ON THE BORDERS OF LAKE LEMAN
BY
FLORENCE E. PINCHON
(From Star of the West)
THOSE who have had the joy of visiting Switzerland, who have grown brown in its brilliant sunshine, seen the clouds wreathe themselves in a myriad of fantastic forms about the snow-capped mountains, watched a sunset or a moonrise over the iridescent waters of Lake Leman, can never quite forget the experience nor fail to realize an upliftment of soul, a sense of being enfolded in a deep peace touched at times even with ecstasy. But who dare hope to describe the beauty that has been immortalized by a Byron or a Shelley?
No wonder, therefore, that when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited this country in 1911, driving in the mountains or crossing by steamer to the picturesque towns, linked, like beads on a silver chain, all round the lake border, His tender, sensitive heart knew gladness and refreshment and rejoiced in the loveliness mirrored forth by nature on every side. And surely wherever He passed, spiritual seed was sown that will spring up and grow unto the harvest.
One day, we are told, gazing across the level waters lying “like a sea of glass mingled with fire,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá looked beyond where the busy little haunts of men lay embosomed in foliage, beyond where the mystically blue summits of the Juras stood drawn as with a mighty pencil along the skyline, to that spiritual world where “the Hosts of the Lord rise up to the assistance of the faithful ones,” and “the White Hand cleaves an opening to the sombre night” that shrouds the continent of Europe, to where “God had opened into His City a Gate, through which men shall enter in crowds.” For, turning to those who were with Him, He said, slowly and impressively: “There is much work to be done around the lake.” And so has the work begun.
In obedience to Shoghi Effendi’s request, Mrs. Jane Stannard, whose field of service for the Bahá’í Cause had hitherto lain in the East, traveled to the quiet, grey town lying at the end of the Lake—where meet the waters of two rivers—and courageously opened, some fifteen months ago, a Bureau for international correspondence.
Over Geneva still lingers the severe shade of Calvin; yet, side by side with and superimposed as it were upon deeply-rooted tradition and indifference are the manifold activities of numberless modern societies, working, each in their own way, for the good of all. But memories haunt the broad boulevards and narrow, cobbled streets, not only of stern, fiery reformers, but of the idealistic, reckless Rousseau, of the two wild English poets who went sailing and singing over the tranquil lake on summer evenings, and of many another vivid personality famous in history and literature. And here, also, on a summer day came One to bless this ancient home of hardly-won liberty, which had been destined to hold the heart-throbs of the world of international hopes and ideals—the Great Physician—bringing with Him balm for the healing of the nations!
Here, also, during last autumn, Martha [Page 272]
Root arrived, to deliver at a special Esperanto Conference, the message of love and unity to the representatives of thirty-two nations. A veritable meeting of the Waters!
Now, in order to comply with growing needs, an earnest endeavor is being made to maintain the regular publication of a central organ of news and propaganda, Le Messager Bahá’í, which seeks also to emphasize, in the light of the Bahá’í teachings, some of the great thoughts and striking utterances delivered here, from time to time, by prominent people. And in this connection it is encouraging to know that, to the Bahá’í principles and ideals, men, whose names hold honored place in Switzerland and in the intellectual world generally, are giving open assent and sympathy—hilltops kindling with the glory of the Sunrise!
The Bureau serves, too, as a meeting-place for Bahá’ís arriving from all parts of the world. Visitors during the spring and summer have included friends and inquirers from France, Germany, America, Russia, Austria, India, Egypt and Palestine. And the Center has provided yet another example of that spirit of unity, the shining secret of the growth of our Movement, for members have traveled here from several parts of Europe, England and America to manifest their interest and practical sympathy.
One of the most gracious proofs of the operation of the Holy Spirit has been the attraction to the Bahá’í Cause of the owner of a well-known bookshop, dealing with all kinds of progressive thought literature. This gifted woman caused a beautifully illuminated scroll to be displayed in the window of her store, embodying, in three languages, the Bahá’í Principles.
“What is this Bahá’í Revelation?” asked a casual passer-by gazing in at the window. “Sure, I don't know,” was the equally casual reply of his companion, “but it seems to be a very sensible affair.” Just so: for the Divine common-sense of the Great Plan cannot fail to make its appeal to the merest passer-by, so that even “he who runs may read.”
Let it be our earnest prayer that in this important world-center the Divine Oriflamme may glow with ever-increasing radiance.
An hour’s automobile ride from Geneva brings one to that pleasant center of sport and education, of youth and flowers, which falls down the hillside to the lake like a mighty laburnum, Lausanne-Ouchy. Here the Bahá’í Cause has been known and devotedly sustained for several years by Madame Beck. At present, through the kindness of an American believer, Bahá’í weekly meetings are being held in the salon of a small hotel in the town, and at these meetings a blind Egyptian radiates the spirit of love by his sweet chantings and interesting talks. And when the Bahá’ís here join with friends all over the world in commemoration of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the gathering will be held in the home of a Swiss woman who has only known the Bahá’í Cause for a few weeks. With her it was a case of instantaneous attraction. Seeing, for the first time, a photo of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, she caught it up in her hands crying: "Oh! c’est le visage du Bon Dieu!" and shed tears.
All round the lake Bahá’ís have been visiting; wafting, we trust, spiritual pollen on the breezes of Divine Assurance, and thereby fertilizing, maybe, many a wayside flower. “For the harvest of every seed is limited, but the bounty and blessing of the Divine Teachings are unlimited.”
To Thonon, that ancient citadel perched high on the French coté, a pilgrimage was made by friends from Geneva; the hotel at which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed with His followers standing out on the brow of the hill.
Evian, close by, in the season a glittering little spa, was the holiday resort of that fine soldier and friend of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Lord Allenby.
Glion, hanging like a nest on the mountain-side above which towers the majestic Rochers de Naye, was the scene, one Sunday afternoon, of a social gathering[Page 273]
—Mrs. Stannard motoring over with a friend. And during September, three or four Bahá’ís found each other on Mount Pélerin—that sunny and peaceful summit! There the clergyman attached to a little English Church recently opened, joined friends from Paris, England and America, and with the magnificent panorama of the Savoy Alps and the whole of the Swiss Riviera spread out before them — they studied together the teachings of Swedenborg—that great Evangel—comparing them with the Bahá’í Scriptures. A truly illuminating study in an ideal environment!
Nyon, Vevey and Montreux-beloved as we know by members of the family of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—and now ablaze with the season’s glory—have had Bahá’í guests. And who knows what spiritual wirelessing may have been operating, preparing minds and hearts all along this lovely route—a route so rich, too, in literary associations—for the blaze of a greater Glory than that of their woods in autumn, the recognition of a sublime and sacred literature written by the power of a Supreme Pen!
And so we labor on, with the stirring words of Shoghi Effendi ringing in our hearts:
“Naught else can provide that driving force and sustaining power that are both so essential to the success of vast and enduring achievements . . . but the realization, down in the innermost heart of every true believer, of the regenerating power, the supreme necessity, the unfailing efficacy of the Message he bears.”
