INTER-RACIAL AMITY
BY
LOUIS GREGORY
NO subject of general advancement and progress more vitally concerns the Bahá’í Cause than that of race relations. In America the problem of races has been the outstanding one for centuries and has been full of such perils as to affect the very life of the nation. It is significant that although from the Supreme Pen of His Holiness, Bahá’u’lláh, but one brief utterance concerning this nation is known to us, it contained what appears to be an obvious reference to our greatest difficulty.
The Manifestation, Bahá’u’lláh, in His Tablet* addressed to the Presidents of the United States and the Governors of the states therein, following His wonderful declaration of the appearance of the Divine Cause, commands: “Assist with the hands of justice the broken-hearted and crush the oppressors with the scourges of the Commands of your Lord.”
All activities and gatherings of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh have as their purpose the unity of mankind. The friends throughout the world, under the guidance of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, extending over many years, and more recently that of Shoghi Effendi, have had revealed to them ideals, principles and methods that are unique in their exaltation, universality and adaptation to human needs. The evolution of inter-racial amity has a subtle fascination and abiding interest. It has taken the form of a succession of conventions held in various cities and calling into active association and spiritual fellowship some of the gentlest and finest spirits found in the realm of humanity.
During the period immediately following the great war when communications were reopened with the Orient, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said to an American pilgrim at Haifa in 1920, Mrs. Agnes S. Parsons of Washington, D. C., “I want you to arrange in Washington a convention for unity between the white and colored people.” A detail which He added to this laconic instruction was, “Of course you must have people to help you.”
Thus came about the first convention for amity between the white and colored races in America and so far as we know, the world. It gathered at Washington, D. C., May 19 to 21, 1921. It received a great spiritual confirmation and was very successful. Various units co-operated in this fine service; foremost among whom were Mrs. Parsons and her associates. Great was her responsibility. Nineteen ladies from the social life of the city gave the prestige of their names as patrons. The Congress of the nation was represented in Senator Samuel Shortridge of California, Hon. Martin B. Madden and Hon. Theodore Burton as speakers, while the venerable ex-Senator Moses E. Clapp, was a valuable counselor and friend. Other speakers were Mr. C. Lee Cook, a white business man of the South, Dr. Alain Locke of Howard University, Mr. Alfred W. Martin of New York's Ethical Culture Society, Mr. William H. Randall of Boston, Messrs. Mountfort Mills and Howard MacNutt, Mírzá Aḥmad Sohrab and Jinib-i-Fadil-i-Mázindarání of Persia. Mrs. Coralie F. Cook made a beautiful presentation of the poems of Negro poets at one of the sessions. Thus colored and white, East and West, Orient and Occident were represented among
[*See Appendix at the conclusion of this article.—Editors.
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the speakers. A note of peace from the American army came in a letter from Lieut.-Gen. Nelson A. Miles, with hearty felicitation upon the aims and ideals of the conference. Beautiful music, mainly from Howard University, but also from Dr. C. Sumner Wormley, Mr. Joseph Douglass and other artists, added to the joyfulness. The program contained quotations from the sacred writings of past and present and thus bravely stated its purpose:
“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 actors in this engagement for right are all the inhabitants of these United States. The great work we have to do and for which this convention is called is the establishment of amity between the white and colored people of our land. When we have put our own house in order, then we may be trusted to carry the message of universal peace to all mankind.”
But the climax of illumination, spiritual outpouring and power of the convention was reached on the day when the message of His Highness ‘Abdu’l-Bahá reached it through Mr. Mountfort Mills, recently returned from a pilgrimage to Haifa. The message read: “Say to this convention that never since the beginning of time has one more important been held. This convention stands for the oneness of humanity. It will become the cause of the removal of hostilities between the races. It will be the cause of the enlightenment of America. It will, if wisely managed and continued, check the deadly struggle between these races which otherwise will inevitably break out.”
It is reliably stated that the President of the United States, the late Mr. Harding, upon reading the press reports which were so friendly and widespread, said, “Thank God for that convention!”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave to this first convention for amity the station of “mother” and said that its spirit would spread to other cities. His words very soon had effect in hearts. In December of the same year Springfield, Massachusetts, held a similar convention. This was largely due to the sacrifices of a small group of friends, including Mr. Roy Williams, Mrs. Olive E. Kretz and Mrs. Grace Decker, who succeeded in forming a committee consisting of public officials, clergymen, and other leading citizens. It was modeled after the first convention, including influential patrons. The two races mingled with every sign of friendliness. Music was rendered by the Springfield Choral Society and eloquent addresses were made by Hon. E. F. Leonard, Mayor Wm. N. DeBerry, Rev. A. I. Bouldin, Rev. Neil McPherson, Rabbi Pierce of Beth El Synagogue, while Dr. Zia M. Baghdádi and Messrs. Roy Williams, William H. Randall and Alfred E. Lunt instructed the great audiences about the Bahá’í Message and the great ideals of peace and brotherhood. It is worthy of mention that among the most favorable press notices of the convention were those found in the columns of the Springfield Republican, perhaps the most powerful newspaper of New England. The subjects of “Conciliation,” “Economic Equality,” “Elements of Universal Peace,” “Oneness of Mankind,” “One Law, One God,” “The Heavenly Teachings,” conveyed the spirit of the convention. There were also quotations from the Sacred Scriptures. The same sweet spirit was left in its trace. While the writer was in Springfield a few years ago after this convention a venerable clergyman said to him, “The Bahá’í teachings are all love!”
The third convention for amity was held under the direction of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New York. About fifty different races, sub-races and nationalities found in New York were invited to co-operate. These were drawn together in loving fellowship. Dr. John Herman Randall of the Community Church; Dr. Franz Boaz, Professor of [Page 283]
Anthropology, Columbia University; Mr. James Welden Johnson, Secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of the Colored People; Miss Jane Addams, the well-known social worker of Hull House, Chicago; Messrs. Roy C. Wilhelm, Horace Holley and Mountfort Mills were among the active workers and speakers for this event in the welfare history of New York. This convention demonstrated on a scientific and spiritual basis that there is no real basis for the belief in the superiority of one race over another. It was held in the spring of 1924.
Other organizations participating were the National Urban League, the committee on International Co-operation of the League of Women Voters and America’s Making. Other notable persons who lent hand and voice were Dr. Alain Locke, Dr. Stephen S. Wise, Dr. Lobo, Taracknath Das, Ruth Morgan, John Finley, Lucius Porter and Stephen P . Duggan. In the words of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, printed on the program, the assembled audiences had before them the supreme joy that is possible of attainment through a united nation and a harmonious world.
Philadelphia, the “City of brotherly love,” as named by its Quaker founder, next entered the arena of great human service on the basis of spirituality. The Spiritual Assembly announced that it would hold a convention for amity between the white and colored races under Bahá’í auspices. Witherspoon Hall, a large and beautiful auditorium, situated in the heart of the city was selected as the place of meetings. Large and fine audiences which in spirit and appearance seemed to be the flower of the city, beautiful music, inspiring addresses by leaders of thought and opinion with the heavenly teachings and message given by those trained in Bahá’í ideals and methods of service constituted the program. One of the most notable addresses was made by former President Judge John M. Patterson of the Court of Common Pleas, who said in part:
“This convention upholds a standard: Let us take into life the ideals we learn here. Real democracy is putting into practice the things we teach. God put the other fellow on the earth as well as ourselves. We must not let our charity ever fail. Love does not know colors or creeds. We can carry out the spirit of this convention whether we call ourselves Christians or Bahá’ís.”
Miss Agnes Tierney of the Society of Friends, Dr. Alain Locke, Dr. Zia M. Baghdádi, Messrs. Hooper Harris, Albert Vail and Horace Holley, all spoke, with voices whose spiritual power gave eloquent expression to the ideals of the new age under the inspiration of Bahá’u’lláh.
It is here worthy of note that the idea of a World Unity conference which took hold of a group of Bahá’ís and other religious liberals and humanitarians of San Francisco, in March, 1925, grew out of the suggestion of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for harmony and understanding between the white and colored races in America. This great conference, held in a locality most favorable to the meeting of East and West, combined representatives of the Aryan, Negro, Malay, and Mongolian, besides many nationalities. This step inaugurated a series of world unity conferences which have widened the horizons of people in many cities. It was in connection with such a conference that the friends in Dayton, Ohio, planned a session especially for inter-racial amity on January 13, 1927.
The Glee Club of Wilberforce University, one of the oldest Negro colleges, furnished the music, a happy blending of classics with plantation songs popularly known as “Spirituals.” The fine and appreciative audience was about evenly divided in numbers between the two races. It happened that on this occasion the three speakers were followers of Bahá’u’lláh. Mr. Holley as chairman gave an historical review of the prejudices and hatreds which have made the world sick for many centuries and in an eloquent plea sought the expansion of human minds and hearts in service to humanity.
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Mr. Vail said in part: “After nineteen hundred years we are beginning to realize Christ’s vision of brotherhood and to deal with the race problem as something that lies at the heart of religion and not as something to be handed over to the police. Every modern science confirms the principle of unity.” This he illustrated by references to the astronomer, the physiologist, the biologist and by intelligence tests made with white and colored children, proving their equal capacity under similar conditions. “Step by step, therefore, we climb upward to the spiritual view, that the only superior man is he who loves most and serves best.”
The representative of the colored race* who appeared, in concluding his address quoted these very stirring words from the pen of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: “O ye teachers of the Cause of the Supreme Lord! Travel ye, teach ye! Destroy ye the foundation of hatred, malice and contention from among the children of men and lay ye the basis of the palace of love and universal peace! The lights of the oneness of the world of humanity are scintilating like unto precious jewels; scatter their rays to all parts! Upraise ye the banner of unity, fraternity, co-operation and reciprocity among all the people; so that there may not be left from prejudice aught save a name and from ignorance not even a shadow; that the religion of God may pitch its tent over the East and the West, the Lights of the Kingdom may illumine all hearts, perfect agreement and association may be realized between races, religions and nativities, and the world of creation may find composure and tranquillity.”
The nation’s capital, Washington, D. C., held its second convention for amity April 8, 9 and 10, 1927. Its printed program contained quotations from the Words of Moses, Jesus, the Buddha, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, demonstrating the oneness of mankind and the oneness of religion. It also announced the arrangement of this convention for amity between the white and colored races by the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, expressing the hope that its spirit, spreading through America, would bring the peace that is a solace to all mankind.
The band of Bahá’í workers obtained the aid of liberal clubs and organizations. Dr. Moses R. Lovell, of the Mt. Pleasant Congregational Church, gave the use of his beautiful and well-appointed structure for two of the sessions, the third being held in the popular auditorium known as the Playhouse. The progressive white people of the Southern States were represented by Dr. Samuel C. Mitchell, professor of history in Richmond University, Virginia, one of the distinguished educators who met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at the Lake Mohonk Peace Conference in 1912. In the course of his address, the subject of which was “Faith in Friendliness,” he referred to the wonderful address of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the unity of God and the unity of man, which he had thrice repeated.
Two of the other speakers were drawn from the colored race, one of whom, Dr. Pezavia O'Connell, is dean of Morgan College, Baltimore. His subject was, “Thou Shalt Love.” Another friend of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Rabbi Abram Simon, chairman of the Synagogue Council of America, made a very eloquent address on “The Higher Unity.” Other attractive speakers were Albert Vail on “New Proofs of the Oneness of Humanity,” and Mountfort Mills on “The Foundation of Unity.” Messrs. Horace Holley, Allen McDaniel and Albert Vail as chairman of the various sessions, very happily stated the ideals and principles of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.
The spirit of inter-racial amity and world peace permeated these conferences and seemingly the press and the whole community. The light of love appeared in many faces, a wave of joyfulness swept over the city and divine assistance came
[*Mr. Louis Gregory was this able representative. With his customary modesty he has made no mention of himself.—Editors.
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to the servants and workers in this great effort. As Washington is a city where the official representatives of all nations are found it is hoped that the effect of the Bahá’í Movement thus putting itself on public record as standing for such enlightened principles in action will have a wide influence and result.
Other religious bodies seem eager to emulate the efforts of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh and it is certain that a divine power supports those who strive to attract the hearts of the two races to each other. The divine remedy heals. A new source of power to the amity work is the eloquent support given by the beloved Guardian of the Bahá’í Cause, Shoghi Effendi, whose words and deeds thrill our hearts. It has also been amply proven that amity conventions attract both races to the Cause.
[Since the writing of the foregoing article by Mr. Louis Gregory, the nation’s capital, Washington, D. C., held its third convention for amity in inter-racial relations on November 10 and 11, 1927. The meeting of the 10th was held in Mt. Pleasant Congregational Church. Mr. Albert Vail of Chicago spoke on the subject, “How All Mankind are One,” and Dr. Mordecai W. Johnson of Howard University on “The Conquest of Prejudice.” Mrs. Coralie Franklin Cook presided. The meeting of the 11th was held in the auditorium of the Playhouse. The addresses of the evening were by Prof. Leslie Pinckney Hill of Cheyney Institute, who spoke on “Getting On Together,” and Siegfried Schopflocher of Montreal who gave “Obersvations of a World Traveler.” Mr. Albert Vail presided. This convention created great interest and was one of the most outstanding and noteworthy events in the history of the Bahá’í Cause in that city.—Editors.]
APPENDIX—TABLET TO AMERICA[edit]
Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh
O Rulers of America, and Presidents of the Republic therein!
Harken 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.” Adorn the temple of dominion with the embroidered garment of justice and virtue, and its head with the diadem of the celebration of your Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth—thus doth the Day-spring of the names command you on the part of the One All-knowing and Wise. The Promised One hath appeared in this exalted station, whereat smiled the months 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 concourse of statesmen! Harken unto that 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, and crush the oppressors with the scourges of the Commands of your Lord, the Powerful, the Wise!
[Note—One of the latest victims of the persecutions in Persia, has been reported from the town of Ardibíl in the Province of Ádhirbáyján, when a loyal Bahá’í, Aminu’l-U’lamá, fell under the assassin’s dagger on March 26, 1927.—Editors.]
