AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
BY LOULIE A. MATHEWS
AFRICA! The golden vistas of uncounted treasure which that word has conjured up in the minds of men! The early navigators, driven by an ever increasing hope of finding a short passage to India, a passage that would open to them the fabled wealth of the Orient, made many voyages that resulted in failure before Vasco da Gama’s final discovery. What pride must the astute mariner have felt as, from the prow of his ship, he gazed upon that formidable rock, the Cape of Good Hope, jutting out into the sea and realized that the navigators’ dream had become reality, and that to him had fallen the victory.
Since that fateful day of discovery many men have landed on these shores. The Dutch, driven from the Fatherland by religious persecution, brought their boats up on the sands leading to Cape Town and, in the early part of the seventeenth century, faced the hardships of an unexplored country rather than give up religious freedom. A century later the English landed soldiers here, drawn by news of the finding of gold beneath the rocky ledges of Rhodesia and diamonds richly studding the Kimberley mines. The clash of arms resulting in the Boer War and the ultimate victory of the English is history from the pages of our own times.
In the present century, following in the wake of trade, came the Bahá’í pioneers, offering the people wealth conferred by the spirit; the flaming riches of a mine of knowledge; the news of the coming of a Prophet, bringing a new command for the children of men. Martha Root, the champion of the ideals of the New Day, came hither and spread the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, using her spiritual technique of making every action bring forth results for the Cause of God. Fanny Knobloch in the year 1920 embarked upon this long journey, living and teaching here. Her letters were filled with love for South Africa, its people, its beauty and the unique flavor of this distant land. It is due to her thoughtfulness that we received a copy of the Tablet written in 1920 by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, a portion of which is quoted:
It may be that the government of these regions will check thee. Thou shouldst say —I am a Bahá’í, and am a friend with all religions and nations. I consider all to be of one race and count them as my relatives. I have divine love, not racial or sectarian love. According to the palpably written command of Bahá’u’lláh, I do not pronounce a word pertaining to politics, because we are forbidden to interfere in political affairs. We are concerned with affairs which are heavenly. We are servants unto the world of morality. We consider that religious, racial, political and national prejudices are destructive to the world of humanity. We believe that the whole surface of the earth constitutes one home, and that all of mankind form one family. With all we are in the utmost sincerity and kindliness.
Upon thee be Glory of the Abhá!
Translated August 10, 1920
The significant words with which this
portion of the Tablet opens—“It may be
that the government of these regions will
check thee”-—proved all too true. It was
not long before the strained situation
existing between the South African churches was
brought to our attention. Two established
churches: one, the Dutch Reformed, and the
other the established Church of England,
each keeping aloof from the other with a
certain hostile distrust. Thus a delicate
situation had come into being which all the
leaders decried. They sought a remedy
anxiously and greeted with delight any point of
unity that could be brought about. At the
same time they dreaded the importing of new
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ideas lest it increase
the strife and create
further confusion. It was therefore
suggested that it would be the part of wisdom
not to give direct Bahá’í teachings from the
platform, but that it would be wiser to stress
unity and reason, and to make some other
opportunity for giving the tenets of our
Faith. As the Divine Plan holds the remedy
for every situation, the first suggestion was
simple, but not the second.
How then to combine the presentation of the Principles and at the same time give the true Message for which we had come so many hundred miles to deliver! Only the Holy Spirit can solve such difficulties and bring triumph out of disaster. In such a crisis it is necessary to banish all fear, to know no disturbance, and to pass by all limitation. The answer rests with the Holy Spirit. And in meditation and prayer the answer WILL BE GIVEN. Complications arise from minds of limitation, Bahá’u’lláh states, but the pure spirit knows nought except freedom. It is single in purpose, being the very point of the mystery of unity.
Clearly then came the answer and the right course to pursue became evident and certain. Meetings were arranged, a chairman of distinction provided. My husband outlined his efforts in uniting the school children of England and America.
In my part of
the talk the Principles were given and the outline of the New World order. Stress was laid on the dangers to which mankind is exposed today and emphasis was given to the investigation of truth and the necessity for a revision of judgment on many points. Ideas that had become superannuated and outworn must be laid aside, for this was a different world and required readjustment of thought. Then, promising a revelation of importance to every soul, the audience was formed into six or eight small groups. No one felt shy, questions were eagerly asked, and each group had a direct Message. Meanwhile, refreshments were served to those who waited, and great impatience was evinced to be next in turn to hear the Message. In closing, a few words from the platform were given, with thanks for their attention and open-mindedness.
Instant success followed this simple experiment. The reporters grasped its novelty and significance, and wrote clearly their accounts. I quote one from the Sunday News of Bulawayo of February 14, 1937:
“Last Sunday afternoon Mrs. Roscoe Mathews of New York City gave a talk before sixty-five people, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, the subject being ‘The Importance of the New Day.’ The speaker pleaded for the banding together of all races and creeds for the preservation of the world, pointing out that in no other way can world peace be obtained. She spoke with great conviction of the power of spirit in bringing about the ideals of the age; showing that the stage in the evolution of man has reached a critical period, and that humanity is in grave danger unless we take hold of the situation with reality, awake and do not remain asleep. Many remarkable instances of the power and force of constructive thinking were given. She charmed her audience by the sincerity of her words and the depth of the design to which she called us who listened. During a planned intermission Mrs. Mathews talked informally with each group that had separated themselves for this purpose. To each she gave the basis of the Bahá’í religion, its motivating principle, its spiritual concepts, its fundamental ideal, the oneness of the world of humanity. All religions, the speaker said, must give way before the necessity of a fundamental unity, even while many would retain certain distinguishing characteristics. The word Bahá’í was explained; it means light or glory, and will be used the world over to designate the new message. Already a universal church or temple is being erected near Chicago.
“Mr. and Mrs. Mathews are Bahá’í teachers who travel for the purpose of spreading the message of the new Prophet, Bahá’u’lláh. Among the students of this religion will be found Buddhists, Christians, Muḥammadans and Confucians, as well as members of the other religions of the world. A universal church is compatible with the belief in world peace based on mutual understanding. Former religions have created and maintained barriers between race and race, between religion and religion. While these barriers remain the world will not be in composure and rest. At the conclusion Mrs.
Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Mathews (Photograph of welcome card presented at the Gateway to South Africa).
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A. W. Gordon proposed a vote of thanks
to the speaker.”
This lucid and remarkable article was copied in several other journals.
An incident at the meeting in Bulawayo was of special importance. After the talk a man advanced and introduced himself as Rabbi Cohen. He seemed much affected by the stories related in the address and, holding my hand warmly in his, exclaimed, “What can I do for a religion that may be able to free my people from their bondage, may be able to remove the stigma of ancient times?” In replying it was suggested that he might take our literature, which had been brought from America both in Dutch and English, and with them form a Bahá’í lending library. His face fairly shone; and so it came about that from that single talk in Bulawayo, the spirit touched this man and led him to undertake an altogether new enterprise, the establishment of a library of which he had never heard until that day. In a recent letter he writes:
- P. O. Box 470
- Bulawayo, April 18, 1937
Dear Mrs. Mathews:
Many thanks for so kindly sending me your pamphlets which I have read with great interest. I am more and more impressed by the fact that men and women of good will are thinking along similar lines. The great problem is indeed to organize in some way these countless believers in the unity of mankind. In our own South Africa we have savage, racial and color differences, and yet too, we have fine examples of the spiritual growth of humanity. I am sending your pamphlets to an important organization in the union, with the suggestion that they should circulate them in large numbers. You will undoubtedly hear from them direct. I am urging you to send us one of your leading teachers in the near future. You have dropped seeds that may fructify in unexpected ways. It is terrible to think that another world war may come before we realize our essential unity. The world is indeed fighting for its soul against the forces of dark reaction. I feel strongly that only the power of a mighty religious conviction can bring about radical changes. And today the vast raucous voices of world propaganda drown the still small voice of conscience, which can hardly be heard by the suffering and despairing millions. It is good, oh, how good, to know and feel that the enlightened have an ally in every part of the world through the Bahá’í Message.
- Kind regards,
- Signed: M. I. Cohen.
It was a great disappointment not to meet personally General Smuts. He knows of the Bahá’í religion and is most sympathetic towards it, but we arrived at the opening of Parliament and had to be content with vicarious messages. This remarkable man is a Boer who fought against the British in the South African war. His ability and outlook have so appealed to the fair-mindedness of the English that he stands at the head of the nation today.
From the train window one sees many of the native compounds, for the natives live in villages directed and controlled by a council, which receives all the product and moneys that accrue to the individuals of a given community, and distributes the combined resources according to the need of each. The women do not leave the compounds and never work among white people. The men are seen in all the large cities and are much loved and respected. In many situations they have responsibility and the confidence of their employers. The villages are most picturesque, made either of mud walls with a decorative design, which in turn enclose the wattled tents; or of bamboo artfully combined with clay. From the train, too, one glimpses the great fruit orchards as they flash by. These orchards, among the most famous in the world, resemble huge bouquets of red and yellow, laden to the ground and falling over whitewashed walls in splashes of color.
During a visit to Kruger National Park,
we had an opportunity of experiencing the
kindly spirit of the natives. It had
rained-rained as only it can in South Africa—the
water falling in solid sheets that turned tiny
rivulets into rushing torrents. We had to
move so slowly that we were late in arriving
at the gates of the park. Already was
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evident that peculiar
chill that rises from the
ground in the tropics with the setting of the
sun. Suddenly our Ford car sank down into
the mud which reached the hubs of the
wheels. There seemed nothing to do but to
resign ourselves to a night of terror, since
lions and tigers roam at will;—when
suddenly out of the gloom from the bank six
stalwart natives appeared. They moved so
softly that we were scarcely aware of their
presence until they reached the motor.
Directed by one taller and more
commanding than the rest, without a word they put
their bare shoulders under the wheels, gave a
mighty pull, and the next moment the motor
was lifted on high and brought down to
safety. It might have been a toy machine
on the floor of a nursery. In return they
accepted chocolate and sandwiches but
refused our money, indicating by their
expressive faces and gestures that they did not
want it and were glad to render assistance.
Silently they disappeared again into the bush.
Alas, that our visit was so soon ended. How much we longed to remain among these people who had given such a generous response to the Message that had been brought. But the time of departure drew near. No sooner had the train drawn up alongside the wharf at Durban than the Franconia weighed anchor and, steaming through the beautiful harbor, lighted with the glory of the setting sun, turned into the Indian Ocean. A wave of sadness penetrated our whole being as South Africa faded from view. How little had been accomplished! How much was there left to do! Often will our prayers and hearts turn to this land, asking that we return in person or through other workers that Bahá’u’lláh will raise up to carry forward his Divinely Appointed Work.
A postscript from Bombay, India: Reaching Bombay an unexpected gift awaited our coming. It was a picture letter from the friends we had made in Cape Town. Pictures of the famous landmarks were accompanied by the signatures of every one who had attended the first talk given in Cape Town. And with it came the following letter of gratitude for the Message brought. It was indeed a loving and memorable souvenir of a Bahá’í journey.
- 150 St. George’s Street
- Cape Town, February 11, 1937
Dear Mrs. Mathews,
Everyone who heard you speak was so delighted with your talks that they all want you to come back soon.
We thought it would be appropriate to send you both a memento of your visit to South Africa. Talking it over, Mr. Scott conceived the idea of making a picture letter. Harold Morris caught the vision and made the picture for you. You brought to us a solution of our religious difficulties through the Bahá’í Cause and taught us a new and illumined pathway to social and spiritual life. Every signature conveys a special appreciation of your work and your visit and goes to you with gratitude. May you return to us and tell us more of the bright future depicted in the “New World Order.”
- Signed: Lottie A. Askeland.
This talk took place at “Kelvin Groove” and was the first you gave in South Africa.
