# In Memoriam *Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-21 — 1 clipping.* --- > Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: unknown, In Memoriam, New York: Bahá'í Publishing Committee, 1937, bahai-library.com. > ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── > > THE BAHA'I WORLD > A Biennial International Record > > Prepared under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly > of the Bah6'is of the United States and Canada > with the approval of Shoghi Effendl > > Volume VI > 91 AND 92 OF THE BAHA'I ERA > APRIL 1934 - 1936 A.D. > > BAHA'I PUBLISHING TRUST > Wilmeltc, Illinois > xvi CONTENTS > > 17. Herbert Putnam. Congressional Library. Washington. D.C. . . > 18 . Leo Tolstoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > . > 19 Dr. Edmund Privat, University of Geneva . . . . . . > . > 20 D r. Auguste Forel, University of Zurich . . . . . . . > . > 21 General Renato Pioln Caselli . . . . . . . . . . . > . > 22 Rev . Frederick W . Oakes . . . . . . . . . . > . > 23 . Renwick J . G Millar, Editor of John O'Groat Jownzal, Wick, Scotland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > . . > 24 Charles H Prisk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 21. Prof . Hari Prasad Shastri, D.Litt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 26 . Shri Purohit Swami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 27 . Prof . Herbert A . Miller, Bryn Mawr College . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 28 . Right Hon . Sir Herbert Samuel, G.C.B., M.P. . . . . . . . . . . . > . . > 29 . Rev K . T Chung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > . > 30 . Prof Dimitry Kazarov, University of Sofia . . . . . .......... > . > 3 1. Rev Griffith J . Sparham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 32 . Ernest Renan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > . > 3 3. The Hon Lilian Helen Montague, J.P., D.H.L. . . . . . . . . . . > 34. Prof . Norman Bentwich, Hebrew University, Jerusalem . . . . . . . . . > 3 5 . mile Schreiber. Publicist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > . > 36 Dr . Rokuichiro Masujima, Doyen of Jurisprudence of Japan . . . . . > . > 37 Miss Helen Keller .. ..... . . . . . . . . . > . > 38 Sir Hinders Petrie, Archaeologist. . . . ........ > 3 9. President Masaryk of C7echoslovakia . . . . . . . . . . > 40 . Archduchess Anton of Austria . . . . . . . > 41 . Dr . Herbert Adams Gibbons . . . . . . . . . . . > 42. H.R.H. Princess Olga of Jugoslavia . . . . ... > 43 . Eugen Relgis ......... . . . .. > 44 . Arthur Henderson ........ . . . . > . > 41 . Prof . Dr V . Lesny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 46. Princess Marie Antoinette de Broglie Aussenac . . ... > . > 47 Presidcnt David Starr Jordan, Leland Stanford University > 48. Prof . Bogdan Popovitch, University of Belgrade, Jugoslavia . . . . . > 49 . Ex-Governor William Sulzer . . .. . . . . . > 10. Luther Burbank . . . . . . . . . . > f I . Prof . Yone Noguchi . . . . . . . . ... > 12. Prof . Raymond Frank Piper . . . . . . . .. > 13. Angela Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . > 14. Arthur Moore . . . . . . . > . > 51 . Prof Dr . Jan Rypka, Charles University, Praha, Czechoslovakia > . > 56 . A . L M. Nicolas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > > 7. President Eduard Bmeg . . . . . . . . . . . > [I1. In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . . . . . > . . > 1 Susan I Moody . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 2 . Hooper Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > . . > 3 Harry H Romer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ > 4 . Howard Luxmoore Carpenter . . . . . . . . . > 1. Edward C . Getsinger . . . . . ...... > 6. Sarah Blundell . . . . . . . . . . . . > 7. Khalil Qamar . . . . . . . . > 8 . Hiji Muhammad Yazdi ......... . . . > 9 . Extracts from "Bahi'i News" . . . . . . . . . . . . > IN MEMORIAM > A B A H ~ P' I~O N E E R O F E A S T A N D W E S T - > DOCTOR SUSAN I. MOODY (THE HAND- > MAID OF T H E MOST HIGH) > Amatu'l- A'li > BY JESSIE E. REVELL > " I N reality," says 'Abdu'l-Bahh, "faith whose teaching Dr. Moody was always exembodies three degrees: to confess with the ceedingly grateful. > tongue; to believe in the heart; to give evi- The first BahVi Sunday School in Chicago > dence in our actions." In writing a brief was conducted by Dr. Moody and later > account of the life of Dr. Susan I. Moody she was one of the group of Bahl'i sisters > the real faith, as quoted here, is outstanding. who traveled up and down the outskirts of > She was born November 20, 1851 in Chicago's north side in search of the best > Amsterdam, New Yorlr, of Scotch-Cove- location for the now famous BahVi Temple > nanter parents. Here she received the usual in Wilmette, Illinois. > schooling and orthodox religious training of About 1908 a party of American Bahl'is > the "best" families of the day. After traveled to frhn to visit the Bahh'is in that > graduating from Amsterdam Academy, she land, and while there some friniau doctors > taught school, later entered the Women's asked if it would be possible to induce an > Medical College in New York City. After American woman doctor to come to Tihrhn, > her parents passed away, she made her home frhn, to live, for the purpose of caring for > with her brother in Chicago where she the women of frin who at that time were > studied music. Still later, Dr. Moody so deprived of skilled medical care. Stopstudied painting and sculpture at the Art ping in 'Akki, Palestine, on their return, > Institute of Chicago, then for three years the Americans communicated this wish to > in the Academy of Fine Arts in Philadel- 'Abdu'l-Bahh who asked them if they knew > phia, then under the great painter Chase, in of such a doctor. The name of Dr. Moody > New Yorlc and finally, in the art schools was presented, and she received word withand studios of Paris, but she was not, how- out delay from 'Ahdu'l-Bahi telling her > ever, to make art her life work for instead she had been chosen for this great medical > of following the professional art career, for work in frln. "I knew then," Dr. Moody > which she was well qualified, she finally often remarked, "why I had felt the urge > yielded to the conscantly increasing urge so strongly to study medicine; I was obliged > which she felt and concluded her study of to study medicine in order to come to frin." > medicine, graduating from a Chicago medi- When the call came from 'Abdu'l-Bahl, > cal college. she proceeded immediately on her journey. > During those early days of her life in Enroute to frln, Dr. Moody stopped in > Chicago, she met friends who were attend- the Holy Land to see 'Abdu'l-Bahl and reing the first classes formed for the study of ceive from Him the necessary instructions > the Bahi'i Revelation, which classes she and encouragement for the work ahead of > joined but did not become a confirmed be- her. At the time of parting He said, "You > liever until 1903, after making an inten- will need patience." He also further stated > sive study of the teachings with Mrs. Isa- that He was sending her t o frhn and > bella D. Brittingham, for the privilege of whether living or dead He would always > THE BAHA'i WORLD > > Dr. Susan I. Moody, 18F1-1934. > > he with her. During that visit with 'Ab- determination to accomplish what 'Ahdu'ldu'ldahl, Dr. Moody made a vow which Bahd wished her to do. > was, "All that I am and have, and all that Often she prayed for the supreme pa- > I hope to be and have, I dedicate to Thee, tience which 'Abdu'l-Bahl had prescribed. > 0 God." She also said that those three She soon became fluent in the irinian landays in the Holy Land with the Master, guage. Frequent were her letters to Amer- > 'Abdu'l-Bahl, were all her life. ica, explaining her work, enclosing photo- > Dr. Moody arrived in Tihrin November graphs and telling of the lack of freedom > 26, 1909. 'Ahdu'l-Bahd mentioned to some and education of the irdnian women, of the > pilgrims the great love with which the custom of wearing the veil, etc., of the > Bahi'i of f r l n had greeted Dr. Moody when Bahi'i work of establishing a hospital, a > she arrived in frhn, saying that between girl's school and a Ma'riqu'l-A@ir there. > Enzeli, on the Caspian Sea, and Tihrln there In a Tihrin newspaper in 1910 appeared > were nineteen relay stations and at sixteen the following: > of these there were Bahi'is gathered to "DOCTOR MOODY-AMERICAN LADY- > greet the western Bahi'i. Soon after her not only does she know medicine, but also > arrival a reception was given to her and gynecology, obstetrics and women's dis- > Dr. Moody then knew she had an eter- eases. Her good qualities and kind attrinal home in the hearts of these dear butes, her love for her Persian orientaI > friends. sisters, are all equal. Every day from morn- > During her fifteen years of service to ing till noon shc is in her office, No. 10 Avethe Cause in irln, many were her difficulties nue Aladauleh, receiving her patients for > and hardships but she had an inflexible consultation, examination and treatment, excepting Friday and Sunday afternoons, when and self-sacrificing life was the fact that it > she goes t o the Hospital Sebat (Hospital of was built on the solid foundation of the > Health), where she meets the patients of Word of God. She had a keen spiritual > the higher and wealthier class. perception, a pure and undefiled conception > "We give the utmost thanks and grati- of the Bahi'i teachings, and a desire to > tude to such a noble woman, to such a re- render instant obedieiice. She was humble, > spected person, whose presence here is a selfless, and her sense of justice was outgreat privilege to the country of Persia. standing. > O n account of the great care of this blessed After fifteen years of unique service in > person, the sick of all nationaliries, Moslem, i r i n , Dr. Moody returned to America until > et al., become well. We beg of God to conditions in Tihrin would improve and > keep this blessed and respected person with enable her t o resume her work. Accom- > US.)' panied by Miss Elizabeth H . Stewart she > Aside from her ~nedicalwork, there was inade a visit in Haifa and there the writer > ever present in her mind the most impor- joined them. Dr. Moody was the first of > tant question of the education of girls. the four American Bahl'i women t o go t o > Often she would say, "My heart aches for fran and survived the longest. > the neglected ones." She found that many Dr. Moody, Miss Stewart and the writer > of the Bahl'i men were in full sympathy arrived in New Yorli City in January, > with her views and through Bahl'i co- 1921, where the Bahi'is had arranged a > operation and consultation a girl's school reception at the Hotel Waldorf Astoria. > was started with an attendance of thirty Calmly, yet with the dramatic emphasis > pupils. It has now an enrollment of sev- which always surrounds one who has actueral hundred and is known as the Tarbiyat ally participated in stirring events, Dr. > School for Girls. Someone has declared it Moody related her experiences in Tihrhn. > to he "the greatest among all the schools After this reception she remarked t o the > in Tihrhn." One of the activities most dear writer, "To return to America and receive > t o the heart of Dr. Moody was the raising such love from the friends, is worth more > of funds for an additional building. She than any sacrifice one could make." > wished this fund to be known as the "Kap- That the remarkable work of Dr. Susan > pes Memorial Fund" in memory of Miss I. Moody in Tihrhn had made her a public > Lillian Kappes, the first American Bahb'i figure in this country was well illustrated > teacher who died in frill after giving nine by extensive articles which appeared in the > years of untiring service t o the School. Dr. press. While in Oakland, California, she > Moody not only started the Tarbiyat School took a short trip in an aeroplane and the > for the secular education of girls, she also press published her picture with her pilot > founded the Baha'i study classes for girls and an article in part as follows: "Accordand herself visired these classes every Fri- ing to Dr. Moody, who contrasts her entry > day. These study classes were managed by into Tihrin, the capitol of frill, in a coach > trained teachers and in these classes many and four where she went t o spread the > who started years ago in the first course gospel of hygiene t o the Muhammadan > are now teaching others. women, and her exodus in a "flivver" of > Dr. Moody was loved and honored by doubtful vintage twenty years later, she > thousands of people in her life time, among sees no reason why aerial transportation > them being Major Robert W. Imhrie, who should hold any fears for the women of > offered protection to the Bahl'is and who today." > suffered martyrdoin b y fanatical Muham- During her stay in America from Jannmadans. During the epidemic of influenza, ary, 192!, t o November, 1928, Dr. Moody > the famine and a variety of dreadful con- was interesting friends t o help with the > ditions, Dr. Moody wrote to America, "Oh, work she, together with the Tihrhn friends, > what a mercy that we are alive and awalr- expected to continue an her return to f r i n , > ened and trying to serve in the Kingdom of the Kappes Memorial School. She was a > Abhl." The secret of Dr. Moody's noble member of the Revell household in Phila- > 486 T H E BAHA'i WORLD > delphia for ahout 2 year and during that instructing Persia rear monument perpetutime although she was then past 75 years ating memory (of) her noble mission. (1) > of age, yet young in spirit and progressive am gladly defraying whatever expense inand active, she studied Esperanto with a curred as token (of) my admiration for > class. community (i.e., America) to which she > In 1928, Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of originally helonged and on which her sacred > the Bahh'i Cause, sent the following in- life shed imperishable lustre. Advise holdstructions t o Dr. Moody: "I pray that you ing befitting Memorial gathering (in) > may soon in the company of a capable and Temple Foundation Hall." > devoted American co-worker, resume your Her funeral was attended by hundreds of > historic labors for our beloved Cause in BahPi friends. Scores of school girls, with > Tihrin." Following this suggestion on No- flowers in hand walked in procession > vember 17, 1928, Dr. Moody, then 77 years through the city' for at least one mile to > of age, left for irin, accompanied by Miss Gulastin-i-Javid (Perennial Garden), the > Adelaide Sharp of San Francisco, California, burying ground of the Bahh'is. > who volunteered her services at the Tarbi- BahPu'116h in one of His Tablets says: > yat School in Tihrin. To Dr. Moody's bis- "The soul that hath remained faithful to > toric career in Tihrln was now to be added the Cause of God and stood unwaveringly > the final chapter of complete consecration firm in His path shall, after his ascension, > t o Bahh'i service. They conferred with be possessed of such power that all the > Shoghi Effendi in Haifa en route to fran. worlds which the Almighty hath created > Dr. Moody, named by 'Abdu'lLBahh can benefit through him." > "Amatu'l-PIC' which means the handmaid > of the Most High, wrote of the welcome in > Tihr6n in part as follows: "The friends > came singly, in groups, committees, assemblies, more than seven hundred the first With the passing of our dearly beloved > week, and still we are greeting many new BahPi brother, Hooper Harris, from this > and old friends, both women and men. phenomenal world to the invisible eternal > Words fail t o express the joy of our 'home- realm, the world-wide Bahh'i Community > coming.' I wish you might have seen how sustained the loss of one more of those faiththat love overflowed in gifts, potted vines, ful and devoted souls who gave the best > plants, flowers, silver vases, confectionery, years of their lives to the promotion and > sweets of all kinds. Do you wonder why establishnent of the F a ~ t hof Bahi'u'lltih > the two Americans were overwhelmed?" in the West and in the East. > After her return to Tihrin, due to age, her William Hooper Harris was horn in > health gradually weakened but she con- New York City, December 14, 1866. All > tinually worked for the Kappes Memorial his early years, however, were spent in > School, and the friends called on her con- Nashville, Tenn. After finishing High > stantly. At the end of her life when asked School, financial difficulties at home prefor some statement from her regarding her cluded his intended study of law at Colservice to keep for posterity, Dr. Moody lege. He therefore worked by day, studied > said, "Let it go, let it pass into the Infinite." law at night and was admitted to the bar > Shoghi Effendi cabled to America as fol- in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1893. In > lows: "Passing dearly beloved Susan Moody 1887, he married Sarah Gertrude Rawls of > deprives BahCi world (of the) far-famed Birmingham and in 1894, they came to > pioneer who, through her indomitable spirit, New York City to live, where he became > ceaseless services, earned unique distinction. an expert court reporter, doing work of > (She) forged first link in (the) chain unusually high quality till the very day of > uniting (the) spiritual destinies (of the) his death. > cradle of our faith (i.e., Persia) and (the) In New Yorli City, in 1899, his wife, > community (of its) stalwart defenders in ever persistent in her desire and search for > (the) great American Republic. (I am) Truth, was told, by Mrs. Archie Fisk, of the > I N MEMORIAM > > Hooper Harris, 1866-1934. > > Bahi'i Faith and Mrs. Harris soon realized request for specific instructions as to how > it to be the object of her search. Hooper to teach in India, 'Abdu'l-Bahh's only reply > Harris accompanied her to hear the Bahh'i was, "Face the people with a smile on your > Message and ere long he, too, realized the face and the love of God in your heart and > Light and Bounty of the Revelation of rely wholly upon the Holy Spirit." 'Abdu'l- > Bahi'u'llih. Bahi sent with Mr. Harris and Mr. Ober, > Thereupon he became a faithful and de- as companions and teachers, two frinian > voted student of the BahB'i Revelation and teachers neither of whom could speak Engof all the previous Revelations of Truth to lish. One was Janabi Ibn Abhar, an > mankind, especially those parts of the vari- elderly frinian who had suffered for years > ous Books which prophesied this Great Day in prison and in chains for his Faith, the > of Light. His continuous study and un- other Mirzi Mahmfid, a young man whom > tiring efforts to know the Truth spiritually we knew later when he came to America > as well as mentally proved to be a timely with 'Abdu'l-BahP in 1912. > preparation which enabled him to answer From the time of the first address given > the call of 'Ahdu'l-Bah6 in 1906 for an aboard the ship by request of the Captain, > American to go to India to teach the Cause. just before reaching Naples, Mr. Harris > On November 10, 1906, Mr. Harris, ac- was engaged continuously, day by day, for > companied by Harlan Ober of Beverly, a period of seven months, in promulgating > Mass., left New York City for 'Akki to the Faith. The letters which he sent from > receive the blessing and instructions from the East t o the friends in America form > 'Abdu'l-Bahi. In answer to Mr. Harris' a large volume and give most vivid descrip- > 'f WORLD > > tions of his activities in Bombay, Poona, thr Cause can be rncasurcd only by the All- > Lahore, Calcutta, Rangoon and Mandalay. Seeing Eye of God Himself. We see and > He was privileged to address large audi- know but a few of the traces of his spirit; > ences of the Brama Somaj and Arya Somaj Balli'u'llAh knows the full record. > movements, Theosophical Societies, The Na- Our prayer is that ~ a h P u ' l l i hmay etertional Association of Indian Women, and a nally shower His love and bounty upon our > Conference of Religions held at Lahore. He beloved brother in the Faith, Hooper Harris. > was interviewed by many interested seek- From a letter received by Mrs. Harris > ers individually. He wrote a series of six from Shoghi Effendi, dated September 20, > articles upon the Faith for the Zoroastrian 1934, the following excerpt is quoted: "His > daily newspaper and other articles for the passing in these early days of the formative > "Bombay New Thought Magazine" and the period of our Faith is, indeed, a severe loss > "Times of India." not only to his friends and relatives but also > His work in India was well done and and mainly to ail the American followers > time alone will reveal the harvest from the of the Movement who had found in his > seeds planted so carefully and prayerfully person not only a real and sincere fellowin the fertile soil of India. believer hut also an active and capable ex- > Mr. Harris returned to New York in ponent of the teachings and principles of > 1907 and continued ceaselessly to set forth the Cause." From the same letter, the postthe teachings, stressing the logical fulfill- script written by the Guardian: "The irrement of the successive Covenants of God parable loss of your very dear husband has > and bearing witness to the inspiration, removed a distinguished figure from the > glory, and responsibilities of living in this community of the American believers and > Day of fulfillment. inflicted a severe blow to its best interests. > His constant and efficient work in teach- The share he has had in lending fresh impeing caused him to be appointed by the tus to the teaching activities of its members, > National Spiritual Assembly as Chairman of the contributions he has made to the adthe National Teaching Committee of the vancement of its institutions, the example > Northeastern States, and the Conventions he has set by his single-mindedness, his eloand Conferences arranged by him proved quent presentation of the essentials of God's > a great benefit to those privileged to attend. Faith and his exemplary devotion to its > He served as a faithful, conscientious and cause will long be remembered after hi. > active member of thr New York Spiritual He w a s indeed one of the leading apostles > Assembly for all but a few scattered years of Bah6'u'llih." > from 1901 till his death on July 27, 1934, > and the present Spiritual Assembly feels > deeply the loss of his sincere and disinter; > ested counsel. > A t one time, in the early years of the The friends of the New York Assembly > Cause in America, the Harris home served as were deeply grieved to read the following > headquarters for the "Board of Counsel"; in despatch from London to "The New York > fact, his home was open at all times to the Times" of the passing of Harry Houston > friends. Many of the teachers of f r i n sent Romer on April 1 3 , 193 5 . > to America by 'Abdu'l-Baha were his guests. "On April 13, 1935, Harry Houston > Mr. and Mrs. Harris were rejoiced to have Romer, member of the Associated Press, > 'Abdu'l-Bahi Himself spend an afternoon domestic and foreign staffs, died today of > and night in their home in 1912. heart disease, aged 64 years. A native of > The many Tablets which Hooper Harris Westchester County, N. Y., Mr. Rorner was > received from 'Abdu'l-Bahi-now preserved a member of an old American family. Durin the National Archives in Chicago-were ing the war he held important posts in the > a constant stimulant toward ever greater news organization. He became Chief Foreffort to serve. eign News Editor and later was placed in > Hooper Harris' life of loving devotion to charge of the Berlin Bureau. Subsequently > IN MEMORIAM > > Harry H. Ronler, 1870-1931. > > he was a member of the London Staff where ings and lectures at the New York Center, > his experience and background in United at "The Bahi'i Congress," and at the Ethical > States and international affairs aided him ~n Culture Society, etc. The program for this > handling the swiftly moving events of the work at the Center was essentially planned > post-war era. Mr. Romer carried on his for the purpose of presenting to the people a > duties through the present European crisis coniprehensive outline of Bahh'u'llbh's great > until physicians ordered him to bed two principles laid down for the New World > weeks ago. Surviving him are his widow Order and to study the most efficient propaand a son, Professor Alfred S. Romer, of ganda for this worlc. > Harvard University." First Mr. Romer conceived the idea of > I t was in 1922 that Mr. Romer became a publishing each week (Saturday) in the > member of thc New York Community. On Leading newspapers unique and attractive > April 21, 1924, Mr. Romer was elected to advertisements which included quotations > the Spiritual Assembly and after February from the words of Bahi'u'llih and 'Abdu'l- > 19, 1921, was its chairman. On April 21, Bahh. This was the first time such a thing > 1921, he was again elected to the Spiritual ever had been done and it was found to > Assembly and made chairman. O n June 11, be a most effective way to publish the > 1921, he was a delegate to the Convention "Word of God." See page 490 for an > at Greenacre. example. > I t was the writer's happy privilege to be The plan resulted in capacity audien?es > closely associated with Mr. Romer during throughout the entire series. For two years > the period of establishing the public meer- Mr. Romer took the responsibility of adver- > 490 THE B A H A ' I WORLD > the sense of the i r ~ i ~ o r t a ~of~ c the > e thcn > THE FORCE BEHIND > THE NEW CIVILIZATION little-known BahPi Movement. I t was > The Moving Power of the Present Marvelous largely through his efforts that much of the > World Dweloprnent Revealed by the > Baha'i Message publicity was obtained at the time of 'Ab- > Next iu the Senes of Free Ledules o n > the Basic BahB'i Princ~pler, at the du'l-Bahb's passing. He heralded the news > BAHA'i LIBRARY > 250 W e t 57th Street, to the press, and leading newspapers pub- > Sunday, Nav. 16, 4 P. M . , by lished reports which in some cases gave his- > MARY HANFORD FORD > Subject: > torical data of the Cause and an outline of > '"HE TEMPLE OF MAN" 'Abdu'l-Bahi's visit to the United States. > "In this dav he who seeks t h e lizht of the We consider that Mr. Romer rendered > Sun > ~b';,.f,;hes~.\;g,";p;J 2; :;: > Truth must free his lnlnd f r o m t h c > & > & > d > :;h signal service to the Cause in his association > of virtue Then shall he arrive at the with the New York Assembly during a peocean of 0ncnesr."-Behb'u'ilph. > All Cordially Invrted. riod when it was emerging into a new phase > Library open daily, 10 A. M. t o 4 P . M. of Bahd'i activities after the passing of > 'Abdu'l-Bahi. > tising and printing for this work, including ~ i , qualities were his > Bahi'i meetings on other platforms. straightforwardness, uncompromising loy- > Mr. Romer's devoted and inspiring service alty to truth, keen perception, clear vision, > never flagged; always his thought enter- simplicity and humility. w i t h him -word > tained the broad, universal scope of Bahi- and deed alike one color bore," H~ lived > 'u'llih's teachings and was the basic view- and dwelt in the steadfastness of his shining > point from which all activities emanated. faith, very kind in life, naturaland > His very presence of radiant cheer was a simple, with an unerring instinct for the > pervading influence at' all gatherings-a finest and best, especially in and litpresence which banished all fears-strength- erature, he attracted all him by = > ened our hope and faith in the power of benevolent equity and tenderness of soul. > BahB'u'll6h to overcome all difficulties which > might arise. I t was a thrilling experience in I t was in 1926, that Mr, and Mrs. Romer > that we were privileged to witness the "Sun arrived in London, and at once became > of Truth" dispersing all clouds. known to the friends. The presence of these > No thought of self or personal advantage two sincere and earnest Bahb'is has had an > ever dimmed the light of his clear vision. influence on the Cause that cannot be esti- > Like all illumined aouls he exhaled the frag- mated till the secrets of all hearts are disrance of humility. He had but one all- closed. Mr. Romer was prevented by his > embracing desire-the advancement of the professional obligations from taking the > Cause and the promulgation of its Teach- active part in the work of the Movement, > ings. Nothing could depress his buoyant which his wife undertook so faithfully; but > spirit or lessen the fervor of his vital efforts his influence was deeply felt. His sincerity > in this work. He had indeed caught a and selflessness gave great value to his counglimpse of the Glorious Splendor and it grew sel, and his simple faith was an inspiration > upon him as he witnessed the result of ear- to all who knew him. He was beloved for > nest effort evolving steadily and increasingly his kindIy generous nature, and when he > as the months passed. We fel-c it to be a entered a gathering an added warmth and > great appreciation when our dear departed light seemed perceptible. He was always > brother, Mr. Hooper Harris, said, "You've reluctant to speak in public, or to take a > established a great work and it will go on prominent part in meetings; but when he > forever." could be prevailed on to do so, his words > Mr. Romer was the only professionaI carried great weight, for they were backed > newspaper man in the Bahi'i community by a life lived on the purest Bahi'i ideals. > and he spread the knowledge of the Bah6'i A young friuian was once heard to remark > Movement throughout the News Association that they looked on him as the exemplar of > with which he was connected, thus estab- what a Bahi'i should be. I n 1929 great > lishing in the minds of many foreign editors efforts were made to give the Movement a > I N MEMORIAM 49 1 > better setting in London. It was felt that HOWARD LUXMORECARPENTER > a Center for work and meetings should be \-- > ( 1 9 0- 6- - ---', > 193%) > acquired; and a room at Walmar House, > Dr. Howard Carpenter became a BahPi > Upper Regent Street, was rented. Mr. Romer > through conversations with Howard Macdid good work on the Committee formed to > Nutt when the latter was lecturing in > bring this into operation. Later, in 1933-34 > California, and shortly afterward he matriche served on the London Spiritual Assembly, > and Finance committee; but the exactions of ulated at Stanford University, graduating > his profession gave him very httle strength from the Stanford Medical School in 1932. > or leisure for other thmgs, and it was his During his uliveraity years he attended > strong sense of BahPi obligations that led Bahl'i meetings at Stanford and in San > him often to tax his strength unduly. Francisco, and served on the San Francisco > Though averse to public speaking, Mr. Assembly in various capacities including > Romer was never backward in speakine of that of Chairman. He was present at the > - u > > the faith that was in hinl, and in his daily ~essiousof the Geyserville Summer School, > life he found cou~tless opportunities to and was the first to build a cabin on land > speak of the Cause. offered to Bah6'is by John Bosch for that > In matters of policy he always deprecated purpose. A t Stanford he exemplified the > any t e l ~ d e n c to > ~ rigidity or sectarianism; Bah6'i principle of race oneness-incidenand his clear, direct vision always led him to tally startling his university contemporaries > a clear and logical conclusion. There was no by rooming with Yoshio Okumoto, a Japcompromise with truth as he saw it. anese fellow-student. > I t was with great gief that the friends He married Mardiyyih Nabil in 1929, and > heard of his sudden illness a l ~ dthat the doc- in 1932 he and his wife left San Francisco > tors had ordered him to have complete rest. for Vielma, where he toolc a medical course, > His brave cheerfulness had concealed from 2nd afterward at the Guardian's direction > most of them how heavily the weight of traveled through Central Europe and the > business cares had pressed on him, undermin- Balkans. With Martha Root in Vienna, > ing his health. No one was prepared, how- Budapest and Belgrade, he then spent five > ever, for the sudden call, "Friend, go up weeks in Sofia, Bulgaria, assisting Miss > higher." Marion Jack, after which he stopped briefly > His outward presence was quietly with. in Saloniki and went on to Tirana, Albania, > drawn, without stress or undue sufiering, to visit Refo Chapar~. He then left for > but he was coi~sciousto the last. Haifa, where he stayed three weeks on his > His earthly form rests in the beautiful way to TihrAn. > cemetery at Hainpstead close to his last In frln, notwithstanding the efforts of > home. the Assembly, he was prevented for more > A Bahb'i Service was held in the Chapel than one year from obtaining a medical > there; and as the friends gathered round the license. His health failed, and he was bedgrave, passages from the Hidden Words were ridden for many months. At last his ~ h ~ s - > recited. " 0 Son of Spirit, with the joyful ical condition improved, he resumed activitidings of light I hail thee. Rejoice! To ties as a member of the Unity of the East > the Court of holiness I summon thee, =bide and West Committee, and the authorities > therein that thou Inayest live in peace for granted him a license to practise medicine. > evermore," seemed to fill the hearers with At this time he was stricken with paralysis. > solemn joy, for truly they felt that his spirit He lay seven months in a hospital, after > was with his Lord. His lovable, kindly which Mr. and Mrs. Rahmat 'Alh'i invited > nature, his sensitive artistic soul, and above him to their home, surrounding him with > all his uncompromising straightness remain the same loving care which they had given > with a fragrant memory and inspiration, Keith Ransom-Kehler the year before. His > while we believe that hc is called to worli in doctors advised a return to the United > a higher station in the presence of Bah6- States as his only hope for recovery; he > 'u'116h. braved the long journey across the desert > THE BAHA'I WORLD > > Dr. Howard Luxmoore Carpenter, 1906-193: > > by motor, the presence of the 'Ali'is, who brilliance, his almost surgical frankness, his > escorted him to Haifa, helping him to sur- hatred of sentimentalism, his intellectual apvive it. proach to the Cause of Bahl'u'llih, his utter > After nine days in Haifa, during which devotion t o the furtherance of Bahl'i instithe Guardian visited him daily, he tooli a tutions, were a light and guide to those who > ship for New York where he was greeted accompanied him through his brief life. O n > by the National Spiritual Assembly, and the occasion of his passing, the following > then left by way of the Panama Canal for cable was sent his family by the Guardian: > San Francisco. Here he had recourse t o the "Griefstricken sudden loss beloved precious > best medical authorities, but was pronounced soul. Meinory his interrupted historic servincurable. He passed away November 24, ices in Persia imperishable. Assure . . . > 1 9 3 1. He is buried at Sunset Memorial Park relatives profound sympathy ardent prayers > in Berkeley. The Bal~l'i service held for Holy Shrines-Shoghi." > him was conducted by Leroy Ioas of San > Francisco; Bahl'is of Berkeley, Oakland, As it was the privilege of Howard Car- > Geyserville, San Francisco and Santa Paula penter to achieve his greatest tribulation in > were present, and the words of Bahi'u'116h the land of BahA'u'lUh, one is reminded in > on immortality radiated such power as to this connection of the words addressed by > efface all thought of death. Bahi'u'llih to Tihrin: "0 Land of T i ! > Those who remember Howard Carpenter Thou art still, through the grace of God, > are especially grateful for certain of his a center around which His beloved ones have > qualities of mind, qualities which served to gathered. Happy are they; happy every > enrich the lives of those near to him. His refugee that seeketh thy shelter, in his suf- > I N MEMORIAM 493 > > Dr. Edward C. Getsinger, 1866-1935. > > ferings in the path of God, the Lord of this -"Gleanings From The Writings of Bahiwondrous Day!" 'u'llhh," translated by SHOGHI EFFENDI. > "Thou hast, moreover, asked Me concerning the nature of the celestial spheres. T o > comprehend their nature it would be neces- > "Give ear, 0 My servant, unto that which sary to inquire into the meaning of the alluis being sent down unto thee from the sions that have been made in the Boolis of > Throne of thy Lord, the Inaccessible, the old to the celestial spheres and the heavens, > Most Great. There is none other God but and to discover the character of their rela- > Him. He hath called into being His crea- tionship to the physical world, and rhe influtures, that they may know Him, Who is ence which they exert upon it. Every heart > the Compassionate, the All-Merciful. . . ." is filled with wonder at so bewildering a > 494 THE BAHA 'f WORLD > > theme, and every mind is perplcxed by its interest. His interpretation of the science > mystery. God, alone, can fathom its im- of celestial mechanics was to remain to him > . > port. . ."-]bid. a fascinating branch of the great scientific > tree of astronomy. > "These holy ones have, moreover, an- In the year 1893, Dr. Getsinger is found > nounced that when He Who is the Day at Chicago, as he writes: "Was appointed > Spring of the manifold grace of God mani- one of the state's (Michigan) delegates to > festeth Himself, all the Prophets and Mes- World's Congress of Scientists, Chicago > sengers, including the QB'im, will gather World's Fair." And it was at this Fair, in > together beneath the shadow of the sacred another World's Congress, rhe "World's > Standard which the Promised One will raise. Congress of Religions," that the Baha'i > That hour is now come."-Ibid. Faith, the greatest of all the interests that > was later to gain and hold the attention of > Within the above quotations, one can per- Dr. Getsinger, was first mentioned in > ceive the heavenly skies that hounded the America. > life history of Dr. Edward C. Getsinger. T o As its distinguished Guardian Shoghi > his many friends, who recall the spirit of Effendi has written: "Of pomp and circum- > Dr. Getsinger's interests and Faith, both stance, of any manifestations of public rethe problems that attracted his attention joicing, or of popular applause, there was > and the final success of his life are therein none to greet this first intimation t o Amerclear and evident. ica's citizens of the existence and purpose > Dr. Getsinger was born at midnight, Jan- of the Revelation proclaimed by Bah6'u'IlBh. > uary 7-8, 1866, in the town of Franken- Nor did he who was its chosen instrument > muth, Saginaw County, Michigan. He died profess himself a believer in the indwelling > in Hollywood, California, March 12, 1935. potency of the tidings he conveyed, or sus- > The name of his parents is given as Goet- pect the magnitude of the forces which so > singer or Goetzinger, but he, himself, always cursory a mention was destined to release." > wrote his name as Getsinger. Whether, or not, "the magnitude of the > At the early age of seven, the child, forces" released by the mention "of the > Edward, had left the home of his parents Revelation proclaimed by Bahi'u'llkh" at > and disappeared into a neighboring town. this great World's Fair in Chicago in 1893 > Five years were to elapse before he was again had, in some way not as yet understood, an > seen by his parents; for in this town he had effect upon Dr. Getsinger, certain it is that > been talcen into the home of a former pro- Thornton Chase, confirmed by the Center > fessor of Heidelberg University and there of its Covenant, 'Abdu'l-Bah6, as "the first > he contentedly remained. At this early age BahS'i in America," heard of the BahCi > he is fascinated by the mystery of the lumi- Faith within a year (June 1, 1894), and > nous bodies in stellar spaces, and often Dr. Getsinger is listed as certifying t o his > climbs to the roof to gaze at the illimitable wish to be counted a believer in the Bah6'i > heavens. Cause on October 27, 1897. (At this time > A t a later date he feels himself a disciple the early believers considered the giving of > of Hahnemann, who passed away in 1843, the Greatest Name as the symbol of acand takes to reading medicine with such ceptance.) > success that, at 2 2 , he is admitted to prac- I n his own chronology of events, Dr. Gettice in the state of Michigan, having served singer is d e n t as to the years after the Fair > the required year in a hospital, and is classed in 1893, until the year 1896. Dr. Getsinger > as a homeopath. writes: "It (the Bah6'i Faith) was first > But with Dr. Getsinger, the practice of brought to my attention in Chicago in 1896, > medicine as the object of his life, beautiful and after hearing the Message as delivered to > and important as this profession is, when me by a Syrian, I returned to my home in > united with the Love of God, soon gave way Detroit, Michigan, and there studied the > to the more preponderant appeal which the matter for months in absolute fairness to > stars in their orbits exerted in attracting his truth." By 1897, he had accepted the Reve- > ORIAM 495 > lation of Bahi'u'llih. And, also, in 1897, and all to the principles for which He stands > he married Lua A. Moore. in the world." > Again quoting Dr. Getsinger: "Mrs. According to his own account, before > (Phoebe) Hearst read of me in the news- becoming assured of the existence of God > papers in 1897, and called me to her Haci- because of the clear logic in the Bahb'i Faith, > enda. She was regent of the University of Dr. Getsinger had been an atheist. This > . . > California . gave her the Message." (Of statement he makes in a lecture written by > the Bahb'i Faith.) In response to this call him and from which he read in 1902, and > Dr. and Lua Getsinger went to California he goes on to ask his audience, reading from > together, and not many months elapsed be- the same lecture, "What power or glory of > fore Mrs. Hearst expressed the wish to visit any belief can bring atheists back when once > 'Abdu'l-Bahb in His home in 'Akkb, the they turn from hope? Only the sensible > Prison City of Palestine. She invited Lua truth, rational religion, scientific exposition, > and Dr. Getsinger to be her guests on that clear interpretation of' symbolic prophecy as > trip. Late in the year 1898, they all de- given by the Bahi'is can accomplish this." > parted for the Holy Land, via Paris, France. An old friend of Dr. Getsinger writes > To quote from the letter of an early be- of him: "His early writings show him to > liever: "She (Mrs. Hearst) took them .. . have been a student. . . . And even then > to 'Abki and they were the very first he warred upon worldliness, a~nb'itiou,pride > pilgrims to the Prison City, from Amer- and strife. . . . He was ,. . . not an egoist, > ica." for he did not regard self-development and > "Mrs. Hearst and her guests went first t o self-satisfaction as the supreme end of exher home in Paris, France; she took her col- istence." > ored butler from there ... to 'Akki, and As one sympathetically reviews Dr. Getthe Master, as you probably know, was very singer's life, its two strong foundations are > loving and kind to Robert." his zealous attention to research along scien- > From the account of still another early tific lines, and his, but for a short interval, > believer, it is ascertained that Mrs. Hearst continuous, unfailing service to the Faith of > remained for a time in Paris, France, sending Bahl'u'llbh. Dr. Getsinger's aim, and his- > Dr. and Lua Getsinger ahead of her to torians of the Faith will probably record > 'Akkb, where she joined thein later. these matters in detail, was the search for > In Lua's written account of this first additional truths that seemed unquestionably > pilgrimage of Americans t o the "Most Great related to the central truth of all truths to > Prison" city of 'Akki, Palestine, the state- him, the great Revelation of Bahi'u'llih. > ment is made that she and Dr. Getsinger Those in position to know state that he > arrived in Haifa, Palestine, Thursday, De- left volu~nesof manuscripts completed only > cember 8, 1898, about 10:30 P.M. The day three or four days before his death, of reafter the next day, of December lo, 1898, search into the ancient truths of the Old > in the morning, they left Haifa, and in a Testament and in relation to his theories of > short time they had arrived at 'Akkh, passed celestial mechanics. At one time he had > through its gate and had gone directly t o toured the universities and had been invited > the home of 'Abdn'l-Bah6. They then met to Carnegie Institute in relation to these > 'Abdu'l-Bahi. subjects. > Dr. Getsinger writes: "When I first saw Of his early services to the Bahl'i Cause > 'Abbis Effendi ('Abdu'l-Bahi) the Servant there is much of historic importance. In > of Bahb, at 'Akki, in spite of my former cn-operation with Mrs. Fannie G. Lesch, > belief I still had enough spiritual perception who had collected the material, and with the > witb(in) my living Tomb to see at once, a financial assistance of Mrs. Phoebe Hearst, > holy man, a divine character, a most humble as reported by Mrs. Lesch, he published the > yet profound spirit and intellect, a heart as first book of the Tablets of Holy BahP'i > great as human weakness, a mercy as wide as Writings ever to be printed in America. > justice, s soul that I could not comprehend Likewise, Mrs. Lesch states, he published the > and at that moment I consecrated my life first volume of "Hidden Words" translated > 496 T H E B A H A. ' f WORLD > in this country. With the approval of lishment; the child was wit-hdrawn from > 'Abdu'l-Bahb, he published, as he told this religious instruction at the request of her > writer, the Album of beautifully colored Nonconformist parents. This experience of > photographs of Bahi'i Holy Places in Pales- withdrawal was a sore trial to the sensitive > tine-these photographs had been taken by child, but its effect was t o make her search > a Greek photographer. The beautiful Tab- for causes and think for herself. This gave > let, the first which 'Abdu'l-Bahi chanted rise in her immature mind to what later > into a phonograph to he retained in record developed into a wholehearted and unfetform, was chanted after continued solicita- tered search for Truth. I t was during her > tion by Dr. Getsinger that He grant such a school days that Sarah Andrews heard fainr > request, and the record was brought to echoes of the terrible religious persecutions > America by Dr. Getsinger in 1899. in irin, which later she identified with the > I n that pamphlet of glorious promise and Blbis. She remembered vividly wondering > encouragement to American Bahi'is writtell why such deeds should be perpetrated beby Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Faith, cause of religion. She was an intelligent > in the year 1933, and called "America and student and before leaving school at the age > The Msst Great Peace," the Bahh'i Faith is of eighteen she was among the first group > divided into four decades to include the of young ladies permitted to enter for a > forty years, from 1893 to 1933, of its devel- Cambridge University Examination-a sign > opment in America. I n each of these decades in those days of the colning advancement of > Dr. Getsinger had lived as a Bahb'i accord- women. > ing to his ever growing understanding and In her early thirties Mrs. Blundell received > development. He was an old and tried a definite spiritual awakening. Such an exbeliever. A friend has written of him: "My perience can never be adequately described > memorier of him are very precious of a by words. When speaking of it t o the > firm, faithful believer who gave all that he writer, she said, "I thought I was in Heaven. > had of Bah6'i treasures, his knowledge and Texts of scripture poured into my mind > anything he could do to serve the glorious with new meaning." In the light of this > Cause of Bahl'u'llih." awakening she received such deep spiritual > joy and strength that the material troubles > Note-The author wishes to acknowledge she was at that time encountering became as > assistance, in furnishing data upon which nothing. So having received "oil for her > this article is based in part, from Mrs. Fannie lamp" she continued her journey in the > G. Lesch, Miss Leone Basnitz, and W. F. "Valley of Search" with unwavering faith > Lucus. 2nd hope. Some years later in a state of perplexity, she took her problem to God in > prayer. She heard a voice which said, "Can > One of the pioneers of the Bahi'i Cause you go through poverty?" Her trustful rein New Zealand-Mrs. Sarah Blundell- ply was, "Through anything or anywhere > passed away at her home in Auckland on with Thee, Lord." > December 20, 1934, at the advanced age of In 1887, when Mrs. Blundell with her > eighty-four years. She was born at Burwell, husband and family of seven children ar- > Cambridgeshire, England in 18 10-the year rived in New Zealand, her faith was put to > sacred in Bah6'i history as that of the Bib's the test. Here she experienced for a time, > martyrdom. not only lack of material wealth, and the > Mrs. Blundell received her early religious comforts of life to which she was accustraining from her father, Mr. Henry tomed, bur also lack of friends, for she came > A n d r e w k a Nonconformist of strong con- as a stranger to a strange country. She > victions and high principles. passed through these years of trial and test- > Before the age of seven she had acquired ing with cheerful courage, firm in her belief > a knowledge of Bible history and a desire in God's help and guidance. > "to be good." A t this time little Sarah was In her search for Truth she passed through > sent to boarding school-an orthodox estab- many fields of thought, emerging through > I N MEMORIAM > > Sarah Blundell, 1850-1934. > > the mists of dead creeds and dogmas, always Whilst in London, she said to the late > following the light, and helping doubtful Mrs. Claudia Coles, "For me, the search is > and troubled souls to set their feet on the over." > path of spiritual endeavour. From her acceptance of the Bahh'i reveIa- > From the "Christian Commonwealth" tion till the end of her life she experienced > Mrs. Blundell first heard of 'Abdn'l-Bahh's complete spiritual joy and contentment. > visit to London in 1911. There she read of The words of 'Abdu'l-BahB were fully ex- > His life and teachings, and was at once at- emplified in her life: "Sacrifice all thy taltracted. She sent for literature which she ents at the feet of that heart-enkindling > read with an open mind and prepared heart, Beloved and characterize thyself with such > so when in 1922, Mr. and Mrs. Hyde Dunn deeds and words that thou mayest become > came to Auckland to spread the Bahk'i mes- the cause of the guidance of others." She > sage, Mrs. Blundell invited them to her worked unsparingly for the Cause of Bahlhome and there the first BahPi meeting was 'u'llih in New Zealand until her failing > held. physical powers could no longer reflect her > In 1925, Mrs. Blundell was one of the first loving spirit and her body was laid aside as > party of Pilgrims from Australia and New a wornout tool. She passed away peacefully > Zealand who were privileged to visit Haifa in the presence of members of her family, > -The Holy Family-The Shrines of the who ,received comfort and strength through > Bib, Bahh'u'llih and 'Abdu'l-Bah6, and t o the spirit of triumphant joy which filled the > come into personal contact with many con- room and which took away the sting of > firmed Bahi'i-a "crowning gift" to one death. Truly for her death was as "glad > whose spiritual path had been traveled alone. tidings." I n the hearts of New Zealand > -196 THE BAHA'I WORLD > > Khalil Qamar. > > Bahl'is she will ever be a shining example of for those who gathered at her home for that > a beautiful and consecrated life. event. (The day the accompanying photo- > Mrs. Blundell's fathcr, Mr. Henry graphwas taken.) > Andrews, in the days of his early manhood > was one of a group of young men who met Slyym ~ A L I LEL-QAMAR OF 'AVASEQ > each day at midday for prayer and Bible > study in a room at the business house of Siyyid Lhahalil El-Qamar was born in > Messrs. Hitchcock & Williams, St. Paul's 1867 A.D. at 'Avl&iq, a village situated > Church Yard, London. Mr. Williams, one sixty-five miles from B a d d i d . After a > of the heads of the firm, on hearing of this long period of insistent and continuous remeeting was greatly impressed, and the idea sistance he was attracted to the Cause and > was born of forming the organization which wholeheartedly embraced the Faith and has > is known all over the world as the Young been f o r twenty-five years a famous and ac- > Men's Christian Association. tive Bahi'i. > -. During the whole period of his new Bahl'i > Mrs. Blundell's gift as a pianist was above life he was well known by his activities in > the average. Her music master in Germany the Cause not only at his birth-place bur > wished her to enter the profession, but this also at B a d d i d and in most parts of 'Irlq. > her parents did not agree to. All her life Although he was a villager by birth, illitshe used her talent, giving pleasure to many. erate and very far from schoIastic life, an > Her soul qualities spoke through her fingers, agriculturist and landlord by calling, yet > uplifting her hearers with the spirit in the through the sublime spiritual influence of > music. O n her eightieth birthday she played the Cause he could eloquently present proofs > IN MEMORIAM > > Hiji Mhammad Yazdi. > of the Cause confirmed by Verses from the elected a member of it, which post he held > Qnr'6n and H a d i h to all classes of people, until the end of his life. > in such convincing manner that they became He was privileged twice during his life to > surprised by his inspired and effective speech. be honored by visiting our belove& Guard- > He was one of the few old believers who ian and was a recipient of his loving kindness > attended the court as a witness while the and appreciations, which increased considercase of the houses of Bah6'u'llih was under ably his activities and self-sacrifice. > trial. Amidst the infuriated populace he His tragic death occurred on January 9, > pushed his way to the court and very cour- 1936, in consequence of a falling down of a > ageously and boldly declared his faith and section of the Haziratu'l-Quds of Ba&did > gave the necessary testimony and paid no where he was sleeping with his eldest son > heed t o the menaces aqd intimidations, Isma'il and both of them died immediately. > though his life was exposed to inevitable This sad news was communicated to the > death under such critical circumstances. Guardian, who immediately sent a telegram > He was the real mover of the Friends of of deep sy~npathyand hearty condolences to > 'AvQ&iq and the one to whom they came the Friends of 'Avi&iq whicl~was followed > for help, guidance and counsel. He was an by a letter in appreciation of his brilliant > important factor in erecting the Haziratu'l- services, the translation of an extract of > Quds of his locality, which was the first of which, written by his secretary, is as folits kind in 'Irlq. lows:- > He was secretary to che Spiritual Assem- "That zealous servant of God has renbly, and on formation of the National Spir- dered excellent and sublime services t o the > itual Assembly of 'Iriq in 1931, he was tl~resholdof his merciful God. That digni- > I00 T H E BAHh'f WORLD > > Led m a l ~was the sign of firmncss and the or returning they would be the gnests of the > essence of steadfastness and rectitude, hold- Alexandria friends. > ing fast t o the teachings of God and cling- Meanwhile, in addition to the Alexandria > ing unto His brilliant and sacred command- interests, Muhammad Yazdi opened a store > ments. He never let any opportunity pass in 'Akki with his close friend the late Siyyid > without manifesting his self-sacrifice and 'Ali Yazdi and the two carried on business > sincerity and let no chance slip away with- there. In 1882, as a consequence of the > out showing his gallantry and solemnity. So rebellion of 'Arribi Pi&&, the occupation > it is no wonder if this sudden and unex- of Alexandria by Great Britain, the great > pected incident caused a deep grief and fire and the general confusion, he left for > intense sorrow to the Guardian who enter- the Holy Land, returning some seven > tained so great an attachment to him, was months later. > utterly satisfied with him, and had complete When in 1872, the life of every Bahi'i > confidence in him." was darkened by the ascension of Bahi- > 'u'llhh, he, suffering bitterly from separation > from his Beloved, in accord with the Will > and Testament of BahB'u'llih turned toward > The late y a j i Muhammad Yazdi, the son the Center of the Covenant, and, fully > of 'Abdu'l-Rahim-i-Yazdi, was born about obedient to 'Abdu'l-Bahh, remained firm in > 1810 in Yazd, and at the same time as his the Cause. At that period he was instruelder brother, the late &ay&-'Ali, he mental in establishing a Spiritual Assembly > achieved in early youth the privilege of be- which achieved renown. He later made of > coming a Baha'i. He then became the re- his residence in Ramlih (Alexandria) a gathcipient of blessed Tablets from Bahi'u'llih ering place for the believers, it being his > and was singled out for especial grace. To custom to hold regular Sunday meetings > such a degree was he set aflame that he spent lasting from afternoon till nearly midnight, > most of his time either in teaching the Cause at which occasions the believers would come > to his friends and kindred, in holding Bahi'i together, partake of refreshments and chant > feasts and gatherings in his home or in the holy prayers and Tablets. Whenever the > chanting the Tablets and prayers. At last, Master and members of the Household > however, he could no longer eudure his long- would visit that city, he exerted every effort > ing for the presence of Bahi'n'llhh; he set in carrying out the Master's behests. Previout with the late H i j i Amin on his first ous to this he married Jamilih Khhnurn, > journey to the Holy Land, and there, in daughter of the late 'Ali Man&6diy-i- > 'Akki, he attained to meeting with the Yazdi, and believers from various parts of > Blessed Beauty. Egypa, from Port Said and Alexandria came > Afterward, with the permission of Bahi'u- to Ramlih for the wedding. > 'llih, Muhammad Yazdi went to Alexandria During the World War, from 1914 to > in Egypt and settled there. I n Alexandria 1717, Muhammad Yazdi carried on business > around the year 1870, he and the late Hiji in Beirut and Damascus, and also in Haifa > Siyyid Javid-i-Yazdi undertook the postal with my brother, Aqb Mirzi Husayn. > despatch of tablets from Bahi'u'llih t o the When the ascension of the beloved Master > Bah6'is of frhn and of letters from the had plunged the believers into sorrow, he > latter to the Holy Land. Within a few turned, obedient to the Master's Testament, > years some of the Baha'is who had come to the Guardian of the Cause, remaining > together in Alexandria established a trading staunch and steadfast. Around 1925, he > company, and conducting their affairs with went back to Port Said, engaging in business > great and spiritual harmony, they prospered. in the store of his brother, Ahmad Yazdi, > A t that period all the 'Akkl pilgrims trav- and almost yearly he would journey t o visit > eled by way of Alexandria; from the frinian the Guardian and pray at the Holy Shrines. > Gulf, from India, from the Caucasus and I n his eighty-fourth year, M4ammad Yazdi > Turkey, frinian and other believers would was struck by a motor cycle and passed > come t o the Holy Land, and whether going away September 1, 1933. He is survived > I N MEMORIAM SO1 > > by his widow, four sons and one daqhter Oil Company in fran; Rawhin, attending > as follows: say@-'Ali, now a resident of the School of Medicine at Lyons, France; > Berkeley, California; 'Abdu'l-Rahim, Port Fitirnih-Sultin, now living with her mother > Said; 'Aziz, employed by the Anglo-idnian in Port Said. > > E X T R A C T S FROM BAHA'f NEWS > I N MEMORIAM Christ Jensen, Racine, Wisconsin. > Owen Mead Snyder, Seattle, Washington. > Dmth proffereth m t o every confident Mrs. Bertha Bruss, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. > believer the cup that is life indeed. I t Mrs. Sophie Wagner, Milwaukee, Wisconbestoweth joy, and is the bearer of gladness. sin. > I t conferreth the gift of everlasting life. Mrs. Mada Longmeyer, Chicago, 111. > As to those thrzt huzie tasted the fruit of Mr. W. M. Cline, Sr., Verdugo City, > man's earthly existence, which is the recog- Calif. > nition of the one true God, exalted be His Mr. A. I. Truesdell, Santa Monica, Calif. > glory, their life heyeafter is such as We are Dr. Howard Carpenter, Berkeley, Calif. > unable to describe. The knowledge thereof Mr. John Stoeffel, Baltimore. > is with God, alone, the Lord of all wo~1ds.- Mrs. Iva Johnson, Urbana, Ohio. > Bah6'u'lIih. Mrs. Annie E. McKinney, Providence, > Mrs. Lily Wiggins, Phoenix. R. I., and Eliot, Maine. > Frederick Diehl, Pasadena. Mr. Weaver vor~Kirtley, Glendale, Calif. > Mrs. Pauline Ayres, Trenton, N. J. Mrs. Clara Hillhouse, New Haven, Conn. > Mrs. George Busey, Urbana. Mrs. Frances A. Moore, Lima, Ohio. > Mrs. Angela Lynch, San Francisco. Mrs. Rose Hilty, Topeka, Kansas. > J. T. Reddin, Marstock, N. S. Dr. Edward C. Getsinger, Los Angeles, > Mrs. W. H . Repogle, Bakersfield, Calif. Calif. > Lorene Neville, Glendale, Calif. Mrs. Mathea Larsen, Racine, Wis. > Henry Blankenbecker, Mrlwauliee, Wis. Miss Mary Hudd, Washington, D. C. > Mrs. C. B. Anderson, New York City. Mrs. Lillian A. Kendall, Phoenix, Ariz. > Mrs. C. L. Lincoln, Brooklyn. Mrs. Nellie A. Rahn, Detroit, Mich. > Mrs. Frank Moxey, Newark. Mr. George Russell Monroe, Vancouver. > Mrs. Mary Isabel Marshall, Washington, Mrs. C. E. Cuddeback, San Francisco. > D. C. Mrs. Helen M. Babo, Chicago. > Charles F. Coles, Washington, D. C. Miss Rhoda Nichols, Troy, N. Y. > Otto Weiss, Teaneck, N. J. Mr. Leslie Calhoon, Racine, Wisc. > Hooper Harris, New York City. Dr. Clement Woolson, St. Paul, Minn. > Mrs. Julia McCormick, Everitt, Wash. Mrs. Dora Smith, Seattle. > Mrs. Sarah J. Swift-Hardy, Richmond Charles Belyea, Milwaukee. > Province, Quebec, Canada. Mrs. Caroline Brown, Chicago. > Otto Weiss, Closter, N. J. H. De Vogh Wright, Orange Springs, > Mrs. Harriet Schwartz Lebman, Colum- N. Y. > bus, Ohio. Mrs. Hulda Mecher, Muskegon. > Dr. Susan I. Moody, Tihrhn, i r k . Marshall Humphrey, Phoenix. > Samuel Angus Roberts, Kelvin, Arizona. George Monroe, Vancouver. > Fay Swain, Portland, Oregon. Miss Ella J. Abeel, Pasadena. > Mme. Frieda Stjerna, Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Eleanor Terry, Atlantic City. > Mrs. Mabel F. Geary, Seattle, Washington. Mrs. Fred Hale, New York. > Mrs. Evora Ella Jones, Worcester, Massa- Mr. E. B. Rabb, San Francisco. > chusetts. Col. Henry S. Culver, Eliot. > Mrs. Emma Hanson, Racine, Wisconsin. Mrs. Ellen M. Glines, Washington, D. C. > 102 T H E BAHA'i WORLD > Mrs. Gertrude Mattcrn, Washington, Mme. Marie Beck, February 10, 1915, > D. C . Lausanne, Switzerland. > George E. Witte, Willcox, Arizona. Miss Elsie Lea, Whit-Monday, June 1 0 , > Mrs. Thursa Morwood-Clark, Vancouver. 193 5, London, England. > William B. Remey, Bremerton, Wash- Mrs. Edith Burr, June, 1935, Florence, > ington. Italy. > Mrs. Maverette Fisher, Three Rivers, Mr. Kustner, June 1935, Stuttgart, Ger- > Massachusetts. many. > George Steiner, in April 1934, Gyar, Jinib-i-F6dil-i-&irhzi. > Hungary. MirzI T6&i W i n Bahin-Ayin. > > — *In Memoriam (Used by permission of the curator)*