now and then it breaks forth in rapturous songs of > gladness. > "Therefore it has become proven that the bounties of the > material have their great display in and for the animal kingdom. > On the other hand, imagine the difficulties of this poor man I > Now he is a wanderer, and ano~ he is sick. Today he is weak > and tomorrow he is captive. This month he is poverty-stricken, > and indigent, and next month he is threatened with danger. Day > and night he is striving and laboring till he gains a mouthful of > bread to satisfy his hunger. Consequently from this compari- > son you 'can easily observe the vast differences which exist between > the human life and the animal life. It is now established that > the bounties of the world of nature are more completely mani- > fested upon the arena of the animal kingdom I > "Although man does not enjoy a perfect share and an inex- > haustible portion from these material bounties, yet in the divine > world he is the manifestation of the infinite bestowals, the lamp > for the polarization of the celestial beauty, the channel for the > outftowing of the heavenly graces; the dawning-point for the > emanation of the effulgences of divinity and the possessor of a > holy transcendental power which surrounds all the created phe- > nomena. That is the mystical reason why man alone is able to > discover the realities of the contingent beings, governing the > natural world and IIringing the secrets of nature out of the plane > of invisibility upon the plane of visibility. He dominates the > despotism of nature. N ow he becomes a bird and Ries in the > air, again he builds an iron horse and gallops over the seas, and > then he transforms himself into a fish and dives deep beneath the > ocean. In short, man alone is powerful to unra,,áel all the secrets > and hidden mysteries of nature and be the manipulator of > its intricacies. This holy power is a particular gift to man. > Through this holy power he is distinguished above the animals. > "Inasmuch as he possesses such transcendent power, he must > become the manifestation of divine civilization; the dawning- > places of the lights of eternity; the spreader of the heavenly > virtues; the promulgator of the teachings of God; a servant of > the world of morality, stirring the souls into cheerfulness through > spiritual glad tidings; freeing the spirits from helplessness and > conferring upon them the hope of the eternal Ii fe ! This is the > > Digitized by Coogle > WORDS OF ABDUL BARA 9 > honor of the world of humanity I This is the perfection of man- > kind I This is the everlasting welfare I" > Abdul Baha: Extract from Tablet to Mr. Graham Pole, Edin- > burgh, Scotland. Translated by Mirza Sohrab, July 5, > 1913, Port Said, Egypt. > > "Now we need an educator who will be at the same time a > material, human, and spiritual educator, and whose authority > will be effective in all conditions. So if anyone should say, 'I > possess perfect comprehension and intelligence, and I have no > need of such an educator,' he would be denying that which is > clear and evident, as though a child should say, 'I have no .need > of education i' or as though the blind should say, 'I am in no > need of sight, because many other blind people exist without > difficulty. ' > "Then it is plain and evident that man needs an educator,' > and this educator must be unquestionably and indubitably per- > fect in all respects, and distinguished above all men. For other- > wise he cannot be their educator. More particularly because he > must be at the same time their material and human as well as > their spiritual educator; that is to say, he will teach men to organ- > ize and carry out physical matters, and to regulate the form of > society with regard to the establishing of help and assistance in > life, so that material affairs may be organized and regulated for > any circumstances that may occur. In the same way he will > establish human education; that is to say, he must educate intel- > ligence and thought in sueh a way that they may attain complete > development, so that knowledge and science may increase, and > the reality of things, the mysteries of beings, and the prop- > erties of existence may be discovered i that day by day instruc- > tions, inventions, and laws may be improved; and from things > perceptible to the senses conclusions as to intellectual things may > be deduced. > "He must also impart spiritual education; so that intelligence > and comprehension may penetrate the metaphysical world, and > may receive benefit from the sanctifying breeze of the Holy > Spirit, and may enter into relationship with the Supreme Con- > course. He must so educate the human reality that it may > become the center of the divine appearances, to such a degree > > Digitized by Coogle > 10 REALITY > > that the attributes and the names of God shall be resplendent > in the mirror of the reality of man, and the holy verse, 'We > will make man in Our image and likeness,' shall become true. > "It is clear that human power is not able to fill such a great > office, and that the reason alone could not undertake the responsi- > bility of so great a mission. Bow can one solitary person with- > out help and without support lay the foundations of such a noble > construction? He must depend 011 the help of the spiritual and > di\áine power to be able to undertake this mission. One Holy > Soul gives life to the ~orld of humanity, changes the aspect of > the terrestr.ial globe, causes intelligence to progress, vivifies souls, > lays the foundation of a new existence, establishes the basis of > a marvellous creation, organizes the world, brings nations and > religions under the shadow of one standard. delivers man from > the world of imperfections and vices, and inspires him with the > desire and need of natural and acquired perfections. Certainly > nothing short of a divine power could accomplish so great a > work. \Ve ought to consider this with justice, for this is the > office of justice. > "A cause which all the governments and peoples of the world, > with all their powers and armies, cannot promulgate and spread, > one Holy Soul can promote without help or support I Can this > be done by human power? ~ 0, in the name of God I For exam- > ple, Christ, alone and solitary, upraised the standard of spiritual > peace and righteousness, a work which all the victorious govern- > ments with all their hosts were unable to accomplish. Consider > what was the fate of so many and diverse empires and peoples: > The Roman Empire, France, German~, Russia, England, etc.; > all were gathered together under the same tent j that is to say, > the appearance of Christ brought about a union among these > diverse nations j some of whom, under the influence of Chris- > tianity, became so united that they sacrifificed their lives and prop- > erty for one another. After the time of Constantine, who was > the protagonist of Christianity, divisions broke out among > them. The point I wish to make is that Christ sustained a cause > that all the kings of the earth could not establish I He united > the various religions and modified ancient customs. Consider > what great divergences existed between Romans, Greeks, Syrians, > Egyptians, Phrenicians, Israelites, and other peoples of Europe. > Christ removed all discord, and became the cause of love between > > Digitized by Coogle > WORDS OF ABDUL BARA II > > these communities. Although after some time empires destroyed > this union, the work of Christ was accomplished. > "Therefore the perfect educator must be at the same time not > only a material, but also a human and spiritual educator; and > he must possess a supernatural power, so that he may hold the > position of a divine teacher. If he does not show forth such a > holy power, he will not be able to educate, for if he be ignorant, > how can he give a perfect education? If he be ignorant, how > can he make others wise? If he be unjust, how can he make > others just? If he be earthly, how can he make others heavenly? > "Xow we must consider justly: Did these divine manifesta- > tions who have appeared possess all these qualifications or notá? > If they had not these qualifications and these perfections, they > were not real educators. . . . It has . . . been proved by > rational arguments that the world of existence is in the utmost > need of an educator, and that its education must be effected by a > divine power. There is no doubt that this divine power is due to > inspiration, and that the world must be educated through this > power which is above human power." > Abdul Baha: Some ,-/nJ'CI.;ered QueJ/;OnJ, pp. 8-13. > > "I beg of God that day unto day this spiritual communication > may become reinforced and cause more and more the appearance > of this divine unity in the world of humanity, so that all man- > kind, like unto disciplined soldiers, may abide under the shade > of the Word of God and under the flag of the Covenant, striv- > ing with all their hearts and souls in order that universal con- > ciliation, cordiallo\"e and spiritual communication may be firmly > established between the hearts of the inhabitants of the world; > all the children of men, through the radiant new bestowal, may > consort and associate with each other in one loving meeting; > strife and war may vanish from the face of the earth; the love > of the beauty of the Most Glorious may encompass every atom > of creation; enmity may be changed into amity; difference may > be changed to good fellowship; the foundation of animosity be > destroyed; the basis of. hatred be demolished; the illumination > of union may cause the disappearance of the darkness of limita- > tion, and the transcendent light of the Merciful may suffer the > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > hearts of humanity to become the mines of the refulgent love > of God. > "0 ye friends of God I N ow is the time you must affiliate > with all the nations with joy and the utmost kindness; thus may > you become the manifestors of the mercy of His Highness the > One. Become ye the spirit of the world and the quintessence of > life in the temple of humanity. In this wonderful century in > which the Ancient Beauty-The Most Great Name-has dawned > from the horizon of the world with infinite bestowals, the Word > of God hath created such dominion and potency over the reali- > ties of mankind that the effect and inftuence of human conditions > and environments are neutralized. With a penetrative power he > hath gathered all in the court of union and addresses them as > follows: > " 'Now is the time that the believers of God must unfurl the > banner of unity, singing the songs of friendship in the assem- > blages of the world and inviting all to the universality and all- > inclusiveness of the grace of God, so that the canopy of holiness > may be pitched on the apex of creation and all the nations be > brought under the shade of the world of unity. This bounty shall > become unveiled in the center of the worldá when the believers > of God shall live in accord with the teachings of the Merciful > One and occupy their time in the diffusion of the sweet fragrance > of universal love. > " 'In every dispensation the command of friendship and the > law of love have been revealed, but it has been circumscribed > within the circle of the believing friends and not with the con- > tary enemies. Praise be to God that in this wonderful cycle > the laws of God are not confined within any limitation, neither > must they be exercised toward a special community to the exclu- > sion of another. He hath commanded all the friends to show > love, friendship, amity and kindness to all the people of the > world.' > "Now the believers of God must live in accord with these > divine teachings. They must become fathers to the children of > humanity, affectionate brothers to the youths of mankind and > soul-sacrificing children toward those laden with age. The aim > is this: you must be in utmost state of joy and fragrance, love > and kindness toward all, even toward the enemies. Meet the > persecutions and advErsity with the utmost of faithfulness. > > Digitized by Coogle > WORDS OF ABDUL BAHA 13 > \Vhenever animosity appears deal with it with forbearance. > l\'Iake your breasts the targets for the arrows and spears of > opposition. Brave the ridicule, the blame and the rebuke with > perfect love; so that all the nations may observe the power of > the Most Great Name, and all the people ma yacknowledge the > potency of the Blessed Perfection, showing how he hath > destroyed the foundation of strangeness, hath guided the inhab- > itants of the world to unity and love, hath illumined the realm > of man and hath transformed this terrestrial globe into the delect- > able paradise. These people are like unto children, negligent > and mindless. One must train these children with the utmost > love, carry them in the arms of grace with infinite tenderness, > in order that they may taste the spiritual, the love of the Merci- > ful One, that they may illumine like unto the candles and cause > the disappearance of the darkness of the world. Thus they may > behold clearly and manifestly with what glorious crown and > bri1liant di~dem the Most Great X ame, the Blessed Perfection, > -May my life be a sacrifice to Him I-hath adorned the heads > of his believers; what graces He hath poured upon the hearts of > his friends; what love He hath brought into the world of human- > ity and what friendship He hath caused to appear amongst the > children of men. > "0 Lord! 0 Lord! Confirm Thy righteous servants in the > practice of love and friendship amongst all mankind and assist > them in the diffusion of the light of guidance, which is descend- > ing from Thy Supreme Concourse amongst all the inhabitants > of the world. Verily, Thou art the' Powerful, Omnipotent, Gen- > erous! And verity, Thou art the Merciful, the Clement, the > Compassionate, and the Bestower I" > Abdul Baha : Tablet quoted from Diary Letter of Mirza Sohrab, > July 26, 1913. . > > "Thou hast spoken of a spiritual wave (Cause of Baha'- > o'llah). This is not a wave, but a sea,-nay, the very ocean. > But this is not to destroy the cities, but to purify them, and soon > it will submerge them all. But this does not mean destruction, > but salvation. It is not death, but life. It is not enmity, but > love. It is not pain, it is a remedy. The world of existence is > > Digitized by Coogle > 14 REALITY > > the body and this is its spirit. This immense world is the glass > and this is the lamp. Humanity is the heaven and this is its > sun. The signs of this bounty are clear and visible." > Abdul Baha: Tablets of Abdul Baha, Vol. 3, p. 657. > > (From Scribner's for July, 1919) > > "THE BERLIN TO BAGDAD LINE" > > By JOHN H. FINLEY > Red Cross Commissioner to Palestine > Pp. 74 and 75á > Let the Red Cross spirit persuade a world order in which > there shall be: . > I. Centers in all the backward lands, where the fundamental > elements of a civilized life shall be taught; self-government, > science, art and particularly the things of social value (such cen- > ters as the colleges at Constantinople, Beirut, Tarsus, Anitab, > et al., and the groups of missionaries and doctors, as at Adana, > Messina, and scores of other places). . > 2. A world order language to be every man's second lan- > guage-call it every man's language-language of the world > league. > 3. World order men and women, administrators, del11onstra- > tors, doctors, in every center, without nationality. > > MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED BY C. M. RIPLEY > > Electrical Engineer > IS West 38th St., New York > Peculiar Failure of the World in Improving Transportation. > The world has marvelously developed the transportation of > goods by rail, by water and even by air. > > Digitized by Coogle > liTHE BERLIN TO BAGDAD LINE" is > It has developed the transportation of people in the same way. > It has developed in the transmission of the voice, and of intel- > ligence both spoken and written, by electric wires: > BUT > It has failed in developing the transmission of IDEAS be- > cause it has not bridged the gap due to "confusion of tongues." > "MIDDLEME~ AND I~TERPRETERS" > It is the 'order of the day to eliminate the middlemen in the > distribution of this world's goods. > Why not eliminate the middlemen (i. e., the interpreter and > the translator) in the distribution of this world's IDEAS, both > spoken and written? > > FROM HIDDEN WORDS-B.\HA'O'LLAH > (Page 7) > > (14) 0 SON OF SPIRiT I > I have created thee rich: Why dost thou make thyself poor? > Noble have I made thee: Why dost thou degrade thyself? Of > the essence of Knowledge have I manifested thee: Why search- > est thou for another than Me? From the clay of Love I have > kneaded thee: Why seekest thou another? Turn thy sight unto > thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, Powerful, > Mighty and Supreme. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > Speech > By SHAHNAZ WAITE > > T HE word, speech, is defined as "the faculty of uttering > articulate sounds or words, as human beings." As applied > to man, this is true; but there is a spiritual speech, inaudi- > ble to the. material ear, but far more beautiful, for it proceeds > from the realm of Reality. "The heavens declare the glory of > God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Day unto day > uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There' > is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." > The voice of the Silence is the voice of God speaking unto the > heart of man through eternal symbols and through every exist- > ing thing. Every atom in the universe is conscious intelligence > in action, in form, and sounding its own keynote, telling its own > story to those who have ears to hear. > The slogan, used by a florist, which we read on the billboards > along the highways, "Tell it in flowers," is no sentimental ideal, > but a beautiful truth; for each flower is a messenger from God, > each bearing a different message or song. > Abdul Baha tells us: "Our spiritual perception, our inward > sight, must be opened so that we can see the signs and traces of > God's spirit in all things; everything can speak to us of God; > everything can reflect to us the Light of the Spirit," and, "One > endowed with the power of hearing shall hear the mysteries of > God from all things and all creation will convey to him the > Divine Message." > What is most needed to understand this spiritual speech and > to interpret the divine messages is a listening ear and a recep- > tive heart. "An angel's wings beat at the window of every soul, > but only the listening hear and arise." > There is no race on earth who more clearly hear the great > Voice of the Spirit speaking thru His creation than the North > American Indian. The whole world of nature is his bible and > an open book to him. Of an Indian it could never be said: "A > > Digitized by Coogle > SPEECH 17 > yellow primrose on the brim, a yellow primrose was to him; > 'twas this and nothing more." He would hear its song of cheer > and gather from its golden heart a message of exquisite beauty. > There is an old song which was sung by our mothers and > grandmothers: "What Are the Wild Waves Saying?" which > illustrates so clearly the difference of capacity in two souls. The > brother asks: "What are the wild waves saying, sister, the > whole day long? Forever amid their playing I hear but a low, > sweet song." And the sister replies, "'Tis but the noise of > waters dashing against the shore, etc.," but the boy, with the > inner ear attuned to the Divine Voice, answers, "Oh, no! It is > something greater which speaks to the heart alone; 'Tis the > Voice of the Great Creator which dwells in that mighty tone." > The sister, a child of the apparent, heard but the "noise of > waters dashing against the shore"; the brother, a son of the > Absolute, with his mystic soul, heard the "Voice of the Great > Creator which dwelt in that mighty tone." > As man develops this inner faculty and spiritual perception, > he will realize that All is God and hear the Voice of the Abso- > lute proclaiming, "I am in all things and all places; all Truth > is My Voice; all facts My speech." > There is a language of music of which Richard Wagner has > written: "The profoundest essence of our thoughts is un convey- > able in direct ratio as they gain in depths and compass and thus > withdraw beyond the bounds of speech, of speech that does not > belong to our real selves, but is given us secondhand to help our > converse with the outer world. The more our thoughts depart > from this level, the more labored becomes the effort to express > them. Music is the fittest medium for the thought that cannot > be conveyed by speech, and one might well call the innermost > essence of all vision-music. II > There is a language of color, a speech all its own, of which > Beatrice Irwin has said: "The rapidly increasing methods of > immaterial communication reasonably support a supposition that > we stand at the inception of a telepathic era in the history of the > race. Already we have established wireless telegraphy, wireless > telephones, and thought and color healing. It is, therefore, not > > Digitized by Coogle > 18 REALITY > > irrational to believe that in time we will add color communication > to this list. Possibly aviation will be one of the chief stimuli to > this branch of chromatology; for with the increase of aerial > transit, vocal speech will become impossible,-we shall then > exchange thoughts by means of color codes which we will flash > to one another. Aerial conditions having reacted upon our > whole organism, we shall be more highly attuned, more etheric; > and we shall be able to regulate the radiations of our color sys- > tems as we now regulate our breath and choose our words. > Finally, all people will be able to see as well as to project these > color rays of speech. \Ve shall radiate color as a flower exhales > perfume; and through this mobile color language we shall hold a > truly illumined intercourse. The race will then possess an auric > Esperanto which will perhaps prove to be a universal tongue, > which the world is now' seeking amid a babel of converging > . civilizations and creeds." > If there be anyone who understands fully the language of > color and its divine message, it is this illumined pioneer in the > realm of color science, of which she has so poetically written: > "Color is the Law of Light; color is the spiritual speech of the > universe; color is the music of the sun." And, "To love color > is to breathe with the universe." > l .. gain are we brought to the Voice of the Silence which pro- > claims: "I am in all things and in all places; all Truth is my > voice; all facts, my speech." Blessed are those who hear and > can give back to the world thru expression these divine Realities. > As applied to man, individually, the power of expression is > his divine. birthright-expression along some line. It may not > be thru audible speech, but we are told, and truly, that "actions > speak louder than words." In both words and actions a clear > idea, or ideal, must first be formed and brought forth upon the > trinity of action: ( I) ideation, (2) will, (3) doing, or > expressIOn. > We read in the Bible that there are diverse gifts and the gift > of speech is one of them. All cannot be eloquent speakers, but > all can be eloquent doers. But the most eloquent speech, unil- > lumined by the fire of realization and spiritual power, falls with > > Digitized by Coogle > SPEECH 19 > no lasting effect upon the ears and hearts of the listeners; while > one unlettered and unlearned, yet enkindled by the fire of the > Holy Spirit, may move a multitude and leave an everlasting > impression. To see a thing clearly, to realize its truth, and to > tell it in one's own way, is the secret of a successful speaker. > John Ruskin has said, "The more I think of it, I find this > conclusion more impressed upon me, that the greatest thing a > human soul ever does in this world is to see something clearly > and tell what it saw in a plain way. To see clearly-this is > poetry, prophecy and religion-all in one." > We are told that the first step on the path is to have the > "listening ear"; but many go to sleep at this milepost. So long > as one aspires daily to higher forms of expression, putting one's > ideals into circulation, there is no danger of becoming deaf and > dumb spiritually. But, unlessá we make use of our ideals, they > are nothing but spiritual and mental an3!sthetics. > Michael Angelo has said: "X othing makes the soul so pure, > so religious, as to endeavor to express something perfect; for > God is perfection and whoever strives for it, strives for some~ > thing Godlike." > Another source from which comes the power to speak or > express one's self either in music or art, speaking o~ writing, > is Inspiration, thru an individualized focal point. The greatest > poems or songs ever written, or pictures painted, have sprung > from a great love for some soul, or the sorrow and anguish > caused from separation. A little song entitled, "Inspiration," > clearly illustrates this point: > "A song of love pretentious > I wrote with finished art; > It fell to earth with leaden wings > Nor found a listening heart: > I wrote a simple melody > Of my great love for you, > And scarcely breathed it forth, > When, 10 I around the earth it flew!" > > As this is true on the material plane, how much more so on > the spiritual. \Vhen a great truth possesses us, fills our every > thought, and we love it beyond all else, the inspiration will follow > > Digitized by Coogle > 20 REALITY > > to give it forth in such a blaze of glorious realizations, that all > who have ears to hear will know and understand. No need > to wonder how we will ever express it, for it will gush forth from > the heart, and from the tongue, with a convincing power that > will command attention. > Baha'o'llah has written, "In this day all must serve God with > purity and virtue. The effect of the word spoken by the teacher > depends upon his purity of purpose and his severance." The > Ideal Lover is severed from all else save the Beloved, and from > the Heavenly Beloved One does He receive His inspiration. > Only those inspired by this Divine Love can enkindle the fire of > love in other hearts or speak with the tongue of Power. > Why are the words of Baha'o'llah and Abdul Baha so life- > giving and creative? Because they areá aflame with this creative > fire of Love; and as we read and assimilate them, we, too, > become enkindled and the power of expression is gained. > There is a language of the heart which transcends all words, > of which we have read in the quotations from the utterance of > Baha'o'llah and Abdul Baha. Again we enter the court of > Silence, on the material plane. Maeterlinck asserts that, "the > reservoirs of Silence lie far above the reservoirs of thought, and > it is idle to think that by the means of mere words, any real > communication can ever pass from man to man. Were I to > speak to you at this moment of the greatest things of all-of > Love, of death, of destiny,-it would not be Love, death, or > destiny that I should touch; and, my efforts notwithstanding, > there would always remain between us a truth which has not > been spoken." > This fact brings a clear realization to one's mind of the beauty > of Abdul Baha's words: "Verily, pure hearts are as clear and > brilliant mirrors which imprint the one on the other, and hearts > discover the secrets of hearts. Therefore; they (the hearts) > chant the verses of longing and recite the odes of glorification > and praise. Consequently, the recourse is to pages of hearts > and not pages filled with written words." And of this exalted > state of consciousness Baha'o'llahhas written: "The pen can- > not step into this court and the ink gives no result but blackness. > > Digitized by Coogle > SPEECH 21 > > This enigma of Significances must be revealed only from heart to > heart and confided from breast to breast. Heart alone com- > municates to heart the state of the Knower of divine secrets. > This is not the work of a l\Iessenger nor can it be contained in > letters. On many points I keep silent because of my inability. > To state them is beyond speech, and if I say them, my words > would be insufficient. 0 my friend, not until thou reachest the > garden of these Significances wilt thou taste of the Immortal > Wine of this Valley." (Seven Valleys.) > \Ve are living in the dawn of the "Glad ~ew Day," of which > John wrote: "And there shall be a new heaven and a new > earth." We need new tongues and a vocabulary of new words > with which to tell of its coming glory. True to the fulfillment > of all the prophecies of all the Sacred Books of each religion, > God has kept His Covenant with man and thru an appointed > l\fessenger has revealed the Universal Message to the whole > world. Baha'o'llah (the glory of God) has written that divine • > message in His revealed Book of Laws and having fulfilled His > mission, has ascended into the spheres of Splendor. Before His > departure, He appointed His beloved son, Abdul Baha, to be the > Center of His Covenant, the explainer of ,His words and the > expounder of His Teachihgs. The Mantle of Power and Utter- > ance has fallen upon his shoulders and today through the mag- > netic force of Divine love, is He drawing the hearts of the nations > together under the Tent of Unity, which is the beginning of the > establishment of the New Earth or Kingdom of Love . > .: thousand tongues are needed, inspired by that divine fire > which caused Savonarola to go forth even unto death to declare > the truth to the people. A thousand hearts are needed which, > like that of Joan of Arc, are pure enough to receive the vision > and to hear the guiding voices of the angels; and who will joy- > ously mount their white chargers an~ holding aloft the Banner of > Guidance, go forth to lead the people to liberty, and not alone > their own nation but all the nations of the world, even if the > end be the burning at the stake, which but gives "glorification," > for "h~ that loseth his life shall find it." Truly has the Rev. > Dr. John Roche-Straton, in speaking of "The ~eeded Religious > > , DigitizedbyGoogle > 22 REALITY > > Revival," said: "The religious revival that is needed will come > when modern Christians are willing to do what the early Chris- > tiansá did-lay themselves as well as their money upon the > altar." > This is the crying need of the hour-sanctified souls-souls > who are so aflame with the Fire of God's Love for all human- > ity and with the clear vision and realization of the Divine > Origin of the Bahai Revelation, that they will dedicate their > lives and daily and hourly spread the glad tidings of Newness > of life, of hope, and of regeneration throughout the world. > This is the religious re\áival longed for; this is the solution of > the great problems of reconstruction, and the foundation of > the new spiritual civilization. Who is ready thus to arise and > to follow this great Light? > Just before her passing on, Ella \Vheeler \Vilcox, the poet of > the hearts of hum .. nity, sent, with her 100'e, a manuscript copy, > autographed by her, of a poem which was among her last words > on this plane of expression. It is entitled, "If I Could Utter" > and expresses so fully the longing of so many eager hearts to > give voice to all they feel, that which is too deep for words. I > will leave it with you as a closing thought. > > IF I COT TLD UTTER > If I could utter all the love I feel > Surging within me for God'. universe; > I think the very Bun itself would reel > Upon its orbit, stirred by strong emotion; > And all the stars, as in a radiant ocean, > Would in my heart their beauteoul beams immeree > If I ~uld utter all the love I feel. > If I could utter my great love for all > The countless forms of upward-reaching life- > The vine that strains toward God upon the wall; > The patient ant intent upon its duty; > The human, blindly seeking truth and beauty; > No longer would earth's creatures live in strife, > If I could utter my great love for all. > If I could utter love to all the earth > So men would grasp the meaning 0/ the 'WOrd, > Then would each soul know its immortal birth, > Its mighty goal-its glorious beginning, > And there would be no sorrow and no sinning > Not anything but joy for thOle who heard- > If I could utter love to all the earth. > > Digitized by Coogle > SPEECH > > If I could utter my vast love for God ""-- > Who set my lOul upon its Karmic course, ............ > Who fashions every way my feet have trod, ... > • Who builded spiral stain for my ascending; ..... > Oh! then would He bring my long path to end > And I would Bing again into my Source, > U I could utter my valt love for God. > ELLA WHEEU > > Welcome to tke "Star of tlte > R EALITY extends a hand of loving coma: > eaitors of this new publication. It also. > to Agnes Alexander, whose marvelous w4 > the foundation of the spreading of the Bahai Re: > country. A letter from Miss Alexander contain. > "Did you know that a Japanese Bahai mOil > here in October? My little girl Yuri Mochizukl > brother Keujiro Ouo were the ones confirmed in 4 > week after it was started they both received tab~ > Baha. Yuri Mochizuki writes for a daily papeti > her for this work. In my last' ~aulet Abdul Ba~ > sage to her: 'Extend my great kindness and I > > Mochizuki so that she may, with a divine pow(- > purpose and Godly motive, start her writing~ > Breathings of the Holy Spirit may help her penJ > children are twenty-one years old." i > The yearly subscription to the "Star of the: > Subscriptions should be sent to Miss Agnes I > Ukyomachi, Yotsuya, Tokyo. > May REALITY suggest that if every Assern > a "Star of the East" it would greatly facilitate t > moting the Cause among the Japanese residents > > Digitized by Google __ > THE FAMIl' > AREA > > CAUSE > T HE five northern provin > . affected.á The actual fa > of 45,000,000 Chinese. > during which the normal rainfaL > NUMBERS 45,000,000 Chinese are directly ~ > will die without our help; 10,000 > WHAT IT The famine, unless halted by Arr > MEANS TO China; in fact the complete col > CHINA morally, which is certain to persi > WHAT IT An opportunity to help a friendl~ > MEANS TO our trade and to have the consci( > AMERICA beings who would have died witl > THE NEED To feed, and save lives: > 3c. wil > $1 wil > $5 will > HOW TO If the American Committee for I > GIVE munity, give your contribution to > Treasurer China Famine Fund, ] > HOW FUNDS All funds collected by the America > ARE Relief Committee at Peking. Th > DISTRIBUTED committees in the famine area; tI > Hankow, Tientsin, Honan, and S > the International Famine Relief ( > famine victims. > WHY GIVE China is in the grip of the worst > richest friend, whom she has lear > helpless people die without an effl > > SAVE A LIFl > > Digitized by Coogle > .2« > ~ IN CHINA > , Chihli, Shensi, Shansi, Honan and. Shantung, are all > le zone covers 100,000 square miles with a population > :early one and one-half years of continuous drought: > as decreased from 25 inches a year to less than 3 inches. > 'Cted; 15,000,000 are facing immediate starvation and > e already dying daily. > ican relief, means the break-up of civilization in North > Ise of a vast region commercially, economically and > for a generation to come. pc > arion in distress, to strengthen existing ties, to expand fr > th > ness that \ve have saved the lives of 15,000,000 human .at > It our help. > pll > gr > ave one life one day po > ,ave one life one month W( > ave one family one month m, > So > ina Famine Fund has no representative in your comá evá > lur bank, your church or send it to Vernon Munroe: > )Ie House, New York City. -sec > to > Committee are transmitted to the International Famin.1 wr > committee acts as a clearing house for the five regional of > Peking Committee (including the Red Cross), th~ > mung Committees, all of which are represented o~ AI1 > mmittee, and whose members are working among th< api > PI' > chi > llamity in history. She turns to us as her oldest anc arc > :d to trust. We cannot ignore her call and let thest illl > thf! > t to save them. AI' > nel > IN CHINA! ere > > I > > Digitized by Coogle > 5 REALITY > > Press Comments on Bourgeois > Temple Model > r HE model created by Louis Bourgeois, and accepted by > the Bahai Convention of April, 1920, as the design for > the temple.tt:1 be built in Chicago, has attained a wide > lblicity, and has aroused such attention and received such praise > om the world of architects, that there can be no question as to > e wisdom of its choice. Abdul Baha expressed his satisfaction > the decision immediately and in unequivocal terms. > The New York press first gave numerous mention of the Tem- > e. "The Tribune" and "The Sun" reproduced it in their roto- > a vure sections. "The ~ ew York American" gave it the major > ,rtion of its art page, with a long comment beginning with the > )rds, "Many' persons who have seen the model for this build- > ~ say that it will be the most beautiful structure in the world. > me go so far as to say it will be the most beautiful structure > er erected." > Sherwin Cody, writing a charming arti~le in the magazine > :tion of the "New York Times," says, "Americans will have > pause and study it long enough to find that an artist has > 'ought into this building the conception of a religious League > Nations." > The "New York World" gave the temple a full page article. > 'he Evening Post" twice granted it most generous notice and > .preciation. The magazines were equally impressed. "The > ompter" published a full page article with illustration. "Ar- > tecture," one of the most sumptuous magazines of art and > :hitecture in the country, devoted a page to comment and > Istration of the model, reproducing among otherá appreciations > ! criticism of H. Van Buren Magonigle, president of the > chitectural League, who said of the model, "It is the first > 7V idea in architecture since the 13th century. I want to see it > :cted." > > Digitized by Coogle > COMMENT ON BOURGEOIS TEMPLE MODEL 27 > > "The Architectural Record," one of the most esteemed of the > architectural journals, gave great space to the temple and its > comment, saying, "It is singularly beautiful from the harmony > of its proportions, is bristling with a charming symbolism in > which is found the suggestion of all the religions of mankind, > and to the psychologist it is startling because the creator frankly > declares, 'It is B~ha'o'llah's temple. I am only the channel > through which it came.' " > "The Underwood Press" sent out designs and comment of > the model which appeared in practically every paper in the coun- > try, even the weekly papers of tiny villages printed it. "The Lit- > erary Digest" reproduced it with most favorable comment. "Art > and Architecture" gave it an extended mention with beautiful > reproduction, saying, among other things, "So beautiful is this > model, and so different from anything man has before designed, > either as an abode or as a place of worship, that it has caused > much discussion' among architects and sculptors and in the > newspa pers." > "The Outlook" gave a reproduction of the completed tem- > ple and section of the beautiful dome with description. > Meanwhile the architect himself has received such endless > letters, from architects and critics all over the country, attracted > by the world-wide publication of the model, that he has been > almost buried under his correspondence. It has brought back > to him many old friends scattered over the country. For in- > stance, Mr. La- B. Pemberton, a well-known architect of Los > Angeles, California, writes, "I presume I have passed out of > your memory long ago, but I want to drop you just a line to say > how much pleased I was to see the account of your temple in the > 'Architectural Record,' and later in 'The Literary Digest.' > "It is certainly a wonder I and if the architect had not been > mentioned, I would have blamed you for it anyway, as no one > else does that kind of work." > Among the most interesting letters have been two from Emil > Lorch, Professor of Architecture in the University of Michigan, > asking Louis Bourgeois to give a series of lectures at the Uni- > versity of Michigan. > > Digitized by Coogle > 28 REALITY > > "Sept. 22nd, 1920. > "UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN > "COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE > "My DEAR MR. BO{;RGEOIS:- > "I have just received a letter from Mrs. \Vandeyne Deuth, ia > which she tells me that she had forwarded to you my recent > letter to her. . > "If you are interested in the possibility of teaching, I should > be most pleased to hear from you. Perhaps you could arrange > to stop in Ann Arbor on your way east, or I would come to > Chicago to see you. > "Allow me to congratulate you most heartily upon your suc- > cess in the competition which must mean so much to you. > "You will be pleased to know that in the Architectural School > of our University we have sought for many years to maintain a > forward looking policy, one that is, however, based upon a solid > knowledge of the past, its experience, principles and achieve- > ments. For this reason we were particularly pleased to note > that in choosing a design for the Bahai Temple, so happy a > selection was made. . > "Very truly yours, > "EMIL LORCH." > > In response to this letter Mr. Bourgeois thanked Professor > Lorch for his generous appreciation, but said that the building > of the temple would be such an absorbing task that it would not > permit him to lecture. Whereupon Professor Lorch replied as > follows:- > "UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN > "Sept. 27, 1920. > "DEAR MR. BOURGEOIS: > "I have just received your letter of September 25th and note > with regret that your plans will not permit you to do any > teaching. > "I am sure that in Chicago particularly any new note in > architecture will receive appreciation, since Chicago is the home > of Louis H. Sullivan, who has contributed so much to vitalizing > architectural thought, and in turn others have done much to > develop work which is expressive of modern conditions. We > have just had an exhibition of work by Mr. Sullivan, whom we > > Digitized by Coogle > CO:\fME~T ON BOURGEOIS TEMPLE MODEL 29 > > trust you may have the pleasure of meeting while in Chicago. > It would be an unusual pleasure to bring you two gentlemen > together. > "I am indeed most grateful to you for the photograph of your > beautiful drawing. I presume that the original drawing has > undoubtedly become the property of the Bahai Association. I > wish that it were possible to bring your model with other models > that were submitted in the competition for exhibition here. It > would be most instructive to compare the various designs. Can > you tell me who were the judges who selected the design? > "I envy you your trip to Palestine. Please present my greet- > ings to the shrines of the Holy Land. > "Very truly yours, > "EMIl. LORCH." > > FROM HIDDEN WORDS-BAHA'O'LLAH > (From the Persia,,) > (Page 7) > > (18) 0 PEOPLE OF THE DELECTABI.E PARADISE! > Let the people of Certainty know that a new Garden has ap- > peared near the Rizwan in the Open Court of Holiness, and that > all the people of the Heights, _and the temples of the Exalted > Heaven, are around it. Therefore endeavor to reach that > Station, and discover the truths of the mystery of Love from > its red tulips, and unveil abundant knowledge of the Oneness > from its eternal fruits. Radiant are the eyes of him who has > entered therein with trust. > > Digitized by Coogle > 30 REALITY > > If Peace is to Come > NECESSITY OF A BALANCE WHEEL FOR ~ATIONALISM­ > RELIGIOl7S SPIRIT ESSENTIAL > > I T is significant that just now the viewpoint of Americans 011' > a league of nations should have assumed three group aspects~ > We leave unmentioned those citizens whose mental and > spiritual fiber has been so unresponsive asáto give forth no sparks > in this world-wide discussion of a dynamic subject of admittedly > universal import. The rest of our citizenship seem to fall into > three groups. First, those whose outlook is directed to the spir- > itual and material solidarity of mankind as a matter of first > importance. > This group would not necessarily sacrifice nationalism to inter- > nationalism, for they are thinking men and women, and know > the strength of a true internationalism depends upon the healthy > functioning of its national units .. But they feel that the past > 1,000 years of intense nationalism requires today a balance- > wheel. Not a continued, exclusive emphasis of the glories of > nationalism is needed; rather the service to humanity as a whole- > that a perfected nationalism can render. And they know, alsoá > that a nationalism which here and now in America diverts each > year to its military and naval upkeep 90 per cent of the entire > government revenue, is well nigh an empty name, however allur-- > ing its idealities are painted by statesmen and politicians who- > in their flight of not always disinterested oratory, refrain wholly > from any mention of the cancer of militarism which, despite the > lessons of the war, still gnaws at the vitals of the civilized world. > The first group referred to, however, are too sound nationally > and internationally to advocate the disarmament of the United > States, or any single country, in advance of simultaneous action > by all. They are for an international society of peace, of what- > ever na. me, because there is no other w~~ planet to secure > ~imultaQeous and effe~ive disarmament. """ > > 'Digitized by Go6s.ie > I F P E AC E 1ST 0 COM E 31 > But, principally and essentially, this group of men and women > have become keenly conscious of the existence in the world of > such a thing as human brotherhood, as a spiritual and cogent > fact. Their objection to war is not merely because of economicá > suffering it imposes, frightful as this is, but to the central horror > of all wars, which is the wholesale maiming and killing of the > most organized being on the planet. None will deny that if there" > be a divine edifice on this earth, it reposes in the temple of man. > Therefore, up to the moment a lasting agreement is executed by > the nations to abstain from war, and the causes of war, civiliza- > tion is giving its sanction to the plain sacrilege of razing the > divine edifice itself. What a woe to that which we call > civilization. > And, as Abdul Baha, the great leader of the Bahai religion, > "has pointed out, in substance, this destruction has been mainly > in order to secure a few more acres of that which is the everlast- > ing tomb of physical man, the earth. In one place he says:- > "God has given to us eyes, so that we may look upon each > other with the eyes of the love of God. He has granted us hearts > that we may become attached to each other and not to show > enmity and rancor. . . . We must supplicate God that He may > confirm and assist us .. not to extinguish the torch lighted by > the hand of majesty; . . . not to cut His green and verdant > trees (human souls)." > Also, quoting further:- > "0 ye governments of the world! be ye pitiful toward man; > kind I 0 ye nations of the earth, behold ye the battlefields of > slaughter and carnage; 0 ye sages of humanity, investigate sym- > pathetically the conditions of the oppressed; 0 ye philosophers > of the West, study profoundly the causes that led to this gigantic, > unparalleled struggle (the late war) ; 0 ye wise leaders of the > globe, reRect deeply so that ye may find an antidote for the sup- > pression of this chronic, devastating disease; 0 ye individuals of > humanity, find ye means for the cessation of this wholesale mur- > der and bloodshed. N ow is the appointed time. ~ ow is the > opportune time. Arise ye, show ye an effort, put ye forward an > extraordinary power, and unfurl ye the Rag of universal peace, > thus stem the irresistible fury of this raging torrent which is > wrecking havoc: and ruin everywhere." > > Digitized by Coogle > 32 REALITY > > If I mistake not, it is sentiments such as these that animate > the group mentioned. > The second group is made up of those who, in Rooseveltian > phrase, "mean well but do so feebly." These constitute the very > large number who have a natural hope for lasting peace but > suffer themselves to be drawn hither and thither by this or that > partisan or adroitly patriotic appeal, so that action, with them, > becomes a "hope deferred," and transformed into the situation > of the fellow who went trout fishing, and found himself just > across the stream from the best trout pool, quite beyond the > reach of his pole. But this fisherman didn't have on his hip- > boots, and, abhorring a wetting, he supped upon common fish > instead of gamy trout. He fished "feebly" but had he belonged > to the first group he would have jumped in and waded to the > right rock from which to cast, and he would have eaten trout > that night. > The third group may be said, without ascribing motives, to > consist of those who delight in the sensations and conceptions of > a national grandeur only, in whose mouths the words "foreign- > ers," "heathen" and "barbarian" are frequently, and in fact > synonymously, heard. These frankly disavow any interest or > relationship whatever in and to other races and peoples, and > are fond of quoting Kipling on his "Never the twain (East and > West) shall meet," and to rely exclusively upon dreadnoughts > and cannon to guarantee the truth of the quotation . > . . The psychology of this group is of the bygone centuries, > unawakened to the standards of the new cycle. This group idea > must be admitted to embrace many millions even in America, > while in Europe it sowed the seed of world war. Its basis is > military force and an isolated nationalism, notwithstanding the > convincing evidence that these ideas produced, in 1914-1918, the > greatest slaughter of human life, in known history. This con- > ception of national life is not the safe anchor, but the barnacles > on the hull of the ship of human progress, which have made it > foul and unseaworthy. Speaking plainly, those who still cling > to this creed of Alexander, Hannibal, Attila and Napoleon are > as blind moles groping in the dark earth of imagination, unmind- > ful of the radiance of the sun above. They have no faith or > knowledge of the inherent unity and interdependence of the > creation of God, nor have they grasped the imminence of the > > Digitized by Coogle > IF PEACE IS TO COME 33 > divine plan to constitute "this handful of dust (the earth), one > home," and which has declared that the nations and all mankind > are "the drops of one sea, the leaves of one tree." > Let me say, in conclusion, with reference to the first group > cited, that even their great ideals and earnest hope are not > enough, unaided, to build securely the palace of universal peace. > The executive power of the Spirit is needed to bring these inten- > tions into action. This executive power which has entered the > world in this crisis is none other than the power of the word of > God, and the confirmation of the Holy Spirit. When the awak- > ened ones of the nations turn to this heavenly friend, the problem > will find solution. ALFRED E. LUNT. > Boston, November 18, 1920. > > In Memoriam > By HOWARD MAC~UTT > > THOMAS AR~lITAGE, D. D. > > January 20, 1896 > God's purposes are best. > There are some souls in whom His Spirit shines > With deeper power; His Sovereign \Vill designs > That they should lead the rest. > > From these high-chosen lives > God's attributes of Love reflected glow > In words and deeds inspired; 'tis thus they show > From whence their power derives. . > > With vision thrice more keen > Than comes to our dim earth-environed sight, > They view with spirit eyes the radiant light > Of worlds to us unseen. > > Digitized by Coogle > 34 REALITY > > How brief their earthly stay; > From heaven they come, to heaven again return, > Yet ere they take their flight, from them we learn > Of Christ, the Living Way. > Thou favored one of God I > Who, rich-endowed with talents by His hand, > Hath wrought with loyal zeal in His command > And life's path meekly trod, > How shall we tell the worth > Of all that thou hast done to give us light? > Thou shalt be judged in God's omniscient sight > And not by men of earth. > Asleep on Jesus' breast, > Thy lifelong hope attained, thy labors done, > Thy crown of glory gained, the battle won, > In Christ forever rest. > Sleep, strong heroic soul, > Now numbered with the host of sainted dead I > God's peace thy pillow be, as o'er thy head > Eternity shall roll. > > FROM HIDDE~ WORDS-ABDUL BAHA > (Page 5) > > (6) 0 SON OF EXISTENCE I > Love Me, that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My > Love can never reach thee. Know this, 0 Servant I > (7) 0 SON OF EXISTENCE! > Thy paradise is 1\1 y Love; thy heaven is My N eamess : > Therefore enter thou and tarry not. This was ordained for > thee from Our Supreme Kingdom and Exalted Majesty. > > Digitized by Coogle > THE MEMORIAL TO GEORGE GREY BARNARD 35 > > Tile Great Memorial of > George Grey Barnard > By MARY HANFORD FORD > > I T is not possible for the human mind alone to create great > monuments. Always when a mighty poem has been written > or a supreme monument conceived which is to remain in the > world as a reservoir of divine inspiration, the artist is seized > and carried out of himself for a period, is endowed with a vision > which ordinarily he did not possess, and becomes a channel > through which immense conceptions are precipitated. We do > not know what Phidias felt before he created the Parthenon, > but undoubtedly he did not eat and sleep normally for long days > and nights during those teeming hours. > We hear much artistic discussion nowadays to the effect that > a work of art must be purely a thing of beauty, and must not > suggest ideas or ethics. But in fact all the greatest art of the > world has come into existence for the perpetuation of ideals > possessed by a people. All the monuments that remain to us > from Greece and Rome celebrate the religious and poetic ideals > of those people, and the art of the Renaissance is the same. The > remarkable mural art already created in the United States > illustrates a similar truth, but previous to the world war we > had not been seized and held by spiritual conceptions which > demanded expression. Although w~ are still swept by the tur-á > moil of unrest, there is rising in the heart of the world a deep > and unquenchable feeling of the need of peace and the beauty > of peace, and this has possessed the mind of George Grey Bar- > nard during the past two years. He has been a prisoner in > the lovely chains of this ideal, and as a result he has created the > model of a peace monument such as the world has never seen. > It is not impossible that the United States which went last into > the war, but entered it with the determination to end it and > create peace, will also create the supreme peace monument of > the world, by erecting the model expressing Barnard' s ~nspira. > tion. > > Digitized by Coogle > á REALITY > > The rocky height which Barnard calls God's Thumb is the > highest point in Manhattan Island, and it has been bought by > Mr. Rockefeller to be presented to the City, and thus saved > from the profiteering apartment house builders. Here we hope > to see the wonderful peace monument with all its glorious ad- > juncts, for Barnard connects with his own memorial the group of > ancient temples, and the beautiful Bourgeois temple for the > worship of mankind today, which represents the consensus of > spiritual truth, as revealed by Baha'o'llah. There áwill also be > a magnificent art building not only for exhibitions but for an art > school and dormitorieás national and international in its scope. > Surely if the Rockefeller plot is used for this purpose, it will > perpetuate the name of the giver not as that of a millionaire > trust builder, but as that of the most illumined philanthropist > of the age; for he will have been the means of giving permanent > expression to a new and heavenly civilization. > The Barnard memorial itself begins with what the artist > calls the nail of the Thumb, a rounded promontory of rock at > one extremity of the plot. Here will stand an amphitheater > capable of seating many thousands and most useful in the > pageants and entertainments which will undoubtedly be given > often in the future on God's Thumb. On one side of a winding > pathway extending from the amphitheater to Broadway will > stand an arch of marble. Within the arch a beautiful archer is > poised on the globe of the world, and his steel arrow is partly > embedded in the ceiling of the arch. The arch and the figure in > colored marbles and bronze are most beautiful, but doubly > interesting because they represent a great telephonicá sound am- > plifier. which, in connectiof with the bronze well on the other > side of the path, can send throughout the country and the world > the music and addresses given in this most modern amphitheater. > A flowered pathway bordering a beautiful bend of flowing > water leads to the Garden of the Fathers. This path Barnard > calls the mantle of God, and he says it symbolizes the beauty of > the earth. In the center of the garden stands the Peace Tree > of bronze with green enameled leaves, and little gold olives > glittering amid the foliage. Eight huge roots extend from the > tree, and on each lies the recumbent form of a soldier, while > between these sections are planted red poppies, from "Flanders' > Fields," and closer to the tree grow white lilies. Beside the > > ....... > : > Digitized by Coogle > THE MEMORIAL TO GEORGE GREY BARNARD 37 > > tree stands the figure of the Saviour as Christ the Carpenter. > He wears His workman's' apron and carries the tools of His > trade, but the white robe of His consecration hangs upon the > tree beside Him, and in His face is all the great love for suffering > humanity which the world had forgotten but which has been > brought back to mankind by Baha'o'llah. > Beneath .the tree is a glorious crypt in which there are seats. > A columned center, formed by the descent of the tree's bronze > roots in lovely pillars, is lighted by a wonderful lamp of marble > hollowed to a transparent veil in which is always a light and in > the lower part of which will be preserved the ashes of seven > soldiers who gave their lives in the war. The floor of the crypt > is enameled in white lilies and red poppies, and bordered by a > band of beaten gold, upon all of which the soft light falls. > The Garden of the Mothers comes next, and at its opposite end > is a great stairway, rising on each side from a central platform, > on which stands the mother of all the sons of the world killed > by violence. This mighty figure embodies a cosmic grief, as the > heroic bier before her embodies a cosmic sacrifice. On each side > of the ascending stairway stand- three human mothers, with > the sons who were lost in the war, and these mothers form an > eternal protest against future wars. They seem to say, "It shall > not come!" as the French soldiers said of the German host, > "They shall not pass!" The Garden of the Mothers is filled > with the consecration of Peace, and the glory of the sacrifice > which brought it. > Extending from this lovely garden is the circular building > unroofed, which contains the final expression of Barnard's con- > ception. The circle is 900 feet in circumference, and stands on > a square, at each end of which is a weird figure representing the > horror of war. The wall of the circle is about 40 feet high. > About the lower surface extends a series of bronze sculptures in > relief about six feet in height. These represent, on the Broadway > side, the labors of the world; on the Hudson side, the sacrifice of > the soldiers in entering the war. Above the bronze the wall is > of marble, on which is sculptured the allegories and ideals of life, > and its spiritual realities. . > It is amazing to see how the artist has filled this portion of > his delineation, which is devoted to war and struggle, with the > consecration of peace and the glory of the ideal, the prescience > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > of a New Day. Years hence the monument will stand as a > 3l0rious illustration of how the vision áof permanent peace entered > the human mind and banished there the hateful traditions of > war, force and personal aggrandizement. > On two sides of the great circle are doorways, and on the > other fronts are sculptured extensions which complete the story. > Within each of these is an arch containing a cruciform figure sur- > rounding a light, from which illumination rays pour forth to > symbolize the Glory of the most Glorious. On the temple side, > this arch is topped by a rainbow upon which the light always > shines and which is the eternal promise of peace. Struggling > up to this rainbow on one side is a line of figures representing > the refugees of the war, completed in the figure of a young > mother who holds her infant on one arm and with the other > stretches up to touch the comforting rainbow. On the other > side struggles forward the line of weary soldiers, scarred in bat- > tle, and above them towers a mighty figure, the consummation > of their aspiration, the macrocosm of mankind, who unites them > to the rainbow. > In front of the arch extends a sculptured cloud, "the Milky > Way of life," says Barnard. On one side of this are the great > figures of labor and art which have been wounded and destroyed > by war. On the other are the beautiful figures of the allied > nations. At the base of the cloud is a dramatic group of tor- > tured Belgium, and at its wonderful summit stands a glorious > winged figure representing Immortality, like a vision of the > reality which rises when the struggle of life is over. > At the.opposite extension of the huge circle is another sculp- > tured mass, containing two specially significant groups. One of > Labor standing beside his machine, and with him a winged > figure representing the intellect and spiritual vision which must > always be the ally of labor, if it is to gain its highest plane. The > other is again the supreme mother. \Vith one hand she sup- > ports her infant, and with the other she holds a great scale, one > side filled with the horrors of war, the other containing a tiny > baby. But the human midget completely outweighs the heap of > power, of crowns and terrors. > Within the circle are niches whereáthe artist hopes will stand > memorial figures sent from each state of our union and each > country connected with the war, each contributor selecting the > > Digitized by Coogle > THE MEMORIAL TO GEORGE GREY BAR~ARD 39' > > artist and monument for its own expression. The niches of > Russia, Austria and Germany will wait for their occupants. In > the center of the great circle will stand a mighty figure of human > destiny representing the spiritual power of man, and thus com- > pleting the eloquent story of aspiration whieh the monument > reveals. > At the end of the high ridge upon which the memorial and > the temple group stand is the terraced building of the art school > and dormitories, eleven s~ories high, the upper stories facing > the group of temples, and the lower giving entrance to the > stteet. The upper stories will contain dormitories so arranged > that each student will have a tiny apartment and garden, by > . means of the terraces which look toward the temple group, while > the lower stories will be devoted to exhibition rooms and school > purposes. All automobiles will stop at the school entrance, and' > cannot enter the sacred enclosure devoted to peace and ideals. > "Here shall enter neither noise nor bad odors," says the artist. > "This is Heaven." > In artistic conception and beauty of design, freedom and' > power of modeling and originality, the Barnard memorial is > not only far beyond anything the artist has done in the past, > but beyond any artistic achievement of the world. It will sug- > gest the Pantheon and Acropolis of Athens in scope and posi-. > tion, but far exceed them in beauty. One of its noticeable quali- > ties is its extreme modernness. It is American art at last, and' > does not in any way suggest the art and architecture of the past .. > > FROM HIDDEN \VORDS-ABDUL BAH.(Page 17) > ( 55) 0 SON OF EXISTENCE I > If thou lovest the Immortal and Eternal Kingdom, the An-. > cient and Everlasting Life, then forsake this mortal and van~. > ishing kingdom. > (56) 0 SON OF EXISTENCE I > Be not engrossed with this world, for with fire \Ve. test theá > gold, and with gold We try the servants. > > Digitized by Coogle > 40 REALITY > > The God-Swept Heart > By ALBERT DURRANT WATSON > Till thou hast spread thy sours bright wings afar > 0' er deeps of space illimitable, free > As the blue billows of the ether sea > When falls the gleaming of the evening star > Down the mute sky and through a rifted bar > Of moon-fleeced vapor j till thy heart shall be > Athrill with music of the psaltery, > As breathes a soft wind through a deodar j > > Thou canst not know nor can. the angels tell, > Though hosts of light go forth and shout His laud > To mystic tones of dulcet harp and bell, > One word of all the loveliness of God j > Till in thy heart ten thousand angels sing > The joy of Love's eternal triumphing. > > Anti-Semitis"1 > P ERHAPS the greatest exaltation and proof of the divinity > of Christ rests in the cry from the cross of "Father, for- > give them, they know not what they do." > Is it possible that the human ear has become permanently deaf > to the divine musi~ of love? Will so-called Christianity con- > tinue to prostitute the fundamental principles of Christ in fos- > tering the negation of prejudice against those differing in faith > from themselves? Can anything be more hideous than a spec- > tacle of persecution sanctioned by those professing the gentle > doctrine of Jesus the Christ? > From whence came the teachings which should be the basis > of a higher and better civilization than the world now possesses? > It came from the East, that glorious East which gives us the > > Digitized by Coogle > ANTI-SEMITISM > > rising sun upon our daily lives, and that Sun of wisdom which > has shone throughout the ages and is still shining. > Can any human heart looking back upon the persecution of > the Jews throughout the past, and all that has been heaped upon > them in many of the countries of Europe, without a feeling of > sadness and repulsion and a prayer that such an injustice may > not sweep over this new world which is our America of today? > That it will not be so is proven by the protest which has been > rung from pulpit and rostrum throughout the country, against > the stimulated effort from certain misguided persons, to produce > that catastrophe, yet at the same time each individual must > guard him or herself against the expression of that prejudice > which we so often hear in our daily lives. > Let us analyze the basis of that prejudice in our own country > and see if it has a foundation in fact. > Taking it from a Christian standpoint, we have overlooked > the fact that Christ was a Jew. > It was not the Jews as a nation who crucified Christ. It was > that spirit of antagonism toward a new order of things which > is embodied today in the reactionary spirit of every nation in > the world, and it is certainly possible that if Christ appeared > again at this time, He would be subjected to the same martyrdom > as that accorded in ages past. > There are countless souls today who would commit murder > upon that righteous man, who boldly stands for love, fQr unity, > for tolerance, and for peace. > The type of mind which prohibits free speech, which would > limit religious doctrine to a special creed, which would close the > doors of refuge to the poor and destitute, which abrogates unto > themselves the prerogative of dictatorship to others, without > consultation or guidance, the political and unjust powers which > annihilate life and freedom for greed and amassing wealth- > these are the forces which crucified Christ, and would crucify > Him today. > That the Jews crucified Christ only"means that these elements > existed at that time as in the present, and as Christ's' message > was delivered to the Jews, they have borne the odium of this > event as a race. > Similar instances of the martyrdom of other Messengers of > God have occurred among other races. In Persia during the > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > last century a Divine Messenger was tied to a wall and his body > rifted with bullets. > Death, imprisonment and torture have been, and are still, > the portion of Divine Messengers. > This is one phase of the prejudice against the Jews. Yet is > it not possible that our prejudice, at least in this country, is not > based upon another negative principle, which is jealousy? In > every-day life we hear the expression, "There goes a rich Jew." > "We won't go to that restaurant, it is filled with Jews. They > always get the best tables." What do these expressions indicate? > Do they not at least suggest jealousy? > In the business world we are told a Jew always gets the best > of a bargain. Is that an aspersion against the Jew or against the > Gentile as lacking in intelligence? Having been persecuted, > denied a voice in the Government of the countries of the old > world, driven from pillar to post, murdered and every effort > made to completely annihilate them, their one sense of self-pro- > tection perhaps has been over-developed. > A Jew without money in Europe is a prey to "the powers that > be." IPith money he has had a slim chance of self-preserva- > tion. Is it a wonder that the money-getting sense has been stim- > ulated, and as America has no undiluted race this characteristic > fostered through the old world conditions have been brought > over by those Jews who are now Americans? . > Who can say that the Jew in America is not a constructive > force? > It has been proven they make excellent citizens, their domes- > tic lives are as moral, if not more moral than those of the Gen- > tiles. This very money-getting sense and financial wisdom which > we resent has been called upon in more than one instance for > the protection and development of our industries and finance. > As a race they take care of their sick, their poor, their desti- > tute, and set an example to those of us with so-caHed finer per- > ceptions. They contribute magnificently to public institutions > controlled by those of other faith .. > The cUltured Jew presents as fine a specimen of intellectuality, > ~f broadmindedness, of charm and grace as can be seen in any > other race of the world. > The uncultured Jew presents a more law-abiding citizen than > many of the other races taking refuge in this country. > > Digitized by Coogle > 'BAHAI ACTIVITIES 43 > That the Jew is responsible for Bolshevism is an impression > which is not based upon fact. > In their address to their fellow citizens by The American > Jewish Organization, the statements made in the "Protocols" > are disproved upon authentic facts. > There is an address by Abdul Baha to the Jews which > REALITY will publish in the future. > Is it not possible that when the Christians begin to practice > the divine principles of Christ and stop persecuting the Jews, > that the Jews will then recognize the divinity of Christ? > THE EDITOR. > > Balzai Activities > ~1eetings held in Bahai Library, 416 Madison Avenue, at > 8:15 P. M. > > Monday evenings to be conducted by Mrs. Grace Krug and > Miss Ann Boylan. > > The Tuesday evening meetings of Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford > are temporarily discontinued, owing to her absence from the city. > > Wednesday evening co-operative meetings conducted by Miss > Beatrice Irwin, Mrs. Van Bergen, Mr. and Mrs. Deuth and > prominent speakers representing the progressive thoughts of > the day. > > Friday evening meetings conducted by :\Iiss Julia Thompson > and Zia Bey. > > Sunday evenings the Bahai Forum. > > Everybody welcome. Come and bring your friends. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > Subscribe Now > for "Reality" > r1 EALITY i. a magazine designed to be what its name > implies. Its dominant spirit is "Investigation." To > be sure, it calls special attention to the Bahai Reve- > lation, because from a profound study of that Reve- > lation it believes it to be worthy of a broader field of > discussion and investigation than it has had hereto- > (ore. REALITY also believes in this Revelation as embodying all > (orms of modem and. ancient thought, with a specific signifi- > cance at this time. The columns of REALITY are ope. to those > who care to enlighten us if we are wrong in these assertion.; > hence it may become, if it is not at present, the clearing-house > of the difficulties between many of the different cults emanating > (rom and advancing toward, a mutual co-operation for the ulti- > mate benefit of the World of Reality, which is an understanding > o( the Will of God-of the purpose of man's creation, or any > other benefit which is universal. REALITY has no prejudice > -social, class or religious. It is open to and invites criticism. > Pwblislud by > > Rea/ity Pub/islting Company > #5 Madison AfJenwe, Nno York City. > > Make me a co-worker in yowr great unifJersal mlssage. Accept > my subscription of $2.25 for REALITY for OM year. > > Date .............. . . . . . .. . .. .... . > > Name .. . .... . .................. .. .... .. ................. . > Address .. . .......... . ...... . ...... .. . . . . ..... . ....... .. .. . > > SEND US NAMES OF YOUR FRIENDS > PLBASI: IIBNT10N YOU SAW IT IN RBALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > azine Devoted to the > alion of Prejudice, > Religious, Racial and Class > > A REAL Magazine for REAL People > > Education ............................................. Words of Abdul Baha > > Janabe Fazel Mazandarani .......................................... The Editor > > Mal'cotone ...................................... ............................... Edward Maryon > > The Death Bringer............ .... Albert Durrant Watson > > M ;\RCH, 1!l21 l'l'BUSHEI> MONTHLY 20 CEr\TS > > .3 ('oPYI'ight. 1!l21 . h~' nelllity Pnhli"hing Company > '1.3 > > THE ONENESS OF MANKIND > -TWELVE BASIC > BAHAI PRINCIPLES > > 1. The oneness of mankind. > 2. Independent investigation of truth. > 3. The foundation of all religions is one. > 4. Religion must be the cause of unity. > 5. Religion must be in accord with science and > reason. > 6. Equality between men and women. > 7. Prejudice of all kinds must be forgotten. > 8. Universal peace. > 9. Universal education. > 10. Solution of the econo~ic problem. > 11. An international auxiliary álanguage. > 12. An international bibunal. > > Thc5C twch-e hasic Bahai principles wcrc enunciated hy Baha o'nah > onr sixty years ago and are to he found in his puhlished writings of > that time. > > Digitized by Coogle > - "-hai Movement > apidly spreading throughout the world, and attract- > ing the attention of scholars, savants and religionists > of all countries-oriental and occidental > > For the information of those who know little or nothing of > the Bahai Movement we quote the following account translated > from the (French) Encyclopaedia of Larousse: > > B.\H.\IS:\f: the religion of the dis- Atheists a better social organization! > ciples of Baha'o'lIah, an outcome of Baha'o'liah represents all these, and > Babism. - l\lIrza Huslan All Nurl thus destroys the rivalries and the en- > Baha 'o'liah Wlill born at Teheran In mities of the different religions ; re- > 1817 ,\. D. From 1844 he was one of conciles them In their primitive > the first adherents of the Bab, and de- pHrlty, and Crees them Crom the cor- > voted himself to the pacific propaga- ruption of dogmlis and rites. For Ba- > tion of his doctrine In Persia. After hahnn hus no clergy , no religious cere- > the death of the Blib he was, with the monial, no puhllc prayers; Its only > prlnr.lpal Ballls, exiled to Baghdad, and dogma Is belieC In God and His Mani- > later to Constantinople and Adrlanople, festations, , ,. The principal works of > under the surveillance of the Ottoman Bahli'o'l.lah are the Kltab-ul- Ighan, the > Gov"rnment. It was In the latter cit)' Kltab-ul-Akdas, the Kltab-ul-Ahd, and > that he openly declared his mission, .. numcrous letters or tahlets addre"seQ > and In his letters to the principal Ru - to sovereigns or to prlvatc Individuals. > lers of the States of Europe he In- Ritual holds no place In the relirrlon, > vited them to Join him In establishing which must be expressed In all the > reliA"lon and universal peace. From this actions of life, and accomplished In > time, the Babls who acknowledged him neighborly love. Everyone must have > hecame Babal ... The Sultan then exiled an occupation. The education oC > him 01168 A. D.) to Acca In Palestine, chlldl'E'n Is enjoined and regulated. No > where he composed the greater part of one hus the powcr to rccelve conCes- > his doctrinal works, and where he died ,,'on of "ins. or to give abl'olutlon. The > In 1892 ,\. D. (~fay 29J . He had con- prie"ts of the exh,tlng I'ellgions should > fided to his son. Ahhas Effendi (Abdul- renonnce cclll'ac)', and should preach > Bah,,). the wOl'k of spreading the re- hy their example, mingling In the life > ligion nnd continuing the conneetlon of the people, Monogamy Is unlversall~' > hetween the Bahals of all parts of the recommendcd, etc. Questions not treat- > world. In point of fact, thcl'e al'e Ba- ed of IIl'e left to the civil law of ellch > hah e\ácry",her .. , not only In !\Ioham- conntl'Y, and to the dp.ci"lon>l of the > medan countries, hut al~o In all the Oalt-lll-Adl. or HOllse of Jll"tice, In- > countric" of EurOI)!', a" wcll nl' In the stituted hy Baha'o'lla h. Respect toward > l"nlted States. Canada, Japan. India. the Head of the Stllt(' is a purt of re- > etc, This I.. hccliuse Baha'o'lInh h,," spect towal'd God . , llnl \'er"al > knowll how to tran"form Bahl"m Into IHIIg-unA'>?, lind tlH' ('I'elltion oC trihuQals > a unlnársal religion, which Is pr('spn- of nrloitl'!ttloll Iwtween nations, al'e to > t"d a!; the fulfilment and completion of "upprcss war~. " YOII "re all leaves of > 1111 the ancient faiths, The .Je\\'s awa It th(' saill" tr",'. lind drop,. of the "ame > the: :\Jc,","iah, the Christians the r.lurn sell," Dahn 'o' liah has sa id . n r iefly, It > of Christ, the Moslellll' the ;'.Iahdi, the I" 1I0t so mllch a lIew religion, al' Re- > Buddhists the fifth Buddha, the Zoro- lIg-ion I'cn(' ",,,d und unified , which Is > ná'trlans Shuh Bahram, the Hlndool' dil'('ctf'l.l tod,,~á l..y Ahdul-nnha.-:-Iou- > the relncnrnatlon of KI'h,hnu, and the Venll I,a.-ou".e liI11stre, supplement, > L-á13;; p . (;1) . > > Digitized by Coogle > ABDUL BAHA > THE SERVANT OF GOD > > Digitized by Coogle > Eclltors > REALITY Consulting Editors > Eugene J. Deuth Albert Vall > Wandeyne Deuth Mary Hanford Ford > Howard MacNutt > Herold S. RoblllllOn Dr. Richard Manuel Bolden > Gen. Mgr. Horace Holley > PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY > REALITY PUBLISHING COMPANY > 416 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK, N. Y. > Single Copies, 20 cents. Sold at all Newsstands. > Subscription, $2.25 per year > Money Orders Payable to Reality Publishing Company, > 4l1i Madison Avenue, New York Ciiy > Copyright, 1921, by Reality Publishing Company > > Volume III MARCH, 1921 No.3 > > "Contents of March Number" > Frontispiece > > Education ....._...._................ _...._............................................................._..._..... The Editor > > Words of Abdul Baha on Education > > Janabe Fazel Mazandarani > > The Death Bringer ....................................._.........._..... Albert Durrant Watson > > The Oneness of Humanity ........................................ James C. Oakshette > Marcotone ..........._.................................................................._.........._..... Edward Maryon > > Today .....~...._..............................................................................._.... _...._..... Angela Morgan > > Notable Comments ..........._............................. Mrs. C. Haggarty's Interview > > Walter Newell Weston > > Bahai Activities > > Digitized by Coogle > 4 REALITY > > Education > T HE real and true education of humanity is spiritual training > combined with practical application to the daily routine of > human life. This is a thought which has passed from the > consciousness of man throughout the centuries. It is being > . brought to light again by the fact that the education of the pre- > sent is failing to provide a pennanent and constructive relief for > the every day existence of millions of individuals. > If you are going to the North Pole you will undoubtedly > equip yourself with provisions and clothing suitable for the cli- > mate you will encounter there; you would not take along a Palm > Beach suit. Similarly in the progression of human life toward its > eternal goal of perfection, it would seem wise to provide ourselves > with attributes and powers that will assist in our journey. > Although we hear people say they do not believe in a future > life, yet it is difficult to conceive of intelligence 80 blind to the > forces about us as to deny this fact which is becoming more and > more evident not only to those who have what is ea1led religious > tendencies, but to the scientist, naturalist and those working > near the heart of the Universe. > That the present system of education produces an over sti- > mulated intellectuality, forming in many instances a barrier of > egotism which excludes the new Light radiating from unseen and > as yet unharnessed forces is a fact with which we come into > daily contact. > It is no uncommon thing to meet persons of 80 much ''learn- > ing" that their mental capacity is filled to overflowing, leaving > no room for a new thought or suggestion. We do not believe that > any of us having reached the age of forty can look back upon our > education without realizing that it has been inadequate in many > ways. Not only have educational fonns been inadequate, but iil > many instances destructive. We have been controlled and in- > fluenced by fear, fear of the instructors reprimand, fear of failure > in the race for supremacy, fear of the parent, fear of ridicule. > The individuality of the student suffers, becomes common-place, > imitative, and a sense of repression and stultification often en- > dures through life. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 5 > > Millions of dollars are spent yearly upon institutions of learn- > ing whose object is to fit their graduates for successful and con- > structive lives. Hosts of students each year, trained in technical- > ities, competitive ideas, and theories of limitation are turned out > into the world bewildered and confused, meeting conditions which > require the poise of concentrated culture, thought, composure and > patience, none of which qualities have been instilled or en- > couraged. > At present manual labor is receiving generally higher wages > than college graduates. > True education consists in fitting a human being for progress > on this world plane and in the life beyond. The perfect education > of the New Day will beá an equilibrium of the spiritual and the > material. As man possesses a physical body and a perceptive > soul, and needs both spiritual and physical sustenance, education > must evolve to a point where these two elements will be awakened > and trained. > Physical man, although possessing the greatest powers of phy- > sieallife and endurance, if not endowed with spiritual and mental > development is far outclassed by a spiritual roan whose physical > life is on a decline or undeveloped. > Some of the greatest thoughts that have ever been sent to the > world of mankind have come through diseased and crippled > bodies. Yet it is neither wise nor desirable to overlook physical > culture and outer material development; these are. necessary for > the perfect balance. Under the present system of education > however, these two states of man have been viewed as distinct > from the spiritual, but as the evolving consciousness of humanity > increases in vision, the harmonious blending of the two is becom- > ing apparent. > Thousands of young men and women are being poured into the > mould of preconceived thought each year, with but little under- > standing of their real capacity. One of the laws of the new civil- > ization will be vocational education. Each individual embodies > the potentiality of some constructive work, and this work when > rightly apportioned to the individual, loses its aspect of hardship > and becomes joy and happiness. > Could we do the things we love to do, we would all be happy. > Under the present system however, poets are turned into white- > > Digitized by Coogle > 6 REALITY > washers and whitewashers are constrained to be poets through > the accident of birth or environment. > This is clear violation of that law which works toward the > end that all may find a place in the world and fill it for the benefit > of himself and of his brother. > Could the institutions of learning be 80 arranged as to allow > individual expression and selection as to the course of study, and > eould this course of study be guided and directed toward the > highest development of spiritual as well as material growth, > education would become real in essence. > The Editor. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 7 > > VVords of Abdul Baha on Education > , ,T HERE is a point on which the philosophers and the > . prophets differ. The philosophers make education the > test of knowledge, holding that any man who receives > a sufficient education can attain a state of perfection; that is to > say, man possesses the potentiality for every kind of progress, > and education enables him to bring this into the court of > objectivity. > "The prophets say that something else is necessary. It is true > that education transforms the desert into an orchard, saplings > into trees, and single flowers into double-and treble flowers, but > there is a fundamental difference in men. You may know ten > children of one country, in the same school under the same mas- > ter, treated and fed in the same way. One of these children may > make great progress; others may remain stationary. F.or from > the point of view of existence in the innate nature, there are > differences of memory, perception and intelligence. There is a > superior, a middle and an inferior degree, which corresponds to > the difference in the fundamental estates of creation. While recog- > nizing the influence of education, we must become acquainted > with the innate disposition. > "The prophets are sent to educate this innate quality in > humanity. They are like gardeners who sow the grain, which > afterward springs up in a thousand forms of advancement. The > prophets are therefore the first educators in the world, the head > masters of the world. However much man may advance in ma- > terial civilization, if he remains ignorant of the spiritual civil- > ization, his soul is still defaced. > "The prophets are sent to refresh the dead body of the > world, to render the dumb eloquel)t, to give peace to the troubled, > to render perfect the imperfect and to set free from the material > world all beings who are captives. Leave a child to himself and > he becomes ill-mannered and thoughtless. He must be shown the > path, so that he may become acquainted with the world of the > soul, the world of divine gifts. > > Digitized by Coogle > • > 8 REALITY > > "Existence is like a tree, and man is the fmit. If the fmit be > sweet and agreeable, all is well, but if it be bitter, it were far > better there were none. Every man who has known the celestial > bestowals is verily a treasure; if he remains ignorant of them, > his non-existence were better than his existence. The tree which > does not bring forth fruit is fit only for the fire. Strive night > and day to change men into fruitful trees, virgin forests. into > divine orchards and deserts into rosegardens of significance. > Light these lamps, that the dark world may become illumined. > This is why I am come to Paris." > Abdul Baha: Divine Philosophy, p. 79-80. > > "Education in the world of humanity is divided into two > parts. > 1. Material Education. > 2. Spiritual Education. > "Material education confers upon man the means of physical > comfort; the complicated physical needs of humanity are assured > and material advancement is made possible in wordly affairs. > For example, the European nations have made marvellous pro- > gress. > "The founders of the school of material education are the > past and contemporary philosophers and thinkers. Scientists and > inventors, through the application of their mental faculties, > bring forth upon the arena of existence wonderful enterprises > and undertakings; thus man enjoys the benefit of the labors of > these leaders of thought. > "However, the teachings of these material educators do not > have effect in the world of morality, and if they display any > effect it is very small, for material education simply develops the > physical side of humanity. It is incapable of illumining the dark > regions of the great world of morality. Eternal beatitude is not > made possible through the spread of material education. > "Consider, after all, how the sphere of material education is > llinited. Even if man satisfies his greatest desires for material > comfort he is but like unto a bird. Imagine the happy state of > a bird which flies in the immensity of space, hops from one branch > to another, and builds its nest upon the loftiest tree-top, whence > it can view the whole panorama of nature spread before its eyes, > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 9 > > a scene of ravishing beauty and enchantment. Its tiny nest is > more beautiful than a king's most sumptuous palace. Its wealth > consists of all the seeds in the fields, of the cooling springs flow- > ing from the breast of the mountains, and of the green meadows. > This is the highest point of physical bliss and enjoyment which is > made possible in a more perfect manner for the birds of the field > than for men. These things are prepared for them without any > hard labor or suffering. They know not sorrow, neither any > danger or fear such as men experience in their lives. In the ut- > most ease and happiness they live. > "Such then is the happiness of the animal world. But the > happiness of the human world comes from the virtues of the > world of humanity, which enjoyment the animals know not of. > That comes from the extension of the range of vision, the excel- > lencies of the world of humanity, the love of God, the knowledge > of God, equality between the people, justice, equity and ideal > communication between hearts. > "These are the principles upon which the structure of human > happiness is built. Spiritual education consists of the incul- > cation of these ideals of divine morality and promotion of these > high thoughts. This spiritual education is made possible through > the power of the 'Holy Spirit. As long as the breath of the Holy > Spirit does not display any influence, spiritual education is not > obtained; whereas if a soul is inspired by the Holy Spirit, he will > be enabled to educate a nation. > "Consider the record of bygone philosophers; the utmost > that they could do was to educate themselves. The circle of their > influence was very limited; all that they could do was to instruct > a few pupils. Of such a type was the influence of Plato and > Aristotle. These philosophers were only able to train a limited > number of people. But those souls who are assisted by the > breath of the Holy Spirit can educate a nation. The prophets of > God were neither philosophers nor celebrated for their genius. > Outwardly they belonged to the common people, but as they were > encircled with the all-comprehending power of the Holy Spirit, > they were thus enabled to impart a general education to all men. > For instance, His Holiness the Christ and His Holiness Moham- > med were not among the thinkers of the age, neither were they > counted great geniuses; but through the power of the Holy > > Digitized by Coogle > á 10 REALITY > > Spirit they were able to confer universal instruction upon nlany > nations. > "They illumined the world of morality. They laid the foun- > dation of a spiritual sovereignty which is everlasting. Similarly > with those souls who have entered the tabernacle of the Cause of > God. Although not important in appearance, yet every one is con- > fumed in stimulating the cause of general moral instruction. > Therefore it has become evident that real spiritual education > cannot be realized save through the breath of the Holy Spirit. > Man must not look at his own capabilities, but think of the > power of the Holy Spirit. > Extract from tablet from "The Asiatic Quartery Review" > -April 1913. > "In this age every face must tum to God, so that spiritual > enlightenment will go hand in hand with material education. > Material education alone cannot make the world happy. Spiritual > civilization must assist the material civilization. The men of > science and philosophy are the founders of the material education, > but His Holiness Christ was the founder of the spiritual, divine > civilization. Material civilization serves the world of men, but > the spiritual civilization founds the world of morals. These two > kinds of civilization must go hand in hand. The material civili- > zation is like the lamp, but the spiritual civilization is like the > light in the lamp. This lamp without the light is a useless thing. > Therefore in our day philosophy and science must go hand in > hand with the spiritual civilization. The material civilization is > like the body; the spiritual civilization is like the spirit which is > the life of the body. So long as the spirit gives life to the body, > we behold a living thing; but a body without spirit is dead. It is > my desire that ye all may reach the state of spiritual civilization. > Like as ye have made great progress in material science, so may > ye also progress in the spiritual world. Then the light of the > kingdom of God will shine through all the world. May the Sun of > Reality illumine the East and the West." > Abdul Baha: Star of the West, Vol. 4, No.4. p. 68-69. > After these elementary studies the children must be sent to > the institutions for the arts and crafts wherein they may study > and learn the trades. When they are proficient in one of these > crafts or trades, then the desire and wish of each child must be > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 11 > > considered. If it is toward commerce, he must be trained for > this; if toward art, he should be trained for this; and if > it is for learning, he should be trained for the spread of > learning; and if his wish is toward other needs of humanity, > he should be trained for that purpose. Each one must be allowed > to do according to his own wish and desire and capacity, but the > foundation of foundations is Divine and the manifestation of > praiseworthy attributes and qualities of humanity. This must be . , > > considered before everything else. If a person should be illiterate > but endowed with Divine attributes and made alive by the > Breaths of the Merciful, this illiteracy does not harm him and thi~ > soul is the cause of good to all. > But if a soul has studied all the branches of learning and is > not trustworthy and is not endowed with Godly qualities and has > not pure intention, he will be submerged in desires (of self) and > his existence is absolute harm to all. Nothing is obtained from > this knowledge and learning except injury and dishonor. > If his attributes are divine and his qualities are glorious and > his manners are Godly and his actions are praiseworthy, and a~ > the same time he learns the rest of the sciences, then his outer- > being is light and his innelá being is resplendent, his heart is ten- > der, his thought is exalted, his understanding is extensiv~ his > station is exalted. Blessed is he who reaches this revered > station." > Translated by Ghodsea Ashraf, 1915. > > "As in these colleges only material education is imparted and > natural philosophy is taught, they do not produce inventive > heads, endowed with sciences. When both natural and divine > philosophies shall be taught in them, they will then bring forth > wonderful souls and lead to great advancements." > Abdul Baha: A Talk given to Mr. Maxwell, Montreal, August 31, > 1912. > > Digitized by Coogle > 12 REALITY > > Janabe Fazel Mazandarani > T HE great events in the history of any Cause are not fully > appreciated and understood until time has proven the > importance of those events. The work that has been done > in the Bahai movement during his sojourn in America by Fazel > Mazandarani is a stupendous work. Coming to us as a messenger > from Abdul Baha, bearing credentials of the greatest importance > to those believing in the Bahai Revelation, his progress on his > lecture tour has been marked by the attention, not only of those > who know and believe in the Bahai Revelation, but of the entire > country. The profoundness of his spiritual knowledge is equaled" > only by his simplicity of expounding that knowledge. Possessing > the accumulated wisdom of the East together with an intimate > association with Abdul Baha, having been a student of the Arts > and Sciences, he brings to the Western world a message vibrant > with importance for the reconstruction of the demoralized state of > the human mind. Some small idea of the importance of his work > during the past few months can be gleamed from the following > extracts taken from the hundreds of newspaper clippings which > have.come to us. Fazel Mazandarani is ably assisted in his under- > taking by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab as his interpreter and compabion" > who shares in the debt of gratitude which all who work toward a > better and truer civilization extend to this great teacher. > Quoting from the Portsmouth Times, Tuesday, July ;qth, I920, in > an article headed > GREENACRE CONFERENCES. > "Education, religion, the future of Palestine, and astronomy > to be discussed in this weeks programme. > "Interesting lectures to be given by famous men" ..... . > "For years, every summer, Greenacre Conferences have been > held on the beautiful banks of the Piscataqua River, Eliot, Me. > The platform of these Conferences was built upon the ideals of > brotherhood, universal peace, and the oneness of mankind." > MIRZA FAZEL SPEAKS ON WOMAN QUESTION IN PERSIA > "Just at this time the Fellowship is entertaining the learned > Persian Philosopher and expounder of the Bahai movement, Fazel > Mazandarani. He comes out of the calm and mystic East into > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 13 > > the turmoil and practieallife of the West, with a refined wisdom > which is one of the spirit. He brings into the confused life of > the West the melidious tone and sweetness of a spiritual mind and > philosophic nature, undisturbed by storm and stress of modem > civilization, fraught with conflict and struggle" .•... > "He said in part, 'the common self of humanity is like the body > of an individual. Just as the body of man is subject to diseases, > likewise the body politic' becomes afflicted with illnesses. The > Prophets of God in every age and cycle are the divine physicians, > and their teachings are the prescriptions, but the majority of the > people of the world never listen to them nor do they heed their > advice; thus the number of diseases are increased and multiplied > day by day. In this day the body politic is subject to many kinds > of sicknesses; a social and economic unrest is spreading all over > the country. One of the greatest diseases of the past has been > the inequality between men and women. This disease had become > chronic in the 'Orient. Men looked down upon women as inferior > beings, as individuals possessing no souls. They were character- > ized as tools in the wily hands of Satan, to beguide the innocent > male from the path of virtue. A century ago there were no > schools for girls; they were not even allowed to read and write > and they were isolated entirely from the association of man, .... > but since the appearance of Baha o'llah sixty years ago in Persia, > all these antiquated customs have been changed. He taught the > equality of men and women, and enjoined his followers to train > their sons and daughters in all the modem sciences, crafts and > arts. For this reason the Bahais of Persia are far in advance of > other communities in that country. They have built many fine > schools in Teheran, Hamadan, etc. The doors of these schools are > opened to both boys and girls. They are filled with eager and > enthusiastic students. They have founded libraries and hospitals > and altogether their noble and unselfish work is regenerating > that ancient country. Among the Bahai women Kurratu-l' Ayn > the poetess and martyred heroine is the most famous, and justly > so because she was the first woman of Persia to sacrifice her life > for the sake of the emancipatiop of her sex. She threw away the > veil and from 1844 to 1852 she travelled throughout Persia > teaching the freedom of women and introducing the new ideals > of the day. She said, "men and women are like the two eyes and > > Digitized by Coogle > 14 REALITY > > hands of the body. Both must be trained. Men and women are > the two wings of the bird of humanity; if one wing remains > weak, the bird cannot fly to the highest aspect of perfection." > > St. Louis .Daily Globe, M onda'y, November 22".d, 1920. > > PERSIAN PHILOSOPHER ADVOCATING UNION OF WORLD > RELIGIONS > > ORIENTAL LECTURING IN ST. LOUIS ON TEACHINGS > OF BAHA o'LLAH > > "Jan abe Fazel Mazandarani of Teheran, Persia, addressed the > congregation of the Temple Israel, Washington Blvd. and Kings > Highway on "The Ideals of the New Day" interpreted through the > Bahai Cause yesterday morning. The address was delivered to > the Congregation through an interpreter Mirza Ahmad Sohrab > of Palestine, who is accompanying the teacher on his trip over > the world in his lectures upon the unifying of all religions, races > and language. He spoke yesterday evening before the Fraternal > Temple, 25 North Grand Avenue, on "New Evidences of I,ife > After Death", and is scheduled to deliver many addresses in his > short stay in this city." > "At the Temple Israel an open forum followed his address and > hundreds of eager inquirers pressed about him, asking questions > of his interpreter while "the wise man from the East" wearing > the long robe of the Mazandarani district a.ud the white turban > of the scholar, smilingly answered their questions. The open > forum was opened by his asking his audience if they did ánot > believe that his leCture was the essence of the teachings of Moses > and the Sermon of the Mount put into actual practice 1" > . Fazel Mazandarani has been asked to speak this afternoon on > "Universal Brotherhood", and this evening at 8 o'clock before the > New Thought group on "Material and Spiritual Healing."áWednes- > day evening in Vandervorts Music Hall, his subject will be "The > Progress of Woman in the Orient", Thursday evening in Frater- > nity Temple, "A New Solution of the Economic Problem". > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 15 > > Montreal Star, October 18th, 1920. > EXPOUNDS BAHAI REVELATION HERE > "The Bahai Revelation is like a tent in which all the peoples > of the world without regard to creed or color may gather and seek > peace and quiet beneath the shade," so declared Fazel Mazan- > darani of Teheran, to the Star, on Saturday afternoon. > Janabe Fazel Mazandarani is a Persian sage and philosopher > who has come to America to help spread the doctrine and teach- > ings of Baha 'o'llah and to bring the tidings of a great spiritual > movement in the East . . . .. Fazel Mazandarani will deliver a > lecture in the Ritz Carlton Hotel Tuesday evening~ > > The Anconda Standard, January 5th, 1921. > TEACHER OF BAHAI FAITH IN BUTrE > Fazel Mazandarani arrived here for a series of talks on Univer- > sal Brotherhood. His first address was at the Schaffer Temple, > of the A. M. E. Church last night. This afternoon he will speak > at Good Temple Hall on North Main Street, and tonight before > the Theosophical Society. > "During the last eight months," he began, "I have been travel- > ing over the United States and Canada, lecturing before clubs, > schools, Universities and in Churches. I bring out of the East > the good news of the message of the Bahai movement. > PREDICTIONS FOR 1921 > "This century in which we live is the dawn of a grand and > glorious age,' the era which has been predicted by the seers and > prophets of the past, the age in which the ideal of universal peace > must be established among the nations of the earth, and pre- > judices removed." > He expressed himself as delighted with his experience in the > United States. He was most impressed by the system of public > education and thought it is wonderful that the little red sChool > house should be found even in remote villages. The system of > vocational training also appealed to him. > > The Helena Dail.,', Satllrday, Jmll/ary 8th, 1921. > "FAZEL MAZANDARANI ON BAHAI MOVEMENT" > "IT IS NOT SO MUCH A NEW RELIGION AS RELIGION > RENEWED AND UNIFIED." > > Digitized by Coogle > 16 REALITY > > "BAHAIS BELIEVE WORLD HAS ENTERED THAT ERA > FOUNDED UPON RELIGIOUS UNITY IN ACCORD > WITH SCIENCE AND RELIGION," SAYS > PERSIAN PHILOSOPHER. > > Salt Lake Telegram. January 2nd, 1921. > "INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE IS AT HAND" > "NATIONS JOIN FOR WORLD'S BENEFIT" > "FAZEL MAZANDARANI ARRIVES AT SALT LAKE TO > GIVE ADDRESSES" > > "STRUGGLES BETWEEN CAPITAL AND LABOR TO BE > ADJUSTED, HE SAYS." > Entrance of the nations not already affiliated with the league > of nations into the league and the dawning of a golden era of a > better understanding between the East and the West are some of > the things predicted to take place this year by J anabe Fazel > Mazandarani, of Teheran, Persia. Mazandarani accompanied by > Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, arrived in Salt Lake Saturday after an > eight months' tour of various cities of the eastern United States. > "The economic struggles and turmoil between capital and labor > will be adjusted," Mazandarani said, "and all rights, both racial > and national, will be equalized. The smaller nations now oppressed > by mandatory government will be free and international justice > will settle the affairs of all men during the new year." > These are the predictions of the great spiritual teacher Abdul > Baha of Palestine, for whom Mazandarani is acting as an agent > in this country after spending several months in a Persian prison > for acknowledging his belief in the doctrine. Following his release > from the prison where he was thrust when it was discovered he > was preaching the new doctrine to the students of the university, > Mazandarani came to America. > CLOSER COOPERATION > "I am an envoy from the orient to the occident with the pur- > pose of creating a closer cooperation between the two hemi- > spheres," said Mazandarani. "I believe that the darkness of the > old time is passing. A new age of social justice with equality for > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 17 > > all sons of man is ~pproaching. A wonderful sun is dawning, > casting its rays on man everywhere-rays which will dispel > ignorance. This is the dawn of a new international conscience, a > golden era of better understanding between the East and the > West. > "This year will mark greater development of peace ideas > between nations, and arbitrations will gain more power. The > parliament of man will be strengthened in the next twelve months > and the nations that have not already entered the league will be > added and a congress of all people on earth will be created. > "Autocracy and despotism in politics will vanish and a world > of democracy with rights for the smaller nations will be ushered > in. The human race, nationally and racially, will be equalized. > PROFIT SHARING > "Capitalists will take in the Jaborer on the basis of profit > sharing rather than that of wages. They will be given a > voice in government of industry and ownership in the property > of the plant. Naval and military expense will be largely reduced. > Large sums of money now being spent on these will be expended > for instruction and culturing the people so that instead of spend- > ing the money on building infernal machines of slaughter these > colossal fortunes will be expended for irrigation, education and > expansion of industries. > "In this year the governments all over the world will enter > into a new contract, open and understandable. Foundations for > new plans of public education will be laid, not, only by each > government for itself, but for the far off countries, where people > are deprived of the most. rudimentary knowledge.. Scientific and > technical training will be given so that the natural resources of > the world may be better divided. > UNIVERSAL RELIGION > "The world will become in course of time like one home. > There will be one United States of the world, one international > auxiliary language, one parliament, one universal religion. These > are the radiances which will penetrate further into the conscience > of man during 1921," concluded Mazandarani. > Mazandarani will speak to three Salt Lake audiences in his > native tongue with Mr. Sohrab interpreting the addresses. He > > Digitized by Coogle > 18 REALITY > > will make the first address this morning at 10 o'clock to the in- > mates of the state prison, speaking on "The Bahai Movement and > its Universal Application." At 8 p. m. he will speak in the > Eighteenth ward chapel on "Palestine during the Days of Re- > construction." Monday night he will speak at the regular weekly > meeting of the Theosophical society in the Kieth Emporium > building on the "Bahai Movement." > This is only a very brief synopsis of the latter part of the tour > of Janabe Fazel Manzandarani. We have quoted in other numbers > from the accounts given of his lectures throughout. the country. > He will be present at the Bahai Convention in Chicago, beginning > April 2Srd, and will attend the Inter-Racial Congress in Wash- > ington during the month of May. It is hoped he will be present > at the "Protest Against Prejudice Meeting", to be held in Car- > negie Hall the latter part of May, when six of the most prominent > speakers in New York representing different races and types of > thought, will unite to set forth the possibilities resulting from > mutual consideration and understanding upon the questions of > races, creeds and classes. This meeting should be one of national > and world importance. ARnouncement of the names of the speak- > ers and the exact date will be made in REALITY later. > > The Death . . Bringer > By Albert Durrant Watson > > A word was spoken - a breath of frost > Struck Love with an icy chill; > Two hearts went limping; joy was lost > And wandered lone on a tempest hill; > The flowers of the soul their petals shed > Music was silent and Art fell dead. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 19 > > The Oneness of Humanity > By James C. Oakshette > > O N Intm:-Racial Sunday, at a special service conducted by > Rev. Archdeacon Braithwaite and Rev. Williams Q. > Rogers in Atlanta, Georgia, a masterly address was > delivered by James C. Oakshette, M.D. Ph.D., on the "Oneness of > Humanity." > The doctor caught the attention of the audience immediately > and held their interest to the close. áDr. Oakshette said,. in part: • > In the remarkable sermon of St. Paul at Athens (see Acts > Chap. 17 vs 22-29) revealing God to the people of that city, three > statements stand out in bold relief.- > 1st. God made the world and all therein." > 2nd. "God made of one blood all nations of men." > 3rd. "We are His offspring." > Today God eallsto Mankind everywhere, saying, "1 loved thy > creation, therefore, I created thee, wherefore love me that 1 may > acknowledge thee in the Spirit of Life and confirm thee. 1 have > created the rich, why dost thou make thyself poor? Noble have > I made thee, why dost thou degrade thyself? 1 created thee > sublime, why dost thou degrade thyself? Therefore aesend to > that for which thou was created." > God made all nations of one blood, that is from one common > stock, from one root. From that common root stock the Creation- > al Tree of Humanity has grown up, has thrown out many > branches, covered them with many-Eh! countless leaves. Today > is the cycle of fruitage when the Lord of Creation comes seeking > the ripe, mature and beautiful fruit. > He declares to men everywhere: "Ye are all leaves of one > tree." > Yet we hear one leaf rustling and whispering, as it were,. > against its fellow leaf, one branch seeking to destroy or wound > another branch. Still all are fed by the same sap, grow by the > same Divine Bounties, warmed by the same Sun, blessed by the > same dew, fanned by the same breeze, washed by the same show- > > Digitized by Coogle > 20 REALITY > > ers, subject to the same law of development-what is the matter? > Why this chaos and strife we see all about us, everywhere? > Consider! As the Tree of Humanity grew up from its com- > mon root, there came the time when branches put forth and > spread in every direction. The crowding population pushed > further afield over mountains, rivers and seas. Gradually, lack > of intercourse, communication and growing isolation created > differences of language, custom and religion. Little by little they > became estranged from each other, thru all the ages of this > branch growing. So each bl'anch came to think itself the only > branch (i. e. nation) and therefore their ways the only ways. > This is a new cycle of human power. This is the day of > . "fruitage." The gift of God to this enlightened age is the > knowledge of the Oneness of Humanity and the fundamental > oneness of Religion. The world will be seen as a New World and > all men will live as brothers. There will be one fold and one > shepherd BECAUSE God keeps his promises. His Covenant is > certain of fullfllment. Therefore, mankind (and we as part of > the whole) should endeavor always to realize the oneness of > Humanity. > We are the offspring of God, all created by God, all provided > for by God and are all under the protection of God. God is kind > to all his children. > His Holiness, the prophet Mahomet taught, "God is love áupon > love, with love." > Why should men wage war and strife between themselves? > God is the True Shepherd of all his Sheep. That great ruler > of the Jews, King David caught the vision and said: "The Lord > Jehovah is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Surely Goodness and > mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell > in the house of the Lord forever." That is your portion too, if > you will have it. > Just now we mentioned the cause of the estrangment of the > branches (nations) of the Tree of Humanity-what are the > reasons for the antagonism and hatred among men today. > The first separating principle is Religion-another is pre- > judice; religious prejudice, political prejudice, patriotic prejudice > and racial prejudice, still another is misunderstanding because of > the many different languages, the difficulties of interpretation > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 21 > > and the expression of idioms. Every religion, community and > sect has gathered around itself certain imitations of Reality in > dogma, ceremonies, forms, etc., have called them by various > names, until they have come to think them to be Realities. As > these imitations and names differ, contentions, hatred and per- > secutions follow. > The Sun of Reality, the Sun of Right (eous) ness has arisen, > piercing and dispelling these thick dense clouds of human > vaporings. > If these divisions of sects and religions will but forget the > differences and imitations and will seek for the underlying > REALITY, all would be united and agreed, men would love one > another and fellowship would be established between the organi- > zations of mankind. . . > "He that loveth not his brother abideth in death" declares > the Holy Apostle St. John. Also, .he says, "Beloved let us love > one another FOR love is of God and everyone that loveth is > Bom of God and knoweth God." Ponder that well. > Therefore it is evident that the foundation of religion is > LOVE and the fundamental purpose of religion is unity, har- > mony, peace, progress. The religion of God is honor to humanity, > why make it a cause of degradation, hatred, conflict, darkness > and SOITOW? > o ye discerning ones of the peopl~Verily the words which > have descended from the heavens of the will of God are the Source > of Unity and harmony for the world. Live among the people a > life that will manifest signs of God. > The law of growth and development of seed potential is > cultivation, education, training. First cle;,lr away the weeds and > cast aside the stones that the seed may fall into good soil. That > is, abandon all prejudice, then investigate TRUTH. Let not a > man glory in this-I love my country; rather let him glory in > this-I love mankind. We are all His (God's) offspring. > "This handful of dust, the world is one home. Let it be in > unity. Follow that which tends to harmony. Forsake pride it is > a cause of discord." > "Oh Friends, consort with all the people of the world with > joy and fragrance. Fellowship is the cause of unity and unity > > Digitized by Coogle > 22 REALITY > > is the source of order in the world. Blessed are they who are > kind and serve with love." > Man's greatest happiness is found in service to his fel- > low man. > That barrier to mutual good understanding amongst men; - > many different languages, is great and yet the remedy is simple. > Let a universal language be selected and agreed upon and then > let every one enjoy his own language but learn also the universal > language, then all may communicate freely, everywhere and all > come to know his fellowman of every clime. With mutual > understanding will come fellowship. Fellowship tends to har- > mony and unity. > The world of humanity is sick. The Great Physician offers > the cure. The world of. humanity is ignorant. The Divine > Teacher is crying to all "Learn of Me." The world of Humanity > is immature. The Heavenly Husbandman is come that we may > bear much sound, ripe fruit, to the glory of our Lord. > The Sovereign Lord speaks, consider his words. "0 children > of men! Do ye know why we have created ye from one clay? > That no one should glorify himself over the other. Be ye ever > mindful of how ye were created. Since we created ye all from the > same substance, ye must be as one soul walking with the same > feet, eating with one mouth and living in one land that ye may > manifest with your being and by your deeds and actions the signs > of unity and the Spirit of Oneness. This is my counsel to ye, 0 > people of lights. Therefore, follow it that ye may attain the > fruits of holiness from the tree of might and power." > "The progress of man depends upon faithfulness, wisdom, > chastity, intelligence and deeds. He is ever degraded by ignor- > ance, lack of faith, untruth and selfishness. Verily man is not > called man until he is imbued with the attributes of the Merciful. > He is not man because of wealth and adornment, learning and > refinement. Blessed is he who is free from the names, seeking > the shore of the sea of Purity and loving the melody of the dove > of Virtue." 1 > > "The Source of all good is trust in God, obedience to His com- > mand and satisfaction in His Will." . > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 28 > > Marcotone > By Edward Maryon > THE SCIENCE OF TONE-COLOR > > I F Bahaism symbolizes in its ideals the Unity of Men, the Unity > of Humanity, it is the At-one-ment or union with God. > If this is indeed so, it justifies these"Words of Wisdom" > taught us by Baha 'o'llah. > "Its Light (Light of the Sun of Truth) when cast > on the mirrors of the wise gives expression to wis- > dom; when reflected from the minds of artists it > produces manifestations of new and beautiful arts; > when it shines through the minds of students it re- > veals knowledge and unfolds mysteries." > Latterly the world has been occupied with much new thought, > and strangely strenuous experiments to reach out into eternity; > when in fact, eternity surrounds us. If the conscious, intuitional > unit, Man, is not now in eternity, then there is no eternity. Our > effort is not to reach out, for grasping only affects material > things; rather our life work is to respond to, to realize and to be > eternal. Eternity is not a place, but a presence, a condition. > Therefore why ask tables to rap out dubious messages from > unknown sources, ouija boards and planchettes to perform ca.- > balistic contortions with the alphabet, and mediums to mumble > mysteries devoid of logic? Why should a Lodge reiterate gravely > the banalities of the poor ignorant Fox sisters, or why should an > Edison spend money and time taming the atom and teaching this > all too busy cell the technique of a mechanical toy? > Teach the world Truth exposed in astronomy, geometry, > physics and chemistry, and clothe Truth in divine Beauty, naming > it Science, Art, or "Truth in the Beautiful;" and encourage man- > kind to live by this Science-Art, through the wisdom of inspired > epoch-makers, so that physical law evolves to moral law ; for this > is the destiny of the Cosmos. > How can we manifest the foregoing ideas? A pathway leads > directly to'the Unity of unities, a "Universal Language" which > few Imow, a "Divine Art" which few practice. Why? > > Digitized by Coogle > 24 REALITY > > Because this pathway in our age has been dark, unillumined, > not harmonized with the light of the soul; for as Jesus said: > "The light of the body is the eye; if therefore thine eye be > single, thy whole body shall be full of light." This is no mystical > utterance, but a fact; for without the analysis of the eye, all > human effort is vain. Life is 'motion, and life's ideal is emotion, > which is Love. Therefore a perfect life expresses perfect love > and this truly is the Eternal. > There could possibly be no astronomy or chemistry, the > two major forces of mundane intellect, divorced from > spectrum analysis. There could be no decorative or fine arts > without the light absorbed into the artist's craftsmanship; and > not until the world brings the light of the eye into music, will the > . world sing or play just as naturally as it writes and speaks. > This is not difficult to understand if one realizes that Nature > in our present stage of evolution has expressed but one scale, > the spectrum, and unless our scales of color, chemistry, sound, > etc., are attuned to this one revealed aspect of those cosmic > negations, to those universal principles, Darkness-Silence, then > their planetary manifestations as Sound and Light, will remain > forever an illusion of the intellect and a delusion of the senses. > Therefore we must correlate our musical scale to our natural > seale of light, the spectrum, for the decomposition of light as > color has in the course of aeons become an apperception of the > subconscious mind, prenatal, hereditary, intuitional, whereas > alone and unaided by the lamp of the Soul, the eye, the decom- > position of sound as tone, is only a sense perception just as are > taste, touch and smell. > It is because color, since the time of Pythagoras, has not > been correlated with tone, that the study and practice of music > have been the privilege of the few and not the joy of the mul- > titude, in their highest fonns. Further, this rift in our musical > lute has l'esulted in the nerve-racking strain to which all musi-' > cians are subjected, causing general neurosis; and it is the direct > c~use of the existing low order of mis-named music prevailing > among the masses of mankind. > "Marcotone~' is the science of tone-c91or and through calcu- > lations t~e exactá of number permits- us to demonstrate the, > rationic ielationshiJ) o~ molecule (air), to atom (ethet'). in > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 25 > > microns (lightspeed), and particles (sound-waves). The appli- > cation of these natural laws, through acquiring the habit, which > is "second-nature," of associating a given color with a given > tone, in a comparatively short space of time, gives us an auto- > matic control of all melody and harmony, so that music can be > read and memorized without any recourse to a musical instru- > ment, in the woods and fields, on the train, or in our favorite > ann-chair. Music in this way is easier to acquire than lan- > guage, and can be taught to a child even before it reads and > writes its own native tongue. > The international acceptance of "Marcotone" will make the > whole world akin musically, and what more powerful factor to- > ward peace and progress can be looked for than a world gov- > erned by arbitrary laws, enforced frontiers, foreign tongues, be- > coming united by the divine art and universal language of > music. > Bahais. > "Wake! For the Sun who scattered unto flight > The Stars before Him from the field of night, > Drives night along with them from Heaven, and strikes > 'The Sultan's Turret with a shaft of light." > > Editors Note > Edward Mary'on belongs to the New Day, the Day of the com- > plete realization of the beauty of life and the privilege of understand- > ing and enjoying this beauty. In his remarkable discovery of the > relation between color and music, he is but another example of the > work of that unseen force ever seeking to enlighten man as to the > possibilities and privileges he possesses on this planet. > In the address Mr. ~1aryon gave at the Bahai Library, 416 Madi- > son Avenue, he carried his audience to the heights of his own vision. > Mr. Maryon refuses to classify himself as belonging to any particular > organization or form of thought, realizing as thoughtful minds are > realizing more and more that the message of this Day is a universal > message, inclusive and not exclusive, and as this is one of the funda- > mental principles of the Babai Revelation, those who were privileged > to hear Mr. Maryon understand him to be consciously or uncon- > sciously an exponent of this Revelation::' > > Digitized by Coogle > 26 REALITY > > To ., Day > By Angela Morgan > > To be alive in such an Age! . > With every year a lightening page, turned in the world's > great wonderbook, > Whereon the leaning nations look > To be alive in such an Age! > With every year a lightening page, turned in the world's great > wonderbook, > Whereon the leaning nations look > When men speak strong for brotherhood, for peace and univer- > sal good, > When miracles are everywhere and every inch of common air > throbs a tremendous prophecy of greater marvels yet to be. > o thrilling Age! 0 willing Age! > When steel and stone and rail and rod become the avenues of > GOD- > A trump to shout His thunders thru, to crown the work that > men may do. > To be alive in such an Age! > When man, impatient of his cage, Ithrills to the world's im- > mortal rage > Of conquest - reaches goal on goal, comers the earth from pole > to pole, > Garners the tempests and the tides and' on a dream triumphant > rides. > > When hid within a lump 'of clay, a light more terrible than day. > Proclaims the presence of that Face; which hurls the planets on > their course. > o Age with wings! 0 Age that flings a challenge to the very > sky! > Endless realms of conquest lie > Where earth on tip-toe strives to hear the message of the sister- > sphere, . > Yearning to reach the cosmie wires that flash infinity's desires. > > To be alive in such an Age! > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 27 > > That thunders forth its discontent with futile creeds and sacra- > ment > Yet craves to utter GOD'S intent, > Seeing the world's unrest, creations huge untiring guest, > And thru tradition's broken crust the flame of Truth's trium- > phant thrust; > Below .the seething thought of man - the push of a stupendous > plan. > o Age of Life! 0 Age of strife! > When progress rides her chariot high and on the horders of the > sky > The signals of the century proclaim the things that are to be, > The rise of woman to her place, the coming of a nobler race. > > To be alive in such an Age! To live to it! To give to it! > Rise soul from thy despairing knees; what if thy lips have > drunk the lees? > Fling forth thy sorrow to the wind and link thy hope with > human-kind. > Breathe the world thought, do the world deed, > Think hugely of thy brother's need, > Think of the work the times reveal; give thanks with all thy > flaming heart, crave but to have in it a part, > Give thanks and clasp thy heritage. To be alive in such. an > Age! > > I I > ~mQUIIIIIIIIUlIUIUlllnIllIIllIlIlIIllIIllIIllIIIllIIllIlUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIQIIIIIIIII1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllUIUIIIIIIWI! > > Get but the truth onee uttered and 'tis like a > star, new hom, that drops into its place, and > which, once circling in its placid round, not all > the tumult of the earth. can shake. > JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL. > > ~lIIIIlInUIlUIIIII.IIII11I1I11II11II11I1I11II11II11I1I11I1I1I1I1"III1I11I11I1II11I1I1I1I1I11I1I1UUIIIIIIIIIIIIII1IIIIIIIIIIIUIIUIIMHIIIIIIIIIIIIWIIliF. > > Digitized by Coogle > :28 REALITY > > Notable Comments > Extract from "The North American", Phil., Feb,.. 13th, 1921. > Mrs. C. Haggarty, Jr., Te& of Pilgrimage to Baha, the Master > IN THE HOLY LAND > ," IáM not sanctimonious about it, and it hasn't made any > change in my manner of life, but for the first'time in a > number of years I am entirely contented." > Thus does Mrs. Cornelius Haggarty, Jr., of 627 West Cliveden > avenue, Germantown, wife of a well-known lawyer, describe the > effect of the religion that a few months ago induced her and thir- > teen other Americans to undertake a pilgrimage to Haifa, to sit > at the feet of Abdul Baha, Abbas Effendi-or to give him the de- > signation said to be proper since he was knighted by the British > government-Sir Abbas, the "Master" of the Bahai religion. > Some may remember the visit of Abdul Baha to the United > States in 1912, soon after he was released from prison in Akka, > where he had been confined forty years. Others may recall the > convention of Bahaists in New York last year, at which it was > ,decided to build a $1,000,000 temple in Chicago where men and > women of all religions and races would be free to worship. The > foundations of that temple recently were sunk on the shores of > Lake :Michigan. > Those who have not heard of the movement now more than > half a century old, which claims 15,000,000 followers of all re- > ligions and races in the world, may gain some impression from the > account rendered by Mrs. Haggarty, who, until she became a > believer, was a prominent matron who loved the theater, the > dance and the bright things of life--and, since she has become "a > believer," loves them all still, but with greater intensity and > appreciation. > Hidden Pearls Revealed > For, as the "Hidden Words" of Baha'o'llah, father of Sir > Abbas have it, "0, Son of Spirit! I have created thee rich: Why > dost thou make thyself poor? Noble have I made thee: Why dost > 'thou degrade thyself?" > And these words apply to the beauties and enjoyments of > life as part of a man's and woman's spiritual endowment. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 29 > Mrs. Haggarty is an attractive-looking woman, who has a > beautiful home, two charming young daughters and a husband > who is a successful attorney, with offices in the Lincoln Building. > Mr. Haggarty is not a Bahaist. At any rate he says emphatically > that he is not, but his wife avers that she has a number of times > detected him in the act of reading "the literature." > At her ease before a smouldering rose-red fire in the living > room of her home, Mrs. Haggarty told of her trip. That trip, its > incidents and the two weeks of communion with the "Master," > had a great deal of the poetical in them, and Mrs. Haggarty, as > do indeed the majority of Bahais, spoke semi-poetically of her > -discovery. It was not dust-and-ashes, black cowled and dismal > story of passionate repentance and fervid hope the urban disciple > of Abdul Baha unfolded. > Then the Way Was Open > "A number of months ago, Mrs. Florian Krug, of New York > city, who had sent especially to Akka to learn of the "Master" > when he was in prison ten or twenty years ago, learned by cable > .that the way was open for a pilgrimage to Haifa in the holy land, > where Abdul has his home," said Mrs. Haggarty. "I had become > interested in Bahai, and with my sisters, Mrs. F. B. Cook and Miss > Margaret Marshall, of New York, my two children and eight > others, including a secretary to take down in shorthand the > sayings of Abdul, set out to visit him. > "When we arrived in Egypt we found that no tourists were > pe~tted to go thru into Palestine, but we knew that General > Allenby knew of the "Master" and was interested in the move- > ment, so we applied to him. We could not believe that after we > had been told the way was open we should be held up at the last > stage of our journey. > "It was here that one of the wonderful things of our trip > occured. General Allenby informed us that if we would give our > Bahai word that we would not mention the matter, he would per- > mit us.to go thru to Haifa, and we arrived at our destination. > A Sort of Feeling in His Presence > "We found Abdul Baha the most wonderful and inspiring man > who could be imagined. He was aged ana venerable. An air of > the greatest majesty and tranquility distinguished him, and in his > ))resence you were aware of a great truth. > "Don't you think there is something wonderful about a man > > Digitized by Coogle > 30 REALITY > who is willing to stay in prison forty years, in order to be per- > mitted to give an idea to humanity?" asked Mrs. Haggarty. > "Akka is 80 deserted and dismal a prison they say even a crow > that flies over the place falls dead. No one can live there for > long, but the Master lived and taught there forty years! > "Abdul is a rich man and his family has vast estates. He is > restored to his own now, and was knighted by the British govern- > ment for the generosity with which he gave to the poor during the > war," she added. > "In Haifa we lived in an oriental structure called the American > Pilgrim House. It was across the way from the home of the > Master. On the side of Mount Carmel was a Pilgrim house for > Mohammedan women, where they lived in accordance with east- > ern custom, for Bahai teaches that each should observe the > customs of his own country and his first religion, and not arouse > undue attention. > At the top of Mount Carmel is a lookout of the sect of Seventh > Day Adventists, or a similar sect, who believe that in Abdul is > the second coming of Christ and a sign of the end of the world. > Over the houses they have established near the Master they have > written: "The Lord is Nigh." > "In the Pilgrim House, our bedrooms were on the four Bides > of a large court or room where we ate our meals. At breakfast > the master would visit us, with the women of his household and > talk to us of Bahai. He always carried with him a jasmine > flower-for jasmine grows luxurily around Haifa-or a large. > wonderfully colored rose. > "At luncheon time we would go to Abdul~s house, and while we > ate he would talk to us, walking frop! one to the other. No one > dared interrupt without permission, and, besides, if we had inter- > rupted, who could have had anything to say-in his presence? > "He talked in Persian and Arabic, which was translated, of > course. But you hardly realized it was being translated. His > voice has all the tones of a rich organ, and it would swell and fall > with his meaning unlike any human voice I have ever heard. ' > "In the evening there would be dinner in the house of the > Master, and afterward 'he would talk until he had decided it was > time for us to leave. At the end of two weeks he mentioned there > was a steamship to leave, and we realized the way was open for > us to go. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 81 > > Sueh Interesting Persons > "The dinners were wonderful," she continued. "At one of > them there were three Zoroastrians, two Jews, three Moham- > medans, fanners who had come on foot for a journey that took > them three months and. had prostrated themselves on beholding > the Master-a thing that displeased him very much- and there > were us fourteen Christians. > "The greater proof of the power of Bahai was in the presence > of the Mohammedans. Twenty thousand Persians we~ mas- > sacred. for the faith when Abdul's father preached his in- > spired words. > "One of us asked Abdul one day if there ,-"ould be any martyrs > in America. > "He said, 'They are too polite in the United States to kill you, > but they will martyr you with ridicule.' " > Mrs. Haggarty smiled and admitted he spoke the truth. Many > of her friends have tried unsuccessfully so to "martyr" her. > There is no purgatory, no hell, no concept of unlovely suf- > fering in the next world of the Bahais, according to the Gennan- > town disciple. They cannot conceive that a God who made the > earth so beautiful should have evolved so repellent a heaven as > one with hell attached. > She read again from the "Hidden Words," the Bahai Bible, > which she keeps continUally by her:- > "0 Son of the Supreme! I made death for thee as glad tidingS: > Why art thou in despair at its approach? I made light for thee > .a splendor: Why dost thou hide from it?" > The twelve basic principles of the Bahaist faith, according to > Mrs. Haggarty, are the oneness of the world of humanity; in- > -dependent investigation of the truth; the foundation of all relig- > ions as one; religion the cause of unity among the people of the > .earth; religion must be in accord with science and reason; men > and women are equal; prejudice of all kinds must be forgot; uni- > versal peace, universal education, a solution of the economic > problem, a universal language to be learned in addition to the one > spoken in a person's native country, and an international tri- > bunal. > "In brief," said she, "Bahaism is the spirit of the age. Many > .are Bahais who never heard the name." > > Digitized by Coogle > 32 REALITY > > \f\/alter Newell \f\/eston > O N the night of February 13th, Walter Newell Weston de-- > livered an address at the Bahai Library, 416 Madison > Avenue on ''The Eternal Now." > The work of Mr. Weston is too well known to need any com- > ment from REALITY. His association with R. L. Rawson in his > travels throughout America was productive of a widespread > realization of the power and importance of Mr. Weston's per- > sonality, broadmindedness, and universality. > Mr. Weston's address in the Library, carried to-his listeners > one of the most vital elements for constructive life, which is to > the effect that "The Eternal Now" is a thing of present conscious- > ness. The habit of mind continUally living in the past, filled > either with a happiness greater than the present, or a sadness too > keen to be helpful, is a habit which is destructive in the day that > is before us. > The great law works with continuity and unerringly. It is not > necessary for us to ignore the opportunities and possibilities of > today by vainly regretting yesterday or inertly dreaming of to- > morrow. The present is the important factor in life. Should each > day fulfill its own promise, allowing the mind to rejoice in the > opportunities of that day, the necessity for retrospection will > vanish. > Mr. Weston's publication entitled "Intuition" is a book of such > value that every advanced thinker and those who wish to become > advanced, should immediately possess it. Dealing with the sixth > sense, which is man's inheritance and opportunity to rightly > direct his life, Mr. Weston clearly outlines the development and > use of this sense. His book is written in a convincing and power- > ful manner. Its simplicity and logic can be easily understood._ > He has not involved it with technical phrases which are so con- > fusing to many types of minds, and which so often destroy the > value of publications. His vision of the possibilities of human > development along the lines of intuition and guidance is so clear > that it becomes a part of the consciousness of the reader. You > will find yourself progressing and absorbing his thought from > page to page, and when this message which he so ably gives, > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 33 > > becomes a part of you, enlargement of opportunity, increase of > power and insight will follow in natural sequence. > In Mr. Weston's handling of the great spiritual question > underlying the reCent world war, he has displayed a knowledge > of the great law of God, almost startling. Such paragraphs as the > following indicate his understanding of this law. > "Unity is a fundamental spiritual principle. Its antithesis is > separation. The rational mind is eternally seeing differences, dis- > continuity, separation; the spiritual mind is ever uniting. Because > nations and religions have been the product of mental rather thap > spiritual thought, their history, with a few exceptions has been > the history of dissension, schisms, offshoots, and separations." > "This war is far more than a mere physical conflict between > opposing armies. The civilized peoples of the world have been too > selfsatisfied, too indifferent to the realities of life. Multitudes > have neglected to use their thought-faculties and the interior > sources of their Being." > "If the nations of the earth could in truth know that 'man's > laws are not laws at all, but merely attempts to establish som~ > thing as law,' the millennium would indeed be at hand." > "Multitudes realize that there is in process, a great Cosmic > Movement for which adequate interpretation seems lacking. A > notable factor is that this movement has no visible leader, though > the minds of many are ready to ascribe to it the One Great > Leader, and to associate it with the second corning of Jesus > Christ." > The last quotation bears a particular significance to those > knowing the Bahai Revelation. Again we repeat that Mr. Weston's > book "Intuition" should be in the hands of all those seeking > knowledge of the higher plane of thought. Mr. Weston has a > generosity of spirit which makes him open to co-operate and > render service wherever it is possible, and has expressed a > willingness to speak from time to time in the Library, for which > REALITY takes the opportunity of expressing grateful ap- > preciation. > > Digitized by Coogle > 34 REALITY > > Bahai Activities > > The Monday evening meetings of Mrs. Florian Krug and Miss: > Anne Boylan are attracting an increasing number of those seek- > ing knowledge of the Bahai Revelation. > > On Friday evenings the meetings are conducted by Miss. > Juliet Thompson. > > The Bahai forum is open to the public every Sunday. > > The above meetings open at 8:15 P. M. All Welcome. Come > and bring your friends. > > Among the notable addresses in the Bahai Library, during- > the past month was "The Mysteries Explained" by Mrs. Florian > Krug and Miss Anne Boylan. This lecture was of such im- > portance that we hope to repeat it in the near future, not only at > the suggestion and request of those present, but for those who > were kept away by the blizzard. > > Mrs. Valerie DeMude Kelsey spoke in the Bahai Library, her > Bubject being "THE REALITY OF MAN." The inspiration of > this address was so remarkable and convincing that we should > like to preserve and distribute it among the friends. Unfortun- > ately it was impossible to preserve it in its entirety. Much of the > thought flowing through this channel was so swift, that the > speaker herself would probably be unable to reproduce it in its > exact form. The knowledge of the true reality of man enduring > throughout eternity was impressed upon the listener with a truth > and forcefulness so convincing and the spirit of her words made > such an impression upon the listeners that is was hours before the > meeting came to an end. In the period of questioning following > her address, Mrs. Kelsey proved herself as ranking among the > foremost of the speakers in the Bahai movement, and it is > earnestly hoped that 'the friends will take advantage of every > opportunity to hear her and through loving insistence will urge > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY S5 > > her to speak more often. Mrs. Zoraya Chamberlain was her able > assistant during the evening, and all who know the spirit of this > gifted woman, the author of "Divine Philosophy" welcomed the > opportunity of hearing her. Mrs. Chamberlain possesses that > rare quality of touching the hearts of her audience, becoming one > with them in sympathy and understanding. REALITY takes the > opportunity of expressing its earnest hope that the publication of > "Divine Philosophy" may progress rapidly. The value of this > book to the Cause is shown by the thousands of inquiries from all > over the world as to where it can be procured. Outside of her > other lines of astlvity Mrs. Chamberlain has presented to the > Bahai world a priceless gift in this superb book, conceived and > executed under the personal guidance of Abdul Baha. > > In the garden of God there were many flowers. They bloom > and flOUrish with the knowledge of God, and the fragrance of > their blooming is His happiness. In the land of the golden sun- > shine a new and beautiful flower has come into being. Its te~der­ > ness and sweetness will inspire love throughout the entire Bahai > world. It will be cradled in the love of God, nourished by the . > brotherhood of man, reared in the knowledge of the reality of this > day, and will bring forth such fruits of the spirit as will lighten > the darkness of the world. This is the prophecy of REALITY > for the daughter bom to Mirza and Madame Ahmad Sohrab on > the 28th of February, 1921. The blessing of Baha 'o'llah and > Abdul Baha was ~pon this marriage and the offspring of this > union will undoubtedly become a powerful and constructive el~ > ment in the future civilization. REALITY greets this new bom > flower with infinite love and wishes to be among the first to extend > this greeting. > Announcement is made of the Bahai Temple Convention to > be held in Chicago, beginning April 23rd. This yearly convention > is always an important event in the Bahai world. Many nation- > alities are represented and in its essence and spirit of co-opera- > tion, understanding and brotherly love, it is symbolical of the > basic principles of the Bahai Revelation. Undoubtedly this con- > vention in Chicago will call for a large attendance from all parts > of the world. Notices of the important matters discussed will be > given in later issues of REALITY. > > Digitized by Coogle > 36 REALITY > > We are glad to know Mrs. E. R. Mathews has returned from > her sojourn in ~aris, transfering her Bahai energies to New York. > Mrs. Mathews possesses a charm of personality which insures a > greater development in any activity with which she associates. > > The spirit of that lovely artist, as well as ardent Bahai, Miss > Juliet Thompson, has expressed itself in portrait at the Knoedler > Galleries, New York, during the two weeks ending March 5th. > Her thirteen portraits there exhibited included that of the > Princess Cantacuzene, the great-grand daughter of General > Grant, Mrs. Stephen B. Elkins, Rev. Percy Stickney Grant, > Rector of the Church of the Ascension, and Herbert Adams > Gibbons, author of the "New Map of Europe." Miss Thompson's > work attracted the attention of connoisseurs because of the > mystical pastel-like touch which pervaded it. Among her other > subjects presented were the portraits of Mrs. Charles L. > Williams, Baroness Von Freytag-Loringhoven, Miss Olivia > Steiner, Madame C., Miss Sylvia Sherwin. > > The All India Bahai Convention, > 29 Forbes Street, > Fort Bombay, the 25th of January,1921 > "The Reality," > 416 Madison Avenue, > New York City. > Dear Brother: > On behalf of the First All-India Bahai Convention of Bombay > held on the 27th, 28th and 29th of December 1920, I have the > honor to communicate to all the Brothers in the United States of > America, our sincere and heartfelt greetings for the year 1921, > wishing all a happy new year and many returns of the same. > With sincerest Bahai greetings, > I remain > Ever yours in El Abha r > Pritam Singh (Secy. Eng. Section). > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 3T > > REALITY takes this opportunity of acknowledging its grati..; > tude to the friends who have sent in compilations. Notable > among these are those of Mrs. Mary M. Rabb, Mrs. Louise Waite, > Mr. Albert Vail, Mr. Horace Holley. Each mail brings letters of > appreciation' for these selected words of Baha 'o'llah and Abdul > Baha. This work represents a great and loving service. > > REALITY calls attention to two errors in the February issue. > Page 34 "From Hidden Words"-Abdul Baha," should read "From > Hidden Words"-Baha 'o'lIah." Page 39, "From Hidden Words" > - Abdul Baha" should read "From Hidden Words"-Baha > 'o'llah." Under a reorganization of the working force of > REALITY, it is hoped such mistakes will not occur in the future~ > > Digitized by Goog Ie > 88 REALITY > > Do You Like This Magazine? > We feel sure the answer is YES, and therefQre > expect you are willing to help us make it a real > power for the enlightenment and spiritual devel- > opment of all who are hungering and seeking for > truth. > If you can do this and at the same time make . > a very profitable investment - surely we need > only tell you how. > REALITY is nearly three years old. It is > growing fast and becoming well-known every- > where. We now need capital, properly to take > care of its possibilities. The REALITY PUB- > LISIDNG COMPANY has been'incorporated UD- > ,der the New York State laws, and we are offer- > ing to our friends, Reality stock at only ten dol- > lars per share, which you can purchase in easy > monthly installments and pay for it in amounts > to suit your convenience. > We firmly believe that REALITY will ulti- > mately pay handsome dividends, and we hope > that day is not very far off. > Come and be one of us. Write us for full par- > ticulars. > > Reality Publishing Co., Inc. > 416 Madison Annue New York City > > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 39 > > Special Announcement > to Realit.y Readers > > . . - . . _............11IIM................._ 1 _ ...........118 _ _ _ > 1~11t!tI ...1tIII1_......... _ _ ........lt........ _ _ > > Beginning with the May num- > ber REALITY will be 25 cents > a copy and $3.00 a year. We > will, however, accept renewals > at the old price ($2.25) from > one to five years, providing > they reach us before April 30, > 1921. > Here is a splendid opportu- > nity to save 75 cents on each > annual subscription. > > Reality Publishing Company > 416 Madison Avenue New York > > Digitized by Coogle > 40 áREALITY > > Are You Fighting > For The Cause? > Pleasant and profitable employment may be ob- > tained by securing subscriptions for REALITY. > We are doing what we can to win the world to > higher ideals. > This can only come about when people intelli- > gently demand the TRUTH. > How shall they intelligently demand better con- > ditions if the TRUTH is withheld from them? > Your eyes are perhaps open, due to the > REALITY magazine, but very likely your neigh- > bor is yet ''blind.'' We can also benefit your > neighbor, but not until you introduce us to him. > > THE REALITY PUBLISHING COMPANY > 416 Madison Avenue, New York City > I am interested in your suggestion of calling > on my friends and acquaintances for subscrip- > tions to the REALITY MAGAZINE. > > Name .............................................................................................:....... _... .. > No. and Street .................................................................................. > City ........ ......................................................... State .............................. > > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 41 > > Do not fail to read the interesting and helpful book on the > vital topie, > > Intuition > Its Office, Its Laws, Its Psychology, Its Triumphs and Its Divinity > By Walter Newell Weston, L. L. M. > > T HIS book deals with that sense or faculty in the human mind by which man > knows (or may know) facts of which he would otherwise not be cognizant, > facts which might not be apparent to him through process of reason or > so-called scientific proof. This faculty is called intuition. The possibilities of > training the sense are limitless, and when so trained man is enabled to transcend > his former self, thus opening new realms of discernment, wisdom, joy, realization > and self-expression. -Foreword. > Intuition is the faculty by which, if we will but listen, we may solve the > problem that clutches at our heartstrings or throttles us at the throat, the problem > that we never mention and that is seemingly unthinkable, but which in fact has > • • a solution. -Foreword. > There are persons who are considered failures and whose work is mediocre > in fact yet who actually have the ability to express themselves in a superior way, > if they could do something in which for them was inspiration, in other words > if they could work not mechanically but intuitively. -Chapll'r II. > Intuition is the key of true genius for it is the pathway of true self-expres- > sion. which in tum is the secret of individuality. -Chaptl'r II. > WHAT OTHERS SAY OF IT: > "I have read many books on modem psychology and I have read IN- > TUITION three times. It is by far the best book on the subject I have ever > seen." -}fo'ward A. Colby. > "The pages of INTUITION bespeak a wide reading public. All the world > Joves to be intuitive. All the world believes in intuition. We cannot read or > hear too much about it. Blessings on the book!" -Emma Curtis Hopkins. > ''I have been reading INTVITION with pleasure and profit. It is very > seldom that I find time to actually read a book, but I am reading Mr. Weston's > hook and enjoying every word of it. It is very practical and interesting. > -Charll's Fillmore. > "Your volume, INTCITION, is full of beautiful and wonderful truths, > freighted with inspiration and life, all hammered out on the anvil of your own > rich experience. > I have read the book through three times-I trust to much profit." > -Gorham Tufts, Jr. > "I received the book, INTCITION, and must say it is worth its weigh in > gold-that is, if such wonderful lessons could be paid for," > -An Orego" Rfader. > New edition on fine paper, handsomely bound, gilt top, $2.00 > postpaid. > Address orders to > REALITY PUBLISmNG CO. > 416 Madison Avenue New York, N. Y., U. S. A. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > IS PRAYEI{ EVEI{ > ANSWERED? IF SO, > When, Where, Why and How 1 > I T has been discovered that when the financier goes into his > private office, Of the scientist into his laboratory, or the > Christian retires to his closet, each is bringing the same law > into operation, and the results which he secures will be in > exact accordance with his ability to meet the requirements of > the law. > We know that the Universe is governed by law; that for > every effect there must be a cause, and that the same cause, > under the same conditions, will invariably produce the same > effect. Consequently, if prayer has ever been answered, it will > always be answered if the proper conditions are complied with. > This must necessarily be true; otherwise the Universe would be > a Chaos instead of a Cosmos. The answer to prayer is there- > fore subject to law, and these laws are definite, exact and scien- > tific, just as are the laws governing Graviation and Electricity. > An understanding of these laws takes the foundation of Chris- > tianity out of the realm of superstition and credulity and places > it upon the firm rock of Scientific Understanding. > It is the solvent for every physical, economic, industrial, > social and political ill in existence. In fact, it would appear to > be the Creator's magnificent provision for the emancipation of > mankind. > We will be glad to send evidence showing how thousands are > making use of this discovery and thereby finding health, com- > fort, prosperity and "whatsoever things they desire." > LECTURERS, TEACHERS AND ORGANIZERS WANTED > EVERYWHERE > > The Master ~ey Institute > 266 Howard Building, ST. LOUIS, MO. > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > The GOLDEN" VERSES of PYTHAGORAS > REALITY > - -- > > (;xplained and translated into French and preceded by a discourse upon > the Essence and Form of Poetry Among the Principal > Peoples of the Earth. > BY > FABRE D'OLIVET > done into English by Nayan Louise Redfield > PRICE $3.00 > HERMENEUTIC INTERPRETATION > OF THE > ORIGIN OF THE SOCIAL STATE OF MAN > AND OF THE > DESTINY OF THE ADAMIC RACE > from the French L'histoire philosophique du genre humain > BY > FABRE D'OLIVET > done into English by > NAy.AN LOUISE REDFIELD > PRICE $3.50 > . > I > 1416~~~ > r---áá-á. á. .,. ,. ,. . ,. ,á. . . . . . ., á. ,á. ,. . .,. . ,",. . ,,á"----l > Human Religion > > I > by > > Claude M. Johnson > This book is a plea for the enhancement of the value > of human life and a treatise on religion, briefly explaining > some of the failures of Christianity to meet the require- > ments of advancing civilization. > It suggests a religious evolution as essential to the > correction of existing irreligious and inhuman conditions, > believed to have been produced mainly by the fallacies of > our prevailing religious teachings. > A Great Book - Only $1.00 - Or Free with a Twelve > Months Subscription to REALITY at $2.25. > > . . ._ _ _~~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I _..........I ..... _ _ ..........-....lIIUtIltI........1 WL > > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > 44 REALITY > > THE > > IRWIN COLOR FILTER > ILLUMINATION (PATENTED) > 5 West 39th Street NEW WORK > > SUBSTITUTES Glow for Glare > RELIEVES Eye-strain, Insomnia and Nervous Fatigue > CREATES Rieh Decorative Effeets and is > EFFICIENT-ECONOMICAL-ENCHANTING > > DEMONSTRATIONS F,.idays, 8-10 P. M., at 5 W. 39th St., New Yo,.k, > F,.om Octobe,.. > > Occult Series I., Vol. II. > THE NEW MESSIAH AND GOD'S DIVINE KINGDOM > and the JOURNEY OF THE SOUL and ETHEREAL WORLD, VOL. 1 - Book.50 > This book Is a continuation of the Truths contained In Vol. 1. with many. as yet, > unrevealed Truths. > The New Messiah - God's Divine Kingdom - The New Dible - Its contents- > Who will write It - How will the New Order of things he established - Creation of > the Earth - The lo'irst Race - Who were they - The earth's Solar Cycles - Lunar > Cycles--WhO governs the lo;arth-How-Thf' Five Dispensations-Where is Christ > Jesus - 'Vhy the man of Sorrow - Mary the Mother of Jesus - What Is the Order > of Melchlzedec - His work - What are the Magi - What Is the meaning of the > Pyramids and the Sphinx - Who - When - How built -The mystery solved - Ursa > Major - Pleiades - Southern Cross - 'Vhat have they to do with Sacred Truths- > Sixth Dispensation - How and whf'n ushered In - The author's Inal"Velous vlslona > and prophecies-The Sixth Zone-The Seventh Zone-The Iá'lrst-8econd-Celestial > Heavens - From whence have we come - "'hither do we go - The difference be- > tween Angels and Spirits - What constitute.. a Christ. > The author, MRS. E. R. DROLLINGER > Mallf'd on receipt of price. 2tJ14 Camden Court, South Pasadena, Calif. > > GENEVA RESTAURANT > Channing Surroundings-Moderate Priees > > Excellent Cuisine > > 143 West 44th Street F. WINNAI, Prop. > > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > .. . > A Magazine Devoted to the > \,.,,~• • JJ . .~ Eli,,!i?ation o~ Prejudice, > " ... > > ~ ....~. ~. .-- elrgrous, Racral and Class > > A REAL Magazine for REAL People > > The Prophets of God > Protest Against War > Bolshevism and the Jews > Life and Healing > > APRIL. 1921. I'UnT.ISHEI> MONTHLY 20 CENTS > > Cop)'rlght. 1921 . by RE'l\lIty I'uhllshlng ComPRny > I tr > v. '3 > > THE ONENESS OF MANKIND > Digitized by Goog Ie > TWELVE BASIC > BAHAI PRINCIPLES > > 1. The oneness of mankind. > 2. Independent investigation of truth. > 3. The foundation of all religions is one. > 4. Religion must be the cause of unity. > 5. Religion must be in accord with science and > reason. > 6. Equality between men and women. > 7. Prejudice of all kinds must be forgotten. > 8. Universal peace. > 9. Universal education. > 10. Solution of the economic problem. > 11. An international auxiliary language. > 12. An international tribunal. > > Thcse tweh"c hasic Bahai principles were en undated hy Baha o'Uah > over sixty ycars ago and are to he found in his puhlished writings of > that timC'. > > Digitized by Coogle > The > . > . > . .~Bahai Movement > . .'. > . "- -- ", .",', . > :-! !-, -l' - -- _ ' > R~pidii > .. ~ > spreadihg:--thl:ough~~t > .."...... > . > the~orid," > and . > attractá' > ing-th~ attention- of scholars, savants-and religionists > -. -of aH co-untries-Oliental and occident~ll . > • I > > lfOl' the information .of those who know little or nothing of > the Bahai Movement we quote the following account translated > from the (French) Encyclopaedia of Larousse: > > BAHAISM: the religion of the dls- Atheists a better social organization I > ciplea of Baha'o'Uah, an out('ome of Baha'o'liah rE'prE'sents all thE'8E', and > Babi!!m. -=-- Mirza Huslan All Nuri thus destroys the rivalries and the en- > Batia'o'llah was born at Teh('ran In mities of the different religions: re- > 1817 A. D. J:o'rom 1844 he was one of conciles tbem In their primitive > the first adherents of the Bab, and de- pnrity, I'lnd freel' them from the cor- > voted himself to the pacific propaga- rllption of dogmall and rites. J:o'or Ba'- > tion of his doctrine in l'ersla. Afb'r hal .. m has no clergy, no religious cere- > the d ..ath of the Bab hE' was, with the monIal, no puhllc prayers: Its only > prineipal Bahls, exiled to Baghdad, and dogma Is hellef In God and His Manl- > later to Constantinople and Adrlanople, f .... tations. . .. ThE' principal works of > under the surveillance of the Ottoman Baha'o'llah ar.. tbE' Kltab-ul-Ighan, tlie > Gm'ernment. It was In the latter city Kitah-ul-Akdas, the Kltah-ul-Ahd, and > that he openly declared his mission, . , numerolls lettel's or tahlets addrel'sed > and in his letters to the principal Ru- to sO\'E'reigns or to prlvat(' Individuals, > lers of the States of Europe he In- Ritual hold.. no place In the religion, > vited them to join him In E'stablishlng which must he expressed In all the > religion and untver"al ppace. From this a,'tlons of life, and accomplished In > time, the Bahls w!;to acknowledged him lIE'ighborly love. Everyone must have > hecame Bahati!. The Sultan then .. "lied . an o(,(,lIpation. The edu('atlon of > him (1868 A. D.) to Acca In Palestine, ('hlldl't'll' II' E'nJoln('d and regulated. No > where' he compo.ed the gl'eater part of • on.. has th" power to receive confes-. > hIB doctrinal works, and where he dl"d sian of ,,1118, or to Klve ab..olutlon. The .. > In 1892 A. D. (May 29). He had con- prie"ts of th .. exh.tlng religion .. should > fided to his son. Ahbas Effendi (.\hdlll- renoun('e ('('Iil)n('~', and should preach > Baba), the work of spreading the rt'- hy theil' E'xampl(', mlftgling In the life > IIgion lind continuing the ('onn('ctlon of the p<'opl ... Monogamy Is unlversaIly > between the Sahals of all parts of the r('commcnd"d, .. t('. Questions 1I0t trE'at- > world. III point of fact. there are Ba- I'd of are I('ft to th(' civil law of E'ach > hals everywhere, not only In Moham- coul;ltr~-, and to th(' decIsions of the > medan countries, but also In all the Bait-ul-Adl, or House of Justl<'e, In- > countries of Europe, as well as In thE' "tituted hy Haha'o'liah. R('spc('t toward > rnlted StateR. Canada. Japan, India, tbe H ..nd of tb(' State Is a part of re- > etc. This Is because Baha'o'Uah has spe('t toward God. A unh'ersal > knQv.-n how to trallsfot:m Bablsm into languaKe, and the ('rE'ation of trlhunals > a universal religion, which Is prE'sen- of arhltratlon h.,tw('en nations, are to > ted as the fulfilment and complE'tlon of "uppress wars. "1'011 are all leav('s of > nil the ancient faiths. The Jews await thE' samE' trE'E', and drops of the _me > the Messiah. the Christians th.. return sea," Baha'o'liah has said. BrlE't1y, It > of Christ, the Moslems the Mahdl, the Is not so mu('h a new religion, as Re- > BUddhists the fifth Buddha, th(' Zoro- ligion renewed and unified, which Is > I,,!trlans Shllh Bt,hram, tbe Hlndoos dire('ted toda~' hy Ahdul-Baha,-Nou- > the reincarnation of Krishna, and the "eau Larou"lIe Illustre, supplement, > L-135 p. 60. > > Digitized by Coogle > ,• > > ABDUL BAHA > THE SERVANT OF COD > > Digitized by Goog Ie > Editors > REALITy ConaulUng Editors > Albert Vall > JIIque I. Death Mary Hanford Ford > W&Ddeyne Deatb Howard MacNutt > Dr. Rlcbard Manuel Bolden > Horace Holley > PUBLISHJ!ID MONTHLY BY > . REALITY PUBLISHING COMPANY > f16 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK, N. Y. > Single Copies, 20 centL Sold at all NewsstandL > Subscription, $1.85 per year > Money Orders Payable to Reality Publishing Company, > .18 Madison Avenue, New York Ciiy > Cop7I'iIrbt, 19111, by ReaUty PubUahlng CoM.,&ny > > Volume m APRIL, 1921 No.4 > > Contents of April Issue > Frontispiece > The Prophets of God ....._...._..._.........._...._...._...._...._..._................_ The Editor > Words of Baha'o'llah and Abdul Baha > Protest Against War (Compilation) ....._...._.........._. Arthur J. Reeder > St. Cecelia ....._... _......... _.......... _.... _.........._...._.......... _.... _.... _.... _...._...!l.••••_ •• F. M. Guy > > Bolshevism and The Jews > Good News > Life and Healing ..........._...._.........._...._.... _........ Dr. James Bishop Thomas > Ella Wheeler Wilcox ....._................_.......... _................_.........._........... Louise Waite > > The Twentieth Plane ..... _...................... _...._.........._........ Dr. Charles P. Frink > The Rainbow Circle > Bahai Activities > > Digitized by Coogle > . REALITY > > The Prophets of God > W HY does the human mind continually agitate itself over > . the "letter of the Law" and forget the "Law" itself T > We are living in the time of the Bahai Dispensation. > What does that mean ? > The word "Baha" signifies "Glory"; a "Bahai" il a follower > of the Light. The Bahai Revelation is inclusive not exclusive. > Baha á0' Dah brought theá great principles of Glory to the > world. > . The glorification of Humanity is the goal of Creation. > Baha á0' Dah's message is for Humanity. It is not limited > to you or to me as mere representatives of Humanity in our own > personal development, but is revealed for Humanity as a whole. > Are the Prophets God? > The question of whether the prophets are God made Mani- > fest or Manifestations of God has been and is still a source of > controversy. Wars have been waged for it; murder, slander, > cruelty, persecution. > Baha '0' llah like all the Prophets whom God has sent to > teach Humanity, has told us certain f~ts. > In this Age, we are to look to Abdul Baha for "guidance". > In what does that guidance consists? > Does it imply the personal glorification of Abdul Baha? > Read the words of Abdul Baha. > "By God, who is the only God,-There is no God but He,- > this servant swears the Masters did not corne that man should > adore them, or worship them or acknowledge their prophethood. > No, rather the Masters of all times have suffered for no other > purpose than this, that the fleshly veils might be rent asunder > and reality become manifest" .-Abdul Bah.. > Balia '0' 11ah has said:- > "God singly and alone abideth in His Place, which is above > apace and time, mention and utterance, sign, description and > definition, height and depth." > Yet we see souls turned away from this Light by over zeal- > OUI eirorts to produce adoration of the personality of the > Prophets. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 5 > > "You cannot level mankind." There are certain types of > mfnds who will not and cannot accept a clear statement of spiri~ > ual fact. They must be led along the lines of awakening spiri~ > ual capacity. > "Beware of prejudice. Light is good in whatsoever lamp > it ahines." > Whatever leads to God must of necessity be good. > Christ said, "I and my Father are one", and in His teach- > ings He pointed the way for you and for me to be able to Bay > c,! and my Father are one" through surrender to the Infinite Will, > through universal love, tolerance and elimination of prejudice > as re1lected today by Baha '0' nah and Abdul Balia. > God can only be known through His Manifestations. . > What it' the significance of this statement? > Does it mean glorification of the personality of the Manife.. > tation or an acknowledgment of the infinite Light the Manife.ta- > tion has sbedupon the world? > If Jesus had come that all men should know His Personal > Glory, He would not have died upon the Cross. > If Baha '0' Dah had sought the Glory of this world, He would > Dot have remained forty years in p'rison. If Abdul Baha cravei > material power he would not be "The Servant of the Servants > of God." The secret of 'divine accomplishment is servitude and > eaerifice. > Moses never saw "The Promised Land", yet the Law of > Moses was constructive, civilizing, essential. The followers of > Moses are looking to the Manifestation of this Day. > What will that Manifestation establish? • > Will it not be Unity? > W"lll it not be the elimination of prejudice? > Will it not be the Love of God and the Universal Brother- > hood of :Man ? > Are we not closing the doors of understanding when we tn- > sist that the undeveloped mind of man should acknowledge the > divinity of a personality and not emphasize the great laws for > whieh that personality has sacrificed itself in order to awaken > the consciousness of mankind? > Three hungers assail humanity today-body, mind and > spirit. There is no evidence of a degree of evolution which > > DigitizedbyGoogle . > 6 REALITY > > eliminates the demand for physical sustenance; mental unrest > and search for the uns~n, unknown are characteristic of the > epoch; and spiritual longing is centering toward realization that > service to other human souls is salvation. > Humanity is demanding food and sustenance. > lIumaluty m ftaua.nding reality, love and service. . > The Prophets of God are pointing the way to fulfillment awl > consummation. > That is the purpose of their coming. > Why did they appear in the world of humanity? > Is not the answer, "To awaken capacity to receive the > bounty of higher laws." > Is it sufficient for the world at-large, for the world starving > and bewildered, if the people of religion demand the glorification > of a personality? Will it even satisfy the craving of souls not > yet fully ripe for acceptance of the Light in its entire fullness? > Thousands come into a knowledge of the Bahai Revelation > through the infinite love and knowledge radiating from the heart > of Abdul Baha, but millions are serving the Cause of Baha > '0' llah unconsciously. > "Not every one who saith "Lord"! "Lord"! > To know the source and not bring forth the fruit is a great > responsibility. , > We are too apt to think our way the only way. If personal > love for Abdul Baha outshines the love of Bahai principles, if > we are intolerant and prejudiced, if we judge others harshly, > if we erlticize unduly, if we lack in co-operation, if we shut the > • door to the knowledge of the presence of the Great Teacher in > the world today by narrowness of vision, denying and excluding > the light being reflected through many channels, and through > teachings not bearing the name but proclaiming the principles, > are we not but followers of outgrown methods, the very methods > which Baha 0' llah and Abdul Baha have come into the world > to purify. > -The Editor. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 7 > > Words of Baha'o'llah and Abdul Baha > " •..... Verily, those who have denied God and adhered unto > nature as nature is, are indeed void of both science and wisdom > - are they not of the erring? Verlly those people have never > attained unto the highest station or untO the utmost desire; ac- > cordingly their eyes were shut and their thoughts varied. Had > it not been for that, the chiefs of the people would have con- > fessed in God and acknowledged his dominion; to this will bear > witness thy Lord, the Protector, the Self-Existent. And when > the eyes of the people of the East became satiated through the > arts, crafts and industries of the people of the West, they then > adhered to the effects and neglected the Cause and the Origi- > nator. > "However, those who were the day-springs of wisdom had > never denied the Causes, the Maker and the Creator of the Ori- > gin of such a progress and advancement. Verily thy Lord > knoweth, but the majority of the people do not know. Under > these circumstances it will be advisable to mention in this tablet > some of the words of the wise people and savants for the sake > of God the Ruler of Names, that through such words the eyes > of the servants may be opened and that they may believe that > He is the Maker, the Potent, the Originator, the Producer, the > All-Knowing, the Wise. . > "Although it is known at present that the savants of today > have been the most important organs and means of the success > and progress of arts and sciences, yet if with the discerning eye > such matters are examined and investigated, it will positively > appear that the greater part of knowledge and arts was taken > from the savants of old who were indeed the means of laying > down the solid foundation of wisdom, facilitating its building up > and strengthening its basis. Thus does thy Lord, the Ancient, > inform thee. > "Not only that, but also the ancients had revived their > sciences from the prophets who were the Day-springs of the > > Digitized by Coogle > 8 REALITY > > diTine wtsdom and the manifestation of the heavenly mysteries. > From among the people, some have attained unto the pure and > clear water of their utterances and others have only drunk the > sediments of the cup; every one receiving his share according > to his own capacity. Verily, He is the Equitable and the Wise. > . . . . •• "Verily the foundation and origin of wisdom was the > prophets themselves, but the inner significances and mysteries > of wisdom became diversified according to the differences of > visions and reasoning powers of the people. > "We will inform thee of a report of a day whereon one of > the prophets hath spoken among the people of that which he > was taught of the Poweful. Verily, thy Lord is the Inspirer, > the Mighty, the Impregnable. When the springs of wisdom and > utterances have gushed forth from the source of His explana- > tions, and the exhilaration of the wine of knowledge has taken > possession of those who were standing at His door, they said: > 'Now we are filled with the. spirit.' From among' the people, > some who had accepted this statement, found according to their > pretension the indwelling and influx of the spirit within them; > infening this from different statements and various utterances, > and thus they became leaders followed by .others...... . > "Consider Hippocrates. He was áone of the greatest philoso- > phers, and yet he believed in God and acknowledged His domin- > ion. After him came Socrates. He was a wise, virtuous and > devout man. He devoted his life to developing spirituality, ad- > monishing the people to shun passion and lust; setting aside > the seductions of the world; secluding himself in a cave in the > mountains. and prohibiting the people from worshipping idols. > He taught them the ways of the Merciful, until at last the igno- > rant ones assailed him, took him and slew him in a pri8t)n. > Thus doth also the Swift Pen relate to thee what a clean and > acute sight that man had in philosophy. Verily, he was the > master of philosophy and a very wise man• > > .. After Socrates came the divine Plato. Verily he was the > disciple of Socrates and he sat on the chair of wisdom after > him. He confessed his faith in God and His signs which are the > guardians over which !Dan was and is. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY . 9 > > "Then came Aristotle the famous, wise man. He was bhe > one who discovered steam power. All of these were of the > chiefs and leaders of the people, and all of them confessed and > acknowledged the Ancient in whose grasp the reins of science > were held. > "He who is a true philosopher, never denies God and His > evidences; rather such an one acknowledges His greatness and > His authority, which are the protection against all the world. > . . • . •. The beginning of .wisdom and knowledge and its origin > is to confess and acknowledge that which God has made mani- > fest, because through it, order has been ftnnly established and > thus became a coat of mail for the preservation of the body of > the world••.•..." > Baha '0' llah: Extract from "Tablet of Wisdom." > > "A prophet brings a spiritual civilization and after that is > established material civilization follows." > Abdul Baha: Daily Lessons, p. 54. > > "The power of the Manifestations (or Prophets) of God is > beyond question inasmuch as human development invariably fol- > lows their teachings. This development is unmistakably toward > a higher existence. Every Manifestation (or Prophet) teaches > the existence of God. As their power is evident their knowledge > must likewise be true." > Ab~ul Ba~a: Ten Days in the Light of Akka, p. 21. > > "In this age His Holiness Baha'o'llah has breathed the Holy > Spirit into the dead body of the world, consequently every weak > soul is strengthened by these fresh divine out-breathings,-every > poor man will become rich, every darkened soul will become > illumined, every ignorant one will become wise, because th.e con- > firmations of the Holy Spirit are descending like unto torrents. > A new era of divine consciousness is upon us. The world of > humanity is going through a process of transformation. A new > race is being developed. The thoughts of human brotherhood > are permeating all regions. New ideals are stirring the depths > > Digitized by Coogle > 10 REALIT:Y > > of hearts, and a new spirit of universal consciousness is being > profoundly felt by all men." > Abdul Baha: Extract from tablet revealed > for The Asiatic Quarterly Review, April. 1913. > > "0 ye people of the world! The virtue of this Most Great > Manifestation is that We have removed from the Book whatever > was the cause of difference. corruption and discord, and re- > corded therein that which leads to harmony, unity and agree- > ment." > "God has been and is everlastingly hidden in His Own Es- > sence and will be eternally concealed from eyes and sight in His > Identity. Nay. there hath not ever been nor will be any connec- > tion or relation between the created beings and His Word. > Therefore God caused brilliant Essences of Sanctity to ap- > pear from the holy. worlds of the Spirit, in human bodies, walk- > ing among mankind. in accordance with his abundant mercy. > These Mirrors of Sanctity fully reflect that Sun of Ex- > istence and Essence of Desire. Their knowledge expresses His > Knowledge. their dominion His Dominion, their beauty His > Beauty. their power His Power, and their manifestation His > Manifestation. > Therefore whosoever is favored by these shining and glor- > ious Lights and hath attained to these luminous. radiant Suns > of Truth during every Manifestation. hath attained the Meeting > of God. and entered the city of eternal life. > This station is assigned only to His Prophets and Holy > Ones. because no greater and mightier than they have appeared > in the realm of existence. Consequently. by meeting these Holy > Lights, the Meeting of God is attained; through their knowl- > edge, the Knowledge of God. and by their Countenance the > Countenance of God. > This meeting can never be realized by any except in the Re- > surrection Day, which is the rise of the Self of God in His Uni- > 'versal Manifestation." > > "This is that which descended from the Source of Majesty. > through the tongue of Power and Strength upon the Prophets > of the past. We have taken its essences and clothed them with > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 11 > > the gannent of brevity, as a favor to the beloved, that they may > fulfill the Covenant of God, that they may perform in them- > selves that which He has entrusted to them, and attain the vic- > tory by virtue of devotion in the land of the Spirit." > "From Hidden Words." - Baha '0' llah. > > Protest Against War > Compilation • > B)' A rlkttr T. Reeder > Say unto them, as I live, saith the Lord God, I have no > . pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn > from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways; > for why will ye die, 0 House of Israel? > Ezekiel Chap. 33, verse xi. > Pause, 0 my soul! and tremble and adore. > There is a Power, all other powers above, > Whose name is Goodness, and His nature love. > (Montgomery's Bramin, Canto 2.) > For wild Ambition like a ravenous wolf, > Spur'd on by will, and seconded by power, > :Must make an universal prey of all, > And last devour itself. . > (Dryden's Troilus and Cres~ida.) > "Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition; > By that sin fell the angels; how can man then, > The image of his Maker, hope to win by it?" > (Wolsey to his servant Cromwell. > Shakespeare. King Henry VIII, Act 3, Scene 2.) > The ambitious prince doth hope to conquer all, > The dukes, earles, lords, and Knights hope to be Kings; > The prelates hope to pushe the popish pall, > The lawyers to purchase wond'rous things. > (Gascoigne.) > > Digitized by Coogle > 12 REALITY > > A~bition, Jealousy, Hate and then Wa~, and War is worse > than Hell! > > I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers" > intercessions,-be made for all men. > (Timothy I, Chapter n, Verse I.) > > From '-rBE WORLD BEFORE THE -FLOOD". > By James Montgomery. > • , London, 181S-2nd Edition. > When war, that self-inflicted scourge of man, > His boldest crime and bitterest curse,..:...began; > As lions fierce, as forest cedars tall, > And terrible as torrents, in their fall, > Headlong from rocks, through vales and vineyards hurl'd, > These men of prey laid waste the Eastern world. > They taught their tributary hordes to wield > 'l'he sword, red-flaming, through the death-streWn field, > With strenuous arm the uprooted rock to throw, > Glance the light arrow from the bounding bow, > Whirl the broad shield to meet the darted stroke, > And stand to combat, like the unyielding oak. > Then eye from eye with fell suspicion turned, > In kindred breasts un-natural hatred burned; > Brother met brother in the lists of strife, > Th~ son lay lurking for the fathers life; > With rabid instinct, men who never knew > 'Each other's face before, each other slew; > All tribes, all nations learned the fatal art, > And every hand was armed to pierce a heart." > From ''THE CHERUBS" > By Thomas Campbell, 1777-1844. > "They saw a late bombarded town, > Its streets still warm with blood run down; > Still smoked each burning rafter; > And hideously, midst rope and sack > The murderer's laughter answered back > His prey's convulsive laughter. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 18 > > They saw a captive eye the dead, > With envy of his gory bed,- > Death's quick reward of bravery: > They heard the clank of chains, and then > Saw thirty thousand bleeding men > Dragged manacled to slavery. > "Fie, Fie," the younger heavenly spark > Exclaimed "we must have missed our mark, > And entered hell's own portals: > Earth can't be stained by crimes so black; > Nay, sure, we've got among a pack > Of fiends, and not of mortals." > "No," said the elder; "No such thing: > Fiends are not fools enough to wring > The necks of one another; > They know their interest too well; > Men fight; but every devil in hell > Lives friendly with his brother. > > From "HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN, FROM THE REVOLU- > TION 1688-TREATY OF AMIENS 1802" > By William Belsham. > Blackfriars, London, 1805. > Vol. XII, Book 36, Pages 482-483. > "And if the same attention be in future paid by the powers > of the continent to the dreadful arts of destruction, combined > with the same contempt of principles as in the .ages that are > past, the organization of Europe will undoubtedly suffer in suc- > ceeding times, changes similar to those it has already exper- > ienced. Who, in fine, ever. did or ever can declare Europe to be > in such a state of security as to preclude subsequent innovations > by the hand of violence? Treaties cannot bind the ambition of > nations; the powerful will oppress the weak; riches will incite > the attempts of avarice; the interests of the many will be > sacrificed to the selfishness or vanity of the few; and the re- > lative situation of the nations of the globe will, like the lunar > disk, be in a state of perpetual variance." > > Digitized by Coogle > 14 REALITY > > BONAPARTE ON WAR > "What is war? It is the trade of barbarians." > (Borodino, 1812) ; Abbott, p. 596. > á"Everyone is growing tired of war; there is no longer any > enthusiasm. The sacred fire is extinct!' > (After Battle of Champ Aubert, Feb. 10, 1814). > Bourriene, p. 491. > "The sight of a battl~field after the fight, is enough to in- > spire princes with a love of peace and a horror of war. > "The country is covered with the dead and the wounded. > This is not the pleasant part of war. > One suffers, and the soul is oppressed to see 80 many > victims." > (To Josephine, dated Eylan, Feb. 14, 1807). > Baring Gould, p. 96. > Ah! if it were only to be done over again. > Gorngand, p. 81. > > From "L'A1GLON" > By Edmond Rostand. > Act 5th-liThe battlefield of Wagram." > "The Duke of Reichstadt, Son of Napoleon." > "And all the arms! And all the arms I see! The handless > wrists! The hands with shattered fingers! > The monstrous harvest which a mighty wind bends m~ > ward with a curse! Oh! Mercy! Mercy! Old Cuirassin groaning > with outstretched hands! > Horrible agonized hands with bloody wrists! Mercy! Poor > little Private of the Guards, who slowly raise your livid face to > mine! > Look not on me with those glazing eyes! > Why do you all suck in such a mighty breath? > God! 'Tis as though you strove to utter cries t > Why do you all suck in such a mighty breath? > Why do you open horror-sated lips? > What will you cry? > What? What? > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 15 > > From "TilE MEMOIRS OF SERGEANT BOURGOGNE" > Page 198. > 1812-1813. > "After the Grenadiers came more than 30000 men, almost > all with their feet and hands frozen, a great number of them > without fire-arms, as they were quite unable to make use of > them. Many of them walked leaning on sticks; generals, colonels, > other officers, privates, men on horseback, men on foot, men of > all the different nations making up our army, passed in a con- > fused rabble, covered with cloaks and coats all torn and burnt, > wrapped in bits of cloth, in sheepskins, in everything they could > lay their hands on to keep out the cold." > > Bourgogne himself fell into a ditch covered with ice near > the Niemen, and begged for help in vain from the men who > passed. One old Grenadier came up to him. "I have not got > any", he said, raising two stumps to show that he had no helping > hands to offer. > Preface to Bourgognes Memoirs, page 8. > > "Wo is me! Wo is me! Who will deliver me, in these days? > > "The beginning of sorrows and great mournings; the be- > ginning of famine and great death; the beginning of wars, and > the powers shall stand in fear; the beginning of evils! > > "There shall be no man left to till the earth, and to sow it. > > "The trees shall give fruit, and who shall gather them? > > '.'The grapes shall ripen, and who shall tread them? For all > places shall be desolate of men." > Esdras 2, Chap. 16; Verses, 17, 18, 24, 25, 26. > > "He made man, and put his heart in the midst of the body, > and gave him breath, life and understanding." > Esdras 2, Chap; 16, Verse 61. > Behold! God Himself is the Judge. > Esdras 2, Chap. 16, Verse 67. > > Digitized b~ Coogle > 16 REALITY > > Saint Cecilia > By F. M. Gur > > O F all the saints and martyrs of Chlistian antiquity, one of > the most venel'ated and most familiar is Saint Cecilia, vir- > gin and martyr; chosen by the early Church as the patron > Saint of Music. Her festal day has been commemorated on the > twenty second day of November, as far back as the fourth cen- > tury, and perhaps earlier. > For Cecilia, one half of the musical societies of the world > are named; and innumerable musical compositions of varying > degree of perfection, both instrumental and vocal are dedicated > to her honor. Many churches are named for this Saint, and in > such •churches it is customary to find especial emphasis laid > upon the musical part of the service; and yet in spite of all this, > there is nothing historical to prove that Cecilia was a musician > or ever invented a musical instrument, although here and there > in _the legends some mention is made of her singiug, and of unit- > ing her songs with instrumental music in praises of the Lord, > It would seem áthat something subtle and intuitional dwelt > in the fragrances of her memory and attributes, which, des- > cending through the centuries, has inspired many to pay her > homage, not only in music, but also in poetry, and in wonderful > paintings. These pictures and poems, have brought to the world > the idea of Saint Cecilia beingá a performer and inventor of the > organ, but there is nothing authentic to prove that such was > the case. > It is disconcerting at first to discover that there is so little > in history relating to the life of Saint Cecilia, but this fact gives > us more freedom to gather what we may from the legends of > antiquity and to weave for ourselves a Cecilia who is likely to be > as near to the truth as the ideals fhich others have gathered > and woven around her. > There is much to prove that it was not because of any > technical skill or any inventive genius which Cecilia may have > > Digitized by Coogle > REA.I..IITY 17 > possessed, but rather because of the heavenly attributes and > , qualities which she manifested, the memory 01 which caused the > Fathers of the Church to confer this high station upon her. > It is interesting to remember that at the time of Sail)t > Cecilia, the women of Rome enjoyed liberty and privileges never > before or afterwards realized until the present day; that there- > fore Cecilia was cultured and refined, and enjoyed all the ad- > vantages of education which position and wealth could secure, > and that pre-eminently, her delight was in music and in song. > Saint Cecilia was the daughter of a noble and wealthy > Roman family, and lived sometime between the second and third > centuries of the Christian era. It is related that she had been > a Christian from ,childhood, but was betrothed by her parents > to a young noble, Valerian or Valerianus-a pagan of Rome-- > and that after these two were married and the wedding celebra- ' > tion 'concluded, Cecilia told Valerian that she could never be his > wife, because she was betrothed to an angel, and begged him to > respect that betrothal and not to press his marital claims upon > her. Valerian then demands to see the angel, whereupon Cecilia > sends him to the third mile, stone on the Via Appia, where he > should find the Bishop Urbanus. Valerian obeys, and meeting > Urbanus, is baptized by him and returns to Cecilia-a Christian. > Then an angel appears'to them both and crowns them with roses > and lilies. • > When Tibertius a Qrother of'Valerian comes to visit his > brother and meet and greet his brother's bride, he is amazed > to find that his brother has become a Christian, but finds such > happiness, and is so enveloped by their enthusiasm and zeal, that > he too becomes convinced of their sincerety and is also converted > to Christianity. Together the three devote themselves to service > amongst the poor and unfortunate and to the care and burial > of the bodies of the confessors; those who were martyred for > the faith by the Prefect of Rome and his legions. After a time > Valerian and Tibertius were both brought to trial and condemned > to death. An officer of the Prefect Maximus was appointed to > execute the sentence but was himself converted and died with the > two brothers, their remains being buried by Cecilia in one tomb. > Now Cecilia isásought and brought for trial, but before being > taken prisoner she arranged that her house should be preserved > > Digitized by Coogle > 18 REALITY > > as a meeting place for this new sect to which she belonged and > which was in such sore need of help and protection. After a > glorious profession of faith, Cecilia was condemned to death; > some records say by suffocation in her own bath, while othel'B > s1late that she was placed in a sort of caldron overa fire, but this > cruel death being too slow, she was decapitated. > In the account of death by suffocation, it is stated that she > was dis~overed, miraculously unhurt, and that the executioner > was also prevented from completing his task, and that Cecifia > lived three days after these terrible experiences; that she ar- > ranged for her property to be used for the poor and needy, and > perhaps for the building of the church which afterwards was > erected on th~ site of her hoine. The church still remains in > Rome and may be. seen in that part of the city called Trastevere. > This is the legend, and as such has no historical value, but > it has been reasonbly proved that such a person really lived and > suffered martyrdom together with the three young men, Valer- > ian, Tibertius and Maximus; that their reDiains were buried in > the Catacombs of Rome and were afterwards removed by Pope > Paschelllst, and re-buried under the high altar of the church be- > fore mentioned in Trastevere, Rome, named after St. Catherine. > St. Cecilia, St. Peter, St. Paul and the Virgin Mary. So much > for the legend and for historical facts, together with what we > may glean by intuition, and by reading between the lines. But > to thoroughly visualize this áfascinating story, one must first > divest oneself ofá the feeling of unreality with which we are apt > to envelop any account of a saint, apostle or disciple of the early > Christians. We must understand that this sweet flower which > bloomed and shed its fragrance so long ago, was not after all so > very different from any other sweet and lovely young girl of our > present day. In other words, there is not so much difference > as we are apt to think, between the Saint Triumphant and the > . Saint Militant (with one exception). These were real people and > very human, who lived. and died for Christ in those early days > of the Christian Era, the difference being, that they had attained > to that toward which we are all struggling. They had achieved > that which seems to us impossible. They bad accomplished tlie > real purpose and meaning of life. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 19 > • > There is a beautiful prayer revealed by Abdul Baha for > children, which explains this great difference. Although written > in the present day by this great teacher of spiritual truth, one > can áimagine it being used by Cecilia herself, for it breatlles the > very attributes which she so beautifully expressed, and we must > remember that she was little more than a child and had been a > Christian from childhood. > "0 Thou pure God! I am a little child-make Thou the > the bosom of Thy gift a dear resting place of comfort. Suffer me > to grow and be nutured by the honey and milk of Thy love, and > train me under the breast of Thy knowledge. Bestow Thou > freedom upon me while in a state of childhood, and grant Thou > excellence, 0 Thou incomparable One! Make me the confidant of > the Kingdom of the Unseen." > This tells the whole story. Cecilia had become the confidant > of the Kingdom of the Unseen. She knew these spiritual verities. > They were so real to her that they seemed to be actually a part > of her material life. So she expresses herself by saying that sne > is betrothed to an angel, and the presence of this angel and the > glory of her vision bring to her such joy, such happiness, that > aU else in the world seems to be as nothing. It is foolish to > suppose, as some records state, that Cecilia did not love Valerian. > How otherwise would she have such influence over him? It is > much more natural to believe that there was a real bond of af- > fection between them and that this overwhelming experience > comes to Cecilia on the very eve of her wedding day. Otherwise > she would have made her explanation and her plea to Valerian > before this time. One can imagine the gorgeous scene, the feast- > ing and music. And after the guests have departed, and the > festivities over,-Cecilia and Valerian alone together. We can > see the rove and ardor of the handsome young bridegroom; also > the gentle reticence of the bride, the gradual unfoldment of her > confession, the bewilderment, dismay and unbelief of Valerian, > his anger perhaps, and jealousy. How difficult it must have been > to explain all this to Valerian who had been her companion and > lover so long! She must have had the conviction that for her > to retain this glory and this joy, it was impossible that she ever > become an earthly bride. The gift of the Spirit is so subtle, that > to retain that gift, there can be DO conflicting interests. Noth- > > • > Digitized by Coogle > 20 REALITY > > ing must interfere with the realization of that presence, and to > explain this to Valerian, she tells him that she is betrothed to > an angel, begging him to respect that betrothal. Her sweet > sincerity, her evident joy and exaltation, her naive c~nfession > and her very helplessness all appeal to Valerian's generosity. > His t:eallove for her, his faith in her, finally enable him to make > the great sacrifice. Valerian asks more and more of her story, > until at last there enters into his consciousness the thought that > after all, there must be something more than mere fancy in this, > and that there is a joy beyond any other joys in which he too > may share. So he seeks to know this strange new religion; and > at last, in the words of the legend, "demands that he too may > see the Angel." He is told by Cec~lia to see a great teacher and > lea~er, Bishop Urbanus who can explain all to him. Valerian > meets the Bishop, becomes convinced, is baptized and returns to > Cecilia-a Christian. > It is not, however, for the Bishop or any other mortal, no > matter how good, to grant this vision. It is a gift and bounty > direct from God, and bestowed as He alone sees fit and best. > Valerian had not yet attained to a knowledge of the Kingdom > of the Unseen. That knowledge comes to him later through the > crown of martyrdom to which he is very soon called. > For some time Valerian and cecilia live happily in their > new found knowledge and interests, and when Tibertius comes > to visit his brother and to meet and greet his new sister-in-law, > he is confronted with the astonishing fact that Valerian has > become a Christian. > Saint Cecilia was buried in the Catacombs of Rome; but it > is not of death and the Catacombs we think when we recall her > name. She lives eternally in our hearts as a young and joyoUS > maiden of a faith, at once brilliant, spontaneous and of joy UD- > quenchable, who, because of her attributes and the heavenly > qualities she manifested is most pre-eminently fitted to be > chosen as the Patron Saint of Music. She was the embodiment > of the very qualities and attributes of music. Music brings to > our hearts, joy, faith and courage, hope and sp'iritual uplift. > , , . A girl saint, forever young, forever sweet, forever lovable, > the beauty of whose life and the fragrance of whose memory, > Ji~s been left as a precious legacy to posterity! The memory of > > • > Digitized by Coogle > '. > > REALITY 21 > > one who lived and died for Christ in thos~ early days, and who > had learned to sing in her heart through every variety of ex- > perience! One who "gave all that she had for the hope of what > was to come", and who accepted her life on earth, with "radiant > acquiescence", thereby receiving "the confirmations of the > Spirit" ! One who having triumphed over every test and trial, > had become "the confidant of the Kingdom of the Unseen." > In. EUrope, and especially in Italy, it is the beautiful custom > to raise shrines at intervals, along the roadside, where the trav- > eler may pause for rest and prayer, before resuming his journey. > These shrines are half hidden by clustering vines and flowers. > We have spoken of Cecilia as a flower. She was one of the > many thousands, which like the flowers at the roadside, sprang > into being and bloomed about the foot of the Cross of the Saviour > of Mankind. Passion flowers they are! Passion flowers that > "kiss and hide the nail pierced feet of the crucified." Sweet Ce- > cilia ! It is with joy that all lovers of music and of spiritual > truth, all travelers in the "Valley of Search", and sojourners in > the Valley of Love and of Divine Knowledge, recall her memory > and bright example. In the light of the New Day, and the Bahai > Revelation, her example becomes real and living to us, makes > us feel her presence and to delight in the knowledge that in the > realm of the spirit, the limitations of time and space are removed, > and the "Communion of Saints" is a reality and a blessing. > > Digitized by Coogle > 22 REALITY > > Bolshevism and the Jews > F ROM the time of the destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem > by Titus, the Jews have had no political state. For centuries > they were forced to wander from land to land, to flee for ref- > uge wherever they might find it against bitter persecution. They > were pent up in ghettoes, were deprived of even the shadow of > civil or political rights, and were made the objects of every pos- > sible form of discrimination. It is little more than fifty years > since the Jews of Western Europe became politically emanci- > pated. Until the outbreak of the World War the Jews of > Eastern Europe, constituting a majQrity of all the Jews of the > world, were not even permitted to exercise the rights of citizen- > ship in lands where they and their ancestors had dwelt for gen- > erations. The great mass of the Jews were hampered in every > way in their efforts to earn a livelihood. Far from desiring to > govern the world, they were content with the opportunity to > live. Numerically they constitute less than one per cent. of the > population of the earth; and more than one-half of them are on > the verge of starvation. > To say that the Jews are responsible for Bolshevism is false- > hood. The originators of Bolshevism were exclusively non-Jews. > While it is true that there are Jews among the Bolshevists, > notably Trotsky, they represent a small fraction of the Jews and > of the followers of Bolshevism. Lenine, who belonged to the > Russian aristocracy and has not a drop of Jewish blood in his > veins, was the creator as he has been the motive power of the > Soviets. Tchicherin, who has conducted their foreign affairs, > Bucharin, Krassin and Kalinin, all non-Jews, are, with Lenine, > the brains of the Communist Party. > . The Bolshevist cabinet, known as the People's Commissars, > consist of twenty members, of whom Trotsky and Sverdlov are > the only Jews, and they are Jews merely by birth. Of the Cen- > tral Committee of the Communist Party, including Trotsky, > there are four Jews out of thirteen. The so-ealled Extraordi- > n~ry Commission, whose function it is to suppress opposition to > > Digitized by Coogle > , REALITY 2S > > the Bolshevist regime from within. is directed by a triumvirate > consisting of a Pole and two Letts. none of whom is of Jewish > origin. Although Trotsky is the head of the War Department. > his General Staff is composed exclusively of non-Jews. > In "The Cause of World Unrest" a list of fifty names is > given. most of whom are classified as Jews and Bolshevists. in > order to establish the thesis that "nearly all of the Bolshevist > leaders are Jews." An examination of the list shows that ten > of the Jews included in the list are the leaders of the anti-Bol- > shevist movement in Russia; that a number of those who are > classified in the list as Jews are not Jews at all; that a large > proportion of those classified as Jews are men who are so ob- > scure and hold positions so inconspicuous that whether or not > they are Jews is not only uncertain but unimportant. They are > certainly not leaders. > On the other hand. the leaders of the Mensheviki. who are > the sworn foes of Bolshevism. are to a large extent Jews. > Among the chiefs of the Constitutional Democratic Party of > Russia, who are strongly opposed to the Soviets. are Vinaver. > Sliosberg. Pasmanik. Kaminka. Landau and Friedman. all prom- > inent Jews. Among the leaders of the People's Socialist. the > Socialist Revolutionary. and the Menshevik section of the Social > Democratic parties. bitter opponents of the Bolsheviks. are a > large number of Jews.. The leading anti-:Bolshevist newspapers. > which of necessity are published outside of Russia. have Jews > upon, their editorial staffs. An overwhelming majority of Rus- > sian Jews have been ruined by the coercive measures of the > Soviets. They have submitted to the confiscation of their prop- > erty and are undergoing unspeakable hardships. The Orthodox > Jews. whese numbers preponderate, remaining loyal to the faith > of their fathers, regard the Bolsheviks as the enemies of all > religion, and, therefore, hold the doctrines of Bolshevism in ab-' > horrence. With comparatively few exceptionsá the Jews are > looked upon by the Bolsheviks as belonging to the hated bour- > geoisie and as favoring capitalism. The Zionists, who constitute > a numerous and important element of the Jews of Russia, have > been denounced by the Soviets as counter-revolutionary, and > many of them have been cast into prison and threatened with > death - Zionists. we repeat, who are the followers of Herzl. > > Digitized by Coogle > , > 24 REALITY > > If-the Jews are to be condemned because of a Trotsky, who > has never in the slightest degree concerned himself with > Judaism or the welfare of the Jews, then t~ere is not a people > that has ever lived that might not with equal right be con- > demned because in its membership there were men who are al- > leged to have advocated hateful doctrines. The Jew has tradi- > tionally stood for religion, law, order, the family, and the right > of property. It is, therefore, the height of cruelty to charge > him with responsibility for Bolshevism, when its doctrines, > should they prevail, would inevitably lead to the destruction of > Judaism. It is especially a brutal charge when one considers all > that the Jew has suffered from the oppressive and discrimi- > natory laws of Russian autocracy and from its efforts to sup- > press every aspiration that the Jew had for freedom. It is a > great tribute to the patriotism of the Russian Jews that, in i > I > spite of the indignities that they had to undergo, hundreds of I > thousands of them fought under the banner of the Czar, loyally > and gallantly, and in large numbers laid down their lives in the > Allied cause. The rosters of the army and navy of the United -I > States contain the names of tens of thousands of Jews born in > Russia who served so faithfully under our colors that they > gained the unqualified approval of their officers, and proportion- > ately many of them were awarded decorations of honor by a > grateful country. > We have an abiding confidence in the spirit of justice and > fairness that pernleates the true American. There is eneugh > for all of us to do in the great task of building up our common > country and of developing the principles on which it is founded. > Let not hatred and misunderstanding arise where .peace and har- > mony, unity and brotherliness, are required to perpetuate all that > America represents and to enable all mel) to know that within > her wide boundaries there is no room for injustice and intoler- > ance. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 25 > > Good News > W HEREV.ER you find Unity, there you find God. Thi~ is > the Day of Unity. Be not dismayed by the tempest > raging about us, by diversity of thought and a seem- > ing process of destruction. . > The hand of God is searching all the time for channels > through which to manifest His divine ideals. The supreme Ideal > of all the ages has spoken and that Word is creative. From it > springs in every direction the aspiration toward peace, unity, > elimination of prejudice, tolerance, co-operation. Minds pre- > pared for this Light are proclaiming these ideals in many lands, > and through many SOUl'ces, > If you will turn your thought and attention toward seeking > this wonderful Revelation of the fulfillment of the promise for > this Day, you will find this tendency toward these great princi- > ples constantly voiced. > There are mass meetings held for protest against prejudice, > mass meetings held to stimulate prejudice, but in the hearts and > the minds of the people there is a weariness which cries aloud > for quiet, rest and peace. This cry is the first step toward pro- > ducing these ideal states. > It is a fact that humanity gets what it wants. When most > of the world wants war, war i~ the result. When most of the > world will truly want peace, we will have peace. We as indi- > viduals can hasten the peace of the world by thinking peace > thoughts, by demanding them in our souls from the Universal > Father." > There are many contradictory sentiments voiced today by > the same persOnalities. Not long since a great general of our" > army boldly declared for disarmament of the nations. We find > this same general addressing an audience in the interest of > establishing aloofness and a continuation of the ideas of separa- > tion which helped to produce ..the great war. Do the mothers > and fathers who lost their sons, do the crippled soldiers and the > noble women who gave their lives to the horrors of service dur- > ing the war, really in their hearts want a repetition of those > > Digitized by Coogle > 26 REALITY > > horrors? If this great nation of ours cannot look upon the > world as a place for the people of God, and if we cannot show > the Christ like spirit toward the people and generations yet to > be born, then we -have within us the seeds of another war. > There is one force which the world has neve~ used, and that > is the force of love. It is impossible to use this force unless it > becomes part of the consciousness of mankind; and as the late > war was a protest not against a people but against a people > ruled by hate, is no-t the only remedy for future wars the estab- > lishing of an ideal 'of love? > We constantly hear insinuations against good Americans > when they voice sentiments of beneficial economic changes, that > they are pro-Russian. When they voice the sentiment of for- > giveness and assistance to those who did not bring about the > war in Germany, but who suffered from it as much as any other > nation, they are pro-Gennan. We hear the sympathizers with > the Irish question which must tear the heart and soul of any > unprejudiced thinker, called pro-Irish. Yet is it not a fact that > - were we to dig deeply we would find in the consciousness of > those who take advantage of this opportunity to discredit others > who are honestly endeavoring to bring GOO's justice into the > world, that they were pro something or other themselves. > America has no undiluted nationality of its own. The typical > American is an American Indian. The history of the wrongs > applied to that nation is too well known- to need comment. Our > statesmen and politicians are bound to be pro something unless > they have developed the universal cOnsciousness. You cannot > speak to an American without his telling you his mother and > father were English, French, Welsh, Irish, Gennan, Austrian or > Hungarian, and as long as the human mind has not developed to > the universal idea, the natural tendency is to lean. toward parti- > sanship for the nation of our ancestors. > When the world becomes pro-human the world will be on its > way toward its triumph over the instincts of greed and hate. > Every nationality has its constructive place in the world. > Every nationality has its negative side. Only through eo-opera- > tion and love one for the other, can the constructive power be > used and the negative submerged. > > Digitized by Google > REALITY 27 > > In our daily lives we are confronted by odious comparison > and criticism of each other. > A great teacher has said, "use the capacity of man." Every > man has some constructive capacity. When known and utilized, > this capacity is useful and productive.. It only becomes negative > when compared to anothers activities and its own limitations. > We are apt to lose sight of the fact that the conditions of > the world are only the conditions of mankind collective. Never- > theless the Light is shining, and it is good news to read "The > Spectator" in the New York American of March 19th on the > 4'Millennium." . > What is called the Bahai message, which is a me-ssage of co- > operation, elimination of prejudice, mutual understanding and > unity is given in a convincing and practical manner. This only > goes to prove that the creative Word of God as spoken through > Baha 'o'llah sixty years ago is manifesting in all directions. > The principles laid down at that time are the principles which > will bring in the ideal state of man on this planet. > They appeal to every race, nation and class for unity and > love. > Let ev~ry individual in the world proclaim these principles, > manifest and believe them, and God in His own good time will > teach the world the source of this knowledge. Then the veils > will be rent asunder and man will stand face to face with the > Reality of God and the reality of himself. > The Spectator - The Millennium > Did you ever sit down and try to formulate to yourself just > what the Millennium is going to be? > One guess is as good as another, and here's mine. It's prob- > ably not at all yours, but it may interest you and stir you up to > concoct one of your own. > 1. The big thing will be Co-operation. The principal ele- > ment that dist~n~ishes the present from the past, and that > points in the direction which the future will take, is this: The > race, emerging from brutedom, appeared fighting. It has pro- > gressed in proportion as it has learned to quit fighting and to > pull together. > First, the race co-operated as families, then successively > tribes, states and nations. > > Digitized by Coogle > 28 REALITY > > If we go on the same way, and we probably will, as we follow > the push of a natural law, by and by we will all get together > somehow as a world, as humanity. > 2. Wars will disappear. Not by 'discovering new and more > terrible methods of destruction, not by artifical .treaties, com- > pacts or leagues, but by the breakdown of the one thing that > m~es war, which is Provincialism. > Every generation rubs out a little the distinction between > French and Spanish, English and AmeriC8:ll, and -so on, and em- > phasizes common humanity. > The rapid growth of commerce and transportation, and the > universality of literature, the arts and science, help this along. > Wars will disappear because we will lose interest in them; > we shall be too busy at otller activities. > 3. All the cities will be taken down and built over. We are > at it now. W~ shall have cities that are architectural units, not > architectural hodge-podge. > 4. Country life will increase and improve, helped along by > improvement in rapid transit, and by bringing culture, luxuries > and advantages to the countryside. > S. Many forms of business, now privately managed, will be- > come socialized. . > We already have socialized the Post Office and the Public > School. We shall go. on and socialize all Public Utilities and > Necessities. > Railroads, for instance, will surely come under government > ownership, not as a politicai experiment or a war-cry, but be- > cause of the very necessities of that kind of service.• > The same applies to Street Railways and all Urban Public > Transportation; to Telegraphs and Telephones, to Water Works, > Lighting Plants and the like. > Also to all Power Producers, whether from streams, sun- > shine, coal mines or anything else. People really do not want > to own power; they want to use it. > Eventually the necessities of life will be taken over by the > community. Every city will supnly its own milk, because pure > milk is a common need for poor and rich. There should be but > one grade of milk - the best. Probably bread and meat will > follow, for in such things competition is not logical. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 29 > 6. Education will become the chief concern of the nation. > We shall spend ten times as much for schools ~ we do now. > 7. All schools will be democratized. They will be training > camps for citizenship. > 8. Political Parties will disappear, asá a silly and wasteful > relic of the old idea that the only way to get anything done is > by fighting. > 9. Politics will more and more gravitate into the hands of > the women, where it naturally belongs, being "economy," which > is another word for "housekeeping.'! Men will be busy at pro- > ductive work. The woman is the conserver. > 10. Religion will grow. The present era of sectarianism will > wear away, with other forms of competition. The essentials of > religion, which are reverence, faith, courage, morality and emo- > tional attachment io righteousness, will be taught in the schools. > Religion will be regarded as a matter of common.and necessary > education, and not as a subject for partisan propaganda. > 11. Monogamy will endure; being the product of natural > evolution, and the only way to solve the sex problem without > destroying ideals. But it will be more intelligent, more tolerant > and less superstitious. Some practical form of birth regulation > will be worked out. > 12. Labor and Capital will merge. They will. discover that > the prosperity of both is to be promoted by getting together, > not by combat. > Industrial Democracy will take the place of the present > wasteful conflict. > > McCormick Asks U. S. to Help Lift Austria's Burden > Washington, March 20.' Intercession by the United States. in > behalf of Austria to obtain the remission of the heavy repara- > tions imposed by the Allies is asked in a letter addressed to Sec.- > retary of State Hughes to-day by Senator Medill McCormick. > The letter declares that while the American people are con- > tributing millions of dollMs for the relief of the strikeli populace > of Central Europe, and while tons of milk are being shipped > ~ into Austria to feed starving Austrian children, the Reparations > Commission is demanding the delivery of 6000 cows. > > Digitized by Coogle > so REALITY > > The Senator writes: > "It would be fitting if the Reparations Commission were > formally and publicly to abandon all hope of securing repara- > tions from Austria." > > Extract from New York Ameriean > It is' not disloyal to believe and to advocate changes in our > national institutions. The- person who believes that such > changes should be made in the interest of the people's well- > being is disloyal to true American ideals if he does not express > and urge such changes. . > The worst disloyallty of which any man or woman can be > guilty is to advocate the suppression of speech and beliefs that > differ from those of the majority. > Whoever urges that anyone who ~eves and peaceably ad- > vocates political and eConomic 'changes should be deprived of > employment, ostraclzed by the community, subjected to abuse > and persecution and even arrested and jailed, has exactly the > same point of view as George III had, as Czar Nicholas had, as > Kaiser Wilhelm had and as every tyrant and hater of human > liberty has always had. > The men and women who are attempting to revive persecu- > tion of advanced thinkers are not true Americans. Neither are > they doing patriotic work. They are, in fact, doing their igno- > rant and narrow and ,un-American worst to destroy the very > guarantees of individual liberty of speech and belief which are > alike the bright glory and the strong security of the Republic. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 81 > > Life and Healing > By Dr, James Bt"shop Thomas > > A VERY suggestive talk on health in its relation to mind > or Life and Healing, was given Sunday evening, January > 6th, by Dr. Thomas of the Church of the Ascension, at > the Bahai Library. > The speaker began with a pregnant review of the character- > istics of the time. "People are out of tune with life," he said, > "and this affects health seriously. There is discord between fel- > low beings, discord in the body. Constant tension wears upon > the nerves, and then the nervous system is out of order; con- > stant emotional disturbances, fear, hatred, anger cause inadjust;.. > ment of the nervous system. The nervous system is interlocked > with the brain. Through anger and worry it is constantly > drained, becomes habitqally tense, and misery ensues. This is a > danger signal and a warning which needs attention." > "When we have diagnosed an illness, we can more easily sug- > gest its cure. The therapeutic value of harmony as the opposite > of exalted emotion is reasonable. In this respect the Sermon on > the Mount is unrivalled. Its different paragraphs bring the rela- > tionship of harmony with all men. We al'e even brought into > harmony with enemies, and realize that it is an injury to one- > self to cherish enmity toward anyone, as sickness invariably > results. > "There is great power in religion as a healing force, but > much illness is a direct result of the old fashioned orthodoxy. > It was tbe established tendency in this system to inculcate fear. > God was a jealous God, easily irritated, angered by trifles. > The wrath of God and the vengeance of God became very pro- > nounced in such theories, and many children have beeQme cow- > ardly and subject to nervous weakness through the well meant > but foolish insistence of parents, that "if you do not mind, God > will be angry and will surely punish you." > "I listened last night to wonderful music, the subject of > which I loathe and despise. It was Verdi's "Manzoni Requiem," > > Digitized by Coogle > 32 REALITY > > the title of which. is "Day of Wrath," or "Dies Irae." To me it > expresses a craven cowering in the presence of God. It has in > it all the horror of the Day of Judgment, and engenders the > most complete fear of God." > "Spiritual healing was the habit of the early church, "and . > remained so until the conversion of Constantine united Church > and State and brought theological dogmas into a ruling position. > Fear took the place of love, and produced mental maladjust- > ment. The approach" to God as to a friend who sympathizes > with one's aspirations produces the right adjustment. Many > people today are terrified by fear fonns. The paranoiac is > haunted by the sense of enemies and the conviction of being fol- > lowed. Fear can often be b,anished and a person healed by the > constant repetition of the text "Rejoice and be exceeding glad, , > because so the prophets were persecuted." Fear of persecution > disappears with this attitude. > "The persecuting spirit is ripe in many communities today, > emanating from very good people who suffer much from ~ion. > The consciousness of friendliness with God immediately relaxes > tensions; the patient is quickly relieved and healed by divine > power. > The method used to relieve tension is approached through > suggestion, by substituting soothing and happy images for ter- > rifying and painful ones. This is not done by will power. Will > power intensifies tension and internal tension is a devastating > experience which cannot be eliminated by will power. This > latter knots up, it does not untangle. The. process is to attain > relaxation of the nerves tnrough suggestion, and, through > beautiful images and thoughts to set going a new current of > energy. It is good to sit quietly holding the thought of complete > relaxation. > Sickness. is due to lack of adj ustment to the source of life > and to human beings. Banish friction between man and man, > man and family, man and community, and health is restored." > The method used by Dr. Thomas is very different from that > of Chri~tian Science, or New Thought. He does not elaim to be > a healer. He says "the surgeon sets the bone, the power within > heals." > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 3S > > He does not deny matter, but he admits that in therapeutic > practice it is good to deny, as it frees the mind from the con- . > sciousness of pain and inhannony and thus facilitates recovery. > But is it not even more powerful than this? Does it not act like > a mental anaesthetic, so that the sensation of pain is no longer > carried to the brain? Thus healing is indeed facilitated. > Dr. Thomas has a directness of speech, an earnestness and > purity of purpose which instantly inspire confidence. In the > light of his vision of a God of Love as opposed to a God of fear > in his soul, and simple application of great spiritual truths, he > will undoubtedly help to bring health and happiness to those > who are fortunate enough to come in contact with him. > > Ella Wheeler Wilcox > By Louise Waite > > J UST after the death of the beloved husband of Ella Wheeler > Wilcox, when she had spent an aftern~n in my home and > had read to me her recent poems "Sonnets of Sorrow", > which were the acme of grief and well-nigh hopeless despair > over her separation from the beloved of her sOl11, desiring with > mY whole heart to comfort her, I sat dOMl immediately after she > left and wrote to Abdul Baha of whom we had been talking. > I asked that He reveal a Tablet for this dearly loved friend. > This was a few months before America entered the great > world war. > That my letter was received and the request granted was > proven, when soon after the armistice was signed, I received a > letter from our dear brother Ahmad Sobrab, containing a Tablet > for me from Abdul Baha, in which he wrote "Thou h,ast written > about Ella Wheeler Wilcox. This respected lady has infinite > capacity. She is like a lamp filled with oil which no sooner > comes in contact with fire than it is set aglow." > "Now it is hoped that she may become enkindled with the > Fire of the Love of God and her torch become so luminous as > to illumine all directions. A letter is written in her name. De- > liver it to her." > > Digitized by Coogle > 54 REALITY > > In the accompanying letter, Ahmad wrote "You mention in > your letter that you have the joy and privilege of knowing Ella > Wheeler Wilcox. I am a great admirer of her poems and writ- > ings. Her cheerful, optimistic poems; so full of hope and in- > spiration, have brought life and rekindled the fire of noble am- > bition and high aspirations in the hearts of thousands. There > are few souls who do not know her through her winged thoughts > and roseate dreams of love and mutual helpfulness. The moral > and spiritual world is made the richer because she has given to > it her most precious iewels of altruism. The hearts of the re- > mote ones are perfumed because she has scattered throughout > the world the fragrant and imperishable flowers of her poetic > and pure spirit. > "I mentioned her name to the Beloved and a glorious Tablet, > as you desired, is dedicated to her. The translation of this you > will find in a separate envelope. Please present it to her with > the sincere greetings of a Persian admirer and a lover of ,her > works." > This letter and my Tablet were dated January 29th, 1917. > There' was no translation of Mrs. Wilcox' Tablet enclosed, but a > second letter from Ahmad Sohrab dated October, 1918, ran as > follows:- > "My dear Sister:-I wish this letter had reached you sooner > so that you might have received your Tablet and been acquainted > with its contents, but, having mailed it, it was returned to me > from Constantinople because war was declared between America > and Germany. From that time on it has been lying idle. Now > that Palestine has changed her political master, the doors of > communication are again opened. I was going to write you an- > other letter but reading over the present one, enclosed, I con- > cluded that I could not do any better, especially as it contains the > translation of your Tablet signed by the Master himself. Be- > cause the letter to Mrs. Wilcox was not returned, I suppose you > have received it. If not, I am ready to supply you with another > copy", etc. > When this communication reached me, Mrs. Wilcox was in > London, on her deathbed, so to speak, for she was soon after > brought back to America and lived but a short time. I sent her > a copy of my Tablet and Ahmad's letter, and she wrote that she > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY S5 > > was most anxious to receive the Tablet mentioned for herself > from Abdul Baha. I wrote Ahmad that her Tablet and letter > had not been received, had doubtless been lost and asked for > a duplicate copy. But events were transpiring so thick and fast > over in that sacred spot that the dear brother had not the o~ > portunity to comply with my request. > New York City, September 22, 1920. > Copy of a letter containing the Translation of a Tablet of Abdul > Baha to Mrs. Ella Wheeler Wilcox, written on January 30, 1917, > from Haifa, Palestine: > . "This Tablet was mailed to the famous poetess at that time, > but she did not receive it because of its having been lost in the > world war. However, the translator of the Tablet and writer of > the letter kept a copy, which with other precious documents was > buried under the groqnd on Mount Cannel for more than a year. > Now for the first time it sees the light of day, because many of > the friends Qf Mrs. Wilcox have expressed a desire to have a > copy." > > "0 thou eloquent and fluent poetess! > Be thou not discouraged nor become thou dispirited on ac- > count of the unavoidable events of time and this great affliction. > Be thou not sad nor become thou grieved; for this terrestrial > globe is the habitation of dead matter and not the abode of the > pure, sanctified souls who are attracted toward God. The home' > of the owl is always desolate and in a ruinous state, but the re- > sidence of the sweet-singing nightingale is the rose-garden and > the green meadow. Should the nightingale by chance pass by the > &,loomy and lonely waste, it will not sojourn there. > Consequently the blessed souls do not wish to be established > in this wilderness of a world. They wing their way towards the > supreme heights and like unto the heavenly birds long to build > their nests in that celestial universe. Thy respected husband > hastened and reached the Boundless and the Limitless Immens- > ity. Rest thou assured that in the end thou shalt find him en- > jo.ying the utmost felicity in the Realm of God. This separation > is temporary but that union is etemal. > Therefore be thou not unhappy, become thou not sorrow- > Itrmken. The candle's light must not become dim; the freshness > > Digitized by Coogle > 86 REALITY > > of the ros~must not fade away; especially in this Divine Spring > in which the withered trees are robed with leaves and the dried > and sere flowers have become fresh and blooming. Shouldst > thou become intoxicated with the Spiritual Goblet, thou wilt > not consider thy devoted husband as lost or absent. With this > new insight the absent become present. . Hence drink thou as > .much as thou art able from this supersensual wine which is in > a state of fermentation in the Tavern of Divine Loye? So that > thou mayest not think of anyone as absent and see everyone > present. Mayest thou find thyself in the station which is sancti- > fied from presence and absence. In that station absence aild > presence become identical; the remote one will become the near > one and the non-existent one will find the form and expressioo > of existence. This is the sublimity of man! This is the cause > of the illumination of man. This is conducive to the everlasting > life of man. In the world of humanity there are many fountains > but only the fountain of the Kingdom of God will satisfy one's > thirst; there are many trees but only the Blessed Tree produces > fruits throughout e~rnity. Although the candles are lighted, > yet this is only during the night. In the end they will all become > extinguished, but the sun is everlastingly luminous and shining. > Therefore one must obtain illumination from the Refulgent > Luminary. Praise be to God that thy capacity is perfect and > thy susceptibilities intense. I hope that through the power of > insight thou mayest behold the Sun of Reality. > Upon thee be greeting and praise.: > _(Signed) ADdul Baha Abbas." > Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, > Mount Carmel, Haifa, Palestine, January 30, 1917. > > ELLA WHEELER WILCOX > Ella Wheeler Wilcox, America's beloved poetess, has passed > on into the Light. A great soul has left this war-sick, strife- > stricken world, to sing her songs of Love and Life in a happier > realm, where joined to her Beloved One, she drinks from the cup > of Immortal Joy. > A true and loyal friend to all down-trodden and oppreped, > she saw deep into the heart and soul of all things; saw the > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 37 > Divine Reality that is ever in each child of God, no matter how > densely covered or seemingly dead. > To humanity she has left a heritage of beautiful and inspir. > ing thoughts, that will live on to che~r, comfort and bless the > hearts of men, but nothing that she ever wrote rings more true, > nor better meets the crying ~eed of the hour, than the vital truth > expressed in these her words:- > "So many gods and so many creeds, > So many ways that wind and wind; > When all the old and sad world needs > Is just the art of being kind." > It was my great privilege to count her among my near and > dear friends and to her memory I dedicate the following verses: > IN MEMORIAM > Her songs have ceased. And the listening world > Is sweeter for each song; > Her soul has fl.ed,-all empty hangs > The bough she bent so long. > The clouds have passed; into the dome > Of ever radiant blue, > That quivers yet with marvel great > Of her joyous passing through. > Her step is gone, but the darkened walls > Of her home are vibrant yet, > Reflecting still the face and form > They never will forget. > Her voice has ceased, but her words Will live, > Filled with a power divine > That will echo in the hearts of men, > Down through the aisle of Time. > And back to earth from realms of Light, > Of joy and peace above; > Shall come on pure etheric waves, > Her endless song of Love. > > Digitized by Coogle > 88 REALITY > > "The Twentieth Plane" > By Dr. Charles P. Frink > > T HERE is a book compiled and a magazine eQ,ited by Albert > Durrant Watson, M. D., of Toronto, Canada, called "The > Twentieth Plane". > These publications are devoted to the expression of "psychic" > or "spirit communication" through the lips :of Louis Benjamin > who is said to be one of th"e most remarkable "psychics" of > our age. > Popular interest in the subject of "spirit communication" > appears to be one of the "signs of the times". , > Here are a few excerpts taken from a letter received from > Dr. E. lL Bromund of Duluth, Minn. "I came across the name > of Abdul Baha only twice in my life and that. was when trans- > lating a work, that is most phenomenal in my estirpation. This > work (The Twentieth Plane) makes mention of the fact that > Abdul Baha comes from the highest; the Christ Plane. I did > not know, however, that Abdul Baha was living in our age. I > had hardly finished the translation when Dr. Watson wrote me > that I should go to Minneapolis and by all-means get in commu- > nication with two gentlemen, Janabe Fazel and Ahmad Sohrab. > On that very day they arrived at Duluth and I met them. They > told me of the wonderful movement of Bahaism and of the Sa- > vior again coming from the Orient." > "During the months that have elapsed since the departure of > the eminent teacher and his companion, I have heard repeatedly > from the "other Side" (I refer to the revelation coming from > the Twentieth Plane) that Ab.dul Baha is the world Savior, and > that within the next five years great changes will come through > his efforts." > Is it not incumbent upon all sincere Bahai students to under- > stand these subjects? Not that they may toy with these great > forces, but that they may be able to guide those who are search- > ing, without the aid of a Master Mind, into the straight and > sure path of attainment our Great Teacher has pointed out > for us. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 39 > I. > Judging from the fact that there are millions of people inter- > I ested in all known phases of psychic phenomena, and as we are > instructed not to "tamper" with these forces, is it not apparent > that there is a great demand for educators who may clarify con- > fused minds? Perhaps the majority of these millions are in "the > valley of search" - The well infonned students of Abdul Baha's > inclusive and exhaustive instructions are quite familiar with > what he says on this subject - He says: "To tamper with the > psychic forces while in this world interferes with the condition > of the soul in the world to corne. These forces are real, but are > not to be active upon this plane. The child in the womb has its > eyes, ears, hands, feet, etc., but these powers are not in activ- > ity.. The whole purpose of the womb life is the coming forth > into this world. So the whole purpose of this matrix world life > is the coming forth into the world of Reality, where all .these > will be active. They belong to that world." > To the Bahai, Abdul Baha is the one man on earth who is > invested with universal knowledge of all things necessary for > our true spiritual development: the one who is appointed by > the "Glory of God" (Baha'o'llah) as th~ true interpreter of > God's Laws for the benefit of those who will accept them: the > one whose perfect spiritual vision disentangles the complicated > threads of human opinions and imaginations on all subjects:' > the one who "walks the mystic way with practical feet": the > one who dwells upon a plane of consciousness far beyond the > ordinary mortal. > Such clear statements from one whom we regard as dwelling > upon the summit of human perfections, naturally compels us to > accept his instructions as above and beyond any other source, > therefore we cannot consistently urge anyone to do more than > accept God's messages from His chosen Interpreter. Abdul Baha > is here on earth as a living example of "radiant acquiescence" > to the Will of God. What greater blessing could the Creator be- > stow upon his subjects? What greater source of inspiration > could we possibly expect? All save perfection is imperfection. > Unqualified acceptance of God's Messengers and His Mani- > festations on earth constitutes what appears to be the birth of > the "spirit of faith" and ultimate salvation from the dark abyss > of human imaginations and ignorance. The very fact that Louis > > Digitized by Coogle > 40 REALITY > > Benjamin has infonned us in "The Twentieth Plane" of the ex- > alted station of Abdul Baha, is to the writer, corroborative of > what Abdul Baha says "These forces are real". Since, however, > the exalted station of Abdul Baha is acknowledged in "The > Twentieth Plane" it ought to serve as a powerful suggestion to > its readers to turn their hearts and souls humbly to the great > "Light of the World" and accept his utterances as final and all > inclusive. Why look elsewhere? Why not dedicate our lives and > efforts to His Great Cause. > > The' Rainbow Circle > T E activities of the Bahai Cause in the Rainbow Circle > dQring February and March were attractive and inspiring. > Rev. Richard Manuel Bolden, the founder and Pastor of > the First Emmanuel Church, 105 West 130th Street, seeks to > gladden and welcome all races and nationalities in his institu- > tion. The attendance on the part of white national and religious > groups with the colored people is increasing and exceptionally > hannonious. While Thursday night is featured especially for > ,and by the Rainbow Circle, the Sunday services and other mid- > week gatherings have proportionally mixed audiences. > The intra-racial dipner for the month of Febl'Uary was one > that made a v,ary deep and helpful impression. It was a Ger- > man Dinner. Among the speakers were several Gennans. The > speakers were: Dr. Bolden, Mrs. Carlos Van Bergen, Marco Zim > the noted artist, Mrs. Valerie De Mude Kelsey of New Rochelle, > Mr. Schober and Mrs. Logie who has recently returned from > Haifa, Palestine. Other short talks were made by Mr. B. N. > Darakjian of Turkey, T. J. Callaway of Washington, D. C., Miss > R. Sunshine, and Mr. Goodf~llow. The brother of Miss Sun- > shine, who has just arrived from the battlefront in Russia, was > presented to the audience. > During the month of February Mr. Harry Barnhardt, the > national community chorus leader with his assistant Mr. Hugh > Watson, gave demonstrations of what he regards as a possibility > for spiritual awakening in the community through a thousand > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 41 > > trained voices expressing Love and Good-will to all mankind. On > Friday night he was accompanied by his wife and son, also the > distinguished sculptor, Mr. George Gray Barnard with his .wife > and daughter. > Mr. Kruse, president of the Hobo Association, with a group > of workers, made splendid talks on several occasions. Mr. Field- > man who never fails to be interesting was heard with delight. > Miss Fieldman gave a Ir.usical recital. > The Irish Dinner was ~other fine evidence of unity. It was > largely attended. Ex-County Judge Walter Martin was the > special speaker. • > The Esperanto class, under Professor Klajin has advanced > far ~nough to be reading the New Testament. We could wish > that it attracted more members. The French class, under Ma- > dame Hirsch, has increased, and a new class for beginners is > taught by one of the advanced pupils. > All of the activities of the SundAy and Thursday evening > meetings of the Bahai Cause and Rainbow Circle are carried on > with the same spirit of enthusiasm and unity. > > Bahai Activities > The Monday evening meetings of Mrs. Florian Krug and > Miss Ann Boylan continue at the Bahai Library, 416 Madison > Avenue. > > . Tuesday evening, Mrs. Carlos VanBergen presides at the > Bahai Library, 416 Madison Avenue. > > The Wednesday evening meetings have been temporarily > discontinued until further notice. > > Friday evening meetings are conducted by Miss Juliet > Thompson. > > The Bahai Forum is open to the public on Sunday evenings. > These meetings begin at 8.15 sharp. All welcome. Come and > bring your friends. > > Digitized by Google > 42 REALITY > > A definite program for the next three months is being ar- > ranged by the Consulting Group of the Bahais of Greater New > Yorl:, and the Library Committee. This program will consist of > addresses by notable speakers within the circle of the Bahai > friends, noted scientists and public men and women throughout > the country. Due notice will be given through the columns of > REALITY, the newspapers and announcement cards. > > Attention is called to the fact that on the nineteenth day > of every month a feast is held in the Bahai Library, 416 Madison > Avenue, to which theá public and the friends are cordially invited. > The Bahai Revelation attaches great importance to the law of > hospitality, and the followers of Abdul Baha are required to > perform this obligation every nineteenth day. Owing to many > meetings held in the Library, it was found impracticable to hold > this feast every nineteenth day, as it conflicted with other meet- > ings, but the Library has set aside the nineteenth day of every > month for this purpose. These feasts are largely attended and > produce a spirit of love and hannony. It has been found to be > beneficial to the friends themselves and they have manifested > to the strangers, the love and cordiality which the knowledge > of the Bahai Revelation gives to its followers. We earnestly > hope you will avail yourselves of this invitation. > > Much interest is being felt in the Inter-Racial Congress to > be held in Washington the latter part of ḥay. Those desiring > information regarding this matter, can obtain it by writing to > REALITY or by addressing Mrs. Agnes J. Parsons, 1818 N. St., > N. W., Washington, D. C. > > The Bahai Temple Convention to be held in Chicago, April > 23rd, will bring together again the Bahais from allover the > world. The Temple model now displayed in Chicago is attracting > interest and admiration from all types and classes of people who . > welcome the thought of a Universal temple, the symbol of the > oneness of God, and the oneness of humanity, in its material and > practical manifestation. > Public aclmowledgment is made to Mr. Howard MaeNutt for > his services to REALITY. Possessed of rare literary ability, a > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 43 > > talent widely known, Mr. MacNutt has devoted much time and > effort toward perfecting REALITY. > > Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford whose devoted service to the > Library during the past winter deserves admiration and praise > from all the friends, is spending a few weeks with Dr. Walter > A. Guy, in St. Augustine, Florida. The constant yearning of the > friends for Mrs. Ford's return shows also that she is needed in > New York. REALITY addS ita urge and hopes she will be with > us again in the near future. > The following taken from The St. Augustine Record, will > be read with interest:- ' > For Mrs. Ford. > Dr. and Mrs. W. B. Guy entertained at their home on Sara- > gassa Street Thursday aftemoon in compliment to Mrs. Mary > Hanford Ford, the noted lec1urer from New York, who is their > guest again this season. 1here were a number of, friends of > Dr. and Mrs. Guy and of their visitor who attended, probably > about thirty gathering in the attractive rooms for the enjoyment > of an informal program, delightfully interesting conversation, > and afternoon tea. Mrs. Noel W. Mier sang most pleasingly, > and Miss Dorothy Mitchell rendered a group of songs in charm- > ing fashion. Mrs. Ford talked interestingly, her subject bemg > '-rile International Aspect of the Bahai Movement and Its Great > Spread in New York at the Present Time." During her informal > address she told of the notable people in New York connected > with it at the present, th~e including George. Gray Barnard, the > sculptor, and Dr. Guthrie, rector of St. Marks. The Bahai move- > ment as an element of unity and peace in the world was spe- > cially stressed. During the tea hour Mrs. Field of Boston, Mass., > poured, and aSsisting in serving were Mrs. Hoes from Atlantic > City, N. J., and Mrs. Charles E. Kettle of this city. > > On March 18th, the permit for building the Mashrak-e1 > Askar, the Universal Temple in Chicago, was granted without > reservations. The construction began on March 21st, the Bahais > New Years Day.-Praise be to God! The oneness of all religious > will be ~ in the building of °a Temple of Unity. > > - , > > Digitized by Coogle > 44 REALITY > > CLOUDS DISPELLED > will help clear mind of ignorance and superstition. Your > Higher Self demands enlightenment. It will help you. > You will be delighted. Send name at once. MAILED > ABSOLUTELY FREE. > The Brothe~hoodá of Light > BOX 1525 LOS ANGELES, CALIF. > > UNION HALL RESTAURANT > 1591 SECOND AVE. > Between 82nd and 83rd Streets NEW YORK CITY > > Meeting Rooms, Pleasant Surroundings, Moderate Prices > Best Hungarian cooking in town > Telephone Lenox 1878 John Letan, Prop. > > Occult Series I., Vol. II. > THE NEW MESSIAH AND GOD'S DIVINE KINGDOM > and the JOURNEY OF THE SOUL and ETHEREAL WORLD, VOL. 1 - "ook t2-5O > This book Is a continuation ot the Truths contained In Vol. 1, with many, as yet, > unrevealed Truths. > The New Messiah - God's Divine Kingdom - The New Dible -Its contents- > Who will write It - How wl11 the New Order 01 things be established - Creation of > the Earth - The Plrst Race - Who were they - The earth's Solar Cycles - Lunar > áCycles-Who gOVErns the Earth-How-The Five DIspE'nsatiolls-Wbere Is Christ > Jesus - Why the man of Sorrow - Mary the Mother of Jesus - What Is the Order > 'Of Melchlzedec - His work - What are the Ma.gI - What Is the meaning of the > Pyramids and the Sphinx - Who - When - How built -The mystery solved - Ursa > Major - Pleiades - Southern Cross - 'Vhat have they to do with Sacred Truths- > Sixth Dispensatioa - How and when ushered In - The author's marvelous vlalona > and prophecies-The Sixth Zone-The Seventh Zone-The First--8econd-Celestlal > Heavens - }o'rom whence have we come - Whither do we go - The difference be- > tween Angels and Spirits - What constitute.. a Christ. > The author, MRS. E. R. DROLLINGER > Mailed on receipt of price. 2014 Camden Court, South Pasadena, Callf. > > GENEVA RESTAURANT > Channing Surroundings-Moderate Prices > > Excellent Cuisine > > 143 West 44th Street F. WINNAI, Prop. > > P\..EASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > , \. > > 4"11P~""&. azine Devoted to the > rmination of Prejudice, > Religious, Racial and Class > > A REAL Magazine for REAL People > > Some Remarkable Prophecies > Abdul Baha's Message to the Jews > End All War Now or End of All > is in Sight, by John Haynes Holmes > Tolerance, by Richard Manuel Bolden > > MAY, 1921 . PUBLlSHED MONTHLY 25 CENTS > > I, ?J > .. > ./' > Copyright, 19.21, by Reality Publishing Corporatio,J > > THE ONENESS OF MANKIND > -:~ r:g';Q~() Q 9t by > TWELVE BASIC > BA AI RINC:iPL > > The uilulless of rilictnkind. > 2. Independent investigation of truth. > The fuundation > Relittull must cauuu > 5. Religion must be in accord with science and > reuuon~ > > Equolity betweon rrzen and women. > 7. Prejudice of all kinds must be forgotten. > > U nivonool peaco~ > 9. Universal education. > Solution of the ouonomic > An ~ctt&xiliarli hmguage. > 12. An international tribunal. > > Th('s(' t\W"h"f" hfsic nahai wcrf fffff"ialed hy &2:lh;c"f" nah > over sixty years ago and are to he found in his puhlished writings of > that time. > > 'I~I""-"""U uy > Editors > REALITY Consulting Editors > Albert Vall > Mary Hanford Ford > Eugene J. Deuth Howard MacNutt > Wandeyne Deuth Dr. Richard Manuel Bolden > Horace Holley > PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY > Reality Publishing Corporation > 418 MadUcm AYeDue Tel. Vanderbilt 4537 New York, N. Y. > Eugene J. Deuth, P"esident Herold S. Robinson, Sec'y & Treas. > Single Copies, 25 cents. Sold at all Newsstands. > Subscription, $3.00 per year > Money Orders Payable to Reality Publishing Corporation > 416 Madison Avenue, New York Ciiy > Copyright. 1921. by Reality Publishing Corporation > Application for Second Class Mal1 Nrd) York, N. Y., pend;"K. > > I~================================~~j > Volume III MAY, 1921 No.5 > > Contents > > Frontispiece . > > Some Remarkable Prophecies > > Prophecies of Baha'o'llah and Abdul Baha > > Abdul Baha's Message to the Jews > > A Letter From Brazil ................................................................ Guido Gnocchi > > End All War Now or End of All Is In > Sight ........................................................................... . John Haynes Holmes > > Tolerance........................................................ . ........ Richard Manuel Bolden > > Abdul Baha Seeks in Manhattan ............................. Edith M. Thomas > > New Lines of Interest > > Bahai Activities > > Digitized by Coogle > Digitized by Coogle > The Bahai Movement > Rapidly spre~g throughout the world, and attract- > ing the attention of scholars, savants and religionists > of all countries - oriental and occidental > > For the information of those who know little or nothing of > the Bahai Movement we quote the following account translated > from the (French) Encyclopaedia of Larousse: > > BAHAISM: the rell!don of the 4ls- Atheists a better social organillatlonl > clplea of Baha'o'l1ah, an outcome of Baha'o'llah represents all these, and > Bablsm. - Mirza Kuslan .AU Nurl thus destroys the rivalries and the en- > Baha'o'Uah WIUI born at Teheran In mltles of the cWrerent re1Iglons; re- > 1817 .A. D. From 1844 he WIUI one of conciles them In their prlmltlve > the ftrIIt adherent. of the Bab, and de- purity, and frees them from the cor- > voted himself to the paciftc propaga- ruption of dogmas and rites. For Ba- > tion of his doctrine In Penta. After haism has no clergy, no religious cere- > the death of the Bab he was, with the monial, no public prayers; Its only > principal Babls, ex11ed to Baghdad. and dogma Is belief In God and HIs Mani- > later to Constantinople and AdrIanople, festations. • •• The prinCipal works of > under the survel1lance of the Ottoman Baha'o'llah are the Kttab-ul-Igban, the > Government. It was In the latter city Kttab-ul-Akdas, the Kttab-ul-Ahd, and > that he openly declared bls miNIon, •• numerous lettel'll or tablets addressed > and In his lettel'll to the principal Ru- to 80verelgns or to private Individuals. > lers of the States of Europe he In- Ritual holds no place In the rell!don, > Tlted them to Join him In establishing which must be expressed In all the > religion and unlveJ'll&1 peace. From this actions of life, and accomplished In > time, the Babls who acknowledged him neighborly love. Every one must have > became Babals. The Sultan then exiled an occupation. The education of > bim (1868 A. D.) to Acca In Palestine, children Is enjoined and regulated. No > where he composed the greater part of one has the power to receive confes- > bill doctrinal works, and where he died sion of sins. or to give ab80lutlon. The > In 1892 A. D. (May 19). He had con- priests of the existing rellglona should > ftded to his .on, Abbas Etrendl (Abdul- renounce celibacy, and should preach > Baba), the work of spreading the re- by their example, mingling In the life > ll!don and continuing the connectlon of the people. Monogamy Is unlveJ'llally > between the Bahals of all parts of the recommended. etc. Questions not treat- > world. In point of fact, there are Ba- ed of are left to the civil law of each > hals everywhere, not only In Moham- country, and to the decisions of the > medan countries, but al80 In all the Balt-ul-Adl. or House of Justice. In- > countries of Europe. as well as In the stituted by Baha'o'llah. Respect toward > United States, Canada, Japan, India, the Head of the State Is a part of re- > etc. ThIs Is because Baha'o'liah has spect toward God. A universal > known how to transform Bablsm Into language, and the creation of tribunals > a unlveJ'llaI religion, which Is presen- of arbitration between natlons. are to > ted &8 the tulfUment and completion of suppress wars. "You are all leaves of > all the ancient faiths. The Jews await the same tree. and drops of the same > the Messiah. the ChrIstians the return sea," Baha'o'llah has said. Brlefty, It > of Christ, the Moslems the Mahdl, the Is not 80 much a new religion. as Re- > Buddhlsts the ftfth Buddha, the Zoro- ligion renewed and unified, which Is > astrians Shah Bahram, the Hindoos directed today by Abdul-Baha.-Nou- > the relncarnstlon of Krishna, and the veau LaroUB8e mustre, supplement, > L-135 p. 60. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY, > > I EDITORIAL > I > Some Remarkable Prophecies > T HE Prophets have come into the world with the knowledge > of the potentialities of man. All of them have had more > to disclose-than the development of man had been able to > assimilate at the time of their appearance. Hence they have > prophesied. With the present advancement of mental science > this might even be called "suggestion", for if you suggest to > man that what he is today is unworthy, but that tomorrow > holds opportunities of progress and happiness, you inspire hope > and effort to that end. He begins to visualize himself as stronger > and finer and more successful. Much of the healing and uplifting > through different channels of advanced thought is done in this > way. The subconscious mind is set in motion to re-build, con- > struct and rectify. 'What is done for the individual by the > workers in this class of scientific application of spiritual law was > done and is being done for the human race collectively by the > Prophets of the past and present. The Prophets have the vision > and knowledge of the eternal progress of humanity, and also of > the elimination through suffering of certan characteristics in the > human race necessary for its ultimate attainment. They visu- > alize the future. They live nearer to God than the rest of the > race. They are in touch with Reality, and hence are able to see > into the future and prophesy. > The senses of man will increase according to his spiritual > progress, until such senses as "intuition" and "prophecy" are as > well developed as touch and taste. In certain groups this prog- > ress has already been attained. It is a sign of the release of the > human mind from outgrown limitations and the beginning of > > Digitized by Coogle > " > > REALITY 5 > > spiritual development. Those possessing these" powers are often > ridiculed and misunderstood. It is a hopeful sip that fewer are > imprisoned or put to death, as of old. The Great Masters, living > for the guidance of humanity, have all endured persecution and > have all known that persecution would be their lot. They have > willingly given their lives and liberty to the end that man might > advance nearer to God. The Prophets are to the spiritual world > of attainment, what the far visioned inventor and discoverer of > natures secrets are to the material world. The Bell Telephone > was offered to many minds for acceptance for years before its > revolutionary, or rightly speaking evolutionary, possibilities > were accepted, and the material means necessary for its develop.. > ment were forthcoming. > What built the aeroplane? Faith. What brings any develop- > ment into the consciousness of mankind? Vision of the poten- > tialities of man and faith in"accomplishment. For this came the > Prophets into the existent creation, as we mortals see it. Mind > you, we mortals see it through a veil blindly. The Prophets > came to rend asunder these veils and let the light of Reality > into the world as represented by its inhabitants. Their message > has always been and will always be for future generations, for > their message is one of progress, their vision, the eternal vision > limited not by individual development except as representing > collective development. The prophecies of the Bible are being > fulfilled in this day. Christ recognized the futility of iiving > His entire message during His physical .life-time, stating this > knowledge in the words, "I have more to tell ye, butá ye cannot > bear it now". The great Uterary geniuses throughout the ages > have prophesied in prose and verse. Tolstoi glimpsed the future > in his prophecies. This quality has always fascinated the > human consciousness, and charlatans have duped a willing public > through this fact. But that there are those who possess this > gift and who use it wisely for human benefit cannot be denied. > The following prophecies of Baha'o'llah and Abdul Baha are > perhaps not as widely known as their importance justifies, and > should be given serious consideration. > The Editor. > > Digitized by Coogle > 6 REALITY > > Prophecies of Baha '0' llah and > Abdul Baha > > Extracts from Tablets to ~gs > > O RULERS of America, Presidents, and Governors of the > Republic therein! > Hearken to the strains of the dove on the branch of > eternity, which are vocal with the melody of, "There is no God > but me, the everlasting, the forgiver, the generous." > Adom the temple of dominion with the embroidered gannent > of justice and virtue and its head with the diadem of the cele- > bration of your Lord, the creator of the heaven and earth: thus > doth the day-spring of the names command you on the part of > the all-knowing and wise. > The promised One hath appeared in this exalted station, > whereat smiled the mouths of existence of both the seen and the > unseen. > o 'people, avail yourselves of the day of God ! Verily, to meet > Him is indeed better. unto you than that upon which the sun > riseth, were ye of those who know! > o áconcourse of Statesmen! Hearken unto that voice which is > raised from the day-spring of greatness that: "There is no God > but me, the speaker, the all-knowing!" > Assist with the hands of justice the broken-hearted (op- > pressed) and crush the great oppressors with the scourges of > the commands of your Lord, the powerful, the wise! > Baha'o'llah. Tablet to America. > > Remember! Where is he who was greater than thou and of > more honor and dignity, and where are his possessions? (Na- > poleon the Third.) Awake and be not of those who sleep! Ver- > ily he (Napoleon) put behind him the Tablet of God when We > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY ., > inform~ him of what had befallen Us on the part of the sol- > diers of oppression. Therefore humiliation surrounded him > from all sides until he fell to dust with great loss. > Awake! Consider his condition and remember those like you > who have in past times subdued the countries and governed the > people. Verily, God has made them descend from palaces to > graves. Consider and be of the mindful! Verily, we desire > naught of you, but we advise you for God's sake, and We will > be patient as We have been through that which has befallen Us > on your part, 0 ye assemblies of Rulers. > (Frederick 8rd, then Crown J?rince of Germany, during a > pilgrimage to Syria, ignored Acca and the "Great Invitation," > and for this he was wamed in.a message from Baha'o'llah that > he should never rule his country. He was crowned on his sick > bed and died three months later without having actually .ruled > Gennany a single day. > Baha'o'llah revealed, in a Tablet to this sovereign the follow- > ing concerning his empire: "0 banks of the river Rhine! We > have seen ye drenched in gore, because the swords of retribu- > tion were drawn against ye; and ye shall have another trouble. > And .we hear the lamentation of Berlin, though it be today in > manifest glory.") > Baha'o'l1ah. Extract from Tablet > to Emperor of Germany, 1872-78. > > - Look upon the past ages and generations and consider! > Where are Alexander and his peers? Where are their victorious > banners and their hoisted flags? Where are their pointed spears > and their flying arrows? Where are their stretched necks and > their lofty palaces? Where are their pitched tents and their > spread and raised pavilions? Where are their effectual orders > and their high strongholds? Where is' the clanking of their > swords and the neighing of their horses? Where are the war- > blings of their birds and the songs of their singers? Where are > the cooing of their doves and the murmurings of their rivers? > Where is he whose power has terrified the world and whose op- > pression has troubled nations? Where is he who boasted of au- > thority and turned away from the Kingdom? Where is the > > Digitized by Coogle > 8 ,REALITY > Kingdom of might? Where is he who ruled over all re"gions? > Where is he who violated the Covenant? Where are the excel- > lent beauties of graceful and elegant statures? Where are the > palaces of the Kaisers and the Chiefs of the Pharoahs? Where > is the might of Khorroes (Cyrus) and the power of the > giants? Where is he who was deluded by the rank and file of > his armies, seeing thousands of men behind him? Where is he > who fled away in the atmosphere of deceits and turned away > from the King of resurrection? Where are their powers, ener- > gies, might and potencies? Where are their treasures, orna- > ments, gold, commands and temples? > Verily, God has brought them down from the highest cham- > bers of their palaces to the lowest abysses of their graves. > - We have forbidden all to work sedition and strife, and > ordain that victory be gained only through commemoration and > explanation. Thus hath the matter been decreed from before > the merciful in His evident and clear Book. > ... ~. > Baha'o'llah. A joint Table~ revealed > .... > I' > . '*' > ":,: > o. > for fifty-three of His followers. > > It is recorded in the blessed Gospel: Travel ye throughout > the world and call ye the people to the Kingdom of God! > Now this is the time that you may arise and perform this > most great service and become the cause of the guidance of in- > numerable souls. Thus through this superhuman service the > rays of peace and conciliation may illumine and enlighten all > the regions and the world of humanity may find peace and > composure. I > > During my stay in America I cried out in every meeting and > summoned the people to the propagation of the ideals of uni- > versal peace. I said plainly that the continent of Europe had > become like unto an arsenal and its conflagration was dependent > upon one spark, and that in the coming years, or within two > years, all that which is recorded in the Revelation of John and > the Book of Daniel would become fulfilled and come to pass. > Abdul Baha. Star, Vol. 7, p. 85. > > Digitized by Google > REALITY 9 > > Isaiah, chapter 11, verses 1 to 10: - This rod out of the stem > of Jesse might be correctly applied to Christ, for Joseph was of > the descendants of Jesse the father of David; but as Christ > found existence through the spirit of God he called himself the > Son of God. If he had not done so this description would refer > to him. Besides this, the events which he indicated as coming > to pass in the days of that rod, if interpreted symbolically, were > in part ful1illed in the day of Christ, but not all; and if not in- > terpreted, then decidedly none of these things happened. > For example, the leopard and the lamb, the lion and the calf, > the child and the asp, are metaphors and symbols for various > nations, peoples, antagonistic sects and hostile races who are as > opposite and inimical as the wolf and the lamb. We say that by > the breath of the spirit of Christ they found concord and har- > mony; they were vivified and they associated together. > But, "they shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy moun- > tain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as > the waters cover the sea." Th~ conditions did not prevail in > the time of the manifestation of Christ; for today various and > antagonistic nations exist in the world, very few acknowledge > the God of Israel and the greater number are without the > knowledge of God. In the same way universal peace did not > come into existence in the time of Christ; that is to say, be- > tween the antagonistic and hostile nations there was neither > peace nor concord; disputes and disagreements did not cease > and reconciliation and sincerity did not appear. So, even in this > day, amongst the Christian sects and nations themselves, en- > mity, hatred and the most violent hostility are met with. > But in this marvelous cycle the earth will be transformed > and the world of humanity arrayed in peace and beauty. Dis- > putes, quarrels and murders will be replaced by harmony, truth > and concord; among the nations, peoples, races and countries, > love and amity will appear. Co-operation and union will be es- > tablished and finally war will be entirely suppressed. > When the laws of the Most Holy Book are enforced, conten- > tions and disputes will find a final sentence of absolute justice > before a general tribunal of the nations and kingdoms and the > difficulties that appear will be solved. The five continents of the > world will form but one, the numerous nations will become one, > > Digitized by Coogle > 10 REALITY > > the surface of the earth will become one land and mankind will > be a single community. The.relations between the countries, the > mingling, union and friendship of the peoples and communities > will reach to such a degree that the human race will be like one > family and kindred. The light of heavenly love will shine and > the darkness of enmity and hatred will be dispelled from the > world. Universal peace will raise its tent in the center of the > earth and the blessed tree of life will grow and spread to such > an extent that it will overshadow the East and the West. > Strong and weak, rich and poor, antagonistic sects and hostile > nations, which are like the wolf and the lamb, the leopard and > kid, the lion and the calf, will act towards each other with the > most complete love, friendship, justice and equity. The world > will be filled with science, with the knowledge of the reality of > the mysteries of beings, and with the knowledge of God. > One of the great events which is to occur in the day of the > manifestation of that incomparable Branch, is the hoisting of > the Standard of God among all nations: meaning that all the > nations and tribes will come under the shadow of this divine > banner, which is no other than the lordly Branch itself, and will > become a single nation. The antagonism of faiths and religions, > the hostilities of races and peoples and the patriotic differences > will be eradicated from among them. All will become one relig- > ion, one faith, one race and one single people and will dwell in > one native land, which is the terrestrial globe. Universal peace > and concord will be realized between all the nations and that in- > comparable Branch will gather together all Israel; signifying > that in this cycle Israel will be gathered in the Holy Land and > that the Jewish people who are scattered to the east and west, > south and north will be assembled together. > Abdul Baha. Some Answered Questions, P. 78. > > Rev. 16:17. The seventh angel poured out his influence upon > all the world. > It is said that he poured it on the air, because the air fills > every place, and the continuing verses mean the Great War that > is to come. After this war everything will be at peace. > Abdul Baha. Notes of L. B., 1909, Aeea. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 11 > > Abdul Baha is the servant of the Word of the Blessed > Beauty and the manifestation of absolute servitude in the thres- > hold of the Lord. He has no other station, grade, class or > power. This is my utmost hope, my abiding paradise, my > Masjid-EI-Aska (Most Holy Sanctuary) and my Sadrat-el > Montaha (Divine guidance). > The great Manifestation was fulfilled and consummated in > the Blessed Beauty of Abha (Baha'o'llah), 'and His Holiness the > Supreme (the great Bab) was the herald of the Blessed Beauty, > may my spirit be a sacrifice to them! Thus was it ended and for > a thousand years all shall receive illumination from His lights > and obtain (favor) from the sea of his favors. > o y"e beloved of God! This is my wish for ye and counsel to > yeo Blessed is he who is aided by God to comply with what is > written on this leaf. > Upon ye be Baha'o'llah-el-Abha! > (Signed) Abdul Baha Abbas. > > A supreme tribunal shall be established by the peoples and > Governments of every nation, composed of members elected > from each country and Government. The members of this great > council shall assemble in unity. All disputes of an international > character shall be submitted to this Court, its Iwork being to ar- > range by arbitration everything which otherwise would be a > cause of war. The mission of this tribunal would be to prevent > war. > One of the great steps towards universal peace would be the > establishment of a universal language. > Difference of speech is one of the most fruitful causes of dis- > like and distrust that exists between nations. They are kept > apart by their inability to understand each other's language > more than by any other reason. If everybody could speak one > language, how much more easy would it be to serve humanity. > Therefore appreciate Esperanto, for it is the beginning of > the carrying out of one of the most important laws of > Baha'o'llah, and it must continWl to be improved and perfected. > Abdul Baha. Paris Talks, pp. 145, 146. > > Digitized by Coogle > 12 . REALITY > > Regarding the rainbow: This rainbow is the Covenant of > God and the Testament of the merciful One. The lights of the > Kingdom and the heavenly illumination emanated from this > rainbow. This rainbow is the sign of the removal of the wrath > of God from all the people, and the sign of prosperity, tranquil- > lity, universal peace, the oneness of humanity and the unity of > the world of man. I hope that all the people may attain to > worthy service in this paradise of Abha, and fiBany ascend to > the supreme Kingdom. > Abdul Bah&. Extract from Tablet to J. T. W. > > Thou hast written regarding the tests and trials to be mani- > I > > fested in the American countries. Know this, that hardships > and misfortunes shall increase day by day and. the people will be > distressed. The doors of joy and happiness shall be closed upon > all sides, terrible wars shall happen. Disappointment and the > frustration of hopes shall surround the people from every direc- > tion until they are obliged to tum to God. Then the lights of > great happiness will enlighten the horizons, so that the cry of > "Ya Baha-el-Abha!" may arise upon all sides. This will happen. > Abdul Bah&. Tablet to I. D. B., 1904. > > Thou who art guided by the light of guidance! > Thou possessed the perceptive eye to have perceived the > Light. Thou possessed an attentive ear to have heard the Divine > Call. Thou wast a living soul to have sensed the Kingdom. > This is the first step in the Path of God, but the distance of > the way is great. Iá hope that thou mayest traverse that dis- > tance and reach the house of the object. That Pathway is that > of severance from the world-tie, reliance upon God, baptism > through spirit and fire; namely, to attain the spirit of the > knowledge of God, and conflagration with the Fire of the Love > of God; trustworthiness, faithfulness and finnness in the Cove- > nant, steadfastness in the Cause of God, and service to the > Kingdom of Peace which shall soon establish its tent in the > center of the world; and the anny of the oneness of the world > of humanity will regenerate the world like heavenly angels. > The sharp sword of this anny is the love of God, and its power > the knowledge of God. I hope thou wilt be of this anny. Thus > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 18 > > mayest thou see Heavenly Power and witness the confinnation > of the Kingdom. > Upon thee be greeting and praise. > (Signed) Abdul Baha Abbas. > > The Descent of the New Jerusalem > A Tablet from Abdul Baha to E. E. Wrestling Brewster > > O THOU wooer of the Truth and attracted one toward the > Kingdom of God! . > Thy detailed letter was received and its reading caused > the utmost joy. For it was a glorious proof of the loftiness of > thy aim and the exaltation of thy intention. Praise be to God, > that thou art the well wisher of the human world; art attracted > to the Kingdom of Abha, and art aspiring for the advancement > of the realm of humanity. I hope that through the instrumen- > tality of these lofty thoughts, attractions of heart and heavenly > Glad-Tidings thou mayest become so illumined that through the > mild-beaming splendor of the Love of God thou mayest shine > and gleam throughout centuries and cycles. > Thou hast written that thou art a student in the progressive > spiritual school. Happy is thy condition! If the various pro- > gressive schools join themselves to the Universal University of > the Kingdom, such knowledge and sciences will be brought into > light that men will see that the potentialities of the "Open > Tablet" of existence are infinite; will realize that all the created > things are as letters and words; will be instructed in the les- > sons of the degrees of significance; will perceive the signs of > Oneness in the primordial atoms of the earth; will hear the > voice of the Lord of the Kingdom; will behold the Confirmations > of the Holy Spirit; and will find such ecstacy and joy, that > being unable to contain himself in the vast area of existence, > will prepare himself for the journey toward the Kingdom and > will hasten to the immensity of the Realm of Might. As soon > as a bird is fledged it cannot keep itself on the ground; nay, > rather, it soars up toward the Supreme Apex, except the birds > whose feet are tied, whose wings are clipped and feathers are > broken, and who are soiled with water and clay. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALIT.Y > > , 0 thou seeker of Truth! The' Realm of the Kingdom is a > Unit. The only difference lies in this: that when the season of > spring dawn.s, a new and wonderful motion and rejuvenation is > witnessed in all the existIng things; the mountains and mead- > ows are revived; the trees find freshness and delicacy and are > clothed with radiant and bright leaves, blossoms and fruits. In > like manner the preceding Manifestations for an inseparable > link with subsequent Dispensations; nay, rather, they are iden- > tical with each other. Since the world is constantly developing > itself, the rays become stronger, the outpourings become > greater, and the sun appears in the meridian orbit. > o thou yearner after the Kingdom! . Each Manifestation is > the Heart of the world and the proficient physician of every > patient. The world of humanity is sick; but that skilled Physi- > cian has the he8Iing remedy and He bestows Divine Teachings, > Exhortations and Adviees, . which are the remedy for every ail- > ment and the dressing for' every wound. Undoubtedly the wise > Physician discovers the needs of the patient at every season, > and' then prescnbes medicine. Therefore, when thou wilt com- > pare the Teachings of the Beauty of Abha (Baha'o'llah) with > the requisitions and necessities of the present time, thou wilt > conclude that they are to the sick body of the world the swift. > healing remedy, nay, rather they are the Antidote of the Ever- > lasting Health. The prescription of the proficient Physicians of > the past and the future will not be the same; nay, rather, they > will be in accord with the ailment of the patient. Although the > medicine is changed,' yet all of these are for the sole purpose of > the healing of the sick. In former Dispensations, the sick body > of the world could not bear the strong and overpowering rem- > edies. That is why His Highness the Christ said: "I have yet > many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. > Howbeit when He, the Spirit of the Comforter, Who' is sent by > the Father, is cOme, He will guide you into all Truth." There- > fore, in this Age of Lights, specific Teachings have been Uni- > versal- in order that the outpourings of the Merciful One en.;. > viron both the East and the West; the oneness of the kingdom > of humanity become visible, and the luminosity of Truth en.. > lighten the world of consciousness. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 15 > The descent of the New Jerusalem is the heavenly religion > which secures the prosperity of the human world and is the Ef- > fulgence of the Dlumination of the Reabn of God. In reality > Emanuel was the forerunner of the second coming of His High- > ness the Christ, and the Herald of the Path of the Kingdom. > This is self evident, that the letter is the organic member of > the Word. This membership denotes subordination; that is, the > letter draws its life from the Word and has spiritual relation- > ship with it and is accounted a part of it. The Apostles were > the Letters, and His Highness Christ was the Essence of the > Word; and the significance of the Word, which is the Everlast.- > ing Outpouring, cast a splendor upon those letters. Since a > letter is a part of the Word Itself, it is intrinsically identical > with the Word. > I hope that thou shalt arise to perform all that which His > Highness Emanuel has predicted. Know thou this of a cer- > tainty, that thou shalt become assisted. The Confirmations of > the Holy Spirit are descending uninterruptedly: The power of > the Word shall penetrate in such wise that the letter will be-. > come the reflective mirror of the Sun of the Word and the > radiation of the lights of the Word shall illumine the whole > Heavenly Jerusalem which is established upon the Apex of the > world-the Holy of the Holies of the Almighty, which has > hoisted Its Banner - comprehends and includes in It all the per- > fections and Teachings of the former Dispensations. Likewise, > It is the Herald of the Oneness of the world of humanity; the > Ensign of the Universal Peace; the Spirit of Eternal Life; the > Lights. of the divine perfections; the surrounding Bestowal of > the realm of existence; the adornment and grandeur of the > world of creation and the cause of the tranquility of the human- > kind. > Turn thy attention toward the Holy Tablets. Read and re- > flect upon the Tablets of "Kharagat", "Tjalleyat", the ''Words''. > the "Glad-Tidings", ."Tarazat", and the "Book of Akdas." These > Divine Teachings in this Day are the remedy of the ailments of > the world of man, and the dressing for the wounded body of ex- > istence. They are the Spirit of Life, the Ark of Salvation, the > Magnet of the Everlasting Glory and the penetrative Power of > the reality of man. > > Digitized by Coogle > 16 REALITY > > Upon ye be greeting and praise. > (Signed) Abdul Baha Abbas. > Translated -by Mirza Ahmad Esphahani. > > Editors Note. "His Highness Emanuef' refers to the brillian' > scientist and religious teacher, Emanuel Swedenborg. > > From the San Francisco Chroniele > October 4th, 1912 > , After a few questions and answers Abdul Baha was shown a > copy of the Chronicle containing the full account of war prepa- > rations in the Balkan States and Turkey. He enquired if actual > hostilities had begun and then asked "Will the Chronicle take a > message from me to the American people?" Answered in the > affirmative, he dictated an appeal for Universal Peace. > "Praise be to God! The United States has in reality made > extraordinary progress, day by day they are advancing toward > the mtimate goal. The material virtues of the people are > many: now they must think of the ideal virtues,. so that the > highest of the perfections of humanity may illumine the regions > of America. Among the highest virtues is Universal Peace, the > Oneness of humanity. The chief ailment of humanity today is > international strife; this militates against the advancement of > the material and ideal virtues. > The Continent of America is isolated so far as other coun- > tries are concerned: the Government is not thinking of making > conquests, of enlarging the circle of Colonization. They are not > thinking to contend with other nations so far as financial, com- > mercial and political supremacy is concerned. They are not the > rivals of any other nation. Their utmost desire is this: that > the Continent of America be protected. They are engaged in > the amelioration of internal conditions; they are not engaged > in Warfare with any nation. Therefore, they have the time and > ability to raise the Standard of Universal Peace and spread the > doctrine of the Oneness of God. May their influence spread. > and permeate to all parts of the world. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 17 > Other peoples of the world have to contend with interna- > tional difficulties. First, the nations are rivals with each other > 80 far as commercial advantages are concerned. Second, they > are thinking of National self-aggrandizement. Third, they are > thinking of planting new colonies. Therefore it is difficult for > them to step into this field, to uphold International Peace, be- > cause they are contending, warlike, victory loving people. They > cannot be instrumental in promulgating International Peace. > But, praise be to God, the American Government is no war- > like Government, the American Democracy is not founded upon > warlike doctrines. Hence it becomes this Democracy to uphold > International Peace and spread it throughout the world. > Through the promulgation of this Doctrine will be distributed > the greatest blessings. It will eliminate the darkness of pre- > judice, the darkness of war, the darkness of racial prejudice, the > darkness of political prejudice. May this darkness be blotted > out, and the light become widespread, universal. May the One- > ness of Humanity become primordial, supreme. > His Holiness Baha'o'llah, fifty years ago spread broadcast > this Great Movement, proclaimed the benefits of International > Peace at a time when the thought was not in the minds of men, > nor the words upon the tongues of the people. At the time he > summoned people from all parts of t~e Orient. He addressed > letters to the Sovereigns of Europe, setting forth the results to > accrue from the establishment of Universal Peace. He invited > all to participate in a Worlds Arbitral Court of Justiee, to be > composed of representatives of every Government of the World, > the delegates thereof to be chosen and ratified by the Govern- > ments. Thereto would be referred disputes between nations for > settlement. In case any Government or nation should prove re- > bellious concerning any decision of the Court, the other Nations > should coalesce to force it into obedience. > A more fervent hope and a fonder desire concerning the > American people is that their instrumentality shall be such as > to enlarge the scope of this scheme and that earnest concerted > action from the Nations of the World will result therefrom. > This great Cause, which alone insures the happiness of the > world, must receive support throughout the world." > > Digitized by Coogle > 18 REALITY > > When in America, Abdul Baha was asked, "Is it not a fact > that Universal Peace cannot be accomplished until there is Po- > litical Democracy in all the countries of the world 1" > Abdul Baha replied: "It is very evident that in the future > all the countries of the world be they Constitutional in Govern- > ment or Republican or Democratic in form, there shall be no > Centralization. The United States may be held up as the exam- > ple of Government in time to come, that is to say, each province > will be independent in itself, but there will be a union concern- > ing the interests of the various independent states. It may not > be a Republican or a Democratic form. To cast aside Centrali- > zation which promotes despotism is the exigency of the times. > This will be productive of International Peace. Another fact > of equal importance in bringing about International Peace is > Woman's Suffrage." > > Being invited to deliver a talk at the Leland Stanford Uni- > versity Abdul Baha said "The duty of educated men, especially > . University Presidents of the Nation is this: To teach in the > Universities and schools, ideas concerning Universal Peace, so > that the student may be so molded that in after years he may > help carry to fruition the most useful and humane issue of man- > kind." > In this talk Abdul Baha prophesied the great war, saying > "The great war will break forth in 1914 and before 1917 catas- > ~rophes and cataclysms will rock the earth, kingdoms and coun- > tries will totter and fall." This was reported in the San Fran- > cisco Bulletin and other papers. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 19 > > Message to the Jews > Address by Abdul Baha, Congregation Emmanu-el, San Franclseo, > CaL, (Martin~. Meyer, Rabbi), Saturday, October 12,1912. > > Translated orally by Dr. Ameen Pareed. Stenographically reported by > Miss Bijou Straun. > Introduction by Rabbi Meyer. > > B RETHREN of the Congregation Emmanu-EI: > It is our privilege, and a very high privilege indeed, to > welcome in our midst this morning ~bdul Baha, a great > teacher of our age and generation. > The heart of the Orient seems to be essentially religious, what- > ever else it might be, or might not be, and now and again, out > of the heart of the Orient, the fundamental religious message of > the world is stated and restated. Abdul Baha is the represen- > tative of one of the religious systems of life, and it appeals to > us Jews, because we Jews feel that we have fathered that ideal > throughout the centuries of men. > This morning he will speak in his native tongue, through his > interpreter, Dr. Fareed, on "The Fundamental Unity of Relig.. > ious Thought," and I know that what he will say will be of > significance to us, and the message in advance we thank him > for by reason of his consenting to address us at this service this > morning. > Address by Abdul Bah&. > The first bestowal of God in the world of humanity is religion, > because religion consists in Divine teachings to men, and most > assuredly Divine teachings are preferable to all other sourees > of instruction. > Religion confers upon man the life everlasting. Religion is > a service to the world of morality. Religion guides humanity > to Eternal happiness. Religion is the cause of everlasting honor > in the world of man. > > Digitized by Coogle > 20 REALITY > > Religion has ever helped humanity towards progress. As a > proof thereof, let us first investigate religion from an unbiased > standpoint, and let us find out whether religion is the cause of > progress and development, or whether it is not; whether or not > religion is, after all, the cause of illumination; whether or not > religion is the impetus which allows man to advance extraordi- > narily. > Let us investigate independently, not that we should be bound > by blind limitations or dogmas, for were we to be bound by > blind limitations, then some will believe that religion is a cause > of happiness, and others will disagree, saying that religion has > been a cause of degradation. Hence, we must first investigate > as to this: whether or not religion is the cause of human ad- > vancement, and let us give it impartial and thorough research, > so that no doubt shall linger in our minds. > How can we find this out? That is, how can we discover > whether or not religion has been the cause of human progress > or retrogression? . > We will first investigate the founders of religions-the proph- > ets. We will review the episodes of their lives, the events prior > to their rise, and those subsequent thereto. But we will not > present to you certain traditions which are subject to both cred- > ence and refutation. Nay, rather we will cite certain historical > facts provable to all, certain facts and evidences well known > throughout the world, and which are irrefutable. They are > these: > Amongst the great prophets was His Holiness Abraham, who, > being an iconoclast, and a herald of the oneness of God, was > banish~ br the people from his nativity. > Let us observe right here how religion is an impetus towards > progress. > His Holiness Abraham founded a family, and this family God > did bless, and it was through the religious basis that the Abra- > hamic house progressed and advanced. Through the Divine ben&- > diction, noteworthy and famous prophets have issued from the > . Abrahamic lineage. There appeared an Isaac. There appeared > an Ishmael. There appeared a Jacob. There appeared a Joseph. > There appeared a Moses. There appeared an Aaron. David > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 21 > > issued therefrom. There appeared Solomon.. The Holy Land > was conquered by them and was theirs by right, and the great > Solomonic wisdom was established, and this was due to the relig- > ion which they founded. > Hence, we learn that religion is the cause of honor, is the > cause of advancement, is the cause of civilization, is the cause > of the happinessá of mankind, even as the Abrahamic episode > well illustrates this fact, and even as his family clearly points > thereto. Even unto the present time his household throughout > the world is visible and manifest. > Let us discover, or consider, the greater phase of it. > The children of Israel were in bondage and captivity in the > land of Egypt. They were subjected to the tyranny and oppres- > sion of the Copts (the Egyptians). Tliey were in the utmost > state of degradation. One Copt conquered, or subdued, one hun- > dred Septs (Israelites). They could make use of them as work- > ing men or laborers. . . > The children of Israel were then in abj eet poverty, in the > lowest abasement, in the lowest degree of ignorance, in the low- > est degree of barbarism, when, suddenly, His Holiness Moses > appeared amongst them. > When His Holiness 'Moses appeared amongst them, outwardly > he was no other than a shepherd, but through the power of > religion he exhibited such majesty and grandeur and efficacy > they continue to be seen. His prophethood was well spread > throughout the land. His law was the foundation of the law. > His Holiness Moses was single and alone, and this single, > unique personage, through the power of religion, rescued ail > the children of Israel from bondage. He conducted them to the > Holy Land, and there he founded the great civilization which > has become permanent, a civilization and an education which are > most noteworthy. Thereby they attained to the highest pitch > of honor and glory. He saved them from their bondage and > captivity. He imbued them with qualities which caused them > to be progressive. They proved to be a civilizing people, an > educated and a scholarly people. Their philosophy became note- > worthy. Their industries were well known. In one word, along > all the lines of advancement which characterize a progressive- > > Digitized by Coogle > 22 REALITY > > people they did achieve progress. They reached such a pitch > that at last they were the ones who established this Solomonic > sovereignity, and their sciences and arts reached such an exten- > sive state that even the Greek philosophers used to take jour- > neys to Jerusalem, in order to study with the Jews philosophy > and the basis of law. According to Eastern history, this is an > established fact. > Even Socrates, the Greek philosopher, came to the Holy Land > and consorted with the Jewish doctors, studying with them wis- > dom or philosophy. He studied with th~m the basis of their > belief, and when he returned to Greece there he formulated his > basis for Divine unity, and there he advanced his belief regard- > ing the immortality of the spirit after the dissolution of the > body. These verities Socrates learned, no doubt, from the Jewish > doctors with whom he came in contact. . > Likewise, Hippocrates and many other philosopliers used to > go to the Holy Land, to Palestine, and there they acquired les- > sons from the Jewish prophets, studying with them the basis > of ethics and morality, returning to their countries with contri- > butions which have made Greece famous. > A cause, or a movement, which renders a weak nation, such > as the Jews were before, strong, and changes them 'into a mighty > and powerful nation, which rescues them from captivity and > causes them to reach sovereignity, which transforms their ignor- > ance into knowledge and science, and which endows them with • > an impetus to advance along all degrees of attainments-(this > is not merely a theory or a story which I am telling; it is an > historical fact which is provable; it is history well established > in the world)-makes it evident that religion is the cause of > honor to man, that religion is the cause of the sublimity of man. > When we speak of religion we mean the foundations of re- > ligion, not the blind imitations, or dogmas, which have crept > in afterwards, and which are ever destructive, which are ever > the cause of the effacement of a nation, which are ever th~ cause > of the hindrance to progress of nations. Even ~ it is recorded > in the Torah, and confirmed in all,histories, when the Jews were > fettered with imitations, then the wrath of God b~me manifest. > , ,When they h~d let gQ of t~,e foundations of the law of. G9d, > then God sent Nebuchadnezzar, who came and conquered the > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 28 > Holy Land. He killed all the men; he took in captivity the chil- > dren and women; he made waste the countries and the populous > centers; he set afire all the hamlets and all the villages. Seventy > thousand Jews did Nebuchadnezzar captivate, and he took them > with him to Iraki Ajam (Persia). He demolishe~ Jerusalem. > He destroyed the Holy of Holies, the great temple there. He > burned, in short, the Torah. The Holy Bible-was he the cause > of its burning. > Thus we learn that the foundation of the Divine religions is > ever the cause of progress, and thus the holy foundation becomes, > as it were, destroyed and beclouded, or surrounded by certain > blind imitations, when it leaves the central axis. Then the re- > verse takes place; it is a cause of debasement, the cause of > degradation. > Even 80 was the case with the Greek nation when they were > the conquerers, and then the Jews became captives in their tum. > and they were followed by the Romans. They proved to be the > eonquering nation, and they almost did away with the Israelites. > Under Titus, the Roman emperor, when he was a general of > the Roman army, the Holy Land was laid ;waste and made a > wilderness and the Israelites were scattered broadcast in the > world, because he also killed their noteworthy men, their pos- > sessions were pillaged, and Jerusalem was made a heap of dust. > And that was the scattering and dispersion of the Jews, which > has continued ever since.' > Hence, learn that the foundation of the religion of God, which > was laid by His Holiness Moses, was the cause of eternal honor, > was the cause of the advancement of the nation, was the cause > of the life of the Hebrew people, was the, cause of homage to > be paid forever to this noteworthy people. The dogmas, or > blind imitations, which later crept in, proved to be the destruc- > tive causes of the Israelites. They caused the Israelites to be > scattered throughout the earth, and to be expelled from their > land by right-the Holy Land. > In short, what is the mission of prophets ? > The mission of the prophets is no other than the advance- > .ment or the education of the world of humanity. The prophets > are the genuine teachers ,or educators. Ther prophets are the > universal instructors. > > Digitized by Coogle > 24 REALITY > > Should we desire to find out whether or not any of these great > souls lor prophets has been a prophet, we will investigate the > facts of the case, and the line of our investigation will be one > of education. If he has been an educator, if he has really edu- > cated a people, if he has., trained a nation, causing it to attain > to the highest point of knowledge after it had been in the lowest > abyss of ignorance, then we are sure that he is a prophet, and > this is a plain and clear mode of procedure and lirrefutable. We > do not have to. go to other proofs. We do not have to cite mir- > acles, saying that out of rock water gushed forth, because such > a miracle may~be denied by others-they may refute it. We > do not need such miracles. > The very deeds of Moses are proofs conclusive concerning his > prophethood. We are in need of no further evidenees---evidenees > which are usually refutable. > If a man be unbiased, be fair, and investigate reality, he > will, without doubt, bear testimony to the fact that the person- > age of Moses was verily the man of God, was a great personage. > Let us not digress. Let us go to the subject. But here I > wish to ask you to be very fair in your judgment, setting aside, > for the moment, all religious prejudice.. > All of us should thoroughly investigate or search for verities, > because the purpose of the religions of God has been proved to > be no other than the education of humanity and the cause of > amity and fellowship among men. Therefore, I wish to cite this > episode, and it is this: that the foundations of the religions of > God I declare are one. They are not multiple, for they are real- > ities. > Reality does not accept multiplicity, because every one of the > Divine religions is divisible into two departments. One is con- > cerned with the world of morality, and that is essential. It is' > concerned with the ethical sublimity of the human nature. It > is concerned with the advancement of the world of humanity > in general. It has to do with ,the knowledge of God. It has > to do with the discovery of the verities of life. This is idealism; > this is an essential division. This division is not subject to > change or transformation at all. This is one; it is the founda- > tion of all the religions of God. As regards that, all the religions > are one and the same. . > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 25 > > The second department, or division, has to do with the trans- > actions amongst society, or certain conducts of men, which is > not essential. That is subject to change and transfonnation > according to the exigencies or the requirements of time and > place. , > To-wit: in the time of Noah, certain requirements demanded > that all the sea foods be allowable,.or lawful. During the period > of Abrahamic prophethood it was considered allowable, because > of a certain expedient, that man should marry his aunt, even > as Sarah was the sister of Abraham's mother. During the time > of Adam it was in vogue, or current, that man should marry > his own sister, even as the- children of Adam-Abel, Cain and > Seth-married their own sisters, because so they thought it was > the expedient of the time, but in the law of the TGrah that be- > earne abrogated-that was forbidden. There we~ certain laws, > that were lawful fonnerly, which, during the time of Moses, > were forbidden. For example, camel's flesh, during the time of > Abraham, was a food for man, but during the time of Jacob it > was made unlawful. > Such changes and transfonnations in religious teaching have > to do with the trifling things of life. They are not important. > His Holiness Moses lived in the wildemess of Terah, where > retribution had to be done in direct action. There were no peni- > tentiaries. There were no fonns of punishment. Hence, accord- > ing to the exigency of the time and place, it was a law of God > that an eye was to be for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. If > a man's tooth were broken by another, his tooth would be broken. > If a man, for instance, caused the deafness of another person, > the other person would make him deaf.. But you cannot do > that now. You would not blind a man because he accidently > blinded you. Is it possible to carry such things out? > In the Torah there are ten commandments concernmg the > murderer. Is it possible to carry these out? Can these ten > -ordinances, conceming the treatment of murderers, be carried > --out? > Modern times ar~ such that even the question of capital pun- > ishment-the one fonn which some nations have decided to carry > -out in relation to a murderer-is a mooted question. Wise men > .are diaeoUl'8ing as to its feasibility or otherwise. > > Digitized by Coogle > 26 REALITY > > So, everything that is valid is only valid for the present. The > exigency of that time demanded that if a man committed theft > to the extent of a dollar they would chop off his hand, but now > you cannot eu.t off a man's hand for a thousand dollars. You > cannot do it; it is impossible. This is true, for it was useful > for that time, but things are useful in accordance with the exi- > gencies of the time. Time changes, and when time changes > the laws have to change. But, remember, these are not of im- > portance; they are the accidentals of religion. The essentials > which are spiritual in character, which have to do with morality, > which have to do with the ethical development of man, which > have to do with the faith of man,-they are ideal; they are > necessary and pennanent; they are one foundation, and they are > not subject.to change or transfonnation. > Hence, for the fundamental basis of the religion of God there > is no change or transfonnation. That is the basis, the funda- > mental foundation of religion. That never, never changes. > The basis of the law of Moses His Holiness Christ promul- > gated. That selfsame foundation of religion was promulgated > by Mohammed. All the great prophets have served that foun- > dation. They have served this reality. Hence, the pUl'P the purports of all the prophets have been one and the same. > They were the advancement of the body-politic. They were the > cause of the honor of mankind. They were the Divine civil- > izations of man, the foundation whereof is one, and, as we de- > clared before, the proofs concerning the validity of a personage, > the proofs of inspiration, are, after all, the very deeds of valor > and greatness emanating from that prophet. If that prophet > has proved to be instrumental in the elevation of mankind, un- > doubtedly he has been a valid prophet. > Again, I wish you to be very fair in the judgment of these > following remarks. > At a time when the Israelites had again been put in captivity, > at a period when the Roman Empire had dispersed and effaced > the Hebrew nation, because the law of God had, as it were, > passed from amongst them, and the foundations of the religion > of God had been destroyed,-at such a time as this Jesus Christ > appeared among them. > > ; > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 27 > > When His Holiness Christ appeared from the Jews, the first > thing he did was to proclaim the validity of the Mosaic mission. > He declared that the Torah, the Old Testament, was the Book > of God. He declared that all the prophets of Israel were valid > and true. He eulogized Moses, and through his recommenda- > tions Moses' name was spread throughout the world. The fame > of Moses, through the Christian movement, was circulated broad- > cast. > Before the rise of Christ it is a fact that in Persia the name > of Moses had not been heard. Throughout India they had no > knowledge of Judaism, and were it not for the Christianizing > of Europe it would not have had this knowledge of the Old Testa- > ment which it has. Throughout Europe there was not a copy > of the Old Testament. But listen to this and judge it aright: > It was through the instrumentality of Christ, it was through > the translation of the New Testament-the little volume of the > Gospel-that the Old Testament, the Torah, was translated into > six hundred languages and spread throughout the world at large. > The names of the Israelitish prophets became household > names everywhere. All the nations of the world believed on > this, that the children of Israel were verily the chosen people > of God, and that that nation was a holy nation, that the blessing > of God attended that nation, and that all the prophets of God > which had issued therefrom were the dawning points of Divine > inspiration, were the daysprings of revelation, and each one of > them glistened as to a star. > Hence, His Holiness Christ really promulgated Judaism, for > He was a Jew, and He was not against Jews. He did not deny > the prophetic validity of Moses. Nay, He rather promoted it. > He did not efface the Torah. Nay, rather He promulgated it. At > most, it comes to this: that the portion of that dispensation > which had to do with transactions, that underwent change, and > that is not important, but the essential teaching of Moses-that > lie did promulgate virtually. He did not leave anything undone. > Likewise, with the superlative power and the efficacious Word > of God, He gathered together most of the nations of the East > and West. This was achieved at a time when these nations were > in the utmost of contention and strife. He ushered all of them > :beneath the overshadowing tent of the oneness of humanity. > > Digitized by Coogle > 28 REALITY > > He educated them in such.wise as to be united and agreed, even > as the Roman, the Greek, the Chaldean, the Assyrian and the > Egyptian nations were perfectly blended together, and the heav- > enly civilization was the result. Now, this efficacy of the Word, > and heavenly power, which are extraordinary, undoubtedly prove > conclusively the validity of His Holiness Christ. Consider how > His heavenly sovereignity is yet permanent and lasting. Verily, > this is conclusive proof and manifest evidence. > Then we see, appearing from another horizon, the prophet of > Arabia-Mohammed. > Perchance you do not know that the first address of Moham- > med to his tribe was this statement: "Moses, verily, was a > prophet of God, and the Tor~ is a book of God. Verily, 0 > ye people, ye must believe in the Torah, and in Moses and the > prophets. Ye must accept all the Israelitish prophets as valid." > In the Koran, the Mohammedan Bible, there are seven state- > ments-in fact, seven repetitions---of the Mosaic episode, and in > all his historic sketches he praises Moses. > He states that His Holiness Moses was the greatest prophet > of God; that God guided him in the Sahara, or the wilderness, > of Terah; that through the light of guidance Moses harkened to > the summons of God; that he proved to be the interlocutor of > God; that he was the bearer of the tablet of the ten command- > ments; that all the contemporaneous nations of the world arose > against him; that eventually Moses conquered all of them, ~ > cause falsehood is ever defeated by veracity. > There are many instances of this kind by Mohammed. I am > citing just a few. > Consider that His Holiness Mohammed was born among the > savage and barbarian nations of Arabia, lived amongst them, > and, outwardly, was illiterate and uninformed of the holy books > of God. > The Arabian nations were in the utmost state of ignorance > and barbarism, to the extent that they buried their daughters > alive. They considered this to be the utmost valor and sublimity > of nature. They lived under the Persian and Roman govern- > ments in the utmost captivity and bondage. They were scattered > throughout the Arabian desert, subieet to continuous strife and > bloodshed. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 29 > > When the light of Mohammed dawned, the darkness of ig- > norance was dispelled from the Arabian desert. Those barbarous > nations, in a short space of time, reached a superlative degree > of civilization, even as their civilization extended to Spain, and > was established in Bagdad, whence it was transplanted to Europe. > What proof is there, concerning his prophethood, greater than > this, unless a man should close his eyes to justice and appear > obstinately unfair 1 > And now the Christians are believers in Moses. They believe > that he was a prophet of God, and they commend him most > highly. The Mohammedans are believers of Moses, praising him > most highly, proving the validity of Moses, and likewise they > believe ,in His Holiness Christ and praise Him highly. > Is it harm which has come to these nations, namely Christians > and Mohammedans, because they have admitted the validity of > Moses and have accepted him 1 No, on the contrary, it proves > that they have been fainninded to that extent. > Then what harm is there that the Jewish nation should, in > tum, now also praise His Holiness Christ, also praise His Holi- > ness Mohammed, and by this humanitarian acceptance and praise- > worthy view of the subject do away forever with this enmity > and hatred which have faced mankind so many centuries, so > that bloodshed shall cease, that this fanaticism shall pass away > forever, so that all mankind shall be unified, and then this cor- > ruption shall cease as soon as this acceptance is established. > -They admit that Moses was the interlocutor of God. Why > do you not say that Christ was the Word of God 1 Why do > you not say just the few words that will do away with all this > sort of thing, and there will be no hatred left, no fanaticism left, > no warfare in the Land of Promise, no bloodshed whatever. Then > there will be peace forever. > Verily, I declare now to you that Moses was no other than > that interlocutor of God; that Moses was the most noteworthy > prophet of God;. that Moses brought the fundamental law of > God; that Moses was the founder of the ethical basis which has > proved happiness to humanity. > What harm is there in this? Do I lose by saying this to > you, and believing it as a Bahai 1á Not at all. On the contrary, > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > as a Bahai, it benefits, and the founder of the Bahai movement, > Baha'o'llah, is well pleased with me, confinns me therein. He > says:" "Well done; you have been fair in your judgment; you > have impartially investigated the truth; you have arrived at the > conclusion full well; you have believed in a prophet of God, in > Moses; you have accepted the Book of God, the Torah." > Now, inasmuch as it is possible to do away with this preju- > dice, with such" a bit of liberalism in the world, why not do it? > Why not do away with this continuous strife? Why not > establish a bond which can easily connect the hearts of men? > What harm is there in this religion that everyone should praise > the teacher or the founder of another? Even as the other na- > tions praise His Holiness Moses, and admit that Moses was the > founder of Judaism, why not have the Hebrews also praise the > -other great men? > What harm comes from it? None at all. It is no loss to > you at all. Nay, rather you are contributing to the welfare of > mankind. Nay, rather you would be instrumental in establish- > ing the happiness of the world of humanity. Nay, rather the > eternal honor of man depends upon this modern liberalism. > Inasmuch as our God is one, and He has created all of us- > He provides for all of us, He protects all of us-and we aclmowl- > ~ge such a kind and clement Lord, why should we-His chil- > dren, His followers, fight each other? Why should we so easily > break the hearts of one another? > God is so merciful and kind, and His aim in religion" has ever > been the bond of unity and affinity. > Praise be to God, the mediaeval ages of darkness have passed > away, and this century of radiance has dawned-this century > wherein the reality of things is becoming evident, this century > wherein science" has discovered the very mysteries of nature, this > century which is in toto a service to the world of humanity, this > century wherein we have established the foundation of the world > of humanity. Is it becoming that we should still linger in our > I fanaticism and tarry in! our prejudice? Is it becoming that we > 'should still be bound with the old fables and superstitions, and > "be handicapped with the superannuated beliefs of past and" dark > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 81 > ages, again waging wars religious, again fighting one another, > still shedding the blood of each other, shunning one another, > anathematizing one another? Is it becoming? > Is it not better for us to be most loving to one another? Is > it not preferable for us to enjoy fellowship together, and unite > and sing anthems of unity towards God, and praise all the proph- > ets in a good and praiseworthy spirit? > Then you will observe how 'the world will prove to be' a para- > dise and the promised day shall come. That will be the day > when the wolves and the sheep will quaff from the same stream, > when, according to the prophecy of Isaiah, the quail and the > eagle will enjoy the same nest together, and the gazelle, or the > deer, will with the lion enjoy the same pasture. > What does this mean ? > It means that contending nations are symbolic of this fact, > that religions, which have been formerly as wolves and sheep, > divergent creeds, will associate with each other. Notwithstand- > ing their former status, they will then, through this liberalism, > associate with each other in perfect fellowship, in the utmost > of love. > This is the meaning of the statement of His Holiness Isaiah. > Otherwise, you will never come to see a day when this prophecy > will come to pass literally, for the wolf will never enjoy the com- > panionship of the sheep, and the lion and the deer will never > be seen together, because the lion and the deer will see each > other, but the deer will be within the lion, and the sheep will > ever be the prey of the wolf. As you know, the teeth of the > lion are carnivorous. It has no molars to enjoy grass. Hence, > it must eat flesh. > 'Therefore, this prophecy is symbolic of this state of affairs: > When Certain nations and races, symbolized or typified by lions > and wolves and sheep, amongst whom there is no bond or fel- > lowship or association, in that day of promise will be unified, > and they will treat each other most kindly and liberally. > In a word, the age is ours when fellowship is to be estab- > Hshed. > The century has come when all the religions are to be unified. > The century has come when all the nations shall enjoy inter- > national peace. > > Digitized by Coogle > 82 REALITY > > The century has come when all the races and the tribes of > the world will do away with racial prejudice and associate per- > fectly. > The century has arrived when all the nativities of the world > will prove to be one home of the human family. > Thus may human kind, in its entirety, rest comfortably and > in peace under the great and broad tabernacle of the one Lord. > > • (A glorious and liberal man.) > > A Letter from Brazil > By Guido Gnoeehi > > T HIS letter was sent to Mr. H. G. Pauli, Brooklyn, New > York, dated November, 1920. • > Dear Sir and Brother: - > I extend my fraternal greetings to you, in my name and in > the name of all the brothers in Brazil. > I request you, beforehand, to excuse the long delay in an- > 8wering your a1fectionate and appreciative letter, which delay > was due to my trip to Rio de Janeiro, and also to the great > amount of correspondence I have with resPect to the Bahai > ~paign in Brazil, as well as to the several other activities in > which I have taken an active part. > The thoughts contained in your letter touched me very > deeply, for they confirmed my ideas with respect to the trans- > -cendent realities of the Spirit. I also believe that the Essence > of the Spirit is Knowledge and Unity, and that the illusion of > the separation and of the differences is only bom from the per- > sonality, which is nothing else, than a reflection, in matter > 'of our superior I. When the spark of the intuition awakes in > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 88, > .- > man, or the spark of faith, as some prefer to say, when the soul > reaches the knowledge. of its spiritual nature the illusion of the > separation disappears and then, the Divine Light, beaming > through the human nature, transfigures it, submerging it in the > ocean of Unity. > In the descendant spiral, the spirit involves itself in veils of > illusion ever thicker and thicker in their coarseness and the > more it identifies itself with matter, the more it loses the con- > sciousness of its divine origin and of Unity, and so, when the > spirit reaches the extreme point of the creation circle, in which > the descendant spiral ends and the ascendent one begins, all the > passions, all the conventionalities, everything that separates it > manifests itself with an intense force, and it starts a decisive > struggle with that immortal impulse O'f Good and of Love, which > always exists in the depths of human nature. > I dO' nO't believe in the reality O'f evil; everyWhere from the > atomic speck, which vibrates in the ocean of ether, to the supe- > rior worlds where the superior beings guide the great plan of > evO'lution, there exists transporting in Light, Life and HarmO'ny, > the Eternal Spirit of Goodness impelling the creatures towards. > the extinguishless sun O'f Love, which is Unity, Beatitude and > Beauty. > Evil is only the illusion O'f matter, and as IO'ng as man does > not liberate himself from that illusiO'n he cannO't understand his. > spiritual nature, and fO'r that reasO'n, he is held by suffering, > sorrows, and fears O'f a thO'usand species. Gautama, the Buddha,. > said, that from ignO'rance is born the desire of finite things, > egoism, and the illusiO'n of separateness, from these illusiO'ns is. > born suffering. > But in what does ignorance consist? And in what does. > knowledge consist? I have met many' men acquainted with > many things, who have discovered extraordinary secrets, while > investigating nature, and I have nO'ticed in their faces the same > clouds of dissatisfaction, existing in the faces of thO'se, whO' d() > not possess such knO'wledge. I have O'bserved those, whO'm the > world' calls sages, suffer the same SO'rrows and the same fears, > O'f which the ignorant O'nes are victims. I have become con- > vinced that these great students dO' nO't possess real Knowledge, > that is to say, they have nO't reached the Light of Truth. Had > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > they possessed Truth, they would have overcome their weak- > ness, they would have dispelled their illusions, because Truth, is > the Light that conquers Darkness, and it is the Foree that gives > life. Knowledge is not therefore, the learning of many things. > Knowledge is that which realizes the emancipation of man from > all illusions and from all limitations. It is the knowledge of > one's self. If man possesses knowledge of the composition, laws, > and relations, of the material of every species, and does not > know himself, he is very far from eternal Truth, which as > Christ said, liberates and saves. The phrase of Socrates "Nosce > te ipsum"(know thyself) is all-knowledge can express in human > language, and one must take note, that this teaching fonns the > basis of all religions. It is knowri that the Hindoos look toward > Atma, that is the superior I, of whom Sakia Muni said, "In thy- > self is the Light, that must guide thee" of whom Lao-tzeu said, > "The Tao, that is the road, is man." - It is also known; that > the great Envoy from Palestine, proclaimed this great Truth > when He said: "The Kingdom of heaven is within you." What > is that which Jesus called the Kingdom of heaven, which Lao- > tzeu denominates the Road, which Sakia Muni called "mumina- > tion" and which the Hindoos call Atma? It is our superior -"I" > I that part of human nature which manifests itself through mat- > ter, but which does not constitute matter, because it survives > matter, and because it maintains itself immutably, nothwith- > standing all the changes, the latter suffers. > The true man is spirit, and spirit is the life force, which > organizes matter and shapes the forms; it is the light that has > its focus in the brain, and which reveals itself as thought, to > irradiate far away from the organic limits, and so embrace the > Universe. It is the beauty, which in the plant crystalizes itself > in the flower and manifests itself in the perfume: in the human > soul it lifts its devotees, its priests, to the extremely pure > heights of ideal.' This is the reason by which Vyasa and > Kryshna gave the message of life, teaching that Brahma could > be discovered everywhere: in the trembling of a lightbeam, as > well as in the pulsation of the worlds: in the fall of a leaf, and > in the passing of a falling star: in the singing of a bird as well > as in the eternal murmur of the sea. This is the reason by > which the Initiated spoke to the disciples at the pyramids of > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 35. > > Egypt, of the Gospel' of Light, which had been transmitted to > Him by Hermes Trismegistus, when he said that the same > Osiris, which is the Light of the world, is the same Osiris, which > is in the heart of Man. Just as the light of the world is trans- > formed in the primordial vibration, orgaDizing all things, so the > great Architect of the Universe is organizing the world of in~ > telligence, making it mystical, in order to manifest in matter > the divine radiance and the divine Love, creating a sage, in > order to discover the forces of nature and to distribute them for > the benefit of humanity: producing an artist, to' reveal the har- > mony of the spheres, the ecstacies of the superior worlds > through music, to surprise the most delicate colors,the softest > transparencies and to reveal to us the Dream of God in its most > sublime aspects, manifesting in magic forms and color, to ideal- > ize the movements of man, and render eternal a smile, a desire, > a thought, an expression of sorrow or of enthusiasm, in marble, > in stone, or in clay: and drape in beauty the deepest emotions > by means of that exquisite magic melody which constitutes > poetry. - > If there exists, art, science, and life, expressing the soul > through time space and matter, it is because there exists in > man, a beauty, that may make itself apparent, because there is > in him a truth, which may manifest and define itself in thoughts > capable of manifesting themselves in the domain of reason, or > develop through intuition: . because, finally there exists deep in > human nature a source of energies, ever new and ever ready' to > manifest themselves, as soon as one finds in matter the proper > conditions. > This sublime and divine Trinity which exists in the human > soul, is after all, but a reflex of a universal Trinity, which is > celebrated in all religions and which forms the soul of all theol- > ogies. > We certainly cannot define God, because He is the Unknown, > but we can feel His Presence. By liberating ourselves from the > illusion of separation, we shall be able to know the inner life of > truth and beauty and become free. > When man reaches the knowledge of himself, he is one with > all the beings, and with the Infinite Spirit of Goodnessá; ~e > > Digitized by Coogle > 86 REALITY > > realiZes then Unity and this Unity manifests itself, in Love, > through the human heart. The more perfect man is, the more > he loves. > Here in Brazil, the Message of the New Day has been given. > Many are eager to satisfy their spiritual thirst. > I request you to transmit to the brothers in New York the > fraternal greetings which their brothers fl"Qm Brazil extend to > them. > I greet you in the Name of the Lord, and I am your humble > brother > > Tolerance > By Richard Manuel Bolden > > T HE great need today among individuals and groups is the' > development of the idea of tolerance. We see no reason > in the life of the people in this new age tolerance should > not be classed as a virtue and a fundamental principle. Much > of the trouble in community and nations is due to individual com- > munity and national misunderstanding. And this misunderstand- > ing is manifested because there is not enough tolerance displayed. > Nervousness, impatience, indifference, seem to characterize most > of the people. . > A continuance of this state of mind and attitude does not > develop good-will among men, and where there is not good-will, > strife and warfare in various forms exist. This condition is > not good for either the individuals or the masses, and it does > not develop righteousness in government and among nations. > Since preachers, priests, educators, social and industrial lead- > ers make high sounding proclamations and offer prayers and > organize and push what they claim as community benefits, we > do not see why tolerance has not been urged by them as a > very important principle. The general mass of people are well > aware of the narrow=-mindedness of all religious sects; from > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 87 > > earliest times until a few years ago, political and industrial lead- > ers, and many infidels showed a broader, humanitarian feeling. > The clergy, the ones who should be the embOdiment of the spirit > and life of the humble but loving Saviour, as a general thing, > in a crisis hang on to some dogmatic opinion regardless of whom > it injures or destroys. On the other hand, many of them are > opportunists and yield and take sides they think are popular. > This spirit of the leaders in what are ca11ed Christian nations, > when men have become intellectually and spiritually awakened, > forces many of them to look upon so-called sacred and divine > institutions with contempt, for the representatives of many of > these institutions are not true and do not possess the spirit and > life of the author and the founder of that Holy Institution- > the Church of Our Lord. > We would urge on the part of people who think they differ > in opinions and habits from others to begin a closer study of > themselves, and sympathetically in the light of their own faults > and failures study the other person. We are sure then the idea > of tolerance for short-comings in others will possess us, and on > the other han~ we will behold so many beautiful things in the > other person that we will have no desire or pleasure in pointing > out their fault or failure. > It seems to us that scientific minds have and are, entering > the field of thought and action that is making the idea of tolerance > a most important principle. The philosophical religious and p0- > litical schools of thought should have pushed this idea as a most > important one. Anthropologist and Sociologist by their investi- > ptions, collections and assembling processes discover beneath > and running through all the information they gather their sim- > ilarity, unity, a common purpose and a common good. And upon > reflection they discover a natural organization. This reveals an > element working for the good of all. They find these studies > tend to make them as students more tolerant as their investiga- > tions continue. Since they are not interested in any moral or > spiritual element, it is great compliment to this class of thinkers > and leaders that they focus our attention upon what we regard > as a great principle - Tolerance. > > Digitized by Coogle > 88 REALITY > > End of all War Now or End of All > Is in Sight > John Haynes Holmes Declares Plan to Curb Chemieal Warfare > Is Pious but Ridieulously Fatuous While War Itself Remains > > E DITOR of Reality: - It would be interesting to know just > what are the exact facts as regards the progress of chem- > ical invention in the field of warfare. > It is evident, from reports which are appearing these days > with alanning frequency, that the governments of the world are > pressing investigation and experimentation in their chemical > laboratories with feverish ul'gency, and have now, or. will soon > have, in their control various kinds of poisonous gases for use > as weapons against enemies in war, deadly beyond anything that > man has ever known. > In the next international conflict armies and navies, ap- > parently, will count for little, Immediately upon a declaration > of hostilities the contending governments will send great fleets > of airships to rain down upon non-eombatant populations gases > which are capable of extinguishing millions of people in a period > of a few hours or even minutes, > Cities and towns, vast areas of inhabited countryside, will be > wiped out upon the instant; and that nation will triumph which > has surviving, after these competing downpours. of "ghastly > dew," some miserable remnant of gasping, blinded, tortured men > and women. > Such possibility seems fantastic, but as a matter of fact it > constitutes the grimmest reality in modern life. For the first > time in history, owing to these hideous inventions in the field of > chemistry, man holds within his grasp the power to compass his > own universal destruction. What has existed hitherto only as > the mad dream of romancers of the type of H. G. Wells in his > early years, is now become at this latter day a sober truth. We > can destroy ourselves if we so will. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY' 39 > > The seriousness of this situation is becoming apparent to > everybody who has the faculty of facing facts and thinking > upon these facts. Such persons, in sheer terror at the impend- > ing catastrophe, are beginning to urge that the use of chemical > gases in warfare be forbidden by solemn agreement betWeen the > nations of the earth. > This is a pious suggestion, put its fatuousness is as ridicu- > lous as it is pathetic. For what truth has been more certainly > taught us by the experience of the great war than the truth > that a country, embattled in a life and death struggle with its > foes, will resort to any weapon which promises to be effective in > offensive or defen&ive operations, whether that weapon be sanc.- > tioned or not by the laws of nations and the conscience of man- > kind? > Once loose .the passions and the fears of war, and there is no > limit of horror to which belligerents will not go to compass vic.- > tory and avoid defeat. As well expect to bind the winds in some > secret comer of the horizon after a cyclone disturbance, or hold > the flaming lava inside the volcanic crater after an eruption, as > to expect to forbid successfully theá use in war of any weapons > which will do the business of killing humans. > And why not? For, if war is permitted, why should not all > weapons of war be permitted? If it is right to slaughter men in > one way, why not in all ways? Why stick at the gnat of dum- > dum bullets and poison gases, and swallow the camel of armed > conflict as a method of settling international disputes? .The > business of war is the destruction of life on as large a scale and > at as speedy a rate as possible. No piety is blind enough, no > sentimentality stupid enough, to cover up this fact, which grins > hideously upon us like a naked skull. This means that the war- > maker is logically justified in laying his hands on any weapon > which will suit his purpose of destruction. The more horrible > its character, the more complete its effectiveness, the better. > To deny the war-maker his weapon, while crowning his work > with glory and honor, is inanity of the first order! > What we face to-day is one of those supreme crises in the > career of humanity which calls for action that is as drastic as it > is fundamental. Mankind has one task before it today. Not the > > Digitized by Coogle > 40 REALITY > > restriction of warfare to this or that weapon or mode of ~ht- > ing, but the abolition of warfare altogether! . > We must get rid of this "abomination of desolation," as the > price of racial survival! Hitherto we have found it inconvenient, > to be sure, but still possible to live with war as an occasional di- > version or horrible debauch. Now we awaken to discover that > war has suddenly grown to such proportions of disaster that we > can no longer hope to keep house with it. > One or the other must go. The world is no longer large > enough or strong enough to hold both war and man! What the- > programme for the abolition of war involves is a question of > controversy. I believe that nothing short of disarmament, free > trade, the organization of an international government to super- > sede the independent sovereignties of existing states, the trans- > formation of capitalism into some form of collectivism, the edu- > cation of the race to the use.of the scientific method and to the > service of the religious ideal will do the business. But to get a > programme of some kind, to put it through and try it out - this > is the only thing that is worth to-day a moment's consideration. > We solve this question now, or the end is in sight! > John Haynes Holmes. > Editor's N ote- This article appeared also in liThe Globe" of March > 28th. John H ay'zes Holmes possesses a profound spiritual. vision, > important /0 the human race at this critical stage of decisive action. > Individuals, nations, planets, can be made or destroyed according to > spiritual growth. At first this statement seems one of visionary > illusion, but that it is one of FACT is becoming more evidellt every > hollr, and the world at large owes a debt of gratitude to such minds > as John H aylles Holmes for bringing this knowledge before them in > so forceful and convincing a manner as given in the above article. > Reality takes this opportunit,j' of thanking Mr. Holmes for the privilege > of being one of the mediums for its transmission to all countries and > peoples. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 41 > > Abdul Baha Seeks in Manhattan > By EDITH M. THOMAS > > W HERE these centuries has slept Firdusi? > Where Saadi? - or Hafiz, golden-tongued? > Dropped asleep while singing waked, a dreamer, > Seeking body for his dream divine, > Love-of-God and World-round Kinship teaching: > Wandering Westward, thus our City greets. > Mildly wonders at our vaunting fabrics- > At our granite shafts that aim the star, > Vistaed lamps in diamond diminutioJ), > Air-swung bridges, marts and palaced wealth- > All the tideless, daily, urban pageant! > Marvel's at our churches - not averse, > Opening doors, as to a looked-for pilgrim! > Pilgrim not to any Mecca bound, > Bearing in his heart a shrine of holies- > World-round Kinship, Love-of-God - his Word! > Goes he up and down our brave Manhattan, > Unbewildered through its soundful maze; > Childlike seeker - child and seer in challenge, > Subtlest when most simply he demands- > Affable yet penetrant inquirer! • > Asked by someone, "Have you seen our Parks 1" > Softly he makes answer, "I have seen them. > Very noble. Gardens for a king. > But no rose therein have I seen blooming, > And no nightingales therein I heard!" > Wistful smiling, turns he on the questioner > Eastern eyes with mystic zeal aglow: > "Is there anyone that in the garden > Lists to be a rose - a rose-in-bloom? > Is there anyone that in the garden > Lists to be a nightingale, and sing?" > Thus, the pilgrim goes his way among us, > World-round Kinship, Love-of-God - his Word.••• > What finds he of lack in brave Manhattan, > What, forsooth, the "rose" and "nightingale?" > N. Y. Post, 1912. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > New Lines of Interest > REALITY intends to widen its boundaries as far as p0s.- > sible. The activities of the world are manifold, and the seed of > a new evolution is genninating everywhere, the bubbles of the > coming spiritual civilization are penetrating the dark watel'8 of > materialism. To note these evidences of new life is always in- > teresting, and departments are to be added to the magazine with > that end in view. > Henceforth each number of the periodical will contain an art > department and one devoted to the drama. The art section will > be under the management of Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford, and the > dramatic section will be taken care of by the editorial force at > present. > We wish to correlate the forces of the New Day, and bring > into evidence those heavenly tendencies which are rapidly trans- > forming darkness into light - and tradition into illumination > and glorious achievement. This is manifest in every direction, > but sometimes remains unobserved unless the careful student > declares its presence. > REALITY is the Herald of the New Time, and wishes to cry > out, wherever the lignt appears. So the additional departments > will be edited with a feeling bom of sympathy and not too much > hampered by tradition. > > Bahai Activities > The Monday evening meetings of Mrs. Florian Krug and > Miss Ann Boylan continue at the Bahai Library, 416 Madison > Avenue. > > Tuesday evening, Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford presides at the > Bahai Library, 416 Madison Avenue. > > The Wednesday evening public meetings will continne. > > Digitized by Coogle > . .-.. > REALITY 48 > Friday evening meetings are conducted by Miss Juliet > Thompson. > > The Bahai Forum is open to the public on Sunday evenings. > These meetings begin at 8.15 sharp. All welcome. Come and > bring your friends. > > A definite program for the next three months is being ar- > ranged by the Consulting Group of the Bahai Library. This > program will consist of addresses by notable speakers within the > circle of the Bahai friends, noted scientists and public men and > women throughout the country. Due notice will be given > through the columns of REALITY, the newspapers and an- > nouncement cards. > > Attention is called to the fact that on the nineteenth day of > every month a feast is held in the Bahai Library, 416 Madison > Avenue, .to which the public and the friends are cordially in- > vited. The Bahai Revelation attaches great importance to the > law of hospitality, and the followers of Abdul Baha are required > to perform this obligation every nineteen days. Owing to the > many meetings held in the Library, it was found impracticable > to hold this feast every nineteenth day, as it conflicted with > other meetings, .but the Library has set aside the nineteenth > day of every month for this purpose. These feasts are largely > attended and produce a spirit of love and harmony. It has been > found to be beneficial to the friends themselves and they have > manifested to the strangers, the love and cordiality which the > knowledge of the Bahai Revelation gives to its followers. We > earnestly hope you will avail yourselves of this invitation. > > Much interest is being felt in the Inter-Racial Congress to be > held in Washington the latter part of May. Those desiring in- > formation regarding this mater, can obtain it by writing to > REALITY or by addressing Mrs. Agnes J. Parsons, 1818 N > Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > The Bahai Temple Convention to be held in Chicago, April > 28rd, will bring together again the Bahais from allover the > world The Temple model now displayed in Chicago is at- > tracting interest and admiration from all types and classes of > people who welcome the thought of a Universal temple, the sym- > bol of the oneness of God, and the oneness of humanity, in its > material and practical manifestation. > > During the month of April Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Ober spoke > in the Bahai Library, 416 Madison Avenue. Mr. Ober's subject > was "Man, The Collective Center of the Universe," which he > handled in a marvelous manner, displaying a depth of insight > and spiritual vision which places him in that group of advanced > thinkers doing so much for the evolution of the human mind > to a higher consciousness of Reality. "REALITY" hopes to be > able to print Mr. Ober's lecture in full in a forthcoming issue. > > On Wednesday evening, April 13th, a business meeting was > called in the Bahai Library, 416 Madison Avenue, but it was so > largely attended by the public, that the Bahai message was > given. The speakers were Mr. James F. Morton, Jr., Mrs. Mary > Hanford Ford, Mrs. Florian Krug, and Miss Juliet Thompson. > "REALITY" announces the return of Mrs. Ford to New > York. She is in constant daily attendance at the Bahai Library. > > It will bring happiness to friends throughout the country to > know of the safe arrival in New York of Louis Bourgeois, to > whom the world is indebted for the marvelous model of the > Mashrakel Askar, or Universal Temple. > It has been the hope of thousands of friends that this Temple > would be built in New York, which Abdul Baha has called "The > City of The C the model about tp be built in Chicago. The consummation of > this desire rests with the awakening of the entire community > to the importance of uniting all the religions of the world in > the Universal Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 41> > > Special Announcement > to Reality Re,aders > > . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IItH ..... 'llllllIliIIIIIHI... 'IIIIIII..... nIlPIIIMII ... tlIIIIHI ........................... > _ 1 _ .......amIl.....' ...lkJlllllIAl"IIIIII.IIIIIII..II.,.IIIII'ftI'llllllllI'llllllllI..111III1.....NI.......ItIII11I. > > Beginning with the May num- > ber REALITY will be 25 cents > a copy and $3.00 a year. We > will, however, accept renewals > at the old price ($2.25) from > one to five years, providing > they reach us before April 30, > 1921. > Here áis a splendid opportu- > nity to save 75 cents on each > annual subscription. > = > =====_:*:"=111111:""111111111111111111111111"11111111111111'1It1111'111lI1II1111~IUI'IlIl'''llllm > • ....lIlllIl....IIII1I...'IIIUlIIII'I"IIIIIII.'IIIlIIIII"'U .. '11I1f1111l1IIIIIIIl1In""'I" > > Reality Publishing Company > 416 Madison Avenue New York > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Di9iti~ed by Coogle > 46 REALITY > > Are You Fighting > For The Cause? > Pleasant and profitable employment may be ob- > tained by securing subscriptions for REALITY. > We are doing what we can to win the world to > higher ideals. > ~is can only come about when people intelli- > gently demand the TRUTH. > How shall they intelligently demand better con- > ditions if the TRUTH is withheld from them? > Your eyes are perhaps open, due to the > REALITY magazine, but very likely your neigh- > bor is yet ''blind.'' We can also benefit your > neighbor, but not until you introduce us to him. > > THE REALITY PUBLISHING COMPANY > 416 Madison Avenue, New York City > I arn interested in y-our suggestion of calling > on my frien~s and acquaintances for subserlp- > tions to the REALITY MAGAZINE. > > Narne ....._...._...._...._...._...._...._...._...._..._...._...._...._...._..._...._..___ > > No. and Street ....._..__...._...._...._.........._......................_...._...._._ > City ..... _...................... _...._...._.... _......._........ State ..........._...._...._..... > > PLlIIASE MmNTION YOU SAW IT IN IUIlALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 47 > ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• > Consider the Mystery! > Electrons exist everywhere. > We gather them in a power house. > We apply a certain mechanism and we get heat. > We apply another mechanism and it keeps our refrigeraton > at freezing point. • > We apply a third mechanism and we get power to move our > e&1'B, and run our machinery. ' > Still another mechanism applied to the same mysterious > force, and we have light. > The same force carries your voice a thousand miles, or > :flashes a message across the continent. > AlwayS the same mysterious force. The only di1fe,.rence is > in the mechanism to which the force is attached. > Consider the Mystery! > Mind exists everywhere. > We gather this Mind into our power house. > In one brain this mind is transformed into a beautiful picture. > In another brain it is converted into some noble philan- > thropic act. > In another it is converted into a wonderful invention. > Still another uses the same Mind for financial gain, fame or > power. > other brains use the same Universal Power ignorantly or > carelessly, and thus cause'their own self-destruction. > Always the same power, b.ut producing different results in > accordance with the different brains through which the power > passes. Our business then, is to regulate our thinking machine > so • to utilize this cosmic force, constructively instead of de- > structively. > The operation of this Principle has been known to a few in > all ages, but nothing was more improbable than the unauthor- > ized revelation of this information by any student of the great > esoteric schools of philosophy. This was true because those in > authority were afraid that an unprepared public mind might > not be ready to make a proper use of the extraordinary power > which the application of these principles disclosed. > Mr. Bernard Guilbert Guemey, the celebrated author and > literary critic, has made an investigation of these laws, and > given to the world the result in a wonderful book. . This book, > however, contains such remarkable and astounding revelations > that we prefer not to let it get into the hands of the unintel- > ligent or the unappreciative. It will therefore not be sold or > given away, but we will be glad to lend you a copy if you send > your name and address to The Master Key Institute, 216 Howard > Banding, St. Louis, Mo• > ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• > Digitized by Coogle > 48 REALITY > > . , > C.O 0 K s > TRAVEL SEáRVICE > ESCORTED TOURSá AND CRUISES > INDEPENDENT TRAVEL > BANKING AND EXCHANGE > INSURANCE > HOTEL COUPONS > AERIAL TRAVEL > AUTOMOBILE TOURS > BAGGAGE AND CARGO SHIPMENTS > COOK'S TRAVEL~ERS' CHEQUES > > Special Facilities > for Travel in > Egypt, Palestine, etc. > We Invite Correspondence > > THOMAS COOK & SON > NEW YORK > PHIl.ADELPHIA BUSTON CHICAGO LOS ANGELES > SAN FRANCICSO MONTREAL TORO.VTO > > Offices and Correspondents Throughout the World > > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > , I > > , > ,- A",Magazine Devoted to the > "',Elimination of Prejudice, > " 'Religious, Racial and Class > • > > A REAL Magazine fDr REAL People > > • > Bible Prophecies Fulfilled in This Age > Jenabe Fazel Mazanderani > 14 Points of the Dream Problem > Libra Light > The Glory of God á Horace Holley > The Preas George Latimer > > JllNE, 1921 PliBLISHEI> MONTJILY 25 CENTS > > " Copyright, 1921, by Reality Publishing Corporation > I, tr > > THE ONENESS OF MANKIND > > Digitized by Coogle > • > > TWELVE BASIC > BAHAI PRINCIPLES > > 1. The oneness of mankind. > 2. Independent investigation of truth. > 3. The foundation- of all religions is one. > 4. Religion must be the cause of unity.. > 5. Religion must be in accord with science and > reason. > 6. Equality between men a~d women. > 7. Prejudice of all kinds must be forgotten. > 8. Universal peace. > 9. Universal education. > 10. Solution of the economic problem. > 11. An international auxiliary language. > 12. An international tribunal. > > These twelve basic Bahai principles were enunciated by Baha'o'l1ah > over sixty years ago and are to be found in his published writings of > that time. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > Editors Consulting Editors > Alhert Vall > EUGENE J. DEUTH Mary Hanford Ford > Howard MacNutt > WANDEYNE DEUTH Richard Manuel Bolden > HOI"Rce Holley > Winifred M. Schumacher > PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY > Reality Publishing C'orporation > 416 Madi_ Av_u. Tel. Vanderbilt 4537 New York, N. Y. > Eugene J. neuth. P, e-Irlpnt Hf'r"ld ~ I~obinsnn. Sec'y & TreRs. > • Single Copies. 25 ccnts. Sold at all Newsstands. > Subscription, $3.00 per year > Money Orders Payable to Reality Publishing Corporation > . 416 Madison Avenue. Ncw York Ciiy > Copyright. 1921, by Reality Puhllshlng CorporRI!"n > Entered 1\8 Sf'cond f:la .... Matter, April 25. 1921, st the PONt Office. > New York, N. Y .. under thl' Act of !'ofarch 3Td, 1879 I > > • I > / > Volume IV JUNE, 1921 No.6 > > Contents > > Bible Prophecies Fulfilled in This > Age ............................................~............................ Jenabe Fazel Ml1zandarani > > 14 Points of the Dream Problem. Libra Light > > The Glory of God ............................................................. . Horace Holley > > The Current Art .............. .... .............. .... ..... . ....... l'.Imáy Hanford Ford > > Good News > > The Press ................ . .. C.:.orge Latimer > > The Drama > > Notable Comments > > Bahai Activities > > Digitized by Coogle > I > I > > Digitized by Google > Bible Prophecies Fulfilled > ,In This Age > By Jenabe Fazel Mazandarani > > T HE Oriental countries, Persia and Palestine and other > parts of Arabia, have been always the dawning place of > the mystic lights of the Sun of Reality. Great schools > of spiritual philosophy, vast systems of idealism and the relig- > ions of the world have sprung out of the East and irradiated > the lights to other parts of the world. > The great Book, the Bible, which you have studied and > quote in all your churches and religious meetings - that Book > containing wonderful predictions and prophecies - was written > by Eastern seers and Oriental prophets. If we ponder carefully > over the predictions and prophecies given by these ancient áspir- > itual mouthpieces of God, we will then realize that they have > that divine in$ight which enabled them to pierce the vistas of > ages and see the things which would and have happened cen- > turies and centuries after their lives upon this earth plane. > What divine insight; what celestial perception these' prophets > must have had, through which they could see and predict the > events of the future! This subject has been dealt with in detail > by great metaphysicians and theologians in their various vol- > umes and books. The mystics of Persia have tried to explain > this great fact in the following manner: The world of existence > is similar to a dome of glass or a mirror. The phenomena and > the objects of creation below this dome are reflected back to > the ceiling of this clear, translucent dome; so that this dome > has the reflection of all the things which exist below; in other > words, it is the greatest disc reflecting all of the phenomena in > > Digitized by Coogle > 4 REALITY > > the material world. Now t~at you have a clear picture of the > dome before you, in which is reflected all the visible phenom- > ena, you can likewise imagine the brains and the minds of men > as revolving milTOrs around the dome. As long as the brain > of man is turned toward this dome,. the dome reflects the pic': > tures that are mirrored on its surface from below. Whether > the pictures are of the past or the present or the future, the > mind has the capability of absorbing all these reflective pic- > tures on the surface of the dome. There are three conditions > for the brains of men, so that they may reflect clearly the pic- > tures. First, the mirror of the brain must be clear; 'second, it > must be turned toward the dome; and, third, there must be no > veil or curtain between the mirror and the dome. > The minds of 'the prophets of God and the messengers of > the merciful had these qualities, because, first, their minds were > clear and translucent mirrors; second, they were constantly > turned toward this great dome of reality, and third, there was > no veil or curtain preventing their reflection and irradiation. > Now, your minds have just as much ability to reflect those > images of reality as the mind of the Manifestations of God. > But we, through our limitations and ignorance, bring before > our minds veils of misunderstanding and curtains of imagina- > tion. Thus the surface of the mirror becomes filled with the > dust of worldly materialism and agnosticism. Consequently the > brains of such men cannot reflect equally the same light and > beauty as the minds of the prophets and messengers. It is for > this reason that men, either through following in the footsteps > of the Manifestations of God or through concentration and at- > tention, purify and cleanse the surface of the mirrors of their > brain, and they become enabled to make predictions of the > future; to see the objects of life and to delve into the mys- > teries of truth. Here we come across very interesting reflec- > tions: If these prophets were able to look into the future and > see the events which would transpire two or three thousand > years hence, how was it that they could not see the events > which were transpiring around them, subjecting them to perse- > cutions, suffering and humiliation? Because it is an historical > fact that all these messengers of good will who have lived on > this earth plane have had to go through many persecutions and > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 5 > > many sufferings on account of the bigotry and fanatical ideas > of the populace. This mystery is solved when we realize that > even the Manifestations of God had two phases of life, the > physical and the divine. When they engaged themselves with > material things, when they were living the physical life, they > were like other people, but when they turned their minds to- > ward that great dome of reality, then they were different from > the rest of mankind, beeause their minds were 80 clear as to > receive the impressions of the Infinite. > You will remember the story of Jacob.; how Joseph was > taken by hiB brothers, thrown into the well and sold to the > Egyptians; how later on the brothers went into Egypt and > brought back the coat of Joseph, and when the coat was pre- > sented to Jacob, the father of Joseph, the very fragrance or the > smell of it made him feel that his son was still living in Egypt. > This subject is taken by a Persian poet, and addressing the > father of Joseph he says: "If thou wert able to realize that thy > son Joseph was in Egypt thousands of miles away, through the > contact of the coat, how is it that thou couldst not know when > he was thrown into the well?" Then the father of Joseph an- > swered: "We are living in this world like other men, but now > and then the light of inspiration flashes and through that light > we see the events. When the light is extinguished, the vision > is gone. Sometimes we ascend to the very height of the moun- > tain of transfiguration and see the evolving events of the fu- > ture, and sometimes we come down and live on the earth plane > and will be able to see even those things which are before us." > If that state of spiritual realization could ,be continued in this > life day and night, no one would like to live here. In short, the > prophets have had this quality of prediction, and their books > are the greatest testimonies that they saw these things, either > in dream or vision or in the state of wakefulness. > Prophecies can be roughly divided into three parts: The > first are those predictions which deal with the events of the > prophets' own lives during the time that they live. This is not > important, and we have nothing to do with that part of proph- > ecy. There is a prophecy in the Old Testament about one of > the kings who was very ill. A prophet went to call upon him, > and while he was there he told him that his illness was very > > Digitized by Coogle > 6 REALIT.Y > > dangerous, "You are going to die." When he left him and > came into the court, he received a revelation or inspiration that > this king is going to be healed very soon, so he hastened back > and gave him this news. "Just at this moment I received a rev- > elation that you are going to be healed." Now, this is a minor > prophecy, dealing with the events of the days of the prophet > and those people who were with him. > The second part of prophecy is that which deals with the > predictions of events which will transpire in two or three hun- > dred years, such as the wars and chain of circumstances with > which the Old Testament is filled. It is like unto the dream of > the King of Babylon. He had even forgotten what he had seen > in the dream, but Daniel was enabled to tell him what it was, > and likewise to give him the interpretation. That great dream > of Nabuchednezzar was of a man whose head was of gold and > whose breast silver, and whose feet of clay. Daniel gave the > interpretation that this is extremely symbolical. Thy dream > symbolizes thine own empire; while thou art at the head of > this kingdom the country is like gold; another king from thy > progeny will be like silver. The future kingdom will be like > iron and copper, and finally the weakest of them will be of clay. > Then out of heaven a great stone will fall and destroy this great > figure. That was one of the mightiest empires which came > along afterwards and dispersed this Babylonian kingdom. Read- > ing subsequent history of theá Babylonian race, one becomes > aware that it was as though Daniel had lived hundreds of years > after himself and had observed and witnessed all these events > he predicted so accurately and tnJIy. > The third and most important prophecy contained in the > sacred scriptures is that dealing with events from two, three > and four hundred years afterwards in regard to the consumma- > tion of ages and the establishment of the Divine cycle of human > power. So if we could take out these wonderful illuminating > prophecies from the Old Testament and put them side by side, > noting the correspondence with the great events which have > transpired in the last two or three hundred years, it would be > .as though those prophets had the divine vision and insight to > look into the future and see all these things with their own > eyes. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 7 > > The prophecies of these great prophets again are divided in- > to two parts: The first part is in regard to the material and > physical advancement of the world, and the second is regarding > the spiritual, the ideal advancement and progress of the hearts > of mankind. For example, this great Armageddon, this great > universal war which flooded the world with misery and slaugh- > ter, we find clearly predicted in the Old and New Testaments. > One of the Israelitish prophets, in some part ()f his book, says, > that there will be such a great struggle and turmoil in the world > that two parts of the world will be cut off. The same prophecy > is repeated by Christ when he refers to the prediction of Daniel, > and says: "There shall be wars and rumors of wars, and king- > dom shall rise against kingdom, and nation wage war against > nation; there shall be earthquakes and famine in the world;" > all of which have come to pass and are before our eyes. Hence > if we peruse the terrible events which have transpired in the > last eight years in the whole world in all parts, likewise realiz- > ing the distraction, the savagry and barbarism perpetrated by > so-called civilized nations, and how millions of the flowel'S of > humanity have been cut off, we will then know that these an- > cient prophets were right; that they had the divine insight to > predict these events. One of the most wonderful prophecies > which has actually taken place is the return of the Jews to > Palestine and the hope for the establishment of their kingdom. > There are certain concrete prophecies in regard to the in- > ventions of telegraph, telephone and wireless, all of which show > that these proPl1ets had a vision which was beyond human ken. > In o~e of these ancient prophecies it is recorded that at the end > of time there will be many threads connecting various vicini- > ties; that from Jerusalem these threads will be extended to all > parts of the world, and people will come to this center by taking > hold of these threads. By these threads the prophet meant the > railroads and the steamships, and people would travel over the > fastest railroads to reach that country. > Another prophecy in the Book of Isaiah is about the connec- > tion of Egypt and Palestine which was fulfilled by the building > of railroads during the war connecting these two countries. The > students of the Bible can find the prophecies for all the marvel- > ous achiev~ents of the last few centuries. > > Digitized by Coogle > 8 REALITY > > The second part of the prophecies which is the most impor- > tant is in regard to the fulfillment of the law of Universal' Love > in all parts of the earth, the establishment of Universal Fellow- > ship and reconciliation amongst the peOple.. Isaiah says that in > that day the wolf and the sheep shall lie side by side; the leer > pard and the kid will be grazing in the same meadow; thet lion > and the lamb will be in the same pasture; the little children > shall put their hands in the hole and the adder will not hann > them. All of these symbolic prophecies indicate that a day will > come when the nations who are wolfish and the countries and > the people who are lamb-like will enter into eternal compact of > friendship and amity and will forget their enmity and animosity > forever. From a physical standpoint it is impossible for the > wolf and the lamb to become friendly, because the wolf is a ear- > niverous animal; it has claw-like teeth and flesh is its natural > food. The wolf has no enmity toward the lamb when J:te tears > him to pieces, but he wants to live. The only time they will be > peaceful and kindly toward each other is when the lamb will be > lying down peacefully in the belly of the wolf. > Again it is written in these sacred Books that in that day > God shall judge all the nations; that the nations shall change > their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning > hooks, and that they shall learn war no more. The prophets in > those days lived at a time when the civilization did not require > bombs, poisonous gasses, guns and cartridges and all kinds of > infernal machinery; at a time when we had none of the modern > inventions. The prophet had no other way of explaining him- > self other than the agricultural implements,. swords and spears. > In brief, the prophets desired to say that the nations will be dis- > armed; that there will be Universal disannament. Again, in > another place it is written: "In that day I shall gather all the > nations, and all languages will be made into one language." > Hence, if we think of the marvelous spiritual outpourings upon > the hearts of the people, we realize that this universal con- > sciousness, this international mind, this international amity and > better understanding and wider relationship which is being felt > by all men everywhere are all predicted by these prophets. > Now, the prophets of Israel picturing before themselves this > roseate dream, thought that when these conditions are fulfilled > in the world, then God Almighty will come and tabernacle him- > self in the human world; the manifestation of God will appear. > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 9 > > By God, they did not mean that the Almighty is like a human > being who is sitting upon his throne iná the heavens and would > some day come down in an airplane and make his flight to the > earth. Their meaning was rather this: That the perfections, > the virtues, the characteristics of God - what are they? -love, > amity, righteousness and sincerity - would descend into the > world of humanity, upon the wingS of knowledge. These things > will be established universally in the world of humanity, which > when brought together in a perfect human temple will mean > God. Christ meant the same thing when he advised his fol- > lowers that they must pray that the Kingdom of God may be > established upon the earth. Who is the Manifestation of God? > He is the manifestation of love, the manifestation of universal > consciousness, the manifestation of light, happiness, prosperity > and unity among the children of men. This appearance of love; > this effulgence of Universal Unity will dawn from the conscious- > ness, from the horizon of the hearts of illumined forward-look- > ing men and women. It is self-evident and beyond the shadow > of a doubt that when we look over the world today we see and > feel that these bright dreams of the Sun of Universal Conscious- > ness have dawned from the hearts and the minds of the people > both in the Orient and in the Occident. The dark clouds of > misunderstandings and superstitions are being dispersed by the > blowing of the wind of divine consciousness and the lights of > knowledge; wisdom and mutual understanding are gaining > • greater and greater triumph. In the Oriental countries, relig- > ious misunderstanding and prejudices were very strong. The > adherents of different religions hated one another to such an ex- > tent that they thirsted for the blood of each other. The ad- > herents of the seven great religions of the world were extremely > inimical, and never tried to forget their past prejudices and as- > sociate with one another in the light of unity and friendship. > There was a Mohammedan priest very ill on the bed of > death. His family went out and brought for him a Christian > physician. When this Mohammedan priest opened his eyes and > saw this strange man, he asked: "Why have you brought this > person here 1" They replied: "He is a very skillful doctor and > will be able to heal you." He hastened to say: "Are you not > aware if I take the medicine of this infidel, this Christian, I will > go directly to hell 1" The physician, not understanding, asked > them what he was saying. They translated the priest's re- > > Digitized by Coogle > 10 REALITY > > marks. The physician answered: "Well, whether or not he > takes the medicine, he will go to hell anyhow; but if he takes > the medicine he will go there a little later." Such was the bit- > terness and bigotry amongst the followers of the religions. But, > when the sun of the Bahai Movement dawned from the horizon > of Persia seventy years ago, its penetrating rays scattered all > these clouds from the consciousness of men. These religionists, > who for thousands of years were inimical against one another, > became like unto brothers and sisters, so that in reality the > prophecy of that ancient prophet was fulfilled when he said that > the lamb and the wolf shall lie side by side; consequently we > are living at the dawn of that glorious age, that divine mil- > lennium which has been prophecied by the ancient bards and > poets, and we are witnessing with our own eyes the greatest > transformation in the world of humanity. If we observe care- > fully we see all these signs around us. On one hand the states- > men of the world are seriou~ly discussing and upholding the > parliament of men, the federation of the world. Again, in the > councils of nations and the congresses of the people, they are > discussing the problem of disarmament and how to use these > colossal sums that are being spent for the dreadnaughts and > battleships. Then there are innumerable societies and organi- > zations allover the world, East and West, the primal objects > of which are to expand the horizon of human consciousness; to > unfold the capabilities of the minds of men and to bring within > the grasp of the people a greater realization of -the inherent pos- > sibilities. > The Bahais, who are the lovers of light, of peace, of univer- > sal love, are likewise endeavoring and making the greatest > effort, so that nations and religions and languages and tribes > and races may forget their misunderstandings, shaking the hand > of fellowshiJJ and friendship upon the same platform of inter- > national divine truth. What glorious privileges are ours, if we > could truly realize that we are living at the dawn of this great > divine age; at the dawn of such an international cycle where all > the constructive and humanitarian forces are working for the > betterment of the world, so that we may have one United States > of the World; one Universal God; one great family of nations; > one language, and one shepherd of one flock. > Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 11 > > The Fourteen Points of the > Dream Problem > By Libra Light > > T HESE questions were sent from a medical journal of India > to be answered by certain persons in this country. Both > questions and answers may be of importance to those inter- > ested in the phenomena of the dream state. > In a talk given at Dublin, N. H., August, 1913, when ques- > tions regarding dreams were put to Abdul Baha, the Master > said: > "Dream or vision consists of spiritual revelation and dis- > covery. All dreams are real, or correspond to reality. The > spirit ever discovers and then reveals it to the heart. If the > heart is free and untrammeled the actual facts will be reflected > upon it and will be transmitted to the power of memory. This > is real vision and has no need of interpretation. As it is seen, > it will come to pass. But the spirit may discover and transmit > to the heart and the heart may contain confusing thoughts and > ideas, with which the discoveries may be mixed. This form of > vision needs interpretation. One must extract the spiritual dis- > covery out of these confusing thoughts. For example: this white > cloth will receive any color you may put upon it; if you dye it > red, it will be red; if yellow, it will be yellow, etc. Now it is > the real thing which is colorless; but if it were yellow and you > dyed it with blue, it will not become blue but green; you would > then have to extract the blue from the yellow; that is to say, > this would be interpretation. > But it may again happen that spiritual revelations may not > come to a man. There are thoughts and ideas in the heart and > when he sleeps these come to him; these are useless dreams and > have no interpretation whatever. > In the spiritual world there is no time nor space." > > Digitized by Coogle > 12 REALITY > > T HE following answers are the result of conscious effort to > explore the realm of "dreamland," and have been gained > by actual experience. > Question 1. Who is it that sleeps, who is it that dreams and > who is it that wak.es up? > Answer. He who sleeps is~he physical manifestation of a > spiritual Reality. He who dreams is that physical manifestation > seeking its Reality. He who awakes is the same as he who > sleeps--plus what he has gained through his search for his > Reality. > Q.2. If it is one and the same person, ,what prevents him > from knowing, during his dream state, that he it is who, before > going to sleep was waking, and is now dreaming and what re- > minds him on awakening that he it was who was dreaming > when asleep? > A. Nothing prevents him from knowing in his dream state > that it is he who before going to sleep was awake. Many are > conscious of their personalities extending through the dream > state and conscious of their experience during sleep and upon > awakening. > Q.3. If the personality in each state is different, what be- > comes of the waking-stfte personality during dream and what > of the dream personality duling waking state? > A. The personality is not different. It is ever and always > the same. Through spiritual development comes the power to > derive and retain the benefit of such constructive knowledge and > experience as comes through the dream state. > Q.4. If, as many believe, the dream world is external to > the dreamer and is real and independent of the waking world, > who is its creator and what are the distinctive features of the > dream world that will help the dreamer to distinguish it from > the waking world during his dream state? > A. The dream world is not external. It is internal. "The > Kingdom of God is within you," awake or sleeping. A Soul is > often conscious of the effort of Divine Guidance to direct it > through these hours when the material world and its disturbing > influence are shut" out. God is creator of these hours in which > He tries to draw the soul to the Infinite Knowledge of its Reality. > The distinctive features of the dream world are the features of > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 18 > Reality, making it conscious of a power and experience varying > from the waking state.. > Q.5. Are there any other worlds (astral, mental, spiritual, > etc.) besides the two commonly known worlds of dream and > waking states, where men after death are believed to go and > is any of them eternal and unchangeable? > A. There are many worlds. "In my Father's kingdom there > are many mansions." Life and experience are eternal. The > law of evolution and developme:b.t toward perfection necessitates > varied conditions in worlds and in the progression of souls. > Q.6. Is communication from one world to another possible, > if so, how can a person in the dream world communicate with > his friends in the waking world and vice versa? . > A. To the aspiring soul through the open door of so-called > sleep comes the possibility of receiving messages from departed > loved ones, and also a possibility of transmitting thought and > desire to those in the waking world. > Q.7. If, as some contend, the waking world is as unreal as > the dream world and we know of the unreality áof the former > only when we wake up into a higher state of illumination (just > as we know of the nature of dream on awakening into this phy- > sical world) it may be asked: • Why this so-called higher state > of illumination also is not a dream in relation to a second higher > state and this in relation to a third one, and so on ad infinitum? > A. Physical life on this planet is but the kindergarten of > eternal education. What man reaching the age of forty-five but > regards his infancy as a dream? What man nearing death but > regards life as a dream, sensing a new experience higher and > greater than life, and after so-called death can one doubt the > Immutable Law which destroys only to begin anew, ad infinitum? > Q.8. Is it possible for a dreamer to remain cognizant during > his dream state of the fact that he is dreaming? If so, what > are the means to acquire this power? > A. It has been possible to the writer. Many experiences > of this kind having been manifested. I do not know how to > acquire this power. I would suggest severance. > Q.9. Will a dream cease or continue if the dreamer becomes > awake to its nature during the dream state? > > Digitized by Coogle > 14 REAL-ITY > > A. There are certain fonns of fear produced in the dream > which are so vivid, that the dream will discontinue through > this fear, for the Divine Will gives only that which the per- > sonality can endure, either to continue the experience of happi- > ness and well being, or experiences which tend to promote fear- > lessness and faith. > Q.I0. How far is it possible to stop, alter or create one's > own dreams as one wishes? What are the means to do it? > A. By direct appeal to the Highest before sleeping, one > may direct one's dreams for Guidance and Enlightenment. > Q.ll. To what extent is it possible to be cognizant of one's > own dreamless sleep state, while sleeping? > A. - When the physical body is exhausted and not equal to > further spiritual experience, but when the soul is still pure in > its pursuit of Truth, one is conscious of dreamless sleep while > sl~ping. > Q.12. What is the state of consciousness of a person after > the so-called death of his body, viz., does his personality survive > and does he know that he is dead? > A. The answer to this is contained in the Word of God as > sent through his prophets. No living man can say, "Save His > Manifestations of Supreme Wisdom." In every cycle He has > sent One whose Word is Truth. > Q.13. How can the created beings of the waking world and > dream creatures of the dream world know their Creator and > dreamer? > A. The creatures of the waking world and the creatures > of the dream world are both real. The Divine Creator in His > Wisdom makes them known, one to the other. > Q.14. Is there any ultimate Reality, eternal conscious and > everpresent in all the states or worlds and can it be known > or realized by any such means that may be acceptable to all > creeds and religions and suitable to every human being in all > climes and countries? > A. There is an ultimate Reality. eternal conscious and ever > present, in all the states of the worlds. It can be known to all > creeds, religions and races. Duling the last century Reality > has appeared in the human world, outlining the foundation of > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 15 • > > the futu~ civilization, based upon the Universal Fatherhood of > God, and the Universal Brotherhood of man in the following > principles: > 1-The Oneness of mankind. > 2-Independent investigation of Truth. > S-The foundation of all religions is one. > 4-Religion must be theeause of unity. > 5-Religion must be in aecord with science and reason. > 6-Equality between men and women. > 7-Prejudiee of all kinds must be forgotten. > 8-Universal Peace. > 9-Universal Education. > 10-Solution of the economic problem. > ll-An international auxiliary language. > 12-An international tribunal. > This message was given to the world by Baha'o'llah over > seventy years ago, and these principles will become part of the > consciousness of man through the presence of Abdul Baha in > the station of servitude on the earth plane. > > Leave all things to take their natural course, and do not > interfere. Lao Tzu. > > Digitized by Coogle > 16 REALITY > > The Glory of God * > By Horaee Honey > > M y stars unleash their forces like falcons from the hill > To sweep through myriad courses, returning as I will, > Each with its time, its tether, its flight above, below. > Perfecting all together an aim they none can know. > From heaven unto heaven I guide their tireless way > On silent wings and even that falter not nor stray > Nor cross My firm decision nor pass My bound and goal, > Their leagues within My vision, their hours in My control. > On them I laid a duty of seasons without flaw; > Their gardens sow My beauty, their deserts reap My law. > Each drop and grain I make them, of sands and waters spilt, > And what is there to shake them, the worlds that I have built? > Ye race I raised of darkness more splendid than the sun, > All restlessness, all starkness, all perfect, all undone, > How have ye thought to leave Me who lands and waters give? > How have ye thought to grieve Me, the Life of all that live? > From error to worse error wherever ye have gone > I darkened in that terror to brighten in that dawn, > I cried in wind and ocean when ye were as the beast, > I fired each mad emotion whereby your sOQls increased. > Nearer than pain or pleasure, ye did not see My face; > Dearer than golden treasure, ye trod upon My grace; > Ye held My pure Creation an emptiness, a pit, > To damn with your damnation, ye weakest things of it! > But I who speak have hearing when all is dumb at last, > For them who know, revering, for who know not, aghast, > A Glory to the splendid, a Meeting to the friend, > A world unveiled and spended for him who veils the end. > Your hearts are now but mirror to My most ancient word, > Your vision grows the clearer for secrets yet unheard. > From season unto season your blinded paths afar > To shine like stars eternal above the nights that damn, > o peoples made supernal for Glory that I Am. > • Baha'o'nah. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 17 > Disclosed My hidden reason in man as in the star. > Life within life I made ye, an angel in a beast, > Hell within heaven laid ye, starvation at a feast, > That ye for purer water should thirst, and stronger wine, > Spent wolves grown sick of slaughter and craving to be Mine > In peace your own creation, for God your own desire, > When depth of desolation compelled ye to aspire. > My love is your true history and not these broken days > Your memory makes a mystery to startle and amaze: > My love that like a garden shall flower in its own rain > The fervent rose of pardon from darkened earth of pain. > My stars unleash their forces like falcons from the hill > But ye run longer courses through My more secret will; > To ye I gave My beauty, in ye I breathed My breath: > My love is all your duty, bright angels without death! > As rivers from the mountain wind surely to the sea, > Your lives, a scattered fountain, return at last to Me, > The Hands of Glory plan it, the Heart of Peace restores > For hates that were as granite the victory of your wars. > I make your fields be holy whatever blood is shed, > The mighty and the lowly shall lie upon one bed, > For they who would not center as angels to their trust > On humbled bellies enter My heaven for a crust. > The time and times are spended I held within the glass;. > The woes, ye earned are ended. and woeful seasons pass > And this your world of sorrow its empty shadows. rise > And that your glad tomorrow long hidden in the skies, > One day of one creation, unchanged till ye could change, > Uncovers every nation to Light no longer strange. > Already, see, what Glory shines bright against your brows! > The fond, incredulous story ye whispered house to house > Of Love they east in prison for murderers to deny, > Now Sun of Truth arisen, it flames from sky to sky! > For souls that would not falter in dread and drouth and dearth > I raise My fallen altar and reign throughout the earth, > From every radiant spirit the meek, unhonored guest > I summon to inherit new kingdoms of the blest. > I close the former pages, I fold the ancient scroll; > I yield My promised ages that ripen fruits of sou~ > > Digitized by Coogle > 18 REALITY > > Digitized by Google > á REALITY 19 > > < > :I > < > ID > .J > :J > o > ID > < 'a > I&. e: > Of > CIa > z~ > - II > t-ID > :Ie: > !:!- > ~EL: > III.!!' > :Iii: > t- e: > I&. II > o~ > CI > ~E > 111< > > > a: > III > :I > t- > O > Z > < > > Digitized by Goog Ie > 20 REALITY > • > > The Current Art > By Mary Hanford Ford > > T HERE is' no greater pleasure than to watch the current > exhibits which come and go in the great city of New > York, and observe the tendencies of the younger artists, > and in this way catch the growing color of the New Day. For > the artist is not simply an expression of personal genius, - he > is an open channel through which vibrates the collective spirit > of his day in one way or another. He does not know this as a > rule. He paints what he sees and feels, because he sees and > feels it, and would frequently be insulted if it were suggested to > him that he is a "channel". But the fact remains that he is > realist, naturalist, idealist, poet, spiritist, according to his day, > and he will be predominantly one or the other as his day deter- > mines. > Abdul Baha says - next to the messenger of God, art most > nearly expresses the language of God to man, and in "art" he > undoubtedly includes architecture and that colorful world of de- > coration which comes to us not only through the great murals > but through the great textiles as well, so that the rugs and tap- > estries of a country express its tendencies, as do its paintings, > sculpture and architecture. > Looked at from this point of view the art exhibits of the > winter and spring have been both delightful and in certain ways > disappointing. They indicate always a marvelous sureness of > technique. One feels that the American artist of today, both > man and woman, has attained everything in that direction; that > Whistler, Manet and Renoir have not lived in vain, and that > subtleties of color and movement are as a rule within the grasp > of the younger men and women as well as the older ones. > What one misses frequently in the exhibits is a conscious- > ness of the poetry of life, which the great realist must possess > as well as the idealist. Without it one can never become a true > artist. But through its presence the simplest bit of landscape > or portraiture is alive and unique. One need not seek sensa- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 21 > > tionalism if this present. George Luks has it, and whether > he is painting the Sand Artist, or Matehes Mary, or that ador- > able Pawnbroker's Daughter, which hangs now in the Metro- > politan Museum, or the self-complacent young Czecho-Slovak > Officer, who blazed forth in the recent exhibit at Kraushaar's, > he is speaking the language of the thinker, always forgetful of > the dealer. Usually this note is marked in the shows of the > younger artists, sueh as the members of the Whitney Studio > Club. This year one looked for its stronger appeara~ce, and was > disappointed. Perhaps the wave of reactionary feeling which > is flooding the" world has delayed it, and another year we may > find the artists speaking what they feel without regard to its > salability. > One very refreshing conviction gained from the season's ex- > hibits is that American art is at last firmly rooted in its own > soil and is producing a delightfully independent product. How- > ever, we may have imitated in the past, we are doing as we > please now. Victor Higgins' painting in Taos gives us Indians > and landscape translated through sensitive fingers, and paints > a land far from that interpreted by W. R. Leigl}, though the > two are in the same physical locality. R. Sloan Bredin from > New Hope is as different as possible from Robert Spencer > though both paint in the same town. > There is no doubt that the influence of the Independent Ex- > hibit, which for several years now has delighted the students of > real art in America, has been strong in its encouragement to > the individual painter. There was never a time in any country > when the power of the academic was less dominant than at > present in the United States. With George Luks and John > Sloan teaching in the Art League School, how can convention- > ality remain a ruling principle? Surely the young art must blos- > som under such tutelage. > Among the pleasures of the last month have been the un- > usual exhibit of the Architectural League at the Metropolitan > Museum, and the Bryson Burroughs exhibit at the Montross > Gallery. The former was significant not so much from its > architectural display, though this was unique and suggestive in > certain aspects, but because of its arrangement. The new wing > of the museum was utilized for the exhibit, and was admirably > > Digitized by Coogle > 22 REALITY > > transformed for the moment. Sculpture, painting and all the > decorative adjuncts of architecture were drawn upon to com- > plete the ensemble. The lower story with its wide spaces > seemed sometimes like a succession of delightful bowers in > which the spicy odor of pine branches carried one far from the > city's haunts, while other sections were like bits of the castled > life of ancient days'suggesting the knight and lady of the past > and their martial security. > There was a wonderful serenity about the entire environ- > ment. Beautiful textiles hung from the walls, and a girl sat at > the loom weaving similar fabrics. One felt another spirit per- > vading the place, quite different from the customary commer- > cialism of modern cities, and went away with the convietion > that beauty is not dead, and that commerce is not all powerful. > The Bryson Burroughs exhibit was interesting from several > points of view. In the first place, it indicated new vision in the > artist. The portrait of Edith Woodman. Burroughs hung upon > the wall in the place ~f honor. She was the gifted young sculp- > tor who took the prize for the Fountain of Youth at the Panama > Pacific Exhibition, and who died in 1916, a great loss to Ameri- > can art. The exhibit was like a tribute to her. The accompany- > ing paintings all dealt with spiritual themes, and as one walked > about the rooms one seemed accompanied by the great spirits > of the past,. who spoke again through an American. artist. Mary > Magdalen shone in three canvases. St. George and the Dragon > appeared in a distinctly new version; St. Martin and the Beg- > garman, a theme which both sculptor and painter have inter- > preted for centuries; The Holy Women at the Sepulchre, which > again takes us back to Giotto; St. Francis and the Angel, with > the Violin of Intolerable Sweetness; A Parable of St. Francis, > La Gioia Perfetta; A sea piece, and a farm scene with the distant > hayrack were like the "intolerable sweetness" of the angel's violin. > There were others also; The Three Kings and the Admonition, for > instance, all similar in mood and handling, all distinctly individual > and different from the old masters whom they suggest as sub- > jects. Neither Botticelli nor Fra Angelico could ever have > painted any of these canvases, though both have painted similar > subjects habitually. > > Digitized by Coogle > I~ > REALI.TY 23 > > In color the paintings were always interesting, and showed > that the artist had followed color symbolism. In technical treat- > ment they were amply sufficient, but gave. the impression that > their originator was more absorbed in the subject than its > method of handling. The profound feeling of the series gripped > the observer and brought to his recognition the fact that > through Bryson Burroughs the element formerly lacking in > American art had been seized and given expression. He was a > man who had studied the old spiritual tales with love, and pre- > sented them again with new passion. He had gone up the moun- > tain with St. Francis, had been with him like Brother Leo when > he received the stigmata, and so he could paint the lovely scene > and call it La Gioia Perfetta - Perfect Joy. Also he could paint > the angel playing the violin of "Intolerable Sweetness" so that > one felt that sweetness, and knew what it meant. . > This has not been done in American art before. It was the > vital note always lacking, and now that Bryson Burroughs has > made it sing, perhaps others will hear its melody, and bring > forth its power. > Another distinctive note of the same sort was struck in Vic- > tor Higgins' remarkable painting called Cireumferenees, which > hung in the Allied Artists Exhibit. It showed an aeroplane far > up among the planets. Across its course shot a comet, nearby > hung a small world. It was a vivid limning of infinite distances. > full of air, of light, of etheric suggestion. It might have been > named The Place of the Placeless. > > Whoever makes the fewest persons uneasy is the best bred > of the company. Dean Swift. > > Digitized by Coogle > I > > 24 REALITY > > Good News > T HERE is much to discourage the human mind to-day. > Clouds of impending disaster, overshadowing premonition > of evil, conflicts of will and opinion from every quarter, > knowledge of injustice existing in all countries, cruelty of op- > pression, deceit and duplicity fro:pl high sources, hatred and rev- > olution festering in the souls of millions of down trodden human > beings whose lives and liberties have been subordinated to the > greed' of the few, an unrest and dissatisfaction rapidly spreading > throughout the world, - but to counter-act these distressing > features, there is "Good News" to be gleaned in the knowledge > that thousands of minds are sensing and developing the prin- > ciples of Unity, the elimination of pt;ejudice, and the harmonious > .blending of seemingly conflicting ideals. Gathering from all > points of the globe in conscious effort in some instances, in > others following a subconscious urge to produce order in a dis- > ease ridden world, these souls, fearless in their devotion to > ,.Universal Service are pointing the way to the solution of the > ~fficulties which beset the human race in this, the close of a > .fW~Je of madness and the beginning of a cycle of progress - real > ~ss - based upon a spiritual understanding of the Law > which will inevitably produce. a higher and more lasting material > development than the world has yet witnessed. > bS"lJi'Mdo.Ilowing extracts representing many different types of > m.~..J2trm~ basis of hope. > > President Harding. and Vice-President Coolidge on Religion > "I like to go to church every Sunday morning. My early > training was in the Methodist Church. Later my mother be- > came a Seventh Day Adventist. In mature life 1 became a Bap- > tist. 1 have been a trustee in Trinity Church for twenty-five > years, but my interest is not limited to my own church. 1 love > to go to a ritualistic service. I like to go to the Episcopal > Church. I like ceremonial. I have enjoyed going to great Ro- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 26 > > man Catholic services. All the expressions of religion are whole- > some in American life. I enjoy all these, though I belong to the > freest church in America. I wish every man in America would > attend church. I wish men would be as much interested in the > churches as they are in their own business. > "I don't like to talk about religion just for the sake of con- > versation, but I do believe we need more of it in our American > life, more of it in our American Government, the real spirit > of it." > To these words of President Harding it is fitting to add those > of Vice-President Coolidge: > "Religion is the essential. The community without the > church goes to pieces. I have seen it again and again in New > England. Our Nation was founded by men who came over for > the sake of religion. They made it what it is. Our Nation can- > not live without morality and morality cannot live without re- > ligion." > > Extracts from "The Jew and American Ideals", Publishers > Harper & Brothers, by John Spargo > (Taken from The Morning Telegraph) > In his book, "The Jew and American Ideals," just published > by Harper & Brothers, John Spargo, a Gentile, tells us what the > ultimate result of the campaign of Henry Ford to engender a > . hate of the Jewish people in this country will be if the American > .people allow themselves to be influenced by it. Pogroms as ter- > rifying and revolting as those which sickened humanity in Rus- > sia in 1891 and again at- Kishinev in 1903 -will be staged here in > America. The Kishinev outrages were the direct and logical > outcome of a similar campaign of calumny and hatred against > the Jews. > > Ford and his sympathizers pretend, of course, that pogroms > would be impossible in this country and that, "transplanted in > American soil, anti-Semitism will change its character and will > not take the form of mass violence." > > Digitized by Coogle > 26 REALI.TY > > "Not a single fact or historical example is cited in support of > this optimistic theory," says Mr.' Spargo. "There are fine > phrases about the 'genius of Americanism', and 'the innate jus- > tice of the American mind,' but tliat is all. And these fiDe > phrases can be easily and adequately dispOsed of by the simple > observation that anti-Semitism, like all' other fonus of race > hatred, is incompatible with 'the genius of Americanism' and > with 'innate justice.' > "These seem to me to be self-evident truths. Nevertheless > we have had many bitter manifestations of race hatred in this > country, not a few of which have been attended by mass vio- > lence. When I reflect upon the savage race riots which have 00- > cured in this country, and the numerous lynchings of negroes by > infuriated mobs, I cannot bring myself to accept the easy opti- > mism of the anonymous Jew-baiter. Even as I am writing these > lines the morning newspaper comes to hand with the account of > the lynching of three negroes, one of them a woman, in > .Georgia." > > Conceding Mr. Ford's contention that pogroms would be left > out of the anti-Jew program in this country, Mr. Spargo replies > that the plans for discrimination and persecution which are set > forth by him are entirely antipathetic to Theodore Roosevelt's > ideals of Americanism which he called "the historic American > position of treating each man on his merits as a man, without > the least reference to his creed, his race, or his birthplace." > "I am opposed to anti-Semitism," he writes, "not alone for > humanitarian reasons, but as a matter of loyality to America. > Anti-Semitism is treason to the American ideal." > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 27 > > From "New York American": > Irish Are Able to Rule Selves, Says Chesterton > ''The Irish are able to govern themselves, just as is any > other Christian group," Gilbert K. Chesterton asserted last > night in a lecture in the Apollo Theatre on "Ireland and the > Confederate Parallel." He said: > "England's action toward Ireland has been generally stupid, > sometimes even wicked, and almost always indefensible. Had > the Irish question been handled wisely in the days of Gladstone, > the present struggle would not now be waging. > "England's intense nationalism is the primary cause for her > fear in not giving Ireland her freedom. No parallel exis~ be- > tween England and Ireland as did between the North and the > South during the Civil war in this country." > > From ''The Globe" - by Dr. Frank Crane: > Who Will Move First? > Baron Lee, First Lord of the Admirality of the British Em- > pire, who is the same Lieut. Col. Arthur Lee who was military > attache in Washington in the late nineties, made a significant > .speech the other evening at a dinner given by the Institution of > Naval Architects in London. > "If America invites Great Britain to a conference," he said, > "to come to an agreement on the naval question, I am prepared > to put aside all other business in order to help that matter for- > ward, for there can be no more pressing business in the affairs > -of the world." > ''It is hard to believe," he continued, ''that those who were > fighting side by side to save civilization are now going to build > -navies against each other, if for no other reason because it > would be so ridiculous and so silly." > I quote this because it is such a joy to find one of the High > and Mighty breaking out and talking horse sense. > Sometimes we get wholly discouraged, seeing that Presi- > .dents, Senators, Prime Ministers and Editors continue to fill > > Digitized by Coogle > 28 REALITY > > their mouths with sawdust, i. e., to talk of anything else than > the One Thing that the world and every nation therein need, > which is to Disann. > In a world bankrupt, morally collapsed, smitten with famine > here and folly there, on account of war, that statesmen should > hesitate one moment to put aside the implement and cause of > their ruin, would seem to argue a world gone mad. > "I join issue," said the Baron, "with those who say we > should not discuss the question of hostilities between the two > great English-speaking nations. This is a subject about which > we ought to be thinking, thinking day and night, with 'the fixed > intention of making it impossible." > From my seat, away up in the gallery in the back row, I rise > and yell as loudly as I can, "Hurrah!" > "The only point to be settled," he also said, "is who is to > make the first move." > That is easy. The Gentleman, of course, always makes the > first move. That nation that is the strongest-hearted, surest of > itself, and most conscious of nobility, will make the first move. > It is always so. The great are quick to trust, the petty hesitate. > Meanwhile what words of scorn and Contempt are strong > enough to characterize those miscreants who cease not to busy > themselves sowing the seeds of hate and suspicion, which, when > they have matured, bear the hideous and deadly fruit of war? > > The true gentleman is the man who does not pride himself on > anything. La Rochefoucould. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 29. > > From "New York American" > Bishop Warns of Capitalist Peril to Nation > Michigan Prelate, in Sermon at Cathedral Here, Says Interests > Seek Control of United States - Plan to Muzzle Progress - De- > portations of So-Called Extremists Declared to Constitute > "Foulest Page in u. S. History" > > Bishop Charles D. Williams, of Michigan, yesterday ar- > raigned capitalistic interests and declared they were see~g to > control the United States through what he termed an invisible > government. . > He devoted his sermon in the Cathedral of St. John the Di- > vine to an indictment of commercial interests. He said these > were trying to control matters outside the proper sphere of their > activities. > Prefacing his attack with comment on unrest in this country > to-day, the Bishop said: > "The United States to-day is in the control of an invisible > government. We are in a reign of commercial conscience and > the rule of the American business men. I respect the American > business man in the sphere in which he belongs, but I will not > admit or concede his leadership in economics, politics or sociol- > ogy, and more particularly in education or religion. We are > threatened with a regime of reaction." > > Describes the Unrest > Bishop Williams then sketched conditions under which > Americans went to European battlefields and depicted the .unrest > which followed the armistice. He said: > "America's soldier dead cry out for the realization of the > vjsion for which they fell, while we are threatened with this re- > gime of reaction. The demands of peace are as great as those > of war." . > The speaker then said that American industrial leaders are > attempting to stem the tide of industrial evolution. He de- > clared: > > Digitized by Coogle > so REALITY > > "In England they are working out a system of industrial de- > mocracy. But here in America they insist there must be no > (:hange in the status qu~. Every advocate of a change must be > suppressed, they insist. Every exponent of progress must be > muzzled, they cry. > Move to Crush Labor > "The open shop movement is to crush labor, right or wrong. > The attempt is as futile as sitting on the crater of a volcano. It > will inevitably turn into a sudden revolution, because they at- > tempt to stifle the equality of opportunity. > "Business men are seeing red. They commenced seeing red > with their drive on radicalism. They branded every one who > had a progressive thought as a 'parlor Bolshevist,' and persons > have been secretly arrested by paid spies on manufactured in- > formation and often deported without cause. > > Men Unjustly Deported > "I investigated several of these cases in Deroit and I found > persons supposed to be dangerous radicals to be but simple, ig- > norant foreigners unaware of what was being done to them. It > is the foulest page in American history. The very principles of > Americanism have been undermined by this hysteria and panic. > This is the work of the invisible government." > (A fearless man breathing the true Christ Spirit of tolerance > and brotherhood. - The Editor.) > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 81 > > The Press > By George LatiJDer > > "No pleasure is comparable to the standing > upon the vantage ground of Truth." > Bacon. > > T RUTH has ever been the theme of prophets and poets. It > gives courage to the brave and fearless; its knowledge, > says John, "shall make us free." > Yet we know but little of the Truth about ourselves, much > less of others, and we relish not its hearing. Can it be that we > have lost all sense of proportion and have become impervious to > just valuations? > We live in a land of freedom of thought and speech and our > motto is "In God we trust" - but do we? > Is Truth to be the Light of Guidance, the morning star, or > is public opinion, moulded upon the lethargy and distorted > judgement of man to be the standard for Justice? > The world moves quickly giving us but scant time to record > the passing events and profit by their lessons. We are lazily > content to allow the newspaper or current periodical to think > for us. This the press, the beacon light on the tempestuous > waves of conftictings thoughts and fancies, becomes the stand- > ard for Truth. > In the words of the poet: > > "The Press! the Press - the glorious Press, > It makes the world anew, > And it will bring the millenniu~ on > And give us then to view, > The end of war, and lasting peace > When sheathed shall be the sword. > And men shall call this hamPered earth > . The "Garden of the Lord." > > Digitized by Coogle > , > REALITY > > O! ever in thy columns bright > Let Truth and virtue blend, > Be ever, ev~r in the right, > Be ever labor's friend. > His strong and honest arm shall be > Thy bulwark in distress, > God bless the Land of Liberty, > God save our country's Press. > > Is this fact or fancy? How often has the Truth been mar- > tyred by this same glorious press and public opinion misdirected. > We may assume that either the press acts in ignorance or know-- > ingly witholds the real facts. > The prophet says: "The dissemination of high thoughts is > the motive power in the arteries of this transitory world; yea, > it is the soul of all peoples." > Herein lies our hope - the editor of the newspaper. Freed > from personal and political prejudice, he becomes tlie greatest > factor in civic life for the promotion and welfare of the individ- > ual, the state, humanity. He is the champion of human rights, > rich and poor, the mighty and down-trodden alike share in his > 'stand for upliftment. Fads, fancies, time-worn and misleading > ,slogans give way before his mighty pen to the realities of life. > > "Theories which thousands cherish, > Pass like clouds that sweep the sky; > Creeds and dogmas all may perish, > TRUTH herself can never die. > > In the words of Abdul Bah a : "The editors of the news- > papers are the guardians of the rights of man. They are the > champions of the 4pOor and the protectors of the wronged ones. > They are the crusaders after righteousness and moral purity. > They are the advance guards of the rennaissance of education > .and arts, and the pioneers of the higher development and spir- > itual unfoldment. They are the first and most effective instru- > ments for establishing good relations. and real understanding > > • > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > betweeen the most remote nations of the world. Through their > sympathetic and deep-searching words, they must remove the > misunderstandings that exist amongst the religions, races and > countries. From ever so many standpoints, they must prove to > the satisfaction of their readers that all mankind are the chil- > dren of One God; that all humanity are the creatures of God; > that His Bestowals have enveloped every individual, and that > all of them are submerged in the ocean of the Mercy of the Al- > mighty. > "The utmost is this: One person is sick, he must be treated; > another soul is ignorant, he must be instructed; another person > is a child, he must attain to the age of maturity. > ''The editors must exert themselves in the spiritualization of > the moral aspect of the human life. They must be ihe heralds > of the oneness of the world and the teachers of true brother- > hood. They must incite and encourage the people in the exer- > cise of love, tolerance, chastity and good-fellowship and teach > them to shun hatred and animosity. They must speak the > words of truth, breathe the air of truth, live i~ the realms of > truth, dream the dreams of truth, be clothed with the robes of > truth and soar in the atmosphere of truth. They must be the > soldiers of truth, be married unto the truth, be an~ous to learn > the truth, see everything with the eyes of truth, hold fast to the > truth, be the mirrors of truth, spread the majesty of the King > of Truth, propound the immortality of truth - for truth is the > essence of life, truth is the image of the eternal, truth is the > correct comprehension of all things, truth is the Saviour of > mankind." > Let us be freed. > > Those whom Heaven would save it fences around with gen- > tleness. Lao Tzu . > > • > > DigitizedbyGoogle . > -84 REALITY > > The Drama > N EW YORK has become even more than formerly the dra- > matic center of the United States, for since the immense > development of the moving picture industry many thea- > tres throughout the country are given over to the films. > There are certain traditions in regard to the taste of the > New York play loving public, which necessitate the production > of "Jazz". Some theatrical managers cannot be convinced that > the people want anything else. But New York has such an > enormous and insatiate theatre loving public, that there is op- > portunity for many experiments. Probably we will always have > the Follies, but fortunately we have much else, and during the > last two or three years a predilection for serious plays has been > manifesting itself, which cannot be ignored. > Of course, we have in New York the Theatre Guild, most > artistic center for the production of good plays, the Greenwich > Village Theatre, the Provincetown Players, the Yiddish Theatre. > so there is always a current of serious creation beneath the friv- > olous surface of the city stage. > This year the contrasts have been unusuallJ' marked, and > the popularity of serious plays has been noticeable. For in- > stance. - Drinkwater's "Lincoln" has been a p'ay attracting > great crowds, who were refreshed by the ideals it frankly pre- > sented. Frank Bacon's "Lightnin'" is in its third year, and it is > a play where one laughs but also thinks, for underlying its en- > tire structure is a beautiful and true philosophy of life. > The Theatre Guild this past winter presented Bemard > Shaw's "Heart-Break House", the most terrific criticism of mod- > ern civilization this audacious thinker has ever created. The > cntics as a rule condemned it utterly, but the people loved it, > and crowded its aisles as long as it was given. > The one great play of the year which the people failed to > understand, because the critics bewildered them with false in- > terpretations was Barrie's beautiful "Mary Rose". It was put > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 35 > > on during the flood of the psychic wave, and the public did not > awaken to its subtle and poetic message, which is that life and > nature are a unity, and that spiritual doors are only closed by > our own lack of sensitiveness. The play is full of the mystery > of nature, the mystery of life, the presence about us of power:s > and laws which escape us, and which the material mind cannot > understand. Yet the public was told that it was written to > prove the absence of communication between the two worlds, > and so failed to comprehend its true import. > It would be more just to express the tendency of the play > as declaring that there are many worlds within worlds, and that > we only become aware of their existence as we grow less ab- > sorbed in the outer one. The play deals with the old tradition > of fairy abduction. Mary Rose, when a child of twelve, is car- > ried away by the fairies, is lost to the distracted parents for a > month, and then mysteriously returned to them, having no rec- > ollection of her absence. > When she grows to marriageable age and a lover appears, > the parents reveal the mysterious absence to him, and after two > years of ideally happy marriage, during- an excursion to the > little Scottish island where the earli~r abduction occurred, Mary > Rose disappears again, leaving a baby boy and a broken hearted > young husband. After thirty years she reappears, only to find > death immediately, and her uneasy spirit haunts the house > where she had lived, seeking the baby for whom her heart > longs. > The play opens áwith the deserted mansion where this trag- > edy has occurred, which is for rent; and difficult to rent be- > cause it is believed to be "haunted". A youth in khaki arrives > to look at the house. He is Mary Rose's grown up baby. He > has been through the war, and has come back seeking the > "folks" he had run away from in childhood. Sitting by the fire- > side in semidarkness, all the preceding story passes before him, > and the drama is given us with its lights and shadows, as it > rose in his mental vision from the subtle suggestion of the sur- > rounding walls. > At last his mother comes, the uneasy "discarnate" one, not > spiritually grown enough to u~derstand all that has passed. He > shows her that he is the one she seeks, and she goes away at > > Digitized by Coogle > 86 REALITY > > last amid the strains of weird uncanny entranciIig music to > those "fields of asphodel" from which we only return at most > important moments. > Such a rapid resume of this exquisite play is .insufficient, but > it shows the constant interplay of the worlds upon one another, > and the value of the sensitiveness within ourselves which ren- > ders us independent of the so called "medium". Is this not > what Barrie means to convey? > Another great poetic play of the season has been the Belasco > production of "Debureau", which has been one of the artistic > and successful achievements. It is from the French of Sacha > Guitry, arranged by Granville Barker, and b~ngs back to us the > romantic days of the early 19th century, when the world was > bathed in sentiment and Welt-schmerz, when George Sand and > Victor Hugo were well known figures,. and when the abounding > ideals of the men were symbolized by the expanded crinoline > costumes of the ladies. It is a most beautiful and poetic play, > devoid of false sentimentality, and rich in real feeling. It brings > before us the stage and the tragedy of the actor's life, the dif- > ference between life and its stage enactment in most touching > fashion. Lionel Atwell as "Debureau" has created a definite > personality, very human, very true to life, and always true to > the age he was representing. "Debureau" is a play of the past > in which the human note sounds for the present as well, and > this lends to its sentiment an added interest. > It is always refreshing to discover on the American stage, a > play which is distinctly American, and this has come us in the > drama of Miss Lulu Bett, staged from the novelet of Zona Gale. > It is a play full of vivid characterization, and bringing before > the observer all the nuances of the small town life in America. > Lulu Bett is the spinster who becomes a drudge in the fam- > ily of her married sister, marries unexpectedly after every one > had given up though~ of such an event, returns to her position > of drudge upon discovering the husband had at one time an- > other wife and is not sure she is dead, and finally awakens to > permanent happiness through the discovery that she is the only > living mate of the man she really loves. > Upon this dramatic skeleton of the clever little play is > moulded situation after situation of American habit, character- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 37 > > istic, meanness, generosity, selfishness and kindness. Louise > Closser Hale won a great success as the mother of the play, and > Carroll McComas created a unique role as Lulu. William E. > Holden played the part of Lulu's brother-in-law and future hus- > band, without much spirit, but as a rule the various characters > were enacted in such fashion as to render the village ensemble > singularly perfect. > The spirit of the novel Main Street by Sinclair Lewis, is ad- > mirably put upon the boards in "Miss Lulu Bett", and both are > surely full of warning against that instinctive cenSoriousness, > which is bred of a narrow mind. > > Notable Comment > (The following clippiny from O1le of the leading dail)1 papers will > be read u!ith interest by the many friends of Dr. Krug in this and > foreigtl countries, where he is widely known both in professional and > intellectual circles.) > > Surgeon to be Abdul-Baha Aid > Dr. Krug wiD Abandon Large and Lucrative Practice - May > Tour with the Prophet - Eminent Physician is to Become Mis- > sionary in Palestine > Believing that Abdul-Baha, leader of the Bahai movement, > fulfills the prophecy 'of the New Testament and will lead hu- > manity to peace and truth, Dr. Florian Krug, who has offices at > 615 Madison Avenue, a celebrated surgeon, will abandon a large > practice and his home here and go to Haifa, Palestine, to devote > himself to the religion to which he has become a convert. > Fall is the time set for the departure of the Doctor and Mrs. > Krug, Mrs. Krug said yesterday. > Dr. Krug's conversion to the Bahai religion has not been > sudden, says Mrs. Krug, who, at her home at 129 East Sixty- > > Digitized by Coogle > 38 REALITY > > ninth Street asserted that her husband had gradually abandoned > the agnosticism of his early life to adopt the teaching of Abdul > Baha, which she accepted sixteen years ago. > > May Tour with Prophet > Dr. Krug intends to retire from the medical profession, al- > though Mrs. Krug admitted that he might do some surgical > work in Palestine. A world tour for Abdul-Baha is now con- > templated, Mrs. Krug said, in which event she and her husband > would probably accompany the prophet. > Dr. Krug, who is 62 years old, was educated in Germany and > came to this country twenty-five years ago. He is on the staffs > of Lenox Hill and Mount Sinai hospitals as well as having a > lucrative private practice. Before her marriage Mrs. Krug was > Miss Grace Crossman, daughter of W. H. Crossman, a New York > merchant. > Mrs. Krug said it was in April, 1920, while on a tour of > Palestine with ten friends from New York and Philadelphia that > the physician visited the prophet at Haifa and became converted > to the religion which had been his wife's for so many years. > The party were guests of Abdul-Baha for twenty-four days. > > Entertained Prophet Here > The religious leader visited New York in 1912, Mrs. Krug > said, and was a guest in the Krug home while here. At. that > time, said the physician's wife, the prophet predicted the com- > ing of the world war. > Abdul-Baha was kept a prisoner in Haifa for many years and > was liberated by the Young Turks in 1908. Haifa nestles at the > foot of Mount Carmel near Akka, the city of the Crusaders. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 89 > > Bahai Activities > The Monday evening meetings of Mrs. Florian Krug and > Miss Ann Boylan continue at the Bahai Library, 416 Madison > Avenue. > > Tuesday evening, Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford presides at the > Bahai Library, 416 Madison Avenue. > > The Wednesd8'y evening public meetings will continue. > > Friday evening meetings are conducted by Miss Juliet > Thompson. > > The Bahai Forum is open ,to the public on Sunday evenings. > These meetings begin at 8.15 sharp. All welcome. Come and > bring your friends. > > A definite program for the next three months is being ar- > ranged by the Consulting Group of the Bahai Library. This > program will consist of addresses by notable speakers within the > circle of the Bahai friends, noted scientists and public men and > women throughout the country. Due notice will be given > through the columns of REALITY, the newspapers and an- > nouncement cards. > > Attention is called to the fact that on the nineteenth day of > every month a feast is held in the Bahai Library, 416 Madison > Avenue, to which the public and the friends are cordially in- > vited. The Bahai Revelation attaches great importance to the > law of hospitality, and the followers of Abdul Baha are required > to perform this obligation every nineteen days. Owing to the > > Digitized by Coogle > 40 REALITY > . > many meetings held in the Library, it was found impracticable > to hold this feast every nineteenth day, as it conflicted with > other meetings, but the Library has set aside the nineteenth > day of every month for this purpose. These feasts are largely > attended and produce a spirit of love and harmony. It has been > found to be beneficial to the friends themselves and they have > manifested to the strangers, the love and cordiality which the > knowledge of the Bahai Revelation gives to its followers. We > earnestly hope you will avail yourselves of this invitation. > > A copy of REALITY was sent to a large business house in > Germany, calling attention to a certain advertisement. The > sender was amazed to receive the following sentence incorpo- > rated in the reply: > "We herewith take pleasure in acknowledging receipt of > REALITY, a magazine which has aroused our greatest interest. > May these ideals spread rapidly throughout the world, especially > in Europe in order to save the whole of Europe from the' spirit > of hatred which is blinding the nations, and may your noble > country be a saviour to the terrified human experiences now > ruling in this part of the world." > > REALITY takes pleasure in extending its hearty greetings > and welcome to the publication "Bahai News" of Bombay, India. > It is interesting to note the increase in magazines dealing with > the Bahai principles. We have in this country "The Star of the > West", "REALITY", "The Children of the Kingdom" and > "The Teachers' Bulletin", - in Japan "The Star of the Ea.~t", > and now in India "The Bahai News". The last five have come > into being during the past three years. May the number ever > increase. This first copy of "The Bahai News" contains the fol- > lowing aecount of the All-India Bahai Convention held in Bom- > bay in December 1920. > > Report of the First All-India Bahai Convention Held in Bombay > 27th to 29th December, 1920 > The Convention of the Bahais of India opened on the morn- > ing of the 27th of December 1920, in the Bahai Assembly Hall, > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 4J > > Fort, Bombay, at 10 a. m., with Professor M. R. Shirazi of the > Karachi College in the Chair. Among the delegates were the > representatives of almost all the principal religions of the world > and the Indian Bahais came from nearly all over India. Miss > Elizabeth H. Stewart, an American Bahru, was also present. > The Session opened with a prayer which was followed by the > address of Jenabe Mirza Mahmood Zarqani, the Chainnan of the > Reception Committee. He welcomed the delegates and described > the history and the aims of the convention in eloquent Persian. > He said that the idea originated with the Bahais of Poona who > were desirous of spreading the cause in India by holding a Con- > vention of the Bahais in India. They wrote a small pamphlet > about it and sent it to all the believers all over India and a sup- > plication was also submitted to His Holiness Abdul Baha during > the war and a tablet was received. > Owing to the war, the Convention could not come off in 1919. > Some of the prominent Bahais were also absent from India and > so the holding of the Convention was postponed till December > of the year 1920. > Jenabe Mirza Mahmood then read a telegram which was > received from His Holiness Abdul Baha (saying, Convention > Blessed, hoping greatá results follow - Abbas). The speech > ended with a beautiful Persian poem composed by the speaker. > Th~ President elect Prof. Shirazi of Karachi then delivered > his Presidential address in Persian and said that this Conven- > tion was the Spiritual ,Parliament of the Bahais of India and > had been organized with a view to spread the Bahai Cause > throughout the length and breadth of India. He then dwelt > upon the importance of asking Abdul Baha to visit this country > of establishing a Mashrak-el Askar in India and of starting > schools for the education of the Bahai children and of sending > out teachers to all parts of India for teaching the Cause and > said that the Convention should take up these questions for > discussion and that a definite programme of work for the en- > suing year should be decided upon. • > > A series of lectures on different subjects were arranged for > the people of Bombay in the interest of the Bahai movement > and were very largely attended. Among the prominent men > > Digitized by Coogle > 42 REALITY > > who attended was Professor Patrick Geddes of the. Bombay > University, who also addressed the Convention on the evening > of the 29th of December. Miss Elizabeth H. Stewart was an- > other distinguished speaker. > > (Times of India, 30th December, I920) > "Prc;>f. Geddes referring to the cardinal doctrines of Bahaism, > praised the characteristics of Abdul Baha when he came in 'COn- > tact with hin1 during his visits to Haifa and Akka in connection > with town-planning, and when they asked for a plot of land for > a school, he gave it to them very generously, which was a gift > to the children of the soil. He then referred to the Pro-Jeru- > salem society which, he said, would help the Bahai movement > to a great degree. They had another society there called the > Pro-Carmal society which had representatives of every religion > on it." > > REALITY takes pleasure in announcing the beginning of > the work on the addresses of Abdul Baha, delivered in America. > This compilation will be a most important addition to the Bahai > literature, and we are indebted to Mr. Howard MacNutt for > this work of love and service. > Notices will appear from time to time in the columns of > REALITY as to the progress of the work and the time of its > completion. . > > The following will be read with interest by many of the > friends. > Portion of Tablet - Received by Howard MaeNutt > April 26, 1921 > "The Library which has been founded by Mr. and Mrs. > Deuth is very productive. It is my hope that Mr. Deuth, the > editor of REALITY, will be confirmed in his service toward the > Mashrak-el Askar. > Abdul Balla Abbas. > > Digitized by Google > REALITY 48 > > New Lines of Interest > REALITY intends to widen its boundaries as far as pos- > sible. The activities of the world are manifold, and the seed of > a new evolution is genninating everywhere, .the bubbles of the > coming spiritual civilization are penetrating the dark waters of > materialism. To note these evidences' of new life is always in- > teresting, and departments are to be added to the magazine with > that end in view. > Henceforth each number of the periodical will contain an art > department and one devoted to the drama. The art section will > be under the management of Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford, and the > dramatic section will be taken care of by the editorial force at > present. > We wish to correlate the forces of the New Day, and bring > into evidence those heavenly tendencies which are rapidly trans- > fonning darkness into light - and tradition into illumination > and glorious aehievement. This is manifest in every direction, > but sometimes remains unobserved unless the careful student > declares its presence. > REALITY is the Herald of the New Time, and wishes to cry > out, wherever the light appears. So the additional departments > will be edited with a feeling born of sympathy and not too much > hampered' by tradition. > > Digitized by Coogle > • > > REALITY > > Very Special-and Important! > Dear REALITY Reader: > As a good friend, you are, of course, interested. in seeing > REALITY grow and prosper. Has it ever occurred to you the > importance of answering the advertisements that appear in > REALITY? We need not tell you that when a person adver- > tised in our magazine, he pays his money because he wants to > sell or put himself in touch with possible purehesers of his > goods. > The advertiser judges the merits of a publication by the > number of inquiries he reeeives. You can, therefore, appreci- > ate this important fact; namely - to write each new adver- > . tiser and tell him that you read his advertisement in REAL- > ITY, that you would like to get further particulars. This > shows the advertiser that REALITY is being read, that it has > a personal following. > Here is a splendid service you can render REALITY at the > eost of only a two eent stamp. This will enable us to get the > advertiser to sign a contract for consecutive advertising, which > means a substantial revenue for REALITY. 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BOOK SHOP JOHN WANAMAKER > 575 Madlaon Ave., New York City Philadelphia, Pa. > A. C. McCLURG CO. O. O. WOLCOTT > 330 E. Ohio St., Chicago, ilia. 417 Rookery Building, Spokane, > MUTER &. GROSSART Wash. > 112 E. Market St., Warren, Ohio > > PATRONIZE > THESE DEALERS i > REALITY PUBLISHING CORPORATION > THEY ARE > HELPING US > > Digitized by Coogle > 48 REALITY > > CLOUDS DISPELLED > will help clear mind of ignorance and superstition. Your > Higher Self demands enlightenment. It will help you. > You will be delighted. Send name at once. MAILED > ABSOLUTELY "FREE. > The Brotherhood of Li~ht > BOX 1525 LOS ANGELES, CALIF. > > UNION HALL RESTA URANT > 1591 SECOND AVE. > Between 82nd and 83rd Streets NEW YORK OTY > > Meeting Rooms, Pleasant Surroundings, Moderate Prices > Best Hungarian cooking in town > Telephone Lenox 1878 JohH LilaH, Prop. > > SCHOOL OF THE CHEMISTRY OF LIFE > Dr. George W. Carey - Inez Eudora Perry > 6012 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, Calif. > TWO GREAT BOOKS: > "GOD-MAN, The Word Made Flesh" > With large physiological chart in colors.. Last word on physical > regeneration - Price $6.00 > C"!'HE CHEMISTRY and WONDERS of the HUMAN BODY" > The wisdom of the ages along lines leading to physical > perfection - Price $4.00 > > GENEVA RESTAURANT > Channing Surroundings-Moderate Prices > > Excellent Cuisine > > 143 West 44th Street F. WINNAI, Prop. > > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle. > REALITY 47 > > ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• > > The .Brass Check > A Study of American Journalism > By Upton Sinclair > > Who owns the press and why? > , > When you read your daily paper, are you reading facts or > propaganda? And whose propaganda? > Who furnishes the raw material for your thoughts about > life? Is it honest material? > No man can ask more important questions than these; and > here for the first time the question s are answered in a book. > The first edition of this book, 23,000 copies, was sold out > two weeks after publication. Paper could not be obtained for > printing, and a carload of brown wrapping paper was used. The > printings to date amount to 144,000 copies. The book is being > published in Great Britain and colonies, and in translations in > Germany, France, HoUand, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, > Hungary and Japan. > Single copy, 60c postpaid; three copies, $1.50; ten copies, > $4.50. By freight or express, collect, 25 copies at 40c per copy; > 100 copies at 3Sc; 500 copies at 36c; 1,000 copies at 35c. > Single copy, cloth, $1.20 postpaid; three copies, $3.00; ten > copies, $9.00. By freight or express; collect, 25 copies at SOc per > copy; 100 copies at 76c; 500 copies at 72c; 1,000 copies at 70c. > > Published by the Author, Pasadena, Califomia > New York Office: 3 East 14th Street > Chicago Agency: Economy Book Co., 33 S. Clark St• > > ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > 48 REALITY > > , > COOK s > TRAVEL SERVICE > ESCORTED TOURS AND CRUISES > INDEPENDENT TRAVEL > B~NKING AND EXCHj\NGE > INSURANCE > HOTEL COUPONS > AERIAL TRAVEL > AUTOMOBILE TOURS > BAGGAGE AND CARGO SHIPMENTS > COOK'S TRAVELLERS' CHEQUES > > Special Facilities > for Travel in > Egypt, Palestine, etc. > We Invite Correspondence > > THOMAS COOK & SON > NEW YORK > PHILADELPHIA BOSTON CHICAGO LOS ANGELES > SAN FRANCICSO MONTREAL TORONTO > I'AKCOUl "ER, B. C. > > Offices and Correspondents Throughout the World > > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > .Devoted to the > .... _«<- ...Ao • > > of Pr4!judice, > Religious, Racial and Class > > A Magazine of Constructive Thought > > A Visit to Sir Abdul Baha > A ~esaage of Light, > The Symbolism of the 8abai Temple > What Shall We DoáWith Our Prisoners > > JULY, 1921 PUBLISHED MONTHLY II CENTS > > r] ~opyright, 1921, by Reality P.blishing Corporation > V.tt > > THE ONENESS OF MANKIND > -- > TWELVE BASIC > BAHAI PRINCIPLES > > 1. The oneness of mankind. . > 2. Independent investigation of truth. > 3. The foundation of all religions is one. > 4. Religion must be the cause of unity. > 5. Religion must be in accord with science and > reason. > 6. Equality between men and women. > 7. Prejudice of all kinds must be forgotten. > 8. Universal peace. > 9. Universal education. > 10. Solution of the economic problem. > 11. An international auxiliary language. > 12. An international tribunal. > > These twelve basic Bahai principles were enunciated by Baha'o'llah > over sixty years ago and are to he found in his published writings of > that time. > > Digitized by Coogle > The Bahai Movement > Rapidly spreading throughout the world, and attract- > ing the attention of scholars, savants and religionists > of all countries-oriental and occidental > , > For the information of those who know little or nothing of > the Bahai Movement we quote the following account translated > from the (French) Encyclopaedia of Larousse: > > B.AHAISM: the religion of the dla- Atheists a better social organization I > clples of Baba'o'Uah, an outcome ot Baha'o'llab represents all these, and > BablsID. - Mirza Huslan All Nuri thus destroys the rivalries and the en- > Baha'o'Uah was born at Teheran In mities of the different religions; re- > 1817 A. D. From 1844 he was one of conciles them In their primitive > the first adherents of the Bab, and de- purity, and frees them from the cor- > voted himself to the pacifiC propaga- ruption of dogmas and rites. For Ba- > tion of his doctrine In Perala. Atter haism MS no clergy, no religious cere- > the death of the Bab he was, with the monla.I, no public prayers: Its only > principal Babls, exiled to Baghdad, and dogma Is belief In God and His Mani- > later to Conatantlnople and Adrlanople, festations. . .. Tbe principal works of > under the aurvelIIance of the Ottoman Ba.ha'o'llah are the Kltab-ul-Igban, the > Government. It waa In the latter city Kltab-ul-Akdas, the Kltab-ul-Ahd, and > that he openly declared his mlulon, •• numerous letters or tablets addressed > and In his letters to the principal Ru- to sovereigns or to private Individuals. > lers of the States of Europe he In- Ritual holds no place In the religion, > vited them to join him In establishing which must be expre88ed In all the > religion and universal peace. From this actions of life, and accomplished In > time, the Babls who acknowledged him neighborly love. Every one must bave > became Babals. The Sultan then exiled all occupation. The education of > him (1868 A. D.) to Acca In Palestine, children Is eriJolned and regulated. No > where he composed the greater part of one has the power to receive confes- , > his doctrinal works, and where he died slon of sins, or to give absolution. The > In 1891 A. D. (May lI9). He had con- priests of the existing rellgtons should > fided to his son, Abbas Effendi (Abdul- renounce celibacy, and should preach > Baha), the work of spreading the re- by their example, mingling In the life > ligion and continUing the connection of the people. Monogamy Is universally > between the Babals of all parts of the recommended, etc. Questions not treat- > world. In point of tact, there are Ba- ed of are lett to the ctvll law of each > hals everywhere, not only In Moham- country, and to the decisions of the > medan countries, but also In all the Balt-ul-Adl, or House of Justice, In- > countries of Europe, aa weU aa In the stituted by Baba'o'llah. Respect toward > United States, Canada, Japan, India. the Head of the State Is a part of re- > etc. This Is because Baba'o'llah has spect toward God. A universal > known how to transfonn Bablsm Into language, and the creation of tribunals > a unlverlal religion, which Is presen- of arbitration between nations, are to > ted aa the fulfilment and completion of suppress wars. "You are all leaves of > all the anctent faiths. The Jews await the same tree, and drops of the same > the MessIah, the ChrIstlaM the re~m sea," Baha'o'llah has said. Briefly, It > of ChrIst. the Moslems the Mahdl, the Is not so much & new religion, &S Re- > Buddhists the fifth Buddha, the Zoro- ligion renewed and unified, which Ia > astrians Shah Bahram, the Hlndoos directed today by Abdul-Baha.-Nou- > the reincarnation of Krishna, and the veau !..arouese IIIustre, supplement. > L-1I5 p. 60. > > Digitized by Coogle > BUST OF LOUIS BOURGEOIS BY PAOLA S. ABBATE > To whom the world is indebted The noted Sculptor whose work i. > for the first new note in architec- well known to lovers of art in this > ture since the 13th century-in the country and abroad. This, one of > form of the Universal Temple un- his latest models, is a masterpiece > der construction in Chicago. of surpassing insight and execution. > > Digitized by Coogle > Edltol'll > REALITY Consulting Editors > Albert Vall > Mary Banford Ford > EUGENE J. DEUTH Howard MacNutt > W ANDEYNE DEUTH Rlcbard Manuel Bolden > Horace Rolle7 > Winifred M. Schumacber > PUBLISRBlD MONTHLY BY > Reality Publishing Corporation > 418 ..... uon AYeaUe Tel. Vanderbill 45'7 New York, N. Y. > KapDe J. Death, PresldeDt Herold S. RoblDson, Sec'y ... Treas. > Single Copies, 2S c:entL Sold at all NewastandL > Subscription, $3.00 per year > Money Orders Payable to Reality Publishing Corporation > . 416 Madison Avenue, New York Ciiy > CoPl'l'lgbt, 1111. bT Reall~ PubllahlDc CorporatloD > Entered . . Second CIau Matter, AprIl IS, 1911, at the Post omoe. > New York, N. Y., under the Act of Marcb Ird. 1879 I > _____________________________________________ J > h!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iii!!!!5!!ii!!iiii!!!!lll/ > > VolmneIV. JULY, 1921 No.7 > > Contents of July Issue > > A Visit to Sir Abdul Baha ...._................_..._ ..._..._........... Patrick Geddes > Justice to the Negro ._......._...._...._..._...._...._...._ .. _..._..._...._..... The Editor > Convention for Amity Between the > Colored and White Races ....._...._.._...._...._..._...._...._..... Howard MacNutt > A MesseDl'er of Light ....._...._................_...._.........._...........Lawrence Huston > Symbolism of the Temple ....._................_.........._..... Mary Hanford Ford > What Shall We Do with Our Prisoners ....._...._..... Adolph Lewisohn > The Current Art ..........._._...._..._..._.........._...._.........._..... Mary Hanford Ford > From the Bustan of Sadi ....._....__ .._................_...._...._..... Howard P. Hurlbut > Remembered Talks with Abul Fazl ....._...._...._....__... Mrs. J. Stannard > (Cairo) > The Drama > Bahai Activities > > O'i9itized by Coogle > REALITY > > Justice to the Negro > I F capital punishment is allowed under the law of this country, > by what line of demarcation does a Negro hang for murder, > and a white man go to jail, having been eonvicted of many > murders with the possibility, even probability of being pardoned > in a few years. > The name "Negro" is used here, as a name of áwhich the > colored race should be proud, instead of shrinking from it, as > so many do. The Asiatic race is "colored," but we speak of the > East Indians, the Japanese, the Chinese, and they do not take > offence at the name of their race. It is for the Negro to make > their name one of importance to the world by exhibiting those > constructive qu~lities which are theirs by nature. The poten- > tialitiesand attributes of this race are as noble as any of the > earth. There are thousands of instances when individuals and > groups of individuals of the Negro race show a lack of civiliza- > tion and depravity, but is this not true of any race, particularly > of the white race? > Can history point to a World War instigated by the Negro'l > Given the fact of their suppression, the tryanny exercised > over them by the whites of America, the lack of education al- > lowed them, the limitations put upon their development, is not > their record, taken as a whole, above the standard of other > races? Forced into the Western World by the white race, who > cowed them into slavery, this crime is a blot upon the so called > civilization of the world. Volumes can, and have, been written > upon the atrocities perpetrated upon them here and in Africa, > but the evolution of the human mind spiritually developing > along the line of elimination of prejudice, is focusing the atten- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > tiOD of humanity upon tail" play and justice to this race. It > is right and proper for them to be punished within the law, for > erime, just as other individuals should be punished, but any > State or community which shows injustice or partiality in its > administration of the law should receive the eontempt and dis- > &pprol"aJ of all other states. > This is the day of hidden things being brought to light, and > the oppressed of the earth coming into their own. The instance > of a Governor of a Southern State ])a'I'doning Negroes for the > purpose of taking them in peonage should open the eyes of the > country to the crying needs of investigation and protest against > such methods as employed by politicians and men in positions of > power, so that the future will hold no such opportunity of mis- > use' of that power. > We are gJad to see the stand taken by Geo!'lia, headed by > Governor Dorsey. We believe that 0Dly through such fearless > action by such brave men can the real civilization be born. We > knew the difIlculties besetting his path at every tum. His fiPt > will be a bitter and lengthy one, but his example will blaze the > trail for other noble souls to follow in his footsteps. Governor > Dorsey's revelation of 185 instances of mistreatment of Negl'oes > by white men in Georgia and his statement that the number of > cases would be greatly increased by an investigation, shocked > Georgia, but when you realize that Georgia is only one of the > States in which such instances oceur, and that the other States > are not fortunate in having enlightened Governors, this thought > should shock the entire United States. > No one who has heard of the brutalities committed during > the last two years in Chicago and Washington should rest until > the government itself investigates every race riot and brings > those guilty of the murder of innocent persons to the bar of > justice regardless of whether they are white or colored. Many > who read this will say that "a mean Negro is the meanest man > on earth." That is not true. A mean Negro is not half as crafty > and cunning as mean individuals of other races. The meanest > man in the world can be white, yellow or black. If the people of > the South resent the independence of the Negro, gradually awak- > ening to the idea of liberty and equality, they should remember > > Digitized by Coogle > ~. REALITY > > the fact of a century of injustice which rankles and makes more > pronounced th~ characteristics. . > Governor Dorsey's report is being circulated over Georgia, > but it should be circulated over the United States. The com-á > mittee on' this report is composed of prominent ministers and > leaders of thought above criticism and known for their efforts > to advance humanity. The press in nearly all parts of .the coun- > trY is approving the ciunpaign. > Will Urge New Laws > The governor, in his final message to the l~slature in June, > will urge enactment of laws to remove county officers that permit > lynchings to take place, and the repeal of the labor contract > law, which aids white farmers to hold Negroes in peonage. > There is, however, a great weight of public opinion that de- > sires no change and will oppose it. Of course, the rural popula- > tions want the Negro kept in his present position, for they can > only benefit by it. Heretofore they have had a free hand for > murder, mistreatment and brutality in every form. Anyone > knowing these mountaineers of the Southern States, kn~ws their > lack of education and animalism. Witness the feuds still exist.- > ing in Kentucky and Virginia. Imagine the state of mind of > one who is described as a wealthy and well educated farmer > operating a large plantation in Georgia who expresses the fol- > lowing views: > "I do not believe the Negro could be treated differently than > by the system of holding him to his labor contract by the aid > of county officials and forcing him to work even when he takes > a notion he wants to quit. He voluntarily agrees to work > throughout a season for a house and his clothing, gets all of his > food and supplies from the farmer's commissary. If the labourer > receives no money as compensation, what becomes of him at the > end of the season? Must he steal if he cannot find work, or > must he starve? Continuing, this wealthy gentleman says: > "In the middle of the season he decides to move away and > has no feeling of responsibility for the debt he has run up at > the commissary. What are we going to do? We couldn't afford > to let him go. If he becomes insubordinate the only thing to do > is to punish him." > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 7 > > Has he not worked during the time of his eating, or do those > gentlemen of Georgia charge more for their food than the law > allows? And if the Negro becomes dissatisfied at his treatment > and wants to quit, is there any law in the Constitution of the > United States which allows bodily punishment for the exercise > of free will? This statement, representing a type of mind pre- > valent in the South should arouse the righteous indignation of > every lover of liberty in this country, and each should petition > the Government to hunt out such law breakers, backed by politi- > cians, and bring them to justice. > The following account of well deserved honor bestowed upon > the Fifteenth Regiment is but one of the many instances in > which the Negro has displayed loyalty, courage and a fine de- > velopment of the highest ideals of manhood and citizenship > which entitle him to respect, equality and appreciation. > The Editor. > > Honor Negro Fifteenth > Flag aad Wreath Presented to Regiment in Central Park > > A regimental flag, donated by Lafayette Post 140, G. A. R., > and the Union League Club, and a wreath of poppies as a "sou- > venir" from France, were presented to the "Fighting" Fifteenth > Regiment of negro National Guardsmen yesterday afternoon > when they were reviewed by General Nelson A. Miles on the > sheep meadow in Central Park. The colors were presented by > General Miles and the poppies by Consul General Gaston Liebert. > The ceremonies were witnessed by nearly 10,000 people who > gathered around the meadow. Two of the most interested spec- > tators were Colonel W. W. Haywood, the "father" of the regi- > ment, who organized it, took it to France, where it won dis- > tinction, and then brought it back to the United States, and > Colonel William J. Schieffelin, who succeeded Colonel Haywood. > The present eommander of the Fifteenth is Colonel Arthur > Little. > > Digitized by Coogle > 8 REALITY > > In presenting the colors General Mil. reealIed that the > Fifteenth Regiment, then the S09th Infantry, lost 388 killed and > 246 wounded, but not a single prisoner nor an inch of ground. It > received 184 individual decorations, and the regiment itself was > decorated by the Frenchá Government. > > Convention for Amity-Between the > Colored and White Races > By Howard MacNutt > ~ "Convention for Amity between the Colored and White > I ~s," held May 19, 20 and 21, iná the Congregational > Church, 10th and G Streets, Washington, D. C., must be > viewed in the clear light of its fundamental purposes and out.- > comes. From the uplifting Invocation with which Rev. Dr. Jason > Noble Pierce opened this great Congress until the spiritual > apotheosis with which Jenabi Fazel Mazandarani brought its > final session to a close, an unmistakable, vibrant Power was > manifest, surging through hearts and minds, speaking in ton- > gues of pentecostal flame, purifying, sanctifying the outer and > inner being of those present with the heavenly fire of divine > love. > The Convention was projected and organized under the > beneficient guidance and spiritual counsel of Abdul Baha, by Mrs. > Arthur Jeffrey Parsons of Washington, to whose untiring energy > and exceptional capability its success must be directly attrib- > uted. Although it was a pure Bahai Convention in purpose and > principle, no mention of the Bahai Message was made from pro- > gram or platform. This was in accordance with Abdul Baha's > instructions. Nevertheless, those whose ears were attuned to > the melodies of the inner voice and whose eyes were opened by > the collyrium of divine enlightenments, could perceive the man- > ifestation of Abha Splendor in plan, spirit and outcome. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 9 > > It would be fair to state that the Convention if viewed by > the outer powers of mind only, and estimated by mere intellectual > valuation, brought forth little that was new in the question of > unity, fellowship and adjustment between the colored and white > races. With super-eloquence and cogent, irresistible power of > oratory, speaker after speaker outlined the existing conditions, > made mention of the friction and antagonism between these two > factors of our commonwealth and citizenship, probed, proved and > analyzed from standpoints, philosophical, psychological, politi- > -cal, patriotic and religious, the cause and reason thereof, re- > viewed the history of the colored race and pictured the blighting > shadow of slavery upon our civilization. What the white man > has done for the colored man, and the measure of appreciation > due in return by the black man was emphasized and accentuated > over and over again. What the black man has done for the na- > tion which emancipated him,-his splendid record. during the > recent war, his remarkable educational development during the > last half century, his natal endowment and temperamental ca- > pacity, his potential powers now awakening into forceful activ- > ity,-a1l these and everything else appertaining to the great > central question of the Convention, of how to establish harmony, > fellowship and real equality between the two races, were fully, > completely set forth by senators, clergy and laymen in varying > degrees of eloquent expression. Nothing remained unsaid. The > diagnosis of symptoms was complete; the ailment admitted and > announced; there was no variance of opinion. The plummets > of physical and psychical investigation had sounded every > depth; yet no mention of the remedy. > But though the outer tongue was silent and the Message > of the Abha Kingdom unspoken, and notwithstanding the real > source of healing and remedy, the divine solution of these prob- > lems and conditions had no mention until near the close of this > Congress of the two races, and even then obscurely, this very > restriction of silence was eloquence itself, making the Reality > d~ubly manifest and intensely evident through avenues of intui- > tive spiritual perception. That is to say, the plan and provision > of the Covenant of God for the oneness of the world of humanity > were now blazoned upon the heaven of human hearts and re- > fl.eeted from those inner sanctuaries of consciousness where > > Digitized by Coogle > 10 REALITY > > "God rests when he comes into paradise." Abdul Baha had > spoken in the realm of spirit; the heavenly bestowals had > descended; the beloved Center of the Covenant had revealed him- > self in the beauty of holiness; the Sun of Truth had risen with > healing in his wings,-''the evidence accomplished, the argument > manifested, the reason affirmed." Blessed were those who > knew! BI~d indeed were those who perceived and understood. > The program of the Convention was varied, wisely arranged > and interesting throughout. All the subjects were universal. In > addition to the addresses, music had prominent place, especially > the melodies and soul-inspirations 'which have so long charac- > terized the colored race. To the musician and psychologist > gifted with inner and intuitive perception of this temperamen- > tal people, the effect of their songs was deeper and stronger > than words of mere description could convey. It is hoped that > later on there will be an extended analysis and exposition of this > impressive factor of the Convention proceedings, for its eon- > tribution to the success of the racial meeting was beyond esti- > mate. When Anton Dvorak sought inspiration for his ''New > World Symphony," he found a pure source in these ''heart > songs" of the colored people. Constituting as they do the real > folk-lore of the race and reflecting an antiquity of history long > antedating their environment in southern plantations, these mel- > odies intrinsic with spiritual beauty and fervor created a pro- > found ilI)Pression. To those who recognize in them the patient > sacrifice and spiritual offerings of the race to this great Day of > Reality wherein every people and kindred shall contribute to- > ward the creation of a new humanity, the truth, sincerity and > pathos poured forth in them are prophetic of that unity which > is not born of human will and mental adjustment, but lies fOI\- > ever natal and potential in the human heart. That one like Bur- > leigh should rise out of the race itself to crystallize these folk- > melodies in musicianly setting seems now to have been forein- > tended and inevitable. Hearing them the heart is touched and > drawn away from sordid complexities, bringing us back to sim- > ple, pure, conscious realization of God. Listz said, "When I play > Bach, tones corne up from the strings which I cannot find in > the score." > > Digitized by Coogle > • > REALITY 11 > > To specify speakers and singers, or comment in detail upon > the program is not necessary. The purpose of the Convention > was realized and all contributed worthily toward it. A manifes- > tation of the underlying spirit of unity through love by which. > alone the races may come together in harmony and fellowship, > pervaded aU the sessions. Its presence was real, actual, unmis- > takable. While statesmen, clergy and ethical sages are evolv- > ing plans and theories of inter-racial reconciliation and atti- > tude, the fragrant breathings of the Holy Spirit are being > wafted in such gatherings and assemblages as the Convention > in Washington. The heavenly Bounty is descending, divine > ideals are upraised and standards of unity established among > the nations. Sincere faithful souls are gathering in practical > demonstration of allegiance to the benign laws of the Covenant. > Inter-racial unity, fellowshi», brotherhood and democracy of > the divin:e kingdom are unfailing evidences of the heavenly be- > stowals so long promised and indicated in the Holy Books. With- > out these bounties and bestowals, the peace of nations and one- > ness of the world of humanity are impossible of realization and > attainment. > Standing upon the platform at the close of the Convention, > the writer of this hurried. inadequate report looked down upon > more than a thousand faces filled with the divine light of unity > and love. It was an impressive overpowering visioná of the > Spiritual Kingdom. Racial, religious, national, political preju- > dices were effaced; the oneness of the world of humanity was > manifest and enthroned in these human hearts. .The words of > the beloved Center of the Covenant, Abdul Baha had found a > blessed realization, "If men could only learn the lesson of mu- > tual tolerance, understanding and brotherly love, the unity of > the world would soon be an established fact." > Mohammed gave a blissful picture of Paradise and the Di- > vine Kingdom: "Ye shall sit upon thrones facing each other. All > grudges shall be taken out of your hearts; all grudges. Your > salaam shall be Peace! Ye shall love each other freely. What > you see in your brothers eye will be heaven enough." > > The p,.og,o.mme of The Convention is given in po.,t, u.s it Will undoubt- > edly be of inte,.est to the ,eooe,s of REAUTY. > > Digitized by Coogle > 12 REALITY > > Convention for Amity Between the Colored > and White Races, > May 19, 20 and 21, Congregational Church, 10th and G Streets, > Washington, D. C. > Half a century ago in America, slavery was abolished. > Now there has arisen need for another great effort in order > that prejudice may be overcome. > Correction of the present wrong requires no army; for the > field of action is the hearts of our citizens. The instrument to > be used is kindness, the ammunition-understanding. > The great work we have to do and for which this convention > is ea11ed is the establishment of amity between the white and > colored peoples of our land. > When we have put our own aouse in order, then we may > be trusted to carry the message of universal peace to all man- > kind. > > Program > > n > Thursday Evening, May 19th > Chairnian, Mr. William H. Randall of Boston > Invocation _..._...._...._...._.......... _...._.........._..... Rev. Dr. Jason Noble Pierce > Musie-"Great Day of God." > Address-"The Relation of the Times to World-Wide Peace" > Senator Samuel M. Shortridge > Address-"The Radiant Century of the Passing of Prejudice" > Mr. Albert Vail of Chicago > Heart Songs of a People ..... _..... Dunbar Community Singers > Mr. W. Scott Mayo, Director > Story of the Songs ....._...._.... _...._...._...._..... Mrs. Gabrielle Pelham > Solo--"Nobody Knows"; "Bye and Bye" .._._...._...._....Burleigh > Mrs. Henry Grant > Solo--UMauuny" ....._..._...._...._...._.._ ........._..__ Will Marion Cook > Master Lenore Cook > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 18 > Friday Morning, May 20th > Chairman, Mr. Albert Vail of Chicago > Address-'-rb.e New Co-operation" " > Honorable Theodore Burton > .Addresa--"Racial Understanding" > :Mr. C. Lee Cook of Louisville > Violin Solo-'-rb.e Gypsy Song" ___._._ S. Coleridge Taylor > Mr. Joseph Douglass > Addresa--"The New Springtime" __._._._ Mr. Louis G. Gregory > > Friday Evening, May 20th > Chairman, Dr. A. L. Locke" of Howard University > Addres&-"Duties and Responsibilities of Citizenship" > Honorable Martin B. Madden > Music-Miss Lulu Vere Childers, Dean Howard University > Conservatory of Music, will present the Howard Univer- > sity Choras in excerpts from "Hiawatha Trilogy" by the > Anglo-Mrican composer, S. Coleridge Taylor. > Address-'-rb.e New Internationalism and Its Spiritual Factors" > " Mr. Alfred Martin of New York > > Saturday Morning, May 21st > Chairman, Mr. Mountfort Mills of New York > Prayer _~._____.._ ..._...._.__._.__._..___...._...._..._ ..__.__..___.... Ora Gibson > Address-"A New Pathway to Universal Peace" > Mr. William H. Randall of Boston > Vocal Solos-(a) "Thou Art Risen" ......_. S. Coleridge Taylor > (b) liThe Warrior" _........._..._....__.._....__... Burleip > Dr. C. Sumner Wormley > Address-"Bible Prophecies of Universal Brotherhood" > Mr. Ahmad Sohrab of California > > Digitized by Coogle > 14- REALITY > > Saturday Evening, May 21st > Chairman, Mr. Howard Ma~Nutt of Brooklyn > Address-"Colored Poets and Their Poetry" > Mrs. Coralie Franklin Cook > . Music ___-..__._...._ .._...... Howard University Glee Club > Mr. W. Roy Tibbs, Director > "Just You," "Deep River," "Go Down, Moses" ....._..... Burleigh > Address-"The Solution of the Race Problem in the Orient" > . J enabe F8zel Mazandarani of Persia > > The Symbolism of the Bahai Temple > Mary Hanford Ford > > - T HE great Bahai temple, the construction of which has really > begun in Chicago, will interest every one in the beauty of > its symbolic story, as soon as its walls rise into the air. > The symbolism may of course be rea4 with perfect clear- > ness in the perfection of the temple model, which is the com- > plete temple in miniature, and which is now on exhibition at > the Art In.stitute in Chicago. > We have been accustomed to declare in New York, "The > temple model is a personality, it talks," or as some people pre- > ferred to say, "it sings," but no one would apply to it the tenn > "frozen music," because its musical impression is so wann, > vibrant and living, that it is impossible to think of anything > frozen in its presence. > All who are familiar with the building of the temple model, > through Louis Bourgeois, its architect, are aware that it is > purely a work of inspiration. Louis Bourgeois is an architect > of wide experience, culture and learning. He has been for years > first an eager student of spiritual truth, and then a follower of > Abdul Baha. So he is naturally familiar with the religious sym- > bology of mankiild. But he did not create the remarkable sym- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 15 > > boJism of the temple model. He recogni~d it with joy, after > it appeared through his gifted fingers in the intricate and beau- > tiful tracery of the temple o~entation, or structural com- > binations. But he did not say, "here I will put a triangle, there > a circle, yonder a nine-pointed star/' In such a ease there would > have been merely an awkward juxtaposition of significant forms, > without beauty, for beauty, which the temple model expresses in > such entracing degree, is the gift of God, and comes only from > Gcd. > In the first place the temple model is a nonagon, or nine > ~ded structure, with nine doors, nine ribs in the dome, nine > openings on each side, etc. All the dimensional numbers of the > temple are related to nine. Thus the height of the great temple > in the original plan will be 860 feet, its diameter 450 feet, which > both make nine. In order to discover the spiritual integer of a > number, we add its units together and continue the process un- > til a single unit is obtained. > Nine is the number of perfection, both in the ancient nu- > merology of Pythogoras and the Kabbala, and in that of tb > present day. In the earlier systems, 9 is a complete numerical > cycle, which repeats itself again and again. Thus 9 and 1 make > 10--9 and 2 make 11, etc. In the older systems 9 represented > the highest perfection of man, while 10 stood for God and man > united as in the Messiah. In the Bahai symboliSm 9 adds to > its own power that of 10, because it stands for the Glory, or > Baha, which is God. > It is actually formed by the word Baha, the glory, because' in > the Arahic language letters are numerical symbols also, B is > 2-A is 1-H.is 5-and A is 1 again, and the consensus of all > makes nine. So the nine doors of the temple symbol~ the per- > feet number of paths to God, and thus unity in the Glory of > Baha, and the prevalence of nine in the numerical structure of > the temple creates heavenly unity in its vibration. > 19 is the Bah's number for Unity, and 5 is the number of the > Bah himself. So these numbers reappear constantly. There > are 18 steps at each of the nine entrances of the temple, which > with the completing doorway make 19-and each door-a 19- > becomes a recurring symbol of the Bab himself, because as we > remember, Bab is a title meaning a door between heaven and > > Digitized by Coogle > 16 REALITY > > earth. There are nine openings on each of the nine sides of the > temple on the first and second stories, producing the number 81 > or spiritually 9, and S small doors on each side of the third > story making 27-or 9 again. There are 9 columns on the first > story, 9 buttress ornaments on the second, 9 ribs to the great > dome, so that one never can escape the heavenly presenee of the > 9. It becomes the emblem of perfection, more definitely exem- > plified in the Bahai teaching than ever before; as the 9 reflected > through Baha or the Glory, it becomes the emblem of the divine > messenger upon earth, Baha'o'llah, Christ, Zoroster, Moses, ete. > The surfaces of the temple are covered with a geometrical > ornamentation, exquisite in character, and sufficiently interest- > ing from its beauty alone. These traceries, when examined, are > made up of the most beautiful combinations of the triangle, the > square, the circle, the Swastika cross, the Greek cross, the R0- > man cross, the five pointed star, the six pointed star, the glori- > ous nine pointed star, and last but not least the looped life sym- > bol of the old Egyptian hieroglyphics which was carried by the > priests in the sacred processions of the worship of Dionysos in > Greece. > The Swastika cross is perhaps the oldest religious symbol. > Originating in sex ideas it became indicative of the divine crea- > tive fire, and ,life, and the looped cross of the Egyptian hierogly- > phics is one of its modifications. The Roman cross with the > elongated arm has become the symbol of sacrifice through its > relation to Christ. There is a lovely row of Swastikas around > the base of the dome, repeated again toward its top, and these > will show brilliantly, when it is lighted at night. > The triangle has been from time immemorial the symbol of > the great trinity, the Essence, the Orb and the Messenger, > or God, the Father, or Logos, and áthe Son, as Christ puts it. > The six pointed star or double triangle is thus the symbol of the > heavenly Sun or Logos behind the earthly messenger. So that > the old orthodox Jewish Rabbis say today, "we have always had > the six pointed star, but we are looking now for the five pointed . > star, the Messiah." The five pointed star has been for ages the > symbol of the earthly messenger. Abdul Baha says in the Tab- > let of the Ring, "the two stars (of the ring symbol) represent the > divine origin and also the human personality of The Bah and > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 17 > Baha'o'llah, because the human being like the star has five > points, the head, the two arms and the two legs." > The triangle has another symbolism, and a very beautiful > one, that of humanity with its base upon the earth and its point > reaching up to heaven, and this is also a part of the heavenly > meaning of the six pointed star. The five pointed star was used > by the early Christians as the symbol of Christ, and the C1'088 > came later with the introduction of theology into Christian > teachings. > The cilde has been from very ancient periods the symbol of > iDfiqity and eternity, and is commonly seen upon the temples of > India, especially associated with the serpent of the past. The > square is the old kabbalistie symbol of realization or manifes- > tation in earthly form for the microcosm. or human, while 8 or > the cube is the symbol of realization for the Macrocosm. or Di- > vine Man. The glorious nine pointed star is of course the sym- > bol of divine manifestation belonging to the new day. The tem- > ple itself is a nine pointed star. Looked at from an aeroplane it > would seem a great star dropped upon the ground, and when > lighted at night all its nine points will appear brilliantly. The > Dine pointed star forms the beautiful rose like top of each win- > dow and door of the temple's lower story, while at the center > of each star gleams the decorative lettered form of the Great- > eat Name with which we are all familiar. This will be always > illumined and shining, 80 that the Glory of the Most-Glorious > will penetrate every worshipper who enters the temple. A > larger replica of the same illumined symbol forms the center > in decoration above the doors and speaks again of the meaning > of the great temple. > There is a charming story in Hindu mythology to the effect > that when the great God Brahm finished his avatar on this > earth, he did not ascend, but went to sleep in a lotus flower until > it should be time for him to awaken for another mission to > mankind. Over the low archway of each entrance to the temple > is a delicate and graceful tracery which attracts the eye, and > when one examines it, there is revealed a succession of lotus > flowers, and in ~he center of each is the looped symbol of life, > which comes to use from Egypt and Greece, and appears here > again as the note of awakening, of resurection in the lotus flower > > Digitized by Coogle > 18 REALITY > of the world. It is singularly fitting that the story of Brahm > . should be recalled in the decoration of the temple of mankind > and should arise there under the symbol of life, because the > temple contains in its glorius ensemble the unity of all faiths. > and the aspiration of all hearts. > There is an ornament in the dome which appears also in the > upper part of the columns and is unlike any other portion of the > decoration. It is a whirling succession of elongated circles, and > Bourgeois says that in drawing the dome -especially, he would > begin to think of the orbits of the planets and their whirliDlr > spaces, and then his fingers would create these wonderful lines, > as his thoughtS roamed among the stars. Thus a new symbol > has been added to those of the past, which might be ealled that > of the unity of the heavens. > The structure of the temple is such that at night all its 8Ul\o > faces will be a b1u! of light. Its decorations are cut completely > through the terra-cotta substance, which is to be lined with > transparent glass, so that at night each column and buttress > ornament as well as the stars and crosses and "milky waT' of > the dome, will shine forth like an embroidery upon the dark- > ness. So the temple will be veritably a temple of light in this > day of resureetion, of brotherhood and new civilization. > The 9 ribs joined above the surface of the dome are like > hands clasped in prayer, Bourgeois says, and in the space be- > tween their union and the rounded top of the dome proper, will > shine a great electric light sending forth 9 bars into the dark- > ness of the night, and fonning a glorious illumined climax to the > beautiful nonagon structure. - > > Digitized by Coogle > -REALlTY ,19 > > What Shall We Do With Our Prisoners:~ > By Adolph Lewisohn > To the Editor, Reality, New York City: > We hope for a better understanding in the treatment of > prisons and prisoners, but before a great deal can be done, how- > ever, we must have the public conscience aroused to the fact that > our prisons do not exist merely for punishment. They really > should furnish means and methods for refonning the men sent > to them. To sentence a man for a tenn of years so that he is > deprived of his liberty is in itself a pu~ishment to him. But > to return him to society without teaching him useful labor, with- > out instilling within him a desire to go straight and without > improving his attitude towards society is, after all a system > by which -society punishes itself. Nothing has been accom- > plished beyond "paying the man back" for his offense against > society, and the discharged prisoner starts in to "pay back the > state." It is an endless and vicious circle. The man returns > to prison over and over again. He remains as a liability to the > state and never becomes an asset. > There are three sides to every man-physical, mental and > spiritual. In anyone or two or even all three expressions, a man > may be born weak or crippled. Society has done wonders for > the physical side of man. The marvelous skill of a surgeon, and > the preventive serums of the scientist bear ample testimony. > We have made a splendid start in a study of mental diseases. > There is yet much to learn but the progress in the last twenty- > five years has been remarkable. In the matter of spiritual or > character rehabilitation we have little to offer a man beyond the > profound truth "that man must be bom again." In other words > that he must be regenerated and that to a very large measure > this regeneration must come from within the man himself. > Those who believe in better prisons to make better men > advocate improved prison buildings, more sanitary methods of > living, somewhat better quality of food, discarding of stripes, > elimination of continued solitary confinement, etc., in order that > > Digitized by Coogle > 20 REALITY > > the State may not be positively ashamed of itself for bl'OtaI > treatment of its unfortunates. In other words, society does not > llke to think of unpleasant things; and brutality, filth, vermin, > prison degeneracy, dungeons, diseases, etc., are unpleasant > things. > Now most prisons have praetica1ly e1iminated these very > obvious unpleasant features which offend the eyes of Society, > with the result that we are beginning to have excellent prison > buildings and equipments, in short, we are gettina- good prisons > and by means of sanitation, baths, dining room., and other ma- > terial things, we are commencing to make good prisoners. > But the larger problem to solve is how to make good men > out of good prisoners in good prisons? > It is to answer, at least partially, this question that the > Prison Survey recommended a more adequate educational pro- > gram, a system of vocational training, a payment of a wage for > work well done, and a partial realization of the principles of self- > expression. Society is coming to the point where it will no longer > be difficult to retain within their walls men who make model > prisoners. But the test of the prison and the prisoner come > after the man is discharged. If the State sends him out broken > in spirit and ruined in health and vocationally handicapped be- > eause of his long absence from modem methods of working, then > the State has robbed him of more than was written in the wa.r- > rant. The State sentenced him for a term of years and not.for > a life term of impaired lungs, heart, spirit, brain or hands. If > the State sends him out in good health, in good spirits, with > trained hands and an understanding mind, the State has made > a liability into an' asset. It is a paying investment. The State > is making well behaved ciphers through the exercise on the part > of prisoners of negative virtues. Let us put digits of labor, edu- > eation, wage incentives in place of ciphers throuth the exercise > of positive virtues. > > Digitized by Coogle > .. > > REALITY 21 > > A Message of Light > To Janabe Fazel Mazandarani > By Lawrence Huston > > E A.GER light-hearted students crowded into a lecture room > of a Canadian University to hear the word of an Oriental > philosopher. The great square hall was soon astir with > that peculiar ante-lecture sound combination of swishing skirts, > banging chairs, the flip of turning pages and the buzz of half- > a > suppressed voices. All were excited awaiting novel experience, > for a visit from a professor of an Oriental university was a rare > event in canada. > But Jean Sheridan, sitting in the far window comer by her- > self, felt no tremor of pleasurable anticipation. Aimlessly, she > had followed the class into this extra noon-hour lecture. Droop- > ing shoulders, dark circles traced by sleepless nights beneath > trouble shadowed eyes, and the unhappy downward curve of her > lips expressed the weariness of a soul face to face with the big- > gest crisis of her life. > "Why, oh why, are human beings so treacherous and so un- > kind to each other?" was the cry wrung from the agony of a > young heart meeting its first real sorrow. > In the enthusiasm of an ardent desire to improve her col- > lege, Jean had led a demand for reform in the residence condi- > tions of the woman students. Pure and altruistic though the > spirit of the agitation was, it failed. Of what avail is even the > passionate fervour of youth, when pitted against the relentless > rock of a vested interest? In an effort of self-preservation, > those whose comfort was threatened by the proposed reforms, > had set afloat an ugly rumor as to the motive of the leader of the > rebellion, and this had grown with the rapidity and the certainty > of a persistently pushed snow-ball until it had thoroughly dam- > aged Jean's position lJIIlong her fellow students and thus sue- > cessfully blocked the path to change. The soul of Jean was > sickened by this first encounter with the poisoned weapons of a > long established order. > > Digitized by Coogle > • > > 22 REALITY > > The sweetness of girlhood had fled from her heart and pain > had rolled itself into a hard knot of hatred in her mind. She > wanted revenge. She craved power to make the enemy suffer > as she had suffered. It was the face CJf a bitter woman who > looked out upon the campus. She wished, because she knew > revenge was impossible, that she, like the maple leaves lured > by the autumn winds from their haven of the tree-tops, could > be swept by some unseen force far away to a lovelier land of > untroubled life. > She tumed from the window with a start, suddenly realizing > that the Dean had entered, accompanied by two gentlemen, dis- > tinguished by the olive complexion of Westem Asia. One of them, > the elder, wore a long black Cl&ssock-like robe and a white fez. > The radiance of this man's face left Jean amazed and disturbed. > Something in his personality shook her out of the absorbing > interest in her own trouble, and made her feel ashamed of the > longing for revenge which had reigned so supremely in her mind > until within the last few minutes. > "What is happening to me 1" she wondered. "I have never > met anyone before who made me feel ill at ease." > Abruptly she rose, becoming suddenly conscious that her > head was throbbing with pain. She wanted to get away from > this disquieting influence and out into the healing fresh air. She > left her place at the window and crossed the room moving ~ > wards the door. As she alWroached the centre of the room she > met the eyes of the Oriental philosopher. He smiled upon her, > and the strange happy beauty of the smile told Jean she must > not leave the hall. In the front row there was a ávacant seat > and Jean, almost like one in a trance, took it. > The leeture, on the new conditions of womanhood in Persia, > was begun. The address was given in the Persian by the philoso- > pher and translated into rich and graceful English by the other > gentleman, the interpreter. So full of loving understanding was > the relation between these two men that Jean could hardly real- > ize the division into Persian and English. The lecturer told > of a woman's movement, different far from ours in its inspira- > tion, an uprising not forced by economic conditions but developed > as one of the twelve principles taught by a Persian prophet, > Abdul Baha. He spoke of the suffering and martyrdom of the > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 2S > > pioneer preachers of the new conception of womanhood and the > sacrifice demanded from all those who followed in their wake. > From the concrete faets of Persian history he tumed to the more > philosophicá consideration of the cleansing value of persecution > to the soul. He said that without it the g'l"OWth df the soul > would be retarded, that without it the soul could never learn > the cardinal principle of all great and true religions, the love of > one's enemy. > It seemed to Jean, that, as the philosopher paused between > sentences to allow the interpreter to present the idea in English, > his eyes sought hers in question, "This is all for you, are you > making it yours 1" > The soul of Jean was alert. Suffering had made her sensi- > tive, and she caught on the wings of intuition, more thought, > more spiritual knowledge than was possible for the speaker to > put into actual words. Everything about the man was expressive > to her quickened perception. The liquid tones of joy in his voice, > the quiet dignity of bearing, and above all the mystic power of > his eyes, before whose light it see~ed to her no sin could re- > main in secure hiding, told her of a life made fragrant by a > glorius and self-renouncing devotion to a great hope for hu- > manity. She knew that here was a man who counted it a privi- > lege to suffer in order that humanity might have a fresh realiza- > tion of the nearness of God, and one who had learned to bear no > personal ill-feeling to the persecutor. She knew that the shin- > ing serenity of his personality had been bom of that ecstatic > moment of high consciousness when the soul realizes the inevita- > bleness of the persecutor, and leams that he deserves not the > reviling tongue or the stiletto of vengeance, but the thanks of > the heart which has been taught through his persecution, les- > sons otherwise far out of reach. > Jean's life grew by leaps and bounds as she listened and > looked and drew from the Oriental philosopher the secrets of > creative living. The cloud of depression lifted, and she began > to see the application of this teaching of "Radiant Acquiescence" > to her own problem. A thrill of resolute courage passed through > her and she was glad that her life too had not been without > experience of the flames of the persecutor. > > Digitized by Coogle > 24 REALITY > > Too soon the address was over. The gay and light-hearted > students rushed away, min~ul of nothing but the delayed lunch > hour. For them the sway of novelty was past; habit must have > its toll. > But Jean haa forgotten lunch, had forgotten everything' > but the simple words of understanding uttered in oriental grace > of conception that hour. > "Could I," she wondered, "Ought I to tell him how much > it meant to me?" . > Shyness made her hesitate. She thought perhaps others > would come to him with words of appreciation. But the room > was rapidly emptying. No oneá intended to thank the visitor. > "I cannot let him go away without some expression of grati- > tude. I must-perhaps only I knew all that he menat. I will. > Jean's heart quaked in the presence of the Dean, with whom > the lecturer was conversing, and who she knew regarded her > with disfavour, but she approached them bravely, determined > that one so wise and good and beautiful, should not go un- > thanked. The Persian saw her coming and stepped forward to > meet her. He gave her his hand in greeting, and before she > had managed to utter a word, he saicl in English. '-I'hank you, > thank you very much." > He smiled upon her and studied her face for a minute. Then > he turned to the interpreter with a few words in Persian. The > interpreter laughed happily, turned to the girl and said, > "His Excellency says that he noticed you in the audience > and that not in all his travels in America has he seen a face > more expressive of glowing joy than yours is now." > Thus did the great change come into the life of Jean! Sheri- > dan. What matter if only one among the many Hstteners had > caught the promise of a new Eternity. To her, as if to the whole > West, the East had given a token of Faith. > > ) > Digitized by Google J > REALITY > > From The Bustan of Sadi > By Howard R. Hurlbut > > When Abu Bakr (Glory to his name!) > Ruled long and wisely without fault or blame, > Muslih-ud-din bestirred his soul to write > That with his king he might be known to fame. > • • • • • • • • > The king. who rightly sits upon his throne. > Holds royal sway not for himself alone > But heeds the midnight sighings of the poor > That Justi~ may for many wrongs atone. > > Ah. never yet did royal head repose > On silken pillow. fragrant of the rose. > But some poor beggar in uneasy sleep > The clod of his resentment grasps and throws. > > When eomfort woos thee. tum from it away. > If there be poor who famished kneel to pray; > As no true shepherd by his flock can sleep > When wolves are nigh to lead his lambs astray. > > o thou. who sittest in the banquet hall. > Let not its pleasures hold thee in their thrall. > For soon another shall usurp thy place > And never tongue will loose thy name to call. > > And though thou art a hero. or with sword > Hath skill to force obedience to thy word. > Thou canst not carry with thee e'en a shroud, > And henceforth nevermore thy voice be heard. > > Past days are flown with other yesterdays. > And no tomorrow yet hath crossed thy ways; > So take full heed of this sure moment-NOW- > 'The present fills all time for him who prays. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > Know that within the garden of the spheres > No cypress yet hath sprung through all the years > But when the wind of Death hath come its way, > Uprooted, e'en as thou, it disappears. > > Though one be servant and another king- > The heavy clod or soaring eagle-wing- > When Death approaeheth ne'er an ear can ftnd > A note of difference in. the song they sing. > > So is he wise who, having much, doth tend > To seek alike the stranger and the friend, > And there bestowing fill the greater need, > And soften sorrows which he 'cannot mend. > > For Nature, sometimes, miserly toward earth, > Deprives the fields she erstwhile blessed with birth, > And water only has its source in tears > From orphans eyes, and life seems nothing worth. > > So niggard is she that did smoke arise > 'Twere but the vapor of the widow's sighs, > And like starved beggars, leafless stand the trees, > And h~11s lose verdure neath forbidding skies. > > Then doth the kingly soul its mission guess- > To save no treasure from its store's largess&- > But, giving freely, greater riches gain > In grateful streams from others', happiness. > • • • • • • • • • > Slow moving centuries have passed since then, > And empires fallen but to rise again; > The king forgot, the while doth Sadi's name > Still stir to kingly acts the hearts of men. > > Digitized by Coogle > '27 > > A Visit to Sir Abdul Baha > By Patrick Geddes > > 'M Y first acquaintance with the illustrious and saintly leader > of the Bahai Movement was as one of his chainnen in > course of his lectures in Edinburgh on his tour through > the West some years ago before the War. After this meeting > 'he became interested in the practical methods of my 'o.utlook > 'Tower' at Edinburgh, and found in these something of that in- > corporation of science into life, and therefore into religion, which > is one of the tenets in which the Bahai Movement, guided by > teaching, takes so eminent a lead among the religious bodies of > the present. He indeed then asked me to deliver a public lee- > áture on thiOSe lines to those attending his teaching, which I did > áunder his chainnanship. > During each of the past two years I have been town-plan- > :ning in Palestine, not only for Jerusalem, but also for his own > home city of Haifa, and have thus had more than one oppor- > -,tunity of meeting him again. > On the last occasion of calling on him, I had the pleasant > duty of conveying to him a unanimous request from "Pro- > 'Cannel," a new Society of Citizens, founded on the lines of the > better-known "Pro Jerusalem," and with the same purpose of > 'advancing all the common interests of the City, without dis- > .tinction of race, party or creed, and thus embracing all, to ex- > presA their desire that he should become the President of this > 'new Society, which unites Moslems, Jews, Christians and Bahais > in the work of social service and of civic and regional improve- > ments in all respects, moral and educational, as well as material, > l1ygienic, architectural, artistic, etc. > This office and leadership he cordially accepted, to the great > satisfaction of all concerned, since all Haifa looks up to and is > 'proud of him as the foremost of their fellow-citizens. > He also approved and authorized the proposed town-plan- > -Ding scheme, as arranged between the City Engineer, Dr. Ciffrin, > > Digitized by Coogle > 28 REALITY > > and myself so far 88 his fairly extensive property (on the slope > of Carmel above Haifa) is concerned. He granted the land for > the two new public roads which are required, without accepting > compensation on the land taken, and also presented a substantial > piece of ground for the public school which is required in that > vicinity; some 4,000 square metres. > Dr. Ciffrin, in his architectural capacity has produced a fine > scheme for a monumental stairway and cypress avenue lea.ding > uphill from the Temple Boulevard upon the level plain, to the > central meeting place of the Bahai community in Haifa, which as > all Bahais doubtless mow, contains the Tomb of the Bah. > For this scheme, of which the design is a gift by Dr. Ciffrin) > between £2,000 and £8,000 will be required; but he and I and > other friends and sympathisers are confident this sum will read- > ily be subscribed within a reasonable time by the many membe1"8 > and friends of the Bahai cause throughout the world. Sir Abbas > expressed himself as approving the design, and gratified by it, > as at once a useful and needed access, and ~ beautiful and digDi- • > fied memorial. He granted the land, and promised also to com- > pensate from his own ground, the small portion of a Moslem > neighbor's ground which is also required to complete the scheme. > He further gave subscription of £100 to. begin the list; but while > authorizing us to open a subscription list, and send it to friends > and sympathisers, he charged us to be careful to explain this as > a purely voluntary matter, and not to represent him 88 in any > way pressing his followers or friends to subscribe, and this we > of course promised to do. > We are thus however free to say that all subscriptions may > be sent to The Treasurer, Bab Memorial Stairway, c/o Dr. Ciffrin. > Municipal Engineer, Haifa, Palestine. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 29 > > The Current Art > By Mary Hanford Ford > > A MONG the very interesting exhibits towards the close of > the past season was that of the National Association of > Portrait Painters at the Knoedler Gallery. It was a most > brilliant display, highly academic in its general character, though > a number of the younger and more radical painters were on the > line. Henry Salem Hubbell showed a striking portrait of Presi- > dent McMichael of Monmouth College, rendered immediately > noticeable by the presence of a pale scarlet drapery across the > breast. Randall Davey appeared with a portrait'of an archbishop > of New Mexico, remarkable for its quietly powerful handling. > Johansen had an interesting portrait of Mrs. B. Jean McLane, a > portrait of her little son, not quite so brilliant as some of áIler > child portraits. Robert Vonnoh had a very forcible head of the > Sculptor Akeley. John S. Sargent contributed one of his char- > aeberistic costume portraits of Mrs. Moore, remarkable for the > clever way in which he has indicated a cast in the right eye, > without rendering it offensive. > One of the valued exhibits of the season is the collec- > tion of Impresssionist and Post-Impressionist paintings at the > Metropolitan Gallery, gathered by Bryson Burroughs. Fortu- > nately this exhibit will remain in place until September, so that > many people will have the advantage of studying its sequences > during the summer months. It does not attempt to be in any > way complete, but it is suggestive and valuable in its ensemble > and will help the art lover to understand the unusual tendencies > in the art of the day. > What Mr. Burroughs says in his introduction to the cata- > logue, in speaking of the artist Derain, rniB'ht have been more > fully elucidated with benefit to the student. He says, the Post- > 'lmpressionist painters "are searching for an abstract of real- > ism," and this is the hint one needs in studying the futurist > work of today. Edouard Manet and the younger group of Claude > Monet, Pissaro, Renoir, Degas created atmospheric painting from > > Digitized by Coogle > so REALITY > > the point of view of the prismatic colors of the air, which, had > never been put upon canvas until their day. They became > drunken with the joy of seeing every object 'bathed in these > lovely tones. One can feel the delight with which they painted > in their aerial perspectives, saw their water gleaming and their > áclouds diaphionous in the sunshine. Edouard Manet's black > garbed maiden walking past a stretch of pale spring green fairly > smiles at one. Pissaro's market place is alive with real figures > moving in space, and Degas' dancers and millinery girls speak > from their airy distance and reveal to us their tortured lives. > Renoir shows us here, as he showed the world of artists, that > flesh reflects the light of the day or night and the colour of the > á environment like everything else, and that the dead and leathery > integuments of Raphael and even Courbet can no longer be tol- > á erated. It is admirable that the exhibit contains a Courbet be- > ,cause his influence upon Manet was. enormous until that great > á artist painted his first picture out of doors, when he became a > new man. > The Post-Impressionists however were not satisfied with > the outer world. They belonged to a new day and must reflect its > unrest and its inward urge. They felt that everything of the > áobjective had been perfectly painted. But there loomed before > them the realm of motive, of inner significance which was prae- > -tically untouched. So Matisse began to distort faces to reveal > the anguish of the soul within which the outer man would fain > áconceal, he violated proportions in order to express tempera- > ment, Cezanne no longer cared to paint merely the atmospheric > truth of the out of doors, his plein air must contain moods. So > he painted over and over again his portraits and landscapes, al- > ways dissatisfied with his results, always seeking the unsearch- > .able. > The visitor to this exhibit must come prepared to find ~ > ásolute indifference to so called beauty. There is a larger and > deeper beauty than the familiar external one, which is always > present. Guaguin seldom paints a pretty brown maiden, but there > is in his vista always a harmony of tree, lake, donkey and hu- > man which brings to the student a sense of oneness delightful > to experience. He ran away from the artificiality of intellec- > tualized Paris and found peace in the semi barbarism of Tahiti. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 81 > So the charm of Tahiti as it touched his soul floats to us throqh > his canvasses. > Poor Van Gogh killed himself through fear of insanity from > his endeavor to seek and express the haunting reality of the un- > seen.á He has in the exhibit a landscape showing an autumnal > field with a plough, a harrow and a distant cottage. One feels > presently the entire history of the family owning the field in this > quiet half melancholy expanse. It is haunted and suggestive, > therefore poetic and unforgettable. > Picasso has no cubist painting here, but one feels the accent > of cubism in the girl with her elbows on the table, and the little > landscape. The artist was restive over the limitation of one > plane in a canvas, and felt that by building up a picture with > cubic blocks one gained the sense of surrounding space always > within the grasp of the sculptor, but denied the painter. More- > over, by avoiding outlines he felt that he gained expression. > Why paint one face and body with its mood, when by the proper > juxtaposition of cubes one can suggest many faces, figures and > shades of feeling? > The artist Zuloaga has used this idea of plane building in > his Spanish landscapes with admirable effect, and Arthur B. > Davies has adopted it in his figure painting with similar success. > It .thus creates atmosphere for the artist who does not wish > to paint out of doors, and is an emotional spur to the poet painter > who would make his canvas speak the mysteries beyond mere > color and form. > The fairy-land paintings of Odilon Redon are unique and > always delightful and the few examples of Seurat and Toulouse > -Lautrec make. one wish for more. It was an ammrable idea > to put the classical Puvis de Chavannes in the midst of the inner > and outer realists, for he did his part with all of them, and paint- > ing always from the inner vision used the colors of the nature > radicals with the feeling of the unborn futurists. > The student must return again and again to this exhibit, > mrtil its sequences are familiar to the n,rlnd. There are many > paintings in the permanent collection which will become more > enjoyable after familiarity with this. The entire younger art > of the world has been influenced by the spiritual urge of this > group, and to feel its tendencies brings comprehension. > > Digitized by Coogle > 82 REALITY > > The Drama > "THE Times" critic, Alexander Woolcott, lives a list of > what he coDsiders the ten best plays produced duriDg > the season, all of which, with one exception, were suc- > cessful, and only one, unfortunately, "Enter Madame," was by > a new playwright. The list is as follows: > Enter Madame, by Gilda Varesi and Dolly Byrne. > The First Year, by Frank Craven. > The Emperor Jones, by Eugene O'Neill. > Hem:threak House, by Bernard Shaw. > Rollo's Wild Oat, by Clare Kummer, > Mary Rose, by James Barrie. > Debureau, by Sacha Guitry. > Mr. Pim Passes, by A. A. Milne. > Mary Stuart, by John D$kwater., > Liliom, by Franz Molnar. > Although "Emperor Jones" was not the first play of Eugene > O'Neill, it was his first brilliant success, and perhaps this fact > is owing largely to the presentment of the title role by Charles > Gilpin, who entered the theatrical world throu~h that medium > as one of the greatest living character actors. > Charles Gilpin is a Negro of the mulatto type, who has > served in various 'Capacities in his, previous life, such as do not > ordinarily develop great artists. He had been porter on a Pu1l- > man Sleeper, for instance, but had drifted into stage life in > minor offices, before he attempted the role of "Emperor Jones." > His marvellous portrayal of this character, however, will remain > one of the most artistic and gripping creations in stage history, > gruesome, vital, and singularly perfect in all its details. > The play is dramatieally a work of genius, but depressing > in its effect upon the listener, because it is written from the > point of view of complete atheism. It ignores the existence in > life of any but material forces. Its prayers are useless and emo- > tional extravaganzas, always followed by their opposite. There > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY ss > is a dire and dreadful logic in its sequences, which is natural > when God is eliminated, but, frightful in its cruelty. Life is > difficult enough as it is, but with the psychology of Emperor > Jones, it would be unendurable. > "Clair de Lune" is not mentioned in this list in spite of the > fact that it represents three Barrymores. Ethel Barrymore in > the role of Queen Anne, John in that of Gwynplaine, and > Michael St~e who is really Mrs. Barrymore as the authm-. > The play has attracted good houses, as it could hardly fail to do > with two Barrym~res in the leading roles, but as drama, it has > been disappointing to both critics and public. Michael Strange > has published two volumes of poetry, such poetry as would indi- > cate an original and sensitive mind. It is natural that such a > mind should be attracted by Victor Hugo's "L'Homme Qui Rit," > but apparently the young poet has not followed entirely the > trend of the earlier writer's thought. Victor Hugo was the > creator of modem drama, but his plays were so bristling with > iconoclasm that each of them after a few days or a few weeks > of brilliant performance was closed by the censor. If he had > made over The Man Who Laughs into a drama, it would have > been the most tremendous play of the century and no censor > would ever have permitted its performance, so it is not strange > if a young poet has failed in presenting some of its salient points. > There are two leading ideas in The Man Who Laughs, the > eontras~ between sensuous and spiritual love, which is portrayed > through Josiane and Dea, and the social inj11stice of a ruling > class. Victor Hugo was a socialist and democrat, who today > would be denounced as a "red," and he always sat on the sus- > pected left side of the French Chamber of Deputies. We must > recall this to understand the significant story. Gwynplaine, the > hero of "L'Homme Qui Rit," born a bastard of the noble house > of CIan-charlie thrown away by his father, mutilated by the pro- > fessional mountebank makers of the 17th century, so that a > frightful grin mars his handsome face, educated by wise old > Ursus with blind Dea, first sister and then beloved' one, is at > length restored to the station of his father's house, not by court > intrigue, but by the romantically conceived discovery of his > father's will. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > There is no intrigue in The Man Who Laughs, and if Michael > Strange had conceived a play which would present its vital con- > trasts with the naked power of the original, she would have pro- > duced a masterpiece. There is n:othing more dramatic, for in- > stance, than the moment when Gwynplaine is snatched away > from Dea by the British Wapentake, just as he has wakened to > the meaning of his love for her. Then the marvellous scene in > the prison where the dying malefactor confesses to the abduc- > tion and mutilation of the child, and the powerful love scene > with Josiane, which never for a moment smirches the honor and > purity of Gwynplaine's soul. With such a scene written, hbw > could anyone be guilty of the love scene in Clair de Lune be- > tween Josephine and Gwynplaine, which fills one with contempt > for the hero of the play. > Perhaps it would have been impossible to introduce the mag- > nificent scene in the House of Lords, where Gwynplaine seated > in their midst, costumed as they are, but wearing that grin > which will never come off, arraigns his compeers. > "You-you are privilege. Beware. The true master of > the house is about to knock at the door. What is the father of > privilege? Chance. And what is the son? License. Neither > chance nor license are permanent.. They have both a bad to- > morrow. I come to warn you." > In the novel, Dea is never approached or touched by the at- > mosphere of the court. She is the pure spirit of love without > which Gwynplaine knows he cannot live, so he follows her in > death to :find her again, ~d this powerful scene cOncludes > ''L'Homme Qui Rit." But in Clair de Lune this scene is fol- > lowed by a picture of court intrigue and spite quite intolerable > and artistically unpardonable. The entire effect of the proper > and dramatic ending is ruined by the introduction of mere drivel > . Naturally one feels that the role of Queen Anne has been > introduced to make a part not too unattractive for the beautiful > Ethel Barrymore, but it would have been better art to modify > the villainy of Josiane to suit her taste and keep to the great > lines of Hugo's remarkable novel. > The role of Gwynplaine in "L'Homme Qui rut," with ita > ,power and tragedy is exactly suited to the genius'of John Barry.. > more, but the Gwynplaine of Clair de Lune does not offer sufft- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY. 81).; > > cient scope for his remarkable talent. His make up for the per-_ > manent laugh is also very unsatisfactory, and gives no idea of. > the tragedy it involves. It looks merely a birthmark on one side > of the face, and the actor keeps turning the unpainted side to- > the audience, as if to remind the observers that he is not actually > defonned, but is in fact a verY handsome man. > > Some Remembered Talks with > Mirza Abul Fazl > (b. 1884, d. 1914) > By Mrs. J. Stannard (Cairo) > > W HEN turning over a quantity of stored papers a ,little- > while ago, I came upon a sheaf of notes related to Bahai > matters and teachings, taken during the early years of > my connection with the Cause. Among them I found a page or- > two of scribbled notes upon talks I had had with that learned and > revered Bahai historian and philosopher Mirza Abul FazI. They > were taken at various times in Egypt during the years of 1908- > 9-10, when I used to call on him at regular intervals. A few of > these I venture to weave into an article hoping they may prove > interesting and reminiscent to his many known and unknown > friends in America, who realize how precious was his life's work > to the Bahai Cause. > To those of us who were members of the "Spiritual As- > sembly" in Cairo in those days, Mirza Abul Fazl was both a force > and a source of knowledge. After the Master we had no one- > who could teach and encourage us as he did and his loss is still > grievously felt here,-the niehe he filled in our lives is still > empty. Yet the memory of his influence and teachings remain > stirring us ever anew when we meet to piek up threads of Bahai > work which the devastating war so badly broke or scattered.. > > Digitized by Coogle > áREALITY > > My notes are meagre, but they outline some lesser known sub- > jects, and in those earlier years I was keenly inte1'e8ted in tI1e > mystic meaning of holy names and their numeral values, my > studies also in eastern philosophies inspired some of the qUe&- > tiona which were discussed. For this reason I have felt like in- > serting the following lines from hisá great work, "Bahai Proofs,'á > expressing as it does with clear illumination the one great central > Troth revealed by Baha'ullah, viz.: the Divine Unity and mystic > Union of all the Prophets of God down the ages of human his- > .tory. Without a full' appreciation of this spiritual Fact, no sound > knowledge of comparative Religion or true insight into the ~ > ligious history of races becomes possible. Mirza Abdul Fazl > could show how readily orthodox creedal religion had obscured > this issue. > The Manifestations.-(*Bahai Proofs, p. 186) > ''The Prophets and Messengers are all' manifestations of > ONE Reality The qualities which differentiate the Prophets and > Manifestation of God are their individual characteristics and > peculiarities. These distinguish them in their outward station > and function but do not affect their inner station of Reality and > Oneness with the All-Source; and pertain to the illumination > manifest in them but, not to the Essence whence that Essence > proceeds and to which they all have the ,same relationship. For > • as much as the Essence is hidden in its own Reality and incom- > prehensible in its own innermost Identity, therefore in order > to understand these matters a seeker and striver after truth > must needs consider that which every Prophet has explained in > his Book concerning his station and understand the names and > titles which he has assigned to himself > "The Essence of God the Exalted is an impregnable invisi- > ble ONE, a hidden treasury absolutely single in its Identity and > Reality. Bodies are but instruments for the Essence, the Es- > sence does not become plural by manifesting Itself in plural man- > ifestations. Believing in Oneness is to recognize that single > Essence in numerous manifestations and faith in Unity is to seek > Light from the One Sun of Truth through Its manifold Day- > springs. Therefore, we find many passqes in the Holy Scrip- > tures in which the Manifestations of God are considered as ODe > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > person, in regard to the Oneness of the Essence and the Holy > Spirit, although they are different and varying in name, fonna, > places and times."-po 152. > Accustomed as I have been to investigate whenever possi- > ble the more esoteric portions of sacred traditions or ~hiDgs > it will be readily understood how interested I became in the > "Surat ul Huykl" and I find that I asked Mirza Abdul Fazl to say > something about it. He infonned me that this Tablet was the > first portion of a work written by the Blessed Perfection > Baha'o'llah and probably penned in Adrianople, called "Instruc- > tion for Kings." It has special application to Abdul Baha. > Discussing the matter of names, their meaning and signi- > fications, I drew his attention to the paragraph in that work, > p. 17, which runs-"Thushave the signs descended and the mat- > ter been: decreed on the part of the King of Nam~ and attri- > butes." He replied that, "Since the transition of The Blessed > Perfection the present 'King of Names' is Abdul Baha, and his > bestowal of a name has often special significance through his > power to view qualities to perceive hidden values." > The question therefore of names and titles in religious lit- > erature becomes one of considerable interest when we realize > that they are made up of letters, each having a numerical value > compounding frequently into synonyms for attributes. It is just > these inner qualities and meanings that are perceived (consci- > ously or unconsciously) by the Spiritual Teachers and prophets. > John, for instance, signifies ''the messenger of God," or "sent > by God." judas said Min;a Abul Fazl, was a popular Jewish > name; Iscariot made it mean or bad. Here I introduced the name > of Jean of Arc who claimed also to have a mission as messenger > and he said, ''Yes. I feel she must have been given divine revela- > tion, although warfare is not allowed to God's Manifestations." > á(Very many interesting Arabic names and titles might be > quoted having religious and numeral values.) > On another occasion I asked Mirza Abul Fazl to explainl to > me the phrase, "we have caused the signs to descend after nine > conditions each of which is a proof of the dominion of God, etc." > Surat ul Huykl, p. 38. He referred me to the Koranic tradition > which declared as a prophecy concerning the future Manifest&- > > • Digitized by Coogle > 88 REALITY > > tion that eight should carry the Throne." This refers to th4J > powers and attributes of the future Messiah, for as he explained" > "There are four powers which have been possessed by all previ.- > ous Manifestations, these are: > 1st, The highest is the power of Revelation. (Gabriel) > 2nd, Power of bestowing or of infusing others. (Michael) > 3rd, Power of proclamation or declaration, "They speak with > authority." (lsrafel) > 4th, Power of destroyf.ng old conditions and of reconstruct- > ing. (Israel) > We believe that the present divine outpouring is the great- > est of all and in view of the world being now so differently con- > stituted and having such infinitely greater requirements, these > powers have been doubled, making them eightfold in constitu- > tiOD, Baha'o'llah being Himself the ninth. The Bab and the > Master possessing equal attributes makes the Manifestating > Spirit threefold in strength and power. > Some thoughts on the Soul and Destiny > Concerning life after death, I found that Mirza Abul Fazl > developed the philosophic outlook involved in the Bahai teach- > ings. He considered that a due study of the higher philosophies > brought one to the inevitable conclusion that the soul after the > death of the body passed through stages of development, pro- > gression and change. He cited especially the Mesnavi school of > thought which teaches that states of change are continuous, > having analogy 'with our known ones of birth, growth and death. > When the Soul in its evolutionary stages finally arrives to > that of the human Kingdom, having passed through all lower > forms it then obtains free will i. e. man is at liberty to choose > his path for good or evil. He can will to live after good teach- > ings and by writings that are acknowledged as from God, or he > can follow his lower animal nature with its desires and become > degenerate. > In his being are contained the two natures, known in Hindu > philosophy as "the pair of opposites," broadly understood as the > animal and spiritual tendencies. If he deliberately persists in > the former he runs the risk of permanently injuring his divine > ~fuood. ' > > • > Digitized by Coogle > • > > REALITY 89 > <'Ameeming "The Kingdom .of God." (Per.Melakoot) > This tenn, he said, implies a great spiritual Power or Force, > also an ordered State where there are workers, subjects, and > rulers, it contains also a condition of punishment, over which > there are directing forces. The following extract from Dr. > Davidson's great work, "Old Testament ProphecY.' (pub. Edin- > burgh), is in this matter of exceptional interest. Commenting > on the Israelitish saying, "Ye shall be to Me a kingdom of priests > and an holy nation," the author explains that "The Kingdom of > God" (when it dawns) will unite as one all men, will then unite > all men to GocJ, and finally will have wider influence even upon > the orders of creation-for all preparation of the fullness of > time to gather in one all things in Christ, both which are in > Heaven and which are on Earth," one of the chief means to- > wards this end being the dispensation of prophecy-for prophet > is little else but mediator; and the Jewish nation stood as media- > tors between God and the family of man at large." > Following on the above question I asked Mirza Abul Fazl > how he regarded the subject of predestination or "ordained" > destiny? He replied that his views differed from the Mohame- > dan, as for him, destiny is judgment and recompense. Each > soul creates his own inevitable future since there cannot pos- > sibly be an effect without a cause. The choice to refrain from > acting contrary to the sense of righteousness or justice brings > certainly a result which is reward.' Opposite actions or the ex- > pression of tendencies which deviate from justice, goodness and > purity, etc., lower the moral life and bring its own inevitable > results, viz.: loss of spiritual life, and this is punishment. Man > in this sense is his own destiny. > Our talk one afternoon turning to th,e subject of the pro- > phecies relative to our times, he drew my attention to a chapter > of St. Jude, v. 14, where it is written,. "And Enoch also the > seventh from Adam ptophecied of these saying, 'Behold the Lord > eometh with ten thousand of His saints' to execute judgment > upon all,'~ etc. I then remarked that I had heard of certain Hin- > du teachings which declared that when a "prophet soul" in- > carnates on earth, hundreds of those souls who loved him in a > previous existence, or were in sympathy with his desired work > > Digitized by Coogle > • > > 40 REALITY > > took descent into human life with him in order to become his > helpers and teachers and further the new gospel. Following > on this idea we discussed the expected "return" of Christ held by > so many when Mirza Abul Fail told us of a well known Koranic > tradition which declared that" in those days" the apostles of > Jesus would all "return" with Him for they had never "died.'" > Of the two Mohamedan sects the Shiiahs are the most accurate > in preserving the traditions but the Sunnite writings are more > interesting on matters of prophecy, and the semitic influence is. I > > seen more clearly in them in this respect. They possess some > wonderful prophecies concerning the time when "the Chrise~ > and the ordained Mahdi, will be incarnated on earth. The > twelve lmaums are of Hebrew descent and thus the Semitic > gift for calculation and prophecy based on occult science are > more apparent in their books. One Sunnite prediction not only > gives the numerical value for Baha'o'llah but even mentions > Akka. The prophecy here alluded to in all probability, is the one > attributed to the Sheikh Mohyaddin who died in the year 6SOp > of the Hegira and was one of the great Sufis of his day. M~ > hamedans are taught to believe that although their founder > claimed to be the "Seal" or last of the Prophets, yet this does > not exclude the coming of a Great One, by pennission of Allahp > who will extend revelation on Koranic lines. Concerning this > future great "Mahdi" who will appear at a certain latter time > more than one cryptic and prophetic writing is to be found > among the collections of Sufi literature. In one work on Suft > mysticism by a certain Sheikh Talka in the Egyptian library, > I am informed that the following phrase actually may be found, > "EL Abbas, will be then the head or leader of the human race.'P > The prophecy, however, of the great Mohyaddin is so amaz- > ing in its clarity of description, in its accuracy of both spiritual > and material values that it deserves more than passing attention. > Incorporated in a book entitled, "Jawakeet wal Gawakes" > (Book of Pearls and Jewels). by Sayed Abdul Wahal e1 Sher. > wary, the following is a translation of certain parts, "He appears > in a time when religion has dwindled-though by his appearance > much ignorance and vileness disappear through the effect of the > Koran. By reason of their faith, or belief, the ignorance of men > will be changed into knowledge, avarice into hospitality, cow- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 41 > > ardice into power and strength. He will prepare a Heavenly > feast in the field of ,Altar and see great trouble. The term Akar > is deriTed from an ancient Egyptian Hermetic tradition and im- > plies the door of Reality; it was taken into Judaism ad will be > found in the psalms and used symbolically as the "door of Hope" > in "the valley of Achor." Geographically tliis place of Akar > should be found where God places His Prophet or Messenger and > in this respect the spiritual importance of Akka (St. Jean d' Acre) > where Baha'o'llah gave so much of His revelation to the World > fulfills most wonderfully, both material and spiritual require- > ments of tradition and prophecy. Readers able to consult that > remartable work of the late Gerald Massy entitled. 'nrhe Book > of BfcinNng" will find a strikiDa" passage on this lucinatiD&' > theme showing us how the tenn "AkaI''' became linked up with > Jewish mysticism. > The descriptive forecast goes on to say-CCHe will annihilate > oppressioná as well as the oppresso1'8, will uphold true religion, > will pour into it its real spirit, enliven it after its death, and > strengthen it after its decay. His martyrs are the best martyrs > and his believe1'8 the most beloved. God supports him by a con- > ste1Jation of men whom God has kept under the curtain of His > secret. He gave them power to understand the realities of > things and the religions spread among the people. They follow > the steps of the Prophet in that they fulfill tlie Words of God > and His Covenant. They are all Pemans, there is no Arab > among them but they all speak Arabic. They have a great Guar- > dian who is different to them in race (i. e. nature) and never > eommitted a sin. He is the greatest assistant of the Mahdi's. > All of them will be killed except one who reaches the field of Akar > in the heavenly feast prepared by God for the lions and birds and > reptiles." > Although this Sufi Seer concludes in true Christo-Judaic > style yet the startling accuracy of so much in his prevision and > the highly significant portrayal of the results that will be mani- > fested by the power of this new Mahdi, in his day only Bahais > can fully realize. > I append in conclusion a few lines from that wonderful > "WOrk the Masnavi of Jellal uddin Rumi, Mirza Abul Fazl's > favorite author which may perhaps have philosophic interut > for some readers. > > Digitized by Coogle > 42 REALITY > > "How broad is the ocean of Reason, yea the Reason of man is a > boundless Ocean, > o Son that ocean requires a diver, on this fair ocean our human > fonns > Float about like bowls of water, yea like cups on the surface till > they are ftlled, > And when filled these cups sink into the water, > Whatever fonn the ocean uses as its instrument, > ThelleWith it casts its spray far and wide." > The Koran says, The Real soul, is the Spirit which God > breathed into man. In yourselves are signs will ye not behold > them? In Gulshan i Raz is written-"Men seek Wisdom and do > not know that in themselves is the reflected wisdom of God." > (On Free-will) "Men inspired by God are the fountain of > life; men of delusions are a synonym for death. In the world > the praise 'well done faithful servant' is given to free will which > is used with prudence. If all dissolute men were shut up in > prison they would all be temperate and devout and pious. > When power of choice is absent actions are worthless. But > beware lest death snatch away your capital yielding profit. Re- > member well the day of final account. > The heart of man is like the root of a tree. Therefrom > grow the leaves on firm branches. The tops of perfect trees > reach the heavens, the roots fonn the branches in the sky • > The love of Him on high is directed to the soul. Know this > for 'He loves them that love Him.' The sum is this, that those > who seek another the soul of that other who is sought, inclines > to him." > > Bahai Activities > The Bahai Library, 416 Madison Avenue, is open to the pub- > lic from 9 A. M. to 6 P. M. daily. Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford is > in attendance. Bahai literature can be secured from 2 to 6 P.:M. > daily excepting Sunday, and on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sun- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 48 > > 4ay evenings from Mrs. Ford. A complete reference Library is > being established under the supervision of the present Library > Committee, which would include not only the Bahai publica- > tions, but the religious and phylosophieal works of ancient and > inodem times, and seekers can compare and refer to them at all > times. The reference books are for use only in the Library > Rooms, but every assistance and courtesy will be offered those > who wish to avail themselves of this privilege. . > The present Library Committee consists of the following > friends of the Library: > Oflken > Eugene J. Deuth, Chairman. > Loulie A. Mathews, Treasurer. > Ann Boylan, Secretary. > Marjorie Morten, Librarian. > > Consulting Committee > Ann. Boylan Loulie A. Mathews > Eugene J. Deuth, Mountfort Mills > Wandeyne Deuth Marjorie Morten > Horace Holley Mark Tobey > J?r. Florian Krug Elizabeth Van Patten > > Committee on Arrangements > Marjorie Morten Mary Hanford Ford > Horace Holley Wandeyne Deuth > > The Monday evening meetings of Mrs. Florian Krug and > :Miss Ann Boylan continued at the Bahai Library, 416 Madison > Avenue. > Tuesday eyening, Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford presides at the > Bahai Library, 416 Madison Avenue. > > The Wednesday evening public meeting will continue. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > Friday evening meetings are conducted by II1II IuIiet > Thompeoa. > > The Bahai Forum is open to the pubHc on Sunday evenfngs. > '!'hese meetings begin at 8.15 sharp. AD welcome. Come and > bring your friends. > > Attention is ea11ed to the fact that on the nineteenth day > ()f every month a feast is held in the Bahai Library, 416 Madi- > son Avenue, to which the public and the friends are cordially > invited. The Bahai Revelation attaehes great importance to the > law of hospitality, and the followers of Abdul Baha are re- > quired to perform this obligation every nineteen days. Owing > to the many meetings held in the Library, it was found im- > practicable to hold this feast every nmeteenth day, as it con- > flicted with other meetings, but the Library has set aside the > nineteenth day of every month for this purpose. These feasts > are largely attended and produce a spirit of love and hannony. > It has been found to be beneficial to the friends'themselves and > they have manifested to the strangers, the love and cordiality > which the mowledge of the &hai Revelation gives to ita fol- > lowers. We earnestly hope you will avail yourselves of this > .invitation. > > Among the young people of New York who are being greatly > attracted to the Bahai Cause is Jack Benjamin. He has a large > clrcle of friends, college boys and medical students, like himself > tinged with atheism and material philosophy, but deeply inter- > ested in humanity and its betterment. Fiercely argumentative > the heart of this boy is wonderfully tender, and'in spite of him- > self the appeal of love in the Bahai teaching has touched him. > He had an adventure with a tiny girl of S ye&1'B not long since, > whom he found crying on the street. He wiped away her teal'B > and comforted her, and thus writes to a friend: ' > "Why, that look was worth more to me than money. For it > was really a message from a little child, and contained more > wisdom than all the books written on 'love.' Now I mow why > I didn't understand Mrs. Ford, why I did not comprehend an her > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > talk of 'love.' Her words travelled to my head, while the mes- > sage of that little child, whom I may never see again, weDt cJi... > rectly to my heart. > "Now, there is one thing in the Baha! teaching that I can > ande1'8tand and agree to-Love. Somewhere in that book called > the Bible (which I do not think as yet perfectly good or true) > is a saying Jike-'A little child shall lead them,' and a little child > without words or arguments has given me a mesaare which will > remain with me for a very, very long time." > > A Prayer > Let me but sing a song of Life Triumphant- > Though all the world may tell of war and strife, > Think but the thought, and ever hold the vision- > Of Peace and Love and Omnipresent Life. > > So may I help to heal with heavenly power, > And hasten on the dawning of Love's Day, > When war shall cease, and nations b~ united; > For this 0 God! Eternal One, I pray. > > Louise R. Waite. > > Digitized by Coogle > 46 REALITY > > ABRAHAM .. 8TRAU8 DEPARTá LEAGUE FOR THE LARGER > MENT STORE LIFE > Brooklyn, N. Y. III W. 72nd 8t., N_ York City > AKRON NEW8 CO. LLOYD R. NORTH > Akron, Ohio 804 North Rampart, N_ Orl...... > MR. M. ANDELMAN La. > 81 Tremont 8t., BORon, M.... 8MITH .. McCANCE > ANTHRACITE NEW8 CO. 1 P.rk St., Bonon, M.... > SCranton, P .. MISS MARGARET KLEBS > RICHARD MANUEL BOLDEN Eliot, Me. > 105 W. 130th 8t., N_ York City MRS. MARY B. MORRI80N > MR8. RANDOLPH BOLLE8 4115 W. 38th 8t., Denver, Colo. > 20 Selkirk Ave., Montreal, Canada OCCULT BOOKáSHELF > BOOTH8' BOOK STORE 1023 7th 8t., san Dleoo, CaL > 308 Chlckaeha Ave., Chlckaeha, WM. BURN8 PATZER > Okl•• III "A" Street s. Eo, Waehlngton, > BRENTANO'8 BOOK 8TORE D. C. > 27th 8t. and .Flfth Ave., N_ MR. NATHAN I. RY8KIND > York City S. W. Cor. 45 8t. and 8th Ave., > ECONOMY BOOK 8HOP N_ York City > 33 80. Clark 8t., Chicago, lila. R. H. THOMPSON > MR. CHAS. L. ELLIOTT P. O. Box 1811, Ancon, C. Z. > Gueh.rd Bldg., Decatur, lIIe. > DR. EDWARD FERNALD > 4803 Lincoln Ave., Chicago, III.. HOTELS, N. Y. C. > MR8. M. A. FOX ALGONQUIN > 14 E. Fr.nklln Ave., Mlnnupolle, ANNEX > Minn. BELMONT > MI88 ELIZABETH FI8HER BRE8L1N > 311 Broadw.y, Clnclnn.tl, Ohio GOTHAM > MI88 CORA M. FRYE HERALD SQUARE > 3841 N. Irving Ave., Chicago, III.. MARIE ANTOINETTE > MR8. J. W. GIFT MURRAY HILL > 1010 Glen Oak Ave., Peoria, ilL PARK AVENUE > PENN8YLVANIA > MR8. Eo E. HALL RITZ.CARLTON > Box 801, W.ltera, Okla. 8T. REGIS > W. E. HARDING 8AVOY > Laurance 8treet, Yonara, N. Y. VANDERBILT > F. LOE8ER .. CO., DEPART. WALDORF áA8TORIA > MENT 8TORE . WOLCOTT > Brooklyn, N. Y. > MACY'8 DEPARTMENT STORE > 34th St., N_ York City JOHN WANAMAKER > MADISON AVE. BOOK SHOP N_ York City > 671 Madleon Ave., N_ York City JOHN WANAMAKER > A. C. McCLURG CO. Phll.delphla, P.a. > 330 E. Ohio St., Chicago, III.. O. O. WOLCOTT > MUTER .. GR08SART 417 Rookery Building, 8/IOlrane, > 111 E. MarkR 8t." Warren, Ohio W.eh. > > PITROIIZE THESE DEllERS, TIEY IRE IElPllI IS. > REALITY PUBLISHING CORPORATION > > Digitized by GoogIe > ., > Read Article on Page 13. > > Devoted to the > .~d~,.tlnation of Prejudice, > us, Racial and Class > > A Magazine 01 Constructive Thought > > Abdul Baha's Message to the Church > In His Image and Likeness, Eugene Del Mar > Julia Ward Howe's Vision > An Appeal to the Spiritual Workers > of the World > > AUGUST,1921 PUBLISHED MONTHLY 25 CENTS > > ( Copyright, 1921, by Reality Publishing Corporation > > THE ONENESS OF MANKIND > Digitized by -00 Ie: > TWELVE BASIC > BAHAI PRINCIPLES > > 1. The oneness of mankind. > 2. Independent investigation of truth. > 3. The foundation of all religions is one. > 4. Religion must be the cause of unity. > 5. Religion must be in accord with science and > reason. > 6. Equality between men and women. > 7. Prejudice of all kinds must be forgotten. > 8. Universal peace. > 9. Universal education. ' .. > 10. Solution of the economic problem. > 11. An international auxiliary language. > 12. An international tribunal. > > These twelve basic Bahai principles were enunciated by Baha'o'llah > over sixty years ago and are to be found in his published writings of > that time. > The Bahai Movement > Rapidly spreading throughout the world, and attract- > ing the attention of scholars, savants and religionists > of all countries-oriental and occidental > > For the information of those who know little or nothing of > the Bahai Movement we > quote the following account translated > from the (Freneh) Encyclopaedia of Larousse: > > BAHAISM: the religion of tbe dis- Atheists a better SOCial organlzatioDI > ctples of Balla'o'lIah, an outcome of Baba'o'llab represents aU tbese, and > Bablam. - Mirza Huslan All Nurl tbU8 destron tbe rivalries and the en- > Baha'o'llab was born at Teheran In mities of the different religions; re- > 1811 A. D. From 1844 he was one of conciles them In their primitive > tbe first adherents of tbe Bab, and de- purity, and frees tbem from tbe cor- > wted blmself to the paclftc propaga- I'uption of dogmas and rites. For Ba- > tion of bls doctrine In Persia. After haism ba.a no clergy, no religious cere- > tbe death of tbe Bab he was, wltb the monial, no public prayers; Its only > principal Babls, exiled to Baghdad, and dogma Is belief In God and Hia Manl- > later to Constantinople and Adrlanople, featatlons. . .. Tbe principal works of > under the surveillance of the Ottoman Baba'o'llab are tbe Kltab-ul-Igban, the > Government. It was In the latter city Kltab-ul-Akdas, tbe Kltab-ul-Ahd, and > that he openly declared bIa mission, •• numeroU8 letters or tablets addressed > and In his letters to tbe principal Ru- to sovereigns or to private Individuals. > lers of tbe States of Europe be In- Ritual 110lda no place In the religion, > vited them to join him In establishing whlcb must be expreaaed In all the > religion and universal peace. From tbls actions of life, and accompllsbed ID > time, the Babls who acknowledged blm neighborly love. Every one muat bave > became Bahala. The Sultan then exiled an occupation. Tbe education of > him (1868 A. D.) to Acca In Palestine, children Is enjoined and regulated. No > wbere he composed the greater part of one bas tbe power to receive confes- > bIa doctrinal works, and where he died sion of sins. or to give abaolutlon. The > ID 1891 A. D. (May 19). He )lad con- priests of the exl8ting religions shoulcl > fided to bls son, Abbas Effendi (Abdul- renounce celibacy, and should preacb > Balla), tbe work of spreading the re- by their example, mingling In the life > ligion and continuing the connection of the people. Monogamy Is universally > between tbe Bahals of all parts of the recommended, etc. Questions not treat- > world. In point of fact, there are Ba- ed of are left to the civil law of each > hals everywhere, not only In Moham- country, and to the declslon8 of tbe > medan countries, but also In all tbe Balt-ul-Adl, or Hou8e of Justice, In- > countries of Europe, as well as In tbe !!tltuted by Baba'o'llab. Re8pect towarcl > United States, Canada, Japan, India. tbe Head of tbe State Is a part of re- > etc. This 18 because Baha'o'llah has spect toward God. A universal > known how to transfonn Bablsm Into language, and tbe creation of tribunals > a universal religion, which 18 presen- of arhltratlon between nations. are to > ted as the fulfilment and completion of suppre88 wars. "You are all leave8 of > aD the ancient faiths. The Jews await tbe same tree, and drop!! of tbe !!&me > tbe Meaalab, the ChrIstians the return sea," Daba'o'llah has said. Brlefty, It > of Christ, tbe Moslem8 the Mahdl, the 18 not 80 much a new religion, as Re- > Buddhl8ts the ftfth Buddha, the Zoro- ligion renewed and unlfted, wblch fa > astrians Shah Bahram, the Hlndoos directed today by Abdul-Baha.-Nou- > the reincarnation of Krishna, and the veau LaroUllse ntustre, supplement, > L-ll5 p. 60. > > Digitized by Coogle > MIRZA A. A. EL ~IAGEED > "Reality" in Egypt > > Digitized by Googi e > R E A:-L IT Y > Edltol'll Consulting E4ltol'8 > Albert Vall > Mary Hanford Ford > EUGENE J. DEUTH Howard MaoNutt > WANDBlYNlQ DEUTH Richard Manuel Bolden > Horace Holley > Winifred M. Schumacher > PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY > Reality Publishing Corporation > 418 MadiaoD AT_u. Tel. Vanderbilt 4537 Hew York, H. Y. > Bugene ]. Deuth, President Herold S. Robinson, Secáy & Treas. > Single Copies, 2S cents. Sold at all N ewutands. > Subscription, $3.00 per year > Money Orders Payable to Reality Publishing Corporation > 416 Madison Avenue, New York Ciiy > Copyright, 1921. by Reality Publlahlng Corporation . > Entered aa Second Class Matter. April liS. 1921. at the Poat Oftlce• > . New York, N. Y•• under, the ACt of Karch Brd. 1879 . > > Volume IV. AUGUST, 1921 No 8 > > Contents of August Issue > > Frontispi~e •.____..•.•.•_...._.._.__.........._ .._ .......:_.......... Reality in Egypt > Abdul Baha's 'Message to the Church > what is Sin? ....._..:_..............._...._..._...._..__.._..............._........._ .._..__....__.. Editor > In His Image and Likeness ....._..._.... _._.......... _..._...._..... Eugene Del Mar > Current Art ....._...._...._...._..._....._.............._...._...._....__ .. _.....Mary Hanford Ford > Good News > Julia Ward Howe's Vision > The Drama ....._................_...._.... _...._................_........... Frances Eveline Willcox. > An Appeal to the Spiritual Workers of the World > Bahai Activities > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > Message to the Church > Address by Abdul Baha, Unitarian Church, Palo Alto, California, > (Mr. Clarence Reed, Minister), Tuesday, 8 P. Mo, > October 8, 1912 > Introduction by Mr. Reed > I T is a great privilege to have with us tonight one who ealls > himself a "servant of God," and one who also is a great lover > of mankind. > Abdul Baha > Praise be to God, this evening I have come to a Unitarian > Church. This Church is ealled Unitarian-attributed to unity. > Hence I desire to discourse on the subject of unity, which is a > fundamental basis of Divine teachings. > In all the religions of God there is an exposition concerning > unity. What is the basis of this oneness? It is evident that the > reality of Divinity can not be brought within human grasp. Man > can not comprehend the reality of Divinity, because man is acci- > dental, whereas the reality of Divinity is eternal. Man is limited, > whereas the reality of Divinity is unlimited. Assuredly, the > limited can not comprehend the unlimited, and the accidental can > not comprehend the eternal. > When we observe and study phenomena we find a mineral > kingdom, a vegetable kingdom, an animal kingdom, and a human > kingdom. > The mineral kingdom, however much it shall advance, can > not be in touch with the vegetable kingdom. The vegetable king- > dom, however much in advance, can not be conscious in the sense > of knowledge, can not have knowledge of the animal kingdom. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 5 > > For example, this flower, nowever much it may advance, can > not conceive sight and hearing. It can not realize what constiá > tutes hearing or seeing, what is meant by the spirit of man, what > intellect signifies, because those subjects are beyond the pale of > its grasp. It can not, therefore, comprehend them. Although > this plant and we are both accidental, yet the difference of de- > grees is a hindrance to comprehension. This plant belongs to > the vegetable world or kingdom, whereas our kingdom is human, > and because of this difference in the two kingdoms the plant can > not comprehend the human kingdom. > So long as differences in degrees hinder comprehension, to- > wit: every inferior degree is incapable of comprehending the > degree superior thereto, then how can we ever comprehend God > Who is transcendental? We are accidental, whereas He is ever- > lasting. We are weak, where He is almighty. We are poor, > whereas He is rich. We are needy, whereas He is independent. > We are finite, whereas He is infinite. We are mortal, whereas > He is immortal. How can we, therefore, ever comprehend His > reality, or"even offer a word of praise or" do homage? > All the homage we can proffer is only in keeping with our > mental grasp and conception. All that comes within human con- > ception is man's own creation. That is surrounded by man, and > man is the surrounder, or infinite in relation thereto. But > whereas a concept has only an ideal existence, man-the creator > of such a concep~has both an ideal and an extraneous existence. > A Divinity which we can mentally grasp, which can be > brought within the grasp of intellect, is not Divinity, because it > has no existence extraneously. It is only a mental concept. > We, who are possessed of extraneous existence, who also > possess the ideal existence, are greater than our own c.reation, > because we are infinite, whereas our concept is finite, assuredly > that which is infinite is far superior to the finite. " > If you ponder over this you will see how clear and evident > it is. It is self-evident that the hutnan powers of conception and > perception can not conceive of Divinity, but the bestowal of Di- > vinity is all-encompassing; the lights of Divinity are shining; the > qualities of Divinity are evident and to be seen. > The holy verities, the divine prophets, are like mirrors, > 'which are in a state of utmost purity and sancity and polish, and > > Digitized by Coogle > 6 RE~LI!1'Y > '. .. .. . ..~. > > becauSe they are in an attitude facing the sun of reality, tl)ere- > fore that sun of reality, with its potency, effulgence and heat, is > ie1lected therein, and all its virtues can be visible in the mirror: > If we see that the sun has shone upon theSe mirrors, or that > it has become effulgent in the mirror, we do not mean that the > sun has descended from its lofty state of sancity and has choseii > a habitat in the mirror, because that is impossible. For the suD > there is no descent. It ever is in its high pOint ofá glory and > majesty, but its light, and its heat, in a pure and polished mirrOr > become revealed, and all its virtues are made visible, and these > mirrors which thus reveal that light are the realities of the > prophets. > Hence it becomes evident that the reality of Divinity is holy > and sancitified above descent or ascent, even as the phenomenal > sun, this material sun which can 1:>e reflected in the mirror, is > holy above descent and ascent, is sanctifled above ea-ress and in- > gress, even as this sun is sanctified above egress and ingreSs, but > the eternal bestowal of the sun, in this pure and sanctified and > polished mirror has become evident and manifest. . > The mirror says, "Verily, the sun is in me, and if you do not > believe, then look at me." And the mirror is truthful, for the > sun is seen in the mirror. Notwithstanding that, the purpose of > such a statement, were it to be made by the mirror, is not that > the sun has descended from its lofty state and entered and > effected an ingress in the mirror, because, for the sun, there is > no descent or ascent. But with all its bounties and character- > istics it can become evident in the mirror. > _ . That is why His Holiness Christ declares, or that is what He > Means when He said, "Verily, the Father is in the Son." 'lb.at > J.ne8,nS that the sun. in this mirror has become manifest and re- > vealed. It dries not mean that the eternal sun or verity has > descended from the lofty heavens, when it is unlimited, and has > become limited thereby, for w.ere such a thing to be rea1i Md, it > is a limitation. > This is the meaning of unity or oneness. This is the > quinteseence of this Divine subject. Consider how evident it is. > It is as the sun at midday. It is reasonable and in conformity > with science. > > Digitized by Coogle > > That is why we state that religious teachings must ever con- > fonn with science and reason. They must correspond with the > mind. This is perfectly in conformity with science and reason. > There is no doubt or uncertainty about it. > Now, inasmuch as the sun of reality has become manifest in > this polished mirror, from this mirror, by processes of reflection, > it can permeate throughout all regions. > The light of the sun is one, the heat of the sun is one, and > these have become resplendent in all phenomena. There is no > earthly phenomenon, no earthly form of life, which is bereft o( > the light and heat of the sun. > Likewise all humanity receives a portion of the bounty of > God. All mankind are the manifestations of the signs of God. > All phenomena are expressions of .the might and power of God, > and all phenomena reveal the handiwork of God. None of them > are the handiwork of Satan. No man has ever been created by > Satan. They are all the creation of God. These are the signs > of God's Power. > Hence we must ever reverence the creation of God. We > must ever bow before the signs of the might and power of God > We must ever be kind and clement toward the signs of the power > and might of God, and toward all humanity. All are the signs > of His power. He has created them all. The devil has had noth- > ing to do with it. At most, it is this: that some of us may be > wise some may be ignorant; the ignorant must be helped to be- > come wise. Some are sick; they must be treated. Some are > childlike; they must be helped to reach maturity. Some are > 8sleep; they must be gently awakened. But everybody must be > loved. That is it! > We must not hate a child just because he is a child and think > he is imperfect when we compare him with maturity. But with > the utmost of kindness he must be nurtured, he must be educated > to reach maturity, in order that he may become reasonable, in or > tier that he may attain to knowledge and wisdom, in order that he > may be qualifed to enter the Kingdom of God. > God is most kind. Consider what His Holiness Christ said: > "Verily, the sun shines upon the just and the unjust alike." What > a blessed statement this is! Even the sinner is not deprived of > t1\e mercy of God. What a sweet utterance! > > Digitized by Coogle > 8 REALITY > > Consider, although this earth is dark, all the earthly phe- > nomena are dark; but this radiant sun, how it cultivates all, how > it brightens all, how it heats all! Can we deny the efficacy of > the sun? Not at all. It is evident. > Then shall we see the signs of God's kindness. Likewise we > see how He educates us. We find that He bestows upon all His > bounties. Now, 80 long as we have such a kind God, why should > we be unkind? He Who is our Creator, He Who is our Provider, > He Who is our Resuscitator, He Who is so gentle and kind to all > of us, then why should we not be kind to one another instead of > saying, "This is a Jew, this is a Christian, the other is a Mussel- > man or Mohammedan, this is a Buddhist." This is none of our > business. God has created us all and it is our duty to be kind > 'to everybody. That is our duty. But ~ to their respective be- > liefs, that is between them and their God, and at the last day > He will look out for their accounts. He has not appointed us > as their expert accountants > It is our duty to praise God and to thank Him that He has - > created all of us human. He endowed us all with sight and hear- > ing. He hasá destined us all to be after the image and likeness of > God. What a bestowal is this! What a providence is this! What > a glorious crown is this! Why should we lose these favors? Why > should we be so self-occupied? Why should we deny the favors > .of God? > In thanksgiving for this glorious bounty we must all become > unified as one family. We must all become as one people. We > must all inhabit the same nativity. We must all become as one > nation. Thus may the world of humanity prove to be the world > of the kingdom, and this dark sphere become a bright sphere, so > .that these contentions and strife shall cease and the utmost of > love. and affection shall obtain. > Verily, this is the purpose of the mission of the prophets. > Verily, this is the mission of all the books which have descended. > Verily, this is the aim of the effulgence of the sun of reality. > Thus may the fundamental oneness of the world of humanity be- > come established, so that oneness of nativity shall be founded, > 'the oneness of nationality shall be established, the oneness of > policy shall be established, and the world of humanity become > Ii mirror reflecting the Kingdom of God. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 9 > The lights shining in the kingdom-may they become re- > vealed in the human kingdom. The virtues which are present > in the kingdom-may they be revealed or become resplendent in > the human kingdom. May the unity, or oneness, of the angelic > state become manifest in the human state, so that humanity it- > self shall become angelic. > . What is the meaning of the word "angel?" It means no > other than a holy soul, a bright and radiant soul, a perfect soul, > a Divine soul, ~o is the manifestation of love, a manifestation > of reasonableness, a manifestation of knowledge, one who is not > a captive of superannuated, blind imitations. > These superannuated, blind imitations, or religious dogmas, > which are ever the cause of enmity, the cause of destruction, the > tause of darkness, the cause of bloodshed, the cause of tyranny, > the cause of despotism-these blind imitations must be cast > aside, and the mysteries of reality shall be revealed. > That foundation which was meant to be the underlying > principle of all the prophets, that foundation which Christ Him- > self laid-that is the basis of the oneness of the world of hu- > manity. > That foundation is universal love. > That foundation is universal peace among the nations. > That foundation is universal peace among the countries > That foundation is universal peace among all the races. > That foundation is the universal peace which shall weld to- > gether all the religions, and that foundation is to do away with > an sectarianism. > At a time when the Orient was enveloped in the gloom of > prejudice and fanaticism, and thick clouds had befogged the hori- > zon of reality, among the nations of the Orient there was relig- > ious prejudice, sectarianism, political prejudice, racial prejudice > and patriotic prejudice, and the Oriental nations were in constant > conflict and state of war. > The religionists considered each other as contaminating and > they shunned each other, exercising the severest enmities > against each other. Darkness was so dense that not a trace > of light was ever visible. > Under such circumstances His Holiness Baha'o'llah dawned > from the horizon of reality, and He laid institutes and teachings > which united all the nations, which caused fellowship among the > > Digitized by Coogle > 10 REALITY > > various religions, which dispelled religious prejudice, which dis- > pelled political prejudice, which dispelled patriotic prejudice > "and which dispelled racial prejudice, having ushered under > the tent or tabernacle of the oneness of humanity all the peoples > of reality. They were souls representative of the religions and > of the denominations thereof who had hearkened to the call of > Baha'o'llah and who had become informed of His teachings. > Such souls, in Persia, are living together in the utmost of love > and amity. They are in a state of the utmost lindness toward > one another. It is just as if they were one household. > That is why His Holiness Baha'o'llah addresses humanity, > saying, "Ye are all the leaves of one tree and the "drops of one > sea." That is to say, the world of humanity, representing all the > ~ligions, representing all the races, may be likened to a tree. > Every nation of the nation is like a branch thereof, and every > soul among them is like unto a leaf. But all of them belong > to one tree, and that tree is the blessed tree, and that tree is the > tree of life, and that tree is the tree of sacrifice. > Therefore it is not allowable that among human individuals > there should linger any strife. Let no sedition tarry. Let no > hatred or rancor prevail. All must live in th~ utmost kindness, > in the utmost love, the utmost of fellowship, and must pass their > days pleasantly, for this will win the bounties of God and the > bestowals shall surround them, and the Kingdom of God will be- > come personified in the human kingdom. And this is our wish > in its entirety. > Closing Re~arks by Mr. Reed > I feel that a man of God has spoken to us tonight. There is > no way I know to close the service than with a prayer-not a > prayer in spoken words, but a prayer in silence. Let each person > pray in his own way for the coming of the universal religion- > the religion of love, the religion of peace, a religion of the full- > ness of life. > (Silence.) > You are dismissed. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 11 > > What is Sin? > D OES sin lie in commission or omission? > Does it exist in the form of the unworthy act committed, > or the worthy act withheld? > There are individuals whose lives to the outward eye have been > sinless, yet we are sure if thereá is a hell, they will go there. > Some, there are, whose lives have reeked with sin, yet whose > Souls are aflame with the Divine Spark of love and kindness; > Often radiating from these there is a sense of humility, a child- > like repentance, a struggling for better things, even in a con- > tinued state of sinning, which appeals to the heart and makes us > Jove the sinner. Some, there are, who have sinned and found the > taste of bitter water, and in their hearts thank God for the ex- > tperienc&--others have sinned and worn a cloak of mock sanctity. > Is so called sin aught save the elimination, through experience > of certain tendencies and animal instincts existing as yet in the > human race-the law of action and reaction evolving towards at- > tainment of perfection? Moral law has been for centuries a > matter of geography. Only units of nations and races will bring > a moral law for the entire planet. > Never having been tempted to steal, you are not a thief. Do > you deserve credit for this fact, having never been tempted? > Have yt;:lu :refrained from other forms of sin more alluring? Have > ~ou stolen the good name of your brother? Have you shut the > tioor of opportunity to him, robbing his soul of the chance to > lrejoice and develop? Which is the greater sin-stealing the > material property of your neighbor, or that which he holds more > dear? There are those in the world today who are so self-centered > lID surrounded by convention, so stingy of their own meager per- > 'sonalities, they are afraid to commit, what might be viewed by > bthers as sin, purely from selfisn motives. Is this state of con- > :sciousness exalted or degraded, and is it not invariably coupled > with an acute mental attitude of criticisism and oft times per- > secution towards others, who through weakness, sometimes > ~hrough conviction, necessity, and again through self-abnegation, > have broken a so called moral law? > There are some souls who can only become pure through sin- > ning. This statement is not advocating commission of sin. It > > Digitized by Coogle > 12 REALITY > > is a statement of fact as experienced by thousands of individuals. > Only by tasting the bitter water could they know it to be bitter. > !If this is the necessary process for the development of certain > individuals, should we not exercise love and patience with them. > ,along this tortured path, recognizing it as a process? How can > .Jl1&n pass through the four kingdoms in this earth life, unless > he voluntarily lives through and beyond tliem? Have we not all > within our natures the mineral, vegetable, animal and human > worlds represented, and the potential spiritual life here on earth? > How can. we know we have passed through these states until we > have eliminated them one after the other, provided we have > entered the earth life during its time of undeveloped spiritual > :COnsciousness? > The remedy for this illness of humanity lies in the evolving > consciousness of present and future generations, the education > of the Divine Physician becoming a part of that consciousness, > where children will be born into a world where purity has been > made a part of the world and lif~ new world, a new day. > Rome had to lose its power through greed and sensuality, to point > the way of such to other countries, and other times. > In the repetition of similar characteristics the writing on the > wall is clear and distinct for those nations and individuals tread- > ing the same path today. > Christ was more lenient to the adulteress than to. t4~ I money > changers, and to the awakened soul of the thief on the cross he > gave a thrilling promise. With his example before us, can we > not be more patient and loving to those whom we call sinners, > and be everlastingly thankful that through his bounty, not > through our merit, we have been spared the ordeal through > which our brother is blindly struggling toward the light, > fC1r all is progress whether on this plane or the planes beyond > the earth life. Once the vision of eternity has entered the soul > of man, this earth life and its experiences are but as the minutes > of the day, and viewed with the knowledge of the Reality of man, > his earth life is from bginning to end a process of elimination. > The realty of sin rests in our giving it realty. Let the siltner > become convinced his sin is not so important as he thinks it and > the world thinks it, and half the battle is won towards the con- > quest of sin. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 18 > > In His Image and Likeness > By Eugene Del Mar > > W Eare told that man is made in the image and likeness of > God. Is this the inspiration .of wisdom or the expression > of ignorance and egotism? Is it true? The mere state- > ment by man that he is made in the image and likeness of God > is no proof of the fact, nor does it ever carry a presumption of > truth. > Man is naturally an egotist and prone to claim for himself all > possible honor and glory. Assuming his God to be possessed of all > power and privilege and conceiving himself the most highly en- > dowed of all creation, it is but as one might expect that he would > claim for himself the closest relation to Divinity. > With man's development in understanding there came a time > when he conceived God as a personal, absent ruler with arbitrary > and absolute power, and there were men-rulers, kings emperors > -:who claimed to command their fellow-men by virtue of their > immediate Kingship with Divinity, and who exercised prerog~ > tives similar to those they had ascribed to Divinity. They > claimed to ruI'e the earth, as the God of man's conception was > assumed to rule the heaven of man's irivention. > Man possesses a body which serves as the servant of his mind, > which is the instrument of his Soul, or essential self. At some > remote past probably man was utterly unconscious of his Divin- > ity and also without the knowledge of his inherent ability to > cre8.te the conditions of his mental and physical expressions. > The Soul, or essential, in the intimacy of its relation with > God, creates its own mental expression and supervises the mental > creation of its physical body. The Soul is the creator of its own > expressions, and invisible Man has as his prototype an inivisible > ideal after which he patterns his own creation. This ideal is his > God. > Basically, man fashions his mind and body in conformity with > his concept of God, the infinite, the Creator, the First Cause. > > Digitized by Coogle > 14 REALITY > > Fundamentally, his mentality registers the fluctuations of his > inner God realizations, while his mind is influenced by suggestions > from without and manifests physically in the shape and form of > the God of his co~bined spiritual realization and mental con- > sciousness. > Does one realize his God as a Dual Being, as essential love and > hate, good and evil, health and disease, attraction and repulsion? > -well and good I-his mind is divided between the ideals of love > and hate, good and evil, health and disease, attraction and re > pulsion. With him, it is as ideal and meritorious to be the one > as the other. His love is always subject to be influenced or even > neutralized by hate, and so with his good, his health, his a~ > traction. > Each of his constructive ideals may advocate at any time in > favor of its assumed rival and opposite. To him life becomes a > great battlefield, and no success is complete, no victory is final. > There is constant opposition and co}Jftict, with resultant wear áand > tear, until the machinery gives out and is scrapped for future re- > modeling. > With the dual conception of God, when one opens himself to > spiritual realization the mold he offers. for filling is a dull one; > and when he receives sensory impressions they register duality. > One's God being dual, his mentality is dual, and his interpre-. > tation of nature is ~qua11y dual. He live.s a dual personality; and > as his ideals are opposite and contradictory, when in harmony > with one of them necessarily he is at discord with the other. > His conception of the Universe is dual, his conception of nature > is dual, and his conception of the self is dual. Fighting himself, > at enmity with himself, inconsistent, incongruous, pulled one way > and then the other; is it any wonder that this is a sick world, and > most everyone in it diseased or lacking in ease? > Truth always accommodates itself to the individual conscious- > ness, to one who believes in the two opposites these are to him > the two great Realities. When one's consciousness functions in > quality, his life is a constant battle, and a world that worships > Quality invaribly is a fighting world. > It would seem evident that man's fundamental estimate of > himself is embodied in his understanding of God the Infinite, the > All. The mold of this estimate is filled interiorly from spiritual > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 15 > sources and exteriorly from sensuous suggestions; both of which > give complete confirmation of each man's estimate of God and > himself. This is one of the wonders of universal law, as does the > subeonscions mind, so the universal law accepts one at his own > estimate, and reacts as it is acted upon. > There is but one conception of God and man that will free the > mind, and therefore the body of man; not quality but unity and > unity of that quality that reveals itself only as Identity. Not > merely a unity of separate factors that fit together, but an es- > sential Oneness. Not merely a combination of parts, but One > and One only; with each hand every part equally necessary to > and inseparable from the One. > "God is One and I am One with God. God is Love, and I am > One with Love. God is Universal, and I am Universal. What- > ever God is That I am." > With this conception, oile opens himself to the universal; he > partakes of it and it of him. With the growing realization of this > one is implied with and impressed by the universal, which in tum > he expresses. With the inflow of universal love all lesser aspects > of love are purified and exalted. With the influx of universal > health, all disease is purged and obliterated. With the intensify- > ing of universal attraction, all resistance and repulsion ceases. > With this intensifying of universal realization the sense of > separation fades and vanishes; the acceptance of necessary in- > justice and inequality becomes increasingly difficult until it is im- > possible; the former oppositions and hatreds evaporate; one be- > comes free in his detachment from non-essentials ;-and he rad- > iates universal in sympathy and kindness in his love for All That > Is. > Man is and ever must be in the Image and Likness of God"; > for man is a creator and both his mental and physical make-up > are determined or dictated by himself. He opens or closes him- > self to the infiow of spiritual realization; he forms the mold which > his realization fills; and the mentality penneated, this realization > interprets the outer world in terms of its own inner development. > One senses the world with the same mentality that realizes God > and the fundamental attributes of one's God are discerned by him > in the material world in which he lives. This is inevitable. One > interprets the visible in the light of the invisible. One's ideas > > Digitized by Coogle > 16 REALITY > > are fashioned within the compass of his ideals, and it is along > these lines that one interprets the material world. > It is in the nature of things that the freedom of the Universe > is comferred upon one to the extent of his understanding of > Truth; that the infinite forces infill one in the degree that he > . opens himself to them; and that he opens himself to them pro- > portionately as his understanding broadens toward the universal. > With an understanding functioning permanently in the universal, > one would realize continually his Oneness with God and Truth. > > An Appeal to the Spiritual Workers > of the World > ''Let Us Take Hands and Help, for this Day We are Alive > Together." > W. Kingdom Clifford > Comrades and Brothers: > Humanity is passing today through a very momentous crisis. > A fierce battle is raging between the Forces of Progress and the > Forces of Inertia and Selfishness. The struggle is universal. None > can escape it. One has to work one way or other. There cannot > be any neutral attitude. Indifference is but a guile; for to rest, > today, means to decay. > We have all, men and women, to face Reality, however~ un- > pleasant for our little selves this may be. We have to do it, or . > fiegenerate. > What is this present Reality? > In the Social World, the war between Capitalists and Prolet- > arians, is murdering thousands of men daily, and what is worse > is murdering every minute TRUTH. In the Spiritual World the > struggle between dogmatism, particularism of thoughts, ,religious > superstition on one hand, free-thinking, universalism and syn- > thesis on the other hand, is in full swing. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 17 > We are all social beings. We are all, consciously or uncon- > sciously, spiritual beings. The result of which is that both rights > are OUR OWN fight. Yet the greater part of Humanity is not > conscious of this fact. Proletarians who are working towards > the future Humanity on the form-side pay little atteDtion > to spiritual factors, hypnotized as they are by their Class-prob- > lems, by the necessities of immediate action. The spiritual > Workers throughout the World (whatever their denomination > may be) who work on the Life-side, too often have but contempt > for the efforts of the Proletariat, most of the time are indifferent > to its sacrifice and sufferings, sometimes even link themselves > with its opponents. . > Proletarians and Spiritual Workers both, in their own way, > do much splendid work. But today something more is required > than splendid work, and that is: Synthetic work. To work syn- > thetically means, for proletarians and occultists of any kind, to > wortt hand in hand, with the understanding that one cannot win > without the other, that the proletarian struggle for social free- > dom, the artis~s struggle for creative freedom, the mystic's and > occultist's struggle for spiritual freedom, are but various aspects > of the same struggle. The points of view differ; the basis is the > same. > The Spiritual' Workers believe most of the time that they > are far ahead of the Proletarians in evolution. If they are con- > sequent, they should then be their servants; for, 88 said the > Master, "He that is greatest among you, shall be your servant." > Such an attitude, openly and loyally assumed by the Spiritual > Workers of the whole World, would be the most potent factor > in elimjnating the distrust existing between them and the pro- > aetarlans. Should understanding, trust and love exist between all, > the Cause of Progress would be definitely won. > To further such an understanding-intellectual, moral and > 8piritual-between proletarians and spiritually-inclined workers, > to harmonize and unite their efforts towards an all-inclusive free- > dom, is the aim of the "INTERNATIONAL UNION OF SPIRIT- > UAL WORKERS FOR THE SERVICE OF THE PROLETAR- > IAT." > Let those who are ready to serve and work with a sacrificial > devotion, for an independently assumed ideal, with an unselfish > > Digitized by Coogle > 18 REALITY > > love for mankind, with a broad and synthetic intelligence, unite > 'With us who are striving to bring unto Humanity Freedom, Peace, > Equilibrium. > Let those who feel or know that a change, to be of real value, > :must first be an universal and multifarious change, join their > longings and their'practical efforts to our longings and our efforts. > We all are but ONE, if only we are ready to live this Oneness > 'Within us; and to feel this Oneness deep in our heart, is to go on > in the world, our poor, tragic world, and help and serve and if > needed die, so that a little more beauty, harmony and spirituality > . illumine our Great Mother, Earth. . > D. RUDHYAR (France), > PROF. H. E. SAYERS (United States), > DR. R. ALLENDY (France), . > ARYEL HOUWINK VREEDENB~GH > (Holland), > All Communications should be addressed to the Secretary: > D. Rudhyar, Krotona, Hollywood, California, U. S. A. > > ro OUR READERS > You will find many new advertisements in > this issue. Be sure and look them over care- > fully, and' write to the advertisers, so they > may know that REALITY readers are glad . > to co-operate. > Remember, the. advertiser judges the > merits of a publication by the number of in- > quiries he receiv~s! Watch for new adver- > tisements, and as they appear, answer them! > We Thank You, > Reality Pub. Corp. 416 Madison Ave., N. Y. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 19 > > The Current Art > O NE of the most interesting shows of the past season wasá > the retrospective exhibit of American Art, including ex- > amples of American Art from 1689 to 1921. The exhibit > was under the capable direction of Mrs. Albert Sterner, with > the assistance of several generous dealers. In fact, perhaps the > one fault of the exhibit was that it reflected too much of the > dealer spirit, and not sufficiently that of the artist. Great works > of art come into existence not to be sold, but because the artist > must produce them, and the most remarkable paintings and > pieces of sculpture are created in this way. Fortunately they > must be sold, and the influence of the dealers through the enor- > mous expense which their business entails, has put an artificial > value upon works of art, which makes them the luxury of the > millionaire rather than the joy of the common man. If we could > deal directly with the artist himself, we could frequently afford > to buy his productions, but confined to the dealer, we must be > ~ntent to carry away mental reflections .of them. > The Hartly-Rosenberg sale at the Anderson Galleries last > spring offered a suggestion which artists may follow. The sale > went off quiekly and successfully, and everything was 'sold at a > price' excessively moderate. But many an artist who is prolific > and loves his work would prefer to sell his canvases readily in > such fashion. He establishes thereby a sympathetic contact > with a directly purchasing .clientele, who become attached to > him personally, and he gains a freedom of development, impos- > sjble behind the shield of the dealer. This has been the ease > in the earlier periods of Art production. It . accounts for the > Jemarkable local art schools of Italy in the 14th and 15th cen- > turies. The art dealer has always existed, but' he has never > been so dominant an art note as he is at the present time. His > evil is that he regardsá art purely from the' commercial stand- > point, and in that way is crushing to its creative side. > The retrospective exhibit allowed the observer to see' for > himself exactly what American' Art has done, and what it is > > Digitized by Coogle > 20 REALITY > > doing at the present moment. One can never forget the line > of paintings in the farthest room, where hung a row of canvases > by George Luks, Henri, Glackens, George Bellows, the excluded > of an earlier day, but now hanging on the line in favored posi- > tions. The warm splendor of Lub "Houston Street," was some- > thing not easily forgotten. He seems to have epitomized the > entire orient-occidental east-side in this remarkable painting of > a New York square. Rockwell Kent hung in this line also, and > still shows the effect of Alaska and its stupendous contrasts upon > his artistic imagination. He received from that winter in the > snows his first purely creative impulse, and the sketches he > brought back which are published in his delightful volume en- > titled "Wildemess," are touched with genius. But there are > far away realms of the spirit which he has still to explore. Why > root oneself in the pocket book, when new worlds are beckoning, > when adventure calls, and only profit holds one fast in the line > that has an assured sale. The true artist disdains the wisdom > of the pocket book, and is always willing even to risk many din- > ners for the sake of real achievement. > One remembers with interest the story of Winslow Homer, > whose camp in the Adirondacks was invaded in his absence by > a group of millionaires who seized his sketches and water colors > and left a pile of gold in lieu of their artistic plunder. A friend > said to him, "Now, Homer, your fortune is made. Henceforth > you will be able to sell all the Adirondack pictures you can paint I" > And Homer grunted, "Huh! I'll probably never paint another > one!" > The delight o.f the exhibit lay in the perspective it offered > through past and present American Art. Here were the old > favorites, Sully, Copley, Gilbert Stuart, Rembrandt-Peale and > their like, who painted with singularly independent ideas and a > very bad technique, an early landscape by Doughty, significant of > the first achievement in that line, a series of William Morris > Hunts paintings, who marks the dividing point between the old > and the new American Art. And following him were all the > glorious new world including the Zorachs, Malvina Hoffman- and > Hunt Diederich, Whistler, Emest Lawson and Arthur B. Davies. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 21 > The leading impression left upon the mind of the observer, > was one which outlined the breadth, variety and independence > of American Art at the present time. The Winslow Homer's > were most interesting because they indicated the path the artist > trod in seeking his atmospheric and human truth, the Inness' > were similarly illuminating. There was a little John La Farge > of Tahiti, very unlike George Biddle and Gauguin. Childe Has- > sams output showed both his recent adventures, which have been > cheering, and some of his older work. William M. Chase's "Still > Life" of dead fish brought back the old world; his "Hide and > Seek" suggested what he might have done, if he could have for- > • gotten technique. Sargent's "Grave-Yard in the Tyrol" is one > of those canvasses of feeling, which represent interesting phases > of his great work. > The younger school was not always at its best, but is always > interesting. It is to be hoped that John Sloan will not forget > entirely his wonderful east-side work, which was recalled here > by the well remembered "3 A. M." and "McSorley's Bar," and > by the significant "Girl at the Machine." Jerome Myers seldom > wanders from the accustomed realm in which he is peerless. He > will live as a painter of the east-side children. Hilda Belcher had > a delightful water color of "Two Old Women." Walter Vfer > brought us the world about the foothills of the Rockies. Arthur > B. Davies showed a series of fascinating moods and sketches. > The old artist is dead within him and the new artist is struggling > for birth, and there are masterpieces dawning upon his horizon. > Kenneth Hayes Miller had three canvases showing his pecu- > liar independence of outlook. Nanette Calder had a most poetic > version of "Leda and the Swan." Bryson Burrows hung "At the > House of Simon," one of his characteristically spiritual canvases. > Louise Brumback, who is the most virile and original of our > woman landscapists, had an admirable "Swimming Pool." > Cecilia Beaux had a marvelous portrait all in whites, with > vivid eyes. As usual a technical achievement, but as usual alive. > Sloan Bredin, another artist, who has recently found a new ex- > pression showed a portrait, "Barbara Bredin." > In many ways the exhibit gave a sense of completeness that > was satisfying, and it is to be hoped that the Junior Patrons > will continue their enterprises. > > Digitized by Coogle > 22 REALITY > > Marco Zim has painted a marvelous portrait of Abdul Baha, > the unveiling of which is noted in another column. Later on > when Zim is known to the world as a great artist. this portrait > will be recognized as one of his masterpieces. > It is beautiful in color. powerful in handling. and floats free > from the background like a living thing. It is necessarily painted > from a photograph. as Zim is in New York and Abdul Baha in > Haifa, but it could not be more vividly alive if it had been com- > pletely painted in the heavenly presence of Abdul Baha himself. > It has a song. a vibration like that of the temple model. and > who knows? it may one day hang in the great temple. > Zim has a plan of going to Haifa this summer in order to > make a portrait bust of Abdul Baha to be reproduced in bronze. > There is no artist more fitted to do such a work than Marco Zim. > for he is equally gifted as painter. etcher and sculptor. and his > busts have that vivid modelling. that feeling at once of form and > life. which some years ago identified the work of Olin Warner > and made him recognized as the greatest portrait sculptor in > American art > So it is to be hoped that Zim will make this journey. and > create again in bronze the loved features of Abdul Baha. > Mary Hanford Ford. > > Bahai Activities > Lillian Kappes. who was the beloved of many Americans > and Persians. has passed away from this mortal earth to the > abode of freedom and immortality. where sorrow there is none, > and left her thousands of friends in lamentation. She joined > the sun like a ray, and entered the ocean of Baha'o'llah like > a drop. She broke this earthly cage and flew where our imagi- > nation cannot travel. The divine gardner picked the finest flower > from the rose garden and placed it in the bouquet of saints and > seers of the Supreme Concourse. Then why should her parents > lament her? > Her head is adorned with the diadem of glory. honor. ser- > vice and eternal life. She is looking down with gladness upon. > the glorious work that she has accomplished in Persia. His > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 2S > > Holiness Baha'o'llah says: "What fear has the fish from the > wreck of the fish, and what cares the spirit for the decomposi- > tion of the body, nay rather the former is the cage and the > latter is the prison." > Let us see what Miss Kappes has accomplished during her > eight years' stay in Persia. When Miss Lillian J. Kappes first > arrived in Persia, she was placed at the head of the Bahai Girls' > School. In a short time she made that school the leader of all > the other schools. These teachers suffered great privations, and > they not only failed to enjoy any of the blessings and comforts > that the Americans are enjoY,ing, but once robba-s broke into the > house of Dr. Klock and Miss Kappes, carried away everything > they had and stabbed them both. They not only were not dis- > couraged, but were glad to share the persecution of the Persian > Bahais. The American Bahais in Persia are constantly serving > the holy threshold and through their instrumentality the Cause > of God has penetrated into the households of the priests, nobles. > and kings! If Miss Kappes has left us, Dr. Klock, Dr. Moody and > Miss Stewart are alive to continue the service of Abdul Baha. > After a short sickness Miss Kappes passed away and > through her death the whole city of Teheran trembled. There > gathered at her door her English friends, her American friends, > and her hundreds of pupils. The sad sight of her hundreds of > pupils who were crying and lamenting, as if their own mother > had died, made all the bystanders weep. It is most heart break- > ing to see those little girls lamenting in a chorus and singing > poems that the girls themselves had composed about the death > of their dear teacher. In brief, about 500 of the Bahais followed > the procession of'Lillian's body. Strange to say that the mother > of Miss Kappes has received hundreds of letters of consolation > from the friends of Lillian Kappes, among them are notes from > the spiritual assembly of every town in Persia, the pioneers of > the Cause, like Dr. Moosa Khan of Gazvin, and -the daughter of > the king of persia Tapos Sullaneh, who is a great Bahai. > The following are a few of the names of those who have > written letters of consolation to Dr. Klock and Dr. Moody: > Mr. Molittor General Postmaster of Persia, Ezatollah Khan, > Nematollah Khan, Ahmad Khan RouHi, Motidoll ah Frazieh, > Progress Assembly (President Ghodsiah Ashraf), Spiritual As- > > Digitized by Coogle > 24 REALITY > > sembly of Mashed, Spiritual Assembly of Ghazvin, Dr. Kuy > Wood, Mrs. Doctor Jordon, Monireh (A great Bahai Poetess), > Mahfal Nourani, Khademin Atfal (The Assembly of the Sunday > School of the Bahais), Shoaollah, Kitty Smith, S. E. Oxley. > A. K. Manucher Khan. > Many friends of Mrs. Aseyeh Allen will be delighted to > read the following tablet from Abdul Baha received by Dr. > Harrison G. Dyar. > Washington. > To Dr. Harrison G. Dyar. Unto him be greeting and praise! > He is God! > o thou revered person! > Your letter written on the 30th of January, 1921, has been > received and deliberately perused. I am obliged te be brief in > the answer because this pen is corresponding with the whole . > world. Letters are. innumerable and arrive as many as to form > a book every day. Therefore I cannot lengthen the answer, and > hope that you will excuse me. > In brief the point is this, that I have maintained friendship > and corresponded with the revered Khanom, Aseyeh Allen, for > several years. During this period I have always dealt and be- > haved with her with kindness. My sincerity is evident. I have > never shown any relaxation in corresponding with her. Owing > to the greatness of kindness I have.called her after the name of > my own mother! This will explain how kind I am! This is > a sufficient proof of my love. I have confidence that she is a > loving and well-wishing Khanom. > I am, however, confident that Aseyeh Khanom will not be > deceived by these complaints, because she is like unto the > mountain, finn in her love > I am highly obliged and pleased with you for your good > wishes for me and for spreading of the teachings of His Holi- > ness, Baha'o'llah. With perfect love and affection I extend to > you my high respects. > (Signed) Abdul Baha Abbas. > April 26, 1921. . > Translated by Aziz'o'llah S. Bahadur, Rahji, May 6, 1921. > > ~igitizedbyGoogle > REALITY á26 > An unusual and unique entertainment was given recently at > the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Davenport, 106 W. 14~d St., > New York City. > These friends are colored Americans loved by a wide circle > of many nationalities. It was in their home that the Rainbow > Circle originated, and naturally they are dear to all its affiliations. > They purchased recently a most beautiful portrait of Abdul Baha, > painted by Marco Zim, and a graceful little unveiling ceremony > was arranged, which was carried out"with many charming details. > Mrs. Lockett, a friend of Mrs. Davenport, was mistress of > eeremonies, and there were many good talks by Solon Fieldman, > Rev. Richard M. Bolden, Mr. Morris, Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Ford, > etc. Mrs. Kelsey read with much grace the eloquent poem by > Horace Holley from the June number of REA~. > A pretty tribute was given Mrs. Copeland, the sister of Mrs. > Davenport. She has taught the Bahai Cause widely, and is great- > ly beloved by many. > The Apartment was a bower of fragrant flowers of all kinds, > and Mrs. Lockett announced that those who wished should take > a flower and present it to Mrs. Copeland with an expression of > individual sentiment. So the guests began to arise separately and > choose a flower which was given to this favored one, and the > words most frequently used were, "I am giving you this because > you have lifted me up". A little later the friends presented Mrs. > Copeland with a beautiful robe of soft-grey crepe du chine, lined > with rose colored silk. Mrs. Craig in presenting it said: "I saw > you in a new robe given you by God and this is a symbol of it." > The Curtain was 1ina1ly drawn aside from the beautiful por- > trait of Abdul Baha by little Milton zim and Clara Hewlett, the > tiny dark skinned god-daughter of Mrs. Davenport, and as the > divine face of the Beloved was revealed, it seemed as if a heaven- > ly presence descended upon the company, uniting all in its One- > ness. > > He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that > ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.-Prov. 16; 82 > > Digitized by Coogle > ___26 REALITY > > Julia Ward Howe's Vision > "O,ne night recently 1 experienced a sudden awakening. I > had a vision of a new era which is to daw~ for mankind, in > which men and women are battling equally, unitedly, for the up > lifting and emancip~tion of the race from evil. > "1 saw men and women of every clime working like bees to > unwrap the evils of society and to discover the whole web of vice > and misery, and to apply the remedies, and also to find the in- > fluences that should best counteract evil and its attendant suffer- > ing. > "There seemed to be anew, a wondrous, ever-permeating > light, the glory of which 1 can not attempt to put in human words > -the light of a newborn hope and sympathy blazing. The source > of this light was human endeavor-in mortal purpose of countless > thousands of men and women who were equally doing their part > in the world. > 1 saw the men and the ~omen standing side by side,áshoul- > der to shoulder, a common, lofty, and indomitable purpose light- > i.ng every face with a glory not of this earth. All were advanc- > ing with one end in view, one foe to trample, one everlasting > good to gain. And 'then 1 saw the victory. > "All of evil was gone from the earth. Misery was blotted > out. Mankind was emancipated and ready to march forward in > a new era of human understanding and ever present help. The > era of perfect love"of peace, passing understanding. > Boston, June 29, 1908. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 27 > > From "The Globe": > Scores Petty Officials' Treatment of Immigrants > > Writerá Deplores Fad That They Are Treated 88 "Cases" and > Not as Humans - Solution of Problem Requires Trained Men > > By Oliver Madox Hueffer > Thanks to our usage of common words, we have come to con- > sider an immigrant as some strange creature to be met only in > official documents or newspaper articles and distinct from human > beings. > I know many persons who would be offended if you told them > that they or their fathers or grandfathers were immigrants, and > it is perhaps due to some such impression that we find many > who have been here only a few years among the loudest in their > outcry against free immigration. > One result is that the immigrant of to-day is not only dis- > cussed as though he were a strange animal, but frequently is > treated as one. It goes with the official mind in all countries to > invent labels under which to catalogue all possible cases or > emergencies, and, accordingly, once a traveller to America comea > under the official ken he must consent to lose all individuality > and be treated as one item of an indistinguishable herd. It is > admitted that in very many cases this is no hardship. > > Aecustomed to Treatment > From the earliest years until recently the peasant of central > and southeastern Europe has been accustomed to be so treated > by petty officials, to be ordered around without reason, and the > habit is still strong with him. > I happened to be. in Hungary during the Bolshevist regime > two years ago and nothing struck me more strongly than the > absolute subrpission of the peasant to the petty jacks-in-otllce > who had assumed power in the land. > > Digitized by Coogle > 28 REALITY > > They were "official" and as such to be obeyed until some ODe > in more authority dispossessed them. Thus, while in Europe the > peasant immigrants found nothing extraordinary in being > herded like sheep, in being examined and bathed and fumigated > and driven into separate droves as though they. were being sold > at a country fair. Similarly they submit to the petty tyranny > of stewards and the like on board ship. > Many years ago I assisted in stoking the old Saint Louis > across the Atlantic. I remember thinking how much better > treated were the stokers who were paid than the steerage pas- > sengers who paid. I have seen no recent reason to change that > impression. > Stewards and the like are, in a way, "official" and as such to > be promptly obeyed - and let it be said there is no question > about their love of petty authority, whatsoever their nationality. > It used to be said that British soldiers preferred to be officered > by "gentlemen," because they were never so partial to bullying > as those who have risen from the ranks. And it is emphatieally > true of those who have to do with immigrants from their depar- > ture to their final translation into "citizens" that the lower the > grade of the official rank so much the more brusque and peremp- > tory are the commands. . > I do not think that there is any brutality - at least I never > heard of any - but there is no doubt that steerage passengers, > both on board ship, before and after, are treated with a brusqu& > ness altogether too much reminiscent of the petty official in Rus- > sia or the Balkans. > > Resent Treatment > It is a common complaint, heard to-day more frequently than > ever, that many of our foreign-born citizens resent being treated > like "aliens" even after many years' residence here. In a time > of general unrest it is worth considering whether it is not better- > to go out of our way a little in order to give those of the new > arrivals whom we may allow to enter the impression that they- > are welcome. Many of them fortunately do not know what is. > being said about them as ''menaces,'' "disease bringers," and the- > like. Others do and resent. > > i > ! > > ~ Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 29 > > Even if we decide to allow only one-eighth of 1 per cent. of > them to come at all it seems a pity that they should be taught > from 1heir very arrival to add to the present discontent. And > certainly if I were ~ked to criticize in four words the treatment > of the immigrant on his way here and after his arrival I should > say the greatest fault was "lack of human understanding." > From the time he boards the boat until the day he boards > the train for the last lap of his journey, he is made to feel that > he is an inferior being. He is not badly treated, certainly not > brutally; he is sufficiently fed, he is probably physically more > comfortable than he was at home, but never for a moment is he > treated as a man and a brother, but always as a "ease" and an > inferior. He is not a recipient of charity; he has paid quite a > lot of money for his passage; it is at least on the cards that he > may be a thoroughly desirable citizen. But always he is a prob- > lem to be treated as such. And if anyone doubts it, I can assure > him that the immigrant as an individual dis1ik~ it Vf1l'Y much > indeed. After all it is tough luek:, if you have paid your passage > to the "Gates of Pearl," to find all the angels looking down their > nOses at you. > The honorable editors of "Reality" > and the "Star of the West." > Haifa, June, 18, 1921. > Dear Bahai friends: > I have been directed J>y th~ Holy Leaf, Rouha Khanom to > ask you to kindly deliver a message from her relative to the in- > stitution of the Bahai Girl School which is to be established on > Mount Carmel to the readers of your magazines. > The message is that as it is difficult and inconvenient for > those who can only send small contributions towards the estab- > lishment of the school, the Holy Leaf has asked our dear sister, > :Mrs. Marjary Morten of New York to kindly collect such con- > tributions, give receipts to the contributors and tum over the > funds to our dear brother, Mr. Roy Wihelm who has kindly con- > sented to receive the small funds and keep them till they form. > an amount convenient for transmission. > Your humble servant in the love of > the Covenant of God, > Azizullah S. Baliadur. > > Digitized by Coogle > 80 REALITY > > The Drama > By Frances Eveline Willcox. > > It will be the policy of this department during the coming > season, to review as many of the plays and motion pictures pres- > ented, as space will pennit with a brief analysis of plot and pur- > pose. This may assist our readers in making a selection of the > 'type of entertainment they wish to attend. The plans and activ- > ities of the producers will be announced together with items of > mterest concerning individual members of the theatrical pro- > fession. From time to time instructive material will be offered > showing the progress of the drama and its close relationship to > the advancement of the world and the psych~logy of the times. > There is no method in which mankind can be more convinc- > mgly reached than through the drama and the motion picture. > The field of the lectur~r is limited to those who are interested in > the subject he has prepared; the writer of books must depend on > a percentage of the reading popUlation; the teacher reaches those > who corne to him for instruction; the clergyman isáheard by the > members of his congregation .... but the message of the drama > put forth by means of spoken phrases, acted through natural sit- > uations goes out to the masses. That is one ~ason why the stage > of today holds such an important .place in. the world of progress > as an illustration of Truth. > The dramatist as .well as the producer must keep upá with > the general movement forward. Concerning this Mr. David Bel- > asco has. said: "The formula of playwriting changes every season. > y ~ar by year the dramatist is allowed less license. His skill must > be gr~ater than that of the veteran dramatist for we have ad- > 'vanced with the years and no longer accept that which once > seemed plausible. The new dramatist is forced to move far in > advanCe of the old to get nearer to the truth, to the facts of life." > Therefore, the first serious responsibility rests upon the > shoulders of the playwright who conceives the theme, lesson or > message for the. world. The public :who witness the finished > product in the theatre, give little thought to the labor and time > consumed in preparation. The dramatist sets about his task with > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 81 > as much care and study as the architect who draws the plans for > the building he visions. The plot is outlined to convey the idea, > followed by the construction of arguments, st)Jlggles, contrasts > and emotions necessary to its development. There must be a > reason for every person, line and situation. The play-builder > then selects c~aracters that will best portray his inspi:ration; for > his message, not to a select few, but to mankind, goes out over > the footlights in one projection, and like the dropping of a stone > into a pool, it continues to ripple until the shore is reach~. It > is that sense of responsibility realized by many of our best play- > wrights that has enabled them to place upon the dramatic stage > some of the greatest problems confronting humanity, in a man- > ner that the public could understand. > The difference in presenting the same problem by means of > the motion pictures, is the fact that the camera enables the au- > thor to visualize through various scenes the situations that go to > make up the story. This requires a careful study of the text > for frequently a dozen or more scenes are used to convey the. > contents of a simple phrase in the spoken drama. As a source of > edueation the picture field is unlimited and unexpected and re- > markable results have developed through this newer art. > Rehearsals are already underway of the dramatic produc- > tions to be launched the coming season and a few have been given > preliminary "try-outs".. > The ever changing conditions of the country cause~ an equal > number of changes in the handling of theatrical enterprises. Some > years ago managers sent out from one to three or four organiz- > .tions presenting New York successes, dividing the tours to cov- > er all territories east, west, north and south. Now it is next to > an imposfl!ibility to send any but seasoned Metropolitan companies > into the larger centres. This is not due entirely to the financial > condition of the country, but to a general combination of circum- > stances; including increased railroad rates, the installation of > motion pictures in theatres formerly presenting only dramatic > .ttractions, and the education of out of town audiences to the > point where proverbial "road companies" do not satisfy the > demand of the patrons. > . . This situation has brought to the surface the possibility of > a revival of permanent stock Companies in cities where theatre- > > Digitized by Coogle > 82 REALITY > > loving people desire to see the latest and best productions that the > managers cannot afford to send on tour. There have been many > stock companies successfuIly operated in. New York City, where > some of our best dramatic talent was developed. Mr. Augustin > Daly's famous organization helped to establish such wellknown > players as Tyrone Power, Frank Worthing, Hobart Bosworth, > John Craig, Charles Richman,Henry E. Dixey, Maxine Elliott, > Cecilia Loftus, Ada Rehan, Percy Haswell, E. H. Sothem, Julia > Marlowe, Amelia Bingham, Robert Mantell, John Drew and othe1'8 > The Charles Frohman S~k Company was also a developer of > 'talent, and numbered among its members Viola Allen, Guy Stand- > ing, Margaret Anglin, Blanche Bates, Maude Adams, and a lpng > list of players who later starred in their own companies. The > Boston Museum Stock ga~e the public splendid entertainment for > years > Mr. Oliver Moroseo has maintained a stock Company every > year in California and has used it to try out and develop new > material. Also, Stuart Walker's stock company in Indianapolis > 'has become a fixed institution, presenting Broadway successes > with Broadway players. . > There seems to be no reason why those who enjoy the thea- > tre but are unable to visit New York should not have an oppor- > tunity of'seeing each year's output in their own city, presented > by first class artists. As Mr. Brady remarked: "I ~ the proper > tonic to restore the lost vitality of the American stage has been > found in the rejuvenation of regional stock companies that con- > tributed so largely in the past to the healthful development of > the stage." > News Items > Miss Lillian Albertson, whose well remembered perfonnancea > in "Paid in Full" gave her a position of prominence, will return > to the stage to create the leading role in "The Six-Fifty", a play > of American life by Kate McLaurin, a successful short story > writer. > Mr. Adolph Klauber will produce a dramatic novelty by Jul- > ian Francis, this season, ealled "One Of Three". > Miss Georgia Lee Hall, who appeared with William Collier in > "The Hottentot" is playing a special engagement with the PoD > Companies prior to rehearsals with Mr. Collier in a new comedy. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY ss > Augustus Pitou, manager of Walker Whiteside makes the > announcement that his star will" appear in a new play late in > September. " > The title of Leo Ditrichstein's play which was presented at > Stamford on July 16, has been changed to "Face V3Iue." > The new Owen Davis play, "The Detour" has Augustin Dun- > can, Minnie Dupree, Mary Carroll, Willard Robertson and Felice > 'Mossis playing important roles. The first production was made in > Atlantic City on July 11th. > Thomas J. Kelly, a brother of Gregory Kelly the creator of > Booth Tarkington characters, has been appointed as head of the > School of Dramatic Art in Ithaca. Mr. Thomas Kelly wrote '~The > Son of Isis, produced by Stuart Walker and has appeared in > support of several well known stars. > > Concerning the. Motion Pictures > There is a strong demand for co-operation in the motion pie- > ture field as voiced by Mr. Will M. Ritchey, of the Rockett Film > Corporation, in a recent interview. In his opinion the wholly > commercial era is past and the creative epoch of cinema evolution > has arrived. "We are going to have pictures that both educate > and entertain-that are built with a purpose," declared Mr. > Ritchey. "The parrot cry, 'Give the people what they want,' is > a fallacy. We are going to give the people what they should have, > and they will quickly respond by liking it and thus be lifted to > higher ideals. The motion picture is an educational quite as > much as an entertainment medium and one of its functions is to > create a demand for better things. The world outcry today is > Give me something that will help me I "The motion picture must > do .ts part in answering this outcry by building pictures from > stories that" tell the tale of human life, and human naure, the > highest type of which may be found in the Bible-like the stories > of Joseph and David and scores of others." > It is a well known fact that during the past year there has > been a general upheaval in the picture industry and it is to be > hoped "that the prophecy of Mr. Ritchey will be fulfilled. The mar- > vellous development of the camera should by all means be used > as an important factor in the world's betterment. > > Digitized by Coogle > S4 REALITY > > Among the Paramount releases during the month were "The > Woinan God Changed", an adaptation of Donn Byrne's story, > "Redemption Cove" ; a Byron Morgan automobile race story called > "Too Much Speed" with Wallace Reid; "The Mystery Road," the > first Paul Powell production, taken from an E. Phillips Oppenheim > story and featuring David Powell who has been seen in support > of many of the leading motion picture stars. > Thomas Buchanan's play "Life" which had a long run at the > Manhattan Opera House, New York, a few seasons ago has been > given a special picture production by William A. Brady with a " I > > cast including Herbert Druce, Nita Naida, Jack Mower, J. H. > Gilmore, Arline Pretty, Leeward Meeker, Edwin Stanley, Curtis . > Cooksey, Geoffrey Stein and Effingham Pinto. Travers Vale di- > rected the screen version. > In the Goldwyn picture "The Old Nest", made from the Rup- > ert Hughes story-three actresses play the role of Emily, start- > ing with Marie Moorhouse as the baby, Billie Cotton as the twelve > year old girl and finally Helen Chadwick as the charming young > lady. > Will Rogers, who plays the knight of the road in "An Un- > willing Hero" collected his information on the genus hobo- while > a cowboy in the Oklahoma ranch before he deserted the Western > prairies for the stage. He has his opportunity to return to his > earlier phase of life in the pictures. > "Get-Rich-Quick-Wallingford, the play by George M. Cohan > well remembered for its marked success, has been put upon the > screen by Cosmopolitan Productions and is scheduled for an early > release. The principle characters are in the hands of Sam Hardy, > Norman Kerry, Doris Kenyon, Billie Love and Diana Allen. > Wallace Reid, Elliott Dexter and Gloria Swanson will fonn > the three-star combination when Jesse Lasky screens "Rainbow's > Rod." > > ..." > REALITY 35 > > In Italy > I N Florence nestled in the arms of th~ surrounding hills, the > beautiful tree of spirituality is rooted and is beginning to > spread branches of flowering leaves over Italy. There is a > vibrant something that quivers like a flash of the summer's sun; > a look in the eyes of Italy's sons and daughters, as if they were > measuring their strength and a tenseness of voice that is keyed > to the need of the hour. > This is a boundless topic and worthy of a tender attitude of > interest, for Italy has risen above the commonplace and stands > ready to put on the garment of the Beloved. > Here in Florence, there are many spiritual activities; a New > Thought Center has been established as an Italian section of > the International New Thought Alliance. > Several magazines are devoted to spiritual subjects, and re- > cently a definite plan has been made to create in Florence a new > international school along modern lines where there shall be > great freedom of thought, where comradeship shall be encour- > aged and self-government taught-a school with a broad spiri- > tual ideal where every human faculty can be brought into beau- > tiful harmony with the music of the spheres. > There is a longing in the heart of the Italian. youth to break > away from the forms, to plunge forward into new paths in every > activity. They are on tip-toe for a flight, as Keats expresses > that upward craving of the soul, searching the way elear-eyed; > with hot fingers opening doors along ecclesisticallines that have > long remained shut. > Today with temples bursting they are casting every obsta- > cle aside in order to be able to satisfy an inner hunger that is > inexplainable unless there is a power of the spirit in the world > today, as in that other day when Christ was upon the earth. > We have here in Florence a "Philosophical Library" where > ~here are books and reviews in all languages and where lectures > can be attended. Dr. Assagioli is a director of the library and > is working with us to teach the beautiful truths of the Bahai > movement, and we look forward for great results in Italy. > > Digitized by Coogle > 86 REALITY > One of the young men who comes to our circle is eager to > start a center near Siena. Is this not wonderful? > The women of Italy have sensed the new spring time and > with a calm grandeur are proclaiming that they are an important > factor in the new adjustment that must be made. They have > inherited the best tendencies of life and can expect efficiency, > for they have a fine understanding of the beauty of service to a > noble aspiration. > There are groups striving to spread the clear truth of a > p10ral fellowship advancing the theory that a sexual education > is necessary. > • In Florence, Rome and Turin there is an active Theosophi- > cal work independent of the societies. With hearts full of the > Love of God they are endeavoring to serve mankind; seeking to > make the world a rose-garden, where spirit forces, like waves > of fire, keep pure the hearts that yearn toward the heavenly > beauty. > One of the most interesting movements is liThe Lamp- > Bearers" founded by a group of young women. They realize that > there is a neeessityto put on the full annour of service, if hu- > illWllty is to survive in the life and d~th struggle of the hour. > This is indeed a marvelous cycle! > "The Lamp-Bearers" have a complete plan of inner spiritual > work and also are teeming with practic8I ideas for mutual help > along educational lines. They wish to promote a feeling of good- > will and fraternity amongst women of all nations and races. It > would seem as if "The Lamp-Bearers" would attain international > significance because of the consecration of these earnest workers. > Italy is feeling forth pushing away the shadows that obscure > the sight and becoming immersed in the eternal sweetness of > doing and being. > Here, in lovely Italy, where past religious teaching has left > great imprints of beauty on marble and stone, where nature is • > so marvelous and where dreams take on a wonderful personality > and seem always to be ready to step down from some far-haven > clothed in the gold and purple of the heights toward which the > ~ forms of the cypresses are ever reaching; here amid the > mad earnestness of Italian people, the teachings of the Bahai > Revelation are understood. Here, the red language of truth > is being absorbed, for there is no purposeless intensity in the > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 87 > Italian nature, but like one possessed, after they have once par- > taken of the wine of God's love they become runners proclaiming > the New Springtime. I know this because we have established a > center, are now studying the twelve basic Bahai principles; every > one of the precepts are accepted and the movement is liked, as > ihrough it they can visualize a future of peace and tranquility. > They are feverishly awake to the beauty of the Hidden Words; > they absorb the lovely imagery that is so exquisite with the > glowing colors of heavenly beauty. . > I can assure you that the people of Italy are ready to work > and to pray as they labor, and that there is a wistful attitude in > their eager strivings toward a better adjustment to the New > Day that would affect you strangely. Always-though the > breezes of discord sometimes blow-are they ready to look away > from the soil-stained rose withering on its stem that was once > 80 full of life-giving fragrance, toward the beautiful blossom of > the New Springtime that is shedding its sweet odours over the > world.. Edith Burr. > UNFOLDING DREAMS > By Albert Durrant Watson > From vast pavilions cold and gray, > My winged thoughts upmounting fly; > "Press on," the cloud-horizons say, > "Your dreams are pathways up the sky." > "Press on," the beacon star-lamps tall > Of mighty constellations call. > A hundred thousand things I pass- > Each is to me a thing apart, > A ftake of snow, a blade of grass, > Its face I see but not its heart; > I lack the magic cord that ties > The links of wisdom for the wise. > And yet a music sweet and dim > Swells. oft into a strain sublime > As if the singing seraphim > Had drowned the thunder-tones of time, > And heaven and earth were whispering low > The wonders that the angels know. > June 80, 1921. > > Digitized by Coogle > 88 REALITY > > The Present Age > *Dedicated to President Woodrow Wilson > By Charlesá Manning Swingle, M. D. > This age was made for me! > The glories of its sun are mine! > High on the highest ridge which marks > The line between the old and new, > Was I brought forth to view the whole > Of that fierce fight atwixt the two > Contending ages! Storm-clouds fonned > On either side of that divide > To strike the line where other met > In mighty opposition! > > Full well > I know the battle can't be told!- > Leastwise I felt the rushing winds > And saw the lightnings flash and heard > The roar of deep-toned thunders ~ > And answer back in kindred voice! > The mountains shook arid tumbled down I > Amidst the blinding elements > Ambition strove to reach the height > On highest peak of time! He fell, > Pulled down in ruin of the world; > And such a thrill pulsed thru my soul > As never moved a king: for all > The glories of the sun are mine! > > Oh! yes: this age when time crowds full > With galaxies of great events,- > When meteors dash across the sky > To burn themselves to bitter dust,- > When comets circle round the sun > To make-believe their light outshines > The splendor of the glowing skies,- > Is mine! I claim it all as mine! > The sun still shines for me! > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 89 > A hundred years ago! ah! pooh! > There was no stir upon the sea > Nor cloud within its bosom! That age,- > No single sign of mighty deeds > Which recent found fruition! Then! > Old Time had yet not set a line > Of all that now is fixed in gold > And scattered thru the world! > > That age was dead! The spark > Which set its rubbish-heap afire, > Bad then not yet begun to kindle, > Whereas rve seen the conflagration! > And yet withal amid the smoke > The sun still shines for me! > > And what a hundred years from now? > The forces which now play' their part > . To fashion out the future years, > Will thru with terrorizing men j - > The wreck and ruin--cleared away j - > The greedy voice of class and clan, > Will be more just! The sea of life > With turmoil deep, will smoothen down > And on a higher level! Yea l- > And men will sail their boats upon it, > Like boys who made in little lakes > When storms are broke, without a fear > Or thrill of battle's terror! > But me > Oh! let me feel the plow grind thru > , The rock-ribbed waste of ages gone > Than eat the ripened fruit of times > Which must be molded now! I choose > The torque-the tension of the time, > When men rebel at what is just, > That I may have one keenest look > At hoghness of their folly-if but- > The sun still shines for me! > > Digitized by Coogle > 40 REALITY > > None doubt the new age yet to" be!- > I revel in the break of day > With men yet lulled in lethargy! > I love to tap their sleeping skulls > With gavel of my thought and see > Their great round eyes in wonderment > At sight of "Dawning Sun" which shines > For them and me! > > So let me live today! today > When I can see the lightning's flash, > The burning brands, the fire, the smoke,- > When I can hear the thunder-tones > Of the eternal struggle ! Yea!- > When I can sense the earth's old crust > In cataclysmic heaval! And- > > When I can smell the rubbish-heap > And see The Phoenix Truth again > Arise from out the smoldering pile!- > And with and thru it all the sun- > The SUN still shines for me! > *Because he must have felt more than anyone in the Western Worlcl > the spirit of the poem I -C. M. S. > > The Impassioned Appeal of Mrs. Catt. > > Mrs. Catt speaking before a mass meeting of Women Voters > upon the "Psychologies of Political Progress," said in part: > "You have heard politics all day," she said. "I can't help say- > ing something I feel I must. > "The people in this room tonIght could put an end to war. There > is no audience in the world that won't applaud him who talks of > world peace. Everybody wants to and every one does nothing. > "I am for a league of nations, a Republican league or any kind > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 4J > > the Republicans are in. I believe it the duty of everyone who > wants the world to disarm to compel action at Washington~ > "Our country is not judged by its parties; it is judged as a > nation. But why don't we do something? I ask you; Is there > anybody anywhere with an earnest crusading spirit who is trying > to arouse America? No. We are as stolid and as inactive as if > we did not face the greatest opportunity in history.'" > "We are the appointed leaders. It isn't possible for us to see > the horrors of the other side. We go on daily living in a paradise > while tragic Europe tries to gather its ruins together. We have > waited too long, and we will get another war by waiting. > "Let us make a resolution tonight; let us consecra~ ourselves > to put war out of this world. It is necessary that we rise out of > shallow partisanship, that we act as women. > "Let us tell Mr. Harding and the Senate that we expect action. > Let us be silent no more. Let us join hands with every one who > wants to put this terrible war business out of the world. > "Men were born by instinct to slay. It seems to me God is > giving a eall to the women of the world to come forward, to stay > the hand of men, to say, 'No, you shall no longer kill your fellow- > men.' " > When Mrs. Catt sat down there was a dead silence for a few > seconds, followed by wave on wave of applause. Some women > were crying, some partly hysterical. > > Irwin Pietures Next War's Horrors. > Will Irwin, the writer, who preceded Mrs. Catt, had painted a > grim picture of what the next war would mean. > "Women will be mobilized and sent to their places just like, > men in the next war," Mr. Irwin said. "Formerly women and > children were exempt from deliberate killing in warfare. In the > "late war millions of women were put to work in munition factories > and at once became fair game. > "A general war ten or twenty years from now, at the rate that > our methods of killing are progressing, would mean the extinction > bf the white man's civilization. We shall find it necessary in the > next half century to get at the roots of war, but the necessary > immediate step is some kind of international agreement concern- > ing disarmament." > > Digitized by Coogle > 42 REALITY > > America's Opportunity > America is in a position to bring about disarmament for the > world. Why does she not act? Here is a spiritual opportunity > never before offered to a nation, and hers will be the crime of > 'not rightly using it. Now is the accepted time-now is the ~ > pointed time. Every hour of procrastination, but briDgs the > danger of human catastrophy nearer, and the possibility of pre- > ~ention more difficult. No question concerns humanity of any > importance in the light of this all important one of cIisaraumleat > for the world. All else is child's play in comparison. > June 5th was set aside by the Federal Council of the Churches > of Christ in America as one dedicated to impressing upon the > nation this great responsibility. United with this movement was > the Administrative Committee of the National Catholic Welfare > Council, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the United > Synagogue of America and the Protestant Churches. > The following letter from General Tasker H. Bliss is illuminat- > ing: > "If the clergymen of the United States want to secure a limit- > ation of armaments they can do it now without further waste of > time. If, on an agreed upon date, they simultaneously pteach one > sermon on this subject in every church of every creed. through- > out the United States, "and conclude their services by having their > congregation adopt a resolution addressed to their particular Con- > gressman urging upon him the necessity of having a business > conference of five nations upon this subject, the thing will be > done. If the churches cannot agree upon that it will not be done > until the good God puts into them the proper spirit of their re- > ligion." > The Administrative Committee of the Federal Council asks > the pastors to recommend to their congregations on June 5 the > following consideration: > "1. That our own Government should take the initiative in in- > viting an international conference to confer uppn the question of > armaments, to which there is abundant reason to believe a re- > sponse would result. > "2. That the constituent bodies of the Federal Council and > all Christian communions, at their assemblies, conferences and > meetings of Executive Boards, should take action urging our Gov- > ernment to undertake this high mission." > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > June 20, 1921. > Tablet Received by MRS. FLORIAN KRUG, > New York: > > To the dear maidservant of God, Mrs. (Florian Krug, unf;(). > her be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious. > > He is the Most Glorious. > > o thou revered dear daughter: > Thy letter has been received. Praise be unto God on your > return' to America, you went with the utmost enthusiasm and > rapture. I hope that these people whom you have converted will, > every one, become a comer-stone in this great Edifice. The- > maidservant of God, Adeline Nicholai is mentioned in the King- > dom of Abha and i~ bestowed with the effulgence of Favor. > His honor, Dr. Krug, my dear friend is always in mind. 1" > do never forget him. It is my hope that he has become a teacher > of divine philosophy; that he speaks of the realm of the King- > dom; that he is charmed by Truth, forgetting entirely the world > of nature; that he will prove to be the banner of Guidance, and > the propagator of the Light of the Higher Realm. Unquestion- > ably it becomes so. > Praise be unto God the Cause of God is developing in New- > York and the friends are in unity and concord. Mr. and Mrs.. > Deuth are exerting their utmost effort in the publication of the- > journal "REALITY." The friends should help them. > Praise be unto God the fasting was observed with the ut- > most pleasure. It is my hope that all the divine Commandment&. > will be practised in that continent. > Unto thee be Abha Glory! > (Sig.) ABDUL BAHA ABBAS. > > May 28, 1921, Haifa. > Translated by: Aziz 'Ullah Khan S. Bahadur, Haifa, Palestine.. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > AKRON NEWS CO. A. C. McCLURG CO. > Akron. Ohio 330 E. Ohio St.. Chlc.go. III.. > MR. M. ANDELMAN MACV'S DEPARTMENT STORE > 291 Tremont St •• Boaton. M.... 34th St•• New York City > ANTHRACITE NEWS CO. MADISON AVE. BOOK SHOP > Scranton. P •• 6711 Madlaon Ave•• New York City > BLUM'S NEWS AGENCV MR. MEALDOW > M.dlaon. WI.. 42nd St. & 8th Ave., N. V. C. > RICHARD MANUEL BOLDEN LLOVD R. NORTH > 106 W. 130th St •• New York City 804 North Rampart, New Orle.nl, > BRENTANO'S BOOK STORE La. > 27th St. .nd Fifth Ave.. New OCCULT BOOK.SHELF > York City 1023 7th St., San Diego, C.I. > CASINO NEWS STAND PRIEWERT NEWS AGENCV > Bro.dw.y. bet. 38th & 38th St... • E. 4th St., Winona, Minn. > N.V. C. MR. SIEBMAN, > ECONOMV BOOK SHOP 38th St. & 8th Ave., N. V. C. > 33 So. I.rk St.. Chlc.go. III. SM ITH & McCANCE > DENVER BOOK EXCHANGE 2 Park St., Boaton, Ma... > 1831 Welton St.. Denver. Colo. R. H. THOMPSON > DR. EDWARD FERNALD P. O. Box 1816, Crlatobal, C. Z. > 4803 Lincoln Ave., Chicago. lila. JOHN WANAMAKER > MISS ELIZABETH FISHER New York City > Unlveratlty School. Avondale. JOHN WANAMAKER > CinCinnati. Ohio > Ph"adelphla, Pa. > MRS. M. A. FOX > 14 E. Frank"n Ave •• Mlnneapo"a. WILKIE NEWS CO. > Minn. 27 W. 6th St., Dayton, Ohio > FRlEDMAN BROS. O. O. WOLCOTT > &3 W. 47th St •• N. V. C. 417 Rookery Building, Spokane, > Waah. > MISS CORA M. FRVE > 3841 N. Irving Ave •• Chicago. ilia. > HALPERIN & SON > 325 High St.. Ham"ton. Ohio > W. E. HARDING > Laurance Street. Vonke .... N. V. ALcrO~~EU~tJ N. V. C. > HUDSON NEWS CO. ANNEX > Lexington. Ky. BELMONT > BRESLIN > MR. KABACK GOTHAM > 23rd St. & 6th Ave•• N. V. C. HERALD SQUARE > KEEFE BROS. MARIE ANTOINETTE > 26 W. P.rk St.. Butte. Mont. MURRAV HILL > LEAGUE FOR THE LARGER PARK AVENUE > LIFE' PENNSVLVANIA > RITZáCARLTON > 222 W. 72nd St•• New York City ST. REGIS > F. LOESER & CO.. DEPARTá SAVOY > MENT STORE VANDERBILT > Brooklyn. N. V. WALDORF .ASTORIA > > PITROIIZE THESE DEllERS, TIEY IRE IElPIi. US.- > REALITY PUBLISHING CORPORATION > > Digitized by Coogle > From Original Drawing by F . Soule Campbell > > Abdul Baha > ,. > > I ~. > > Digitized by Goo le > JENABE FAZEL ~A7.ANDARANI > The Persian seer, who has been lecturing through America upon the > Universal Message of the New Day. > > Digitized by Coogle > The Bahai Movement > Rapidly spreading throughout the world, and attract- > ing the attention of scholars, savants and religionists > of all countries - oriental and occidental > > For the infonnation of those who know little or nothing of > the Bahai Movement we quote the following account translated > from the (French) Encyclopaedia of Larousse: . > > BAilAIsM: the religion of the dis- Atheists a better social organl2latlonl > ciples of Baha'o'Uah, an outcome of' Baha'o'llah represents all these, and > Bablsm. - Mirza Huslan All Nuri thus destroys the rivalries and the en- > Baha'o'llah was born at Teheran In mities of the durerent religions: re- > 1817 A. D. From 1844 he was one of conciles them In th"lr primltlve > the ftrst adherents of the Bab, and de- purity, and frees them from the cor- > voted himself to the paclftc propaga- ruption of dogmas and rites. For Ba- > tion of his doctrine In Persia. After haism hAs no clergy, no religious cere- > the death of the Bab he was, with the monial, no public prayers; Its only > principal Babls, exiled to Baghdad, and dogma Is belief In God and His Mani- > later to Constantinople and Adrlanople, festations. . .• The principal works of > under the surveillance of the Ottoman Baha'o'llah are the Kltab-ul-Ighan, tbe > Government. It was In the latter city Kltab-ul-Akdaa, tbe Kltab-ul-Abd, and > that he openly declared his mlaslon, .• numerous letters or tablets addressed > and In his letters to the principal Ru- to sovereigns or to private Individuals. > lers of the States of Europe he In- Ritual bolds no place In tbe religion, > vited them to Join him In establishing wblcb must be expre88ed In all tbe > religion and unlverasl peace. From this actions of life, and accompllsbed In > time, the Babls who acknowledged him neighborly love. Every one must have > became Bahals. The Sultan then exiled an occupation. Tbe education of > him (1868 A. D.) to Acca In Palestine, children Is enjoined and regulated. No > where he composed the greater part of on~ has the power to receive confes- > his doctrinal works, and where he died sion of sins, or to give absolution. The > In 1892 A. D. (May 29). He had con- priests of tbe existing religions should > fided to his son, Abbas Effendi (Abdul- renounce celibacy, and should preach > Baba), the work of spreading the re- by tbelr example, mingling In the life > ligion and continuing the connection of the people. Monogamy Is unlveraslly > between the Babals of all parts of the recommended, etc. Questlon,s not treat- > world. In... point of fact, there are Ba- ed of are left to the civil law of eacb > bals everywhere, not only In Moham- country, and to the declslons of tbe > medan countries, but also In all the Balt-ul-Adl, or House of Justice, In- > countries of Europe, as well as In the stituted by Baha'o'Uah. Respect toward > United States, Canada, Japan, India, the Head of the State Is a part of re- > etc. ThIs Is because Baha'o'llah has spect toward God. A universal > known how to transform Bablsm Into language, and tbe creation of tribunals > a .unlversal religion, which Is presen- of arbitration between nations, are to > ted as the fulfilment and completion of suppress wars. "You are all leaves of > all tbe ancient faiths. Tbe Jews await the same tree, and drops of tbe same > the Measlab, the ChrIstians the return sea," Baha'o'llab has said. Briefly, It > of Christ, the Moslems the Mabdl, the Is not so mucb a new religion, as Re- > Buddhists the fifth Buddha, the Zoro- ligion renewed and unlfted, whlcb Is > astrians Shah Bahram, the Hlndoos directed today by Abdul-Baha.-Nou- > the reincarnation of Krishna, and the veau Larousse Dlustre, supplement, > L-135 p. 60. > > Digitized by Coogle > AN OPEN LETTER > To the Readers of uREALITr' Magazine: > With this issue "REALITY" has increased in size to 64 > pages instead of 48, as h~etofore. This became necessary > because "REALITY" has grown rapidly in the past few > months under the re-organization plans inaugurated by' our > Mr. Robinson, who became interested in our publication, and > who brought to the magazine over twenty years of ripe busi- > ness experience. Our advertising has grown fast because > we have made a tremendous gain in circulation; 'but please > remember that we really haven't begun to grow yet. > With a very limited capital, which was procured through > the sale of "REALITY" stock amongst our friends, we have > accomplished remarkable results. "REALITY" is not only > destined to beCome the big magazine of the world, but to be > the saviour of mankind. > It is up to you, dear friend, to help in this great Cause > • > and carry out the wishes of Abdul Baha, who has repeatedly > expressed his appreciation of "REALITY," and stated in many > Tablets, "that 'REALITY' will be a great magazine--a great > power-that the friends must help in this work." > If you are not familiar with our plans and how to join > the "REALITY" stockholders family, write us, and we will > gladly send full particulars. In order to reach our goal, it > is essential that the balance of the "REALITY" stock be dis- > posed of quickly under our easy monthly payment plans. > With best wishes, we remain, > Yours in the service of Abdul Baha, > > REALITY PUBLISHING CORP. > > R > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > lDdltol'll ConBUltlnB Edltol'll > Mary Hanford Ford > Howard MacNutt > BUGBNB J. DEUTH Rlcbard Manuel Bolden > Horace HoD.,. > WAHDIIYNlD DEUTH Winifred M. Schumacher > Ann T. Boylan > PUBLIBHBID MONTHLY BY > Reality Publishing Corporation > 418 Macliaon AV8mae _ Tel. Vanderbilt 45'7 New York, N. Y. > Eugene J. Deuth. President Herold S. Robinson. Sec'y & Treas. > Single Copies, 25 cents. Sold at all Newsstands. > Subscription, $3.00 per year > Money Orden Payable to Reality Publishing Corporation > '16 Madison Avenue, New York Ciiy > Oo~&'ht. 1111, b7 ReaUt)' PubUlhlnc Corporation > Entered 81 Second CIals Matter. AlIrIl 26. 18111, at the Post OftIce. > New York, N. Y., under the Act ot March 3rd, 18.,. , > ! > > ---------------------------------J > Volume IV. SEPTEMBER, 1921 No 9 > > Contents of September Issue > > Radiant Acquiescence, or The Law of Letting Go .................. Editor > Professor Cairns Asks Four Questions > The Elements of Universal Religion ...... Jenabe Fazel Mezandarani > The Sin Against the Holy Ghost > Why the Words "Negro" and "Negress" are Objectionable > Richard Manuel Bolden > Why the Black Man Fights > Prolonged Life and Immortality ........_..... Arthur Edward Stillwell > The Current Art .........._.................................._....................... Mary Hanford Ford > A Vision > Can It Be Done? ..........._.................................................................Helen E. Wendell > The Drama _.._................................................................. Frances Eveline Wilcox > For a Single Langua(,e > Excerpts from Notes Taken at Haifa > "A Branch Shall Grow" ............................................................._...._..... E Bahai Activities > > Digitized by Coogle > Radiant Acquiescence or the > Law of Letting Go. > C ERTAIN thoughts are permeating human consciousness, > becoming part of the evolution toward a knowledge and > conscious handling of great spiritual laws, enabling man to > understand his destiny and to use the forces within his grasp > without fear and with joyous abandon .of himself to that prog- > ress which marches ever onward to perfection. Radiant acquies- > cence is perhaps one of the most powerful and least understood > of these laws. To the religious mind it may present itself "As > Abandonment to the Will of God"-to the practical mind it may > be called "The Law of Letting Go." With multitudes of publica- > tions upon the art of concentration, this thought will come as a > shock to those who believe concentration upon a desired object to > be the highest form of mental and spiritual development, but to > the more contemplative mind this truth will become evident as > the progress of life and experience unfolds reality in its true > essence. > Many have found radiant acquiescence to be a foundation > of happiness, for happiness lies within the heart and can only be > manifested in a state of consciousness entirely outside the limi- > tations of any material or physical condition. Witness the mel- > ancholy gloom of those surrounded by all the, world can give, > and in comparison glimpse the radiant joy on the countenance > of many of those who are physical sufferers, or are denied the > material blessings of this life. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > A beautiful, spiritual woman said before an audience, which > thrilled at her exalted words: "It is easy to be grateful to God > when all goes well with one and life seems to carry no hardships, > but it is a rare experience to find a soul so attuned to Love that > it can say in the midst of tests, "Thy will be done, and whatever > is-is best," and say this with a feeling of joy. This is what > Abdul Baha ea1ls "Radiant Acquiescence."- That this conscious- > ness is being developed in many souls was brought most fo~ > fully to mind by reading a few nights after hearing this inspired > speaker the following words in Arthur Benson's "The Altar > Fire:" > "His loss of fortune is not to be reckoned among his calami- > ges, because it was no calamity to him. He ended by finding a > richer treasure than any he had set out to obtain; and I re- > member that he said to me once, not long before his end, that > whatever others might feel about their lives, he could not for a > moment doubt that his own had been an education of a delibero- > ate and loving kind, and that the 4a,y when he realized that, when > he saw that there was not a single incident in his life that had > DOt a deep and an intentional value for him, was one of the > happiest days of his whole existence. I do not know that he > apeeted anything or speeulated on what might await him here- > after; he put his future, just as he put his past and his present, > in the hands of God; to whom he committed himself "as unto a > faithful Creator." > Here was one who had found the purpose of experience- > eternal progress through spiritual development. How seldom > do we pray for what is best for our true growth? We pray for > what we want. We visualize riches, health, ease, comfort, hu- > man lov&-and receiving them, are we satisfied? Are we grate- > ful? Do we not constantly lose the golden hour of the present > remembering past sorrows or fearing future trials? As a prac- > tical help to the sojourner along this path of unfoldment of > apirituallaw, a suggestion may prove of value; a method which > has been tested may bring peace and happiness. If you find > yourself in inhannonious surroundings, limited, hemmed in at > every tum, take those problems to God. Talk it out with Him- > yes, just that, "talk it out with- him." If your heart is pure and > > Digitized by Google > 8 REALITY > > receptive, "'let go" and watch the result. The first step wiD > bring a feeling of lightness, as if a burden has dropped from > your shoulaers. It is not necessary to sit with closOO eyes and > concentrate. Make this feeling of Radiant Acquiescence to what > is best fo~ you, a part of your hourly consciousness, and you > have set in motion a law which recognizes the necessity of pro- > longed tests no longer exists in your particular case, and con- > ditions will begin to change for you in a manner seemingly mira- > culous. There is one thing to bear in mind, you cannot lie to the > Infinite Wisdom of God. Your progress must be real and true. > Radiant Acquiescence bestows the thrilling experiences of the > ''listening ear" for the next move on the part of guidance, and > this ''listening ear" is constantly directed to the still, small voice > within your soul to gather all the lessons the particular condi- > tion in which you find yourself is designed to teach, and oft- > times it is intended to make clear some fault of your own. Again, > sudden ligM will be thrown upon certain channels through > .which help may come. The dark room you live in will begin > to be not so dark. It will become a home of faith, and knowl- > edge that all is for the best, and that while it encloses your activi- > ties for a period, that period will pass, od taking from its en- > vironment the development' it has brought, you will migrate to > some other part of the Wisdom Land to which God always beck- > ons, and this migration will in its tum bring joy and enlighten- > ment. It is not necessary to go to a "healer" to be healed, or to go > to a "medium" to draw your spirit to the spirit of the departed. > God gave you power to do your own work. Only mortals are prone > to overlook this fact. Christ told his followers, they could per- > form greater miracles than He, but they believed not. Resting > in the hands of God, is good resting; it is exciting resting; it is > joyous resting; every day is a new life, a wonderful experience. > Radiant Acquiescence becomes a part of you. You. cannot b& . > disappointed, because you do not want anything, except what > God wants you to have, and in this state of mind the simplest > act of your life becomes an event. You walk hand in hand with > Divine Guidance; you let go every human yearning; you are > guided into new fields of endeavor; you speak words, think > thoughts you never dreamed before; you will find you draw > forth from your friends or associates qualities as yet undia- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 'I > > covered, and instead of seeing tragedy all about you, you will > see the steady onward progress of the fu11llling of destiny, and > the future will hold DO fear of any sort, for true faith in > God eliminates by fear and Radiant Acquiescence is a joy > bringer, also a powerful law which will become a factor in every > human life looking for truth and fulfilment, as all human life > is doing consciously or unconsciously. The following example > of Radiant Acquiescence has examplifted in our day what the > life of Christ examplified in His.-The Editor. > > RADIANT ACQmESCENCE OF ABDUL BABA > > "At nine years of age, I was banished with my father, Baha- > 'o'llah, on his jo~ey of exile to Bagdad, Arabia; seventy of his > follower's aceompaaying us. This decree of exile after persistent > persecution was intended to e1fectively stamp out of Persia what > the authorities considered a dangerous movement. Baha'o'Dah, > his family and followers were driven from place to place. > "When. I was about twenty-five years old, we were moved > from Constantinople to Adrianople and from there went with > a guard of soldiers to the fortressed city of Acca where we were > imprisoned and closely guarded. > "'ibera WIUS 1&0 .ammnni,..Atlnn 'Wh"At.,,~l" with t.ho ou'bddA > world. Each loaf of bread was cut open by the guard to see that > it contained no message. All who believed in the universal pre- > cepts of Baha'o'llah, children, men and women, were imprisoned > with us. At one time there were one hundred and fifty of us to.- > gether in two rooms and no one was allowed to leave the place > except four people who went to the bazaar to market each morn- > ing under guard. . > "Acca was a fever-ridden town in Palestine. It was said > that a bird attempting to fly over it would drop dead. The food > was poor and insuftl.cient, the water was drawn from a fever- > infected well and the climate and conditions were such that even. > the natives of the town fell ill.' Many soldiers suceombed and > eight out of ten of our guard died. During the intense heat of > that first summer, malaria, typhoid and dysentery attacked the > > Digitized by Coogle > 8 REALITY > > prisoners, so that aU the men, women and children were sick at > one time. There were no doctors, no medicine, no proper food > and no medical treatment of any kind. I used to make broth for > the people and as I had much practice, I made good broth," said > Abdul Baha, laughingly. > At this point one of the Persians explained that it was on > account of Abdul Baha's untiring patience, resource and endur- > 'anee that he was called 'urhe Master." One could feel his mas- > tership in his complete severance from time and place and ab- > solute detachment from aU that, even a Turkish prison could > inflict. > uMter two years of the strictest confinement, permission was > granted me to find a house, so that we could live outside the > prison walls but still within the fortifications. Many believers > came from Persia to join us but were not allowed to do so. Nine > years passed. Sometimes w.e were better off and, sometimes > very much worse. It depended on the governor, who, if he hap- > pened to be a kind and lenient ruler, would grant us permission > to leave the fortification and would allow the people free access to > visit the house; ~ut when the governor was more rigorous extra > guards were placed around us and often pilgrims who had come > from afar were turned away. > "Again my Persian friend, who during these troublous > times was a member of Abdul Baha's household, explained that > tM.!£nrkish Government oonld not.credit- the ~ ".hat the inter- > -------est of the English and American visitors was spiritual and not > political. Finally, pilgrims were refused ;permission to see him > and the whole trip from America would be rewarded merely by a > glimpse of Abdul Baha from his prison window. The govem- > ment suspected that t~e tomb of the Bab, an imposing building > on Mount Cannel, was a fortification erected with the aid of > American money and that it was being anned and garrisoned > secretly. Suspicion grew with each new arrival, resulting in > extra spies and guards." > 'Abdul Baha continued: "One' year' before Abdul Hamid > was dethroned, he sent an extremely overbearing" treacherous > and insulting committee of investigation. The chairman was > one of the governor's staff, Arif Bey, and with him were three > army commanders of varying rank. ', > > Digitized by Coogle > REAL.ITY 9 > > "Immediately upon his arrival, Arit Bey proeeeded to try > to get proof strong enough to denounce me to the Sultan and > warrant sending me to Fezan, or throwing me into the sea. > Fezan is a caravan station on the boundary of Tripoli, where > there are no houses and no water. It is a month's journey by > eame1l'Oute from Aeca. > "The committee, after denouncing me in their report, sent > word that they wanted to see me, but I deeUned. I assured > them that I had no desire to see them and when they sent for > me again I sent word back: "I know your purpose•. You wish > to incriminate me. Very well, write in your report just what > you like; send me a copy with instructions as to what I am to > write, and I will seal it myself and give it to you." > "A ship came into port reputed to be the one that was to > take me to Fezan or drop me into the sea. The people used to > stand on the wall of the city and look at this ship; but Arif Bey, > rising in supreme wrath, declared that he would return to Con- > stantinople and bring back an order from the Sultan to have > me .hanged at the gate of Ace&. > "About this time another ship appeared in the harbor, an > Italian vessel sent by order of the Italian consul. On it I was to > escape by night. The friends implored me to go, but I sent this > message to the captain: 'The Bab did not run away; Baha'o'llah > did not run away; I shall not run away'-SO the ship sailed away > after waiting three days and three nights. > "It was while the Sultan's committee of investigation was > homeward bound that the first historic shell was dropped into > Abdul Hamid's camp- and the first gun of freedom was fired into > the home of despotism. That was God's gun," said Abdul Bah&, > with one of his wonderful smiles. > "When the committee reached Constantinople they had > more urgent things to think of. The capital was in a state of > uproar and rebellion and the committee, as members of the gov- > ernment staff, were delegated to investigate the insurrection. > Meanwhile the people established a constitutional government > and Abdul Hamid was deposed. > "With the advent of the Young Turk's supremacy, realized > through the Society of Union and Progress, in 1908, all the po- > > Digitized by Coogle > 10 REALITY > ..-J]I'ttIlI!l{~,I;~~.d,~'á;f?jááá;i~.::!lnfá-fli~!I-Jkl.\;f?-I-~ > lmC8.18iia religiousá pnsoners of theá OttOman Empire were freed. > Events took the chains from my neck and placed them about > Hamid's. Abdul Baha came out of prison and Abdul Hamid > went in'!" > "What became of the committee 1" vias asked. > "Arif Bey," answered Abdul Bah&, "was shot with three > bullets; the general was exiled; the next in rank died suddenly > and the third ran away to Cairo where he sought and received > help from some of the friends there." > "We are glad that you are free," I said. > Again the wondrous smile. "Freedom is not a matter of > place. It is a condition. I was thankful fo~ the prison and the > lack of liberty was very pleasing to me, for those days were > passed in the path of service under the utmost difficulties and > trials, bearing fruits and results. > "Unless one accepts dire vicissitudes he will not attain. To > me prison is freedom; troubles rest me; incarceration is- an open > court; death is life, and to be despised is honor. Therefore, I > was happy all that time in prison. When one is released from > the prison of self, that is indeed freedom, for self is the greater > prison. When this release takes place, one can never be im- > prisoned. They used to put my feet in stocks so," and he put out > his feet before him to illustrate and laughed as though it WeI'e > a joke he enjoyed. I would say to the guard, you cannot im- > prison me, for here I have light and air and bi'ead and water. > There will come a time when my body will be in the ground and > I shall have neither light nor air nor food nor water, but even > then I shall not be imprisoned. The a1Dictions which come to > humanity sometimes tend to center the consciousness upon the > limitations. This is a veritable prison. Release comes by making' > Of the will a door through which the confirmations of the spirit > come." > "What do you mean by the conftrmations of the spirit ttl I > asked. > "The confirmations of the spirit are all those powers and > gifts with which some are born and which men sometimes call > genius, but for which others have to strive .with inftnite pains. > They come to that man or woman who accepts his lite with > Radiant Acquiescence." > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 11 > > Editorial Notes > The following questions were asked Abdul Baha in 1910 by > Prof. CairnS of Edinburgh. They were sent to Abdul Baha by > an earnest Bahai. The questions are of importance, and are con- > stantly being asked Bahais. Abdul Baha's answers are brief and > to the point and will throw light upon the Bahai teaeliing; and > will prove helpful to the investigator and to the teacher. > They were translated by Monever Khanum. > Editor's note.-Questions sent by Professor Cairns, Edin- > burgh, June 24th, 1910. > Is it right to speak of the Bab and of Baha'o'llah as ManIi- > festations, or as Incarnations? > Answer.-The Bahais believe that the incarnation of the word > of God, meaning the changing of the nature of Divinity into Hu- > manity and the transformation of the Infinite into the finite, > can never be. But they believe that the Bab and Baha'o'Uah > are Manifestations of a Universal Order in the world of hu- > manity. It is clear that the Eternal can never be transient, > neither the transient Eternal. > Transfonnation of nature is impossible. Perfect man, Mani- > festation, is like a clear mirror in which the Sun of Reality is > apparent and evident, reflected in its endless bounties. > Do the Bahais teach the doctrine of reincarnation? > Answer.-In the teaching of Baha'o'llah, the reincarnation > of the spirit in successive bodies is not taught. > Did Baha'o'llah claim to supersede the Revelation of Jesus, > the Christ? > Answer.-Baha'o'llah has not abolished the teachings of > Christ. He gave a fresh impulse to them and renewed them; > explained and interpreted them; expanded and fulft1led them. > Did Baha'o'llah claim to be greater than Jesus, the Christ? > Answer.-Baha'o'llah has not claimed himself to be greater > than Christ. He gave the following explanation: that the > Manifestations of God are the Rising Points of one and the > same Sun; i.e., the Sun of Reality is One, but the places of ris- > ing are numerous. Thus, Reality is One, but it is shining upon > several mirrors. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > Lecture > Delivered by . > Prof. Jeaabe Far.eI > Sunday, a P. M., January 28, 1921, New Thought Auditorium > Seattle, Wash. . > ''The Elements of Universal Religion" > > I T gives us peculiar joy and happiness .on this bright Sunday > morning to have the privilege of standing before you to speak > about those eternal truths and endless blessings which bringá > to man felicity and beatitude. During the last few months I > have been travelling throughá the various parts of the United > States and Canada, delivering the Universal message of Bah&- > 'o'llah to many societies and organizations. We come from the > far-off lands of the East thousands and thousands of miles > away. Had it not been for the inventions and discoveries which > have knitted together the distant parts of the earth, it would > have been impossible for an Oriental, traveling across so many > continents and oceans, to reach this country with such comfort > and happiness. The means of transportation and communica- > tion between the five continents of the earth have brought the > peoples of the world nearer to each other; nay, rather. we are > living today in one ~eighborhood, making the various countries > an1l nations as close together as though they lived in the same > apartment. In former ages and cycles, because the world lacked > these tremendous means of intercommunication, the races and > tongues were entirely unaware of each other's opinions, customs > and habits. Not only the continents of the world were entirely > separated from each other, but even the provinces or the c0un- > tries in one continent could not receive the news from one an- > other or come in touch with the current events of their lives. > In those days there were no railroads, no steamships, no > telegraph or wireless, no telephone of phonograph; consequentIJ. > the people could not.realize how they are akin one to the other; > they could not travel from one end of the world to anothtrcm > camels or mules or donkeys, so they were entirely left to their > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 11 > > own wits and became insular and provincial. The cause that > brought alienation and strangeness between the different re- > ligions of the world owes its origin to this very fact of the > separation of nations one from the other, this being due to the > lack of means of transportation. Former religions were founded > by their respective prophets in various parts of the earth with > the aim of educating, developing and unfolding the character of > an especial race; and because these different religions, having > different languages and different customs, could not know what > the other thought or taught, little by little they developed that > sense of bitterness and antagonism against the rest. > > While fundamentally the ideas and principles propounded > by the religions were identical and similar, the very fact that > they did not have a common language and they could not travel > easily from one part of the country to another caused those re- > ligions to form peculiar ideas and ideals which seemingly formed > differences, after which they continued in contradiction and op- > position. The ancient traveller who had to travel either on horae > or on foot spent many years before he could thoroughly investi- > gate the conditions of Qne country. Think of Marco Polo who > in the twelfth century went to Asia, China and Japan and wrote > the first book on the habits and customs of those then unknown > countries for Europe. So this whole matter of separation of na- > tions, of misunderstanding of religions can be resolved into the > idea that those ancient peoples did not have the means and facili- > ties which we have at our disposal and of which we are availing > ourselves for the enlightenment of the minds and the illumina- > tion of the hearts. However, in this glorious age in which we > live, by means of the telegraph, the people of tlie far East can > receive the news of the far West in a few minutes, or an hour, > and the people of America can keep themselves in contact with > all parts of the world by receiving these wire communications at > every second. We can truly say that this is supremely an age > of travel; and traveling brings enlightenment which will in- > crease the sum-total of human knowledge, will make the world > akin, will propagate that sound judgment and will suffuse the > mind with that information which is essential to the making of > the world into one family of nations. > > Digitized by Coogle > 14 REALITY > > -- All these physical and outward improvements in the realm > of science and industry whisper into our ears that we are living > in an age of Universal Religion. They convince us that just as > the physical globe in its material aspect has become more and > more united, likewise the endless realms of the hearts must be > swayed and conquered by dynamic spiritual force which may > bring into the higher consciousness of man that Universal faith, > that world religion, of which men and women have been .dreaming > for ages and ages. We are in need of a Universal Religion to- > day which may act as the light in the globe of material civiliza- > tion; a Universal Religion which may function as spirit in the > body politic, in the commonwealth of humanity; a Universal > Religion which may bring under its tabema.ele all the faiths of > the world, melting them into one, and enabling them to enter > into the realm of unity. > It is not necessary at all to prove to an audience or to in- > dividuals that the world .of humanity today is in the greatest > need of such a Universal Religion, because the voice of humanity > is being heard from all sides declaring that the world is neces- > sarily coming to a crucial point where this great faith must come > to solve all our problems and struggles. Not only is the small > voice filling the world with its soundless music that we are in > need of a Universal faith, but the prophecies and predictions of > the ancient prophets corroborate this fact very clearly. This > prophecy is not only revealed in the Old and New Testaments, > but the sacred scriptures of the seven religions of the world > demonstrate and prove that at .the consummation of ages there > will appear a faith and a truth which will be all inclusive, uni- > versal, and cosmopolitan in temperament and adapation. Every > forward looking man and woman feels somehow that he or she > is living at the dawn of that great age of millenium or Universal > Faith; but what are the elements or the principles which shall > dominate and bring about this faith and make it a living power > in the daily life of men? > The first element of Universal Religion is: An all inclusive > spirit. It must be a collective center of all the highest and nobl- > est and most divine ideals of the ages since the dawn of creation. > It must bring into its platfonn the virtues, the perfections, the > attributes which were looked upon as perfect by the past re- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 16 > > ]igions, and exclude all that is denominational, sectarian and > narrow. Those who are freed from the chains and fetters of > past traditions and without any prejudices study the sacred > scriptures of the religions of the past, realize that each one of > them had a peculiar distinction, a Universal law, that must be > brought into this Universal faith in order to make it appealing > to all sections of humanity. Just as His Holiness, Jesus Christ, > wrote the highest and the noblest laws on ethics and morality, > we likewise find in the writing of Buddha the most sublime, the > most unselfish, the most divine laws and principles in regard to > the spiritual life of man, which are nothing short of miracles in > the scriptures of the world. Each one of these great religions > has jewels and pearls of knowledge and wisdom which are hid- > den under the dust of ages of tradition and sectarianism; and > once we brush aside these impediments, we realize that each and > all of these many religions have great gems of reality. Hence > that Universal Religion which aims to outstretch, to spread its > wings over the children of men, must bring into its system of > morality an internationality a Universality which may include > all the best- concepts of philosophy, literature and religion which > have entered into the minds of men. > > The second element of a Universal Religion is that it must > necessarily accept as divine all spiritual founders of the seven > great religions of the world, and if it denies anyone of these, > it can never become Universal. It will always remain a national > religion, a tribal religion, but not a religion of humanity; for we > can truly state without any fear of contradiction that the relig- > ions of the world in their beginning were similar and pure as > limpid springs gushing forth from out of the heart of the foun- > der. We have observed in the Orient the many attempts of cer- > tain sectarian missionaries to repIaee with their own teligion the > faith of the natives, asking the people to deny the spiritual teach- > ings under which they have been brought up from childhood. It > is impossible, nay, rather unprofitable for any man who has been > brought up and reared in a religion teaching him spiritual quali- > ties of rectitude and righteousness, to deny his own religion and > to go and accept another. His own, which has been inspiring > his ancestors for one thousand or two thousand years, he C8D.- > > Digitized by Coogle > 18 REALITY > > not give up so easily, and why should he? Instead, let us teach > him the relationship and beauty of his own to that which has > for so many hundred years inspired our forefathers and our- > selves. All are one. Therefore, the Universal Faith must have > for its fundamental principle the establishment of the divine > inspiration of all the found~ without exception, so that these > religions of the world may realize that these founders were like > unto brothers and not parties to blood feuds. > The third element of Universal Religion: All its principles > and institutes must be based upon logic, reason and intellect. It > must have not one single element which. cannot be proven by > science and reason, for if any religion today comes forward with > a belief such ~My brother, accept this on blind imitation; do > not try to argue, do not try to find out the why and wherefore > of it, but just accept it because the leaders of religion tell you > to accept it-such a religion in this age is not only impossible, > but is absurd. Therefore, the principles of a religion which would • > be Universal must be reasonable, social and humanitarian in its > scope and nature. > The fourth element of Universal Religion is that it must be > divested from all sectional creeds, fonnalism, rites and cere- > monies which are local and national. creeds and rites of one > religion differ from the creeds and rites of another religion be- > cause they have been instituted with certain considerations in > regard to the exigencies of the time and the place in which tlie > people have been living; se> all these things must be left to the > temperament aJid nature of the various peoples, at the same time > having a body of international laws and moral obligations to > which all men may subscribe without injury to their conscience. > The fifth element of Universal Religion is spiritual democ- > racy. There must be no privilege, no vested rights in any special > class of priesthood or clergy, so that they may little by little > form a class for themselves with certain attributes and privileges > to which all the people must subscribe. The Universal Religion > must be purely democratic with the Universal Ideal that all men > are brothers and there is no one superior to another insofar as > his spiritual qualities are concerned. > The sixth principle is that the Universal Religion must look > upon the world as one globe. There must ~ no racial, religiQUS > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > and national prejudice. It must be the founder of the oneness > of the world of humanity. Just as the glorious sun shines upon > the world of nature and man without any distinction whatso- > ever, showering its energizing heat and light upon all kingdoms > of life; likewise the Universal Religion must look upon all hu- > manity from the standpoint of the sun. Tlie Universal Religion > must not be theological metaphysical; it must be a trinity. It > must have the laws of ethics and morality; it must be in accord > with the sciences and discoveries of the world of humanity, and, > likewise it must bring together all those elements of unity which > have been scattered in the past, but which now must be crystal- > ized into one Universal conception of truth. Its principles must > be like fire, burnmg away all the thorns and thistles of supersti- > tion and tradition, and it must likewise be like rain causing the > growth of the flowers -of amity and fellowship amongst man. > The greatest obstacles that have kept the religions separate one > from the other is their misunderstandingS and traditions. I > > Twelve years ago I was travelling throughout India. Upon > reaching Calcutta, I found there was a big war going on between > the Mohammedans and the Hindus. The streets were barricaded > and dead bodies were strewn hither and thither. I inquired of > one of the men: "What is the reason of this feud and civil war?" > This man told me that the Hindus have sacred Cows. They se- > lect certain spotless cows and from birth these calves are trained > to be the holy cows. They let them roam through the baZaars > and the st~ts eating the provisions from any stores they may > pass. The inhabitants bow down before them; the Hindus bow- > ing and touching them with their hands and blessing them. This > holy cow as she "(alks along the streets is like a queen. She > asks a tribute from every one and every one is more than glad > to give it to her, for she is indeed as fat, obese, and perhaps, we > might say, subtle as some of the leaders o{ religions. Of course, > the cow not knowing any better, one day passed by the store of > a Mohammedan; the Mohammedan, not looking upon the sacred > cow with the same eyes as the Hindus, began driving her away. > The cow, never being treated like this before in her life, simply > looked at the man and paid no attention, but regarding him with > a strange look, continued to eat. At last the man became furious > and ealled upon his neighbors, who brought their hatchets, and > > Digitized by Coogle > 18 REALITY > > in a mob killed the caw in the center of the bazaar. When the > Hindus heard of this terrible catastrophe they raised a cry, > "These infidels of the Mohammedans have killed our Godlike > cow." Coming in a mob, they attacked the Mohammedan quar- > ters, and many were killed. on both sides. This continued until > the British authorities sent soldiers to quell the disturbance. > Now just as the Hindus looked with reverence and awe upon the > cow, the Mohammedans looked with aversion and hate upon the > pig. Hence the Hindus in order to revenge themselves went and > brought a pig and during the night let the pig into the sacred > mosque of the Mohammedans just in the place where the High > Priest goes every morning and prays. Now, the High Priest > and his disciples came before sunrise into the mosque. There, > they saw this pig defiling the sacred place; they called on their > followers, made a big party and attacked the Hindus' quarters. > This time many more people were killed on account of a pig. > Now, the enlightened mind knows quite well that Brahma and > Vishnu and Siva did not come into the world to sanctify the cow, > nor did Mohammed come into peninsular Arabia to make his fol- > lowers hate the pig. These are the superstitions which have > crept into these religions hundreds of years after their founders > have left this world. > Now, the Universal Religion must brush aside all these un- > natural and unreasonable creeds, which are conducive to blood- > shed, and construct those principles which will be conducive to > the health, happiness and joy of the children of men in this > twentieth century. The world of humanity has never been in > need of a Universal religion so much as now. Its ideals must be > like unto a clear fountain which will wash away all these dark > and black blots and clear the way for the unlimited, infinite prog- > ress of human and divine consciousness. > The BaIlai movement, with whose name most of you are > familiar, is that movement which embodies and tabernacles > within itself those universal principles and truths which make > safe and protect the world of conscience from the degradation of > these limited ideas. The Bahai movement is not a new religion be- > cause the world has enough religions already, but it is the quin- > tessence of all the religions of the past; it' is religion renewed > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 19 > in its pristine purity and beauty. When a person studies the > principles of the Bahai faith, he will find within it the gems and > jewels of his own religion rediscovered and reappointed in their > proper setting. The Bahai movement emphasizes and insists > upon the oneness of the world of humanity; it looks upon the > globe as one home without any distinction whatsoever. It is the > clarion call to unity and agreement. It is that spiritual polish > which has cleansed the mirrors of the past religions from the > dust of superstition and human imaginations. > If we compare the principles of Baha'o'llah with those which > Christ uttered on the Mount, we realize that they have expressed > the same fundamental laws, the same spiritual principles; only > Baha'o'llah has clothed them in accord with modem conscious- > ness and the modem longing for the comprehension of truth. > When the seven religions of the past look over the vast pano- > rama and see the divine beauty of the Bahai dispensation, they > will find. in it all that has been vital and essential in their own > religions, only brought together on one great canvas instead of > being separated as they were in the past. During the last seven- > ty years since th.e movement was established in Persia, thou- > sands upon thousands of the religionists from different faiths > have come into its folds laying aside their fanaticism and > bigotry co-operating with one another on those essentials and > universal laws about which we have already spoken. Rev. Camp- > bell of London, of the City Temple, has written of late an article > on this great Bahai movement in which he says: I have been > thinking and dreaming for many years about" the elements of a > Universal Religion and have tried to fonnulate certain principles > under which a Universal Religion may become a working power. > However, the more I study the Bahai movement the greater be- > comes my admiration, knowing that Baha'o'llah in that great > prison of Acca, Palestine, was able to bring together those ele- > ments of Universal Religion 70 years" ago, without which it would > be impossible to have international agreement and understand- > ing. Just'think of the spirit of brotherhood which is being > blown over the world so that even the seven religions of the > world, amongst themselves, are trying to bring together the > various sects and denominations. We have a refonn movement > among the Jews. They are trying to set aside all those super- > > Digitized by Coogle > 20 REALITY > > annuated creeds and rituals which are antiquated and are not at > all atune with the present time. The Brahma Somaj in India > is another attempt to eliminate all the nonessentials in the Hindu > faith and bring into light those Universal elements which they > consider 'would unite and affiliate all the Hindu sects and denom- > inations in that vast empire. Here, in America, we haVe the > Higher Criticism; we have many progressive and liberal move- > ments in the churches expressing that Universal consciousness > in forgetting the creeds and non-essentials, bringing into em- > phasis the teachings of Christ on the Mount. These national > or religious attempts are movements which have started from > the earth upward. The Bahai movement is a spiritual movement > which has come and is coming from heaven downward; so that > while these are trying to rise heavenward this outpouring of the > spirit is descending downward,-they will meet each other some- > where between the heaven and the earth, coming into a mutual > affiliation, reciprocity and eo-operation; thus obtaining that > effect, that universal efficacy, which are the aims of the truth > seekers. Consequently, this is the age of UniverssJ Conscious- > ness. This is the cycle of spiritual illumination. This is the > time of Universal Religion. All mankind is aspiring to onward > progress and God has opened the flood.:.gates of his inspiration > and revelation; the river of light and life is pouring upon the > minds and hearts of men and causing that spiritual transmuta- > tion in the realm of consciousness which ere long will bring to us > the-vision splendid. > -Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sorah. > > Digitized by Google . > REALITY 21 > > The Sin Against the Holy Ghost > Long before the dayS of George Borrow and his weird story > about the man who suffered anguiSh because be had cominitted > the sin against the Holy Ghost-though he was not certain what > that sin might be-there was a morbid interest in this sin and > its terrible consequences because it was believed to be the one > unpardonable offence. > It is an iniquity belonging especially to the day of a mes- > senger of God, and the period immediately following that time. > Therefore, many people inA merica have become excited over it, > and, sure they hav~ not committed it themselves, accuse > others of having done so. This accusation no one has a right > to make except the Messenger himself, but others make it > nevertheless. Abdul Baha has written some powerful Tablets > concerning this sin which is nowadays called "Violation." In > one of these addressed to Roy C. Wilhelm and published in "The > Star of the West," he says: > "The souls who were crying in all the assemblies and meet- > ings (of the friends) that everyone who did not adhere to the > Covenant and Testament of God was excommunicated, wicked, > expelled from the threshold of the mercy of God yielded then > to ambition, sought for fame and arose to violate the Covenant. > Thou observest now how abject and miserable they have become. > In every age many such people appeared, but in the end they fell > into manifest misery." > In a Tablet to Martha Root, published also in ','The Star of > West," Abdul Baha reminds his followers of the st~tion of the > "Center of the Covenant," conferred upon him by Baha'o'llah, > saying: "He explicitly states that ye must turn after 'ME' to . > the Center of the Covenant, and whatever misunderstanding > may happen, He is the Expounder, and whatever He says is > right • • • • • If the friends remain firm in the Covenant, will . > there be any misunderstanding among them? No-by God-ex- > eept those souls who have an evil intention, and are thinJdng > of leadership and of forming a party. Those souls, although > > Digitized by Coogle > 22 REALITY > > .they have written episles with their own pens, and have execrated > the violators, denouncing them as having destroyed the founda- > tion of the monument erected by His Holiness B~a'o'llah, and > have written that He has written this Covenant with His own > pen, anel that whoever deviated from this Covenant are of the > people of treachery and will deserve the wrath of God, these > souls are themselves at prese:qt among the pioneers of violation. > This is because of their personal motives, for they have thought > of securing lleadership and wealth. But when they considered > that in remaining firm in the Covenant their purpose would > not be rrealized, they deviated from it. These souls must have > been either at first truthful and now disloyal or at first disloyal > and now truthful. At any rate their lie is now manifest. Not- > withstanding this, some souls who are not aware of this fact, > waver, when these cast the seeds of suspicion." > When Mrs. Florian Krug was in Haifa not long since Abdul > Baha asked her to tell him about the excitement among the pe0- > ple regarding the sin against the Holy Ghost, or violation, and > when she recounted what had occurred, he threw up his hands > and exclaimed, "And this thing which they are fighting does > not exist in America!" > When Jenabe Fazel Mezandarani was speaking in St. Marks > Hall, in New York, the night before he sailed for Haifa, som~ > one asked the question, "What is the sin of Violation 1" And > he gave a most interesting reply. He said: "In Christ's time > the sin against the Holy Ghost or what is now called Violation > was the denial of Christ and 'His Cause by one who had been > His follower. .But today it is very different. Today violation is > any deed or word which destroys the Unity of the Cause." > This answer was most illuminating and provocative of > thought. To avoid the sin of Violation one must be full of the > joy of service, utterly forgetful of self, devoid of ambition, and > never "a Cause of grief to anyone." The only wIlY to be firm > in the Covenant is to have the Center of the Covenant in one's > heart. > In the Tablet to Roy C. Wilhelm above quoted, Abdul Baha > says: "My hope is that New York may become the center of this > great Cause; the glad tidings of the Kingdom may encompass > it; the banner of tbe Oneness of the World may be raised, and > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 28 > > the divine teachings may pitch their pavilion in that city. In > Diy trip to America I spent a long time in New York. I went > to Washington, and returned to New York. I went to Boston, > and returned to New- York. I went to Chicago, and came back > to New York. From this it becomes evident that I feel the > utmost attachment to New York. > > Many friends of Dr. Edward L. Fernald will be glad to read > the following message to him from Abdul Balla, sent through > Mrs. Corrinne True to Miss Laura Jones. > "Forward a message of affection in my behalf to Miss Vir- > ginia Rowden and Dr. Fernald! With heart and soul do I sup- > plicate heavenly confirmations for them and a portion of the > breathings of the Holy Spirit, and unto them be the Glory of > Abha! ' > (Big.) ABDUL BAHA ABBAS." > Translated by: Aziz 'Ullah S. Bahadur, June 14,1921. Haifa, > Palestine. > (The last paragraph has been written by the Master's own > blessed hand). . > > Why the Words "Negro" and "Negress" > are Objectionable > By Richard Manuel Bolden > There has been so much written and said about the peoples > of African descent along the line of their race designation; we > find it very difficult to furnish anything that would perhaps > cause new light and new interest on the subject "Negro Race." > Many writers have .and are now saying that it should > be the delightful duty of the thinkers among the peoples of > Mrican descent to redeem the word Negro from its past and > present offensive place in the public opinion of the white man > and the world of humanity and place it through accomplish- > ments by the members of this race upon a high and acceptable > pedeStal in "American Civilization." > If in reality there was such a race in this country; and this > coantry was to foster and perpetuate achievements of race > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > groups then we would reluctantly accept this theory of race > group propagation in this country and race culture. But since > this is not true and it is growing upon the minds of the leaders > in education and government that the theory and idea of hy- > phened nationalities is to be suppressed; and the amalgamation > of all the people into a composite new race uPon this continent, > is their slogan, we see no reason for the attempt to make of > the peoples of African descent a hyphened nation called "Negro > Race." > These people are descendants, not only of the black Africans, > but also of the predominent white peoples of Europe, with the > strain of Anglo-Saxon in the lead. Their physique, when studied > from the standpoint of their figure, head, face, and hair, shows > distinct national European traces. Of course, those traces are > modified by the climate and the various other factors that affect > human beings upon this continent and within various localities in > this nation. As to their mode of living, habits and customs, it > is the same as that of theá 'White .peoples upon this continent. > Their food is the same, having the same mineral properties, pro- > ducing the same chemical affects within the system. Their re- > ligion, e~ucational and industrial activities are motivated from > the same impulses as the white people. Their human aspirations > and spiritual tendencies have the same hopeful and futurist out- > look. And .they live in the same economic and governmental en- > vironment. > The attempt to make the peoples of African descent think > along a distinct line racially and to move along an outlined groove > socially, and to live and function from the theory of content- > ment in segregation from the rest of the people in this our repub- > lic is not only fraught with danger and disaster for the nation, > but is against the natural law, working for unification of peoples > on this continent and to our way of thinking is a very great > evil before the mind of an all-wise, and all-loving Heavenly > Father. We believe that the emphasis should be laid here and > everywhere, that we shall think more of our kind, than of our > race. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > Why Black Mená Like To Fight > Writer Believes that Whites Reaped NoWDg but; Brute Force > and that the Black Man Does Not Like to Fight; but; > Does 10 in Self-Defense > Marcus Garvey's Appeal to 400,000,000 Africans to Prepare to > Fight is an Appeal From a Broken Heart Who Can > No Longer Tolerate Exploitation of Africans > > The f0110wing article by R. V. Selope-Thema, Secretary of > the South African Deputation, is in reply to George Walmsley's > article on "Peril of a World-Wide Color War": > If the African is at all antagonistic to the white man, it is > not because he hates the white man, but because he has suf- > fered, and is still suffering, more humiliation and cruel indigni- > ties under the white man's civilized rule than even under the > barbarous rule of Tshaka, King of Zululand. > In South Africa today, under the British flag, the black man > finds himself dispossessed of his land, prohibited by law to buy, hire > or lease land in the country of his ancestors, excluded from par- > ticipation in the government and affairs of his country, heavily > taxed, in spite of the principle of "no taxation without represen- > tation," and barred from entering into all channels that lead up > to advancement and civilization. > And against this cruel exploitation he has made constitu- > tional protests both to the South African and the Imperial gov- > erments, but to his horror and disappointment these constitu- > tional protests have not brought about the amelioration of his > conditions of life. > A Broken Heart > It is because theá white man relies on his military supe~ > iority which modem scientific progress has conferred on him that > he has refused or neglected to pay attention to the black man's > cry for justice and liberty, and consequently some of the edu- > cated black men have been forced, much against their will, to > come to the conclusion that what the white man respects is not > constitutional and peaceful appeal, but brute force. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > Hence Mr. :Marcus Garvey's threatening appeal to the 400,- > 000,000 Mricans. to prepare themselves to fight. This uwild > threatening language" comes from a broken heart that can no > longer tolerate the exploitation of Mrica and her peoples. > > What the Black Really Wanta > What the Negro in America wants is not independence, but > admission into American citizenship, and what the Bantu in > South Mrica asks for is certainly not the restoration of his COUD- > try, but the ordinary rights and privileges of a British subject-- > indeed, to be admitted into British citizenship. > Is there anything wrong in that? > -Daily' Sketch, Cardiff, Wales. > > A Vision > As the rose light fades into darkness, > And the glory of the day is done, > As the moon ray kisses the water, > And the song of the night begun, > Then my soul goes out to its Maker > In the thought of the day to come; > When the hand of each brother to brother > Will meet thro the veil of hate, > And Eternity's anguished yearning > Will send every man to his mate, > .And the Great kind God from Heaven, > In a glory beyond compare > 'Will lift the last cloud of blindness, > Which darkens the mind in despair > And the Eastern promise realized > Comes with radiance through the west, > And the mind, and heart and soul of man > Stands blessed. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > . > The Current Art > September days are the times when we recall the ex- > hibits of the preceding season, or peep over the shoulders of the > artists, who are painting in summer places, in the mountains or > by the sea, and query, "What is the new art to be 1 What will be > left of the old, what is the beginning of the new 1" > 1tIany lovers of art have been driven in recent years into a > reactionary preference for the art of such painters as Raphael, > Meissonnier, or Joshua Reynolds, because of a positive fear that > if the opinions of the world did not hold fast, especially to the > old and precise detail in painting, the art of the future would > become a chaos such as sometimes appears in the canvases of the > liberal cubist, or a symbolism quite devoid of beauty such as > dominates the work of certain futurist painters. Such fear > driven observers become histerical over this posSibility of a > beauty which may be still born in the new civilization, and guard > themselves against a shadow of enjoyment in any art much later > than the day of Methuselah. They seem to feel that only ~ > actionary prejudice can preserve the world against threatened > ugliness, and the disappearance of that perfect line and exquisite > colour upon which the soul of man has been fed more and more > for centuries and epochs. > There are artists in every age who express the spirit of this > age, and to miss familiarity with their work, is to lose, a perfect > contrast with one's own time, which nothing can replace. For > instance, in one of the exhibits this past winter was a painting > by Walter Ufer ealled "Hunger." It showed a huge wooden cross > upon which was bound a girl, whose face was distorted by hunger. > At the foot of the cross were heaped human wrecks of creatures, > misshapen and broken by suffering, and a woman standing erect > with clasped hands. In her face and her glazing eyes is the > quiJitessence of hopeless misery. > This painting should be enough to rouse America to the > necessityáof feeding Russia, saving Europe. It is not outwardly > beautiful, but it has in it that powerful urge of the spirit of > sympathy which frequently is preferable to an external perfec- > tion of line and mere sensory charm. It suggests the element. > > Digitized by Coogle > 28 ItEALITY > > which must always persist in great art, and without which art > could not exist, the Presence in the artist's mind which he was > obliged to express. Nothing can be called art which does not > contain this, and when áit shines from the canvas everything > else is subbordinate. It is expressed sometimes by a few lines > of Whistler or Arthur B. Davies. It is in Raphael's "Marriage > of the Virgin," in Botticelli's "Spring." It is in Rembrandt's > glorious canvas of "Pilate Washing his Hands" which hangs in > the Altman collection of the Metropolitan. It is in Victor Higgins > remarkable painting of "Circumferences," showing an aeroplane > far up among the planets. It is visible in all the canvases of > Picaso which are not riadles, and in those of the Italian futurists. > A great painting can never be a riddle which only cleverness can > disentangle, it can never be so chaotic that it says nothing, has > no song, but the meanings of it are endless, and the songs it > sings are of the utmost variety, so that one sh01ild endeavor not > to bind oneself to the expression of a single period or style, but > to enjoy and understand as broadly as possible. > What makes a painter paint? Perhaps the light of an even- > ing sky, the bloom of a woman's skin, the contour of a boy's > figure, the sheen of magnificent satin, or the blending of colours > in a Persian rug. What makes an artist create? The drawing > aside of the veil of infinity, the light of a.great truth, the per-- > fection of heroic ideals. So temples arise, so sculpture springs > into grouped activity, so great canvasses become eternal from > their reflection of reality. > In all such creation the form alters, but the ideal remains > controlling the external semblance, so that while details may > vary, beauty never disappears. A chinese artist paints a bird's > flight through the air or a fish moving in the water so that one > holds one's breath with delight. Rossetti would frequently > write a sonnet and then paint a canvas from the same collocation > of ideas, sometimes one first and then the other, but always both > sang the same song. William Morris would design a tapestry or > a book cover, and it would have exactly the feeling of one of > his poems. > The time will come when appreciation of beauty will be a > necessary part of the education of all children, because beauty > > Digitized by G90gle > REALITY 29 > > is a part of the divine expression of God in the world. With > its comprehension, rudeness and crudeness disappear. They ábe- > come impossible, because the comprehension of beauty opens > the soul to patience, to understanding, to that sensitive interplay > of feeling which renders words unnecessary, and certain emo- > tions of the mere body become intolerable. There are states > when a fit of anger causes desperate illness or death, .and fierce > desire becomes a destructive storm. Then life begins to paint > itself in lovely colours, and the cruel red of passion disappears. > The remarkable portrait drawing by Frances Soule Campbell, > which is greatly appreciated and loved by all the friends of Abdul > Baha. It is full of the illumination which characterizes that > unique personage and was inspirational in origin. > The first time Miss Campbell ever saw Abdul Baha, she sat > in his audience as he spoke, and presently taking out her draw- > ing pad, began to draw the vivid illumined countenance at which > she gazed. Is it singular that she caught reality, the light of > the spirit? Her drawing will always remain a marvellous poetic > interpretation of the Messenger of God. The portrait has be- > come one of the great series of interpretati:ve portraits of dis- > tinguished men and women, the creation of which gives Miss > Campbell a unique place in the world of Art, where she has had > no rival. I > > Her portrait is always a revelation, an analysis, a glimpse > at the soul of her sitter, and also technieally a delight. So she > gives us Mark Twain, Joaquin Miller, Edwin Markham, Robert > Louis Stevenson, Edgar Allen Poe, Mrs. Eddy, etc., as though by a > flash light from within. > One of her recent successes is her portrait of Prof. I. G. > Carter Troop, a striking personality whom she has made live > for his friends. > > Digitized by Coogle > 80 REALITY > > Can It Be Done? > By Helen E. WendeD > > H ANGING low in the Western sky, the Midsummer sun. > like a monstrous ball of living flame, painted, with magic > finger, all it touched: everything, trees, grass, flowers. > came under this master artist's fairy spell; the noisy, little brook- > let, dashing merrily on, little caring where, never quiet, never > still, happily content in its own restlessness, was turned. to pure > gold, the boy and girl, wandering, hand in hand thro the deeP. > cool forest-glade, too, felt the wondrous chann and mystery of it. > Hesitating a moment beside the turbulent little stream, the > boy whispered softly, "Come, let us follow where it shall lead us !•• > The girl nodded eagerly, and so, the two, with bare feet > treading mossy carpet, followed the lure of the brook, on and > on and on. > At last, grown very tired and weary, they paused, at the > foot of a huge cliff, so high its top seemed to pierce the clouds, > to rest. > "When we have rested awhile let us climb to the very top," > suggested the lad. > "It would be very difficult," sighed the girl, "it is so very, > very high." > Presently, they were startled by a voice from the base of the > cliff, "Ah, my dears, if you do climb to the summit you will see > there my home--the home I have not known these many years." > Astonished, the boy and girl listened in silent amazement- > no one was near-but both had heard the voice, unmistakably > clear and distinct. > While they were trying to detennine from whence it pro- > ceeded, the ,voice came again-from the immense, beautiful, > sparkling boulder, resting on its side, half in the water and > half on the sand, gorgeous in the fast-fading sunlight, in spite > of the mud that bespattered it. Yes, surely, strange 88 it may > seem, the rock was speaking to them I > > Digitiled by Coogle _---.J > REALITY 81 > > "I am the High Ideals of the American people it said," and > a long, long time ago I lived on your highest pinnacle. But, > gradually, thru the ages, I have been toppled down, until here > I am, as you see. Sometimes I rested, for years, on one of those > ledges which you can plainly discem, but finally I would be > shoved off, to fall down a little further." , > "And, now," ventured the girl, "you can go no further?" > "Oh, yes," answered the rock, "this brook is exceedingly > deep, and there are ledges all down its bank, just as there are > on the cM, so it will be a long time, I hope, before I go clear to > the bottom." And it continued, "mayb~who knows-I shall be > helped back, up the cliff, before I slide down any deeper. But > unfortunately, it will be harder, much harder to get me back > than it has been to pUn me 'down. > "I," declared the boy, "am Love. I am young, but I am > very strong. Perhaps I can help you back." > "And I," cried the girl, "am Hope. I will help too!" > So, together Love and Hope strove with all their might to > rescue High Ideals. They tugged and they pushed and they > pulled, but the mud was slippery and the boulder very heavy, > 80, at last they were forced to stop, exhausted. The stone was > unmoved. > Tears of disappointment were coursing down Love's cheeks, > and he sobbed: "We cannot do it. It's impossiblel" > "No," cried Hope, "it is not impossible. Come, Love, let > us go and find Detennination, Good-Will, Loyalty, Optimism, > Persistence, Courage, Faith, Perseverance and Peace, and bring > them to help us. Then, surely, with you, Love, and me, Hope, > we can at least pull High Ideals out of the mire!" > "Yes," agreed High Ideals, "rm sure you can. You two, > alone, can do nothing, as you see, but with the proper help can > accomplish much. After awhile, perhaps, you may be able to > put me back where I belong, on top of the cliff. Oh, that would, > indeed, be wonderful, to retum to my rightful place, up in the > cloudsl". > "Yes, yes," answered Hope, eagerly, "we will do our best. > Come, Love, we must hurry away and bring the others, if we're > to rescue High Ideals before she sinks any lower." > > Digitized by Coogle > 82 REALITY > > The Drama > Fnmees Eveline Willeox > Now that the vacation days for this year are about end~ > the mind turns _again to the future, gathering up the threads > that have been flying unfettered during the summer siesta. Plans > for the advancement of art, literature and business take first > place while pleasure for the moment is put aside. > The theatrical season has begun to show some activity. > despite the commercial depression and other clouds that appeared > in the horizOn of the producing manager, during the Past few > months. Every year between the closing and reopening of the > theatres, pessimists get in their work, with rumors of late open- > ings for new productions, long forced idleness for the players, > strikes and other obstacles. However, this month, which is re. > garded as the official commencement of the new season, finds as > many playhouses in the large centres in operation as usual and > the managers in general optimistic concerning the present out- > look. > A glance at -the offerings now under way discloses one fact > that will be appreciated by the public; that is, the tendency of > producers to have the courage of their own convictions in select- > ing material for the stage, according to their individual concep- > tion of what theatregoers want. This means that they will not > as heretofore follow in the footsteps of their contemporaries but > blaze their own trail. In past seasons there has been a surfeit > of productions along a single track; frequently the success of > one playacting as a cue or suggestion as to the particular style > or theme that would win unanimous approval, with the result > that musical e6medies reigned supreme one year; the next season > managers vied with each other in the production of mystery > plays, which in tum would be followed by an avalanche of farce. > Therefore, the marked variety of subjects on the calendar for > this season comes as a welcome change. A partial list of present > new attractions and early future bookings, with a few facts con- > cerning the productions and players, bears out the &bove state- > ment. > > • > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 88 > > "The Wheel," a comedy by Winchell Smith at the Gaiety, > deals with the evils of gambling. , > "The Poppy God" at the Hudson Theater, is a Chinese play > with a tragic ending. Edna Hibbard and Ralph Morgan head > the cast. > "Sonya," a Polish romance with a Russian Prince and Prin- > cess as its central figures, has Violet Heming and Otto Kruger > playing these roles. Mr. Marc Klaw has given the playa charm- > ing production at the Forty-eighth Street Theatre. > "Nobody's Money," produced by L. Lawrence Weber at the > Longacre Theatre, is a comedy by William Le Baron, with Wallace > Eddinger and Will Deming in the cast. > "'Drifting," founded on a short story called "Cassie of the > Yellow Sea," brings Alice Brady back to town in a popular melo- > drama. > "The Scarlet Man" at the Henry Miller Theatre, presented > by Charl~s B. Dillingham, with John Cumberland as the leading > player, makes two comedies by William Le Baron on view at the > same time in the city.. > "Six-Cylinder Love," written by William Anthony Maguire, > with Ernest Truex in the leading role, and June Walker in the > cast, deals with the vicissitudes of motoring and is sure to amuse > large audiences at the Sam H. Harris Theatre. > "Swords," with its colorful mediaeval settings designed by > Robert Edmond Jones, presented at the new National Theatre > by Brock Pemberton, is in the same category as "The Jest." > A new playwright, Sidney Howard is the author. Clare Eames > appears in the leading character. > This month Will see the start of "Kiki" at the Belasco Thea- > tre, with Lenore IDric in the principal role, supported by ~ > HardY, Sidney Toler, Thomas Mitchell, Thomas Findlay and > others and those who saw the try-out in Atlantic City declare > Miss Ulric has in "Kj.ki" the best opportunity of her career. > "Don Juan," adapted from the French by Lawrence Langner, > will be seen at the Garrick with Lou Tellegen in the title role. The Selwyns and Frank Reicher are the producers. > "The Pink Slip," which Mr. Woods produces at the Apollo > _ Theatre, is a musical comedy with Bert Williams as the star. > > Digitized by Coogle > • > > 84 REALITY > > "The Circle" is due at the Selwyn Theatre during the next > few weeks, and Somerset Mangham's play will contain a remark- > able cast including John Drew, Mrs. Leslie Carter, Emest Law- > ford, A. E. Matthews, ,Estelle Winwood and John Halliday- > almost an all-star organization. > > News Items > Catherine Calvert, who has left the films for the drama will > be seen in the cast supporting Otis Skinner in his new produc- > tion, "Blood Will Tell." > > Effie Shannon has replaced Minnie Dupree in "the cast of > "The Detour,~' the new Owen Davis play. > > "The Hero," to be presented by Sam H. Harris, with Richard > Bennett, had an experimental try-out late last season, at the > Longacre Theatre, where it was shown for a few matinees with > Grant Mitchell in the leading part. Mr. Bennett's interpretation > of the character is entirely different, naturally, for it is difficult > to imagine Messrs. Mitchell and Bennett appearing in the same > role. > > . Speaking of courage, Mr. George Broadhurst is convinced > that "Tarzan" of the Apes," which he has dramatized from Ed- > gar Burroughs Rise's story, will have a popular appeal, and to > those who expressed an opinion that the picture presentation' > of the same story might be a detriment, Mr. Broadhurst took > the opposite view and believes that the picture helps the play, > just as the picture producers find that films made from popular > plays have an added value. Two of .the players in "Tarzan" have > been brought from the original London cast. > > A well known manager was congratulateii recently on his > youthful appearance and requested to give out the secret for > the benefit of his friends. The manager replied: "Optimism and > plenty of sleep. I will not worry over my business affairs and > insist upon a good night's rest." > > Di~itized by Coogle > REALITY 86 > > George C. Tyler believes in loyalty-his faith in Booth > Tarkington's stories brought financial returns to the manager > and that faith is now established in George F. Kaufman of the > Times, who's play "Duley," had a long run in Chicago" > before its New York season started at the Frazee Theatre. Mr. > Tyler's faith in his players also prompted him to entrust theá > title role of "Duley" to Lynn Fontaine, who demonstrated her > worth in support of Laurette Taylor, Gregory Kelly, John West- > ley, Wallis Clark, George Allison, Ethel Nugent and Norma Lee > have also established themselves in the manager's confidence. > > There is a reason for everything! Observation readily dis- > covered why some of the current productions enjoyed unusual > longevity. "Lightnin' " which has been playing at the Gaiety The- > atre since August 26, 1918, holds one of the records for a long run > due to the quaint characterization of Lightnin' Bill Jones, as > portrayed by Frank Bacon. During the many years devoted to > stage work, this is the first time the actor has found a part > through which his own personality might be reflected. In fact, > Mr. Bacon plays himself, for love, for humanity, kindness and > gentleness are among his pronounced characteristics. > "The Bat" has held interest through its mystery. The pub- > lic delights in surprises and Avery Hopwood knows how to sup- > ply an abundance. > "Sally" has been playing to large audiences since last De- > cember. This is not to be wondered at, for the production is > gorgeous in stage pictures and picturesque settings which form > a fitting setting for the personal charm of dainty Marlyn Miller. > "Liliom" has become a vogue, due to its daring and satire. > The regeneration of a bad man wlio had no stability of character > is brought about through startling situations. > ''The First Year" easily won popularity because of its natu- > ral appeal through the true reproduction of the psychology of > the first year of married life when love is young. > > .~. > > Digitized by Coogle > 86 REALITY > - ,": - > > OONCERNING MOTION PICTURES > > There is some agitation in the Film field regarding the ad- > visability of producing shorter pictures. The position in which > many of the picture companies find themselves through over- > production has made them realize the length of time that large - > sums of money are held up without earnings. During the early > days of the industry, one and two reel pictures were made with > comparatively small capital and there was little delay in turning > the product to account. Later, as more ambitious and artistic > people became interested, two reels were insufficient to give ex- > pression -to their work. Now the super-productions have become > so essential, and require such enormous capital to produce, it > seems about time to try something else. Many patrons of picture > houses do not care for the long drawn out stories, as shown by > the increased audiences when two features "are presented rather- > than one. There are many short novels and plays that could > be condensed into one and tw~reels, thereby eliminating the > expense in production and enabling the producer to regain his > financial standing for more pictures. This would also permit of > variety in the arrangement of a program, that would please > everyone. > > The public who watch critieally all the details in' a motion" > picture, have little conception of the amount of labor, time and > patience involved in securing the necessary properties and loca- > tions. For instance, in the film production of "Get-Rich Walling- > ford," adapted from George M. Cohan's play, difficulty was ex- > perienced in gathering together some of the most essential props. > The bus, "that met all trains" in the town of Battlesburg, was > an old-fashioned four-seated buggy with the spangled hood, a > type of vehicle that city folks will never see again. Strange > to say, this was found in a New York livery stable and not in a > small town. The old-fashioned photographic head-rest, familiar > to our grandfathers, which was necessary in taking the photo- > graph in the directors' room in "Get Rich-Quick Wallingford" > was finally found in an old curiosity shop. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 87 > > Visitors from California bring stories of the unsettled state > of the :film field on the coast and many of the picture stars and > players are turning to the legitimate stage this season. Bessie > Barrlseale, Crane Wilbur, Martha Mansfield, Alla Nazimova, Elsie > Ferguson, Francis Z. Bushman and Beverly Bayne are booked > for the drama or vaudeville. Billie Burke, Marie Doro, Pauline > Frederick, Tyrone Power and Frank Keenan will also be seen in > productions, dramatic or musical. If this is authentic there are > a numbers of others who have established themselves in pictures > who would find a welcome before the footlights awaiting them. > > For a Single Language > Some' months ago the Soviet government of Russia sub- > mitted the whole question of international auxiliary language > to an official commission. After a thorough examination of vari- > ous proposals the commission approved Esperanto as the best > and it has been decided to use it in all the schools of the Russian > Republic. Obligatory courses of study have already begun in > Moscow, Petrograd, Tver, Orel and Smolensk. > For some time past the Republic of Brazil has favored Es- > peranto in its telegraphic and cable service by placing it on the > same basis of charges as Portuguese, and is also introducing it > in its, courses of study in secondary schools. > For the first time in history the soldiers of Europe are > forming international associations for education against war. A > congress was recently held in Geneva and it was decided that, > after October 1 of this year, Esperanto shall be the official and > obligatory language of the correspondence and meetings of the > federation. It was also decided to favor the use of Esperanto > in international relation, such as postal and telegraphic service, > commerce, science, etc. > The Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, at its > recent commercial examinations, gave the same value to Esper- > anto as to other languages, and a number of candidates passed > the examination with success. > -From the Nation's Business, September, 1920. > > Digitized by Coogle > 88 REALITY > > Excerpts from Notes taken at Haifa, Syria, > January 26th to February 5th. 1915. > In response to the statement that some of the friends o~ > jeeted to certain meetings }.leing held, Abdul Baha said: > "No obstacle should be placed before any soul which might > prevent that soul from finding the Truth. Baha'o'llah revealed > His Directions, Teachings and Laws, so that souls might know > GOD and not that any utterance might become an obstacle in > their way. > "Holding to the letter of the Law is many times an indi- > cation of a desire for leadership. One who assumes to be the > enforcer of the Law shows an intellectual understanding of the > Cause, but that spiritual guidance in them is not yet established. > "The alphabet of things is for children, that they may in > time use their reascming powers. 'Follow the Spirit' is a gui- > dance by and through 'the heart, the prompter of the spirit. The > Pharisees were extremely orthodox, holding strictly to the law. > They were the cause of the condemnation and ultimate cruci- > fixion of Jesus. . > "Several times Tablets have been written to some of the > friends regarding a small detail in the work of the Cause which > they might attend to, such as reporting about Ezelies, Naka- > zeen, etc.~ and now we hear that such Tablets are used as a > proof of their authority over the friends in those regions. Al- > though the books and writings of Abdul Fazl are used > in many countries as text-books, never did he even give a sIgn > that he was in authority on any subject; consequently the Gift > of God ever increased upon him, since he bore all honors in hu- > mility, until he attained to the Supreme Nearness. > "The ones in real authority are known by their. humility and > self-sacrifice and show no attitude of superiority over the > Friends. > "Sometime ago a tablet was written stating that none are > appointed to any authority to do anything but serve the Cause > as true servants of the Friends, and for this no tablet is neces- > sary. Such service when true and unselfish requires no an- > nouncement, nor following, nor written document. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 89 > > "Let the servant be known by his deeds and by his life. To > be approved of God alone should be one's aim. > ''When God ca1ls a soul to a high station it is because that > soul has capacity for that station as a gift of God, and because > that soul has supplicated to be taken into Vis service. No en- > vies, jealousies, calumnies, slanden, plots, nor schemes will ever > move God to remove a soul from its intended place, for by the > Grace of God such actions on the part of the people are the test > of the servant, testing his strength, endurance and sincerity > under adversity. > "At the same time, those who show forth envies, jealousies, > ete., toward the servants are depriving themselves of their own > stations, and not another of his, for they prove by their own > acts that they are not only unworthy of being called to any > station awaiting them, but also prove that they canndt with- > stand the very first test-that of rejoicing over the success of > their neighbor, at which God rejoices. Only by such a sincere > joy can the Gift of God descend unto a pure heart. > "Envy closes the door of Bounty and jealousy prevents one > from ever attaining to the Kingdom of Abha. > "No! By God! No one can deprive another of his rightful > station, that can only be lost by on's unwillingness or failure > to do the Will of God, or by seeking to use the Cause of God for > one's own gratification or ambition. > ''No one save a severed soul or a sincere heart finds response > from God. By assisting in the success of another servant in the > Cause does one in reality lay the foundation of one's own su~ > cess and aspirations. > "Ambition is an abomination before the Lord. > "How regrettable! Some even use tht affairs of the Cause > and its activities as a means of revenge on account of some per- > sonal spite or fancied injury, interfering with the work of an- > other, or seeking its failure. Such only destroyá their own su~ > cess, did they know the Truth." > > Regarding tablets concerning specific Instructions and mat- > ters Abdul Baha said: > "Abdul Baha is the interpreter of the aims and intents and > purposes of the Words of the Blessed Perfection and is the In- > > Digitized by Coogle > 40 REALITY > > terpreter of His Own Written Words, and none can say that this > or that is the intention conveyed therein- save Abdul Baha. The > Spirit of Unity exists in the Divine Words and one who interprets > them in such wise as to create division and discord is indeed one > who errs. > "Were not the Revelation of Baha'o'llah one adaptable to the > entire world and its divers nations it could not be unique and > nn;,zAregl but jta olpsticity adapts i+eo1, to 0 11 OOJIditinn a .a:nd ita > Spirit is one that moulds itself into every vehicle and need for > the accomplishment of the Divine Plan of Unity. > "But when some follow merely the hard and fixed letter of > the Law, they deprive the Revelation of its elastic quality-The > Spirit-and endeavor to convert it into a hard instrument of > inllexible qualities." > > At another time Abdul Baha said: > "In this day everyone must be tested, as the time of the > Chosen Ones to prove their worth is indeed very short. The > Day of Attainment is drawing to a close for them. The First > Fruits must be ripened in Spirit, mellowed in Love and consumed > by their self-sacrifice and severance. None other are acceptable > as First Fruits and all that fail to attain to the standard through > the tests are relegated to the many who are called. > "The more one is severed from the world, from desires, from > human affairs and conditions, the more impervious does one be- > come to the tests of God. Tests are a means by which a soul > is measured as to its fitness and proven out by its own acts. God > knows its fitness beforehand and also its unpreparedness, but > man, with an ego, would not believe himself unfit unless proof > were given him. Consequently his susceptibility to evil is proven > to him when he falls into the tests and the tests are continued > until the soul realizes its own unfitness, then remorse and regret > tend to root out the weakness. > "The same test comes again in a greater degree, until it is > shown that a fonner weakness has become a strength and the > power to overcome evil has ~en established. > "Blessed are they who are the means of making unity mnong > the Friends and pity on' those who in the right or wrong are the > cause of discord. For instance; when one is in the right in a > > Digitized by Coogle > J > REALITY 41 > ease in dispute and his minority prevents him from establishing > that rightful matter, instead of agitating the subject, if he will > humbly submit to sacrifice his position for the sake of unity and > peace, GoG will accept that sacrifice and ere long the rightful > matter will be established without any further dispute by the > Divine Assistance; whereas, Without such sacrifice and submis- > siveness great harm may ensue. > "The Friends must be prepared to efface themselves at all > times. Seeking the approval of men is many times the cause of > imperilling the approval of God. > "The worst enemies of the Cause are in the Cause and men- > tion the Name of God. We need not fear the enemies on the > outside for such can be easily dealt with. But the enemies who > call themselves Friends and who persistently violate every fun- > damental law of Love and Unity are difficult to deal with in this > Day, for the Merg of God is stm great. But ere long this Merci- > ful Door will be closed and such enemies will be attacked with a > madness." > > "If you knew what great things would happen to the Cause > after My departure, you would pray every day and night for My > release and demise." > > , > > Prolonged Life and Immortality > By Arthur Edward Stilwell > Author of "How to Live and Live Longer" > If you wish to live and grow young, nothing will help you > more than to be convinced that life is unending, to know that > there is no end to existence. > You will sometime change your present mortal existence > from a mortal to an immortal existence, but in reality you are > > Digitized by Coogle > RE~LITY > > now and always have been an immortal, for in reality there is > á no death. There is no more end to life than there is an end to a > wheel, and to the extent that you understand thiS, you will rise > above the age thought and its mesmerism and grasp the possi- > bility and desirability of keeping the body alive. What you will > do or where you will be after this mortalá body has been given > up will not be revealed to you as it would interfera in the work- > ing out of your earthly scheme of life. The veil of the future > is not even penetrable by the living. Even those with the clear- > est of visions have no power to diseem the secrets of the com- > ing years. The knowledge of whence we came and our destina- > tion are withheld from nearly all persons. This is an important > part of the infinite plan of mortal existence. This impenetrable > veil that separates us from the future enables us to concentrate > on our present existence. If it were otherwise we would be dis- > tracted from our daily problems and unable to fully develop and > á round out our. life here. > . To be fully aware that this mortal life is a living reality > and only a station in unending existence is the height of wisdom. > With this abiding faith and unshakable conviction we are in- > spired and encouraged to live, not only today, but to live so that > our next station of existence may be a more desirable one. Ely- > sian fields are only gained by our elective choice. Predestination > is bom from the womb of our predestined thoughts and lives. > We alone foreordain our future. Our future is in our own hands. > We are free agents to climb the mountain tops of achievement > or to descent to the valley of regrets. In our Fathers house are > many mansions and these mansions are for us if we live lives > that make us worthy of mansions. As surely as architects and > masterbuilders erect on earth fair dwellings from mature de- > signs and good material so we are builders of our future. If our > daily life is fair and beautiful we shall feel at home when we 8l"- > rive in these fair mansions that have been prepared for us in > our Fathers house.' But if our sowing here promises a good > harvest we can remain here and enjoy reaping that harvest. We > can rise above earth's mesmeric belief in the three-seore-yea.ra- > á and-ten fable and await the harvest of our soWing and enjoy ita > friction. The harvest time of life is the most satisfactory per- > iod of existence if the harvest is good. ~me may desire to be- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 48 > > lieve in ~seore-years-and-ten as the alloted span of life > thinking they may thus avoid the harvest of their sowing, but > death does not prevent them reaping as they have sown for, > "As ye sow so shall ye reap." This message of prolonged life > will now come to man from many different sources. Individu- > als in all parts .of the world will feel a compelling influence to > give this message in varied forms, for this is the new truth > that the belief of three-seore-years-and-ten are barriers that pre- > vent man attaining the full fruition of mortal existence. > The more willing you are to get in tune with this new truth, > the more receptive you are, the greater benefit you will recEdve. > This fable of ~seore-years-and-ten is not only written on > history's pages,á but it is engraved on the folds of your sub- > conscious mind and it will require more than the mere acceptance > of this truth to eradicate it from this mortal record which as > surely holds your future' as the chrysalis holds the butterfly. > And, as the butterfly is more beautiful than the caterpillar, so > will your life be if you grasp the truth that age need not write > its record in lines on the face and pains in the body but in bril- > liancy of the mind and joy in the heart that will come if we un- > derstand that years have constructive power, not destructive. > Then each passing year will be golden with acquired knowledge > and wisdom. Then years will be welcomed, not feared. Then > mortality will merge into immortality with no pain or dread > after years of usefulness have passed in the full vigor that comes . > from a living life; the life that is made up of years of fruitage > which the acquired knowledge of passing years has given, not > , a life cut short just as the harvest of achievement is at hand. > It is man's inheritance to reap the harvest to which years > of usefulness have entitled him and only the fear of passing > years and decrepitude can take this inheritance from him. To > fully grasp the fact that immortality is the reality-the creative > plan of existence, makes the prolongation of life a much easier > task, enal!lesá you to live and grow young. > > . DigitizedbyGoogle > 44 REALITY > > "The World of Abdul~Baha" > T HE very title of Mary Hanford Ford's new booklet- on the > Bahai Movement contains a volume of significance. "There > is a world pictured in the words of Abdul Baha," Mrs. > Ford writes, "which is unlike anything mankind has known b&- > fore. It is not the p8.racnse ot the socialist, the dream of the > • single-taxer, the empire of the capitalist, nor the arrogant > scheme of the I. W. W. agitator. It contains, however, the ideal- > ism of the first, the humanitarian zeal of the second, the organi- > zation of the third, and the underlying brotherhood of the last. > It exemplifies order and power dominated by love, and express- > ing the unified intelligence of the people." > Here is the theme the author has set for herself-to evoke > within our minds and hearts the "world of Abdul Baha," the new > world of unity, peace, brotherhood and awakened consciousness > struggling to emerge through the ruins of the present economic > and political order. And the author has successfully carried out > her inspiring .theme. , > In a cheerfully orange-colored booklet, forty~ght pages > long and small enough to carry in one's vest pocket, Mrs. Ford > has brought together and co-ordinated in a most readable fash- > ion the many economic and political implications of the univer- > sal spirit of unity burning like a flame in the teaching of Abdul > Baha. No other Bahai work has yet accomplished just this re- > sult, and the booklet consequently is invaluable to the student > of the Bahai principles. > Mrs. Ford dramatizes her argument by quoting Abdul > Baha's own words, and quoting them against the background > of the situation in which they were actually delivered. Many > of her best points are presented merely by describing the con- > duct of Abdul Baha in a given situation-thus gaining through- > out this booklet the reality and substance of life itself. > One realizes, in reading, that the power of Abdul Baha'a > > *The World of Abdul B~ ~ M8J'7 Hanford Ford. 48 PIleI, ...,.. > cover. Publilhed by Rea1it)' Publilhing Corp.. New York Cit)'. 1921. Price > 10 c:eDtI per c:opJ. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 45 > words is that they come from a steadfast consciousness of that > ideal world which in our minds merely comes and goes like the > shadow of a dream. To know Abdul Baha is to become forever cer- > tain that the ideal world is rapidly materializing-for here is an > actual flesh and blood inhabitant thereof, one who carries with > him the undeniable tokens of the "triumph of reason" which is > also the triumph of love. Abdul Baha exemplifies the power of > human association on the spiritual plane. He manifests the law > of co-operation. > While most "reformers" are but attacking evil, the sterile > and demoniac method which Jesus so clearly condemned, Abdul . > Baha creates for us a vision of things better than in appearance > they are. Walking toward this light, we find ourselves slowly > but surely approaching .the entrance of the mammoth cave > which society has become. Of what use to cry out against > shadows, when the entire cave is filled with gloomy night? But > the vision which Abdul Baha creates is always rational, always > logical, always possible in terms of our own environment. > Some day soon the people will realize the tragic incapacity of > those they now accept as leaders of thought and influence. They > will find that tileir loyalty and faith has been given to insatiate > idols, devouring youth, strength, time, treasure and opportunity, > rather than to the reality of Truth, the spirit able to organize > greater and greater forms of government, business, law and creed > and thereby solve the problems of the day. > How is one to tell the difference between real and false? > Everybody knows that business is facing a world-crisis within > the next few months. Everybody knows that the problem, ser- > ious as it may be, ean be solved. Yet as the war came by > default, so it seems now that by sheer inertia, indifference, fatal- > ism, a period of panic has already become inevitable. > ~ It is the faith of the students of th~ Bahai principles that, > when all other possible remedies have been tried, the world will > at last tum to Abdul B~a, recognizing in him a Legislator able > to liberate the hidden, creative forces in the souls of men. If > there are people who have come to regard the ~ Movement > as but one more creed among the confusion of creeds, or one > more philosophy among the strife of schools, Mrs. Ford's book- > let will undeceive them. > > Digitized by Coogle > 46 REALITY > Not the least of the benefits to be brought about by the > Bahai Movement will be the freeing of religion from the mass > of superstition under which it now staggers, and proving that > religion is, in reality, the "joy of the artist, the self-respect of > the worker, the life-principle of the scientist, and the vision of > the statesman." To quote again from Mrs. Ford: "It. is a teach- > ing through which God is again brought into intimate contact > with life, as has been slightly outlined in the preceding pages, > and through which the lovely mysteries of the spirit are made > clear to every heart." > If you want to step outside the dreary and disgusting orgy > of illusion which the newspapers still call "reality," and spend a > few moments in a c!ty of gold, of pearl, of fountain and of love- > then read The World of Abdul Baha! H. H. > BAHAI ACTIVITIES > Letter from a young Gennan girl in the .Bahai Cause. > Today we are especially mindful of our Beloved Master, > Abdul Baha, so many miles distant from us, whose light, how- > ever, shines brightly in our hearts. > Oh, what a great treasure, The Blessed Perfection, Baha- > 'o'llah-may our life be a sacrifice to him-has bestowed upon > us in bequeathing to us Abdul Baha as an inheritance and as the > Center of the Covenant: With our whole heart we pray to God, > that he may preserve us this treasure for a long time and that > we may be privileged to be of assistance to him in his great mis- > sion, to establish the brotherhood of man. > I well remember the time Abdul Baha spent in Stuttgart > and I am everlastingly grateful to my Heavenly father for hav- > ing bestowed upon us the great bounty of being allowed to per- > sonally look into Abdul Baha's eyes and to hear the joyous mes- > sage from his own lips. > How diflicult it was for me, as a 17-year-old girl, to say > good-bye to Abdul Baha, and ever since I have had the ardent > desire to be privileged to walk near Abdul Baha to hear and in- > culcate the joyful message of God from his own lips. > I transmit to you, oh, Abdul Baha, sincere Abha greetings > from my fiance, Walter Reinecker, engineer to whom I success- > fully gave the holy teachings. > I supplicate Abdul Baha, for His intercedence for him, 80 > he may become illumined and God's blessing may be with him. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 47 > > "A Branch Shall Grow" > (Isaiah 11-1) > By Edith Burr > I dreamt I lived beneath a golden Branch > Of wondrous beauty-as God's love to me, > Beside a pool I lay, from world-fret driven; > Far down the hill, a piteous traveler came, > :Mantled with sorrow, shorn of happy mien, > Unsandaled, naked, with red-blood defiled, > Earth, satiated with her selfishness, > Updriven by hunger, urged by direst need, > Sought comfort 'neath the shade of the fair Branch; > Toiled up the hill, carrying a stringless lyre, > Impelled by music of the rustling leaves; > Up through the darkling way drew slowly near, > Stood silent by the water's verdant rim, > Leaned o'er the edge, drank of the living pool. > The waters bubbled high! with love anamoured, > Earth knelt. The Branch of shining leaves hung low, > Became a sudden burst of glory spread; > A mighty area of radiant hope out-stretched > Enveloped weeping earth with tenderness. > Amid the fragrant grasses did I dream > See quicken a light and light? Oh, did I dream > A yearning heart had found that perfect lover? > Under the luminous Branch apart I lay,' • > No dream I Above, the perfume-bearing leaves; > Within the pool, blue rills with purple flow: > Tree-flower-wind with ecstasy are spent! > > Paragraph contained in 61 Tablets reeeived by Mrs. Florian Krag. > Praise be to God the Cause of God is developing in New > York and the friends are in unity and concord. Mr. and > 1tfrs. Deuth are exerting their utmost efforts in the publi- > cation of the journal "REALITY." The friends should help > them. > (Signed) Abdul Baha Abbas. > :May 28, 1921, Haifa, Palestine. > > Digitized by Coogle > 48 REALITY > . . > Sapp6eation attaehed to Tablet received by Mr. and Mrs. Eugene > J. D e a t h . á . > Supplication :-"0 God! Make this magazine a mirror > of Truth that therein the Divine Significances may be re- > flected, the Mysteries of the Kingdom may be revealed, and > that it may appeal effulgent and resplendent to the eyes of > men. Thou art the promulgator of a publication that serves' > the world of humanity. > (Signed) Abdul Baha Abbas. > November 25th, 1920, Haifa, Palestine. > Extract from Mason Remey's Tablet. > Mr. and Mrs. Deuth are in the sight of Abdul Baha > favored and esteemed. Verily they are engaged in service. > Day and night they strive that they may awaken the souls, > they write articles in a moderate tone, they do not rend > the veil asunder, and thus they are praised and esteemed > by Abdul Baha. > (Signed) Abdul Baha Abbas. > March 11th, 1920. > Extract from Tablet received by Ahmad 8ohrab. > The Bahai Library in New York, truly I say is engaged > in service and Mr. and Mrs. Deuth are in reality self-sacri- > fieing and are the object of the Favor of Abdul Baha; but > the believers must as much as possible assist this Librart > and the magazine "REALITY. Mr. and Mrs.. Deuth are > unable to bear all the expenses. > (Signed) Abdul Baha Abbas. > June 25th, 1920. > Cable received by Roy C. Wilhelm. > "PAY POUNDS SEVENTY REALITY. > ABBAS.'" > August 4th, 1920. > Extract from Tablet received by Ahmad 8ohrab. > "Regarding the Bahai Library and the magazine > "REALITY," truly I say they have great expenses. No > matter how much Mr. Deuth may show self-sacrifice, he CBD- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 49 > > not meet all the expenses. Therefore the believers of God- > from amongst the rich must show forth the magnanimity re- > garding this matter, so that this Library and this magazine > may continue forever. It is my hope that a heavenly bless- > ing may be vouchsafed." > August 23rd, 1920. (Signed) Abdul Baha Abbas. > Extraet from Tablet reeeived by Miss Ann Boylan. > Convey on my behalf utmost love and kindness to Mr. > and Mrs. Eugene Deuth. They are verily active in service > 8lld exceedingly sacrificial. They should be delighted with > the Bounties of God and not with the praise of the people > of the world. . (Signed) Abdul Baha Abbas. > August 2nd, 1920. > Extract from Tablet received by Ahmad Sohrab. • > I hope from Divine Bestowal that Mr. and Mrs. Deuth > may find day by day a new confirmation. > (Signed) Abdul Baha Abbas. > August 2nd, 1920. > > GIRLS SCHOOL AT HAIFA > Haifa, June 18, 1921. > Dear Bahai Friends: > I have been directed by the Holy Leaf, Rouha Khanom > to ask you to kindly deliver a message from her relative to > the institution of the Bahai Girls' School, which is to be es- > tablished on Mount Carmel, to the readers of your magazines. > The message is, that as it is difficult and inconvenient > for those who can only send small CQntributions towards the > establishment of the school, the Holy Leaf has asked our dear > sister, Mrs. Marjory Morten of 124 Waverley Place, New York, > to kindly collect such contributions, give receipts to the con- > t,ributors and turn over the funds to our dear brother, Mr. > Roy Wilhelm; who has kindly consented to receive the small > funds and keep them 'till they form an amount convenient > for transmission. > Your humble servant in the love of the > Covenant of God, > AZIZULLAH S. BALIADUR. > > Digitized by Coogle > 50 REALITY > > From UN. Y. Globe" > By Dr. Frank Crane > We shall never build Cathedrals again,. perhaps, for we shaH > - > never have that fonn of religious emotion that found expression > in these imposing structures. > But there is no reason to suppose we shall never build struc- > tures as glorious. > In fact, we surely shall build them. > , And it will be when once again we believe a great truth, or > see a great vision, comparable to the faith of the thirteenth > century. > That faith was in a One Vast Universal Humanity. Of > course it was conceived of in theological terms. > Those tenns are out of date. We shall probably not return > to them again. But the Great Idea remains, even if its clotbinr > is changed. > , And that great idea is the Oneness of the Race. It is the > Passion for Humanity. > It has always been the heart of Christian propagandism, > though often distorted and caricatured.' > But the one great thing about the Christian missionary is > that he has preached that all men are brothers.. > So far the world has got only as far as Patriotism. We > can get excited over our national group, but riot yet over the > human race. > And the problem of the future is to develop the Humanity > nerve. > This is in no way opposed to Patriotism; mdeed, it operates > to make Patriotism wholesome and not noxious. > This I have steadily preached since 1908. > And this is the one big idea which H. G. Wells sees issuing > out of the greatwar. " > The world's curse is war. W8'f means conflicting patriotisms. > And nothing can develop the kind of patriotism that co-operates > and that means Peace and progress, except the Passion for Hu- > manity. > > Digitized by Coogle > -~ > REALITY 51' > > Writing on the "Future of Mankind" in Le Progres Civique, > Wells says: "During the second half of 1918, there probably > was no country ~here one could not find great numbers of men > ready to die for President Wilson. A great hope radiated on > Earth. It is that spirit which must be revived, which must > be strengthened, amplified, fortified, if we wish to turn loose > the great age of the new patriotism-the worldly one-if we > wish to create a new loyalty,' new devotion in the service of > the Universal State which must be raised on the ruins of our > .... > present miserable institutions." > And when we get that new devotion we shall erect Cath~ > drals more splendid than Milan or Cologne. > Perhaps then we shall put up the great Memorial which > George Grey Barnard has dreamed of erecting in "God's Thumb" > on the Hudson. . > > In His Image and Likeness > By Eugene Del Mar > > W Eare told that man is made in the image and likeness of. > God. Is this the inspiration .of wisd~m or the expression > of ignorance and egotism? Is it true? The mere sta~ > ment by man that he is made in the image and likeness of God > is no proof of theá fact, nor does it even carry a presumption of > truth. > Man is naturally an egotist and prone to claim for himself all > possible honor and glory. Assuming his God to be possessed of all > power and pri~ege and conceiving himself the most highly en- > dowed. of all creation, it is but as one might expect that he would > claim for himself the closest relation to Divinity. > With man's development in understanding there came Ii time > when he conceived. God as a personal, absent ruler with arbitrary > and absolute power, and there were men-rulers, kings, emperors > -who claimed. to command their fellow-men by virtue of their > immediate kinship with Divinity, and who exercised preroga- > tives similar to those they had ascribed. to Divinity. They > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > claimed to rule the earth, as the God of man's conception was > aBBumed to rule the heaven of man's invention. > Man possesses a body which serves as the servant of his mind, > which is the instrument of his Soul, or essential Self. At some' > remote past probably man was utterly unconscious of his Divin- > ity, and also without the knowledge of his inherent ability to > create the conditions of his mental and physical expressions. > The Soul, or essential Self, in the intimacy of its relation with > God, creates its own mental expression and supervises the mental > creation of its physical body. The Soul is the creator of its own > expressions, and invisible Man has as his prototype an invisible > ideal after which he patterns his own creation. This ideal is his > God. > Basically, man fashions his mind and body in confonnity with > his concept of God, the Infinite, the Creator, the First Cause. > Fundamentally, his mentality registers the fluctuations of his > inner God realizations, while his mind is influenced by suggestions > from without and manifests physiea11y in the shape and form of > the God of his combined spiritual realization and mental con- > sciousness. > Does one realize his God as a Dual Being, as essential love and > hate, good and evil, health and disease, attraction and repulsion? > -well and good I-his mind is divided between the ideals of love > and hate, good and evil, health and disease, attraction and re- > pulsion. With him, it is as ideal and meritorious to be the one > as the other. His love is always subject to be influenced or even > neutralized by hate, and so with his good, Jris health, his at- > traction. > Each of his constructive ideals may abdicate at any time in > favor of its assumed rival and opposite. To him life becomes a > great battlefield, and no success is complete, no victory is final.. > There is constant opposition and conflict, with resultant wear and > tear, until the machinery gives out and is scrapped for future re- > modeling. > With the dual conception of God, when one opens himself to > spiritual realization the mold he offers for ftlling is a dual one; > and when he receives sensory impressions they register duality. > One's God being dual, his men'tality is dual, and his interpre- > tation of nature is equally dual. He lives a dual personality; anti > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 68 > 88 his ideals are opposite and contradictory, when in harmony > with one of them necessarily he is at discord with the other. > His conception of the Universe is dual, his conception of Dature > Is dual, and his conception of the self is dual. Fighting himself, > at enmity with himself, inconsistent, incongruous, pulled one way > and then the other; is it any wonder that this is a sick world, and > most everyone in it diseased or -lacking in ease? > Truth always accommodates itself to the individual conscious- " > ness, and to one who believes in the two opposites these are to > him the two great Realities. When one's consciousness functions > in duality, his life is a constant battle, and a world that worships > duality invariably is a fighting world. > It would seem evident that man's fundamental estimate of > himself is embodied in his understanding of God, the Infinite, the > All. The mold of this estimate is filled interiorly from spiritual > sources and exteriorly from sensuous suggestions; both of which > give complete confirmation of each man's estimate of God and > himself. This is one of the wonders of universal law ; as does the > subconscious mind, so the universal law accepts one at his own > estimate, and reacts as it is acted upon. > There is but one conception of God and man that will free the > mind, and therefore the body of man; not duality but unity, and > unity of that quality that reveals itself only a8 Identity. Not > merely a unity of separate factors that fit together, but an es- > sential Oneness. Not merely a combination of parts, but One > and One only; with each and every part equally necessary to > and inseparable from the One. > "God is One and I am One with God. God is Love, and I am > One with Love. God is Universal, and I am Universal. What- > ever God is that I am." > With this conception, one opens himself to the universal; he > partakes of it and it of him. With the growing realization of this > one is inOOed with and impressed by the universal, which in tum > he expi-esses. With the inflow of universal love, all lesser aspects > of love are purified and exalted. With the influx of universal > health, all disease is purged and obliterated. With the intensify- > Ing of universal attraCtion, all resistance and repulsion ceases. > With this intensifying of universal realization the sense of > separation fades and vanishes; the acceptance of necessary in- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > justice and inequality becomes increasingly difficult until it is im- > possible; the former oppositions and hatreds evaporate; one ~ > comes free in his detachment from non-essentials; and he rad- > iates universal sympathy and kindness in his love for All That > Is. > Man is and ever must be "in the Image and Likeness of God"; > for man is a creator and both his mental "and physical make-up > are determined or dictated by himself. He opens or closes him- > I self to the inflow of spiritual realization; he forms the mold which > his realization fills; and the mentality permeated by this reali~ > tion interprets the outer world in terms of its own inner develop- > ment. ~ > One senses the world with the same mentality that realizes God, > and the fundamental attributes of one's God are discerned by him > in the material world in which he lives. This is inevitable. One > interprets the visible in the light of the invisible. One's ideas > are fashioned within the compass of his ideals, and it is along > these lines that one interprets the material world. > It is in the nature of things that the freedom of the Universe > is conferred upon one to the extent of his understanding of > Truth; that the infinite forces inOO one in the degree that he > opens himself to them; and that.he opens himself to them pr0- > portionately as his understanding broadens toward the universal. > With an understanding functioning permanently in the universal, > one would realiz& continually his Oneness with God and Truth. > > "Luke the Physician" > By George Davidson Buchanan, Ph. D. > > I > ~ > > F you say to me "You are a body and have a soul," I ~ntra­ > ence. Most of the people of the world think they have a body > diet you. I am a soul and have a body. That is the differ- > and perhaps have a soul, they are not and perhaps their neigh- > bors are not sure also. But if I am a soul and have a body I > have a certain responsibility to that body as that which contains > the soul. And therefore in providing for that body there has > > Digitized by Google .... J > > come into existence a profession which has been of great service > áto all hunianity. It had, and still has, great power as well as > great inft.uenee. In the social structure the medical profession > holds a high place. To banish it from the communities of the > earth would not bring so much joy and happiness as some people > think, who enjoy good health. People who have never been > sick sneer at the medical profession, but when they get ill they > turn to the medical man. They go to the very man they have > no f8ith in. > One of the best examples of this profession in the ancient > times was the disciple Luke, and had he been nothing more than > a physician, we would not have heard of him. Little is known > of him but what is, makes him an interesting character. Re- > member he wrote the gospel which bears his name, and that > there are features about that gospel of which perhaps you are > not aware. It is written in the most scholarly manner, it is writ- > ten in the best Greek known in those times. The Greek of St. > Luke is far superior to any of the other gospels. There is a > tradition that he was one of the two mentioned, walking on the > road at Emmanus. You will remember Christ saw two men > walking and it is supposed that Luke was one of them. But we > do know that he was a physician, a reporter and a healer during > his missionary journeys. When you study the deeription and the > writing of the Acts of the Apostles you are studying the work of > Luke. That is why it is intensely interesting, because it is writ- > ten in such a scholarly manner. Wherever Luke went he went > as a Christian translator, reporter and gentlemen who was ready, > not only to devote himself to the service of healing men's bodies > but likewise to healing the souls of men. He healed both soul > and body. That is nearly all we know of him, only let me ask > yeo to remember that while the physician is the healer of the > body of man, he emanating the example of Luke, should also use > his best endeavor to be the healer of the soul of man. > Let us look at the medical profession, or the physician, as > a healer. At once we feel, standing before a good representa- > tive of that profession, a sense of reverence. We ought to feel it, > at any rate, when we look at the man and see him spending his > time ministering to the suffering of others. What greater posi- > tion can any man occupy? And if he be a physician who min- > > Digitized by Coogle > 66 REALITY > > isters not only to the body but to the soul of humanity-how > much greater is he 1 > And'this healing power is a Divine Power for we have it > in the Great Physician himself. I suppose the measure of any > man's standing in the community is what succesS he has in his > profession. "How does this doctor succeed-how many cases > does he have" is a question often asked. How much does he" > really do for the benefit of the community and the individual > and how many cases come out healed is what should be consid- > ered. These are the important points, and if a man is a doctor > he begins by showing, not how brilliant or how wonderful he is, > but to use his best endeavors to heal, whether the patient lives > or dies. > A great French surgeon was once talking to Sir Ashley > Cooper and, in speaking of an operation which was considered > rather difficult, he said he had performed that operation" eighty > times. ''Well,'' said Sir Asliley, "I have had a large experience > in London, and I have only perfonned that operation six times." > The Frenchman then asked how many he had saved, "I saved > five out of the six," replied Sir Ashley." How many did you > save 1" "Oh," said the Frenchmann, "I didn't save any-they > all died-but it was a brilliant operation." Among men it is the > brilliance which counts. Among men it is the show that is ma- > terial, but it is not the show, it is the more important principles > of spirit and of life that we would discuss among the ethics of the > medical profession. We look upon the medical man-we see' how > near he is to humanity-much nearer perhaps than any other. > It is the physician-the family physician who sees you first in > the world, to bid you welcome and he is with you in your last > hours before you die. And if he be a true man, a Christian gentle- > man, a physician of Luke's type lie is a physician to your soul. > There is nothing in the community that can do so much to com.; > plete happiness both physical and spiritual of a Christian family. > than the presence of the family physician. He can do far more > good than priest or minister, for they tell him all their troubles > of body and mind and-if he be a spiritual man-their spiritual. > troubles as well. " > (To be Continued) > > Digitized by Coogle > :r .-w:: > j~u i , !11~':~ i~~ ~t~!; ~ > . . ~ .... :~ ___ .~........_~.... ~ ._-.: • .:-., ,- ........ ~.~ '..a.--~'~ '- ... ..-..,. ~.,.- . ' ~---''-~ .-''' '''-. ' -, > > ( ,--"'i':'"~--- .~.'. --- .----:...--. ~---.- - --.----- -. ----.: -..._ .._.... . . ---. ----. .- . . . - -"" > h > !l > :I > ,I > ., ~ > > ,, > á, > : ~ > i > > " > fI > "., ! > ;; > I; > i; > p > s! A l't1agnzine Devoted lJ the > ?/ Elimination of Pr!.judi(:e, > ~I > ~ ~ > > á; i > • ;: > , > .Religious, Rarial and CI~~:;s > tá- ) > :1 > ; > ~j > ~! > q > Ii; -------------------_ .. -- ------------- > } > > !: The Creat B~hai Tern!J!'.~. Er:!;to,,- > áá..~ > ( > > áfl. Ahdul Baha's f\áteg~~j.g"e to the 'IV m'~11 > IiI of S,.lcn(:e. I > i """'h > I.e Emplrc . 01.' t_hIe > {) . . .'vli1• > II A,átTlllr E. Sti!lf~ll > Ii, ! > ái! > t' > . áTh.e > .... ill l.~áá",,,1 i ~~ > "-ááa .... ""i~.á., > . ... Q. • > > Ge::Jrge L1UVidSr)n .. 7.!chc 13 un > . . á-áá--áá > '. ' '''_~~~' > • ' ~. > > II > II === _._-.:;:.:::,.------=--=..-=..-=..._--+---------==-=--==-.-:-_:;-----: > i" t : > PU}' ~!SHl:D ~{ I ~iTHLY > > Ii'1 I > / > , > I > > '----------------_.-+-----_.-- > ',i > > The Great Bahai Temple of Chicago > > Digitized by Goog Ie > I~ Digitized by Coogle > ..... > > The Bahai Movement > Rapidly spreading throughout the world, and attract- > ing the attention of Scholars, 'savants and religionists > of all countries - oriental and occidental > > For the infonnation of those who know little or nothing of > the Bahai Movement we quote the following account translated > from the (French) Encyclopaedia of Larousse: > > BAHAISM: the religion of the dll- Athellte a better aocIal organlaatlonl > clples of Baha'o'l1ah, an outcome of Baha'o'l1ah repreaenta all theae, and > Bablsm. - Mirza BUlian An Nurl thus deatroya the rlvalrlee and the en- > Baha'o'llah was born at Teheran In mltlee of the different reUgions: re- > 1817 A. D. From 18" he wal one of concllel them In their primitive > the flrlt adherenta of the Bab, and de- purity, and freee them from the cor- > voted himself to the paclftc propaga- ruption of dogmas and rltea. For Ba- > tion of hie doctrine In Persia. After hAism OOe no clergy, no rellgloue cere- > the death of the Bab he was, with the monial, no public prayers: Ita only > principal Babls, exiled to Baghdad, and dogma II bellet In God and Bfa :Mani- > later to Constantinople and Adrlanople, festation.. • •• The principal worn of > under the lurvelliance of the Ottoman Baha'o'l1ah are the Xltab-ul-Ighan, tile > Government. It wae In the latter c:1ty Kitab-ul-Akdae, the Xltab-ul-Ahd, and > that he openly declared his mJIslon, •• numerous lettere or tableta addre8.l8d > and In his letters to the principal Ru- to eoverelgne or to private IndlYiduala. > lers of the States of Europe he In- Ritual holds no place In the religion, > Ylted them to jotn him In estabUehing which must be expre..ed In all the > religion and universal peace. From this actlone of life, and accompllahed In > time, the Bable who acknowledged him neighborly love. Every one muat have > became Bahals. The Sultan then exiled an occupation. The education. of > him (1868 A. D.) to Acca In Paleatlne, children II enjoined and regulated. No > where he composed the greater part of one has the power to receive confes- > his doctrinal worb, and where he died sion ot sins, or to give absolution. The > In 18911 A. D. (May 119). Be had con- priests of the existing reUgions ehould > fided to hll IOn, Abbal Effendi (Abdul- renounce celibacy, and should preach > Baha), the work of spreading the re- by their example, mingling In the life > ligion and continuing the connection ot the people. Monogamy Ie unlveraally > between the Baball of all parts of the recommended, etc. Queatlons not treat- > world. In point of fact, there are Ba- ed ot are left to the civil law of each > hale eveITWhere, not only In Moham- country, anel to the decisions of the > medan countrle.. but alao In all the Balt-ul-Adl, or Bouse of Juetlce, In- > countrlee ot Europe, as well as In the stituted by Baha'o'llah. Respect toward > United States, Canada, Japan, India. the Head of the State Ie a part of re- > etc. Thla II because Baha'o'l1ah has spect toward God. A unlveraal > known how to transform Bablsm Into language, and the creation of trlbunala > a -universal religion, which Is presen- of arbitration between nation.. are to > ted as the fulfilment and completion ot suppreee ware. "You are all leaves of > aU the ancient fattḥ The Jewl await' the 'same tree, and drops of the same > the Meulah. the ChrIetians the return eea," Baha'o'liah has said. Briefly, It > of Chrlat. the Moslema the Mahdl, the Is not 110 much a new religion, as Re- > Buddhlsta the ftfth Buddha, the Zoro- ligion renewed and unlfted, which Ie > astrians Shah Bahram,' the Blndoos directed today by Abdul-Baha.-Nou- > the reincarnation of Xrtshna, and the, veau LarouS88 Dlustre, euppJement. > L-186 p. 60. > > Digitized by Coogle > Why "Reality" Condemns the > Klu,Klux Klan > There is a law coming into consciousness today which is the > foundation of a new civilization. It is the law of brotherhood, > the law of love, the law expressing the Oneness of l\Iankind. > REALITY stands for this law. It means the elimination of race > prejudice, the disappearance of nationalism and the rise of inter- > nationalism, the melting of race patriotism into world patriotism, > the smashing of class feeling and sect feeling, the welding of > disunities into unity. Baha'o'1lah said: "Let not a man glory > that he loves his country, let him rather glory that he loves his > kind." > The Ku Klux Klan teaches hatred and extermination of > Jews, Catholics and Colored Americans. It preaches that odious > doctrine of "America for Americans", which would suspect and > 10athe all persons not bom on American soil. It lives by terror, > glories in the law of force, delights in secret assassination, and > intends to dominate communities by the constant display of > frightfulness which will incite ~lavish fear. > It is like a sudden revival of the' ninth century in the midst > of this enlightened twentieth one, or it is an unexpected re- > surgence of the "buggerman" who we feared would "get us" > when we were very young. But this "buggerman" is for grown- > ups, and has borrowed some sheets from the cemetery to in- > tensify his horrors. > Let us drive this ugly thing back to the limbo from which it > has been dragged. We recently fought and won a great war in > order that peace might be/established everywhere and tyranny > and cruelty be banished from the world, and shall we tolerate > the existence among ourselves of an organization which is > founded to perpetuate lynching, lawless power and the worst > kind of prejudice? Nobody enjoys the sensatioJl.-of gooseflesh, > and there is a creepy feeling about hair rising on the scalp which > is not agreeable and should become impossible in a great republic > of" the New Day, which believes in God 8IDd tries to keep even > its policemen in order. > REALITY advises that we scatter the Ku Klux Klan to the > four winds and bury al1 its K1eagles, and then immediately pro- > ceed to send chicken dinners and blankets to all the jobless men > sleeping in the parks. > > Digitized by Coogle > Editors > REA L I TáY Con8ultlnc Editors > Mary Hanford Ford > Howard MacNutt > IlUGJIINJII J. DlIIUTH Richard Manuel Bolden > , Horace BoD8Y > WANDEYNJ!J DlIlUTH Wlnttred M. Schumacher > Ann T. Boylan > PUBLIBRl!lD MONTHLY BY > Reality Publishing Corporation > 41811adiaoD AT_ao Tel. Vanderbill 45'7 Now York, N. Y. > Eugene J. Deuth. President Herold S. RobiDIIOD. Sec'y & Treas. > Single Copies, 25 centL Sold at all NewsstandL > Subscription, $3.00 per year > Money Orders Payable to Reality Publishing Corporation > 416 Madison Avenue, New York Ciiy > Copyright, 1911. by Reality Publllhinc Corporation > Entered al Second Claa8 Matter. April lI6. 19l11. at the Post Oftlce. > New York. N. Y •• und8r the Act of March 3rd. 18.,9 > > Volume IV. OCTOBER, 1921 > . > Contents of October Issue > Frontispiece. Bahai Temple of Chicago. > Abdul Baha's Message to the World of Science. > Abdul Baha's Visit to the Salvation Army in 1913. > Earth Life. > The Spiritual Reason for the Mashrak-el-Azkar Being Built in > Chicago ...................................................................................................... L. R. Waite > The Temple Song ............._.._................................_...................................L. R. Waite > Abdul Baha Says Color No Test. . > Caruso ....._...._................_..............__................................... Valeria DeMude Kelsey > The Manual Labor ........................George Davidson Buchanan, Ph. D. > There Is' No God Besides Me .......................................... J. W. Maclachlan > What It Means to be Dead to Self. > Mohamet and the Camel. > Dante _......._ ........_........._....................._..._.._..........__...._......._.......... Paolo S. Abbate > The Current Art ................_..__..._..._..__....._..._.........._....Mary Hanford Ford > The Empire of the Soul ....__........_.........._..._...._...._.....Arthur E. Stilwell > Twelve Basic Bahai Principles. Compiled from the Words of > Abdul Baha. > Luke the Physician (concluded) ....._..... George Davidson Buchanan > The Drama ._.._.._..._ ......._.__.....__...._...._...._..... Frances Eveline Willcox > Bahai Activities. > Digitized by Coogle > The Great Bahai Temple > in Chicago > T HERE are many people asking questions about the great > Bahai Temple in Chicago, and they express a diversity > of opinion. Why should we build another church ?-some > ask-we have too many churches already, too many cults and > sects have put up buildings. And others say, it is a wicked > thing to collect money to erect another costly edifice for wor- > ship, when there is such misery in the world which clamors for > relief. > But in the word "worship" lies the answer to all the ques- > tions. The world is dotted over with buildings for religious > assemblage, but it has exceedingly few places of -worship. It > was not so in an earlier day. -Up to the 14th century the > Chlistian churches and Mohammedan mosques were to a great > extent centers of worship, not social centers. The Jewish syna- > gogues have long been buildings for the exposition of dogma > and the maintenance of theological systems which have super- > - seded the great spiritual glory of their ancient faith. > The mighty cathedrals of Europe were founded originally > as places of prayer and worship. They were spots sheltered > by a roof where one could pray in quiet and without danger > of disturbance. Immense in size, many columned, full of > shadowy distances, it was easy to disappear in them, and close > to a lovely pillar one, could pray for hours, and lose the world. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY I' > > The entire service of the early church, which survives in the > rather ornate ritual of the Catholic and Episcopal churches was > designed for the expression of worship and the union of the soul > with God. As the intellectual being lost this capacity for spir- > itual absorption the great music arose providing with its em~ > tional stir that meeting of soul and spirit which had become > more difficult as intellect gained new positiveness, so the masses > of Palestrina, Bach and Beethoven 1llled the heart with that exal- > tation which could no longer be attained through prayer alone. > And the people quite forgot that in the earlier day all musicá > except the solemn chanting of men's voices was forbidden. > There '\vas little preaching in those days: An intellectual > and brilliant sermon was unheard of. People did not look to > their pastors for brilliant sermons, but for 'loving service and > counsel, which later degenerated into "confession." > 'Then came the reformation in the middle of the 16th cen- > tury, in which intellect usurped the place of the spirit, and wor- > ship as a spiritual element in religion was almost forgotten. > It was necessary that mankind should go through this experi- > ence of intellectual positivism in order that the intellect might > gain the capacity of discernment which enables it to discriminate > between superstition and spiritual insight, between theology and > the teaching of the spirit. But the loss was temporarily great, > because the churches were deprived henceforth of the vibration > of worship and prayer, and became social and welfare centers, > places of intellectual entertainment. > The world lost the sense of prayer, the sense of God. In > the early 4ays the church was the people's house and the house > of God and was never locked. Reverence for it was so great that > no one would touch its treasures, and its doors were always > open; men, women and children were always praying there. > One could never enter Notre Dame or the Cathedral of San > Marco or the great Rheims Cathedral andá not find there many > souls lost in prayer, in communion with God. And what is the > result? That as one enters those sacred places and sits quietly, > the sense of God comes to the mind, peace enters the soul, and > one communes instinctively with the Heavenly Father. It is as > if the whole lovely interior were filled with the white flames of > prayer which have been rising there for centuries. > > Digitized by Coogle > 8 REALITY > > We have no spot like that in all the great United States > of America. In St. Patrick's Cathedral you do not feel it, nor > in St. John the Divine. It is not evident in Trinity, nor in the > dear little old church of St. Marks. In fact it is not present in > cathedrals of modern structure, like the new Catholic Westr > minster of London, m: the great church of the Sacre Coeur on > the hill of Montmartre in Paris. It seems that this dement of > spiritual worship must be inherent in the structure itself and > -be maintained in its worship constantly. This was the fact with > .." > the early cathedrals, and it wiII be the same with the Bahai > Temple in Chicago, far more positively than in the ease of any > modern structure for worship. > It is of heavenly origin. It came through the fortunate > brain of Louis Bourgeois~ its architect, but, as Abdul Baha says, > it was given to him from Baha, the Glory, and in every element > of its creation vibrates the feeling of worship and the Divine > Presence. > This spiritual quality is so impregnated in its structure that > it is not like other buildings the result of unity in the hearts > of men, but in fact creates that unity. Abdul Baha has said > this about the Temple again and again. It is not an expression of > what has risen in the conscious mind of the world, like the Gothic > art of the 18th century, but of the divine creative power behind > that. This is why it came perfect in design through a human > mind, and not slowly after many preparatory steps had been > taken. And this is why its vibratory power will be so mighty > as soon as it begins to arise. It will stir the feeling of unity > in men's minds, it wiII go far to create the millenium of peace, > of which we are all dreaming. For this reason the world is > interested to create this masterpiece as soon as possible; not > because it is the most beautiful thing in architecture, not ~ > cause it is an illuminating demonstration of what inspiration > can do for art, but because as it rises it will stir all hearts to a > new and universal melody, restore worship to mankind, break > the barriers of all sects, and rouse in every mind the latent > consciousness of brotherhood, which when it is wakened, will > render war impossible. > I am aware that this wiII sound to some readers like super- > stition, but Abdul Baha has said it, and it has been demonstratedá > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 'I > > by the singularly musical and powerful vibration of the temple > model, which affects all hearts, when it is seen, and leaves an > indelible impression of unity and Divine Presence. Imagine a > structure on these lines rising in the air in any locality, and it > is like a Holy One .come to live upon the earth. . But this Holy > One every one can see, every one can touch,. IDs divine voice > penetrates everywhere, reaches all hearts, stirs all souls J Ah, > Jet us build quickly this heavenly masterpiece! Let us sell our > houses, our clothes, and work with our hands, that soon-soon- > the walls of the exquisite structure may rise and its paean of J > > love of brotherhood and universal peace may echo in each mind, > soul and hearl-The Editor. > > J > > To the World of Science > Addreu Delivered by Abdul Baha at Stanford University, > Palo Alto, o.L, Oetober 8, 1912, 10:15 A. M. > Translated by Dr. Ameen Ullah Fareed. Stenographiea1ly > reported by Miss Bijou Straun. > Introductory remarks by President David Starr Jordan. > I ris our portion to have with us, through the courtesy of our > Persian friends, one of the great religious teachers of the > world, one of the natural successors of the old Hebrew > prophets. > He is said sometimes fa be the founder of a new religion. > He has upward of three millions of people following along the > lines in which he leads. It is not exactly a new religion, how- > ever. The religion of brotherhood, of good will, of friendship > between men and nations-that 'is as old as good thinking and > good living may be. . It may be said in some sense to be the > oldest of religions. > He will speak in Persian. He will be translated by Dr. > Ameen Fareed, a graduate of the University of Illinois and also > of Johns Hopkins University. > I have now the great pleasure, and the great hono:r also of > presenting to you Abdul Baha. > > Digitized by Coogle > • I > I > > 10 REALITY > > -the senses. In the human kingdom it is imbued with > certain qualities peculiar to the human state. > Hence it becomes evident that every single element of phe- > nomena is subject to transferences in myriad fonns and manners, > and in every form it has its peculiar virtue. Thus it becomes > evident that phenomena, fundamentally, are one; that is to say, > existence is fundamentally one. > If all phenomena in existence are possesSed of that oneness, > how much more should man possess that oneneu in its state > of idealism 'I > It is evident that ideality, as regards oneness, is expressed > only in the human kingdom•. > Verily, the origin of material life or existence is oneness, > and its termination is the ás~-same oneness. > With all this fundamental unity of all phenomena, is it > becoming of the world of humanity (which fundamentally is > one) ever to wage war, or entertain strife'l > Man is the noblest of creatures. He is possessed of the > mineral virtues in his body. He is possessed of the'vegetable > virtues, to-wit: the virtue augmentative;' the power of growth. > In the animal kingdom he presents certain qualities, or func.- > tions, peculiar to the animal state, because he is possessed of > sensibilities plus the human qualities, and that is a sound ,mind. > Considering this great oneness, is it behooving that man > should ever think of strife and sedition? Is it meet that he > should wage any war when all phenomena are at peace and > interdependent? All the elements are at peace. Is it meet that > man, who is the noblest of creatures, should remain ferocious 'I > God forbid such a state t > Consider, when these contingent elements enjoy a state of > commin~-ling, or fellowship, then the result is life. It is fresh. > ness. It is radiance. It is comfort. It is composure and con- > ducive to life. > Just now, these phenomena, which you observe here and > there, are all at peace. The sun is at peace with the earth upon > which it shines. The zephyrs are at peace with the trees. The > elements are at peace. When the least injury attacks them, > when the least inharmony and discord occur among them, do > you know what happens 'I You will have the San Francisco > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 11 > > earthquake and fire. That is the result of war among the ele- > ments. Just a little quarreling will result in a big fire, such > as you had in San Francisco a few years ago, and all its at- > tendant losses. > This is in the mineral kingdom. Then consider what will > be the result of discord, sedition and war in the human kingdom, > a superior kingdom of creation. How great will be the attendant > catastrophes! This is especially so when we regard the fact > that man is endowed by God with mind and intellect. Verily, > mind is the noblest gift of God. .Verily, it is a faculty which > is an effulgence of God. This is m8mfest and self-evident. > For instance, consider how all phenomena other than man > are subjects or captives of nature. They can not' deviate one > hairs breadth from the postulates of nature. For example, the > sun, this colossal planet, is a captive of nature. It can not devi- > ate one hairs breadth from the laws of .nature. Likewise, all > these great planets in this intenninable universe are captives of > nature. They can not deviate one hairs breadth from the regu- > lations of nature. This earth of ours, this sphere, is subject > to nature.' > The mineral kingdom in its entirety is subject to nature. > The vegetable kingdom, with all its processes of growth, is the > captive of nature. The animal kingdom is the captive of nature. > The elephant, large as it is, with all its huge body, can not > deviate one haiTs breadth from the instibites of nature. But > this little man, small as he is, with his weak body, because he > is confirmed by the mind, which is an effulgence of the Divine > effulgences, can break and explode the laws of nature. > For example, according to the rules of nat\1re, man was > destined to be a denizen of the earth. He was to inhabit only > the earth, but through the application of his mental faculties he > breaks this law, and becomes a bird, and soars in the air. He > becomes a fish, and in a submarine investigates the secrets of > the sea. Or he builds a fleet and sails over the seas, thus break- > ing a law of nature. > All the sciences and arts which you now enjoy were once > mysteries of nature, and according to the mandates of nature > they should be hidden ~d latent. The human intellect haa > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > broken this law and discovered the realties of objects. It has > taken these mysteries out of the plane of invisibility and haa > brought them into the plane of visibility. It has classified these > laws, this being contrary to the postulates of nature.. > For example, electricity was once one of the hidden or latent > mysteries of nature, and it should have remained hidden, but > the human intellect has discovered it, has broken the law of > nature, and out of that invisible treasury it has taken this energy > and brought it on to the plane of visibility. Little man takes > such a rebellious force as electricity IS, and arrests it in an > incandescent lamp. This is extraordinary. It is beyond the ken > of nature. In a few moments the East can communicate with > the West. This is Ja miracle. This is beyond the power of na- > ture. Man takes the voice and arrests it in a phonograph. The > voice naturally should be a free agency, for the law of nature > thus demands, but man takes it and puts it in a box. This is > against nature's law. > In all the other little things man changes the ways, and > all the other discoveries were mysteries of nature. According > to nature's postulates they should have remained hidden, but > this human mind, which is the greatest of Divine effulgences, > has verily broken the law of nature, and is constantly taking > out of nature's laboratory new and fresh things. > Having such a great bestowal of (;Pd, which is the greatest > potency of the world, is it becoming of us to remain still like > the ferocious animals, like the wolves fighting each other, killing > each other? This is contrary to the law of nature, to the world > of humanity. > If the animals exercise ferocity, it is shnply for their susten- > ance, and they are free from the benefit of intellect. They are > not reasonable, and can ánot discriminate between justice and > injustice, and therefore they are excusable. But man, when he > exercises ferocity, does not do.it for his food or sustenance. > He does it for greed. Tben is it becoming that BUch a noble > creature, with such a delightful creation, with such a sound > mind, with such lofty thoughts, with all the scientific achieve- > ments, with all these liberal thoughts, with all the new discov- > eries, with all the great achievements of the arts, with aU the, > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 18 > possibilities facing man as to his perceptions becoming keener, > as to achieving noble things in life, for him still to go on to the > battlefield, to spill the blood of his fellow men? > Man in this world is the edifice of "God. He is not a human > edifice. If Y6U destroy an edifice built by man, the owner of > the house will feel grief indeed, and will feel wrathy against > you. How much more it is wheh man is destroying an edifice > founded by God! Undoubtedly does he deserve the wrath of > God. , > God has created man noble. God has created man a domi- > nant factor in creation. He has specialized man with particular > bestowals. He has cOnferred upon him mind. He has given > him perception. He has given him the faculty of memory, the > faculty of discrimination. He has endowed him with keen per~ > ceptions-the five senses. > With all His good gifts to man, which were to make him > the manifestation of virtues, which were to make him as a > radiant candle, which were to make him a source of life, which > were to make him an agency of constructiveness-shall we now > destroy this great edifice of God? Shall we destroy, from its > very foundation this great body social or politic? > When 'we are not captives of nature, when we can control > ourselves, shall we allow ourselves to be captives of nature and > act in accordance with the exigencies of nature? > In nature there is the law of the survival of the fittest. > H humanity be not educated, then, according to the natural > institutes, the law of the survival of the fittest will demand of > man supremacy. > What is the object of all the schools and colleges? What > is the basis for the universities ? > They are for the purposes of rescuing man from the exi- > gencies of nature, to relieve or rescue him from the defects of > nature, and to endow him with the capability of controlling the > benefits of nature. > Consider. Were you to relegate this plot of ground out > here to nature, leave it in its primordial status, it will become > a thomy place and useless weeds will grow therein, but when weá > cultivate it it will become fertile soil, yielding a harvest. > > Digitized by Goo81e > • > > • I > > 14 REALITY > Were you to leave these mountains to their original state, > they would become jungles with no fruitful trees. When culti- > vation is followed, then these gardens will yield fruitful trees, > and then yours will be a variegated. flower garden to enjoy. > Then the world of humanity should not be left to its natural- > ism. It is in' need of education, and according to the Divine > education must it be educated.. The Holy, Divine manifesta- > tions of God were teac!hers. They were the gardeners of God > in order that they might transform these jungles into fruitful > orchards and make of these thorny places delightful gardens. > Then what is the PQ.Itieu1ar function of man? > It is that man should rescue himself, save himself, from > the defects of nature, and become qualified with the ideal virtues. > Is it behooving for us to sacrifice these ideal virtues and > these possibilities of advancement? God has endowed us with > a power whereby we can even overcome the laws of natuM. > Ours is the power to wrest the sword from nature's hand, and > then use that sword against nature itself: Is it meet that we > should be captives of nature still, and ~ according to the exi- > gencies of nature, which demand the law of the survival of the > fittest? Shall we allow no difference to exist between us and > the ferocious animal by exercising a ferocity like unto it T > There is no baser state than that of the ferocious type. > There is no greater degradation for man than this. There is no > worse debasement than the battlefield. It is the cause of the > wrath of God. It is the cause of the destraction of the founda- > tions of man. > Praise be to God, I find myself in an assemblage the mem- > bers of which are all peace-Ioving, and advocates of international > peace, the thoughts of all being for the oneness of humanity, > and the ambition of all being service rendered to the cause of > humanitarianism. > Thus I supplicate God that He may conftnn and aid you, > that each one of you may at last become a professor emeritus, > that each one of you may become the cause of spreading science, > that each one of you may become a standard bearer for peace > and a band connecting the hearts of men. > , His Holiness Baha'o'llah fifty years ago declared the necess-- > ity of peace among the nations, and the necessity of liberalism > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 16 > > in the form of peace among the religions. He deClared the neees- > ity of peace among the races and peace among the countries > He says that the fundamental basis of all religions is one, tha~ > religion was aimed to be a bond to unite in fellowship all men, > that the differences which have arisen are due. to blind imitation > (or dogma), and that these dogmatic institutes are distinct from > the foundations of the prophets; that because the blind imit. > tions are various, they have caused differences and sedition, but > that if the reality underlying religious teaching should be investi- > gated, all the religions will be unified, that religion will be the > cause of unity and accord, the cause of binding together the . > hearts. > If religion proved to be the cause of dissension and discord, > He declared, it is better to do without religion entirely, for > religion then is a harm, and the absence of that which is a harm > is better than its presence. > Religion was destined to be a remedy of God. It was to be > a panacea for the ails of humanity. It was to be a salve for > the wounds of man. But if its misapplication, or misuse, has > caused such a havoc, causing battle and war among men, causing > bloodshed among humanity, irreligion is better then than > religion. > He emphasized international peace exceedingly. He de- > . dared humanity to be mankind-one. AD are the progeny of > Adam; that is, they are the lineage of one personage, one family. > However, it has become such a big family, such a large family! > You can not conceive of various races or distinct types in one > family. If some of the membe~ of a family were of a certain > person, and if some were members or the offspring of another > person, in other words, if we had two Adams for our father, > then we might say we had some difference. But because we > belong to one progeny, one family, and they are not various or > divergent, therefore such names distinguishing one from the > other, as "this is Italian, this is German, this is French, the > other is Russian"-this is nonsense. We are all human, and we > are all the servants of God, and we all come from Mr. Adam's > family. Then what is all this superstitious idea? > All these distinctions or boundary lines have been created > by people who were despotic. Their aim was fame, their aim > > Digitized by Coogle > • > 16 REALITY > > was conquest of land, and they made use of this patriotic feeling. > They themselves enjoyed luxuries in their lofty palaces, > surrounded with every ease and affluence, enjoying the most > delightful food, enjoying feathery couches for sleep, and for > exercise preferring the ball room. To the poor people-r-the > farmers, the laboret:a, the soldiers-they said: "Go to the > field." The others said: "You are ourselves. We are captains > and officers; you are soldiers. Go to the battlefield." The others > said: "You are destroying our homes. Why 1" They an- > swered: "Because you are Germans; we are French." But > those who instigated it were all self-occupied. They did not let > go of their pleasure. But the blood of the innocent poor was > shed. For what 1 For a superstition such as "this is German, > the other is French," when both are human; both belong to > Adam, one family, one people. > I This prejudice, or limited patriotism, is so often used when > patriotism in the larger sense includes all nativities. There must > be peace among all nations. > God created one earth, one sphere, on~ globe, and one man- . > kind. This earth was to be the habitation of man. But we > have come forth and have imagined certain superstitional- > boundary lines. • > They are purely imaginary, yet we pronounce one section > Germany ,the other France, and we let them fight. We say: > "0, this is Germany; this is patriotic; this is a great country > and should be helped and assisted," but of the other we say: > "Let it go down; let us destroy it; it is evil; it is a bad country; > the people ought to be kjIled." Why 1 . > The line is imaginary, absolutely, and for these imaginary > ! boundary lines is it becoming for the precious blood of man to > be spilled, and for him to behead his fellow men 1 For what? > After all, aclaim for territory is a claim just for the dust, > the love of, or attachment to, dust. Did you even stop to think > that we live on this earth of dust for a few days, and then we > remain beneath it forever 1 So it is our graveyard eternally. > Is it becoming of man to fight for his graveyard, which devours > him, an eternal cemetery 1 > For man to fight over his' grave, to kill one another for his > > Digitized by Coogle > • > > REALITY 17 > grave-wh$t an ignorance! What an inadvertance! What a- > thoughtlessness on the part of man! > I hope-1;hat you people are reasonable enough not to fight > over your graves, and that you Will enjoy the utmost of fellow- > ship, like one family-brothers, sisters, mothen, fathers- > enjoying peace and having a good time. > Closing Remarks by President Jordan. > We are all under very great obligation to Abdul Baha for > thi~ illuminating expression of the I1rotherhood of man and the > value of international peace. I think we can best show our > appreciation by simply a rising vote of thanks. I > > Abdul Baha at a Salvation Army Shelter > (In Lonaon, 1913.) > > On Christmas night Abdul Baha visited the poor of the > Salvation Army Shelter, Westminster, where each year a Christ- > mas dinner is provided for those who have no homes and no > friends, and, but for the shelter, would have no lodgings. There > were about 1,000 present on this occasion. It was a most im- > pressive scene-the dinner for the ~omeless and the Master from > the -East delivering Christ's message to the poor. As a true > test of attention many of the hungry men forgot to eat and > listened intently. In conformity with the wonderful tact Abdul > Baha displays on all occasions, his message to the homeless was > simple, direct and short. > I feel tonight, he said, great joy and happiness to be in > this place, because hitherto my meetings and visits have been > mostly with the poor, and I think of myself as one of them. > :My lot has ever been with those who have not the goods of this > world. The world consists of brothers. The poor have ever > been the cause of the freedom. of the world of humanity; have > ever been the cause of the upbuilding of the country; and have > ever labored for the world's production. The morals of the poor > > Digitized by Coogle > 18 REALITY > have ever been above those of the rich; the poor are ever nearer > to the threshold of God; the humanitarianism of the poor has > ever been more acceptable to God. Consider his holiness Christ. > He appeared in the world as one of the poor. He was bom of > a lowly family; all the apostles of Christ were of humble origin > • and his followers were of the very poorest of the community. > This is what Christ states in the 'gospels, "It is easier for a camel > to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter > into the kingdom of God." This testimony of Christ to the > exalted state of the poor ones is sufficient. It is easy for the > poor, very easy for them, to enter into the kingdom of the > Almighty. The poor have capacity. They are favored at the > threshold of God. If wealth was a necessity, Christ would have > wished it for himself. He lived a simple life, and one of the > titles of Baha'o'llah was the "poor one." In Persian his title was > "darvish," and that means one who has not a slave. All the > prophets of God were poor. His holiness Moses was a mere > shepherd. This will show you that in the estimation of God > poverty is greater than the accumulation of wealth-that the . > poor are more acceptable than the lazy rich. A rich man who > spends his wealth for the poor is praiseworthy. Consider that > the poor are not bom in a state of solvency; they are not tyran- > nous. All the tyranny and injustice in this world comes from > accumulation. The poor have ever been humble and lowly. > Their hearts are tender. The rich 81'6 not so. Sorrow not, > grieve not! Be not unhappy because you are not wealthy! You > are the brothers of Jesus Christ. Christ was poor. Baha'o'llab. > was poor. For forty years he was imprisoned in poverty. 111e > great ones of the world have come from a lowly station. Be ever > happy; be not sad. Trust in God, and if in this world you > undergo dire vicissitudes, I hope that in the kingdom of God > you will have the utmost happiness. > In generous conformity with Baha'o'llah's teachings that > "our words should not exceed our deeds," the Master left twenty > sovereigns and many handfuls of silver with Colonel Spencer of > the Salvation Anny so that the poor might enjoy a similar > dinner on New Year's night. Colonel Spencer told the men that > they were to have this New Year's dinller in Abdul Baha's honor. > The Master was just leaving the hall when this announcement > > Digitized by Coogle ,, > REALITY 19 > was made. With one accord the men jumped up and, waving > their knives and forks, gave a rousing farewell cheer. > Before leaving, the Master was shown all over the shelter, > and at the outer door he said to the officer in charge: "May > God pl'OBper you! May you all be under the protection of the > Almighty !" > > Earth Life. > The work of the world begins > The work of my heart stops . > For the work of the world > Is a thing I hate. > > Creeping forth from the shadows > Hurrying, scurrying, by- > Cheating, lying, stealing- > Madly on to its fate- . > Crawling oger dead bodies > Sucking the life away- > Shrieking with wildest laughter- > Dancing about its prey- > Is the world a place to live in- > With its horror and despair- > With 'its absolute reveraal- > Of the things that God made fair. > > The Spiritual Reason for the Mashrak- > El-Azkar Being Built in Chicago > Copy in part of an article written by me which appeared > in the "International Pyschic Gazette" in 1914-publiahed in > London, England.-L. R. Waite. > > Digitized by Coogle > 20 REALITY- > > In a book entitled, "Reminiscences of Early Chicago," by > . E. O. Gale, this quotation is found, from a letter written by the > brave and distinguished explorer, Robert Cavalier de La Salle, to > a friend in "France in 1688, which reads: "After many toils I > came to the head of the Great Lakes and rested for some days > on the bank of a river of feeble current, now flowing into the > lake, but which occupies the course that fonnerly the waters of I > > these great lakes took as they flowed southward to the Missis- > sippi river. This is the lowest point in the great divide between > the two great valleys of the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi. > The boundless regions of the West must send their products. > to the coast through this point. This will be the "Gate of the > Empire," this the seat of commerce. Every. thing invites action. > The typical man who will grow up here mu~t be an enterprising > man. Each day as he arises he will exclaim, "I act, I move, I > push" and there will be spread before him a boundless horizon, > an illimitable field of plain activity. A limitless expanse of pl8.in > is here. To the East is water and at all other points land. If > I were to give the coming city a name I would derive it from > the nature of the place, and the nature of the man who will > occupy this place-Ago-I act, and Cireum-all around, ,Chicago." > This prophesy of La Salle's given when "wilderness was > king" when no material foreshadowing of such a city could be . > seen, has, as all know who have seen or read of Chicago, been > literally fulfilled, and the spiritual significances of his words ever- > grew greater as we consider them. Truly no city in the world > could so materially express all that the Bahai Mashrak-EI-Azkar- > stands for as does Chicago, or the name given it by the French- > man-uCircago." I act all around. > One point he emphasizes means much: "To the East is > water, and at all other points land." Whatá a deep spiritual > truth is this. Water ever symbolizes the Spirit and the East > the rising point of the Sun of Truth, aD other points are but > material ones and are refreshed and enlightened from this One > Point. > Again he states that "it is the lowest point in the greatá > divide," the lowest point in a circle of existence is next to the > first point of ascent, and, from the manger, comes forth the > Christ-ehild co~ousness. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 21 > Chicago has risen like a phoenix from the ashes of her old > dead self, and through the fire of trials has been prepared to > be the first Mashrak-EI-Azkar city of America, and it is because > this great spiritual light is focused there so intensely, that the > shadows seem the blackest, but this proclaims the presence > of the Light. > It stands like a mighty hub in a wheel; from every side > are incoming railroads and navigation lines; to all the world > sht! exports material food, and is fast becoming a center of > Sciences, Arts and Occult Organizations, thus spiritual reality > must be back of this material reflection, and thus the Mashrak- > El-Azkar will be the perfect outward expression of these Spiritual > Truths, with it. It will "act all around" with its nine avenues > of approach to (it's heart or hub) i. e., the Temple, wherein man > may enter regardless of race, color, religion or creed and com- > mune with his God, coming away re-enforced and putting forth > the fruits of that holy communion in DEEDS, for one of the > fundamental principles of the teachings of Baha'o'llah is that > "labor is worship" and "man is judged by his deeds and not his > words." . > The accessories, or buildings connected with the Temple. > which as a whole form the Mashrak-EI-Ezkar will be the out- > ward expression of this Truth, here the "fruits of the spirit" > in actual material activities will be manifested. From these > accessories it will give forth knowledge, light, comfort, healing, > and general help to all, and the Spiritual Food of the soul's > existence. > The Temple will stand high. above all the other buildinl'8 > and when completed can be seen by all outgoing and incoming > mariners. At this point is the entrance of the great Drainage > Canal, through which the waters of Lake Michigan clear and > vivifying flow to purify the city, another symbol outwardb' > expressed of the Spiritual Reality which will flow forth fron > this Sacred Edifice to give- new life ~ the world. > To it's East will be water-again carrying out the Divine > significances-the Water, and Fire of the Word of God-and the > Dawning Place of the Sun of Truth. > As Chicago has been the great "melting pot" of all nations, > 10 the Mashrak-EI-Azkar will be the great Spiritual Melting-Pot > > Digitized by Google . > REALITY > > of Divine Love, consuming all racial and religious prejudices, > all differences, and all bigotry, melting all hearts into one sub- > stance and remolding them into spiritual realities which recog- > nize only the perfect brotherhood of man, the Oneness of the > world of humanity, wherein all are the children of the One > Everlasting Father, whose name is LOVE. > > The Temple Song. > The Temple to our Glorious King, > Can rise alone through Love. > Then as we build it let us send > Up to His Throne above, > A song to waken every heart > To spread sweet harmony, > A song triumphant, clear and strong > Of Love and Unity. > CHORUS. > Then come and build a Temple great > And as we build it sing; > A Temple to the King of Love, > For Love alone is King. > A Temple of true Unity, > Wherein all nations meet, > And worship God-and Him alone, > In prayer and commune sweet. > A Temple to the Living God, . > Who has our every call; > The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, > And Father of us all. > Within this Temple's mighty walls, > His Spirit ere shall be; > And chanted there the songs of love, > The sonp of unity. > And every heart that is in tune, > With His great loving Heart, > Shall be within this Temple fair, > An everlas~ part. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > CHORUS. > Then come and build a Temple great, > And as we build it sing, > A Temple to the King of Love, > For Love alone is King. > LOUISE R. WAITE, > . (Shahnaz) > > Abdul Baha Says Color No Test > T HE following address was delivered by Abdul-Baha at the > Fourth Annual Conference of the National Association for > the Advancement of Colored People, Handel Hall, Chicago, > April SO, 1912, while visitiilg America. It was translated by > Dr. Ameen U. Fareed and taken stenographically by Joseph > Hannen: > God has stated in the Bible, the Old Testament, "We have > created' man in our own image and likeness." This statement > indicates the fact that man in some particular is of the image > and likeness of God; that is to s8.y, the Perfections of God, the > Divine Virtues, have become reflected or revealed in the human > reality. Just as the effulgence and the light of the sun, when > cast upon a mirror, is reflected fully, gloriously, if the mirror > be polished, so likewise the virtues of Divinity are possible of > reflection in the human reality. And this makes it evident > that man is the most noble of God's creatures. When you ob- > serve created things, you fuld that the mineral kingdom is en- > dowed with certain virtues. And we observe that the vegetable > kingdom has not only the virtues of the mineral kingdom but > it is endowed with another property, or, namely, the virtue aug- > mentative or the power of growth. The animal kingdom pos- > sesses the virtues or powers of the mineral kingdom plus those > of the vegetable kingdom, and moreover it possesses certain > peculiar properties of its own. The human kingdom is endowed > with the virtues or perfections of the mineral kingdom and > those of the vegetable kingdom, and the perfections of the animal > kingdom, and moreover has the human virtues. This makes it > > DigitizedbyGoogle . > , > REALITY > > evident that man is superior and most noble, and he is the most > glorious of beings! Man is the microcosm and this endless world > is the macrocosm. But the mysteries of the macrocosm, the > greater world, are expressed or revealed in the microcosm or > the lesser world. The tree is the greater world, so to speak, and > a seed holds the relation of the lesser world. But the whole of > the tree is potentially latent in the seed. An immense tree, a > colossal tree, is latent or hidden within a small seed. So when > this seed is cultivated, is planted, then .it is made possible of > revelation. Likewise the greater world, the macrocosm, is latent > and involved in tlie microcosm or the lesser world, and .that is > the universality of the virtues which is particularized in man. > This man who has been called the image and likeness of God: > Let us find out just where and how he is the image and likeness > of the Lord, and what is the standard of criterion whereby he > can be measured. The criterion or the standard can be no other > than the Divine virtues within men, which are Divine and after > .rus image. Therefore every man who is imbued with the Divine > qualities, who reveals the heavenly perfections and heavenly > morals, who is an expression of the praiseworthy attributes, > idealá in nature, is verily an image and likeness 'of God. If a > man should possess wealth, can we call him an iml\fe and like- > ness of God? Or is human honor the criterion whereby he can > be called the image of God? Or can we apply a color test as > a criterion, and say such and such an one is colored with a cer- > tain hue and he is, therefore, in the image of God? Can we > say, for example, a man who is green in hue is an image of God? > Is simply the white color a criterion whereby man is to be' > judged? And shall we make a sweeping statement like that? > Or is it reasonable for us to choose the dark color, supposing > we say a colored man is, after all, the image and likeness, just > because of his color, or the red-skinned man, shall he be the > image and liJmess of God? Or shall we declare the yellow race > to be a creation and therefore an image and likeness of God? > Can we say simply that so and so is yellow in color, therefore > he must be an image and likeness of God? Hence we come to > the conclusion that colors are of no importance. Colors are acci- > dental in nature. That which is essential is the humanitarian > aspect. And that is the manifestation of Divine virtues and > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > that is the Merciful Bestowals. That is the Eternal Life. That > is the baptism through the Holy Spirit. Therefore let it be > known th~t color is of no importance. Man, who is the image > -and likenesS of God, who is the manifestation of the Bestowals > of God, is acceptable at the Threshold of God whatever be his. > color. Let him be blue in color, or white, or green, or brown, > that matters not! Man is not to be pronounced man simply > because 'of bodily attributes. M~ is to be judged according > to his intelligence and to his spirit..... Because he is to be judged > according to spJ.rit and intelligence, therefore let that be the > only criterion. That is the image of God. If man's tempera- . > ment be white, if his heart be white, let his outer skin be black; > if his heart be black and his temperament be black, let him be > blond, it is of no importance. Therefore, of all importance > is t\e character of the heart. The heart which is brighter, in > the estimation of God, is dearer. Inasmuc8. as God has endowed > man with this Bestowal, such a favor, that he is called the Image > of God, this is truly a great station. And this great station is. > not to be sacrificed for color's sake. > > Caruso > Our greatest singer has ~anished from the play; > His golden voice is mute,-and sudden dread > Throbs in the heart because his soul has fled; > While those who 1q10w him pause to sadly pay > A moment's tribute, thinking of that day > When, listening to his song, their spirits fed > On that high beauty which is more than bread,- > CaruSo's voice, his, whom they say is dead. > > How strange these sudden changes of the flesh, > This mingled water áand clay that like a mesh > _ Enshrouds and veils us from the human gaze; > And when someone we love escapes the maze, > We say he is dead! Alas, for every man > Who sees not life eternal in the Plan. > -Valeria DeMude Kelsey. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > The Manual Laborer > By George Davidson Buchanan, Ph. D. > > UJesus, the Carpenter." > "He saw them toiling and rowing," St. Mark VI, v. 14. > > T HE multitude had collected by the side of the Lake of > Genesereth, and there they had been fed. by the hand of > the Master, after which they were sent away to their > homes. The disciples had gone down into the stormy sea and > the Master himself had gone into the darlmess, silence and > stillness of the mountain to commune with God. At three o'cJpck > in the morning a great storm had burst over the lake, and the > disciples were sore distressed. "Where is the Master" they cried, > á'will he leave us alone-all alone-in darlmess, in the tempest > and in the midst of waves to perish 1". And yet far away there > was an all-seeing eye. He looked down and saw them toiling and > rowing and they had no idea that He was looking at them at all. > I could not help being impressed with the thought of this > singular incident when I looked upon the sea of Galilee. Then > with multitudes of people around it-multitudes who lived on > the fish they secured from it-and now all in silence-no habita- > tion except the very small town of Tiberius-barren rocks every- > where and only here and there a little plot of green foliage to > be seen. I could imagine where Christ himself in the fastness of > this mountain must have stood. I could imagine with what great > and sympathetic emotion He had seen His disciples buffeting > with the waves. I could see Him coming down and walking on > the surface of the sea with His extraordinary power, and hear > Him saying "It is I, be not afraid," when they thought they had > seen a spirit. But, more than ail else, I was impressed with the > great thought that He, who could distinguish the toilers on the > sea of Galilee, can still look through the darlmess of this life > and see this earth and the toilers of it every day. So it becomes > to us a question of personal importance, for we are all more or > less toilers, and we, too, like Joseph of old, are all subject to > transitions in life, and how sudden they are sometimes. > > Digitized by Coogle > , I > r > I > > REALITY > > There were the _disciples wondering and worshipping and > lovin~ the Savior as they ministered to the thousands by the > seaside. There they were again. going down quietly to their > little boats to row across the lak~d then the change from the > calmness of evening and from its surroundings and effect to the > darkness and the stonn. Is that an experience that was confined > to the disciples or is it not an experien~e that you, perhaps, have > had in your life? Can you not remember when your home was > unbl'Qken, when the smile of a father and mother, the affection > of a brother and sister was all ~und you, when everything was > at peace; then there came a sudden calamity and you lost a loved > one-practically a sudden transition-and you called it death. > Did not you feel sometimes how sudden it was, and have you not > often felt within your inmost soul that you have some grounds of > complaint against Providence. Don't you feel sometimes when > you are disappointed in your friends and everything seems to be > against you-don't you feel and say sometimes in the rashness > of the moment "If there be a God he does not care for us,-if > there be a Redeemer he does not see us."? Might not the dis.- > ciples have had the same feeling, but, although they did not > know' it, there was One watching them toiling and rowing. I Is > it not a comfort to us even today, if we can only believe it, to > know that though we may be misunderstood by men, we are not > by God; that if no one else knows our troubles and sorrows that > Christ knows them and He is watching over us. And if we have > to toil every day for our daily bread-or if we have to walk the > streets of the city in search of means by which we can get daily > bread for our children, and cannot obtain those means, and see > our children starving-will not One come when we are about > to lose heart-will not one from the Infinite (even if it be in > human fonn) come and walk over the sea of trouble and calm > the tempest and say "Peace be still, be not afraid 1" It is men's > faith in this that makes them begin again when all seems against > them, and it is in this faith they say "I will get through i~ > God helping me." That is the prayer on the lips of many thou- > sands of the poor. . > I do not mean by the toiler simply the manual laborer, be- > cause there are other toilers that Christ also watches over. It > is the man who works-whatever his position-who is acceptable. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > Christ Himself was a manual laborer. He worked, as we have > reason to beliei'e, with his father at the carpenter's bench and > how much I would rather have seen that carpenter's bench when > I was in Nazareth than to see what I did see. At Nazareth, in > the carpenter's shop of Joseph, there was a huge boulder, and > it was on this boulder and around it that Joseph and his little > son worked. The shop is ,now turned into a Church. It has > .candles burning all about it. It has altars near to it, even the > very stone itself is used as an altar. It has all the sanctity and > stillness of a place of worship and yet I am convinced it is not > more sacred for that. I would have felt it far more sacred if > I had seen it as Christ saw it when he worked with His hands. > I would have felt then, perhaps, as I could not feel under any > other circumstances-that here is the place where th~ lowestá of > humanity, the most unkempt, the one who had, the poorest > clothes might come in, but without all these candles and this > ceremony and refinement, and formality. I felt somehow that > even the Master Himself would be kept out of it. What about > the mental toiler, the student, the missionary 1 What about the > toil of perplexity which comes to the man because he has not > employment,-beeause he cannot work with his hands? The > toil of his perplexity is far greater toil than the toil for his > daily bread. > Does God, through Christ, look down upon these toilers of > the earth? And then we ask the question-which is often asked > ~''Why all this 1" Some people have told us, from the orthodox > standpoint, that all this is the effect of sin. > Others, of modern times, tell us that this toil is only part > and parcel of the evolution of man, it is only the circumstance > of improvement-a struggle onward and a strUggle forward- > that will ultimately produce the perfect refinement and develop- > ment of the human race. I will let you choose which is the more > likely to be true. I only want you to fix your minds on two > kinds of toil. First the toil which is hopeless and second the > toil which is nothing but slavery and slavery ending in despair > of mind and soul. It i.,s this kind of toil we see so manifest on > the earth and so particularly manifest in modern times among > the manual laborers. Hopeless toil, because many of the men > .in our great cities have lost heart, many of them have lost touch' > > Digitized by Coogle > , > > REALITY > with humanity,-and, worse still for them, have lost touch with > their only and greatest friend-the Carpenter of Nazareth. > They have lost touch with their only comrade and companion by > reason of the toil of their own forgetfulness and by reason of > the neglect of humanity all around them. There are many men > in this world who are toilers by hand who are in the deepest > hopelessness because they have been trying to follow schemes and > notions such as anarchy, and the man who follows anarchy and > such movements finds nothing else but hopelessness and depair. > I am going to show how some lose heart. The man who thinks > he will get through his trouble and distress by following a care- > less and Godless socialism is mistaken. I do believe in a certain > class of socialism, but I qualify the word "socialism" with a very > important wprd, viz: "Christian." Those who do the laboring > man and socialism most harm are those who go with a torch in • > one hand an. dagger in the other seeking to destroy men by > human foree, that the masses may obtain their rights. I hear > Christ saying, "Put up your sword, for he who takes the sword > shall perish by the sword." It has ever been so. I have heard > of numbers of men who have chosen,to be Anarchists, believing > in no Government,-men who have been led astray and led so > often to their own destruction. I have heard men proclaim to > the world the brotherhood of man and at the same time say they > did not believe in the fatherhood of God. How can they have > brothers unless they 'have a father? The thing is absurd, on > the face of it. And yet some of these are brilliant men, belong- > ing to some of the best social movements in the world, who have > east religion and God out of their minds. They say "I don't > know anything about the Father-all we want is the present > made right." The man who thinks he can rectify humanity > ., without any belief and without any God to guide and direct him > is like a man wandering in the wilderness and will lose all hope > in the end. > There is another kind of labor which works on in the midst > of its difficulties trying to right itself, but it is a conscientious > and impprtant one, which will, in time, work out everything > required for the good of man. It is a wonderful thought to > think of the Saviour and to think that he is still looking at us > and watching us. DQ I believe it? Yes, for did he not say that > > Digitized by CoogIe > 80 REALITY > anyone who did a kind act--anyone helping another was doing > the same thing for Christ and Christ sees and knows it. > This hopeful bodY of men above referred to have seen far > beyond their own conditions. They are looking to the time when > the surrounding condition of humanity shall right itself accordá > ing to the law of Christ. To the time when the schemes and > systems and republics of men shall fall, when something Godlier > and holler "All for each and each for all" shall be established. > After nineteen centuries, Christ is still watching us.á I have > sometimes thought if His heart were not infinite, if He did not > see the end of things, He well might be discouraged with His > own people. Nineteen centuries have passed and yet millions > of men seem still to be bent on destroying one another. Millions > of men on the earth and yet the rich grow richer and the poor > grow poorer. Numbers in a plaee like South Africa with its > splendid climate, its diamond fields, its fruits ani flowers, with > its valleys which are rich wherever you touch them and with > Central Africa lying beside it. Nineteen centuries of it and > God's blessing upon us, and yet in Cape Town 600 people went > to the soup kitchens to get something to eat, to keep them from > starving. Does it not make one tremble to think of such condi- > tions as these? As a result there has been a separation of many > of these manual laborers and other laborers of this. great > question. > In England there is a labor Church established. It is not > a very old Church but I should like to give you some of its > principles and a few particulars about it. The laboring men > felt their Church did not care about them. When they go to > Church they have not the proper clothing and feel ashamed, > thinking others are looking down upon them, and they lose their > self-respect. If a man loses his self-respect he has lost every- > thing. Or if he does go to Church he is put in a back gallery > and feels himself shunned and does not like it. And will you > good people who have been to Church-and some of you have- > reflect what the ordinary fashionable Church would do if Jesus > came into it just as he was dressed in the carpenter's shop? > The working man has felt this very keenly and yet the more he > has felt it the more he has despaired over it, and the consequence > is that in 1891 in Manchester the Laboring Men's Church was > • > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 81 > started. It has multiplied exceedingly until now there is a large > number of these Churches in Great Britain. They have estab- > lished a yet larger number in America because these men feel > the people are driven out of the/ other Churches and that the > circumstances which have driven them out will drive others out > who are not satisfied. They have founded this Church and these > > "There Is No God Else Besides Me" > I know not how my Lord will come > When I have need of him; > I only know he is not far > When I cry out to him. > > I was afraid-I called-he came; > How? I cannot say. > Re spoke, "Fear not, I am with thee, > Be not dismayed." > > And fear and pain could not abide > In thl\t compelling Light: > I kDew, his love surrounding me, > There was no night. > > How could I think him far away- > Too far to hear my prayer? > No place there is where he is not; > MYGoci is everywhere. > 'He fills all space, he has all power; > Past him no prayer can go. > The worlds are cradled in his anna; > His love is great--and so > > It matters not what name I eall > When I am Buffering pain; > His name is good-that is enough- > I take it not in vain. > > Digitized by Goog~e ~ I > 82 REALITY" > > What It Means to Be Dead to Self > One day a monk asked of his Superior what it meant to > be dead to self. His Superior replied: "I cannot tell you just > now, 1 have something that I wish you to do. You remember > brother Lawrence, who died a short time ago. I want you to > go to his grave and call him all the vilest names you can think > of.. Call him murderer, liar, traitor, coward and everything else > that is vile. Then come back and ten me the result." The > mpnk did so, and returned to his Superior, saying: "Nothing > had happened." The Superior told him to go again to the grave > and call brother Lawrence by all the most endearing epithets, > and to come back once more and report result. The monk did > this also, but again returned, saying that nothing had happened. > The Superior then turning to the monk exclaimed: "Brother > Lawrence is DEAD. Now you have y;our answer, neither blame > , nor > . > praise have power to move him, forr he is dead." > > MAHOMET AND THE CAMEL > Mahomet, blessed be his name, > One eve, disguised, was roaming, > And came upon some weary men , > Raising their tents at gloaming. > A foot loose camel met his gaze > As he was passing by. > Mahomet to the owner said > "My friend, thy camel tie." > The Arab lifted up his eyes > And piously he said: > "My camel to my God 1 trust" > And bent a reverent head. > Mahomet answered calmly, > For he was kind and just: > "My friend, first tie thy camel > And then in God have trust." > J. W. Maclachlan > > Digitized by Coogle > Dan t e > > By PtUJlo S. Abbate, > 1931 Broadway, New York City > > DigitlzedbyGoogle > á . > > I~ Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 88 > > The Current Art > The Impressionist and Post-Impressionist exhibit at the > Metropolitan Museum in New York went out in a blaze of glory > and criticism, after having received a stream of visitors averag- > ing about 800 a day. during the earlier weeks-an average which > was greatly increased during the last month of the exhibition- > on account of the fierce criticism which finally broke forth in > the press against the display. > This criticism was most unreasoning and unreasonable. It > declared the collection of pictures indecent, dangerous to art and > destructive. It deplored the fact that pupils from the Art > League School frequented the gallery, and that the recent exhi- > bition of the school work showed plainly the extremely bad influ- > ence of the paintings upon the .youthful mind. > The critics ignored the fact thatá áthe influence of Ceunne, > Gauguin, Matisse and. Picasso manifested itself in the late > nineties, and that art has already sutvived it. Every great > artist is more or less an experimenter. Rodin was this to the > end of his life, so was Michel Angelo, so was George Inness. > He ceases to be great when he ~es t& exep~e!lt. A supreme > experimentalist of the past"as Eugene Delacroix. He filled > with horror the !'ef\Ctionary critics of his day, as does Matisse > in our time. Yet he is now a classic, and everything that his > brush touched is regarded as of exceeding interest. Perhaps > Matisse will not take so high a place in the future art as does > De1acroix in the art of today, but like Delacroix for his period, > Matisse represents the adventuring spirit of his age, and that > spirit is what keeps the art of the world from stagnating. > The young artists of America have already responded to . > the message of Matisse, Picasso and Cezanne. George Luks > and George Bellows have made many sorties along these path- > ways, and Arthur B. Davies has temporarily lost himself in these > labyrinths, but all have strengthened their own individuality > through experiment and have always returned with a new color > and fresh blandishment from their foreign fields. John Sloan > has perhaps bOrrowed more freely from the treasures of Picasso, > but he is an artist so decidedly reflective of his own American > > Digitized b; Coogle > REALITY > environment that no one need fear too much foreign invasion > of his genius. > The exhibit has massed together the work of some of the > most indePendent minds of the 19th and 20th centuries, and > the fact that these minds are French, with the exception of > Van Gogh and Picasso, re~ds us again that France has taken > the place in the art of the present which Greece took in the art > of the past, and that all the significantly new and enlightening > ideas in art expression in the 19th century arose in France. > The struggle of romanticism against classicism led by Eugene > De1acroix vanquished the supreme power of the academic in > art, and the glory of light, the color scheme of the future, WeI'e > brought into use by Edouard Manet, Claude Monet and their > associates, and from an entirely different point of view by Puvis > de Chavannes. > Then came the group represented in the now famous exposi- > tion, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Seurat, Toulouse-Lautrec > and Andre Derain. The collection might have been well tenned > an exhibit of the Innovators, because it has massed together the > significant works of the group which smashed objectively the > accepted traditions in art regarding color and fonn, and those > who subjectively have e6ntinued the battle. > The effect of such an exhibit upon the artistic consciousness > can be nothing but wholesome. There has been evident in this > country during the last three or four years a resurgence of the > academic and our artists perhaps needed the spur of this com- > bined illustration of how the great artists have dared to think. > The work of Edouard Manet alone would have been important > but we had the beautiful addition of Edgard Degas, the regular > impressionists and the later men, for Degas is especially the > connecting link between the impressionist and post-impressionist > painters. In him the objective, and subjective tendencies are > irrevocably combined, and always with the resulting effect of > great beauty. > The exhibit was increased and rendered more illuminating > by the large addition of black and white illustrations by Willette, > Forain, Steinlen and others showing how the independent ten- > dencies of the masters have in recent years dominated the pro- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 85 > > duction of the illustrators as well, making of French illustration > today what our own was some years ago. > Nothing could more vividly represent the life of today, with > its anguish, its excitements, its license and tragedy, than do the > sketches of Steinlen and Forain. . They will remain as vivid types > of a barborous past long after the evils of our so-called civiliza- > tion have disappeared, and been replaced by the realized ideals > which are growing in the world mind today. > We publish on another page a reproduction of the bust of > Dante by Paolo Abbate, which has been exhibited during the > past weeks and has attracted much attention. Mr. Abbate is > one of the younger sculptors whose work offers such good > promise for the future of American art. His bust of Dante is > a beautiful and significant creation, a real addition to the Dante > . culture of the day. Most of the Dante heads are dead things, > s1lggesting little besides the bitterness which never dominated > the great poet's life. But Abbate's head is a visualization of > the real Dante, in which, as in the soul of the poet, wisdom and > love have eliminated that bitterness which spoke in his heart > at times, as a result of contemporary injustice and misunder- > standing. It is fitting that in this 7th century of the poet's > death, another poet, in a continent undiscovered in Dante's day, > should create a 'portrait of him, which brings him back to us > as he was in life, wise, powerful, and spiritually happy. > Another young sculptor who is doing admirable work is > Louis Keila. He has the true sculptor's instinct for fonn and > sensitive modelling and an esoteric sense which had led him > already into many compositions, some of. which may become > great monuments in the future. One of these is a vivid group > called THE SCULPTOR; showing the dramatic figure of a man > with the tools of his craft in his hand, standing free from a back- > lfl"Ound on which are modelled the figures of the environment > from which he has sprung. It is the sculptor and his world. > Another smaller group shows a man and woman with arms > locked and knees touching in such posture that they form a > perfect circle. It is eternity, infinity, love. Another and still > greater design is not yet in the clay, but Keila has temporarily > deserted the poetic and divine world, and is developing a series > of subjects representing American life. These may make him > > Digitized by Coogle > 86 REALITY > > famous, and will centainly prove profitable. At present he is > working on dancers and baseball players, which he intends to > bring out in a variety of postures and emotional climaxes, throw- > ing the ball in various captivating attitudes, catching the ball, > in fact, every dramatic moment of the typic8I American game > is in the mind of this clever young sculptor, and what he has > already developed shows how clearly the different images have > visualized in his mentality. > He has lately hadá a most interesting experience in making - > the bust of President Harding. The latter was pleased to grant > the young sculptor a number of sittings during which he worked > assiduously, and kept his distinguished sitter wen entertained > with stories of his experiences in New York, and especially with > the art students he has found among the little gamins in the > street. For Kella last winter gave new life and ideals to a num- > ber of youngsters in his neighbornood by gathering them in and > instructing them in the reproduction of artistic beauty. They > learned reverence and love through that association, and the > dominance of the brutal within them diminished. > > The Empire of the Soul > By ARTHUR E. Sm..WELL. > Author of Live and Grow Young. > The knowledge of truth is freedom and comes to those with > an open mind and to those who listen for the still small voice > of the soul. These are the persons who uncover Truth to the > world. It is through those whose mental doors are open that > great reforms come, reforms that shape and change the history > of man and nations. > "Live and Grow Young" is truth told in a new way. It > is not an attempt to convert the reader to spiritualism, nor > need the reader be a clairvoyant to derive the benefits in this > message of prolonged life; but the acceptance of this Truth á > will prolong life and aid in a remarkable degree in obtaining > success and happiness. To derive. the full beneflt of this mea- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 87 > > sage it is necessary to understand the intercommunication of > .souls, which is the real source of inspiration. > All principles, all Truths are eternal. They always were, > áand they always will be. > Before electricity was harnessed up it existed as a principl~ > It was always knocking at the portals of man's mind for admis- > sion. Through a material dynamo it becomes the servant of > man, but the life of the dynamo is the electricity which operates > through the machine that is attuned to its use. The dynamo > is merely a mechanism which can be destroyed. As electricity > does not change 6y being the life force of the dynamo, neither > does the soul of man change by being the life force of the body. > It was soul before it entered the body, it always will be one of > the hosts of eternity and part of tl1e infinite life. There is no > reason why souls cannot communicate with each other, be they > in mortal bodies or on the next plane of existence except our > conscious thoughts erect barriers that prevent this intercom- > munication. > It is possible to listen and receive advice and admonition > that will be of tremendous help in solving our daily problems. > This is usually thought to be intuition and often called > "hunches," but in reality' it is often intercommunication of the > soul life. You can receive messages from the living as well as > from those passed on for soul knows no time, nor space, no life, > nor death. . > The Optimist has an open mind, he is in contact with the > soul world and receives these soul messages. Though he may > not be aware of their source he is uplifted by them and uplifts > others with whom he comes in contact. The pessimist has > resisted this intercommunication of the soul and doubts its > possibility until his vision has left him. He never receives mes- > &ages and does not believe it possible for others to receive them. > He is alone, yet surrounded by influences that could be of vast > help to him. > Those who can grasp this Truth will understand the phe- > nomenon of a newly uncovered Truth or a new invention coming > to the world through ~o or three persons at the same time- > as for example the telephone was perfected simultaneously by > > Digitized by Coogle > 88 REALITY > > Bell and Grey. The same month this book "Live and Grow > Young" was published, two other books endeavoring to teach > the same Truth of prolonged life were' given to the world, each > author unaware that other books on this subject were being > written. To understand this Truth, to be able to attract and > receive messages from tlie Empire of the Soul, from this bound- > less world of power, is to enlarge our ability, for in God's Uni- > versity there is unlimited talent and th9se who abide in this > understanding always have helpers. In the Empire of the Soul > there are no bad ~es, no poverty, no discord, no sickness and > no death. > Christ understood that he was not alone in his battle with > the darkness of the world. He understood the endless existence > of the soul. He said, "Before Abraham was I am," also that > God had loved him from the foundation of the world. God has > loved all from the foundation of the world, and if aware of this > fact we are not alone but always under the protection and > guidance of these unseen forces. To be fully aware of the fact > that you are one of a host is to have the true understanding > of life. > These helpers find it easy to reach you in your sleep and > solve your problems, for then mortal inind is at rest. Night > is the daytime for the soul and influences not felt during your > wakeful hours can reach you during slumber and impart knowl- > edge that might otherwise take years of research to obtain. > Before you go to sleep clear your thought of all worry and > all fear. Say, I have lived today and tomorrow's problems may > be met with confidence and assurance. I shall now in peaceful > sleep eall on those tl.lat can help me. My problems shall be > solved for me and peaceful paths shall be marked out for me > to tread the coming day. I call on my friends in the Empire > of the Soul to come to me and with advice and admonitions help > me to intuitively solve all problems of the' coming day, that I > may with such help live a better life, be a better friend and > be worthy of the help requested and given me during my journey > this peaceful night in the' boundless Empire of the Soul. > Those who follow this advice have knocked and it will be > opened. They will Pin wisdom and understanding that cannot > come any other way. We must call in faith and we shall receive. > > Digitized by CoogI.e > REALITY 89 > > Twelve Basic Bahai Principles > Compiled from the Worda of Abdul Baha > These twelve. basic Bahai principles were laid down by > Baha'o'llah over sixty years ago and are to be found in his pu~ > lished writings of that time. > 1. 'lbe oneness of the world of 1a1llBlUlitT. > 2. Independent investigation of truth. > 3. The foundation of aD religi0D8 is ODe. > 4. ReHgion must be the eaaae of unity. > 5. Religion must be in aeeord witla lldeDee aDd nuon. > 6. Equality between men and women. > 7. Prejudic:e of all kinds must be forpttea. > 8. Universal peace. > 9. Universal education. > 10. Solution of the eeonomie pro..... > 11. A universal language. > 12. An international tribunaL > 1. The Oneness of the World of Humanity_ . > Baha'o'llah addresses himself to the world of man saying, > "Ye are all the leaves of one tree and the fnJits of one arbor." > That is, the world of existence is no other than one tree, and the > nations or peoples are like unto the different branches or limbs > thereof, and human individuals are similar to the,.fruits and > blossoms thereof • • • while in all past religious boob and > epistles, the world of humanity has been divided into two parts: > one ealled the "people of the Book," or the "pure true," and the > other, the "evil tree." One-half of the people of the world were > looked upon as belonging to the faithful, and the other as be- > longing to the irreligious and the infidel; one-half of the people > were consigned to the mercy of the Creator, and the other half > were considered as objects of the wrath of their' Maker. But > Baha'o'llah proclaimed the oneness of the world of humanity- > he submerged all mankind in the sea of divine generosity. > 2. Independent Investigation of Trutla. > No man should follow blindly his ancestors and forefathers. > Nay, each must see with his own eyes, hear with his own ears, > > Digitized by Coogle > 40 REALITY > > and investigate truth in order that he may find the Troth; where- > as the religion of forefathers and ancestors it baaed ,pon blind > imitation-man should investigate the truth. > . 3. 'lbe Foundation of AD Religions Is One. > The foundation underlying all the divine precepts is one > reality. It must needs be reality, and realitY fs one, not mul- > tiple. Therefore the foundation of the divine religions is one. > But we can see that certain forms have come in, certain imita- > tions of forms and ceremonials have crept in. They are heretical, > they are accidental, because they differ; hence they cause diff~ > enees among religions. But if we set aside these imitatiODa > and seek the reality of the foundation we shall all agree, because > religion is one and not multiple. > 4. Religion Must Be the CauSe of Unity Among Mankind. > Every religion is the greatest divine effulgence, the cause > of life amongst men, the cause of the honor of humanity, and > is productive of life everlasting amongst humankind. Religion > - is not for enmity or hatred.._..lt is not for tyranny or injustice. > If religion be the cause of enmity and rancor, if it should prove > the cause of alienating men, assuredly non-religion would be > better. For religion and the teachings which appertain to it > are a course of treatment. What is the object of any course > of treatment? It is cure and healing. But if the outcome of a > course of treatment should be productive of mere diagnosis and > discussion of symptoms, the abolition of it is evidently pref~ > able. In this sense, abandoning religion would be a step toward > unity. > 5. Religion Must Be in Aeeord With Sdenc:e and Reasoa. > Religion must be reasonable; it must agree perfectly with > science, so that science shall sanction religion and religion sanc- > tion science. The two- must be brought together, indissolubly, > in reality. Down to the present day it has been customary for > man 10 accept a thing because it was called religion, even though > it were not in accord with human reason. > 6. Equality Between Men and Women. > This is peculiar to the teachings of Baha'o'llah, for all fonner > religious Systems placed men above women. Daughters and sons > must follow the same form of study and the same education. > Having one course of education promotes unity among mankind. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 41 > > '1. Abandoiua..t of All Prejudices. > , It is establishf!d that all the prophE1tB of God have come to > unite the children of men and not to disperse them, and to put > in action the law of love' and not emnity. Consequently we must > throw aside all these prejudi~the racial prejudice, the patri- > otie prejudice, the religious and political prejudices. We must > become the cause of unity of the human race. > 8. Universal Peace. . > All men and nations shall make peace. There shall be uni.. > versa! peace amongst governments, universal peace amongst > religions, universal peace amongst races, universal peace amongst > the denizens of all religions. Today in the world of humanity > the most important matter is the questIon of universal peace. > The realization of this principle is the crying need of the time. > 9. Universal EdueatiOD. > All mankind should partake of both knowledge and educa- > tion, and this partaking of knowledge and of education is one > of the necessities of religion. The education of each child is > obligatory. If there are no parents, the community must look > after the child. > 10. SoIuti_ of the Eeoaomfc Question. > No religious books of the past prophets speak of the ec0- > nomic question, while this problem has been thoroughly solved > ,in the teachings of Baha'o'llah. • • • Certain regulations > are revealed which insure the welfare and well being of all > humanity. Just as the rich man 'enjoys his rest and his pIeas-' > ares surrounded by luxuries, the poor man must likewise have > a home, be provided with sustenance, and not be in want.á • • > Until this is effected happiness is impossible. All are equal in > the estimation of God; their rights are one and there is no dis- > tinction fo.r any soul; all are protected beneath the justice of > God.' . > 11. A Universal Language. > A universal language shall be adopted which shall be taught > by all the schools and academies of the world. A committee > appointed by national bodies shall select a suitable language to > be used as a means of international communication, and that > language shall be taught in all the schools of the world in orcter > > . > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > that everyone shall need but two languages, his natioJlal tongue > and the universal language. All will acquire the international > language. > 12. An International Tribunal. > A universal tribunal under the power of God, under the pro- > tection of all men, shall be established. Each one must obey the > decisions of this tribunal, in order to arrange the difficulties of > every nation. > . About fifty years ago Baha'o'llah commanded the people to > establish universal peace and summoned all the nations to the > "divine banquet of international arbitration" 80 that the ques- > tions of boundaries, of national honor and property and of vital > interests between nations might be decided by an arbitral court > of justice. > Remember, these precepts were given more than half a cen- > tury ago. At that moment no one spoke of universal peace, nor > of any of these principles; but Baha'o'llah proclaimed them to > all the sovereigns of the world. • • • They are the spirit of > thi. age, the light of this age; they are the well being of this age. > The Babai Revelation is not an organization. The Bahai > cause can never be- organized. The Bahai Revelation is the spjrit > of thia age. It is the essence of all the highest ideals of this > century. The Bahai cause is an inclusive movement: the teachá > ings of all religions and societies are found here. Christians; > Jews, Buddhists, Mohammadans, Zoroastrians, Theosophists, > Freemasons, Spiritualists, et~, find their highest aims in thil > cause. Socialists and philosophers find their theories fully de- > veloped in this revelation. > The cause of Baha'o'llah is the same as the cause of Cluist. > It is the same temple and the same foundation. In the coming > of Christ the divine teaehinp were given in aeeordanc:e with the > infancy of the human race. The teaehinp of Baha'o'llah have > the same basic prineiplea, but are aeeording to the stage of the > maturity of the world and the requirem.eata of this illumined age. > -Abdul Bah&. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 4S > > "Luke the Physician" > By George Davidson Buchanan, Ph. D. > ( CflnCluded) > > I remember one of the pictures with which I was most im- > pressed was that of "Home Sweet Home", dealing with the cir- > cumstances under which the song of that name was first writ- > ten. It was written by a poor man and in that picture he is > standing outside a house in the street and the rain is driving > down upon him, and he is seen looking in at a window. In this > picture you can see distinctly everything in the room. There > were the parents and the children with happiness and love beam- > ing on their faces, and there sitting in the corner was the family > physician, who seemed to shed upon them benign benediction. > The face of the man outside represented John Howard Payne. > And it was with this scene before lils mind that he went back > to his room and wrote "Home Sweet Home," which you have > been singing ever since. It was written by a man who had no > home, and that was why the song touched your sympathies, be- > .cause the author felt the want of a home. As it was in this > picture, so it is in real life. There is no greater' blessing to' any > community than to have the healer-the doctor-the family > physician, who is honorable and true, not only in physicial but > also in the spiritual life. > We look into the scientific field and we' find the physician > has always been in the forefront in anything that pertains to its > advancement. Go back into history of the world and you will > 1Ind that in ancient times this was also true. Even at that per- > iod we can trace some indication of the time coming when men > should view the curing of disease not from a superstitious but a > scientific aspect. In the olden times the medical men were sup- > posed to cure disease by incantation, by channa and by certain > words to be spoken. They believe it even today among the > American Indians who ''pow-wow,'' put on channs, and who > > Digitized by Coogle > 44 REALITY > > frighten away any disease by means of nope._ And not only the > Indians, but many other people still wear channa about their > person. I have heard of people who still believe that these > incantations can do the sick a great deal of good, but the scien- > tific men of the world, by scientific discovery, have given us > a knowledge of things as they are, by the study of the laws and > conditions under which we live, and to no man living on the > face of this earth is greater credit due, than to the founder of > the school of medicine. That school was established 460 years > before Christ by Hippocrates. Not much is known about him > but he was the one who first wrote of medicine in its higher > sense, and the principles of Hippocrates have never yet been > departed from by the medical profession in the world. His prin- > ciples are in force today and they are to the effect that there aN > certain laws of action upon which a medical man must proceed > if he is to proceed sueeessfully. > The :first of his principles was this: "Let every doctor and > every physician have a high appreciation of his duty and status > among men, as a Christian man and a Christian gentleman." > The second was tliat every man should be a success in his > profession. It lays upon him the necessity of understanding every > thing he did. > The third was the retention absolutely of natural law. > He was the :first to teach the world what constitutes the > true physician. The true physician is not the man who can heal, > but who can help nature to heal disease. No medicine can cure > you, it can only help nature to cure you. The four greatest > physicians are: Doctors, Diet, Quiet and Merryman. These are > the best doctors on the face of the earth. > Hippocrates, fourth principle is .one that has led to the de- > velopment of this profession more than any other. He laid it > down as the duty of every physician to make minute observa- > tion of all cases and to keep a written record of anything extra- > ordinary he discovered in order that others might have the > benefit of it, and today if a medical man makes a discovery or > if he finds an~hing peculiar about a disease he lets all the others > know so that the world may be benefitted by it; if he is a true > physician. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 45 > > Then again we must recognize how much doctors have given > the world by controversies in their profession. I assure you the > controversies which divide 80 many seets in Christianity are > 88 nothing compared to the controv.ersies among medical men. > I assure you they do not love one another. a bit more than > the Christian schools, and the members of one school are often > _deavonng to ridicule the other school. I remember once visit- > ing one of the medical schools in Philadelphia. A lecture was > being delivered on the subject of homeopathy. I dropped in and > a professor was giving the students a prescription in homeo- > pathy. He said, "This is a homeopathic prescription." "Take > the shade of a robin's egg, and let it fall into a hogshead of > water, and give a teaspoonful of the mixture every two hours." > So you see the position in the medical profession. This is not a > CU1'Be to humanity, for if you look at it from a philosophical point > of view, you will find that often you may learn more from your > opponents than from your friends. > Let us consider for a moment the danger in which we live > and the position of the physician not 80 much as a healer but > rather as a teacher from a scientiftc point of view. From this > class we have the science of hygiene. The medical fraternity > are our: best. policemen. They have to protect us from the renns > of disease. They have to see that you do not bring disease into > the community, or bring in an epidemic to destroy human life. > The medical profession has to warn you of disease when it is > coming and warn people of the world, how they should live to > prevent it. I look upon the medical profession in yet another > -.nd a higher sense, for it is the medical man who stands be- > tween science and religion (an ever widening circle) and the > medical fraternity have been our leaders in it in all ages. > Again we see the physician as a teacher for Christ, as he > sees not only the physical side but also the moral side-the > ~ul as well. So we must have a certain amount of reverence > for the physician when we ~ember that God is Himself repre- > sented in the human frame. > Is there any other man who is one hour in the palace and > the next in the hovel? Is there any other profession where they > Will go from high to low? Is there anyone to be found working > for nothing in large hospitals as they do without reward? Has > > Digitized by Coogle > , > 46 REALITY > > there ever been on the face of this earth any profession that > would give up its time and all its human energies without fear > of reward? All honor to the physician. Don't begin to say it > is selfish of him if he thinks of his private practice sometimes. > There is the physician who can minister not only to the > wants of the body but also of the soul. And that is the ideal > physician, like Luke himself. > This should be the qualification of every physician-to ad- > minister to the soul as well as to the body. > I ask you this question, "Have you a family physician, and > if you have, will he be the man to leave you when you die with- > out a word to you for consolation of your soul ?" Will you trust > a man who has not thought of anything higher than the mere > body of man? Will you not rather choose a man who has knowl- > edge both of the body and mind of man? Would you choose the > ,Agnostic or would you not rather choose the true physician- > the Christian gentleman, who can heal not only for time but also > for eternity? The physician who can point you to Christ? > Say the time is coming for you and for me when no earthly > physician can help us, and, therefore, let us have one if possible > who can point us-one who can assist us- to Him who will heal > us of all disease of body, mind and soul and with whom we may > be glorified through Eternity. > It was the great misf01'tune for the friends to have D,. G. D. > Buchanan leave on ihe 13th of last November f01' the higher realM > of service. A number of his manuscripts and lectures have COMe into > our possession. Many of them, given over fifteen years ago are full of > the spirit of universality of today, and will convey a message to all > readers of Reality. He was called the Talmage of Australia and his > personal association and friendship with such men as Cecil Rhodes, > Henry Drummond, Sir Henry Morton Stanley, the explO1'er, enabled > him to reach the hearts of thousands. He was a ".eacher, lecturer, > journalist, traveller and investigator of truth, graduated frMn Prince- > ton the same year as President Wilson, he later won his / Doc- > tors degree upon delivering his historic address on the "Higher Cm;,. > cism" which lead to his trial f01' heresy and his emancipation frMn > the bondage of all creed and dogma into love and fellowship f01' all > humanity. Many of his pournalistic eflO1'ts appeared in the English > papers under the nom-de-plume "XYZ." > > -- Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 47 > > His lattet' years wet'e marked .with illness yet his spirit was un- > daunted and his wit and .humor wet' an inspiration to his friends. > He visited Haifa in I892 about the ti",e of the acension of Baha'o'l/ah, > but learned nothing about the Bahai Cause until he came to Portland. > l",,,,ed~tely he heard the Message, he accepted it and to the end was > a faithful follower and spreader of Abdul Baha's teachings. > > The Drama > Frances Eveline Willcox. > The ~gh temperature during the month of September had > its effect on the the,atres, especially those opening with new pro- > ductions, and the lure of the sunshine followed by delightful > evenings for motoring, proved strong competition. When the > skies are grey and the evenings cold, theatregoers become more > tolerant and accept with milder criticism almost any production > that may serve for an evening's entertainment. Thus far but > few of the season's offerings have been marked for success or > long runs. However, this m.onth will doubtless bring forth > more interesting material. Rachel Crothers' comedy, entitled > "Me," with Tallulah Bankhead, Minnie Dupree and Frank > Sheridan in the cast; "Other Lives," by Theresa Helbum and > Edward Goodman, now on tour, waiting for a New York opening; > "Thank You," by Winchell Smith and Tom Cushing; "In the > Mountains," by Samuelá Shipman and Clara Lipman, which had > its premiere in Baltimore with Louis Mann in the leading role; > "The Wren," by Booth Tarkington, with Helen Hayes as its star, > already passed on by Boston theatregoers, and "The Six-Fifty," > I by Kate L. McLaurin, which Lee Kugel is producing, with Lillian > Albertson heading the cast, hold out promises to theatregoers. > It cannot be positively predicted that all of these new productions > will be seen in New York during the month of October, as it is > possible that a few may fall by the wayside before the comment > goes to press, "Pot Luck," a comedy by Edward Childs Carpen- > ter; "Main Street, a dramatization of Sinclair Lewis's novel,' pre- > sented by the Shuberts; Irving Berlin's "Music Box Revue," > which opens the new "Music Box," incidentally brings to- > > Digitized by Coogle > 48 REALITY > > gether William Collier, Sam Bernard, Irving Berlin, Florence > Moore, Wilda Bennett, Joseph Santley and Ivy Sawyer in one > cast; "The Reckoning," by Marjorie Chase, produced by Mr. A. H. > Woods, with Dorothy Shoemaker, Felix Krembs and George Gaul > in the principal characters;Avery Hopwood's "The Demi-Virgin," > with Hazel Dawn, Kenneth Douglas, Constance Farber, Glenn Aná > drews, Alice Hefeman and Homer Barton; and George M. Cohan's > "The O'Brien Girl," which has been tourning New England, will > be among the current offerings. > Among the plays that weathered the heat of summer and > are worlhy of the success they have made. "The Bat" has the > longest New York engagement to its credit; next in order is > "The First Year," followed by "The Green Goddess," "Nice > People," "Lilliom," "Just Manied" and "The Last Waltz." Of > the new productions, "Duley" and "Six Cylinder Love" in the > dramatic line, and "Tangerine," a musical treat, seem to have > scored the greatest hits. > ~ revivals have been made and received with much > enthusiasm.. Frances Starr, who enjoyed an extended and re- > markable run in Eugel\e Water's forceful play, "The Easiest > Way," some ten years ago, is again delighting audiences at the > Lyceum theatre with her charming interpretation; "The Merry > t Widow" is just as merry as ever with an entirely new production > and a splendid singing cast, at the Knickerbocker Theatre; "The > Hero," by Gilbert Emery, with Richard Bennett and Roberl Ames > as the two brothers, at the Belmont, and David Warfield in "The > Return of Peter Grimm" at the Belasco. Those who have not > seen Mr •Wartield as Peter Grimm should take advantage of this > opportunity. His characterization is a masterpiece and the play > intensely interesting. > This season also brings back to the stage a few favorites > who have been absent for some time for various reasons. Mrs. > Leslie Carter, appearing with a notable cast, including John > Drew, Estelle Winwood, John Halliday, Ernest Lawford and > Roberl Rendel, at the Selwyn Theatre, in Somerset Mangham's > London success, "The Circle" is as vivacious as ever and although > the impression was given out that the creator of "Zaza" had > retired from professional service, Mrs. Carter is quite emphatic > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 49 > > in her denial and would even revive her fonner success should > the opportunity present itself. > Hilda Spong, who :figured in many prominent produetions > in the days of the Lyceum Theatre Company, such as "Mrs. > Dane's Defense," "A Woman of No Importance;" and more re- > cently in various successful roles, is one of this season's stars in > a play adapted from the Freneh, entitled "The Fan," which she > secured .while abroad. The American premiere is scheduled for > the loth in Baltimore. . > Marie Doro, who has been iná pictures for sometime, returns > this season in William Hurlburt's new comedy, "Lilies of 'the > Field." It is one of those up-tcHiate stories of the cosmopolitan > smart Bohemian set who enjoy lif, as they see it, but under- > neath it all there is a wann-hearted good fellowship that coun- > teracts any lack of conventionality. Nonnan Trevor will play > opposite Mi88 Doro and the combination is bound to bring long > life to Mr. Hurlburt's play. > Mr. Oliver Moroseo already has two produetions under way, > in "Love Dreams," a musical version of Ann Niehols' "The Gilded > Cage," with Tom Powers, and "Wait Till We're Married," with > Marion Coakley. ' . > Mr. Charles Dillingham alSo has two new productions about > ready, "Good Morning Dearie," a musical piece by Caldwell and > Kern, and a "Bill of Divorcement," whieh came from overseas. > > Bahai Activities > The Summer at Green Aere. > > The past season at Green Aere has been one of unusual > fruitfulness'in many' directions. The arrangements in regard > to housing, etc., were somewhat delayed on account of repairs > in the Inn and Rogers Cottage, so that advertising of rooms > was late, and there were not as many people as usual. But an . > excellent program was rather hastily drawn up. Professor Cobb > gave some interesting lectures, Profe88or Shook gave a fine series > on astronomy, Miss Rose Henderson, of Montreal, entertained > > Digitized by Coogle > 50 REALITY > > good audiences with literature and economics, and there was > much delightful music, some of which provided by the famous > Gideon family can never be forgotten. > Meanwhile the Bahai teaching took on its true aspect of > universalism and broad sympathy in this summer's 'work, and > a real spirit of fellowship and service developed, which will bear > rich fruit another year. Mrs. Powell and her daughter Lenore > showed in FellowshiD House what is veritable and loving hos- > pitality combined with the best of housekeeping, and Mrs. > Lehman illustrated the same virtues at Green Acre Inn. The > little school maintained by Professor Stanword Cobb and his > charming wife established an educational precedent which was > delightful, and the general feeling left from the summer's work > and play was that the new and great Green Acre conferences > had really begun. > Meanwhile careful plans are being laid for the coming sea- > son. The program and publicity committees are already at work, > and the promise is for a brilliant series of conferences and > pleasures for 1922. In the coming year also the young people > will not be overlooked. Plans are being made a part of the > summer program for outings, "hikes," and games, while old > fashioned clam bakes on the banks of the picturesque Piscataquah > will not be forgotten. > Everyone who plans for a vacation at Green Acre next > summer will be sure of satisfaction, and the prospect is for > interesting conferences but not too many lectures. > Friends of Mrs. Marie Watson, who sailed for Haifa recently > on the same steamer which carried Jenabe Fazel, will be glad to > learn of her safe arrival at her destination. She writes most > charming letters describing her stay in the household of Abdul > Baha, where she has received the utmost kindness, and has been > treated with great affection. She gives many-interesting com- > ments on events in the world and the United States from the > point of view of her talks with Abdul Baha. > The Rainbow Circle has had many interesting meetings > during the summer, and faces the coming winter with increased > numbers and an enhancementá of its basic feeling that unity is > the law of the new day, and race prejudice must be eliminated. > The scope of the Circle's influence-.. is gradually widening and > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 61 > new races are constantly being added to its membership, while > the fellowship consciousness is evidently deepening. > A new center has been added to the Bahai activities of New > York, by the opening of a restaurant at S4 West 86th street, > .' > bearing the name of Omar Khayyam. This place of entenain- > ment is financed by Mirza Shirazi, and its duties are shared by > a circle of intelligent young Persians who are ardent Bahais. > They plan, therefore, to give a feast at this hostelry every > Saturday evening from 6 to 7 :80. Persian pilau will be served > with ice cream, tea and coffee, for 75 cents, and meanwhile both > Persian and American music will be given, and there will be > talks on the great progressive movements of the world by dif- > ferent speakers. The first of these feasts occurs on Saturday, > September 17, when Mr. Hooper Harris and Mrs. Mary Hanford > Ford will speak. ' > The Bahai Library, ,at 416 Madison Avenue, has kept its > meetings open during the entire summer with a constantly > growing attendance and interest. The reference library is fre- > quently used by people who come in and read, and the sale of > Bahai literature is constant, while the call for literature and > information about the Cause is a part of the daily budget of mail. > Mr. Eugene Del Mar recently gave a very brilliant talk at > the library on THE HUMAN MAGNET, discussing the human > being from the point of view of spiritually electrical contacts > in his relations to the world and God. He gave us as one illus- > tration the arrow with its positive end of the projectile and its > opposite extremity, a concave receptive agency. He showed how > the positive expelling energy cannot become the recipient, and > how the turning of the negative end of the arrow expresses non > resistance and often becomes a reservoir of superior power. > He show~ how love is a matter of give and take, of service > and capacity, and sometimes fails in spite of a desire for faith- > fulness. For instance, the quart will always attract the pint, > but the quart cannot remain interested in the pint,. and if the > gallon appears the fate of the pint is sealed, because no pint > could ever win a quart from a gallon. > Mr. Del Mars talk was thoughtful and spiritual in the ex- > treme, and was followed with absorbed attention by a large > audience. > > Digitized by Coogle > 62 REALITY > > BADAl MIIETING IN NEW YORK CITY > The winter ~edule of meetings is not yet a.rraniecL At > present they maintain the following order: > At the Bahai Library, 416 Madison avenue > Sunday evening at 8:16. Open Forum on the progress of > the day. > Tuesday evening. Bahai study class, conducted by Mary > Hanford Ford. > Wednesday evening. Open meeting. > At the Rainbow Circle, 105 West lSOth street. > Thursday evening. > At Genealogical Hall, 226 West 58th street. > Sunday morning at 11 o'clock. Bahai meeting, addressed > by Mr. Hooper Harris. > > Persian Lessons Without a' Teachar > No one can realize the beauty of the words of the Blessed Per- > fection nor appreciateá its inner significance unless he is acquainted > with the Persian language. > That is why His holiness Abdul has so often commanded the Ba- > haies of America to study Persian. > Persian the easiest and the sweetest of all the languages can be > mastered in a few months. In less than a month a certain lady who > was taking Persian with me in the city of New York was able to > write a Persian letter to the Master. > This because I teach the latest method called the "direct method" > which does wonders, surely the lord blesses those who rise to > obedience of his command. It does not matter where you are, I can > send your lessons "which are typed with the Persian type writer" > regularly' to you every day. > Learn nine sentences and nine words, at the end of ninety-five > • days you will be able to read tablets in the Persian language. > Write for Further Details to > A. K. MANUCHER, Bahai Library > 416 Madison Ave. New York City > > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > REALITY AGENCIES > AKRON NEWS CO. SMITH .. McCANCE > 117 So. Main St. 2 Park St., Boston, Ma... > Aleron, Ohio OSCAR F. STONE > AGNES B. ALEXANDER Box 67, Duluth, Minn. > 11 Ukyo Machi, Yotauya, Tokyo, JOHN F. TOULMIN > Japan 1513 Chartres St., N_ Orleans, > M. ANDELMAN La. > 281 Tremont St., Bolton; Ma ... JOHN WANAMAKER > T. O. ANDERSON N_ York City > S03 W. 3rd Ave., Pine Blutr, Ark. JOHN WANAMAKER > ANTH~CITE NEWS CO. Philadelphia, Pa. > Scranton, Pa. WILKIE NEWS CO. > RICHARD MANUEL BOLDEN 27 W. 5th St., Dayton, Ohio > 105 W. 130th 8t•.L~- York City O. O. WOLCOTT > BRENTANO'S BuuK STORE 417 Rookery Bldg., Spokane, > 5th Ave. and 27th St., N_ York Wash. > City > MR. T. W. BUTLER > Care of N_ Thought Temple, NEWSSTANDS, N. Y. C. > 935 Pandora Ave., Victoria, > B. C. B. WETTES, Everett Bldg., 45 E. > COLES BOOK STORE 17th St. > George St., Sydney, Aultralla ED. G. SMITH, 32nd St. and > THE CURIOSITV SHOP Broadway > 17 N. State St., Chicago, III. MR. HANSEL, 29th St. and Broad. > MRS. ASEVEH ALLEN DVAR way > 804 B St., S. W. Washington, .JOSEPH RAILENBERG, Metro. > D. C. polltan Life Bldg. > ECONOMY BOOK SHOP T. E. MARKS, 3rd Ave. and 28th > 33 So. Cla~k St!! Chicago, III. St., S. E. > MISS CORA M... RVE H. G. McCANN, 3rd Ave and 23rd > 3841 N. Irving Av... Chicago, III.. St., N. E. > DR. EDWARD FERNALD MR. BEEKER, Broadway and 23rd > Care of Bahal Center, 4803 Lin. St. > coin Ave'L Chicago, Ills. MR. BORT, 23r:d St. and 4th Ave. > MISS ELIZAItETH FISHER R. KAPLAN, 7tI5 Third Ave. > 514 Odd Fellows Temple H. SIEGEL, 761 Third Ave. > Clnclnnatl.L Ohio J. RABINOWITZ, 61st St. and 3rd > MRS. M. A...OX Ave. > Care of Bahal Assembly, 14 I. WEXLER, 133 E. 24th St. > E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, H. GORDON, 143 E. 77th St. > Minn. BENJAMIN VORCHIK, 3rd Ave. > FRIEDMAN BROS. and 69th St. > 53 W. 47th St•.L N. Y. C. MR. SEEDMAN, 67th St. and 3rc! > W. E. HARDINu Ave. > Lawrence Street, Yonke ..., N. Y. MR. SILVERMAN 1152 3rd Ave. > HUDSON NEWS CO. M. D. Meyer, 76 3rd Ave., N. E. > LexlnronL Ky. Cor. > HUNT' N~WS DEPOT M. BORKE, 743 3rd Ave. > 96 N. Main St., Mansfield, O. D. BARISCH, 84th St. and 3nt > JAX NEWS CO. Ave. > 609 W. Adams St., Jacksonville, J. PEETTUK, 28th St. and Broad. > Fla. > KEEFE BROS. L:.:rTT BROS, 42nd St. and 5th > 25 W. Park St., Butte, Mont. Ave. > LEAGUE FOR THE LARGER MR. BIRNBAUM, 139 E. 76th St. > LIFE T. COHEN, 45th St. and Broadway > 122 W. 71nd St., N_ York City M. SEVERN, 709 7th Ave. > A. C. McCLURG CO. MR. KAPLAN, 7th Ave. a"d 49th > 330 E. Ohio St., Chlca,o, Ills. St. > MACY'S DEPARTMEN STORE PH. HABENIAN, 30th St. and > 34th St., N_ York City Broadwa;f > MADISON AVE. BOOK SHOP L. WEXLER, 14th St. and 3rd > 571 Madison Ave.r •N_ York City Ave., Welt > LLOYD R. NORT" CHAS. HARRIS, 14th St. and 3rc! > 104 North Rampart, N_ Orlean.. Ave., Ealt > La. MR. WEINBERG, 1585 Lexington > RUSSELL BROTHERS SAM GREEN, 560 Lexington Ave. > 1128 Tower Ave., Superior, WI .. S. J. GORDON, 978 Lexington Ave. > SAN FRANCISCO BAHAI AS. H. VNON, 1134 Lexington Ave. > SEMBLY S. STEPP~l 1214 Lexington Ave. > 25IiO Buchanan St., San Francleco, H. DORFMAN, 1234 Lexington > Cal. Ave. > > Digitized by Coogle > 54 REALITY > > • > Don't Overlook Our > > Indispensable > Advertising > Service > Certainly you are interested in the higher and finer > things of life-which result in making the world a bet- > ter place to live in. > It is right along these important lines that the adver- > tising columns of "Reality," furnish you with a service > of inestimable value. > There is hardly a thing they do not suggest to make > the course of living more helpful. - > They point out where and when to find the very things > for which you have been searching, and in reading the > advestising, remember this: the advertiser who spends > his money to invite your consideration of his proposition, > backs up his belief in his own work and leaves the final > decision to you. > Do not overlook this mighty and indispensable service > which this magazine offers with the rest of the helpful > articles. > > Read the Advertise!'lents Regularl, > > • PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > ....................................... > REALITY 50 > > Announcement from > HARRIS H. LUNTZ, M.D., D.O., N.D. > about > > Health. and Long Life > "If I could show you a list of the people who have corres- > ponded with me in regard to their health, you would read of those > famous in the. political, social, theatrical, commercial, clerical, > athletic, Scholastic, and medical worlds. I have letters testifying > to the benefits these people have received and are receiving from > my 'Health Advices' received through the mail. However, they > came to me in confidence which I respect. What I can do, how- > ever, is to extend a cordial invitation to you to share their ex- > perience. If you feel that work or worry is wearing you down, > or the pressure of work is getting too much for you-in fact, > if there is anything the matter with you, I can help you back to > vigorous health, which will enable you to support the strain and > face the future with courage. > "I have attained great success in the treatment of many > chronic diseases-kidney troubles, eonstipations, nervous dis- > eases, gall-stones, gravel, sleeplessness, high-blood pressure, > bladder eomplaints and many others. > "I have twenty years experience in dealing with all.manners > of cases, and have reached the zenith of Health in its deepest > studies. My system of 'Health Correspondence' is unique and > convenient, based on the fact that the patient gets absolutely > my personal attention and knowledge. I deal with it not simply > to remove the symptoms of any complaint, but to destroy the > root cause. > .. 'Good Health' is a great thing-in fact one of the greatest. > things that good old Mother Nature has bestowed on us. In > fact the birthright of every person is sound health. But this > 'priceless birthright' is too often lightly regarded, and bartered > for things of momentary gratification." > The áEntire Cost of My "Course" Is Moderate > $5.00 for all and including a full course of Herbal Flaxoyln > -6 boxes. > Address to > Dr.HARRIS H.LUNTZ'S HEALTH BUREAU > 1155 51. Jolma Place, BrooklJD, N. Y. > (Address all you communications "Private and Confidential") > ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN R.ALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > > 66 REALITY > • > Intuition > Itl Office, Its Laws, Its Psychology, Its Triumphs and Itl Divinity > By Walter Newell Weston, L. L. M. > T HIS book deals with that sense or faculty in the human mind by which man > knows (or may know) facts of which he would otherwise not be cognizant, > facts which might not be apparent to him through process of reason or > so-called scientific proof. This faculty is called '"IM'tio". The possibilitiel of > training the sense are limitless, and when so trained man is enabled to transcend > his former self, thus opening new realms of discernment, wisdom, joy, realization > and self-expression. -Fort'lll~rd. > Intuition is the faculty by which, if we will but listen, We may solve the > problem that clutches at our heartstrings or throttles us at the throat, the problem > that we never mention and that is seemingly unthinkable, but which in fact baa > • • a solution. -Fortword. > There are persons who are considered failures and whose work is mediocre > in fact yet who actually have the ability to express themselves in a superior way, > if they could do something in which for them was inspiration, in other wordl > if they could work not mechanically but intuitively. -ChoP'" 11. > Intuition iS,the key of true genius for it is. the pathway of true self-exp~ > sion. which in tum is the secret of individuality. --:Chopt" 11. > WHAT OTHERS SAY OF IT: > "I have read many books on modem psychology and I have read IN- > TUITION three times. It is by far. the beat book on the subject I have ever > seen." -HowtJrd A. Colby. > "The pages of INTUITION bespeak a wide reading public. All the world > loves to be intuitive. All the world believes in intuition. We cannot read or > hear too much about it Blessings on the book I" -Em,,", Ctlrtis Hopkins. > "I have been reading INT'l'ITION with pleasure and 'profit. It il very > seldom that I find time to actually read a book, but I am rea4ing Mr. Weston's > book and enjoying every word of it It is very practical and interesting. > , -ClstJrlts Fillmor•. > "Your volume, INTUITION, is full of beautiful and wonderful truth.. > freighted with inspiration and life, all hammered out on the anvil of your own > rich experience. > I have read the book through three times-I trust to much profit" > -Gorham Ttlfts, Jr. > "I received the book, INTUITION, and must say it is worth its weigh ia > gold-that is, if such wonderful lessons cotlld be paid for." > -A" Or.gOfl R.ad". > New edition on fiue paper, handsomely bound, gilt top, ••00 > postpaid. > Address orders to > REALITY PUBLISHING CO. > 416 Madison Avenue New York, N. Y., U. S. A. > > • PLlIIASE KENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > - Digitized by Coogle > Digitized by Coogle > The Bahai Movement > Rapidly spreading throughout the world, and attract- > ing the attention of scholars, savants and religionists > of all countries - oriental and occidental > > For the infonnation of those who know little or nothing of > the Bahai Movement we quote the following account translated > from the (French) Encyclopaedia of Larousse: > > BAJlAISK: the religion of the dia- Athel8ta a better 80clal o'raanlsatlonl > clplea of Baha'o'Uah, an outcome of Baha'o'Uah repreaenta aD theM,. aDIl > Babtsm. - KIl'Z& Buatan All Nurl tbua deatro,.. the rlw.1rlea and the en- > Baba'o'llah wall born at Teberan In mltl.. of the dltferent relIctODB; N- > 181'1 A.. D. From 18" be wall one of concll.. them In thalr prlmlUft > the ftrIIt adherenta of the Bab, and de- purlty, and tree. them from the c0r- > voted hlmaelt to the paclftc propap- ruption of docmu and rltea. For Ba- > Uon of bla doctrlne In Persia. After balam ho.a no cleru, no reUgiOUB cere- > tbe deatb of the Bab be W&ll, wltb the monial, no pubUc prayere; Ita onb" > prlnclpal Bable, exned to Balrbda.d. and dogma la bellef In God and Bl8 JI&n1- > later to OoDBtantinoPle and AdrIanople, feetaU9n& . •• The principal worka .f > under the eurveillance of the Ottoman Baba'o'llab are the JDtab-ul-Igban, tile > Government. It wu In the latter city Kltab-ul-Akdu, the JDtab-ul-Abd, an« > tbat be openly declared bla mllNdon, .• numeroua lettere or tableta addreaMcl > and In bIB lettera to the principal Ru- to 80verelpa or to prlftte Indlnduala. > lere of tbe Statu of Europe be In- Ritual bo1d8 no place In the reU..... > vlted tbem to Join him In eatabll8blnc wblcb muat be UPreaeed In aD the > religion and unlverea1 peace. From tbla actlona of Ufe. and accompllabed ID > time, the Babla who aclmowledged him nelgbborly love. Every one muat baft > became Babala. The Sultan then exiled an occupation. The education of > blm (1868 A. D.) to Acca In Paleatlne, children la enjoined and regulated. No > wbere be compoaed the IP"8&ter part of one baa the power to receive confea- > bla doctrinal worD, and wbere be died 8Ion of 8In.. or to give abaolutlon. The > In 1891 A. D. (llay It). He bad con- prlem of tbe exletIng rellgioDB 8boul4 > lIded to hie .on, Abbu mendl (Abdul- renounce celibacy, and- abould preach > Baba), tbe work of apreadlng the re- by tbelr example, mlngllnc ID the ute > ligion and continuing the connection > between tbe Babala of all parte of the > of the people. KonocarnY 18 unIYe......,. > recommended. etc. Queatlou not treat- > world. In point of fact, there are Ba- ed of are left to the civil law of each > bale everywbere, not only In Kobam- country, and to tbe decleloDB of the > medan countrle.. but a180 In all the Balt-ul-AdI, or Houee of J'uatlce. ID- > countrlea of Europe, u weD u In tbe eUtuted by Baba'o'1la.b. Re8pect toward > United Statu, Canada, J'apan, India. tbe Head of the State la a part of re- > etc. Thla te becauae Baba'o'llab baa apect toward God. A untyereat > known bow to tranaform Bablem lnto language, and the creaUon of trlbunaJa > a unlveraal rellgton, whlcb la preaen- of arbitration between nation-. are to > ted u tbe'"fulfllment and completion of euppreea ware. "You are all I_Tell of > aU the ancient faltha. The J'ew. await the _me tree, and drop. of the II&me > tbe Ke..lab, the Chrlatlau the return _," Baba'o'llah bu _Id. Brleft)', It > of Cbrlet, the K08lema the KaMI, tbe ta not 80 mucb a new religion, u Re- > Buddhleta the ftftb Buddha, tbe Zoro- ligion renewed and unUled. which .. > utrlana Sbab Bahram, the Blndooa directed today by Abdul-Baha.-Nou- > the reincarnation of Krlebna, and tbe veau Laroua88 Dluatre. 8UPPieaent. > 1.-116 p.60. > > Digitized by Coogle > JD4lton > REA LáJ T Y Consulting Edlton > Mary Hanford Ford > Howard IIlacNutt > IlUGJINlI :1. DJIIUTH Richard Manuel Bolden > Horace HoUey > tV.AJfDJIInOD DlDUTB Winifred M. Schuma.cller > Ann T. Boylan > PUBLISHlIID IION'l'JlLY BY • > Reality .Publishing Oorporation > 17 Weal 4ZM Street Til. V....t.rbih 4537 New York, N. Y. > Bugene J. Deuth, President H.rold S. Robinson, Sec'y 01: Treas. > SiDg1e Copies, 2S centL Sold at aU NewutandL > Subscription, $3.00 per year > Money Orders Payable to Reality Publilhing Corporation > 17 West 42nd Street, New York City > Copyrtght, 1911. by Reality PubUlbina Corporation > Entered al Second Clan Matter. April 1&. 1921. at the Post otftce, > New York, N. Y., under the Act of March 3rd. 18T1 > > Volume IV. NOVEMBER; 1-921 > Contents of November Issue > Frontispiece. And the Sword Shall Be Replaced by the Olive > Branch. > The Great Divide .........._......................................... Albert Durrant Watson > America! Hands Across the Sea! ...................................................... Editorial > Unity .........._................_...._.................................._............................_.........._........... Editorial > On the Importance of Divine Civilization ............ Abdul Baha Abbas > The Quiet Way ....._................................._......................_................ Bametta Brown > .Extract From An Address Given By Abdul Baha. in London, > Eng., 1911. > The League of Nations .................................._....__ ........................ Louise Waite > The New Crucifixion ..........._..._..............................._....................... Horace Holley > For Freedom's Sake ........................................................................ Annie B. Romer > Words of Abdul Baha to Some American Friends. > The Disarmament Conference ........................ Valeria DeMude Kelsey > Making the Bust of President Harding ............................._..... Louis Keila > Awake Mankind! ............................._.........._............................_.........._..... Marco Zim > The Current Art ..........._:....................._............................. Mary Hanford Ford > ~~s Thomas Hits New Americanism. '. " > VISIon ....._...._..._...................................................._...._......._....................... VIrgIrua Bruce > The Drama ..........._....................._.........._.......... Frances Eveline Willcox > America's Place in the League of Nations > Frederick W. d'Evelyn > Bahai Activities. > > Digitized by Goog!e > America! Hands Across the Seal > There is no country quite like the United States. It is a > mighty federation of powers, struggling at the present moment > to right great wrongs within itself, but washed on the East and > West by the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, 80 that it welcomes on > one side the Occident, on the other the Orient, and becomes the > point of contact between the two. All the world must disann, > but the United States must set the example of disarmament, > because it is by its location a place of unity, the center of con- > sultation, the hospitable home of friendship for all the world. > Already 'one great pact was established between Orient and Occi- > dent on these shores when Roosevelt made peace between Rus- > sia and Japan. Always America must extend one hand to the > mystic Orient and another to the practical Occident, that the > two may be brought together, and that in the new civilization > which comes in the most great peace the rights of men may be > centered in the divine law of God, and the heavenly and earthly > wings of the dove of peace unite in the sweep of a ftight which > includes all mankind. > Let us forgive all the debts which the world owes us. Let us > turn back the stream of gold that is flooding toward the United > States alone, reestablish the credits of fallen countries, use the > . overplus of wealth with which we are dowered to swell once > more the lean pocketbooks of bankrupt treasuries, feed the starv- > ing children, comfort the broken hearts, bind up the wounds made > by selfish competition, and illustrate the beautiful virtues of that > co-operation which alone can build a real civilization. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY I > > This is the true Americanism, this is the only Americanism > which can become permanent or tolerated on these shores, it is > the Americanism of hospitality, of sympathy, an Americanism > which protects jealously the rights of the helpless, and presently > will not need to protect itself, because all will arise to guard it > through love of the ideals which it has made vivid realities in > the outer world. > Let us never forget the destiny which is forced upon the > United States through her mere physical location. Here from > East and West the races meet and find their home. Here race > jealousy and race disCrimination must die. The almond eyed > and the round eyed must trust one another, the black and the > white must lose the sense of color in the white fire of love, and > only in this white fire can the great peace be born. > > Unity > An expression often heard in the REALITY office, and ut- > tered by Bahai friends, is "firm in the Covenant." Probably it > was as frequently on the lips of the early Christians. Its signif- > icance is very beautiful, for it means recognition of the great > licht which shone into the world through Baha:o'llah, and which > Itill centers about the lovely presence of Abdul Baha. This light > ia being felt by all mankind, though all do not yet know its > IOUrce. Fifty years ago, Baha'o'llah declared the unity of man- > kind, prophesied the great war through which we have just > passed, and said that after this war the world must disann and > eatablish a parliament of mankind for the settlement of all in- > ternational questions, and that if this were not done, universal > chaos would prevail instead of the beauty of widespread unity. > When Abdul Baha was in this country in 1912, he reiterated > th.ese prophecies, and gave the date of the outbreak of the great > war saying that it would convulse Europe, that it was not the > destiny of the United States to be involved in this terrible war, > but it was the destiny of the United States to establish the peace > fill the world, and that the plans of disarmament and the Parlia- > .ent of Mankind would be voiced first through the United States. > > Digitized by Coogle > • RBALITY > We all know that this prophecy has already been partially > fulfilled, and that the United States has not yet done her full > part in the beautiful work that is before her of establishing the > peace of the world. But she has called the Disannament Con- > ference, and let us hope that this is only the beginning of the > "Brotherhood' campaign, which she can carry on for the better- > ment of the worlcL . > There are times when it even pays to be generous, and this > is such a moment. If we should join with Great Britain in the > annulment of the war debt, reestablish the credit of the world, > eliminate the threat of bankruptcy, and reestablish the validit7 > of the money of different nations, men would take fresh heart, > trade would revive everywhere, and we should offer positive proof > of Baha'o~llah's teaching that co-operation and love are the law > of the new civilization, and that they must replace suspicion,- > hatred and competition. Abdul Baha's command is, "Be kind > and compassionate to every one." His religion is one of deeds > and active service which must be expressed in the conduct of > life through that guidance which can only enter the heart when > it is dominated by thoughts of love. > His injunction to his followers has always been that the > life of love must be lived, and all the recent letters reiterate this > admonition. The world is very dark just now, and the only > way to keep this darkness from invading the heart is to keep > the heart filled with light, the light of universal service, which > only becomes incandescent through the constant union of God's > love with man's love. The human heart is very prone to suspi- > cion and jealousy. There are many weak ones in the world who > need the stimulation and protection of strongly loving hearts, > and when this is refused, they often become criminal, because > they cannot yet stand alone in the great light of the new day. > The United States must maintain this powerfully loving heart > among the nations. Baha'o'llah's command to her was: "Be > thou the establisher of justice and the protector of the smaUer > nations"-wonderful wordS which we have not yet carried out. > But the individuals who follow Abdul Baha can fulfill the > command, and as Abdul Baha has but recently repeated, can be > especially "compassionate" to all the weak ones, so that they > may become strong. His followers must light the torch of love > > Digitized by Coogle > r > > REALITY , > at their own altars, and then carry its white fire to all mankind, > proving that only through love can we eliminate error, trans- > form evil into good, banish hatred, and enable those who walk > with trembling steps to march boldly in the "army" which Abdul > Balla so eloquently described in Stuttgart. > > Extract from Letter from Mirza Ahmad Sohrab > "While at Stuttgart Abdul Baha was one day looking out > of His hotel window, and He observed a regiment of soldiers > passing by in great array, and He said: > "'They are ready to fight for their Fatherland. How > barbarous it seems to send men who do not even know each > other to the battle field to shoot each other down. The Bahai > Grand Army consists of the invisible angels of the Supreme > Concourse. Our swords are the words of Love and Life. Our > armaments are the invisible armaments of Hea,en. We are > fighting against the forces of darkness. 0, my soldiers, my be- > loved soldiers! Forward! Forward! Have no fear of defeat 1 > Do not have failing hearts! Our Supreme Commander is Baha > U1lah. From the heights of Glory He is directing this dramatic > engagement. He commands us! Show the strength of your > arms! You shall scatter the forces of ignorance! Your wará > confers life; their war brings death! Your war is the cause of > the illumination of all mankind, their war means the breaking > and darkness of hq,rts. Yourá war means victory upon victory, > their war is defeat upon defeat. Your war is the means of con- > Itruction; their war is the origin of destruction. There are no > clangers before you. Push forward 1 Fire r Fire 1 Attack the > enemy! Your efforts should be crowned with the diadem of > eternal peace and brotherhool.''' > > Digitized by Coogle > • > > • RBALITY > > On the Importance of Divine Civilization > ByAbdaiBaha > His Excellency Abbas Effendi > When listening to Abbas Effendi's address at the Mosque at > Woking (of which a brief report is given elsewhere in the pJ'ell- > ent number), it occurred to us that readers of the "Asiatic Quar- > terly Review" would be interested to have from so di,tinguishM > and widely revered a visitor some account of the impressiolW > made upon him by our Western life and institutions during hila > recent tour through America and Europe, which tour may be > briefly characterized as a pilgrimage among the many shrinee > which are being erected of late to the Spirit of International > Concord. We, therefore, asked him would he be good enoqll > to write an article for our pages. The result is he,-e given, an4 > affords a typical instan~with its Eastern warmth of metaphor > and simple directness of phrase-of that "Contact and Com- > prehension" which is becoming possible between the mind of tb8 > East and the mind of the West, on which Mr. Anderson wrotlt > in our January issue, which also is one of the chief aims of the > "Asiatic Quarterly Review.-Ed. > To the Editor of the "Asiatic Quarterly Review." > . Your letter was received. It indicated the spiritual SUI- > ceptibilities which emanate from your spirit and conseiousnese, > and it imparted the utmost happiness. > During this journey it has become manifest and evident to > me that the Western world has made extraordinary progress in > material civilization, but Divine civilization is well-nigh forgot- > ten. > This is the result of the submission of all human thought > to the world of nature. > All that one observes in the Western Hemisphere are the > appearances of the material world and not of the Divine world. > As there are many defects in the world of nature the lights > of Divine civilization are hidden, and nature has become the > ruler over all things. > In the world of nature the greatest dominant note is the > struggle for existen~the result of which is the survival of the > > Digitized by Coogle > RBALITY > • > fittest. The law of the survival of the fittest is the origin of all > Mculties. It is the cause of war and strife, hatred and ani- > mosity, between human beings. > In the world of nature there is tyranny, egoism, aggression, > overbearalice, usurpation of the rights of others and other > blameworthy attributes which ate the defects of the animal > world. Therefore, 80 long as the requirements of the natural > world play paramount part among the children of men, success > and prosperity are impossible. For the success and prosperity > .t the human world depend upon the qualities and virtues with > which the reality of humanity is adomed; while the exigencies > fJI. the natural world work again~t the realization of this object. > Nature is warlike, nature is bloodthirsty, nature is tyranni- > eel, nature is unaware of His Highness the Almighty. That is > why theSe cruel qualities are natural to the animal world. > Therefore His Highness the Lord of mankind, having great > love and mercy, has caused the appearance of the prophets and > the revelations of the holy books, 80 that through Divine edu- > eation the world of humanity may be released from the corrup- > iion of nature and the darkness of ignorance; be conftrmed with > ideal virtues, the susceptibilities of consciousness and the spiri- . > tual attributes, and become the dawning-place of merciful emO:- > tions. This is Divine civilization. To-day in the world of hu- > manity material civilization is like unto a lamp of the utmost > VanspareDcy, but this lamp.-a thousand times alas I-is de- > prived of light. This light is Divine civilization, which is inlti- > tated by the Holy Divine Manifestations. > This century is the century of light. This century is the > eentury of the appearance of reality. This century is the cen- > tury of universal progress. > A hundred thousand times alas! That ignorant prejudices, > 1II1Ilatural differences and antagonistic and inimical principles > are yet displayed by the nations of the world toward one an- > other, thus causing the retardation of general progress. This > retrogression comes from the fact, that the principles of Divine > civilization are completely abandoned, and the teachings of the > prophets of God are forgotten. > For instance, it is the clear text of the Old Testament, that > all humanity are the creatures of God. They are under the pro- > > Digitized by Coogle > H REALITY > tection of the Almighty. "The devil" llad nothing to do with > their creation. It is the text of the New Testament that the 8U1l > of God shines upon the just and the unjust alike. It is likewile > written in the Koran, '~ou shalt not see any differeIlce in the > creations of thy Lord." These expressions, which convey the > same idea, are the foundation of the Holy Divine Manifestations > of God. > A thousand times Alas! that misunderstanding has com- > pletely uprooted this basis. . > Firstly, religion must become the means of love and amity; > secondly, it must proclaim the oneness of the world of humanity. > But the leaders among the people have caused it to become > - the means of hatred and enmity. For the laSt 6,000 years there > has been bloodshed and rapacity amongst the children of men. > These blameworthy attributes are the manifestations of the ani- > mal nature. Outwardly it has been called religious prejudice, > racial prejudice and patriotic prejudice. Men have taken an axe > and cut through the root of the tree of humanity. A hundred > thousand times alas! > In short I have travelled throughout many countries in the > Western world, especially America. In many big churches and > large meetings I proclaimed the oneness of the world of human- > ity in accord with the teachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah. I > promoted the principle of universal peace, and with resonant > voice I summoned all to enter into the Kingdom of God. > I said: Praise be to God that the Sun of Reality has shone > forth with the utmost brilliancy from the Eastern horizon. The > regions of the world are flooded with its glorious light. There > are many rays to this Sun. . > The first ray is heavenly teachings. > The second ray is the oneness of the world of llumanity. > The third ray is the .establishment of universal peace. > The fourtb ray is the investigation of reality. > The fifth ray is the promotion of universal fellowship. > The sixth ray is the inculcation of Divine love through the > power of religion. > The seventh ray is the confonnity of religion with science > and reason. > The eighth ray is the abandoment.of religious, racial, pa- > triotic and political prejudices. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY' 11 > > The ninth I'&Y, is the universal spread of education. > The tenth ray is the organization of the arbitral court of > justice, or the Parliament of Man, before the members of which > all- the international and inter-govemmental problems are arbi- > trated. > The eleventh ray is the equality of the sexes-the giving of > the same educational facilities to women as to men, so that they > may beco~e adorned with all the vU;tues of humanity. > The twelfth ray is the solution of the economic problems > of the world, so that each individual member of humanity may > enjoy the utmost comfort and well-being. . > The thirteenth ray is the spread of an auxilliary world- > language. > Just as the rays. of the phenomenal sun are infinite, like- > ~he rays of the Sun of Reality are infinite. The above sum- > mar!' only conpuns a few rays. > The spreading of these rays will deliver the world of hu- > manity :from the darkness of ignorance, strangeness, and nar- > rowness, and will guide it to the centre of all these rays. Then > the foundation of warfare and strife, animosity and hatred, will > . be destroyed from amongst the people, and the misunderstand- > ings existing between the religions will be dispelled. The foun- > dation of the religions of God is one, and that is the ONENESS > of the world of humanity. > Praise be to God! while travelling in America I found at- > tentite ears. I associated and became intimate with many pe0- > ple. I observed that their object is the spread of fellowship > amongst all people. and their highest hope is the extraordinary > advancement of the human world. Similarly in London I met > many blessed and enlightened souls who are striving with heart > and soul to create love and amity between the various nations > and races. It is my hope that from day unto day these lofty > ideals _may find greater spread, and these philanthropic inten.- > tions may more and more appear, so that all the nations' of the > world may become the manifestors of merciful attributes, and > there may remain no strife and ill-feeling amongst religions and > communities. This is the everlasting glory t This is eternal > prosperity! This is the paradise of the world of humanity. > > Digitized by Coogle > RBALITY > Education in the World of Humanity is Divided Into Two Paria: > First-Material Education. > Seoond-Spiritual Education. > Material education confers upon man the means of phyaieal > comfort; the complicated physical needs of humanity are M- > sured and material advancement is made possible in worldly af- > fairs. For example, the European nations, through the blessings > of material education, have made marvellous progress. > The founders of the school of material education are the > past and contemporary philosophers and thinkers. Scientists > and inventors through the application of their mental faculties, > bring forth upon the arena of existence wonderful enterprises > and undertakings; thus man enjoys the benefit of the labours of > these leaders of thought. > However, the teachings of these material educators do not > have effect in the world of morality, and if they display any ef- > feet it is very small, for material education simply develops the > physical side of humanity. It is incapable of illumining the dark > regions of the great world of morality. Eternal beatitude is not > made possible through the spread of material education. > Consider, after all, how the sphere of material education is > limited. Even if man satisfies his greatest desires for material > comfort he is but like unto a bird! Imagine the happy state of > a bird which flies in the immensity of space, hops from one > branch to another, and builds its nest upon the loftiest branch, > whence it can view the whole panorama of nature spread before > its eyes-a scene of ravishing beauty and enchantment. Its tiny > nest is more beautiful than a King's most sumptous palace. Its > wealth consists of all the seeds in the fields, of the cooling springs > flowing from the breast of the mountains, and of the green mea.- > dows. This is the highest point of physical bliss and enjoyment, > which is made possible in a more perfect manner for the birds > of the fields than for men. These things are prepared for them > without any hard labour or suffering. They know not sorrow, > neither any danger or fear, such as men experience in their liv~s. > In the utmost ease and happineSs they live. > Such, then, is the happiness of the animal world. But the > happiness of the human world comes from the virtues of the > world of humanity, which enjoyment the animals know not of. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 18 > That comes from the extension of the range of vision, the ex- > cellencies of the world of humanity; the love of God, the knowl- > edge of God, equality between the people, justice and equity and > ideal communication between hearts. > These are the principles upon which the structure of human > happiness is built. Spiritual education consists of the inculca- > tion of these ideals of Divine morality, promotes these high > thoughts. This spiritual education is made possible through the > power of the Holy Spirit. As long as the breath of the Holy > Spirit does not display any influence, spiritual education is not > obtained; whereas if a soul is inspired by the Holy Spirit, he will > be enabled to educate.a nation. > Consider the records of bygone philosophers: the utmost > that they could do was to educate themselves. The circle of their > influence was very limited; all that they could do was to in- > struct a few pupils. Of course a type was the influence of Plato > and Aristotle. These p'hilosophers were only able to train a > limited number of people. But those souls who are assisted by the > breath of the Holy Spirit can educate a nation. The prophets > of God were neither philosophers nor celebrated for their genius. > Outwardly they belonged to the common people, but as they > were encircled with the all-comprehending power of the Holy > Spirit, they were thus enabled to impart a general education to > all men. For instance, His Holiness the Christ and His Holiness > Mohammad were not among the thinkers of the age, neither > were they counted great geniuses; but through the power of > the Holy Spirit they were able to confer universal instruction > upon many nations. . > They illumined the world of morality. They laid the fonn- > . dation of a spiritual sovereignty which is everlasting. Similarly > with those souls who have entered the Tabernacle of the Cause > of God. Although not important in appearance, yet everyone is > confinned in stimulating the cause of general moral instruction. > Therefore it has become evident that real spiritual universal > education cannot be realized save through the breath of the Holy > Spirit. Man must not look at his own capabilities, but think of > the power of the Holy Spirit. > In this age His Holiness Baha'o'llah has breathed the Holy > > Digitized by Coogle > 14 REALITY > Spirit into the dead body of the world, consequently every weak > soul is strengthened by these fresh Divine ou~reat~ > every poor man will become rich, every darkened soul will be- > come illumined, every ignorant one will become wise, because > the confirmations of the Holy Spirit are descending like unto > torrents. A new era of Divine consciousness is upon us. The > world of hwnanity is going through a process of transformation. > A new race is being developed. The thoughts of human brother- > hood are permeating all regions. New ideals are stirring the > . depths of hearts, and a new spirit of universal consciousness is > being profoundly felt by all men. > Translated from the original Persian by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab. > > The Q\tiet Way > From the white of snowy cloudlet, > From the firmament of blue, > From the heights of peace and rightness, > Comes a message, plain and true. > Softly comes a quiet message, > Softly falls it without presage, > For the tiines are wild with clangor, > And there's need for peace to sue, > There is need to hush the anger- > Hear these words ere yet ye rue. > > "Wrongs of childhood, signs of manhood, > Errors of all sorts of Ufe, > Inequalities of fortune, > Will not straighten out in strife. > ~e the hating, cease tile judging, > Cease the discord and the grudging- > There's no cause for aught save kindness, > All are one in interests rife; > Let not willful human blindness > Mar the unison of life. > > Digitized by Coogle > RBALITY 1& > "Only to the mind quiescent > _ Comes the secret of the way > Bow all men shall dwell together > In true accord-as men may. > Peace! descend upon the nations > In their grave deliberations. > Then with calm, untroubled vision, > Steady nerve and broad survey, > Shall be rendered wise decision > To all questions of the day. > > "Interlacings of all interests > And adjustments new befall; > In the settlement of crisis, > Mark ye heed the higher call. > Only love can quell the riot, > Only love can make the quiet; > Brotherhood-or else ye perish- > For all peoples, great and small; > As one family live, and cherish > God the Father over all." > Barnetta Brown. > > Extract from an address given by Abdul Baha in London, Eng., > 1911. > ''This is a new cycle of human power. All the horizons of > world are lumibous, and the world will become indeed as a gar- > den and a paradise. It is the hour of Unity of the sons of men > and of the drawing together of all the races and classes. > "The gift of God to this enlightened Age is the knowledge > of the Oneness of Mankind and the fundamental oneness of re- > ligion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God > the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a > new world and all men will live as brothers." > > Though unity was produced in by-gone centuries, still com- > plete unity was not feasible; for the means and causes of union > were wanting, and among the five continents of the world con- > > Digitized by Coogle > 16 REALITY > > neetion and communication did not exist. Moreover, even among > the people of one continent, intercourse and interchange of ideas > was difficult. Therefore intercourse, unity, connection and inter- > change of the ideas of all the people of the world in one place > was impossible and unfeasible. But now the means of connec- > tions are many and really the five continents of the world are > as one. > Individual travelling to all places and the exchange of ideas > with all the people is facilitated and practicable to the greatest > degree; it is such that each person through published news is > able to be infonned of the condition, religions and ideas of all > nations. It is the same with all the continents of the world; > that is to say, nations, states, cities, and villages are in need of > one another, and none of them are independent of one another, > for political connections exist between them all. > The connection ef commerce, art, science and agriculture > is evident and has absolute sway. Therefore union and harmony > is possible to be produced among all. These means of conneCtion > are the wonders of this glorious century. and great epoch. The > fonner centuries were deprived of this, for this enlightened cen- > tury has another power, another splendor, another condition. > That is why you see it daily bringing forth some new wonder. > Finally it will lighten shining lights in the gatherings of the > world. Like the aurora of the morning the signs of these great > lightel are apparent in the horizons of the world. > The first light is political union, and a little trace of this > has already appeared. > The second light is harmony of ideas in regard to. great > things and the effeet of this will soon be apparent. > The third light is the union of freedom, that also will surely > be produce4. . > / The fourth light is the union of religion and this is the es- > sential foundation; the evidence of thi8 union will appear in the > gatherings of the world with divine power. > The fifth light is the union of nationalities and in this cen- > tury the union of brotherhood will appear in absolute niight; at > last all the people of the world will consider themselves natives > of one country. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 17 > The sixth union is the union of the classes. All the people > at the world will be as one kind. > The seventh light is the union of one language; that is to > laY, that a language will be made which all the people will learn > and through it converse with one another. > These things which have been mentioned will surely come > to pass for they are confirmed by a heavenly power. Consider > that in Persia there were so many different classes, antagonistic > IeCts and diverse ideas, that it was in a worse condition than > all the world, but now through the Holy Breath of the Spirit > it has attained to such a degree of union and connection that > these different people, antagonistic creeds, hostile classes are as > a lOuI. You will see them associating, conversing and commun- > ing with one another in perfect union, brotherhood and frater- > llit,.. In large meetings you see Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians > and Moslems associating and conversing with one another in > perfect union brotherhood, love freedom, joy. > Consider what the power of the GREATEST NAME has > tIooe! > Translated by M. F. Ameen. > > First talk given by Abdul Baha before the Mash-rak-el- > Azkar convention in Chicago in 1912. The prayer He closed > with- > "0 God, let this American Democracy become glorious in > 8piritual degrees, even as it has aspired to the material degrees, > -and render this great Government victorious, confirm this > revered Nation to hoist the Standard of the Oneness of humanity > to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most > 1I0rious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world." > > The League of Nations > By Loai8e Waite > Thou League of Nations! Dream of poets past, > And vision of the Prophets great of old; > Foretold by Messengers of Light and Love, > Thy birth hour now draws nigh for all the world. > > Digitized by Coogle > 18. REALITY > > No power of darkness, greed, or selfish aim, > Can hold thee back, God's will shall now be done, > As well might man with human strength endeavor, > To stop the rising of tomorrow's SUD. > . > The Word which bade thee BE, hath spoken been, > It is a part of God'!) Eternal Plan; > All hail to thee! 0 League of Nations Great! > All hail to thee! 0 Parliament of :Man! > > The New Crucifixion > T HE repetition of noise creates gradually an effect of mono- > tony equivalent to silence; the refinement and increase of > pain brings with it a narcotic of perfect peace; and so to > the imagination turning and returning to the shock and agony > of this war, the war SeemS at last as though it were not. It > seems as though it were not, that is, in tenns of the tense suc- > cession of details until now branded 80 painfully upon the mind. > The mind absorbs detail áto the point of saturation, after which > áthe gate of impression swings closed. Then new faculties a&- > lIert their domination, for the exhaustion of sensibility means > 'the release of reason. And this process takes place, not accord- > ing to the outer event, but according to the inner law. To be > fulftlled, it requires minds of a certain quality. Over such minds, > the process holds irresistable authority-far more .authority > than the tense succession of details itself. To them, the event > becomes secondary, the meaning of the event all in all. > Thus it is not strange, but on the contrary quite natural, to > discover emerging from all sides a practical unanimity about > the meaning of the War. By Gennan and Englishman as well > as by American and Dane, to a degree depending only upon the > individual's power of insight, it is being uneasily realized 'that > battle and campaign have lost their first compelling significance, > that national partisanship is strangely melting in a new loyalty > and. conviction, the supreme significance of truth. Whispered > yesterday, spoken today, it will be cried loudly tomorrow, echoed > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > - . 19 > > back and forth by the best minds of the race, that the purpose > of the partisan temperament, victory, is impossible to either or > any combatant. This is the truth of the situation-the truth > . finally crystallized by creative reason from the ch1ws of detail. > Mind has ~asserted its organic law, its universality of process, > against the blindness of national hate, racial prejudice, lust and > pomp of battle. In the minds prepared to receive her, truth has > come to birth, irrespective of political associations. Those minds > which are still violently partisan, claiming victory at any cost, > are minds of coarser stuff requiring a longer period and addi- > tional shocks before reaching the point of saturation; or else > they are minds aftIieted by periodic hysteria-like certain pieces > of music, they' continually 'return to the beginning,' and never > complete the nonnal cycle of thought. Yet despite the fact that > at the present moment only a few realize that victory, in tenns > of professional bias and national pride, is become the glass moun- > tain no enchantment can aseend-despite the fact that more ~en, > more wealth and resources are being poured into the hoppers of > war-nevertheless this is but the energy of momentum; the real > forces have turned toward peace. Peace, but not victory. > Peace without victory to any combatant or alliance of com- > batants means only one thing: peace with defeat to every parti- > &an concerned. With respect to the present situation, that out- > come has gradually come to appear inevitable, and the mind can > aeeept it without question. But when we compare such a result > with any previous war, we throw off this mood of the inevitable > and rub our eyes in astonishment, scarcely knowing whether we > are asleep or awake. War without victory'l Power without ac- > complishment - - - it is like saying cause without effect. For > while each nation can slowly grow accustomed to the idea of non- > victory for itself, it does so without realizing that every other > nation is making up its mind to the same thing. The situation > is like a -game of button-button-who's-got-the-button in which > every player is thoroughly aware he hasn't the button in his own > hand, but trusts implicitly in the idea that the button is securely > held by someone else. For how could there be a game without > the button? But this war is the game without the button. It > is defeat without the counterweight, victory, power without ac- > complishment, cause without effect. > > Digitized by Coogle > 20 REALITY > > For, after all, what anny defeats the other anny? Which > is action, which its equal and opposite re-aetion? It seems to > me that no annyáaetually defeats any other anny, but that the > war is like that problem in algebra where enonnous values, im- > posingly bracketed and powered, intricately combined, eventually, > after frantic computation, cancel out altogether and produce > zero. It is a war of titanic cancellations. Subtracting a mil- > lion unit from a similar million gives the same result as sub- > tracting one unit from one. The only difference is that the > greater quantities require more effort and longer time to reduce. > But that is the glowing point every intuitive mind in the world > is beginning to focus upon. A war of universal defeat. Gigan- > tic force reduced to impotence. But what has stripped military > force of its habitual privileges, victory and conquest? To esti- > mate the result in tenns of opposition between such and such > armies, such and such resOurces, such and such conditions-- > this. is to think in the old manner, under the domination of sen- > sibility. The new manner of thinking, establishing an organic > unity of events corresponding to the organic unity of mind it- > self, pereeives that while such and such annies are fighting to > a stalemate, this result is being brought about not in terms of > passionate, self-seeking alliances, but in tenns of the-interest > of society as a whole. The result could not have been contained > within the special interest of any state, but it was foreseen by > many who looked to the interest of all states. That is what de- > feats every anny thrown upon the field-the indestructable equi- > librium of modem society. This equilibrium is not old; in fact, > it asserts itself unmistakeably now for the first time. Through - > science and invention we have progressed to the point where > the old equilibrium of victory and defeat is impossible. In ac- > cordance with this fact, every predominance established by one > side is negatived by another predominance established by the > opposing side-and so it will be to the end. Not one nation will > emerge from the war with the unearned increment that always > hitherto justified the conqueror's mood. . > And obviously, the instrument by which the new equilib- > rium has asserted its invincible authority is nothing else than > the soldier himself. A million soldiers represent an engine of > force unspeakably formidable-if the engine can be run. But > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 21 > what manner of engine is this which can be run only against > another engine of the same power? However the problem be > twisted about, the ~nclusion is zero. Thus we must appreciate > that military force today, far from being power, is actually im- > potence. The soldier hasá nothing to do now with the ,winged > victory; his symbol has become the crucifixion. How long shall > we continue believing that the soldier is slain by his soldier-foe? > When shall we perceive that all the soldiers alike are being slain > by the unity of society, a unity maintaining itself in exquisite > equilibrium throughout the most diverse circumstances the > world ever looked upon? For that is the law of the situation- > the fact that society has become united in reality while men > ".lave been scheming as if society were still a series of isolated, > self-sufficient tlLates. And so what crucifies the Soldier is pre- > cisely what might have been expected-Truth. > . But only a few centuries ago it was Truth crucified by the > Soldier. Only a few' centuries ago, Truth was so feeble in the > opinion of men that it could be scourged by a few centurions > and hung between two thieves. And now it has grown so mighty > that Trl,tth strides the world, a colossus to which every state and . > people seems a frenzied dwarf. Truth conquers all the nations, > all the armies, all the efforts turned against it by a world whose > heart still believes that Truth is feeble and alone. Against > this shield every spear is broken. The child will appreciate the > power of Truth at last, the Truth whose name was Love but > now is Unity; the fool will reckon upon it or perish in his folly. > Is it an error of logic to identify Love, the spiritual idea, with > Unity, the social fact? Not when we learn to perceive one as acorn, > the other as oak; the one as the necessity resident in vision, > the other as the same necessity exemplified in fact. The outer > condition has come at last to correspond with the inner, to the > effect that henceforth social pressure will serve to re-inforce > spiritual pressure instead of resisting it. The change is enor- > mously signifcant. It means that against the pestilent jungle > of war gates of triple brass are swung closed, and that, on the > other side of the soul, a door to the sun is opened. > > Digitized by Coogle > ITY > > For Freedom's Sake > The mighty earth is quaking, > 'Tis wet with crimson stain, > The cannon's l"O8l' is waking, > Ma,n'£Z1 fiery pain. > The .....,~~;r~'C"~"' > Lies > The > Is lost lust. > > The sun of Truth is shining > O'er all the earth today, > Showing that men are brothe1'll, > Made from a common clay. > One in and Iv~, > One and pain, > Since th£Z1Y spirit, > One this plane." > > No more shall women tremble, > Nor 1Ie88 be strewn with blood. > The hosts of right assemble, > They march with gallant treacl. > From scenes of strife infernal, > To day£Z1 peace, > They di£Z1d eternal, > That may ceue. > > We come in ftlight, to ftght for riaht > So that all may brothen be, > From shore to shore, forever mo~ > And every soul on earth be free. > Up men, awake, for Freedom'. sake, > Ring eall. > Till and sea, > Ia ~~t7~t > Annie > REALITY > > Words of Abdul-Baha to some American Friends > "Ye are the lights which shall be diffused: ye are waves > of that sea which shall spread and overflow the world. Each > wave is precious to Me and My nostrils shall be gladdened by > your fragrance." > Another Commandment give I unto you: that ye love one > another as I love you. Great mercy and blessings are promised > to the people of your land, but on on~ condition: that their > hearts be filled with the Fire of Love, that they live in perfect > kindness and harmony, 'like one soul in different bodies, like one > 80111 in difterei1t bodies. > If they fail in this condition, the great blessings will be > deferred. Never forget this. Look at one another with the eye > of perfection. Look at Me, follow Me, be as I am; take no > thought for yourselves or your lives,-whether ye eat, or whether > ye sleep, whether ye are comfortable, whether ye be well or ill, > whether ye are with friends or foes, whether ye receive praise > or blame; for all these things ye must not care at all. Look at > Me, and be as I am! Ye must die to yo~elves and to the world; > 80 shall ye be bom again and enter the Kingdom of Heaven~ > Behold a eandle,-how it gives its light. It weeps its life > away, drop by drop, in order to give forth its' flame of light. > > Extract from the address of Abdul Baha at the Leland Stanford > University, California, in 1912. , > "We are on the eve of the battle of Annaggeddon, refered > to in the 16th Chapter of Revelation. The time is two years > hence, when only a spark will set aflame the whole of Europe. > The soeial unrest in all the countries, the growing religious skep- > ticism antecedent to the Millenium are already here. Only a > spark 'will set aflame the whole of Europe, as is prophesied in > the verses of Daniel, and in the Book of John. > "Before 1917 kingdoms will be annihilated, cataclysms will > rock the Earth. Then all nations will be as one faith and all > D}en as brothers, and these fruitless strifes and ruinous wars- > shall cease. and the Most Great Peace shall come, and man shall > not glory in this that he loves his country, but rather in this > that he loves his kind." > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > The Disarmament Conference > By Valeria ~Mude Kelsey > As the date set for the Disarmament Conference approaches, > we are reminded of certain words uttered by Abdul Baha. > "These ruinous political conditions wiD pass away and the > MOST GREAT PEACE wiD eome. The earth will be seen 88 > a new earth and all men shall dwell together as brothers." > There is no person now living who fully understands the > tremendous import' of these words, but there are many who ap.- > preciate the value of the Disarmament Conference as a vital > step towards that ideal, and it is no stretch of the imagination > to declare that the approaching international parley is the di- > ~t result of the proclamation uttered by Abdul Baha. Any- > one who possesses even a small understanding of the universal > movement known as the Bahai Revelation, sees, centered in Ab- > dul Baha, the Covenant of God to all the peoples of the earth > that wars shall cease, that Brotherhood shall be established, > that the Most Great Peace shall come. Wherever we find a > human being capable of unprejudiced investigation this state- > ment is enthusiastically confinned. • > What historic steps will these men of the nations take when > they assemble in Washington for the first world conference upon > disannament? wm they come together freed from all party > jealousies, capable of rising above national interests, opening > their minds to the vast meaning of international peace and so > preparing themselves in love to Go4 and to one another that > the Divine Decree may easily become established? Or will they > choos&o-urged by the old'thoughts of preparedness and protec- > tion-the lesser ideal of partial disarmament, looking to a fU- > ture day when complete disannament shall be possible. No > more important question has ever required action than this. No > greater opportunity has ever appeared for the abilities of men. > In the history of the world its peoples have chosen the > fractional ideal until forced by economic or social disaster into > the whole concept of possible truth. It is this lack of vision, > this cowardly compromise because of fear that has creafed > wars for thousands of years, each war preparing the way for > . > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > another. It is the brute quality in man which makes him in- > stinctively trust to foree, rather than rise to the station where > love and trust are po88ible-love and trust in himself going > forth to his bl'Qther, love and trust in the brother responding to > those vital impulses wjrlch are constructive and which alone lead > to peace. • > Today, however, we have reached a place where the entire > world is involved, where all the nations are in tunnoil. There is > financial, social and economic disorder over most of the earth; > famine, pestilence and terrible diseases ravage the body of man; > flood, fire, tempest and earthquake take their toll of human life > and everywhere is unrest and dread of the morrow. Hemmed > in on all sides by physical limitations, which are reflections of > the long centuries of compromise which the inner man has ef- > fected, we have reached at last that high dramatic moment when > we must make the greatest choice of all-when we must loosen > our fevered clutch upon those gaudy "half-gods" which we have > so dearly loved, for we may survive only on one condition-that > we choose, and choose swiftly and wholly, the pure id~ and > follow it to the bitter end. When that choice is made-an~ it > will be made, 8S everyone knows who realizes the destiny of > man-then will the words of Abdul Baha be understood, for > then it will be a simple task, as well as a glorious opportunity, > for all men to live together as brotll.ers-in that world which > their purified hearts shall make "new." > Read the words of Baha'o'llah: > "0 Son of Dustl > Vemy, I say the most negligent of the seruants is he who > r > disputes and prefers > . > himself to his brother. I say, > o brethren, adorn yourselves with deeds rather than > words/" > This is the Key which will open the richest treasure box of > existence-DEEDS. "Deeds, rather than words t" With all our > belief in our own development, our boast of civilization, our in- > tellectual pride, we stand today threatened with the failure of > the ages. The earth is crushed to its knees with war debts, its > sons still suffering from battle wounds and allowed to go with- > out employment, hearts are still tom with anguish and the deso- > lation of hate and greed still rolls in terrible clouds to obscure > > Digitized by Coogle > II RBALITY > > the minds. Yet man is Man, sent forth from God with a great > destiny, and there is in him the power to rise from any darJmeu > qd choose the light; there is in him the power to achieve that > destiny through deeds-and of all deeds that man has ever com- > passed there remains for him the supreme deecI--4Iianaaa_tl > The freedom of the nations, the fJ"eedom of the world I > Why should we debate for one moment a partial di8&I'UUP > ment? If disannament is a good thing, why not have it en- > tirely? Isn't it because we have lost touch with one another > that we talk of a partial ideal? It is time to open our eyes and > face the. situation, time that we should no longer be hum.bugged > with sophistries, with out-worn theories, with the fonnulae of > politicians. This is the Day of God, He is speaking, IDs Voice > goes forth over the earth and .every blade of grass and every > grain of sand trembles. It is time that man trembled, toO, al- > though, lost in his own ego he is difficult to reach. Yet tremble > he will for even now the sigq grow clearer that his dependence > upon self, fails. In man's extremity the Divine Opportunity > becomes apparent and the real man is lifted out of his fear and > strengthened to act boldly for the common good. God is the > Liberator and this is the Day of God, the Day "when nothing > else is to be seen" save God, for He has come "in the Kingdomá > of His Father" to establish the ''new earth" in the he&rts of the > people to open the gates of the Millenium to the orthodox, to > free the souls in bondage regardless of color, race or creed. > In Boston, on Commonwealth Avenue, there is a statue of > William Lloyd Garrison and on one side of the base are these > words: "I am in earnest. I will not exeuse, I will Dot equivocate, > I will Dot retreat ODe ineh, and I will be heard I" On the other > side, these words stand forth with tremendous simplicity. ex- > plaining his courage: "My eountry is the world and all mankind > are my eountrymeD I" > If the people of Boston were told that they set up a statue > to a Bahai they would undoubtedly p~test, yet nevertheless, > - such is the ease, for the words of William Lloyd Garrison are > fundamentals of this Universal Movement which is so powerful > in' the world today. This man was without race prejudice, he > was full of love for mankind, he served mankind, he did not fail > > Digitized by Coogle > • > > REALITY > ,.., > mankind when action was imperative,-and aU these are Bahai > qualities. > In reality there is no inequality among men-there is only > the feeling of difference bred by ignorance, lack of opportunity > and prejudice. An honest Chinamen is the equal of 811" honest > Jew and an honest colored man is the equal of a white man who, > is on the same plane. All feeling of differences p888 away in the > universal consciousness which comes to man when touched by > the Divine Power of the Revelation. > It is this consciousness which must come forth in man be- > fore the importance of disannament can be understood, before > it can be effected. Until men cease to fear one another, until > they love one another in that purity of purpose where the wel- > fareáof someone else is sought before one's own, Disarmament > will not be reached. This is what Abdul Baha means when He > tells us that the "Most Great Peace wiD eome,"-that peace > within the heart, that awakened consciousness, that quickening > of the spirit, whereby all superficial views of life will fade away > and only the clear shining facts of being will stand forth; that > man has' a destiny, that he is a spiritual being emanating from > God, that life is endless progression-worlds on worlds; but that > only as we use, as we live, as we apply the truth as we see it > and know it and feel it, do we move forward into those limitless > realm.s of being which await the "chosen"-those who have not > been _tided to know the universal principles but who have > saerifieed everything in order to clothe themselves with the at- > tributes of God. > In the meantime, the days and nights will pass and the ones > chosen to discuss disannament will meet. Oh, what prayers > should go forth from the "Friends of God" that the hearts may > be prepared, that the world may be prepared, that the Divine > Will may be effected now and the'people not need to be plunged > into still deeper chaos before they will dare to see and choose > the best, scoring compromise, strong in their vision of world > need, of God's love for all mankind. For prayer and deeds are > the same, they are the lifting of the heart to God that His Will > may be accomplished, the "binding of gold chains about the feet > of God" and in that ''binding'' the consummate release of spirit- > ual energy which the world needs for its cure. > > Digitized by Coogle > • REALITY > > Making the Bust of PreSident Harding > A series. of events have developed in the last ~ear which > touch 'pon my work and incidentally BUgpst disarmament of > , a certain nature. > As I have modelled a bust of Senator Harding one week be- > fore he became President, I have been asked by a very ardent > Bahai, who is giving her whole life in the cause of humanity to > write up my experience with our head executive. > I remember while I was working in the Senator's private > office a friend came in and said to the Senator, "I think you are > going to get in, Warren." Senator Harding answered that it > was in the &tars. So we have good reason to imagine tftat it > was in the stars, as Senator Harding is now President of the > great and peaceful United States of America, and is bringing > about unlimited interest throughout the world in the discussion > of disarmament. > Interest in disal'lnament is a natural result of the.President's > ethical development. The people with whom I stayed in Marion, > Ohio, happened to know the President's mother very well, and I > was told that she was a very earnest believer in the old and new > Testament. She brought up her children in accord with the true > teachings of Christ and taught them to serve mankind, it may be > said as the good Samaritan saved the baffied man. Can it not > be stated that the entire Western World is now in about the > same condition as was the baftled man in the story of the rood > Samaritan? > Well then, who is going to be the, good Samaritan of our > modem times? Who will be the forerunners that are going to > take a hand in relieving mankind of the suffering that has come > upon it through the great war? Since I have spent about a week > in the private office of Senator Harding, I can say that he may > prove to be one of our good Samaritans. He posed for his por- > trait bust to help me and help some of the East-Side gamins, > who are talented in art, that I teach. > I grew up myself an East-Side boy in New York City, and > carved and drew ever since I can remember. My own early > struggles gave me an insight into the psychology of the street > > Digitized by Coogle > , > > RBALITY > gamin, which I could not have understood otherwise. The East- > Side boy is a fearless creature, and respects only those who do > things. To make a somersault, to make a good dive, or create > something, wins them over. > One day, when I was painting on the street in one of the > toughest neighborhoods of the East-Side, a jeering crowd sur- > rounded me. As I was brushing in with large masses the street > scene that was befo~ me for color effect, the gang leader said, > "He's just daubin it in now," but when I began to get the form, > the crowd changed entirely, animosity gave way to utmost sym- > pathy, and instead of enemies they became my friends, anxious > to pose for me, to carry my easel, and help me in every' way. > Co~plete unity was established between us. > Congenial occupation alone can give each one his place in > the great orchestra of mankind, and thereby bring about a true > form of happiness. > I went down to the lower East-Side one day, a short time . > after the armistice was Biped, to see a settlement worker re- > garding a commission. There I saw a gang of the toughest kind > of kids, very much bent upon destruction. The janitor in the > settlement said, "They have stolen the door knob, they undo the > electric bulbs and sell 'em, and they break our windows." The > windows are broken when the different gangs begin to fight, as > each gang stores up ammunition which is composed of bricks > and bats, the bricks being used in long distance quarrels and > the bats in close range. I met some of these gamins, and so > reminded myself of my previous days. I asked some of these > tough kids if they would like to draw, and they replied yes. So > I formed a class of about twelve in this settlement, and to the > Mll'Prise of the janitor, I managed to maintain order. In a little > whiJe readjustment took place and disarmament came about. > Their ammunition was forgotten about or lost. Charcoal and > charcoal paper took its place, and in some eases even books. All > boys like fair play, and they also like to be helped to find what > i8 congenial for them to do. It is through this that constructive > tendencies will replace the destructive ones. Three of the boys > whom I taught are showing decided promise as coming artiste, > Frank Peck, M. Posener, and Steven Culbert. > President Harding's attitude towards the development in art > > Digitized by Coogle > 80 REALITY > > is very encouraginl', and he no doubt will be very helpful 88 far > as he can to bring about better conditions for the artist in this > country. I saw the President as he came into his headquarte1'8 > one Sunday night, and was much impressed by his calm and > sincere nature. It was the week before election, when he wu > extremely busy, but he met the request to model his bust.with > sympathetic kindness, and permitted me to spend the evening > with him in his office, where I set up my clay. > He said: "Hello," as I came in, and went on with the speech > he was writing, and in the midst of the buzz of telephones and > the clangor of a busy office, I worked on until after midnight. > Others disappeared, but the Senator and I worked. It was very > late when he &rose, and I ventured to ask for 8,Jlother sitting the > following day. He answered promptly: "Ten o'clock tomorrow > morning," for the President is always an early riser. I accepted > the appointment with enthusiasm, and never felt moreá at home > than when sitting next the Senator's desk and modellina' his > head. > The President's faCe appears 88 having a majority of convex > fonna with few. concave forms. His general appearance from > the point of view of an imaginary analysis reminded me of the > American eagle. The color of his hair and his very shaggy eye- > brows, so distinctly American, suggest this, and he is the type of > American who imparts sympathy and loyalty in every way. > There is something very honest hovering about him. Much of > this is registered in his mouth, for his approvals and disappro- > vals can easily be detected through that part of his head. It is > only when he is extremely joyous or very angry that his eyes > attract attention. When he is angry his eyes become live coals > under his shaggy brows. When he is in an exceptionally joyous > mood the eyes sparkle and become full of light. > Senator Harding was extremely kind in giving me these > appointments for modelling his bust at such a very busy mo- > ment in his life, and this was partly owing to the fact that he > sympathized heartily with the cause for which I was working, > namely, to provide a fund with wJllch I could enlarge the artis- > tic work I had started with my little group of street gamins. > Meanwhile as some of the sittings took place under the tree. > of the Marion home, the movie people became interested, and > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 11 > > several photographs were taken showing the Senator, the bust, > and the sculptor hard at work. > Mr. Harding is UBually "brother Warren" in his home cjr.. > cleo He is a most affectionate member of this little circle, where > he is greatly beloved, and this is plainly indicated by the manner > in which the words "brother Warren" are pronounced. > From an &eSthetic point of view it seems rather reasonable > to believe that there should never be a limitation of means for > the development in art, for the true artist is one who moulds > minds to see true and pure beauty in accord with the conception > of nature. This in tum developes constructiveness, and con- > struction brings peace. To do away with the armaments at once > would probably not bring about the best results. But to gradu- > ally develop the human mind with a real understanding in the ' > arts~ music, literature, painting, and sculpture, must eliminate > destructive tendencies. All sincere efforts made by the entire > world in this direction would gradually bring about disannament . > by itself. The artist expresses himself through th~ medium > of color and fonn. And is not the entire universe a combination > of color and fonn? The great power above mankind manipu- > lates all through the mediwp of color and fonn. Times change > in manifestations as one color and fonn gives place to another. > The soul has its color and fonn of more ethereal character than > the body, and from the tiniest atom to the mightest mountain, > everything becomes visible through color and fonn. > It is througn this that the artist has the opportunity to > eiilighten mankind with a great beauty that exists on this entire > globe, and since beauty once understood will keep people from > making destructive designs upon one another, the understand- > ing of all things through a real artistic sense may keep the at- > titude of one man towards the other peaceful, since this great > revelation of divine beauty will then manifest itself in the hearts > of the people, and through this disannament may come aboutá > of its owná accord. ~ > A true artist should be a natural comopolitan, whether he > is a painter, a sculptor, a musician, a writer, all these may be in- > Ipired to paint, model.or write from the Asiatic races, the Afri- > can races, and those that are near the North and South Poles. > All these have great beauty of their own kind, and have come > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > into distinct existence through the great power above man, whicll > suffices for their being here. > To bring out the innate power of all these people, and eJl- > Bure their finest evolution, peace must be established. Instea4 > of hovering over them with the mailed fist of force, give them > freedom, show them love, let them feel the promise of that > great peace for whieh the world is working and longing. > Louis Kei1&. > > Awake MankindI > Awake mankind-awake! > See what is now at stake! > Life, life of every race-- > Would you that life efface > In blood and battle gore? > Leave your Creator more! > > Arise from your bespattered bloody filth, > And break the sword blade e'en to hilt. > The Lord of Hosts will not fore'er forgive- > His light and glory you cannot deceive. > He made not man for war and bitter fray, > That he should lift but bloody hands to pray. > Can you for hate atone? > You are His life alone. > He has ereated it, > And consecrated it. > You hurl to dust what He has made, > And through the bloody ruin wade. > > Arise plankind before it is too late! > Find justice seated at the people's gate. > No more of slaughter and of sundering fight, > But a sublimity of glorious light. > Only the brotherhood uniting all > Can save humanity's encompassed fall. > Marco Zim. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY sa > > The Current Art . > In the orgy of tax adjustments with which the legislators > are struggling just now there has been a suggestion made, which > illustrates what appreciation for art rises in the hearts of some > of our noble Senators, namely, that candy should be taxed S%, > and art 6%! In other words, both are luxuries dear to the > feminine heart, but art as the least necessary, can be better > spared, and therefore, must bear the greater tax. It would be > too cruel to render impossible her customary pounds' of sweets, > but let us limit roundly her etchings, her paintings, and all those > bits of beauty which feed her starving soul. > . It is a sad pity that there are still captains of industry bred > among us who regard it as an honor to plant wheat fields, but a > disgrace to paint them, who can never understand that hunger > of the soul for beauty which makes one starve and die without > it, and beCome drunken with ecstasy in its presence. And yet > these are God given faculties out of which are bom the divine > capacity to see such unknown vistas as Dante perceived and > Puvis de Chavannes painted and the older architects reared into > mighty cathedrals. > All of which is a preface to the fact that the gallery ex- > hibits which mean 80 much to the art lover began in October, I > > and have already given a delightful foretaste of the winter feast. > There was a charming exhibit at Scott and Fowles of William > Blake's illustrations of Dante. Blake entered the same world > as the older poet, but through a different highway, and with a > passport bearing quite a different vise, so that sometimes his > interpretation of Dante is less ethereal than when he is dealing > with conceptions of Job and the morning stars which sing to- > gether. But he is always so intensely individual and unlike any > predeeessor that he cannot fail to be inspiring. > Quite a unique exhibit of the work of Charles W. Bartlett- > an English artist, long resident in the Orient-was held at the > Brown, Robertson galleries, and Consisted of water colors, oils > and block prints. These latter are most interesting nowadays > to the art lover whose pocketbook is not very deep, because as > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > they are both drawn and printed by the artist himself, they have > the intimate touch, which is 80 frequently lost in a repl"Qduction. > Mr. Bartlett is now in Honolulu, and his subjects, therefore, > cover a wide range, including India, Chinl( Japan and Hawai. > They also disclose a variety of technical handling which is evi- > • dent especially in the water colors and wood block prints. Some > of these latter are rather too precise and thin, with a suggestion > of Japanese mannerism, while others such as the Taj'mahal, > Sunset, and the beautiful Silk Merehants, India, aremore free in > handling and very beautiful. A brilliant Oriental crowd was > shown in the Gathering of Pilgrims at Chusenji, and the Mo- > haDUDedaa Festival at Amrltsar was very interesting. The > Bridge Benares offered a transporting vista with the camels, the > moving people and architectural suggestion. The Hawaiian sub- > jects, the athletic fishers against the sky, the water, the neta, > were very happily caught, and the exhibit gave charmingly the > impression of Oriental environment and /life. The canvas of > Mother ~d Child was poetic and rich in color. > The exhibit of the work of Marco Zim at the Gallerie In- > time, 749 Fifth Avenue, was the most significant and rich of the > month, and must have left a vivid impression upon the mind > of every visitor. Marco Zim is not yet a familiar name in New > York, for he has lived in California during most of his produc- > tive years, and only last winter ventured into the art galleries > of the metropolis. But he had studied in New York, Chicago > and Paris, and is widely gifted as etcher, painter and sculptor, > as the present exhibit showed. > Zim has acquired a technique exceedingly varied and skil- > ful. As a sculptor he studied with George Grey Barnard and > with Rodin, but has developed an individual handling peculiarly > his own. As a sculptor of portrait heads he is forceful in model- > ling' and powerful in characterization, a realist in fact, while > in ideal subjects, like the exquisite figure of the nymph dOne > for Chatfield-Taylor of Chicago, he expresses an ideal beauty and > grace most unusual in the sculpture of today. The baby faun > on the shoulder of the nymph is humorous -and channing in > the extreme, and it seems that no one ever did a baby faun be- > fore. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY S6 > > In ideal and genre subjects Zim holds a unique place and he > bids fair to carry along in American art that new impulse which > was manifested last year in the paintings of Bryson Burroughs > at the Montross Gallery, the impulse of purely imaginative and > ideal representation, which has been lacking to a large degree in > American Art. We have always had a group of ideal painters > such as Ryder and Davies, but they have avoided the delineation > of great religious ideas. Zim is not afraid of these, as is evi- > dent in the present exhibit. > As in his sculpture Zim is both realist and idealist, though > tending toward the academic in handling, in his painting and > etching he is intensely modem. He sketches his figures lightly > avoiding ,too much detail and is largely endowed with a color > feeling which never fails in beautiful effect. > The Flight into Egypt is a happy illustration of his gift in > this way. Flooded with the tones of moonlight, it is unique > among the thousand epitomizations of the famous stol'Y, which > have been painted for centuriea. So the Holy Family with the > poetic figure of the young Christ sitting in the doorway is an- > other canvas unusual and poetic in conception and beautiful in > color. The great figure of Destiny standing amid the waves of > life and death is another forceful striking composition, and quite > different in technical handling and composition from everything > else in the room. > In his etching Zim ranks among the best of our younger > school. He works very swiftly and with a most intimate touch, > and loves every phase of humanity in its attainment and suffer- > ing. So his etchings are always bits of poetry drawn from the > walks of life and its experiences with which we are all familiar. > Technically his etchings as a rule are strongly handled and full > of color, but sometimes he chooses to eliminate detail with ex- > cellent effect. > The beautiful canvas of Destiny and the lovely figure of the > nymph are not in the exhibit of the Gallerie Intime. There > is a most sensitive bronze head of Zim's father, which is one of > the best oil his portrait heads. It is remarkable for its fine > modelling rev~ing a complex and highly developed character, > so that while strong in the strictly portrait element, it is inter- > > Digitized by Coogle > 86 RE~LITY > > esting for those temperamental suggestions which delight the > artist. ' > There are a number of Zim's California landscapes, which > it seems strange to find here, because the Pacific coast people > could with difficulty let them go. They are so essentially Cali- > fornia that Zim could only have painted them in that locality. > They are most gorgeous in color, wonderful and vigorous in > the handling of vepdure, foliage and trees. They express Cali- > fornia with both its aesthetic and mystical charm. In land- > scape Zim is not strictly an out of door man. He is more post- > impressionist than impressionist. He sketches out of doors, then > goes to his studio, visualizes the thing, and paints his visualiza- > tion. Only in this way could he have painted his marvellous > canvas of Lake Tahoe, for Lake Tahoe to all California is a > shrine. It is not only a spot of beauty and physical refreshment, > but of mystical longing and spiritual stimulus. All this is sug- > gested in this great and beautiful landscape, which gives not > merely the topography of the locality, but thi/i! inner charm and > magnetic quality which all its lovers know. > Another peculiarly Californian touch in these landscapes is > the unmistakable effect of the trade winds upon the trees. One > sees demonic trees in California, twisted and wind riven, yet liv- > . iug things in marked contrast with the gorgeously foliaged > growth about them. > Th.e Gallerie Intime promises to become most attractive > during the winter. Its arrangement gives it the intimate effect > of a home, and it is in charge of Mrs. Pinneo, whose individuality > and charm must impart an unusual quality to the entire insti- > tution. She wishes it to become the resort of those who love art, > so that people wi)l be attracted through this interest and not that > of mere buying and selling, and as she is herself a lover of alt, > she will undoubtedly succeed in her enterprise. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 87 > > The Great Divide > Each day is like a continent. We ride > From purple dawn to eve's declining shore, > Climbing expectant where eagles soar > Across the central blue. The great divide > II set between two peaks that gaping wide > • Stand- mute apart and keep a bastioned door > Of vision open to the ample fioor > Of vast arenas sloping to the tide. > > Ye gates of God that span the pillared light, > How oft, dull-eyed, your sculptured posts 1 pass, > To all their t()wering beauty blind, ~as t > And dead to all their hannony and might. > Henceforth, each morn, with mounting steps I plod > Until I reach the spreading gates of God. > > Rere where my feet attain the cen~ral height, > My soul goes forth to vaster fields of power. > Each day, some titan toil, each glorious hour, > lome clearer purpose bursts upon the sight. > On wings of dream, on billows of the light, > I turn each moment to some fragrant bower > Among the eerie hills, some skyey tower > Where joy is free from menacing and blight. > > I halt my going in the heights of day > To glimpse my dream of happiness; in awe > My soul leans back upon the changeless law > And 10 the thing is mine I prized alway. > By faith transfonned, the hope of my ideal > Has now become the actual-the real. > Albert Durrant Watson. > '.e 20, 1921. > > . DigitizedbyGoogle > 88 REALITY > > Miss Thomas Hits New Americanism > BRYN MAWR HEAD SAYS "TEACHING THAT THINGS AS > THEY ARE ARE RIGHT" IS MENACE > Lusk Law as an Example > Laments Abuse Poured on Cleveland, Roosevelt and Wilson- > Says Latter Will Be Vindicated > SOUTH HADLEY, Mass., Oct. 7.-Portion of a remarkable > address given by Miss Tho~as, president of Bryn Mawr Univer- > sity at the Founders' Day Celebration of Mount Holyoke College. > This eloquent address upon what should constitute real > Americanism bore the title of "Present-Day Problems in Teach- > ing"---and in discussing it Miss Thomas referred to the present > world wide renaissance in education and its complexities. One > reason for the difficulties of today, she said, "is that the material > on which we operate-the boys and girls in the schools and the > students in our colleges-has been transformed under our handa > into something entirely new and strange." > "Our old methods of teaching fail to get under their skins," > she continued. "Most of our apparatus of teaching-lectures, > recitations, old-time text books-really belongs in the scrap heap, > especially our text books. Not only our text books but we teach- > ers and we college executives are no longer vital in the eyes of > our students~ The profound interests to which they vibrate, > their currents of passionate thought, sweep by in secret chan- > nels unknown to us. > "Wells's 'Outline of History' furnishes an illustration of > what I mean. It is history of a wholly new kind and m8kes a > world-wide appeal to the ,younger generation. Its inaccuracies, > if there are any that are avoidable in so vast an undertaking, do > not matter at all in comparison to its gripping qualities. Yet > how few historians are making use of it. One courageous pro- > fessor told me that he was using it, and he added that to his > astonishment his habitually indifferent men students turned in- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 89 > to tarnished kittens and lapped it up like new milk. All our > text books must be rewritten from this new point of view. > ."But this new and almost universal appreciation of the > power of education has brought upon us what I regard as the > most terrible menace to American schools and colleges and to > free and liberal thought that has come in my lifetime. The > Federal and State Governments, Boards of Education, American- > ization societies, American Legions and organizations of every > kind are demanding that children and college students should be > taught patriotism, concrete citizenship and 100 per cent. Amer- > icanism. This means that school teachers and college profes- > IOrs, as yet only in public schools and State universities, but un- > leu the movement is determinedly opposed sooner or later every- > where, are being required to teach not how to make things as > tile,.. should be, but that things asá they are are right; that the > United States Constitution, as written 134 years ago, is perfect; > that our highly unsatisfactory Government must not be criti- > oiaed; that the United States fiag, which, a&we all know, flies over > lIWly cruel injustices which we hope to set right, must beá rev- > a'enced as a sacred symbol of unchanging social order, of politi- > ell death in life. > No Free Leadership Now > '-rile Lusk law passed in New York State is a hideous ex- > Ialple of what may hal-.;en any day in any and every State. It > i8 impossible to teach in our schools definite political or religious > ~ne without arousing conflicting parties, one faction of > which will surely rise up and rend the other. All the conserva- > tive forces now in control of the world are seizing upon this pro- > ,..andist teaching in order to capture the younger generation > aDd 80 save their ancient privileges. What this perversion of > education did for Gennany it may easily do for the United > ~d:tes. We need nowdProgressive leadership of the most liberal . I > > &Ul to save the worl from revolution. It can come only from > the younger generation now in' school and college. In our gen- > eration there is no such light or leading. One hundred per cent. > Americanism such as this will strangle free thought in its cradle. > Cut and dried opinions on practical matters are almost sure to > be wrong. Agreement on contemporary. questions is impossible. > > Digitized by Coogle > 40 REALITY > > '''In my lifetime I have seen four separate times passionaM > differences of opinion raging around four commanding personal- > ities-Gladstone, Cleveland, Roosevelt and Wilson. I was in En.- > land when Gladstone, wlio was then Prime Minister at the en.. > of a long and triumphant career of statesmanship, proposed Irio > home rule, in which every' one now believes. The storm of popu- > lar abuse which overwhelmed him on all sides astounded m•. > It was the same with Cleveland, who was a really great Preei- > dent. The feeling against Roosevelt, to whom the United Stat. > owes aD eternal debt of gratitude which it is now happily reco.- > nizing, was so bitter that his name was never mentioned without > horrible abuse at the dinner tables at which I sat, and any de- > fense of him destroyed the amenity of the dinner. > "And Wilson, who had the leadership and vision to put inte > eloquent and moving words the yearning of all nations toward a > world state of international peace and justice, which he strove > against frightful odds to embody in a League of Nations, was a'" > tacked with incredible brutality not only by conservative but > by liberal opinion because he had to compromise with diplomat. > and Prime Ministers who could not be expected all at once t. > become arch-angels. In going round the world in 1920 I saw > streets once named Wilson being revengefully renamed. 'Death > to Wilson' was written on the walls in Italy. On my return te > the UniteQ States I found none so poor as to do him reverence. I > prophecy that, like Washington, Lincoln, Cleveland and Roo. . > velt, Wilson will rise above the welter of conflicting opinion and > take the place that belongs to him on the pedestal of human > greatness. > "If our young people are to be instructed what to think on > such controversial subjects of contemporary politics, teachen > and professors must teach the majority opinion held by Boards > of Trustees and Boards of Education and the communities in > which they teach. There is no other way out. Otherwise their > official heads will inevitably roll into the bUket. Our professors > and teachers will then become timorous souls with no light and > leading. Now is the time -above all others to affirm as never be- > fore the freedom of teaching and freedom of opinion, to refu•• > utterly to teach cut and dried opinions, to claim as our hiwhut > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 41 > Rcht liberty to train our students to think for themselves and > to. work out for themselves after they leave school and college > .eir own practical applications. Unless the youth of the world > ..w in school and college can develop leadership there will be > lIOIle ~ the next generation. Without vision our civilization will > .rely perish." > > VISION > It was in a clear light, a radiant flame > Poured from thy presence, that I saw divine > My soul. (Not mine alone!)--t..>ut in that hour > Into my heart such glowing insight came! > And thy dear presence, thy love, only thine > Revealed to me the depths of love and power. > Such moments fade. Man could not live a man > Were the translucent depths of his own soul > Always illumined; for the light divine > Would blind his human weakness. But he can > Behold .at times. To thee I yield the whole. > All thou canst see, all that I saw, is thine. > > Ah, God, this soul I love! It is of thee > . As I am thine. Teach me not to forget > Thyself within. Let my ,heart hold Thee still > As dearer, being All. If I could see > Each soul as this I should know Love; and yet > Hardly more perfect. But I seek Thy will > To love and learn and follow, though it Jead > Through every contradiction. I grow cold > Thinking of such love changed, but still I pray > If this must be, to rise and meet the need. > Shall I be weaker than'I was of old? > Nay, stronger, 0 my God! Show me the way. > Virginia Bruce. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > The Drama > By Franees Eveline Willcox > > The important of cultivating and developing individual per- > sonality in the successful accomplishment of results, recent17 > came to the attention of the writer, and a consideration of the > subject brought to light the fact that however much time and > attention may be given to mechanical or technical knowledge, it > is after all the personality of the student that has most to do > with making that knowledge valuable to mankind. The lawyer > admitted to the bar after acquiring all that the college can give > him, finds that it is his personality, coupled with the knowledge, > in pleading a case that wins the verdict. The physician, after ' > spending tireless months or perhaps years in perfecting himself > in some special branch of his profession, quickly learns that his > personality gains the confidence of his patients, enabling him to > demonstrate more satisfactorily his ability to elleviate suffering. > So it is with the human beings that go to make up the theme > of this department, the theatrical calling. That á'the play is the > thing" has been proven many times, but more frequently it has > been the personality of the player on whose shoulders rests the > weight of the play, that made it a success. > A glance over the following names and productions is a fair > illustration of the above argument. Miss Guilda Veresi, after > repeated disappointments, persuaded Mr. Brock Pemberton, who > was unknown as an independent producer, to become interested > in "Enter Madame" in which she essayed the leading character. > It was not a great play, neither was Miss Veresi a star or a > beauty, yet "Enter Madame" made a phenomenal success due > to the personality of this artist. Miss Carol McComas made such > a pleasing Miss Lulu in "Miss Lulu Betts," that when a misun- > derstanding occurred, making it necessary for her to withdraw > from the east, it was soon found advisable to patch up the differ- > ences so that the personality of the original interpreter of the > character might be continued. "Rollo's Wild Oat," which . eJl- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > joyed a long season at the Punch and Judy Theatre, had little to > recommend it as a play, but the personality of Roland Young > made the leading role most attractive and interesting. Dainty > Miss Marylinn Miller, bubbling over with personal chann is the > personification of "Sally" at the New Amsterdam Theatre, and > ''The Last Waltz" without Miss Eleanor Painter would lose much > of its popularity. > To go back still farther, what would "Peter Pan," "The > Little Minister," "Quality Street" and "What Every Woman > Knows'" have been without Miss Maude Adams and her inimi- > table personality? Could anyone but William Gillette have made > "Sherlock Holmes" the fascinating hero beloved by every one > who saw him? Mr. David Warfield's interpretation in "The > Music Master" and his creation of "Peter Grimm" in its original > production and now in a successful revival, are among the mas- > terpieces in theatrical history, entirely through Mr. Warfield's > individual personality. When "The Sign on the Door" was first > produced with Miss Mary Ryan, it was found that she was en- > tirely unsuited to the part but when Miss Marjory Rambeau suc- > ceeded her, Miss Rambeau made the sensation of last season. > Jrfiss Laurette Taylor and Mr. Georp C. Tyler recognized the > value of the personality of Miss Lynn Fontanne, and that is the > success of "Duley." Mr. Tyler is also responsible for having > seen the possibilities in the youthful Helen Hayes who is now > appearing in "The Wren" at the Gaiety Theatre." > Two wellknown players who have perhaps demonstrated > their personal value to a greater extent than they themselves > realize, are Richaid Bennett and Arnold Daly. When "The ~ero" > was first produced. with Grant Mitchell, it was discovered that > the wrong actor had been selected, but when Richard Bennett > appeared in the play he immediately established a success, and > its remarkable season at the Belmont is proof enough of the value > of personality. Mr. Arnold Daly, who has been identified with > various Bernard Shaw characters, and ereated the part of the > Vagabond in "The Tavern," retired from the play temporarily > and another player was substituted without success; then George > M. Cohan took hold of the part, but it was not until Mr. Daly > returned to the cast that is was emphatically demonstrated that > > Digitized by Coogle > 44 REALITY > > he was after all the only vagabond. On the other hand, :Mr. > Cohan went into "The Meanest Man" after it had been tried O1It, > and put the play on a paying basis in New York, after the pre- > liminary season out of town looked dubious. > "The Music Box Revue" has struck the high note in pro- > ductions of its kind this season. It is not difficult to understand > the reason. The combined talent of William Collier, Sam Ber- > nard, Florence Moore, Wilda Bennett, Joseph Santley,'Ivy Saw- > yer, Rene Riano and a host of clever assistants, appearing on > one program is a guarantee of quality, quantity and variety. > When the Revue was originally rehearsed by Mr. Hazard Short, > there was a mass of material to be jolted into proper sequence > and timed to fill the number of hours allotted to an evening's > showing. Aa it was necessary to start preparations for the > elaborate costuming and settings, long before the first call for > rehearsal, there was no way of guarding against over-production. > Therefore all the music numbers were rehearsed, but when the > time came to put the program in order Mr. Short 'found himself. > with practically two shows on his hands to be manipulated to > take up the time of one, and this without creating a stampede > among the high-class, temperamental stars under contract-a > nerve-racking proposition; with the consequence that several > thousand dollars worth of costumes and carefully rehearsed > singers and dancers had to be left out entirely. Day after day > Mr. Short cut and pruned and pieced together, with the assis- > tance of Mr. Irving Ber1i~, Mr. Sam Forrest, the stars and even > Mr. Sam Harris, the manager, before it was possible to arrange > the premiere, otherwise it would have been presented in the > manner of the Chinese drama in nightly installments. Doubt- > less the eliminated material will find use later in some other > production, but it is not an easy problem to handle a production > like the Revue and keep everyone happy. Since the opening the > demand for seats has been far greater than the capacity of the > theatre and the overflow at every performance has helped swell > the audiences in all the other playhouses in the vicinity. > Never in the history of the drama have there been so many > unprecedented situations as have confronted the managers We > season, the most noticeable being the unusual number of new > > . DigitizedbyGoogle > REALITY 46 > > productions already launched. Up to the middle of October > sixty-one new offerings have been presented, with only about > thirty percent of successes. In previous years the average > amount of new material has been in the neighborhood of thirty > to thirty-five with the balance of the theatres retaining the pre- > vious season's successes. There is not as much activity expected > during November, however, as the majority of this month's pro- > ductions are settled down for long runs. Among the successes > that have established themselves are "The Bat" at the Morosco; > "The First Year" at the Little Theatre; "Sally" at the New Am- > sterdam; "The Green Goddess' at the Booth; "Liliom" at the > Fulton; "Tangerine" at the Casino; "Dulcy" at the Frazee; "Six > Cylinder Love" at- the Sam H. Harris; "Greenwich Follies" at > the Shubert; "Get Together" at the Hippodrome; ''The Silver > Fox" at the Maxine Elliott; "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife" at the > Ritz; "Blood and Sand" at the Empire; "The Return of Peter > Grimm" at the BelaSco; "Blossom Time" at the Ambassador; > "The O'Brien Girl" at the Liberty; "The Circle" at the Selwyn; > and "Daddy's Gone A-Hunting" at the Plymouth. > Indications point to the probability that new playwrights > will have an opportunity this season to prove their ability and > obtain encouragement for future endeavors. Heretofore they > have had cause to grumble, for managers preferred to pin their > faith and invest their capital with tlte experienced and success- > ful names familiar to theatregoers. In the cycle of the theatre > as in all other cycles in life, the revolutions leave behind old > themes and construction to take up new viewpoints and progres- > sive methods. Among the budding dramatists are Kate L. Mc- > Laurin, who wrote ''The Six-Fifty" which brought back to the > I local stage Lillian Albertson. Peggy Wood, who heretofore was > prominent in musical comedies and comedy dramas, is the au- > thor of "Artist's Life;" Theresa Helburn is the writer of "Other > Lives," a play which has won considerable approval in nearby > towns and eventUally will be seen on Bro~dway; Olga Petrova > signaled her return to the stage and accepted the call of > "author!" when "The Silver Pea-cock" had its hearing. ''The > Old Home Town" is the title given by John Young to his play > which Barry McConnick, a new producer, is willing to use for > hiB debut as a promoter of theatrical material. > > Digitized by Coogle > 46 REALITY > > The announcement regarding the new aspirants for play- > wright's honors, does not mean that the established dramatists > will not be well represented this year, as already "The Wren" > by Booth Tarkington; "Like a King" by John Hunter Booth; > ''Thank You" by Winchell Smith and "Ambush" by Arthur Rich- > man have been placed before the public while a new comedy by > Arthur Sommers Roche; "Nancy Stair" by Catherine Chisholm > Cushing; a new play by Aaron Hoffman, and a mystery drama by > Max Marcin who was responsible for "The Nightcap," have been > accepted for early production. > Mr. William Gillette, who has been absent from the. stage > for a season, is appearing in a brand new play written by him- > self entitled ''The Dream Maker;" adapted from an unpublished > story by Howard E. Morton. Mr. Gillette has always been suc- > cessful interpreting characters that have been written by his own > hand as he seems to be thoroughly capable of taking accurate > measure of his capabilities. This time it is an eccentric, whimsi- > cal, physieally decrepit, but mentally alert physician who comes > into the story at the right moment to stem the tide of disaster > about to submerge the heroine. He rescues her from the clutches > of a band of crooks, saves her reputation, her fortune and inci- > dentally the play. The Charles Frohman Company under whose > management Mr. Gillette is appearing have supplied a splendid > company for his support and no doubt the New York run will > be a long one. > David Warfield in ''The Return of Peter Grimm" will not > be transferred to the Lyceum Theatre as has been announced. > but will remain at the Belasco for a continued.run, while Lionel > Atwill takes the time at the Lyceum Theatre for his new play > "The Grand Duke" where it is expected he will remain for the > balance of the season. With the sumptuous production of "The > Wandering Jew" at the Knickerbocker Theatre, this gives Mr. > Belasco three distinctly varied attractions playing New York > City at the present time. > > The Kilbourne Gordon, Inc., will shortly produce a play by > Fannie Kilbourne (although the similarity of names does not > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 47 > mean a family relation). This is Miss Kilbourne's first play > although her name is familiar to readers of the Saturday Even- > ing Post. It is ealled "Half Fare" and following its production, > the finn of Kilbourne Gordon, Inc., will present a new play by > Edward Childs C~nter, not yet named. > > IMMANENCE > By Angela Morgan > > The fiavor of God comes pouring from everything; > Plums and oranges, apples and grapes and dew; > The justice of God is felt in the briar's sting, ) > And bees, molested, may tell of His justice, too. > > The courage of God comes up with the mounting sun; > His pity sounds in the dripping of crystal rain; > He blooms in the petaled west when day is done, > Under the dark He fathers the fields of grain. > > The splendor of God fiames up in the souls of men; > His ardor leaps in the hearts of the sore opprest. > You who have prayed for the coming of Christ again, > Lo, He is here in the pulse of the people'S breast I > > Lo, He is here! ~ And the eyes of the blind shall see. > Lo, He is here I And the lips of the dumb shall speak. > . You who have fixed your faith on the life to be, > Look! In the heart of the race is the God you seek. > > Digitized by Coogle > 48 REALITY > > Americats Place in The League > of Nations. > By Frederiek W. D'Eveiyn > > It does seem a pity that the great inner significance of that > which at present we designate a communion or' League of Na- > tiona should have met with no higher recognition than a plank > in a political platfonn, or a banner for a political campaign. The > fate of any instrument thus displaced is ever derogatory and un- > seemly. We touch upon high matters when we talk of a destiny > that contains within its being the ending of war or the allowing > of it to come back with a many times accentuated potency for > slaughter, .desolation and hatred. > There is a predestined purpose in the creation of man; a > veritable corpus organicum spirituale -is the aim. The goal is to- > day rendered attainable. To America has been offered-and this > is not merely an idle phrase-the initiative moral leadership of > the world. Within a brief period she will answer for herself > the question. The questioB is here to be answered. It will be > answered and materialized. It presents its favors, but it plays > for no one's praise and fears no one's censure or rejection. There > is a logical sequence in the affairS. of the spirit as there is a nor- > mal relationship between time and result or cause and effect. > Statesmanship, which our honored Senators labor 80 com- > mendably to qualify in, when reduced to a tangible reality, is > nothing more than the art of harmonizing the spiritual move- > ment, the spiritual potency of the age. This spirit is the motive > power of its day; it is the controller and govemor of the world > that is ordained, correlated and inseparable. > This thing we term a league-its terminology, its ma- > chinery, alike are mere details-is an inseparable and especial > fruitage of the spirit of this age. It is in no sense a "hold over" > or a repeat of history. Hence the league is a sequence and not, > as now taught, a "cause." It can never be simply an output of a > Congress, nor merely a vehicle outbom of a convention. Our > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 49 > leaders may withhold from America the moral leadership, may > even pull down the blinds, but the day has dawned and it is not > in their power either to destroy its light or neutralize its purpose. > The confusions of the moment are incidentals. The spirit > H this age, as never before, divinely reveals to every man a com- > mon birthright, an innate, personal, indestructible entity. Mil- > lions have awakened to its ownership and will urge its fructi- > 'cation until the world becomes safe-for humanity. > We are zealous that America should arise to the hour of > laer high calling and opportunity. The world management after > Annageddon is conceded a possibility. Won't our "leaders" > atrive to acquire the statesmanship that is essential 'I > "Good will to men." > > A Prayer for the Confirmation of the > American Government > "0 God-O thou who art the confinner of every just power > and equitable empire in eternal glory, everlasting power, contin- > aance, steadfastness, finnness and greatness !-strengthen, by > the abundance of thy mercy, every government which acts > rightly towards its subjects and every dominion that protects > the poor and weak by its flag. > "I ask thee, -by the abundance of thy holiness and that of > thy bounty, to assist this government which hath stretched out > the ropes of its tent to far and wide countries; the justice of > which hath manifested its proofs throughout the well inhabited, > cultivated and flourishing regions belonging to such government. > "0 God, strengthen its soldiers and flag, give authority and > influence to its word and utterance, protect its territories and > dominions, guard its reputation, make its renown widely spread, > clivulge its traces and exalt its flag by thy conquering power and > wonderful might in the kingdom of creation. > "Thou art the confinner of whomsqever thou willest. > Verily, Thou art the Powerful and the Almighty!" > Abdul-Baha Abbas. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > F all of Jerusalem Bore Out Prophecy > WRESTED FROM TURKS WHEN WATERS OF NILE WBR. > BROUGHT IN, SAYS COL. LAWSON > Bad as the unemployment situation is in England, it is ap- > parently worse here in proportion to the population, said Lieut. > Col. Edward Frederick Lawson, son of Lord Burnhapl, proprie- > tor of The London Daily Telegraph, who is in America for the > first time sinee the war. Colonel Lawson served in the Gallipoli > and Palestine campaigns and won the D. S. o. > The unemployed in England now number about 1,200,000 > Colonel Lawson said, but he thought that conditions were im- > proving. > "Some people think," he added, ''that the present industrial > activity is more or less a false prosperity, due to the attempt > to catch up with back orders. But, although times are hard, > there has not been nearly as much suffering as in former per- > iods of depression. This is partly due to the Government doles > and partly to the fact that people saved something during the > war and have been able to tide themselves over what otherwise . > would have been a time of great suffering." > Colonel Lawson sailed from. New York for England either > half an hour before or half an hour after war was declared, he > . was not quite sure which. He served first with the Buckinham- > shire Yeomanry and later commanded the Middlesex Yeomanry. > He saw his first fighting at Gallipoli, and then went to Egypt > and Palestine. He was present at both attempts to capture Gaza, > and later took part in the battle which won Jerusalem. > "There was a curious prophecy which was fulfilled with re- > gard to Jerusalem," he said. "It was prophesied that Jerusalem > would never be freed from the infidel until the waters of the Nile > were brought there. A pipe line was built to bring our water > all the way across the desert from the Nile, so that prophecy > was fulfilled. Also General Alleilby's name spelt backward meant > in Arabic "the prophet," and I think thOle two things had a > good deal to do with getting the Arabs on our side and with tile > final result. They are a superstitious people." > > . DigitizedbyGoogle > REALITY 61 > Whatever is done in Palestine must be done slowly, Colonel > Lawson believes, for the country is very small, and the arable > land lies along the coast in a belt not more than fifteen miles > wide. "It would be impossible to send a large number of Jews > there until the land is made ready for them, which would re- > quire much money and time," he said, "for the country would > not support them. And it must be remembered that people from > cold climates simply cannot work there. However, much can be > done, and I have no doubt is being done to improve the land. > The stories we hear of conflict between the Arabs and the Jews > should not be taken too seriously, for much worse affairs 0c- > curred under the Turks. The standards of the East are different, > and they do not think so much of murder there as we do. Their > standards of ciVilization are not what you would call high." > > Selections from letters of Mirza Ahmad, giving the words of > Abdul Baha in Paris, in March, 1913. ( > Come ye together, > Consecrate your spiritual forces, > Arise with great fervor and enthusiasm, > Show ye an united effort, > Let a new attraction take possession of your hearts. > Let a new spirit sweep over your temples, so that the Fire of > the Love of GOD, which is enkindled in your holy of holies, > may flame forth and set up a spiritual conflagration in the > whole of Euro~. . . > You must not rest night or day until you have breathed into > this body a new spirit, and ignited a light in this lamp. > > To Ahmad: > If thou couldst measure the heights and depths of the marvelous > events which have transpired, and are transpiring, in this > Cause, thou wouldst write down every word I utter with a > pen of diamond upon a page of gold. > > Digitized by Coogle > 62 . REALITY > > Bahai Activities > The Bahai Library at 416 Madison Avenue is becoming more > and more useful as a central point of activities in the metropolis. > The Sunday evening meetings are largely attended. Tea is > served during the evening, and everyone lingres to discuss the > questions during the meeting. Mrs. Marie Watson on her retum > from her visit to Abdul Baha told a delighted audience of her > heavenly experiences in that unique household, and of the re- > . markable physical healing with which her visit came to an end. > Of this healing there was allUlle evidence in her appearil.nce. She > has been a sufferer for thirty years as the result of a painful ae- > cident,and all this has been removed. But the great fact connected > with the unusual affair is the 'spiritual lesson of love, which the > healing carries and its significance to the American people. > Another notable evening was occasioned by the address of > Roy Williams, who is one of the most eloquent speakers in the > Bahai Cause, and whose words that evening on ''Divine Food" > will be long remembered. > The committee of twenty-seven el~ to select a new board > of nine members met at the Library on the evening of October > 24th and chose its nine members in a spirit of great harm9'JlY. > The names of the new Board follow: . > Mountfort Mills, Hooper Harris, Nelly Lloyd, R. M. Bolden, > Roy Wilhelm, Mrs. O. W. Inglis, Herman Pauli, Henry Grasmere, > Horace Holley. . > The MacNutt home, 985 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, N. Y., > has been rented by Mr. and Mrs. Osborne, who will rent rooms, > 8IJld carry on the habit of Bahai meetings and feeling connected > with this well-known house. Mr. and Mrs. MacNutt are to go > south for the winter, as a benefit to the health of Mrs. MacNutt. > Mr. Hooper Harris continues his Sunday morning meetings > at Genealogical Hall, 226 West 58th Street, with constantly > growing intel"est and power. . > , The Rainbow Circle, at 105 West 180th Street, is beginning > its winter activities with renewed spirit. Fellowship and unity, > which include everyone, are the essentials of the Rainbow Circle, > and are rapidly beeoming a characteristic of the movement in > Greater New York. > The charming Saturday night dinners at the Omar XaY7JD > Restaurant, 34 West 85th Street, are constantly growing in pop- > ularity. The hospitable atmosphere of the place is attractiftL > > I I > > Googl~ > ~ Digitized by > REALITY 58 > > and the evenings of talk, music and discussion' prove most > stimulating. The inter-racial element here is always evident. > One evening a Princess from Afghanistan with her son was > present among other foreigners. On another occasion Pedro Q. > Pagnio, a young Philippine student in the diplomatic course at > Columbia University gave a brilliant talk on philosophy of life, > which has brought him into deep sympathy with the Bahai > Cause. Horace Holley gave an unforgettable evening during the > past month. Roy Williams spoke brilliantly. Mrs. Loulie > Mathews gave a charming little talk which proved the keynote > of that evening's discussion. Bert Randall, beloved by many in > New York, who seldom can be persuaded to speak in public, does > occasionally lift his voiee at these delightful fellowship dinners. > > Meeti~gs at the Bahai Library, 416 Madison Avenue > Monday afternoon, 8 :80-Miss .Anne Boylan conducts a study > class. . > - Tuesday afternoon-Mrs. J. H. Mills is at the library from 2 to 6. > Tuesday evening-Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford conducts a study > class. > Wednesday-Mrs. Loulie Mathews is at the library all day. > Wednesday evening-Mrs. Ford conducts the public meeting. > Thursday afternoon-Mrs. Marie Hopper is at the library. > Thursday evening-:-Horace Holley directs reading from the > works 8f Baha'o'llah. > Friday afternoon-Mrs. Lillian Randall is at the library. > Saturday-Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford is at the library. > Sunday morning, at 11 o'clock-Mr. Hooper Harris speakes at > Genealogical Hall, 226 West 58th Street. > Sunday evening at the Bahai Library-Addresses and open > forum. Tea is served. All are welcome. > > "There seems to me at present to be great occasion for > raising a united party for virtue, by forming the virtuous and > "good men of all nations into a popular body, to be governed by > suitable good and wise rules, which good and wise men may > probably be more unanimous in their obedience to, than com- > mon people are to common laws. I at present think that who- > ever attempts this aright, and is well qualified, cannot fail of > pleasing God, and of meeting with success." > " -Benjamin Franklin. > > Digitized by Coogle > 64 .REALITY > > F or Am~rican Believers > "0 ye who are tumed towards the Kingdom and drawn unto > the Holy Fragrance diffused from the Garden of EL ABHA I > "Arise with every power to assist the Covenant of GOD > and serve in His Vineyard. Be confident that a confumation > will be granted unto you and a success on His Part is given unto > you. Verily He shall support you by the Angels of His Holineaa > and reinforce you by the Breath of the Spirit, that ye may mount > the Ark of Safety, set forth the evident signs, impart the Spirit > of Life, disclose the Essence of His Commands and Precepts, > guide the sheep who are straying from the fold in all directions, > and give the blessings. Ye have to use every effort in your power > and strive eamestly and wisely in this New Century. By GOD, > Verily, the Lord of Hosts is your support, the angels of heaven > your assistance, the Holy Spirit your companion, and the Center > of the Covenant your Helper. Be not idle but active, and fear > not. Look unto those who have been in the former ages, how > they have resisted all nations and suffered all persecutions and > aftlictions, and how their stars shone and their attacks proved > successful, their regions expanded, their hearts gladdened, their > ideas cleared, and their motives were effective. Ye are now in a > great station and a noble rank, and ye shall find yourselves in > evident success and prosperity, the like of which the eye of exis- > tence never saw in former ages. > "EI Baha and salutations be upon every one, who is ftrm > in the Covenant, free from dissension, sanctified from deceit and > steadfast in the path." > (Signed) Abdul-Baha. Abbas. > This- tablet was distributed at the Bahai Library, 415 Madi- > son Avenue, New York, after the address by Mirza Assadullah > Fazel and Mirza Manucher, May 1920, in which he mentioned > incidents in the life of Mirza A11i Hussein-Baha'o'llah, and his > father. > Copied by H. G. Pauli, June 1920. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > REALITY yeaders will be interested in the following ktter fyOtn > tlu P"sWn Ambassador in Washington to Mrs. Herold S. RObmS01S. > Mf'.!. Robi1SS01S was i1S Washington, and wanted to enlist the co-operrr > tiow of the Ambassador in behalf of REALITY. > > Washington, D. C., > 1518 Sixteenth St., N. W., > October 16th, 1921. > Mrs. Herold S. Robinson, > 416 Madison Avenue, > New York City. > Madam: > I regret that when you called yesterday I was busy dictating > some letters and was thus deprived of the pleasure of seeing you. > In your letter to me you ask for a few words of appreciation > in regard to the magazine published by your husband. I would > say, in reply, that I have not yet had the opportunity of fami- > liarizing myself with this periodical and that I am not a disciple > of the Bahai movement. Judging, however, by the yellow slip > which you were kind enough to enclose in your envelope, the ob- > ject to which REALITY devotes itself, namely, "the elimination > of prejudic;e, religious, racial and class," is a highly commenda- > ble one. It is the foundation upon which the peace of the world > must lie, an ideal to which all our efforts should tend. > I fervently pray that the noble initiative taken by your Pres- > ident in calling together a conference on the limitation of arma- > ments will bear fruit and that the moral force of Right will > finally be substituted for the material force of Might. Persia > more than any other country has reason to wish success to this > humanitarian policy. > Believe me, Madam, > Yours very truly, > Hussein Alai. > > Digitized by Coogle > 66 REALITY > Statement of Ownership, Management, Cireulation, Etc., Re- > quired by the Ad of Congress of August 2,(" 1912 > Of "Reality," P"blisltetl Montltly at New York, N. Y., fo" October I, Its1 > County of New York l ss > State of New York S . > Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the State and county aforeaaid. > personally appeared Herold S. Robinson, who, having been duly sworn accord- > ing to law, deposes and says that he is the Business Manager of the "Reality" > and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true state- > ment of the ownership, management, etc., of the aforesaid publication for the .. > date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, II1J, em- > bodied in section 44S, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the revene of > this form, to wit: > 1. That the name. and addre.se. of the publisher, editor, managing editor, > and business managers are: > Name of- Post Office Address- > Publisher > Reality Publishing COrPOration _ ....._ ...............16 Madison Ave., N. Y. C. > Editors > Eugene and Wandeyne Deuth _ .... _ ..... _ ..... _ .•16 Madison Ave., N. Y. C. > Managing Editor > None. > Business Manager > Herold S. Robinson ....._ ........_ _........................ 416 Madison Ave., N. Y. C. > 2. That the owners are: > Reality Publishing COrPOration _. __........ _ ............. 416 Madison Ave., N. Y. C. > Eugene J. Deuth ...... _ .._._....__......_ ........... _ ..._... 416 Madison Ave., N. Y. C. > Wandeyne Deuth ...._ ...._ ....._____..__...._ _... 416 Madison Ave., N. Y. C. > Cora M. Jenkins ._____._ _ _.._ ... _ ..........__._........~...._ ..... Bethesda, O. > 3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders > owning or holding 1 per cent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages. > or other securities are: > None. > •. That the two paragraphs next above, giving the names of the owners, > stockholders, and security holders, if any, contain not only the list of stockhol- > ders and security holders as they appear upon the books of the company but also, > . in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears upon the books of > the company as trustee of in other fiduciary relation, the name of the per- > son or COrPOration for whom such trustee is acting, i. given; also that the > said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant's full knowledge and > belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and > security holders who do not appear upon the books of the company as trustee, > hold stock and securities in a capacity other than that of a bona fide owner; > and this affiant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or > COrPOration has any interest direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds, or other > securities than as so stated by him. 1 . > Herold S. Robinson, > Business Manager. > Sworn to and subacribed before me this 81st day of September, It11. > Edward F. Proper, > Notary Public. > N. Y. Co. No. 163, N. Y. Reg. No. 31&3. > Com. expires March 30, Ina. > > Digitized by Coogle > , > > .The Ascension of Abdul Baha. > The friends in America were shocked, Monday, > November 28th, by the reception of a cablegram, > signed by The Greatest Holy Leaf, containing these > words. . > "His Holiness Abdul Bah.a, ascended to Abha > Kingdom, Inform Friends." > .... This was not an announcement of death, but of > ascension, so that the momentary shock was fol- > lowed by such a consciousness of the Presence as > precluded sorrow, and this is what we must all real- > ize, Abdul Baha has said: > "As to the mention of my departure to the > neighborhood of the mercy of my lord: know there > shall appear wonderful traces-the breath of God > shall pass by-the fragrance of God shall spread,' > and the spirit of God shall run in the body of the > contingent world both before and after my depar- > ture, but I 'supplicate God that he may grant the > greatest spirituality in these days. Endeavor > therefore that thou mayest have a great portion > in it." > Further details will be given in the January > REALITY• > > • > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > JIIdltol'll Consulting JIIdltol'll > Mar7 Banfor« For« > Howar« JlacNutt > IIt1GJINJI J. DIIIU'l'B Rlcbard Manuel BokleD > Horace Hon.,. > W A.NDBYNJD DIIIU'l'B Wlnltrecl JL Boh1llll&Ober > Ann T. BoylaD > PUBLI8RJlID MONTHLY BY > Reality Publishing Oorporation > 17 W.t Gad Street Tel. u..-. I'" New Yo"" N. Y. > Eugene J. Deuth. President Herold S. RoblD.son. Sec'y .t: Treal. > Single Copies, 25 cents. Sold at aD NewutaIlda. > SublCriptiOll, $3.00 per year > MODey Orden Payable to Reality PublilhiDa' CorporatioD > 17 West 41nd Street, New York City > CopyrIpt, 1.11, by ltaIlt7 PubU.bIDc Corporetion > Entered as Second CluB Matter. Aprll II. 1.11. at the Post omce. > New York, N. Y•• under the Act of March Ird. m. , > > ~==============~, > Volume IV. > DECEMBER. 1921 No. 12 > > Content. of December l88ue > Page > The Aacension of Abdul Baha _. __._..... _._.._. __..____.__._.______ 1- > The Appeal of Ledoux __._____._ _._. _ _ _......_._. _ _ _ _ _._ I > > The New World. Editorial ._.._._. _____..._._. ___.____..._. ____...._ 4 > > Abdul Baha to the Peace Conference at Hague ._.....__........._.....__.._ _ 7 > > The Long Expected Guest. Tonrnsend Allen __....._.._______.._.____ 22 > Is Mrs. Harding a Bahai? Mrs. Herold Robinson _. _ _.____ ._._ _ 23 > To Dante. Edith Btl,.,. .. _._.._ ..__....___ .__.____._ _.___ 87 > > How Abdul Baha Opened the Door to Kbrea. AI/ftes Alexander _. ___ 27 > Thanksgiving Day. Edith Btl,.,. ____..___._ _ _._._ _. _ _ 40 > The Current Art. Mary Hrmford Ford __________._ _ _ 41 > > The Bahai Movement. Its Spiritual Significance. Henrietta C. Wagner _ 45 > Bahai Activities. Letter from Mrs. Watson .__..._ _ _ 51 > > Digitized by Coogle l > The Appeal of Ledoux > Urbain Ledoux spoke at St. Mark's Church, New York > City, Saturday afternoon, Nov. 20th, at the invitation of the > rector, Rev. W. Norman Guthrie. The unemployed sat in the gal- > lery, the wealthy sat in the pews, the rector presided, and two > bishops sat near him. > Ledoux came forward, pulled off his grey coat, revealing > a grey flannel shirt and grey trousers in whi~h he stood. > He cried out, "Why 1 Why 1", and then in impassioned > tones repeated the wonderful prayer of Baha'o'llah beginning, > "0 God, 0 God, Give us Knowledge, Faith and Love," dwelling > with emphasis upon each word. Then he led forward a French- > man, whom he introduced as Henri Guellet. He explained > how this man had enlisted in Canada in the French army > though it was not necessary, had re-enlisted in the American > army, had won the Croix de Guerre for almost unexamplified > bravery, and now had been walking the streets of New York > for ten days, unsheltered and unfed. He asked for an overcoat > for his friend, and presently a young man came forward and > put his own coat over the Frenchman's shoulders. > Turning to the galleries where sat the rows of unfortu- > nates, Ledoux asked those without overcoats to stand up, and > 4S men arose. The speaker addressed his audience and with > great eloquence appealed for overcoats for these men who were > the innocent victims of economic pressure. > There was a slight response. At length promises for 14 > coats were received, and then Ledoux arraigned this crowd, > who sat there in comfort and refused to be stirred by the sight > of suffering and deprivation. As he spoke, young men began > > DigitizedbyGoogle > 4 REALITY > > to come forward carrying their own overcoats which they > sacriireed to the leas fortunate. It was very touching. and one > saw that other men drew out their checká books and wrote > checks. > Ledoux spoke with wonderful power against that ignoring > of Christ's law of brotherhood so prevalent among the very > rich today. He told of one wealthy man who declared it wu > a pity there is not some quick and painless way Df getting rid > of useleas and populations r He told all that unless the exist- > ing situation • faced with sympathy and wisdom. and relief > provided, a terrible retribution will follow, and blamed the > newspapers frankly for suppressing the facts of labor condi- > tions in the United States. > Pausing at length, he invoked the Divine Power of Love > which is about us all to penetrate the hearts of the powerful. > overcome greed and selfishness, and create that heavenly c1vil- > ization which is possible only by such means. And in the hush > that followed, one felt the presence of this power. Tears ware > in all eyes,tears of sympathy which spring at the entrance of > the spirit. > > The New World > - > The New World is born as has been shown by the opening > of the Conference for the Limitation of Armament. To the > inner mind this body has always stood as a Peace Conference. > in spite of its title, because the beginning of peace lies in the > growth of the feeling that there must be no war, and that > therefore Armament must be first limited and then done away > with. > There is a double consciousness in men which governs > their actions, and frequently impells deeds that have not been > carefully pondered. To one side of this consciousness we are > accustomed. We are trained in it, we have taught it to our > children, and most of us have believed that in it alone lies the > preservation of civilization. It says always: "Look out for > yourself-Don't let the other fellow get the better of you- > Step lively rtt And we step lively peeping out of the corner of > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY I > > our eye at the other fellow, and wondering if he is plotting to > trip us up. > The nobler side of our consciousness bas a different mea- > sage. It is the big self, not the little one, and the big self is > able to receive word frpm the spirit. The big self says: "Loot > out for the other fellow-He needs your help, he is suffering, > he must be relieved-Do not hurry on, wait-If you do not > help him, you will finally suffer ~ourself." > This last practical suggestion is in reality what will save > the civilization of the world. We are waking up to the realiza- > tion that mankind is a solidarity, and what affects one unit > affects all. The units must unite for the preservation of all, > and in this perfect solidarity not one unit can be neglected 01' > ignored. One quarrelsome member of a family destroys the > peace of all, one neglected ease of small pox in a community > spreads contagion everywhere. We shall realize presently the > conviction that" one unsheltered and unprotected man or woman > sleeping outside on a cold night lowers the civilization of an > entire city; that one child denied the proper privileges of edu- > cation lessens the status of all. > Urbain Ledoux has been doing sensational deeds in various > centers recently to drive this fact home to the conciousness of > mankind. We are living in God's universe, and all people must > be our care. It they are feeble minded, or not very wise, black, > yellow or green. instead of the customary color, victims of so > ealled civilization instead of its towers, then they need doubly > and trebly the protection and love of the more fortunate and > more powerful. The conduct of the Disarmament Conference > indicates the dawning of the new consciousness internationally. > At last the nations begin to feel that the world is one, that > order must be maintained, that war must be banished, and that > the big nations must protect the little ones and not oppreaa > them. > Think what would happen in the midst of this new inter- > national consciousness, if each individual should arise to be > an active lover of his kind. All the world loves a lover, and > what if we all become lovers r Imagine yourself walkiq > through the throngs of humanity with your arm over the > > Digitized by Coogle > • RBALIT.Y > shoutder of the next fellow, rejoicing that you are able to help > him! You can never feel such happiness in any other situation.. > and think of the results to the world! > The Borden Milk Company would cease glowering over ita > profits and become deeply concerned over the fate of its strik- > ing employes. The railroad presidents would become pro- > foundly anxious that all their engineers were paid properly for > over time. The mine operators would go into the miners' cot;.. > tages and see to it that the babies were properly fed. Th~ > cloak and garment maunfacturers would become almost insane- > over the effects of piece work upon the shattered nerves of > modern workers. The churches would all open their doom > to anny cots and the unemployed. The heads of the big trusts > would spend their evenings searching out the huddled shivering > figures from the dark comers of the city and supplying them > with baths, beds and hot food. It would seem suddenly as if > God were walking bodily upon the earth-and then Presto t > Such a universal joy would fill the heart of ma~ everywhere- > that the factories would open, the savings banks would flll up, > the fields would be planted, the orchards would pour their > fruit into the hands of all the hungry ones, famine would disap- > pear, each country's money would stabilize, Russia, Austria.. > Hungary and Germany would again enter the council of na- > tions, and the world would be fllled with laughter instead of > lamentation. > We are learning at last not to organize for killing, now let > us turn over the page and learn t9 organize for living. All > that tremendous power the governments have been using to kill, > needs only to be turned in the direction of life to beCom& > efficacious. But here the new individual consciousness is neces- > sary. Internationally we have awakened, individually we aft > asleep. > Each man must know that he is his brother's keeper for > happiness, that his own well being depends upon the positive > well being of his neighbor. If it were only the law that when > my neighbor has no dinner, my dinner will not digest, theB > inevitably I must invite him to dine with me! What dinner > tables we would have under such circumstances! Bolshevism > > DigithzedbyGoogleá > REALITY , > would disappear immediately because it would have no cause > for complaint. Race prejudice would follow suit, because I > can never tell what my neighbor will be. He could be black, > white, Czeeho-Slovak or Hindu, building a flre in the next lot > to keep his body from freezing, but he must dine with me 80 > that my dinner would digest. Therefore, he sits beside me and > the butler serves us both the same soup. I am so happy in bfI > presence that I forget to inquire what he is. There is, plenty > of dinner for both of us, and the resultsá are assured, because > I am so delighted with his company and he with the dinner. > Wherever we were born we discover that we are brothers, and > have been too long separated. It is God's world. > > ( > > Letter from Abdul Baha. > To the Central Organuation for a Durable Peace at the Hague. > o ye esteemed ODes who are pioneers among the well-wishers of > the world of humanityl > The letters which ye sent during the war were Dot received, > but a letter dated February 11th, 1916, has just come to hand, > and immediately an answer is being written. Your intention > deserves a thousand praises, because you are serving the world > of humanity, and this is conducive to the happiness and 'welfare > of all. This recent war has proved to the world and the pepple > that war is destruction while Universal Peace is construction; > war is death while peace is life; war is rapacity and blood-thirsti- > ness while peace is beneflcence and humaneness; war is an ap- > purtenance of the world of nature while peace is of the founda- > tion of the religion of God; war is darkness upon darkness while > peace is Heavenly Light; war is the destroyer of the edifice of > mankind while peace is the everlasting life of the world of hu- > manity; war is like a devouring wolf while peace is like the an- > gels of ij:eaven; war is the struggle for existence while peace is > mutual aid and co-operation among the peoples of the world and > the cause of the good-pleasure of the True One in. the Heavenly > Realm. > There is not one soul whose conscience does not testify that > in this day there is no more important matter in the world than > > Digitized by Coogle > • RBALITY > that of Universal Peace. Every just one bears witness to this > and adores that esteemed Assembly because its aim is that this > darkness may be changed into light, this blood-thintiness into > kindness, this tonnent into bliss, this hardship into ease and > this enmity and hatred into fellowship and love. Therefore, the > effort of those esteemed souls is worthy of praise and com- > mendation. . > But the wise souls who are aware of the essential relation- > ships emanating from the realities of things consider that one > single matter cannot, by itself, influence the human reality as it > ought and should, for until the minds of men become united, > no important matter can be accomplished. At present Universal > Peace is a matter of great importance, but unity of conscience > is essential, so that the foundation of this matter may become > secure, its establishment :firm and its edifice strong. > Therefore His Holiness Baha'o'llah, fifty years ago, ex- > pounded this question of Universal Peace. at a tinie when he was > confined in the fortress of Acca and was wronged and imprisoned. > He wrote about this important matter of Universal Peace to aII- > the great sovereigns of the world, and established it among his > friends in the Orie;nt. The horizon of the East was in utter > darkness, nations displayed the utmost hatredá and enmity to- > wards each other, religions thirsted for each other's blood, and > it was darkness upon darkness. At such a time His HoliBess > Baha'o'llah shone forth like the sun from the horizon'of the East > and illumined Persia with the lights of these teachings. > Among his teachings was the declaration of Universal > Peace. People of different nations,á religions and sects who fol.. > lowed him came together to such an extent thai remarkable > gatherings were instituted consisting of the various nations and > religions of the East. Every soul who entered these gatberinga > saw but one nation, one teaching, one pathway, one order, for > the teachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah were not limited to the > establishment of Universal Peace. They embraced many teach- > ings which supplemen~d and supported that of Universal Peace. > Among these teachings was the independent investigation > of reality so that the world of humanity may be saved from the > darkness of imitation and attain to the truth; may tear off and > cast away this ragged and outgrown gannent of 1,000 years ago > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY t > > and may put on the robe woven in the utmost purity and holi- > ness in the loom of reality. As reality is one and cannot admit > of multiplicity, therefore different opinions must ultimately be- > come fused into one. > And among the teachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah is the > oneness of the world of humanity; that all human beings are > the sheep of God and He is the kind Shepherd. This Shephero > is kind to all the sheep, because He created them all, trained > them, provided for them and protected them. There is no doubt > that the Shepherd is kind to all the sheep and should there be > among these sheep ignorant ones, they must be educated; if > . there be children, they must be trained until they reach matur- > ity; if there be sick ones, they must be cured. There must be > no hatred and enmity, for as by a kind physician these ignorant, > siek ones should be treated. > And among the teachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah is, > that religion must be the cause of fellowship and love. If it be- > comes the cause of estrangement then it is not needed, for re- > ligion is like a remedy; if it aggravates the disease then it be- > comes unnecessary. > And among the teachings of Baha'o'llah is, that religion > must be in confonnity with seience and reason, so that it may > inftuence the hearts of men. The foundation must be solid and > must not consist of imitations. > And among the teachings of Baha'o'llah is, that religious, > racial, political, economic and patriotic prejudices destroy the > edifice of humanity. As long as these prejudices prevail, the > world of humanity will not have rest. For a period of 6,000 > years history infonns us about the world of humanity. During > these 6,000 years the world of humanity has not been free from > war, strife, murder and blood-thirstiness. In every period war > has been waged in one country or another and that war was due > to either religious prejudice, racial prejudice, political prejudice > or patriotic prejudice. It has therefore been ascertained and > proved that all prejudices are destructive of the human edifice. > As long as these prejudices persist, the struggle for existence > must remain do~ant, and bloodthirstiness and rapacity con- > tinue. Therefore, even as was the ease in the past, the world > of humanity cannot be saved from the darkness of nature and > > Digitized by Coogle > 10 REALITY > cannot attain illumination except through the abandonment of > prejudices and the acquisition of the morals of the Kingdom. > If this prejudice and enmity are on account of religion, > (consider that) religion should be the cau,e of fellowship, other- > wise it is fruitless. And if this prejudice be the prejudice of na- > tionality, (consider that) all mankind are of one nation; all have > sprung from the tree of Adam, and Adam is the root of the > tree. That tree is one and all these nations are like branches, > while the individuals of humanity are like leaves, blossoms and > fruits thereof. Then the establishment of various nations and > the consequent shedding of blood and destruction of the edifice > of humanity result. from human igrt'orance and selftsh motives. > As to the patriotic prejudice, this is also due to absolute > ignorance, for the surface of the earth is one native land. Every > one can live in any spot on the terrestrial globe. Therefore all > the world is man's birthplace. These boundaries and outlets > have been devised by man. In the creation, such boundaries and > outlets were not assigned. Europe is one continent, Asia is one > continent, Africa is one continent, Australia is one continent, > but some of the souls from personal motives and selfish interests, > have divided each one of these continents and considered a cer- > tain part as -their own country. God has set up no frontier be- > tween France and Gennany; they are continuous. Yea, in the > first centuries, selfish souls for the promotion of their own in- > terests, have assigned boundaries and outlets and have day by > day, attached more importance to these, until this led to intense > enmity, bloodshed and rapacity in subsequent centuries. In the > same way this will continue indeftnitely, and if this conception > of patriotism remains Hmited within a certain circle, it will be > the primary cause of the world's destruction. No wise and just > person will acknowledge these imaginary distinctions. Every > limited area which we call our native country we regard as our > mother-land, whereas the terrestrial globe is the mother-land > of all, and not any restricted area. In short, for a few days we > live on this earth and eventually we are buried in it, it is our > eternal tomb. Is it worth while that we should engage in blood- > shed and tear one another to pieces for this eternal tomb? Nay, > far from it, neither is God pleased with such conduct nor would > any sane man approve of it. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 11 > > Consider! The blessed airlmals engage in no patriotic quar- > rels. They are in the utmost fellowship with one another and > live together in hannony. For example, if a dove fromá the East > and a dove from the West, a dove from the North and a dove > from the South chance to arrive, at the same time, in one spot, > they immediately associate in hannony. So is it with all the > blessed animals and birds. But the ferocious animals, as soon as > they meet, attack and fight with each other, tear each > other to pieces and it is impossible for them to live peaceably > together in one spot. They are all unsociable and fierce, lavage.. > and combative fighters. > Regarding the economic prejudice, it is apparent that when- > ever the ties between nations become strengthened and the ex- > change ofá commodities accelerated, and any economic principle > . _ is established mone country, it will ultimately affect the other > countries and universal benefits will,result. Then why this pre- > judice? > As to the political prejudice, the policy of God must be fol- > lowed and it is indisputable that the policy of. God is greater > than human policy. We must follow the Divine policy and that > applies alike to all individuals. He treats all individuals alike: > no distinction is made, and that is the foundation of the Divine > Religions. > And among the teachings of His H~liness Baha'o'Uah is the > origination of one language that may be spread universally > among the people. This teaching was revived from the pen of > His Holiness Baha'o'llah in order that this universal language > may eliminate misunderstanding from among mankind. > And among the teachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah is the > unity of women and men. The world of humanity has two wings > ---one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are > equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain > weak, flight is impossible. Not until the world of women be- > comes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues > and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they > ought to be. > And among the teachings of Baha'o'llah is voluntary shar- > ing of one's property with others among mankind. This volun- > tary sharing is greater than equality, and CODSists in this, that > --- I > Digitized b~ Coogle > REALITY > . > man should not prefer himself to others, but rather should sacri- > fice his life and property for others. But tliis should not be in- > troduced by coercion so that it becomes a law and man is com- > pelled to follow it. Nay, rather~ man should voluntarily an~ of > his own choice sacrifice his property and life for others, and > spend willingly for the poor, just as is done in Persia among the > Bahais. > And among the teachings of Ins Holiness Baha'o'llah is > man's freedom, that through the ideal Power he should be áfree > and emancipated from the captivity of the world of nature; for > as long as man is captive to nature he is a ferocious animal, as > the struggle for existence is one of the exigencies of the world > of -nature. This matter of the struggle for existence is the foUD- > tain-head of all calamities and is the supreme afIlietion. > And among the teachings of Baha'o'llah is that religion is a. > mighty bulwark. If the edifice of religion shakes and totters, > commotion and chaos will ensue and the order of things will be > utterly upset, for in the world I()f mankind there are two safe- > guards that protect man from wrong doing. One is 'the law ' > which punishes the criminal; but the law prevents only the man- > ifest crime and not the concealed sin; whereas the ideal safe- > guard, namely, the religion of God, prevents both the manifest > and the concealed crime, trains man, educates morals, compels > the adoption of virtues and is the all-inclusive power which guar- > antees the felicity of the world of mankind. But by religion is > meant that which is ascertained by investigation and not that > which is based on mere imitation, the foundation of Divine Re- > ligions and not human imitations. > And among the teachings of Baha'o'llah is that although > material civilization is one of the means for the progressá of the > world of mankind, yet until it becomes combined with Divine > civilization, the desired result, which is the felicity of mankind, > will not be attained. Consider! These battleships that reduce > a cityto ruins within the space of an hour are the results of ma- > terial civilization; likewise theá Krupp guns, the Mauser riftes, > dynamite, submarines, torpedo boats, armed aircraft and bomb- > ing aeroplanes-all these weapons of war are the malignant > fruits of material civilization. Had material ciVilization been > combined with Divine civilization, these fiery weapons would > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 18 > > never have been invented. Nay, rather, human energy would > have been wholly devoted to useful inventions and would have > been concentrated on praiseworthy discoveries. Material civili- > zation is like a lamp-glass. Divine civilization is the light itself . > and the glass without the light is dark. Material civilization > is like the body. No matter how infinitely graceful, elegant and > beautiful it may be, it is dead. Divine civilization is like the > spirit, and the body gets its life from the spirit, otherwise it be- > comes a corpse. It has thus been made evident that the world > of mankind is in need of. the breaths of the Holy Spirit. With- > out the spirit the world of mankind is lifeless, and without this > light the world. of mankind is in utter darkness. For the world > of nature is an animal' world. Until man is bom again from the > world of nature, that is to say, becomes detached from the world > of nature, he is essentially an animal, and it is the teachings of > God which convert this animal into a human soul. > And among the teachings of Baha'o'llah is the promotion of > education. Every child must be instructed in sciences as much > as is necessary. If the parents are able to provide the expenses > of this education, it is all right, otherwise the community must > .provide the means for the teaching' of that child. > And among the tEachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah is jus- > tice and right. Until these are realized on the plane of exis- > tence, all things shall be in disorder and remain imperfect. The > world of mankind is a world of oppression and cruelty, and a > realm of aggression and error. > In fine, such teachings are numerous. These manifold > principles, which constitute the greatest basis for the felicity of > . mankind and are of the bounties of the Merciful, must be added > to the matter of Universal Peace and combined with it, so that . > results may accrue. Otherwise the realization of Universal > Peace (by itself) in the world of mankind is difficult. As the > teachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah are combined with Univer- > sal Peace, they are like a table provided with every kind of fresh > and delicious food. Every soul can find, at that table of Infinite > bounty, that which he desires. If the question' is restricted to > Universal Peace alone, the remarkable results which are ex- > pected and desired will not be attained. The scope of Universal > Peace must be such that all the communities and religions may > > Digitized by Coogle > 14 REALITY > > find their highest wish realized in it. At present the teachings > of His Holiness Baha'o'llah are such that all the communities > of the world, whether religious, political or ethical, ancient or > modem, find in the teachings of Baha'o'llah the expression of > their highest wish. > For example, the people of religionS find, in the teachings > of His Holiness Baha'o'llah, the establishment of Universal Re- > ligion-a religion that perfectly confonns with present condi- > tions, which in reality effects the immediate cure of the incur- > able disease, which relieves every pain, and bestows the infallible > antidote for every deadly poison. For if we wish to arrange and > organize the world of manki~d in accordance with the present > religious imitations and thereby to establish the felicity of the > world of mankind, it is impossible and impracticabl&-for exam- > ple, the enforcement of the laws of the Old Testament (Taurat) > and also of the other religions in accordance with present imi- > tations. But the essential basis of all the Divine Religions > which pertains to the virtues of the world of mankind and is the > foundation of the welfare of the world of man, is found in the > teachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah in the most perfect pres- > entation. > ... Similarly, with regard to the peoples who clamor for free- > dom: the moderate freedom which guarantees the welfare of > the world of mankind and maintains and preserves the universal > relationships, is found in its fullest power and extension in the > teachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah. > So with regard to political parties: that which is the great- > est policy directing the world of mankind, nay, rather, the Di- > vine policy, is found in the teachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah. > Likewise with regard to the party of "equality" which seeks • > the solution of the economic problems: until now all proposed > 80lutiqns have proved impracticable except the economic propo- > sals in the teachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah which are prac- > ticable and cause no distress to society. > So with the other parties: when ye look deeply into ,this > matter, ye will discover that the highest aims of those parties > are found in the teachings of Baha'o'llah. These teachings con- > stitute the all-inclusive power among all men and are practicable. > But there are some teachings of the past, such as those of the > > Digitized by Coogle > > :... 0:. > REALITY 1& > Taurat, which cannot be carried out at the present day. 'It is > the same with the other religions and the tenets of the various > sects and the different parties. > For example, the question of Universal Peace, about which > His Holiness Baha'o'llah says that the Supreme Tribunal must > be established: although the League of Nations has been brought > into existence, yet it is incapable of establishing Universal Peace. > , But the Supreme Tribunal which His Holiness Baha'o'llah has > described will fulfill this sacred task with the utmost might and > power. And his plan is this: that the national assembles of each > country and nation-that is to say parliaments-should elect > two or three persons who are the choicest men of that nation, > and are well informed concerning international laws and the ~ > lations between governments and aware of the essential needs > of the world of humanity in this day. The number of these rep- > resentatives should be in proportion to the number of inhabi- > tants of that country. The election of these souls who are > chosen by the national assembly, that is, the parliament, must > be confirmed by the upper house, the congress and the cabinet > and also by the president or monarch so these persons may be > the elected ones of all the nation and the government. From > among these. people the members of the Supreme Tribunal will > be elected, and all mankind will th~ have a share therein, for > every one of these delegates is fully representative of his nation. > When the Supreme Tribunal gives a ruling on any international > question, either unanimously or by majority-rule, there will no > longer be any pretext for the plaintiff or ground of objection > for the defendant. In case any of the governments or nations, > in the execution of the irrefutable decision of the Supreme Tri- > bunal, be negligent or dilatory, the rest of the nations will rise > up against it, because all the governments and nations of the > world are the supporters of this Supreme Tribunal. Consider > what a firm foundation this is! But by a limited and restricted > League the purpose will not be realized as it ought and should. > This is the truth about the situation, which has been stated. > Consider how powerful are the teachings of His Holiness > Baha'o'llah. At a time when His Holiness was in the prison of > Aeca and was under- the restrictions and threats of two blood- > thirsty kings, notwithstanding this fact, his teachings spread > > Digitized by Coogle > 16 REALITY > > with all power in Persia and other countries. Should any teach- > ing, or any principle, or any community fall under the threat of > a powerful and blood-thirsty monarch it will be annihilated with- > in a short space of time. At present for fifty years t4e Bahais > in Persia and most regions .have been under severe restrictions > and the threat of sword and spear. Thousands of sQuls have > given their lives in the arena ofá sacrifice and have fallen as vie- > tims under the swords of oppression and cruelty. Thousands of > esteemed families have been uprooted and destroyed. Thousands > of children have been made fatherless. Thousands of fathers > have been bereft of their sons. Thousands of mothers have wept > and lamented for their boys who have been beheaded. All this op- > pression and cruelty, rapacity and blood-thirstiness did not hin- > der or prevent the spread of the teachings of Baha'o'llah: They > spread more and more every day, and power and might became > more evident. > It may be that some foolish person among the Persians will > affix his name to the contents of the Tablets of His Holiness > Baha'o'llah or to the explanations given in the letters (Tablets) > of Abdul Baha and send it to that esteemed Assembly. Ye must > be aware of this fact; for any Persian who seeks fame or has > some other intention will take the entire contents of the Tab- > lets of His Holiness Baha'o'llah and publish them in his own > name or in that of his community, just as happened at the Uni- > versal Races Congress in London before the war. A Persian > took the substance of the Epistles of His Holiness Baha'o'llah, > entered that Congress, gave them forth in his own name and > published them, whereas the wording was exactly that of His > Holiness Baha'o'llah. Some such souls have gone to Europe > and have caused confusion in the minds of the people of Europe > and have disturbed the thoughts of some Orientalists. Ye must > bear this fact in mind, for not a word of these teachings was > heard in Persia before the .appearance of Baha'o'llah. Investi- > gate this matter so that it may become to you evident and mani- > fest. Some- souls are like parrots. They learn any, note whicl > they may hear, and sing it, but they themselves are unaware > of what they utter. There is a sect in Persia at present made > up of a few souls who are called Babis, who claim to be followers > of His Holiness the Bab, whereas they are utterly unaware of > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 17 > > ms Holiness. They have some secret teachings which are en- > tirely opposed to the teachings of Baha'o'llah and in Persia pe0- > ple know this. But when these souls come to Europe, they con- > ceal their own teachings and utter those of His Holiness Baha- > 'a'llah, for they know that the teachings of His Holiness Baha- > 'o'llah are powerful and they therefore declare publicly those > teachings of Baha'o'llah in their own name. As to their secret > teachings, they say that they are taken. from the Book of Beyan, > and the Book of Beyan is from His Holiness the Bab. When > ye get hold of the translation of the Book of Beyan, which has > been translated in Persia, y~ will discover the truth that the > teachings of Baha'o'llah are utterly opposed to the teachings of > this sect.á Beware lest ye disregard this fact. Should ye desire > to investigate the matter further, enquire from Persia. > In fine, when traveling and journeying throughout the > world, wherever one finds construction, it is the result of fellow- > ship and love, while everything that is in ruin shows the effect > of enmity and hatred. Notwithstanding this, the world of hu- > manit~ has not become aware and has not awakened from the > sleep of heedlessness. Again it engages in differences, in dis- > putes and wrangling, that it may set up ranks of war and may > run to and fro in the arena of battle and strife. > So is it with regard to the universe and its corruption, exis- > tence and non-existence. Every contingent being- is made up of > different and numerous elements and the existence of every- > thing is a result of composition. That is to say, when between > simple elements a composition takes place a being arises; the > creation of beings comes about in this way. And when that > composition i~ upset, it is followed by decomposition, the ele- > ments disintegrate, and \that being becomes annihilated. That > is to say, the annihilation of everything consists in the decom- > position and the separation of elements. Therefore every union > and color of leaves, of flowers and of fruits, each will contribute > to the beauty and chann of the others and will make an admir- > able garden, and will appear in the utmost loveliness, freshness > and sweetness. Likewise when difference and variety of thoughts, > forms, opinions, characters and morals of the world of mankind > come under the control of one Supreme Power, that influence > -of composition among the elements is the cause of life, while dis- > > Digitized, by CoogIe > 18 REALITY > > sociation and separation is the cause of death. In short, > tion and hannony of things are the cause of the production of > fruits and useful results, while repulsion and inhannony of > thiTIgs _ ,r~re the cause of disturbance and annihilation. From > hannony and attraction, all living contingent beings, such as > plant, animal and Iflan, are realized, and from inbarmony > repulsion decay sets in and annihilation becomes manifest. > Therefore whatever is the cause of hannony, attraction and > among men is the life of the world of humanity, and what- > ever is the cause of difference, of repulsion and of separation is > the cause of the death of mankind. And when thou passest > a garden wherein vegetable beds and plants, flowers' and fragrant > barbs are all combined so as to form a harmonious whole, this > an evidence that this plantation and this rose garden have > been cultivated and arranged by the care of a perfect gardener, > while when thou seest a garden in disorder, lacking arrangement > and confused, this indicates that it has been deprived of the > care of a skillful gardener, nay, rather, it is nothing but a mass > of weeds. It has therefore been made evident that fellowship > and harmony are indicative of the training by the real Educa- > tor, while separation and dispersion prove wildness and depriva- > tion of Divine Training. > Should anyone object that, since the communities and na- > tions and races and peoples of the world hrre diffr,rent frrK:nali~ > ties, customs, tastes, temperaments, morals, varied thoughts, > minds and opinions, it is therefore impossible for ideal unity to > be made manifest and complete union among men to be realized, > we say that differences are of two kinds: One leads to destruc- > tion, ~~nd that is like the difference bet~veen pe,rlplnv > competing nations who destroy one another, uproot each other's > families, do away with rest and comfort and engage in blood- > shed and rapacity. That is blameworthy. But the other differ- > ence consists in variation. This is perfection itself and the cause > GI thv GppeGvanCG of Divine bounty. Considvv thv TIf > the rose garden. Although they are of different kinds, various > C()lors and diverse forms and appearances, yet as they drink > from one water, are swayed by one breeze and grow by the > wannth and light of one sun, this variation and this difference > cause eavh to thv beauty and splendl,rv vf the ,',Tn,,,.,,",, > REALITY 19 > The differences in manners, in customs, in habits, in thoughts, > opinions and in temperaments is the cause of the ad?mment of > the world of mankind. This is praiseworthy. Likewise this > difference and this variation, like the difference and variation of > the parts and members of the human body, are the cause of the > appearance of beauty and perfection. As these different parts > and members are under the control of the dominant spirit, and > the spirit permeates all the organs and "members, and rules all > the arteries and veins, this difference and this variation > strengthen love and harmony and this multiplicity is the great- > est aid to unity. If in a garden the flowers and fragrant herbs, > the blossoms and fruits, the leaves, branches and trees are of one > kind, of one form, of one color and of one arrangement, there is > no beauty or sweetness, but when there is variety in the world > of oneness, they will appear and be displayed in the most per- > feet glory, beauty, exaltation and perfection. Today nothing but > the power of the Word of God which encompasses the realities > of things can bring the thoughts, the minds, the hearts and the > spirits under the shade of One Tree. He is the Potent in all > things, the Vivifier of souls, the Preserver and the Controller > of the world of mankind. Praise be to God, in this day the light > of the Word of God has shone forth upon all regions, and from > all sects, communities, nations, tribes, peopleS, religions and > denominations, souls have gathered under the shadow of the > Word of Oneness and have in the most intimate fellowship > united and harmonized! > Some time ago, during the war, a letter (Tablet) was written > regarding the teachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah which may > appropriately be appended to this epistle. > > Tablet from Abdul Baha. > He Is God! > o people of the world! > The dawn of the Sun of Realityá is assuredly for the illum- > ination of the world and for the manifestation of mercy. In the > the assemblage of the family of Adam results and fruits are > praiseworthy, and the holy bestowals of every bounty are abun- > dant. It is an absolute mercy and a complete bounty, the illum- > ination of the world, fellowship and hannony, love and union; > nay, rather, mercifulness and oneness, the elimination of dis- > cord and the unity of whomsoever are on the earth in the ut- > > Digitized by Coogle > 20 REALITY . > most of freedom and dignity. The Blessed Beauty (Baha'o'llah) > said; "All are the fruits of one tree áand the leaves of one > branch." He likened the world of existence to one tree and all > the souls to leaves, blossoms and fruits. Therefore all the > br~ches, leaves, blossoms and fruits must be in the utmost of > freshness, and the bringing about of this delicacy and sweetness > depends upon union and fellowship. Therefore they must assis~ > each other with all their power and seek everlasting life. Thus > the friends of God must manifest the mercy of the Compassion- > ate Lord in the world of existence and must show forth the > bounty of the visible and invisible King. They must purify their > sight, and look upon mankind as the leaves, blossoms and fruits > of the tree of creation, and must always be thinking of doing > good to some one, of love, consideration, affection and assistance > to somebody. They must see no enemy and count no one as an > ill wisher. They must consider everyone on the earth as a > friend; regard- the stranger as an intimate, and the alien as a > companion. They must not be bound by any tie, nay, rather, > they should be free from every bond. In this day the one who > is favored in the threshold of grandeur is the one who offers the > cup of faithfulness and bestows the pearl of gift to the enemies,á > even to the fallen oppressor, lends a helping hand, and considers > every bitter foe as an affectionate friend. > These are the commands of the Blessed Beauty, these are the > counsels of the Greatest Name. 0 ye dear friends! The world is > engaged in war and struggle, and mankind is in the utmost con- > tlict and danger. The darkness of unfaithfulness lias enshrouded > the earth and the illumination of faithfulness has become con- > , cealed. All nations and tribes of the world have sharpened their > claws and are warring and fighting with each other. The edifice > of man is shattered. Thousands of families are wandering dis- > consolate. Thousands of thousands of souls are besmeared with > dust and blood in the arena of battle and struggle every year, > and the tent of happiness and life is overthrown. The promi- > ment men become commanders and boast of bloodshed, and glory > in destruction. One says: "1 have severed with my sword' the > necks of a nation," and one: "1 have levelled a kingdom to the > dust;" and another: "I have overthrown the foundation of a > government." This is the pivot around which the pride and > glory of mankind are revolving. In all regions friendship and > uprightness are denounced and reconciliation and regard for > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY It > truth are despised. The herald of peace, refonnation, love and > reconciliation is the Religion of the Blessed Beauty which haa > pitched its tent on the apex of the world and proclaimed its sum- > mons to the people. > Then, 0 ye -friends of God! Appreciate the vklue of this > precious Revelation, move and act in accordance with it and walk > in the straight path and the right way. Show it to the people. > Raise the melody of the Kingdom and spread abroad the teach- > ings and ordinances of the loving Lord so that the world may > become another world, the darkened earth may become illumined > and the dead body of the people may obtain new life. Every > soul may seek everlasting life through the breath of the Merci- > ful. Life in this mortal worId will quickly come to an end, and > this earthly glory, wealth, comfort and happiness will soon van- > ish and be no- more. Summon ye the people to God and ea1l the > souls to the manners and conduct of the Supreme Concourse. > To the orphans be ye kind fathers, and to the unfortunate a > refuge and shelter. _To the poor be a treasure of wealth, and to > the sick a remedy and healing. Be a helper of everY oppressed > one, the protector of every destitute one, be ye ever mindful- to > serve any soul of mankind. Attach no importance to self-seek- > ing, rejection, arrogance, oppression and enmity. Heed them > not. Deal in the contrary way. Be kind in truth, not only in > appearance and outwardly. Every soul of the friends of God > must concentrate his mind on this, that he may manifest the > mercy of God and the bounty of the Forgiving One. He must > do good to every soul whom he encounters, and render bene1it > to him, becoming the cause of improving the morals and correct- > ing the thoughts so that the light of guidance may shine forth > and the bounty of His Holiness the Merciful One may en- > compass. Love is light in whatsoever house it may shine and > enmity is darkness in whatsoever abode if dwell. > o friends of God! Strive ye so that this darkness may be > utterly dispelled and the. Hidden Mystery may be revealed and > the realities of things made evident and manifest. > (Signed) ABDUL BAHA ABBAS. > Transfated by: Shoghi Rabbani, > Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, > Mirza Lotfullah Hakim, > Dr. I. E. Esslemont. > (Haifa, Palestine, December 17, 1919.) > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > The Long Expected Guest > What if again upon the earth the Christ should walk, > As once He walked those far Judean hills, > Wandering footsore and weary over stony way, > By deserts bare; and rivulets and rills. > Would we, think you, by subtle presence fine, > Be sure to know His step and, glad, rejoice > That He had come, and welcome Him with outstretched hand, > And bid Him rest, with tender, loving voiCe? > If He should come again in humble human form, > As once before, unhearalded,-unknown: > A simple mortal, clad as other men, would we > Greet Him as King, and seat Him on His throne? > Would we be sure to see beneath the outer form > Divinity enshrined, and bend the knee > In homage? Give our hearts up gladly to His care? > .And hail Him Lord of high degree? > Alas' I fear not, friends, for few have eyes to see > The Father's Spirit clad in mortal guise: > Or hearts to feel the warm responsive glow that Alls > The souls of those who Spirit recognize, > Still are we looking, as in days of old looked they, > To see Him come in pomp and regal power, > All glorious in the heavens, with cloud of fire > And sound of trumpet to proclaim the hour. > Still look we for the outer show, still hope, still watch > To see with mortal eyes the King Divine, > Forgetting this, that Spirit ne'er can be discerned > By human sight however clear and fine. > Of the disciples, near and dear to Jesus' heart, > One only said, "Thou art the Christ indeed". > Three only saw the Glory on the mount when He > Transigured stood, The Prince of David's seed. > Per:chance there now doth walk the earth a man of God, > So pure and holy that there dwells above > The very presence of"the One o'ershadowing Him > With heavenly wisdom rare and strength and love, > Perchance in quiet hours, far from the maddening crowd, > As in those olden days when He was here, > He talks with chosen ones, and teaches them the way > To usher in the bright millenial year. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 21 > > o Man Divine' 0 Christ' If thou art here again > To raise the standard for the world anew, > And fill men's souls with aspiration from on high > For purer lives, more beautiful and true:- > Behold I stretch my arms to Thee, 0 living Christl > Where'er Thou art-howe'er ThQu art,- '. > . And give Thee loving welcome back to earth, > And hail Thee King of kings,-Lord of my heart r > -TOWNSEND ALLEN. > > Is Mrs. Harding a Bahai? > By Mrs. Herold Robinsofl > > I T was an irresistible force that drew me to Washington, a > f~w weeks ago,-an irresistible something which woul~ not > be denied urged me to go there, to carry "REALITY'S" sen- > timents in favor of disannament to the' very doors of our Na- > tion's Capitol, and to .there lay upon the desk of every Senator > and Congressman the wise thoughts of Bahai followers on this > extraordinarily important subject. > And, therefore, almost entirely without preparation, I at > last made the trip, so strong became the urge that possessed > me, and, as a result of its persistence, I found myself for the > first time in Washington-that city of incomparable beauty and > facination. > My first few days in Washington were an engrossing medley > of plans for my line of activity among the country's statesmen > gathered there, the crowding into already full hours just an- > other few minu. of something or other that seemed too in- > dispensably worth-while to be missed, all of which will live on, > and on, even insofar as is concerned the slightest details, I think, > in my melllory, always. > One of the latter events, the Ku Klux Klan hearing proved > to be of the most intense interest, and, at the conclusion of the > second mornincs session which I attended, I determined to re- > turn there, again, in the afternoon. This hearing was held in > the Caucus Room of the Congress House, and so, after luncheon > I turned my footsteps thither, as I had planned. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > Much alike architecturally, the Congress House and the > Senate House stand close together, which, no doubt, accounts > for my inadvertently entering the latter, instead of the fonner, > my mind, I suppose being somewhat preoccupied by the events > of the morning. Anyhow, my ~rror undiscovered, I proceeded, > at once, to the Caucus Room, which, as soon as I had Passed in, > I realized was not the right room at all, for here a large party' > of women had just finished luncheon, and were gathered to- > gether in small knots, about the room, conversing. > Immediately conscious of my unintentional intrusion I > quickly turned to leave in haste, at which the attendant at the > door evinced some little surprise: . > "Mrs. Harding is in there," said he, increduously. "Don't > you Wish to see her?" > Of course, I wished to see her! What loyal, red-blooded > American would not wish to see, and if possible, speak to the > First Lady of this wonderful nation of ours. > So, I said, very eagerly: "Yes, indeed I do!" > This gratfied the doonnan immensely, and he indicated > that I was to return, by all means, if I so desired;- and I 80 > desired. > Within the room again, I gazed all about, and was just leav- > ing when one of the members of the luncheon party came up > and addressed me rather frostily, I thought. > "Are you a senator's wife?" asked she. > "No, I am not," was my answer. > "Then, you have no right in here." > An apology leaped to my lips-I had not really meant to in- > trude, but I did want to see Mrs. Harding, and I was so very > humiliated at the question raised as to bemg where I was- > and, then the blood of my good, staunch American ancestry rose > up to my rescue!.. and I replied: . > "No, I'm just a plain American citizen at present, perhaps, > though, some day, I may be a senator myself-it is "possible- > who knows?" > Just at this point we were joined by Mrs. Harding, who ap- > proached me, and said, very cordially: > "You are a stranger, are you not? I wish to greet you." > > Digitized by Coogle > REALI.TY > > Mrs. Harding's enchanting smile, her charming graciou. > ness, and her dignity together, completely banished, in an in- > stant, all the hurt of the other's slight, and when she told me > she would expect me to eall upon her, at the White House, dur- > ing my stay in Washington, I was quite ,overcome with delight. > The next day a carraige from the White House ealled and > an invitation was left for me, beautifully engraved upon heavyJ > white paper, surmounted by the Presidential crest, in gold, which > read: > Mrs. Harding will be gla4 to receive Mrs. > Herold S. Robinson on Friday afternoon, > October fourteenth, at three o'clock. > rm sure that it would not be possible for anyone to present > herself, as I was bid, more happily than did I, on the afternoon > of the fourteenth, at the hour designated, and my heart fairly > thrilled in the pleasure of anticipation, the few minutes I waited > in the exquisite Blue Room, (a harmony in blue and ivory and > gold) until I should be ushered into Mrs. Harding's presence. > Mrs. Harding received me in the Green Room, plE!!UJantly > and simply, and by her cordial manner implied that she was > truly glad to see me. - > Her eyes are blue-understanding, expressive eyes,cheer- > fully human and her cheeks aá clear, lovely pink which a young > girl might well envy, and, oh, her hands: such capable, shapely, > strong-looking hands, hands whose clasp ~t once proclaims the > sincerity of their owner. > A woman of exceeding personal charm, with the broadest of > democratic ideas, genuinely and actively concerned in a multi- > tude of interests, each of which receives her personal attention. > Honorary President of the Girl Scouts of Alperica, herself, > the discussion of- this organization furnished us with an agree- > able topic of mutual interest, when Mrs. Harding learned my > position in the Executive Council of Yonkers Girl Scouts, to > whom she afterward requested me to carry her greetings, and > very good wishes. > The White House, no doubt, has had many noble, charming > mistresses, but, when I departed from it, it was with the ftrm > conviction that there never could possibly have been another, > before her, with any more admirable, likeable qualities than are . > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > possessed by its present mistress, who seems to be richly en- > dowed, indeed, with all the grace and stately dignity, demanded > by her position. - > I also concluded that, as it is with many true Bahais, not > actually or actively affiliated with the Bahai movement, but who > are. really Bahais at heart, so also it is with Mrs. Harding. She > has, I am convin~, all of the qualifications, all of the attributes > of the declared Bahai. > Washington, therefore, was very kind. to me, and I wish > space permitted my going into detail concerning other memor- > able happenings encompassed within those few days, which wiD > always stand out, like high-lights, in my life: > My eall at the Persian Embassy, and the Persian Ambas- > sador's prompt, splendid response, with his views on disa.rm&- > ment; my two-hour inten1ew with the Honorable Alice Robert- > son, Representative from Oklahoma, but there isn't room, and > anyhow my reception by Mrs. Harding was the most important > event of all, and I have described it, herein, quite fully and > faithfully. > > To Dante > BI/ Edith Burr > > To sing thy praise in song of gold, reveal > Thy greatnesS-none was bom to reach this heightl > Too vast the happiness, too far the ftight. > Would I could, dying, by my death unseal > The flowering strains mine inmost heart would weal; > For as the sun illumes with golden light, > Or. as the moon gives silver to the night, > My soul would rend the azure veils and steal > Unto thy heaven. Supreme the glad white hour > As I come bringing love's fair crimson flower, > Upon thy heart all worshipful to lay. > Dante I adored on every toiling sphere, > Of all that love thee on thy deathless day, > Firenze, with a furtive sigh, holds dear. > > DigitizedbyGoogl~ J > REALITY > 11 Ukyo machi, YotS1,ya, Tokyo, lapa", > October 3, 1921. > Letter trom Agnes Alexander. > > How Abdul Baha Opened the Door to > Korea. > I N the winter of 1920, a young Korean asked for an introduc- > tion to this servant. He was searching for Truth and became > interested in the Bahai Teachings, and regularly came to this > little home, always rejoicing and sometimes bringing friends > from his land, who were told of Abdul Baha. It seemed he was > the first of his countrymen to hear the Glad Tidings and so it > was hoped that he would be the one to carry the Message to > Korea. One day he came, His bright spirit seemed to have > faded and he went out from this little home without rejoicing. > Then this servant supplicated the Beloved that she might be in- > spired with a message to send to this young man, that his heart > might again rejoice. After supplicating at eve, mid-night and > morn, as no inspiration had come, she started to go out. As > she stepped from the tram car in the city, suddenly an illumina- > tion caine. It was that she was to go herself to Korea. From > that instant, the greatest interest in the country and people > was awakened in her, and she immediately entered a book store > to inquire for books and literature. She thought then that she > would be going immediately, but this was not His Plan, and > other things were to be accomplished first. > Shortly after this, the Korean friend returned to his home > accompanied by a Japanese friend, Mr. Yanagi, a friend of the > young Koreans, who is striving through the means of art to > make better understanding between the two oriental peoples. > That was the first of May, 1920, and from that time no news > came from him. Before their departure, this servant visited > the home of Mr. Yanagi accompanied by the Korean friend, Mr. > 0., and on Mr. Yanagi's return to Japan he sent this servant > the following message:-"Your visit to Abike gave me indee3 > great pleasure. Your enthusiastic talk not only directed me to > the Bahai Revelation, but showed me the depth of your faith. > I received your kind letter and many pamphlets you sent me, > > , DigitizedbyGoogle > • REALITY > at Seoul. I hope you will go to Korea as soon as, possible. I be- > lieve your faith in the Bahai Truth is fresh and vital enough for > the Korean people, because they are now thirSty for true religion. > Though this servant was not guided to go to Korea at that > time, yet the doors began to open through the means of Esper- > anto, and three of these friends turned their hearts toward > Abdul Baha, while two became subscribers to "The Star of the > East." > During the past summer, this servant remained in Tokyo > without plans, but turning always in trust to Abdul Baha. Each > day brought new experiences and new work, suddenly one day > an inspiration came that it was now time to move, then Korea > came to mind, and from that moment His assistance and con- > finnations came without ceasing. In one week she was on the > train bound for Korea and carrying letters 'of introduction from > one of Japan's most eminent men. It was on the 19th day of > August she left Tokyo, just two years from the day she had > arrived for her second visit. > When the inspiration came to go to Korea, this .servant > knew that first of all it was necessary that officially it should > be known what her mission was, that she might have official > permission to teach, otherwise it could not be done, owing to > the conditions which have existed since the years ago. Her first > guidance led her to the eminent gentlemen already spoken of, > who had been most kind to her. An interview was arranied. > This servant first explained that the Bahais were forbidden to > enter into polities. The only message she carried in her hand > was that of Abdul Baha's words to Miss Knobloch who went to > S. Africa. The eminent gentleman asked many questions for an > hour and a half, at the end of which he said with a smile, that > he would himself give introductions to the Governor and others > with whom he was personally acquainted. He also said, which > is repeated only for His glory, that he admired this servant be- > cause she came alone, and stood alone, and tool:: nothing from > anyone. Also itá pleased him gI'eatly that the Bahais did not > enter into polities. The gentleman is a follower ofá Confucius > teachings. He is a capitalist who is honored because he has > always followed moral teachings in his ábusiness dealings. He > said he was thinking along the line of the Bahai teachings when > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > this servant came and told him of the Message of Baha'o'llah. > (I will add that he is over 80 years old, does not speak English; > although he has traveled much, and that now he is going to > Washington with a party to attend that wonderful Pacific Con- > ference on Armistice Day.) > Two days after a messenger brought this servant four let- > ters of introduction, written in Japanese on long scrolls. Then > the night before she left, Mr. Yanagi, already spoken of, came > and gave her a card to the editor of the only English paper in > Korea, and so she started on the journey which takes two days > . and two nights of travel from Tokyo to Seoul, the capital of > Korea, which was her destination. > She knew no one in Korea except the friend, Mr. 0., and > did not know where he was at the time. The first morning in > Seoul, or Keijo, as the Japanese call the capitol, she discovered > that the room she had taken on arrival at the hotel the night > before was number 19. The editor of the "Seoul Press" was > met first. When he saw one of the introductions she carried, he > was ready to do anything for her. The next morning the gov- > ernmentoffices were visited. There she met the Governor Gen- > eral and many other officials. None of them had ever heard of > the Bahai Message before, but all receive the Japanese number > "9" booklet. First, a short interview was had with the Governor > General, then with his English secretary and the two head offi- > cials of the Foreign Relations department. Two hours were > spent at the government office that memoriable morning, and > during that time the chief of police was communicated with and > told of this servant, that she should be given freedom to teach > in Korea. Truly His ways are wonderful! With a light heart > she returned to her hotel, for up to that time she had not spoken J > > of the Bahai Teachings after entering Korea. At the govern- > ment offices she had explained that according to the teachings > of Baha'o'llah one should respect the government of the country > where one resided, and 80 she desired to do everything in har- > mony with the government. > All the way on her journey she had a wonderful feeling as > though she were going to her family, instead of to a strange > land where she knew no one, with one eXception. On entering > Korea she was thrilled with interest and realized that it was a > > Digitized by Coogle > 80 REALITY > > virgin country she was entering where no spiritual violation > had yet come, and where the soil was fresh and pure and ready > for the divine seeds. The people in their native costume, all of > white linen from head to foot, were most striking. These pe0- > ple have a civilization which dates back before the time of Christ. > Their kingdom has been called the "Hennit Kingdom," as for > many hundreds of years they remained within themselves, and > -today their costume is their own, which perhaps they have worn > since the time of Christ, or even before. Their literature and > art came to them through China, and today there remains but > remnants of this wonderful golden age of art and literature. > From Korea the renaissance of art passed to Japan. This ser- > vant realized that the outer garment worn by the men was of > the same fashion as that worn by the Master, Abdul Baha. > In the afternoon a young deaf man came to whom Mr. Torii > had telegraphed. This servant had heard of him several years > before, for he had learned of the Teachings in Tokyo from Mr. > Torii. Though he has never heard since birth, yet he has > learned English and reads the lips. He became a devoted friend > and every day waited on this servant, doing all in his power to > aid in her work. This young man now is sailing for England, > and next fall expects to go to America and enter Gaulodett col- > lege in Washington, D. C., for the deaf. When this servant > thanked him for his kindness he replied that he didn't want it > mentioned, that he did it for Abdul Baha. He sent for several > friends and then together they went to visit the head of the > Japanese Y. M. C. A., to whom this servant had been given an > introduction at the government offices. Her next desire was to > :find the Korean friend, Mr. 0., so she asked the aid of the Y. Me > C. A. friend. This servant made no plans but left all for His > guidance and assistance, and it seemed that without any effort > on her part, all the doors opened. > The next afternoon, as the Korean friend had not yet been > found, she turned to Abdul Baha, knowing that He would do > whatever He willed. A very short time after, as she was riding > in the car with Mr. Kurita, the deaf young man, and some of > his friends, suddenly her hand was grasped. On looking up she > found it was Mr. O! Before ~his in the morning she had pre- > sented her card at the American Consulate, told a trifle of her > > Digitized by Coogle > -REALITY 81 > > mission, and that she had the pennission of the government, > leaving a "9." All these people, except Mr. Kurita, had never > heard the word "Bahai" before. In the early morning of that > day it had come to this servant that something should be pub- > lished that day in the Japanese papers. The English daily that > morning had a notice of her arrival and purpose. She also > visited the First bank where she had an introduction to the head > of the bank. He dropped all business and for an hour talked > of spiritual things and invited this servant to come for more > 'talks, and also to his home for a Japanese dinner. On returning > at noon to the hotel she found a young newspaper man waiting > with an introduction from the Governor General's English secre- > tary. He asked her to come with him to a Japanese paper for > an interview. This servant carried in her hand a photo of Abdul > Baha and when asked for her picture, as is the usual custom of > the Japanese papers, she presented Abdul Baha's in its place. > They then compromised, asking her to have her picture taken > holding His photo, but as she said she could not do this,i His > Picture was copied, but in the end a picture was taken in the > garden as a souvenir, so they said. This picture was used > though, and placed together with Abdul Baha's in the news- > paper the next day. This servant saw a significance in this fact, > for Abdul Baha was the Speaker, while she was but the instru- > ment through which He was working. This was the first time > in that country for the picture of Abdul Baha to appear, though > through one of the Esperantists the year before an -article had > appeared in a Korean magazine which was dedicated to this > servant for her success. It was translated by a Korean friend > in Tokyo, and appeared to be one of the best articles whkh had - > been written in the Far East. > The meeting with Mr. O. was a very happy one after a year > and a half in which this servant had not heard from him. He > accompanied her to the hotel, on the way meeting many of his > Korean friends to whom she was introduced. Then the doors > began to open. The next morning together they visited the lead- > ing Korean newspaper where the photo of Abdul Baha and the > Bahai Temple were copied. It seemed very significant, as it was > the first time for it to appear in a Korean paper. That after- > noon among other callers was an official from the Governor Gen- > > Digitized by Coogle > 82 REALITY > eral's office who came to learn something of the Revelation. He > had only recently returned to Japan after twelve years' study in > America. It really seemed wonderful how Abdul Baha guided • > that all these government ~ffieia1s should hear of Him. > The next day.a gentleman from the religious section of the > government came to eall. He proved to be a real friend and for > an hour and a half we talked. He had lived in Hawaii and knew > my family, so it made a'bond. Mr. Kurita, the deaf young man. > gave me a party that afternoon•. Fourteen were present, Japan- > ese Ladies and young men and also a missionary and his wife > who proved to be good friends. ' > On the following day the International Friendship ass0cia- > tion gave this servant a reception. This was wholly due to the > introductions He willed she should carry and was to His honor. > It is composed of the official and leading men of Seoul. Twen- > ty-two were present. Three were ladies. This was the first > time Japanese ladies had been invited, but 'as this servant was > the only lady, they invited them for her company. She saw > great significance in this fact. The Power of the Message of > Baha'o'llah brought it about. This servant was asked to speak > on the Revelation, after which questions were asked. Mter- > wards both the Japanese and English papers published a notice > of the meeting, etc. > The hotel where this servant stayed, the Chosen Hotel, is > the center of life in that capital. It is built on the grounds of a > wonderful temple, and connected with the garden is the Temple > of Heaven. It was around this temple with its wonderful old > carvings and interior paintings that this servant had many of' > her Bahai talks and interviews. Here the travelers from and > to China and Japan stop off, and ev.ery day was a changing > scene. > After a week had passed His Plan for the opening of the > Cause in that. spot became apparent. In His Plan áthe highest > officials were the first to hear His Message. Seven of these from > the Governor General down this servant had individual talks > with. The next were the editors of the leading newspapers. > The two largest Japanese, Korean and the only English were all > interviewed and wrote articles, the Japanese and Korean papers > publishing both Abdul Baha's picture and that of the Temple. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY S8 > > The English paper being very small (only four pages) had no > space for pictures, but three times it published something, twice > giving up a whole column to the Teachings. The word Bahai was > new to all. Does this act show the great necessity for travel > and individual teaching at this time when hearts are open. Not > in one instance with anyone's was the least prejudice shown. If > the editors and officials could grasp the Cause, it would be the > means of opening, it to all, and thus the gulf which exists be- > tween these two peoples, (Korean and Japanese) .would be $I- > tered through the Cause of Baha'o'llah. > "Several months ago in a letter from Mrs. Kunz of Urbana, > ru.., she spoke of their meeting on their way to visit Abdul Baha, > a young Korean Christian who became interested in the Teach- > ings and visited Abdul Baha. She added that if I ever should > go to Korea, she hoped I would be guided to find him, but she > didnot mention his name. Through Mr. O. 1 found his name and > address and wrote him, and on September 1st, his reply came. > He wrote in part :-"1 was glad to hear of your visit to Seoul. > Your first visit to this country shall ever remain in the history > of the people. The Master, Abdul Baha, has given to me the > very timely message for this generation. . . . . 1 pray that you > shall ever be under the Divine guidance during these days in > order that the great work may be started in right method and > direction. 1 shalt call on you soon after my arrival at Seoul." > On Sept. 2 the first public Bahai meeting was held. 1 had > consulted with the friend of the religious section of the govern- > ment how I could meet with the young Korean friends. He sug- > gested to me a society called "Chundokyo," "The Heavenly Way." > This society was started about 60 years ago. The founder united > Confueiaists, Taotists and Buddhists and today Christians also > have united with it. Mr. O. brought one of the leaderS of the > society to interview me and after an hour's talk, (Mr. O. inter- > preting as he did not speak English) he said we should unite. > There was also present a young Buddhist who became delighted > with the Teachings. A notice of the meeting was Dublished in > the Korean paper and that evening Mr. O. came to take me and > interpret. He was late in coming and when we arrived I found > it was. a great hall or temple. It was like a dream to me, for > there before me were hundreds sitting on the matted floor with > > Digitized by Coogle > 84 REALITY > • > feet crossed, almost a! in their white Korean costumes. On one > side sat the women, a small part of the great audience, also in > white costumes. Mr. O. first spoke as an introduction. Though > I do not know what he said, yet he seemed ftlled with great fer- > vor. This servant trusted only Abdul Baha to guide her words > and spoke simply, Mr. O. translating into Korean. The one point > emphasized was the Center, Abdul Bah&, to whom all could turn > for comfort. The friend from the religious section of the gov- > ernment I had asked to come, and he brought word to me from > one of the heads of the foreign relations department that he was > very glad I was going to speak and sorry he had been too busy > to see more of me, though he had the little number "9." So > Abdul Baha made the way so easy, and this servant felt perfect > freedom in speaking. Afterwards one of the leaders of the s0- > ciety came in great joy, saying the Teachings were what he be- > lieved. Mr. D., the Japanese friend from the government, talked > in Japanese with him, and it seemed as if a great unity was be- > ~g made. He gave his card which showed he belonged to the > officials of the government, but he explained that he had known > my family in Hawaii and as I was alone, he was helping me. Mr. > D. then suggested that the number "9" should be published in > Korean. Mr. D. said he thought there were 1,500 preseJ.lt. It > seemed a large number but Mr. O. thought about 900. I do not > believe that anywhere has the Bahai message been given for > the first time publicly in a new country to so great an audience. > I realized my own incapacity and only wished I could be a little > like the wonderful beloved teacher, Fazel, ,who attracted all > hearts in America. > This first public talk had been arranged with only one day's > notice to the public, which was through the Korean daily, the > Dong-a. The editors of this paper strive to print only true state- > ments and nothing sensational. The writer felt from her meet- > ing with them, that they would become Bahais and heralders > o~ the Universal Truth wherein all are brothers. > Besides other articles, the English daily published a column > of the words of Abdul Baha concerning Esperanto and this was > translated into Japanese and published in the leading Japanese > daily with the picture of the Temple. > At last on September 5, the happy meeting with Mr. R., > > Di9itize~ by Coogle > REALITY 86 > the young Korean who met Abdul Baha, came about. Almost at > the same time the friend, Mr. 0., came into the hotel.. All that > day the Invisible forces had been guiding that these two friends > should together in unity arrange a booklet for their people, and > the contents of that booklet had been given to this servant, > which was the words of Abdul Baha with a short introduction. > Sitting by the side of the Temple of Heaven these wonderful in- > spirations came, and it seemed they were fulfilled in the meet- > ing in the evening. This servant realized the great capacity of > the friend, Mr. R. It seems he has been permitted to have the > best that education could give" after six years study in Japan > he spent six more years in the United States, graduating from > Columbia college and also a Theological sominary, then he spent > a year at Oxford University. On returning home he visited tile > Holy Land, expecting to go to Haifa to see Abdul Baha, but un- > expectedly at the Sea of Galilee, he found Abdul Baha occupy- > ing the room next to his! There he had several interviews. > When he told Abdul Baha what his work was to be, Abdul Baha > told him to teach only the words of Christ from the four g0s- > pels. Mr. R. is connected with a mission, teaching in a Christian > college, also a theological school and preaching. He is in sym- > pathy with us though not yet aware of the Great Center. He > feels the need of this day, and though he cannot work openly, > he is one in heart. The next day unexpectedly to us both, we > had another meeting. > The night after the meeting with the two friends, a reali- > zation came to this servant, it was that Abdul Baha had opened > all doors and the people were now free to search for themselves, > and it could never be said they had been forgotten in His Great > Plan. > The next afternoon this seryant wasá invited to speak to the > members of the First bank. After working hours they assem- > bled, about fifty. Though they could not all understand the Eng- > lish, yet it was a little seed planting and the future will tell. > After the talk, the banker took this servant and an American > friend to his home where a wonderful Japanese feast was served. > This servant noted that there were just nine present and re- > ~ked on it. The banker then said he had purposely planned > it so because of the Bahai number. > > ---. Digitized by Coogle > 86 REALITY > . > The next day, the 8th, was the Bahai feast day, and so this > servant had asked Mr. O. to arrange for her a meeting place > where sha could give a feast in the name of Abdul Baha, the first > to be given in that land. Mr. O. invited his friends who we~ in- > terested. It was held in the lunch room of the Korean Y. M. C. A.. > There were eleven present and His Power was with us. They > planned to make an assembly with Mr. O. as presideut and so the > books I had.brought were left with him to fonn a library. These > young men know little English, so Mr. O. had to act as interpre- > . ter. They knew little of the Cause, but there was a wonderful > spirit and He surely was with us at this first Bahai meeting in > the land of the "Morning Calm." This servant told those pres- > ent how at the same time at their feast, all over the world, > wherever there were Bahais, similiar feast were being held, and > thus a great world unity was being made. Abdul Baha was > the Center of the conversation and all the questions asked con- > cerned Him, as to His station, His daily life and life from > childhood. > Some cards were passed around on which those present > wrote their names, and also sentiments to be sent to Abdul > Bah&; The followingá is the translation of these words which > were written in the Korean language. > "The messageá of Truth which shines all' round the uni- > verse." -Mr. O. > "Various streams running into the same ocean." > "Found a fountain in the mountain~" > ''The same origin from the first." > • - Secretary Korean Y. M. C. A. > "Just now I found the brilliant light of Bahai." > "Newest voice of Truth." . > - An editor of the Dong-a daily. > ''The universal supreme mountain of Truth." . > "Long life to the Bahai of the fair and impartial." > - -Teacher Christian college. > "Oh freedom! Oh Bahai!" > There were just nine who wrote their names, as one had > left early and this servant made the eleventh. > 'The next night, September 9th, these young men gave this > servant a Korean feast. Some could not come, but their places > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 8'1 > > were others; and so the Message was spread farther. > In these young men this servant saw a capacity. It was a heav- > enly feast, the only sorrow for this servant was that no sisters > were present, but this is something she has had to suffer. Those > present wrote their names to be sent to Abdul Baha, and a pho-' > tograph was taken. It was striking that it was the ninth > month, day, and nine names were sent to Abdul Baha. > The next day, one of the young men who was present came > to see this servant. He said he had stayed up until 2 o'clock > reading little Japanese "9," and thinking it over. This young > man who is 22, knows Korean, Chinese and Japanese, as well > 88 some English and Esperanto. He was bom in Korea but > moved with his family when young to China, where he was ed,!- > . eated, later coming to Japan to enter college. At this servant's > suggestion, he wrote to Mr. Fugete. '" > Another wonderful afternoon was spent at the Buddhist > school where Mr. O. is a teacher. (I might say that Mr. O. was > educated in Japan where he graduated from a theological school.) > The school is conducted in a Buddhist monastery in the suburbs > of Seoul, a quiet spot where this servant felt the most harmon- > ious atmosphere, as though it were similiar to that of Palestine > where she has not been. The meeting was held in the temple > hall with beautiful Buddhist decorations in the bright Korean > colors over head on the ceiling. Mr. O. first made an introduc- > tion, and then translated for this servant. Her first words were > in showing the picture of Abdul Baha to the young students. > Was it not a wonderful sign of the times that this servant, a > westerner and Christian by birth, .could tell of the wonderful > new Message in an old Buddhist temple to Buddhist students in > that far away land! Also the fact that she was a woman was a > striking example of what the power of. Baha'o'llah has done in > the world. > At first some of the faces of the stUdents, perhaps one or > two, looked a trifle amused, but they grew more and more earn- > est. This servant lingered afterwards.á The inspiration came to > send a greeting to Abdul Baha from' that spot, and so a few > who also had lingered wrote in Korean while Mr. O. and another > teacher who knew English wrote in English. Mr. O. translated > the students expressions. The following is what was written. > > Digitized by Google .. .J > 88 REALITY > > "The college students have touched the new spirit and there > burned in their hearts wonderful inspiration. This wonderful > opportunity was experienced through Miss A's earnest Message > which was brought into this land of "Morning Galm." > -Mr. O. > "I experienced a wonderful truth and new spirit." > -A teacher. > "To my Master, Abdul Baha, who is the Hero of Universal > Peace in the world. -Student. > "Offering hearty thanks to our unseen Master who is in the > far away land." -Student. > "I am most interested and offer thanks for the great Bahai > spirit of the Equality of Humanity and the breaking up of all > prejudices which is the common want in modem life." > -Student. > "I cannot help to praise your new spirit with my white fever > heart, that thif: spirit is the saving power of the modem life. I > feel very proud of this new spirit." -Student. > "I have found the principle of True Life in your Teaching > and I promise to be a very good friend with you." > -Student. > (It seems there were just nine messages sent, as two are > omitted.) > September 16th was the day when the Koreans remember > the dead. On that day With Mr. O. a visit was made to 'the > Chundokyo society, then to one of their schools, and ending in > a wonderful Korean feast, which was given this servant by two > of the members of the society. They wanted to speak of how > we could unite, as they felt we should. At the school ten minu- > tes was given this servant to speak to the students while they > stood in the hot sun with their heads bared, as they had no room > large enough for all to meet in. It was a little seed which was > sown, but in the future it may bear great fruits, for after the > little talk, which was interpreted by Mr. O. (who said he added > emphasis to all this servant said), a student came up, and in > good English asked if he might come to see Miss A. He came > later to call, bringing two friends from his home city whlch is > in the north. It seems that there he had seen a Japanese "9." > He had been educated in the mission school and thus knew Eng- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 89 > 1ish. He was very eager to get books and learn more, and it is > hoped that these three young men win become the seed-in their > home when they return for their vacations. > On September 17, for the last time this servant me. some > of those who were interested. It was in the Korean Y. M. c. A. > First Mr. O. gave a talk addressing this servant. (He truly > áworked hard in helping this servant during her visit.) Then > this servant spoke of the unity we must make and urged those > present to meet together each week for study and also of ''The > Star of the East," that we must make it as Abdul Baha wishes, > the Star of all the East. There were nine present but not all > at one time, as some had work in the Y. M. C. A. > The last day of Seoul, September 18th, was a blessed > one. In His Name 19 bunches of flowers were taken to the > Severance hospital and distributed among the poor patients. The > joy of some of these souls was a blessing to witness. Surely > they brought joy because His love was there. > And thus the wonderful month under His guidance and > .stanCes came to an end, but His love is .forever planted and > will grow brighter and brighter, until those souls who are awak- > ened will receive new life and light. > This servant realized that the years spent in Japan had > been the preparation for the work in that part, for the knowl- > edge of Japan, and even the language, was the instrument to > open the way, and without this the doors could not have been > opened in a similar way. > Yes, they are awakening the people of the "Hermit King- > dom." The modem world has suddenly burst upon them. Now > spiritual food must be given them, and so in His great love, He > guided this servant to be an instrument to carry His Message. > On the morning of September 19th, this servant started on > her homeward journey. On that same day, in 1914, she had left > war stricken Europe, under His guidance, to travel to Japan, > and again in 19~7, she had left Honolulu to travel to America, > so the date seemed to work a change in her life. . > Now she is alone in her little Tokyo home, but His love has > come in a Tablet, and His promise and assurance of assistance > and confirmation, so she has nothing to do but trust and pray > . and strive to purify her heart for His manifestation. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > Dear friends, this story has become long, and I fear too > long, please forgive, but it surely will bring our hearts nearer > together. Also she has to ask forgiveness for the bad typeinl'. > on account of a poor typewriter. __ > Loving greetings to all, from your humble sister, > AGNES ALEXANDER. > > Thanksgiving" Day > B1I Edtlla Bu" > o Thanksgiving Day, > I thought you would never come! > And I have a song of rapture to sing- > . > A song of gladness to sing for gifts of the year• > o Thanksgiving Day, > I would -kneel at your feet, > Hushed to silence by the glory of your face; > Yesterday I was sorrow-worn > And fear prevailed in my heart, > And meurning words on my tongue > As the evening mist fell > To cover the crimson path > Where hovered anguishing sounds > In the gloom and darkness. > o Thanksgiving Day, > I feel the warmth of the new sun > Rising in the eastern sky. , > A sacred :tire is burning on the home-hearth- > I can dream near the slow-rising flame; > I :can make Jest as I count my blessings; > I can dance with my feet and my heart; > And I am not afraid of Death- > The white messenger of Life. > o Thanksgiving Day, > I garland your head with green leaves, > For you have opened mysterious doors; > And 0 miracle, > I have seen Beauty revealed > In the rose-scented garden of to-morrow I > > Digitized by Coogle > > REALITY 41 > > THE CURRENT ART > By Mary Hanford Ford > > The Overseas Exhibit of American Art which was shown > at the Whitney Studio, 8 West 8th St., from the 2nd to the. > 15th of November, was a most significant and interesting dis- > play of the younger AmericaJl Art. Mrs. Whitney says, "The > Overseas Exhibit has been shown in Venice, London, Paris and > Sheffield," and though invited to .museums in other places, > such as Birmingham, Glasgow and the Hague, Mrs. Whitney > felt that the artists had already done their part in allowing > their pictures to travel so far and for so long a time, .and that > it was best to bring them home instead." > The exhibit is so truly expressive of the real American > spirit of the younger Art that it is a pity it cannot travel wide- > ly through this country as well as Europe, because it would > certainly convince all independent. and thinking people that the > United States possesses an Art distinctly ~haracteristic of its . > people. > We have in this most charming collection of paintings the > current art and yet a sufficient suggestion of what' stretches > behind it to give it the proper background. For instance, there > is quite a group of Eakins pictures, who always remained aca- > demic in his expression, but became an excellent painter of that > school. Then came two canvases by Theodore Robinson who did > more than any other single man to bring the open air feeling > into Ameri~n Art. They are beautiful, luminous, full of that > warm and lovely color which one is always sure of in this artist. > Then there is Abbot H. Thayer's "Sunrise on Mount Monad- > nock," from the Metropolitan Museum, magnificent in its light > and majesty. Also a charming and typical canvas by Alden > Weir, "In the Sun," a girl in white permitting those modula- > tions of light which he so dearly loved. There are also two > canvases by Twachtman which might have been painted yester- > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > day, so full of light and broadly brushed are they, "Sailing"t > which shows us a dreamer in his boat, and "Cos Cob, Connecti- > cut", with the unforgettable old white horse stepping peace- > fully through shallow water. > Advancing a bit we have three typi:cal landscapes by Red- > field, excellent in their open air feeling, and four admirable > ones from the luminous brush of Emest Lawson, who stands > alone in atmosphereic painting. There could be no greater > contrast in the work of a single landscapist than the poetic and > tender beauty of his "Spring", and the massive splendor of > the "Snowbound Spruce". Paul Dougherty also has a fine > canvas in his "Battatock Cove". > These might pass anywhere and be accepted, because they > represent what the general public has begun to understand, > butá the canvases of the more radical school, so admirably > grouped constitute the .permanent value of this unique e:dlibit. > George Luks, of course, ranks among these, and we find here > his magnificent "Wrestlers", painted iná 1906, which a lesser > artist would have made memorable alone for its leamed por- > trayal of muscular tension, but Luks being the great man he is, > holds our attention by his intense depiction of the will of the > two wrestlers, nude, perfect, brutal, n~vertheless the fighting > will in the two combatants has been the vital problem of the > canvas. "The Jazz Artist" is as different as possible. It shows > us a negro in brown coat lovingly grasping his banjo. Luke > loves the brown tones, and this is a warm and heavenly canvas > full of alert life. Very remote from both is "The Music Master", > and the flowers are such as only Luks can paint. > - Rockwell Kent shows us again some of his delightful draw- > ings from Alaska, and some of his paintings from the same > inspiring re{.ion. > Arthur B. Davies has a fascinating series of canvases > which mark his high place among the poetic and spiritual > painters of the world. "The Dweller on the Threshold" shows > an open terrace from which two nude women are apparently > about to spring off into space. They have cast off everything, > as one must to meet the "Dweller". We do not see this guard- > ian of mysteries, but evidently the two are looking into his > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 48 > > realm, and the poetic mysticism is fully maintained. "The > Castalias" is an older canvas of the same sort. "The Banquet > of a Hero", "Angel-Sphinx", the paintings of Davies are all > moods o~ the artist which one unravels at leisure and always > with delight. > Robert W. Chanler is here with some of his delightful > panels, "The Peacocks", "The Porcupine Screen", most un- > expected and original, the various Fantasies and "The Death > of the White Hart." > George Bellows has among other things a marvellous > "Easter Sunday," showing the snow and 1I00ds of spring in the > country, with a crowd of brightly garbed men, women and chil- > dren. The color is brilliant and admirably handled, and the > movement and out of door feeling is charming. In strong con- > trast are "The Girl with Parrot", and the powerful "Portrait of > my Mother", all showing that variety of technical handling, > which seems a peculiarity of our American artists. It is in- > teresting to see again" also the tragic canvas depictin, "The > Death of Edith Cavell", certainly one of the most remarkable > paintings the war produced from any nation. One can never > forget the white garbed figure of the nurse with intensely > forward looking eyes, slowly descending the dark stairway. > There is a light at the top of the stair, and a brutal soldier > just about to- tum one out at the back. The brutality of the > group into which the nurse descends renders the white spirit- > uality of her figure more intense. The composition is highly > decorative, and while it tells a story dramatically, the canvaa > is so complete that one does not need its history for enjoyment > of each detail. > Guy Pene DuBois has a series of charming canvases in > which he definitely tums his unquestionable talent and train- > ing to the depiction of New York's underside. Each canvas is > a bit of sarcasm directed at the men and women who in this > wonderful day persist in knowing nothing but the physical > body, like "The Confidence Man", and "Sporting Life", or sug- > gest the opposite angle, like "Intellect and Intuition". > John Sloan has a series of paintings illustrating that com- > plete mastery of the brush" he is winning akin to the so iar > > Digitized by Coogle_ > REALITY > > unattained supremacy of George Luke. "The Hay Market"t > with its lights and whites, "Tammany Hall", "Washington > Square", with its brilliant night effects, "Spring Planting", > with its touch of individual life and daylight color, offer a > sufficiently varied aspect ot Sloan's genius. > Allen Tucker has also a" showing illustrating the same > versatility in subject and teehincal handling which seeiDS as > has been said perhaps a national characteristic of the younger > American school. For instance, a lands:cape entitled "An East > Wind" shows a wind blown expanse with a line of tall poplars > bending against the gale. It is distinctively fresh and open air, > normal. Then the "Book of Verse" has a charming figure of > a young girl in pale yellowish tones; absorbed in a book of > poems, herself a poem. The landscapes aU are done with that > feeling of open air and technical certainty which renders the > work of this artist charming. But here comes a "Portrait with > Dark Background", and we have a distinctively psychological > study in color and temperament, notable for the effect of Seal'- > let in the drapery of the figure. It is most interesting in > quality, and in marked contrast with the other Tuckers. > It is impossible within the limits Qf a magazine article to > do justice to this exhibit which epitomizes the present condi- > tion and excellence of American Art. The work of Burlfn, > Halpert, of Eugene Speicher, and Maurice Sterne, Kenneth > Frazier, Alfred Collins, is up. to the high standard of these > artists Gifford Beal has two splendid canvases. Childe Hassom > shows a serieS" of brilliant paintings which illustrate that new > life he has taken on in the last few years. Robert Henri has > a portrait of "Jim Lu" such as he alone could paint, and a most > charming portrait of Fay Bainter the actress. William > Glackens is characteristically represented, as is Maurice Pran- > dergas~. Randall Davey lias a series of brilliant studies, > Henry McFee a portrait, Max Kuehne brings his very original > "landscapes in which his individual touch is apparent. > In the paintings of Burlin one remembers especially "The > Steel City", which J;eflects in curious psychological fashion the > effects ot steelá tempermentally as well as physically. > > Digitized by Coogle > - > . > ;. ~ - t .... , . REALITY 46 > > The' Bahai Movement, Its Spiritual > Significance. > ... > . > Talk giveIa 611 Mrs. Henrietta C. Wagner. 01 AknRI. OhID > > W Eare living in a day of wonderful pro~, wonderful > inventions. During the last hundred years the forces of > steam and electricity have been utilized. As if by magic > have sprung up railroads, steamships, telephone and telegraph, > wireless, flying machines and the thousands of inventions which > have changed entirely the manner of living upon the globe. > There wasn't a railroad in the Staie of Illinois until in the 50's. > Why have all these wonderful inventions appeared and been > perfected in the last 100 years? Is there a reason for it? The > progress of the world in this respect is greater in this last ~en­ > tury than in all the other centuries since history began. The > Prophets of God foresaw this day, and in the Bible you will > read their prophecies of these inventions. There are many > references which show that these inventions are to be manifest > -at the time of the end. The end of what? This has been in- > terpreted by some sects to be the literal end and destruction of > the earth by fire, but the more intelligent have learned that the > true meaning of the term is the end of the age or cycle; the > end of one cycle, the beginning of another; the end of the age > of materialism, the beginning of the age of spirituality; the > dawn of the day of the Kingdom of God upon the earth, the > MiIlen]J.ium. . > It is sald that "A thousand years are as one day with God'á > and BO, as we look back over the history of the world, we see > that in every day of ~bout a thousand years a Prophet, Teacher > or Messenger comes to earth with a Divine Message. These > Messengers are Spiritual Suns "!;>efore which the darkness of > every superstitious fancy will be annihilated." Jesus said, "I > am the Light of the world." Also we read, "The people that > walked in darkness have seen a great Light." > In past centuries it was not possible for a Teacher to come > and teach the whole world because of the lack of means of > travel and'inter-eommunieation. Very few of the people could > > Digitized by Coogle > 46 REALITY > > read or write; there were no books. So God sent Teachers to > different parts of the world. Laotze and his pupil Confucius > came to China; Zoroaster appeared in Persia, Buddha and the > Brahmas in India; the line of Jewish prophets ending with > Jesus the Christ, and Mohammed came to the wild Arabs of '1 > the desert and lifted them from utmost degredation and sav- > • > agery into a high degree of civilization, until they became cor- > rupt, then their downfall began. The teachings of all these > Messengers were pure in the beginning, but as the centuries I > went by, the lessons were corrupted by man, creeds and dogmas > were invented, until the kernel of Truth was lost and only the > form or dead body remained. After such a night of spiritual I > darkness a new Teacher comes "with healing in his wings." > These Messengers are recognized and appreciated in their time > by but a few who have the spiritual sight. The Messengers I > come not for the things of the world. Th~y accept every hard- > ship, every difficulty, every perse:eution, as a gift from God, > and even pray for martyrdom. Why? Because ~ey know that > through that sacrifice humanity will be lifted to a higher state > I > of consciousness. > Each Messenger who has come has struck a certain note, > emphasized a particular attribute of God. For instance Laotze > taught the Golden Rule and all those lessons of mercy and love, > but he emphasized Justice. Zoroaster taught Purity as the > highes~ virtue and today, after thousands of years since their > prophet was upon the earth, the Zoroastrians--or Parseea aa > they are known in India-are said to be the purest people upon > the earth. Buddha taught Renunciation, and today we see hia > I > followers mortifying the flesh in order, as they believe, to at- > tain nearness to God. Moses taught Righteousness-right Hv- ,1 > ing. Mohammed taught submission, submission to the will of > God-it is all through the Koran. Jesus taught Love. KOMI > had taught "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," but > Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you that 18 love > one another." > I j > Now, in these latter days, in this last hundred -year,s•• i > Tea.cher has appeared in the Orient, whence all the Keuenaen > I > have come, who has taught all that these others have taug~t., > . . .J. > Digitized by CoogIe > REALITY 47 > but in addition he has taught UNITY, and his missien is to > unite all these scattered fragments of the human race, all these > great religious systems, into one great family, thus realizing > the brotherhood of man, about which all the prophets have > dreamed. > I can give you but a brief liistory. This great Teacher, > whose title was Baha'o'llah, meaning the Glory of God, was > bom in Persia in 1817, of the nobility and of great wealth, but > he gave it all up and accepted for the rest of his life poverty, > privations and persecutions untold, imprisonment in dungeons > and chains, banishment from his native land-forty years he > was a prisoner of the Persian and Turkish governments, the > vilest prisons on earth; ate prison fare and slept on cold stone > ftoors-for seven years he was not out of one room-and finally > died a prisoner in Acca, Syria, the Holy Land, in 1892. > But mark how God uses the wicked of earth as tools for > the accomplishment of His purpose! In every move made by > Baha'o'llah prophecy was fulfilled. Altho he was ~ndueted > to the Holy Land by troops and constantly guarded by soldian > and watched by spies, his coming to the Hoiy Land fulfilled > the prophecies of the Jews and Christians in regard to the > coming of the Promised One to the Holy Land in the latter > days. > During those years in prison Baha'o'llah wrote many > books in the Persian and Arabic languages, which are being > translated into our western tongues. These teachings are the > foundation upon which this new civilization is being built. It > is that Stone which Nebuchadnezzar saw come out of heaven > and hit the image on the feet, grinding the feet toá powder- > this statement is very significant. Then the whole image was > ground to powder and swept away like chad', while the stone > became a mountain filling the whole ea~. Only the .cha1f will > be swept away-the man-made creeds and dogmas, supersti- > tions and ceremonies. The Word of God as spoken by the > mouths of His Messengers, will remain imperishable. "Heaven > and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away." > The T~n Commandments, the Golden Rule, the Sermon on the > Mount, the beautiful parables and lessons of Jesus-in fact, > the Truth in all religions, will remain as indestructible as God • > is indestructible. > > Digitized by Coogle > 48 REALITY > Baha'o'llah left a son, Abdul Baha, meaning Servant of > God, whose mission is to explain and interpret the Revelation > of His Father, and to give that Message to the world. He was > born in 1844 on the very day that the Millerites in this westem > world were out upon the hilltops and housetops, clad iná their > ascension robes, expecting the literal, bodily descent of the > Lord Jesus from the clouds of heaven. He was born at mid- > night, and on the next day there was sent over the wires be- > tween Baltimore and Washington the first telegraphic message > even sent. It bore these words, "What hath God wrought1" > Abdul Baha is the first Liver of the life prescribed by His > Father. He shared his Father's imprisonment from the time > he was a .child of nine years of age, followed him with 70 > others into exile, and was not released until the summer of > 1908 when the change came to the Turkish government, when > old Abdul Hamid was deposed and his half brother became the > Sultan of Turkey; 66 years a prisoner. Since then Abdul Baha > ---has traveled extensively. He was in Europe in 1911, and in > • > 1912 came to America. He traveled with his interpreters from > coast to coast, but very quietly. He came indeed as ,ea thief in > the night." He spoke in churches of many denominations, be- > fore societies and clubs, colleges and universities; went down > into the bowery and ministered to the poor, to the Salvation > Army, gatherings of colored people, and what delighted him > most of all was mixed gatherings; the high and the low, the > rich and the poor, the educated and the unedu~ted, all p~ > took of the spiritual food which he so bountifully provided. He > did not take a penny from anyone in America, but paid his own > bills and gave generously to the poor and needy everywhere. > Abdul Baha never went to school a day in his life, neither did > his Father, but they have taught the world. Scientists, phil- > osophers, theologians from all over the world, as well as the > laity, have visited him in his prison home, and his wisdom and > simplicity have confounded them all. > Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." What > are the fruits? It was 800 years before the Christian religion > was known beyond the narrow fringe around the Mediter- > ranean Sea, but in this day, when but 77 years have passed, the > Bahai Movement is known all over the world, thanks to the > inventions which we mentioned at the beginning. Did God > > Digitized by Coogle. > REALITY 49 > cause these inventions to appear at this particular time in > order that this Message might be given to all parts of the > world simultaneously? There are millions of people who be- > lieve that He did. Of one thing we may be certain and that is > that supply and demand go together in spiritual as well as > material things, and when God desires to accomplish a certain > purpose, He also creates the means. > This Message has broken down the walls of hatred and > prejudice of ra:ee, religion and caste, and bound Mohammedans > and Parsees, Buddhists and Brahmins, Jews and Christians > into the most wonderful spiritual brotherhood the world has > ever seen. "Other sheep have I that are not of this fold; them > also I must bring and there shall be one fold and one shep- > herd." Many enlightened souls believe this to be the beginning > or dawn of that golden age upon earth -when, as Christ fore- > told, men shall come from the east and from the west, from > the north and from the south, and shall sit down in the King- > dom of God. > Now, what are the proofs? What has this great Teacher > brought in addition to what we have already had? It is claImed > that He has given a fresh impulse to the teachings of Christ, > renewed them, .explained and interpreted them, expanded and > fuUmed them; moreover, that the teachings of Christ were > given in accordance with the infancy of the human race. > Baha'o'llah's teachings are according to the maturity of the > world and the requirements of this illumined age. > (12 principles briell,," stated) > The Bahai Movement is not an organization; it eludes > organization. It has been said that organization is a western > idol-we can cop:ceive of nothing outside of organization, but > here is a Movement that in" 77 years has encircled the globe > without organization, and without paid missionariesá or > preachers. Besides, the adherents are not proselyting-you > are not asked to join-there is nothing to join. The end is > attained when people know the Truth and live it. No one is > asked to leave his church, lodge or society. We have Jewish > Bahais, Christian Bahais, Mohammedan Baham. He does not > give up the faith in which he was reared, but rather adds to > what he had. When a pupil enters high school; he does not > give up what he has learned in the grades. > > Digitized by Coogle > 60 REALITY > There are some people who, when they hear of this Move- > , ment, get wrong ideas about it. They imagine that we are try- > ing to put Jesus out of his throne and put someone else in his > place, but it isn't that way at all. The station of the Mes- > sengersá is greater than we can possibly imagine, but they do > not come to be worshiped, to be deified. Jesus said, "I came > that ye might have life and that ye might have it more abund... > antly." He also said, "I came not to destroy but to fulfill." > Abdul Baha says, the Messengen did not come that men > should adore them, or worship them, or acknowledge their > prophethood. No, rather the Masten of all time hafe suffered > for none other than this, that ft.eshly veils might be rent > ,asunder and Reality b~me manifest:" > Abdul Baha was asked, "What is a Bahai'l" He answered. > "To be a Bahai simply means to love all the world; to love > humanity and try to serve it, to work for universal peace and > univenal brotherhood." > It is related that while he was in London, a young man > came to the meetings and listened to the elucidation of these > principles and said, "I have never heard of Baha'o'llah before, > but I believe in the brotherhood of man and I am trying to live > in accordance with the principles. Abdul Baha said, "It makes > no difference whether you have ever heard -of Baha'o'llah or > not; if you believe in these principles and are trying to live > them, you are already a Bahai. On the other hand, a penon > may call himself a Bahai for fifty years, and if he does not live > the life, he is not a Bahai. An ugly person may call himself > handsome, but he deceives no one, not even himself." From > this statement it is evident that it is not what we call ourselves. > but what we are in reality. "Deeds reveal the station of a > man." > .I will close with the words of Abdul Bah&, from his first > public address after he came out of prison, delivered in City > Temple, London, in 1911: > "The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge > of the OJ.leness of mankhld and of the fundamental oneness of > religions. Wars shall ,cease between nations and by the will of > God the Most Great Peace shall come. The world will be seen > as a new world and all men will live as brothers." > > Digitized by G00gle > REALITY 51 > > BAHAI ACTIVITIES > > Many friends of Mrs. Watson will be interested in the follow- > ing extracts from the letter written in the presence of Abdul > Baha in Haifa, which contains significant paragraphs. Mrs. > Orphella J. Hart, to whom the letter was sent is Ii physician > who for some time has rented an office in Mrs. Allen's house in > Washington. Mrs. Watson describes in a later letter the heal- > ing she has experienced, which has removed the painful results > of an accident suffered thirty years ago. (Editor). > The Master placed me in His own seat at the head of the > table, and I was introduced to every one, as the beloved Khanom > of America, who had served Him for many -years, Bahadur, His > son-in-law interpreting. > Orphella, my dear, can you imagine my feelings? To be > placed by Him! His own blessed hands placing me there I This > poor servant of no account among the believers. Did He, or > does He place me in this conspicuous place, His seat, and He > sits on the side at" the right, and gives me food from His own > specially prepared dish-no meat, He surmised I do not wish for > meat, evidently, because all the others eat the meat at His table. > Does He shQW this wonderful courtesy and honor to this lowly > . servant to make me feel His love? For He says always: "You > are happy now, I have sent for you to make you very happy, to > take away the burden on your heart. Your heart is very pure. > My love for you is great. You must not mind if all the believers > in the world do not love you. It is nothing to compare with the > love of God. God love~ you. Abdul Baha loves you very much." > My reply was to the effect that the burden on my heart '. > was because I feared that through mistaken conduct I had > grieved His Heart. > He was most emphatic, and said this when we were alone, > Bahadllr interpreting: "Tell Mrs. Watson she has never been > any cause of grief to Abdul Baha, but on the contrary, she haa > > Digitized by Coogle > RBALITY > been the cause of the greatest joy to Abdul Bah&, praise be to > God," looking at me with the utmost love and tenderness. I > simply cannot convey this impression, this overwhelming feel.ina'. > "Praise be to G9d, you are absolutely finn in the Covenant." > I asked Him then should Dr. Hart, my sister, move out of > the "House." His answer was after telling Him your lease ex- > pires in September. á'Tell Dr. Hart and her dear husband to do > as they wish entirely-move out or re-lease it. There is no hann > whatsoever in this. We do not interfere with the business of > people. We do not say even, associate or do not associate with > certain people. We are concerned with the Cause of Baha'o'llah " > and His Teachings. We do not demand nor command anything > but this of the believers and friends: Be kind and compassion- > ate to every one. God will assist you always. The doors are > open to you everywhere. -If the believers do not care to asso- > ciate with you, it is their loss. You must not mind. Your heart > shall be so full of the love of Baha'o'llah that it will overflow > and illumine other people. Now do not mention this affair fur-- > ther (lit. this other affair). I love you; I prove it to you. Tell > the believers how Abdul Baha has honored you. What more do > you wish? I will take you to the Blessed Tomb of Baha'o'llah. > You are associating (lit. associate) with my family in the Holy > Land. They all love you as a leaf from this Holy Tree. Tell > this to your beloved sister, Mrs. Hart, and "(say that) she is > free. Abdul Baha knows her heart, and you two are very dear > to me." , > He also said: "We have affection for Dr. Dyar. We wish > him only good, and hope he may become enlightened. Mrs. Allen > we named Aseyeh after my own mother. We have shown her > the greatest love, more we cannot say. Everyone must do 88 > they wish about working with h~r or associating with her. To > show love to her would be (lit. is also) following my teaching and > my example (lit. my life and attitude). No one may boast of > his finnness in health of spirit any more than of his body. Now > you must forget all of this and think and talk only of the con- > structive and beautiful while you are with me." > Allah'o'Abha! Read this letter to whom you like. He has > given permission. Love to all." > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > Haifa. Palestine, October 18, 1911. > To the Director of the Reality:- > According to the Master's wish and desire I will send fOU the enclosed > Tablet to be published in the coming number of tile Reality. Its contenta > is general and worth of beinK circula ted among the friends. > Yours very sincerely, > ROUHI M. AFNAN. > ChiTe' maidservant of God, Mrs. Mary Hall; upon her be the Glory of > God the Most Glorious. J. > HE I~ GOD > o thou dear maidservant of Godl > Thy letter was received and the contents became known. I ask God > to confer upon you new life. Thou hast asked some questions; that why > the blessed and spiritual souls, who are firm and. steadfast, shun the com- > pany of degenerate persons. This is because, that just as the bodily dis- > eases like consumptIon and cancer are contagious; likewise the spiritual > diseases are also infectious. If a consumptive should associate with a > thousand safe and healthy persons, the safety and health of these thou- > sand persons would not effect the consumptive and would not cure him > from his consumption. But when this consumptive associates with those > thousand souls, in a short'time the disease of consumption will infect a > number of those healthy persons. This a clear and self evident question. > Likewise, if a thousand magnanimous persons, associate with a de- > graded onel the perfeetion of those souls will not effeet this debased per- > son. On tne contrary, this mean person will become the cause of their > ~ing astray. Therefore His Holiness Baha'o'llah says in the Tablets > • Soon will a foul odour be spread shun it. So commandeth the Omni- > scient and the Wise." That is in that city, a stinking odour, will soon be > spread. You should avoid it. So are ye commanded by His Holiness the > Knower and the Wise. That foul odour is that of Violation. Also in the > Tablet of Advice He says, "Now do not neglect your sower, protector and > educator; do not choose and prefer others to his, lest foul and poisonous > winds should pass over you." > His Holiness Christ says, "that the owner of the garden does not leave > the dried tree! but certainly cuts it and throws it into the fire. Because > the dried WOOd is worthy and deserving of fire." > Again His Holiness Baha'o'llah says, "Then 0 ye trees of the blessed > garden of my bestowal. Protect ye yourselves from the poison of the > treacherous souls and the stinking winds, which are the association of the > poletheist and the negligent ones. So that the trees of existance, through > the bounty of the Worshipped (God) be not deprived of the blessed breaths > and breezes of love. This is why we should shun the wicked and associate > with the righteous." > In the Persian Hidden Words He says, "0 my son! TJaey company of > the wicked inereaseth sorrow and the fellowship of the righteous removeth > the rust of the mind." And also He says: "Beware 0 Son of Dustl Walk > not with the wicked and confederate not with him, for the companionship > of the wicked changeth the light of Life into the fire of remorse." This > is the admonishment of His Holiness Christ and the advisements of His > Holiness Baha'o'llah. > But your other questions are the proofs of this statement and there > is no need of answering. I pray for thee, that thou may reach to sucFi > a convietion, that it may become the cause of attaining greatest bestowals. > Read thou carefully thy fl.rst question. Thou seest that it is this same de- > sire, that why the Friends associate with a reproachable person and do DOt > expell him. Upon thee be the Glory of the Most Glorious. > ~ 7, 1921, . (Sig.) Abdul Baha Abbas. > Haifa, Palestine. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > • > Don't Overlook Our > > Indispensable > Advertising > Service > Certainly you are interested in the higher and finer > things of life-which result in making the world a bet- > ter place to live in. > It is right along these important lines that the aciveI"- > tising columns of "Reality," furnish you with a service > of inestimable value. > There is hardly a thing they do not suggest to make > the course of living more helpful. > They point out where and when to :find the very things > for which you have been searching, and in reading the > advestising, remember this: the advertiser who spends > his money to invit your consideration of his proposition, > backs up his belief in his own work and leaves the final > decision to you. > Do not overlook this mighty and indispensable service > which this magazine offers with the rest of the helpful > articles. > > Read the Adf1ertisements Regularl, > [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ n ] [ ) [ ] [ n ) [ ) [ ] [ l [ n ] [ ] [ ][J[][][ > > PLEASE MENTION YOU lAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by Coogle > • > REALITY > > REALITY AGENCIES > AKRON NEWS CO. JAX NEWS .-cO. > 17 8. Main 8t., Akron, O. 808 W. Adama St., Jackaonvlll.. > Fla. > ALEXANDE~1 AGNE8 B. > 11 Ukyo Machi, Yotauya Tokyo, JOHNSTOWN NEWS CO. > Japan Johnatown, Penn. > ANDELMAN, M. KARP, L. > 291 Tremont 8t., Bonon Maa.. > 708 Harrlaon St., Syracuae, N. Y. > ANDERSON, T. O. KEEFE BROTHERS POST OFFICE > 1503 W. 3rd Ave., Pine Bluffa, Ark. NEWS STAND > 26 W. Park St., Butte, Mont. > ANTHRACITE NEWS CO. . LEAGUE FOR THE LARGER LIFE > Scranton, Pa. 222 W. 72nd St., New York City > BAHAI LIBRARY McCLURG CO., A. C. > 418 Madlaon Ave., New York City 330 E. Ohio St., Chicago, III. > BOLDEN, RICHARD MANUEL MACY'S DEPT. STORE > 106 W. 130 St., New York City 34th St., New York City > BRENTANO'S BOOK STORE MANN, GRACE K. > 27th St. and 6th Ave., New York 23 S. Highland Ave., Baltimore, Md. > City NORTH, R,' > BRUCE, VIRGINIA 111 Spring St., Little Rock, Ark. > 48 Dana St., Cambridge, Ma.. OMAR KAYYAM RESTAURANT > BUTLER, T. W. 34 W. 36th St., New York City > c. 0. New Thought Templ~ na Pan. J. T. REDDEN, EDGAR THOMPSON > dora Ave., Victoria, B. c. WORKS > COLES BOOK STORE Braddock, Pa., Rm. 1011 > George St., Sydney, Aunralla RUSSELL BROTHERS > THE CURIOSITY SHOP 1129 Tower Ave., Superior, Wlaconaln > 17 North State St., Chicago, III. SAN FRANCISCO BAHAI ASSEM. > DETROIT AGENCY BLY > 10150 Book Bldg., Detroit, Mich. Rabb M. M., c. 0. Mr.. Cooper. > 2650 Buchanan St., San Franclaco. > DYAR, ASEYEH A. Cal. > 804 B St., S. W., Waahlngton, D. C. SMITH .. McCANCE > ECONOMY BOOK SHOP 2 Park St., Bonon, Maaa. > 33 So. Clark St., Chicago, III. STONE, OSCAR F. > EHLERS, O. D. P. O. Box ffT, DUluth, Minn. > 1801Ya 2nd Ave., Birmingham, Ala. WAQNER, HENRIETTA C. > FERNALD, DR. EDWARD 102 E. Mill St., Akron, O. > 4803 Lincoln Ave., Chocago, III. WAITE, LOUISE R. > FISHER, ELIZABETH 11543 Stanley Ave., Loa Angel... > 1514 Odd Fellowa Temple, Clncln. Calif. > natl, O. WANAMAKER, JOHN > FOX, M. A. New York City > 14••E. Franklin Ave., MlnneapoUa, WANAMAKER, JOHN > mlnn. . Philadelphia, Pa. > FRYE, CORA M. WESTON, LILLIAN GRANT > 3841 N. Irving Ave., Chicago, III. 188 Dartmouth St., Bonon, Ma.. > HARDING, W. G. WILKIE NEWS CO. > Lawrence St., Yonkera, N. Y. 27 W. 6th St., Dayton, O. > HUNT'S NEWS DEPOT MR. O. O. WOLCOTT > 116 No. Main St., Manafleld, O. 417 Rookery Bldg., Spokane, Waa'" > > Digitized by Coogle > 66 REALITY > • > Intuition > Its Office, Its Laws, Its Psychology, Its Triumphs and Its Divinity > By Walter Newell Weston, L L. M. > T ms book deals with that sense or faculty in the human mind by which man > knows (or may know) facts of which he would otherwise not be cognizant, > facts which might not be apparent to him through process of reason or > so-called scientific proof. This faculty is called "tuitio,.. The possibilities of > training the sense are limitless, and when so trained man is enabled to transcend > his former self, thus opening new realms of discernment, wisdom, joy, realization > and self-expression. -ForefJJord. > Intuition is the faculty by which, if we will but listen, we may solve the > problem that clutches at our heartstrings or throttles us at the throat, the problem > that we never mention and that is seemingly unthinkable, but which in fact hu > • • a solution. -Foreword. > There are persons who are considered failures and whose work is mediocre > in fact yet who actually have the ability to express themselves in a superior way. > if they could do something in which for them was inspiration, in other word. > if they could work not mechanically but intuitively. -Clw.pter 11. > Intuition is the key of true genius for it is the pathway of true self-exp~ > .on. which in turn,is the secret of individuality. -CltDpter 11. > WHAT OTHERS SAY OF IT: > "I have read many books on modem psychology and I have read IN- > TUITION three timeL It is by far the best book on the subject I have ever > een." -HowtWd A. Colby. > "The pages of INTUITION bespeak a wide reading public. All the world > loves to be intuitive. AU the world believes in intuition. We cannot read or > hear too much about it. Blessings on the book'" -Emmll Curtis Hopkins. > "I have been reading INTUI;l'ION with pleasure and profit. It i. very > seldom that I find time to actually read a book. but I am reading Mr. Weaton'. > book and enjoying every word of it. It is very practical and interesting. > -CltDrles Fillmore. > ''Your volume, INTUITION, is full of beautiful and .wonderful truths. > freighted with inspiration and life, all hammered out on the anvil of your own > rich experience. > I have read the book through three time--.-I trust to much profit." > -CorltDm Tuffs. Jr. > "I received the book. INTUITION, and must say it is worth ita weigh in > IOld-that is, if such wonderfullessona could be paid for." > -A,. Orego,. RetJder. > New edition on fine paper, handsomely bound, gilt top, ~.OO > postpaid. > Address orders to > REALITY PUBLISHING CO. > 17 W. 42nd Street New York, N. Y., U. S. A. > 839-840 > > ](](](](](](]()[][](]( ) [ ] ( ] [ ] ( ] ( ) [ ] [ ] [ ] ( ] ( ) ( l [ ] [ ] [ ) ( ) ( ] [ ) ( ) ( ] ( > PLlIIASB lIJDNTION YOU SAW 1'1' IN lUULl'1'Y > > Digitized by Googlt; > RE.lLITY 67 > > Tha Collaga at Davina Mataphysics, Inc. > Teaches the Super-Psychology, 01' the mode > and operation of the Supreme Father of all > in each one. Thus developing the practice and > power of God In man. as relates to }i'alth, Con- > fidence, Clear Thinking, Good Judgment, Ini- > tiative, and Institution. > The Courses are furnished to you by mall > every week. and cover the following topics: > THEa: PSYCHOLOGY OF BUSINESS SUCCESS > (28 Lessons) > DIVINE, OR METAPHYSICAL HEALING > (33 Lessons) > METAPHYSICAL BIBLE INTERPRETATrON > (63 Lessons) > Through this mall course of study YOU can > obtain the title of Dr. of Psychology, Dr. of > Metaphysics. Dr. of . DIvinity. and other titles > all of which are legally conferred by authority > of the law of the land vested In the College. > These Cours68 may be had In English. Span- > lab. and French. Should you not be able to > take the course at this time. order some of > these wonderful Bookleta: > How to Pray to Get Result. 10c > Just How the Mind Heals 10c > Self Healing Through the Divine Mind RIle > Ask for Prespectus and Catalogue now. > DR~ JOSEPH PERRY GREEN, President > 234-6 Nicholas Bldg., St. Louis, Mo. > This school is approved by the Editor of REALITY > - > ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• > THE BIGGS SANITORIUM > Ashville, North Carolina > Specializing In the > > A. C. Biggs Efficiency Treatment > A new, Interesting and effective method of restoring health and vigor. and > Increasing physical. nervous and mental etftclency. The treatment Is highly > apeelallzed and adapted to each Individual case. Well equipped, liberally man- > aged sanitarium. but no tiresome routine. If In III health, write for boo,klet. It > will Interest you-FREE • > > ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• > Subscribe to "REALITY" > There's a Reason > 'Dlgitlzed by Coogle > An Open Letter! > Dear Reader:- > 1 hold the degree of A. B. and A. M. from the University of > Missouri, the degree of D. D. from the University of Kentucky, > the degree of L. B. from the Washington University. 1 was > editor of the Harriman Lines Railroad Educational Bureau, was > attorney for the White Pass R. R., and practi6ed law in six states. > It was my privilege to have the personal friendship of Judge > Hanna and Mrs. Eddy, of Christian Science fame, of Ella Wheeler > Wilcox, and of John E. Richardson, founder of the Great School > ()f Philosophy. > 1 organized the Law IlIIld Commercial Company of Snow, > Church and Company, with oftices in many large cities and the > Lyceum League of America, with Theodore !t.oosevelt as its fint > President and Edward Everett Hale, William .Dean HoweDa, > Frances Willard and Senator Lodge on the Board of Trustees. > I recently came to St. Louis from my home in Long Beach, > California, for the purpose of studying the Master Key System > at close range and getting into personal touch with the Author, > Charles F. Haanel. > '1 have been here long enough to find that while all other .,... > tems of thought are concerned chiefly with the manipulatio~ of > things, the Master Key System is interested in the causes when- > by conditions are created. For this reason it is Univeraal and > unlimited. > It is the key to every system of thought in existence, eitller > ancient or modern, religious or philosophical, occidental or > -oriental. It is the key which is being Ufed by the strong people > of the earth, those who do not believe m the virtue of poverty > or the beauty of self denial. The busier you are, the bigger > things you have in view, the ltss you can aft'ord to be without > the Master Key System. > WALT LE NOm CHURCH, > > Descriptive Booklet Sent Upon Bequest. > CHARLES F. BAANEL, 266 Boward Bldg., st. LOafs, M.. .. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY > > YOUTH PUBLISHING 00. > 576 FIFTH AVENUE > NEW YORK > > To the Reader: > Youth is more to be desired thau richeL To retain JOUth is the > desire of all and hal been from the dawn of the world. > Age to a great extent comes from the fear of age and the count- > iDe of passiDg yean. > We are all in Life'. Theatre looking at the drop curtain on which > is inscribed the fable > "The Allotted Span of Life ia Three-Seore-Year&-8IldáTea." > - > The remarkable book "Live aDd Grow YOUDI" by Arthur Edward > Stilwell, lift. this curtain and visioDi of a long and ulefullife appear: > The constant comtemplation of the three-acore-year..and-ten fable > has done more to shorten life thau any other power in the world. It > is more destructive thau war, more deadly thau plagaeL > This book, "Live and Grow YOUDg," will change your view point > and give you new life producing thoughts. It i. the most unusual > book of the Century. So simply written that it i. enjoyed aDd ~ > prec:iated by thole in their teens. > Mr. Stilwell for 30 yean was a prominent figure in the industrial > world, having built more miles of Railroad thaD any man now living. > Read what he has to say on this vital subject. It will help you to > live aDd grow young. > $1.00 postpaid upon receipt of Oleck, Money or Cash. > THE YOUTH PUBUSHING CO. > > YOUTH PUBLISHING OOMPANY, > Dept. AáI, 576 Fifth Avenue, N. Y. C. > Kindly IeDd me a COllY of Mr. stilwelr. book "Live and Grow > YOUDg." 1 wiD pay the poltmaD $1.00 plu. postage. > N~e _____________________________________ > > Addraa > > Digitized by Coogle > 60 REALITY > > VOCATIONAL ASTROLOCY > I aim to be a vocational expert. I make no extravagant claims. > I Do Not Tell' Fortunea > I point out the pitfalls in life and character to be avoided, and the > fine qualities to be nurtured. I indicate the best vocation for the type > of mind indicated. I have only one price THREE DOLLARS-for a > full character Delineation. > Send me the hour, day, month, year and place of your birth. > Male or female. > BaIILD. la IIIIITT, P,O, Lack 801 282, 6,P,o., Tlrolto, 111, > > BOOKS BY SIDNEY C. TAPP, PH. B., L.L.D., > that treat In detail of the eex questionJ of the Bible, and which shows an Idn fa > the sex and Is the caUIIe of dIsease anQ death. > Truth About the Bible, price $3,00; Sexology of the Bible, Price $1.60; Wh7 > Jesus Wall a Man, Not a Woman, price ".00; DuaUty of the Bible, price $lI.OO; > What Every Man and Woman Should Know About the Bible, price 13.00; Sex > the Key of the Bible, price $1.60; Inner Secrets of the Bible, prIce 1.76; The > Sex Force of the Bible, price 60 cents; Why We Die, price $1.60; Sin and. the > Body, price 25 cents;, Sin and Its Effects, price 25 cents; Sin and Death, price > 60 cents; Sin and the Child, price 20 cents; The Course of the Scriptural Church > College, prIce 50 cents. Order Now It Is a Great Idea. > Addre.. : SYDNEY C. TAPP, L. L. D. ' > Box 710, Kanaaa City, Mo., u. S. A. > > REALIZE Your DESmESl > I analyze and explain your temperameot-its advantages and > dangers; yotW iIuIwfllJl tmd persOMl power 10 ae"inle tmd .nuceetl. > SeuCi full name at birth with any c1tanges, birthdate, and occupation. > Analyses $3.00 and $5.00. Brief statement of influences for Ina. IIOc. > Detailed, month by month, $1.00. ' > 'VIRGINIA BRUCE, Box 8 Copley Sq., Boston, Mass. > > REGENERATION SYSTEM > The ftrst genuinely "Ientltlc dlacovery as to the cause and cure of > disease In this day. Actual phyalcal regeneration accompllllbed. > DR. EDWARD L. FERNALD, OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN > 4803 Lincoln AvW'ue, Chicago, III > > AN ILLUMINED MESSAGE, > For Little Folka aa Well aa Advanced Thinkers > 40-page Booklet, Postpaid, 35 cents, Entltlted . > "GEMS OF GOD'S TRUTH"-Attalnlng the Golden Crown and Whlte Bobe > of a Christ. > By Peter Kontek, of the University of Truth WIthIn > P. O. Box 1042, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. > Send for while they last. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 61 > > H." YOI ••, Pr,bl,•• I. Y,.r Lift ...t Trolblo YOI' > Why not find out what you should do? > I have helped hundr,ed&-let me help you. > Tour name indicates YOU I Send $5.00 for complete character analysis of > ..ven typewritten pages. . This Includes your colors, vocation, where to live, > how to sign your name for succeea and other h~pful advice. Send complete > name given at birth with any changes, birthday and present vocation. > What Is ahead for you next year? Send $2.00 for twelve months forecast. > 01' ftlty cents for brief statement. Enclose ae1f-addr_ed, stamped en- > velope, and birthday. > How colors a4ect your health and ftnances III told In the booklet "The > F8yohology of Color," send My cents. > ORCELLA REXFORD, B. C •• Color and Name P.ychologlet. , > Alvarado Apta.. Lo. Angele •• Cal. > > GEO. W. WALROND--P8YCHOLOGICAL ADVI80R > Addre•• : 1717 ClarJceon 8t..... Denvar. Colo. > o.w fttt7 7MI'II suoceutul 'practlce Includlg- twenty-five ~7MI'II In Denver. > l'lve questions a.nawered, n.oo: with adYlce. u.eo: 4eOneatlon an4 ad- > Yloe,u.oo. Sen4 date and leL MarrIed or .in&'le. plaCe of birth an4 oocu- > patlon. Pachologlca1 Bea4Ina. not Fortune TelDq. > Full deOneatlon, Adapt&bWty, ProIMll' Voca~lon. Healtb. IIarrIan. > I'ID&noe, BusIn.... .Journey.. Cb&Qea. etc., with 000Cl and Bad periods: I > tFPewrltten P&If88, $5.00: with tables of 000Cl and Bacl daYII, 10 pagel, $10.00. > An every day Bualn_ and FamUy guide. Queationa an_ered. > > KEEPINO YOUNC > Rebuild your cells: ward of! old age. .ArrIve at ninety IooJdq only > fltty, with robust health and perfect Intellect. l(ewlJr 4lIIcovered Iawa > for retaining youth. > Circular Free > URIEL BUCHANAN, P. O. Box 110. Chicago, III. > > Con.ult the Prodigy of Occult Art., Science. and P.ychlc Phenomena > Prof.C.BRAGANZA > The Famous HIndu Adept Astrologer-Psychic-Poet > Human Naturalist, Ethynologlst, Astro Biographer. Telephychlc Seer and > Life Reader, Cryetal Gazer > Testimonials from Presidents, Kings, Prlnceslles, etc. Trlal reading $1.00. Send > Blrthdate, and any twelve numbers chosen 1 and 100. > Distance no barrier. Tallsmanlc Sheet Music, 50c. per copy, postpaid. > World's Horoscope Forecast 1922, out December 21, 1921, price 250. > Addrellll. PROF. C. BRAGANZA > (File B-R) (G. D.) Back Bay P.O., Boeton M.... , U. S •• A. > > ASTROLOGICAL READINGS > Send ,1.00 and year, month, day, hour and place of > birth to Lock Box 360, General Post Office, Worcester, Mass., > for a careful reading of your planets at birth and transits. > PLIIA.B MBNTION YOU 8AW IT IN RBALITY > > Digitized by Coogle ~.I > 62 REALITY > > "The Most > Wonderful The Aquarian > Book of Gospel of Jesus > the Ages" the Christ > > TrtmScribetl frDm the Book of Gotl's RemembrCJflCe, The Akas1lic > Recortls by LEVI > PARTIAL TABLE OF CONTENTS > Section I.-Birth and Early Life of Mary, Mother of Jesus. > 2.-Birth and Infancy of John the Harbinger, and of Jesus. > a.-Education of Mary and Elizabeth in Zoan. > •.-Childhood and Eearly Education of John the Harbinger. > 5.-Childhood and Early Education of Jesus. > 6 toll indusive.-Life and Works of Jesus in India, Thibet, and > Western India, Persia, Assyria, Greece and Egypt. _ > 12.-The Council of the Seven Sages of the World. > Price: Cloth Binding, $3.00; Leather, $f.00 > Note :-Foreign money (stamps and postal notes) not acceptable. > Address all orders > E. I. DOWLlHI, 128 H..... '.lId••• II., LIS IlIpI.., Cal. > > SCHOOL OF THE CHEMISTRY OF LIFE > Dr. George W. Olrey- Inez Eudora Perry > 1939 N. Van Ness Ave, Los Angeles, Calif. > TWO GREAT BOOKS: > "GOD-MAN, The Word Made FlMh" > With 18l'lre physiological chart in colors. Last word on physical > regeneration - Price $6.00 > C4tfHE CHEMISTRY and WONDERS of the HUHAN BODY" > The wisdom of the ages along lines leading' to physical > perfection-Price ~.OO > > Have You Found the Kingdom Within? > The Indwelling Spirit through our Mibistry has helped thouaands to clem- > eastrate better health, prosperity and spiritual unfoldment. > Send today for free booklet on the "Healing Love of the Holy Spirit,á > living full information. ' > THE AQUARIAN MINISTRY, (Dept. 3) > SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. > > Digitized by Coogle > REALITY 88 > > The Miracle Man of Chicago > Will take you under his thought care for a week P lIfE E > Will ClU'l'eIlts sent by his method of Mind TranllfuaiOD often > work marvelous effects. > Write or wire him your troubles, whatever they are, and wit- > n888 eft'ecta. > Try This Absolutely PREE Testl > All communications confidential. Mere curiosity aeekera not > invited. Be earnest and aspiring I Address: > THB PSYCHOLOGICAL MISSION > 4665 LAKE PARK AVENUE, CHICAGO. ILL. > > CHRIST.WAY COLLEGE OF OCCULT SCIENCE, Incorporated > A Revelatlonal ayatem of Instruction where the Occult knowledge and mystlo > WISDOM of the old and the revelatlona of the NJIIW-AGE UNlVlDRSAL meet. > Send 10e for healing KEY, descriptive letter, terms, 26c above with harmon- > Izing leB80n; $2.00 three MASTERFUL harmonizing le880na. > Join Proaperlty. Healing Mlnlatry. receivIng our aplendid quarter17 "VOICII > FROM THE INNER SILENCE," $1.00 the YEAR. > Addre.. : DR. ALICE BAKER, > Who Speclallzea (giving peraonal attention) on MAIL ORDER INSTRUCTIONS > 1846 Hobart Blvd., Loa Angelea, Cal. > > ..... > ~",r"" ~..... . . > ááá'á--"1!."~á"""".;.t > ,,--i .... > > The Cure For Bad Tonsils > is not obtained by CUTTING them out but by CLEANING them > out. You can do this yourself. Avoid the pain, trouble, worry, cost > and risk of a needless operation for tonsils and adenoids. > Don't neglect these diseased glands-they are dangerous to health > and life. They must be cured quickly or serious results will follow. > Learn all about the > CAUSE, CURE AND PREVENTION > of tonsils and adenoids infection. Read the whole story in Dr. W. > F. Harvard's remarkable blooklet, "Tonsils and Adenoids." Contains > information of priceless value to parents, children, salesmen. teachers, > preachers, singers and to invalids whose tonsils were made to help > them get well. Every doctor and healer should have this book. Every > student of health needs it. Every mother and father should read it. > $1.00 postpaid. Get a copy today. > > BENEDICT LUST, Publisher > Dept. R .D. > 110 EAST 41st ST. NEW YORK OTY > For sale also at > NATURE CURE RESORT > BUTLER, N. J. and TANGERINE, FLA. > > PL1D.ASIIIOIHTION YOU BAW IT IN lUIALlTr > > Digitized by Coogle > 64 REALITY > > What Worries You 7 > .,., . > > , > Marriage? Here are men and women too. One Ie Jullt the ( > mate for you. We ana.!yze the Characters, we know what > each will do. Write your need!! tully. Strict confidence. > Prompt, personal reply. We help thousand!! 10. love, health. > business and marriage. > PROF. COFFMAN-Dlv. RMá1-ALBUQUERQUE, N. M• > . > > "The Inner Court of Healers" > If sulrerln'g trom mental or physical Inharmony, send $1.00 with name, ad- > dress, and statement tor one month's treatment. Address: > THE INNER COURT OF HEALERS, > SO Huntington Avenue, Room 220, Boston, M.... > ". > > A Working Studio for Authors and Playwrights > PLAYS, PICTURE SCENARIOS AND STORIES A SPECIALTY > MANUSCRIPTS ARRANGED AND TYPED > PUBLICITY SERVICE > Write or Telephone for Appointment > Telephone Vanderbilt 3198 > FRANCES E. WILLCOX, 75 W. 44th St., N. Y. C. > > WHAT YOU WANT TO BE? > WHAT YOU APPEAR TO BE' > DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU OUGHT TO BE? > THE PURPOSE OF YOUR LIFE? > YOUR OWN SUCCESS ATTITUDES? > Write or call-CLIFFORD W. CHEASLEY, ~ Weat 23rd St., New York > , > > DIVINE LOVE HEALS > I have had long experience 8.8 teacher and healer, and would be Cllt.d > to advise and help you. No charge tor treatment; free will olrerlng accepted > If helped. Have helped many, may I not endeavor to help you? .I..ILL I ASK > IS THE CHANCE TO SERVE. > MATTHEWS DAWSON, Dept. R., CHEVY CHASE, Maryl.nd > > "BAHAI PSALM OF HEALING"-wlth account of persona.! heallng . . .. $1.00 > "THE STORY OF CHEER"-true healing story of a real robin ........ $1.00 > "DIVINE DOMINION PSALM OF PEACE .............................. $0.60 > OBSERVER'S PUBLISHING SOCIETY, 1738 Derby Street, Berkeley, Cel. > > PLEASE MENTION YOU SAW IT IN REALITY > > Digitized by C;oog Ie > > — *Reality magazine: Volumes 3-4 (Used by permission of the curator)*