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PUBLISHED BY THE BAHAI PUBLISHING SOCIETY, NEW YORK
Single copies 5c By the Year 50c
Catalogue of Books[edit]
Hidden Words. Words of Wisdom and Communes; from the "Supreme Pen" of Baha'ollah. 93 pages; paper cover, 10c; leather, $1.00. The Seven Valleys. Revealed by Baha'ollah. 56 pages; paper cover, 25c; leather, $1.00. Book of Ighan or Book of Assurance. By Baha'ollah. 190 pages; cloth, 80c. Postage 10c additional. Tablet of Tarazat, Tablet of the World, Words of Paradise, Etc. By Baha'ollah. 92 pages; paper 50c. The Tablet of Ishrakat. By Baha'ollah. 45 pages; paper 25c. Surat ul Hykl. By Baha'ollah. 63 pages; paper cover, 25c. Ten Days in the Light of Acca. By Julia M. Grundy, from the words of Abdul Baha. 111 pages; paper cover, 25c. Table Talks at Acca. By Arthur S. Agnew, 23 pages; paper cover, 10c. Notes Taken at Acca. By Mrs. Corinne True, 32 pages; paper cover, 10c. |
The Revelation of Baha'ollah. By Isabella D. Brittingham. 33 pages; paper cover, 10c. The Bahai Proofs. (History and Instruction.) Unity Through Love. By Howard MacNutt. 31 pages; paper, 10c. Bahai Hymns and Poems. By Mrs. Louise Spencer Waite. 31 pages; paper, 10c. The Story of the Bahai Movement. (A Universal Faith.) A Year With the Bahais in India and Burmah. By Sydney Sprague. 53 pages; paper, 20c. In Galilee. By Thornton Chase. 84 pages; paper, 25c. Some Answered Questions Collected and translated from the Persian of Abdul Baha by Laura Clifford Barney. Table Talks With Abdul Baha Notes taken by Mr. and Mrs. Geo T. Winterburn. 32 pages; paper, 10c. |
Address The Bahai Publishing Society
P. O. Box 321 Madison Square New York City.
The Mashrak el Azcar[edit]
"I beg of Thee, O Thou, Beloved of the hearts of Thy lovers—by the manifestation of Thy Commandments, by the depths of Thine Inspiration, by the heights of Thine Exaltation, and by the stores of Thy wisdom—forbid me not from visiting Thy Sacred House and Holy Abode. Permit me, O my God, the privilege to drink from the fountain of its holy place, to wander around its courts, and to stand beside its gates: For Thou art He, who is, was and ever shall be, Powerful and Mighty! Nothing can be hidden from Thy Knowledge! Thou art He who has all the Power, the Majesty and the Glory! Praise be to God, the Lord of all the worlds!"
Baha'o'llah.
Letter from Mrs. Corinne True
"2405 Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, Oct. 10, 1908.
TO THE BAHAI BULLETIN:
How beautiful that your first appearance among the beloved of God should be adorned with the first Mashrak-el Azcar of the world. God grant that before long the Mashrak-el-Azcar of America may adorn your face cover. Abdul Baha is so desirous of the accomplishment of this great work of unity that He says the beloved servants and maid servants must day and night strive until the Mashrak-el-Azcar be erected in the utmost solidity and beauty. He writes concerning it: "'The Mashrak-el-Azcar is THE MOST IMPORTANT MATTER and the GREATEST DIVINE INSTITUTE. Consider how the first institute of His Holiness Moses, after His exodus from Egypt, was the "Tent of Martyrdom" which He raised and which was the traveling Temple. It was a tent which they pitched in the desert wherever they abode and worshipped in it. Likewise, after His Holiness Christ, may the spirit of the world be a sacrifice to Him, the first institute by the disciples was a Temple. They planned a Church in every country. Consider the Gospel (i.e., read it) and the IMPORTANCE of the Mashrak-el-Azcar will become evident'."
Some have objected to the idea of a material edifice; but Abdul Baha says: "The Maskrak-el-Azcar, though outwardly a material foundation, is POSSESSED OF SPIRITUAL EFFECT, and causes the union of hearts and the gathering of souls." * * * "Praise be to God!
The erection of the Mashrak-el-Azcar has a GREAT EFFECT in ALL GRADES (or states). It was tested in the East and so evidently and plainly was it proved good (that) even when in a village a house was called the Mashrak-el-Azcar, it possessed a different effect. HOW MUCH MORE its BUILDING and ORGANIZATION."
When in Acca, in the sacred presence of the Centre of the Covenant, Abdul Baha, He requested this humble servant to live in Chicago because He desired her to work for the Temple. His last injunction when leaving Him was for me to do all in my power for the Temple. The work has become so a part of me that I have sought again and again instructions from His Holy Pen as to its organization and location, and I enclose herewith copies of my two last tablets from His Holy Pen containing most vital instructions for America. Will you kindly print these in your next issue for the benefit of the friends who read your contents?
Your Sister in the Most Holy Cause,
CORINNE TRUE."
The Tablets referred to by Mrs. True, in the foregoing letter, are as follows:
WORDS OF BAHA'O'LLAH FROM KITAB-EL-AKDAS.
(Translated by Dr. Ameen U. Fareed.)
O CONCOURSE OF CREATION!
O PEOPLE!
Construct homes (or houses) in the most beautiful fashion possible in every city in every land, in the name of the Lord of Religions. Adorn them with that which beseemeth them—not with pictures
or paintings. Then commemorate the Lord, the Merciful, the Clement, in spirit and fragrance. Verily, by His mention, by this commemoration, the breasts shall be dilated, the eyes illuminated, the hearts gladdened, and thus shall you pray the Orient of praises in the Mashrak-el-Azcar (i. e., The Source of Praises)."
Also Baha'o'llah says: "Teach your children what hath been revealed through the Supreme Pen. Instruct them in what hath descended from the Heaven of Greatness and Power. Let them memorize the Tablets of the Merciful and chant them with the most melodious voices in the galleries built in the Temple of the Mashrak-el-Azcar. The prayers of the Lord shall be chanted in a manner to attract the hearts and souls. Blessed is he who listens thereto—the River of Life."
"To the attracted maid-servant of God, Mrs. True, Chicago.
O dear servant of God!
Your letter has arrived and the contents have given glad tidings that the ground for the Temple has been bought and also told about the meeting which was held concerning the needs for the Temple. From this news great fragrance and joy were produced. Thanks be to God that you were helped to establish a meeting for this purpose. I hope that the members of this meeting will become the receivers of the Divine Benevolence and be aided by the Heavenly Assistances. But consult with the House of Spirituality of Chicago. You must all be perfectly united and harmonious until, through this harmony, you may perpetually receive help from the Kingdom of God.
Concerning the members of this Spiritual meeting, you suggested that they be selected from all the Spiritual meetings of the other cities of America. I quite approve and am very much pleased with this plan. This will become the cause of harmony in the Word in all America. Therefore, ask every Spiritual meeting in the other cities that they will each select one and send him, and from these selected ones and with those who are selected from the Chicago meetings, establish a new meeting for the provision of the needs of the Temple. It this be established with perfect fragrance and joy, it will produce great results. In this new meeting, especially for the establishment of the Temple, ladies are also to be members.
Give to all the divine friends the glad tidings of the boundless, Heavenly Blessings and tell them that the Glances of the Eyes of Providence are upon them and the Perfect Favor and Bounty are descending upon them.
Give my best and kindliest greetings to your daughter.
And upon you be Baha'o'llah.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Translated by his daughter Monever Khanum, Acca, Syria, June 19, 1908.
Extract from a letter written by Dr. Ameen Ullah Fareed, at Mt. Carmel, July 23, 1908, to Mrs. Corinne True:
While Abdul Baha was standing before the flowers in the little garden of the house, He told me the answer to your questions. He said in the matter of the Temple and in all charitable, philanthropic and educational undertakings, ladies may take an active part. Such issues demand their co-operation. Again, He said, the maid-servants are allowed to be members of the Association for the building and the management of the Mashrak-el-Azkar."
Through Dr. Ameen Ullah Fareed, To Mrs. Corinne True, Chicago, Upon her be Baha'o'llah-el-ABHA!
HE IS GOD!
O thou dear maid-servant of God!
Your letter, concerning the celebration of the anniversary of the Declaration of His Holiness the Supreme (the
great Bab)-roohi la hol fedah!—(may my spirit be sacrificed for Him!), which was held on the land of the Mashrak-el-Azkar, was read.
The utmost joy was attained, for—praise be to God!—the friends of the Merciful passed some time on that day joyous and singing in the land of the Mashrak-el-Azkar and enjoyed in commemorating the Lord of the Verses with the greatest joy.
That melody was heard by the Supreme Concourse and that rose song of the nightingale of faithfulness gladdened the people of the Rose-garden of ABHA.
I am hopeful that, during the coming Rizwan, a great feast shall be held in the land of the Mashrak-el-Azkar, a spiritual celebration prepared and the melodies of the violin and the mandolin and hymns in praise and glorification of the Lord of Hosts make all the audience joyous and ecstatic.
A few days ago an epistle was written—therefore, brevity is considered here.
Treat thy dear daughter, for me, with the utmost kindness and, likewise, the other friends and maid-servants of the Merciful.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Translated by Dr. Ameen U. Fareed, Acca, Syria, July 19, 1908.
We trust our brothers, The House of Spirituality in Chicago, will immediately commence the formation of a National Association to take charge of the building and of all other matters connected with the Mashrak-el-Azcar. All of the Assemblies should have representation in the Association, and the representatives should be chosen by the Assemblies themselves. The Association itself could then select its Central Administrative Board, and the work go forward in the way plainly indicated by Abdul Baha.
That the building of the Temple is the most important of all matters to-day, means that we must set about its accomplishment in a rational and earnest manner, and the practical and effective plan has been suggested by Abdul Baha Himself. A careful reading of the Tablet to Mrs. True, concerning the formation of an association to take the matter of the Temple in hand, reveals the fact that Abdul Baha has laid the responsibility of taking the initiative in this matter upon the Chicago House of Spirituality.—EDITOR.
The Bulletin[edit]
We at first intended making THE BULLETIN only a ten to twelve-page monthly paper; but the first issue met with such general commendation and so much material is forthcoming that we have found it necessary to increase its size. While the funds on hand are sufficient to cover present expenses, it will be necessary to also increase the price in order to defray the increased expense, and beginning with the December issue the price will be $1.00 a year to all new subscribers, or ten cents a copy.
Many communications received express the belief that THE BULLETIN will be of great value to believers living in out-of-the-way places. One dear sister writes: "THE BULLETIN is a great comfort—you feel as if there were believers when you read of them, and know you can find some in any place you may be by referring to it, and you know what is going on in the Bahai world."
Another correspondent suggests that THE BULLETIN should conduct a Question Bureau. We would like to hear from the friends what they think of this suggestion. It would mean work, but the editor in conducting this Department would no doubt receive all the assistance he requires from our various teachers. THE BULLETIN belongs to the believers and its columns are open to all who feel they have something valuable to say. News from the various assemblies is always most welcome.
The Spiritual Table[edit]
"Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." 23rd Psalm.
Instructions given by Abdul Baha to Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper.
Abdul Baha said:
That all prophets are messengers from God and all ways lead to Him and all have borne fruit.
That the great gift of unselfishness, and the loving wish to help others, will guide us.
That there are seasons in the Revelation from God as in the natural year, and just as the Christ had realized the Spirit of God in the flesh and had helped the earth in His time, now the Message of Baha O'llah was the medicine of which the world had much need.
That all reverence and gratitude should be given to the prophets of the past. If truth is rejected, it is a mistake for which we must be sorry—not a sin, and the Mercy of God transcends all human error. That to accept the Laws and Message of Baha O'llah was the quickest way, but that everything done in sincerity and with a loving heart was accepted and that the Mercy of God covers all. But Baha O'llah has a larger Message on a greater number of subjects than any other, just as this is an age more fitted by the great spiritual advance made in the great kingdom of knowledge to understand and benefit by His just Commands.
That whenever we found good or heard of it, we were to rejoice and accept it as all religions were of God.
I asked, "How shall we judge, by the unselfishness of the life?" He answered, "Yes, the loving heart can never be concealed from man or Heaven."
That He greatly rejoiced in the practical turn spiritual problems were taking in the world; that He hoped to see them improved upon and carried out without dissent, in absolute unity, and that He felt, when the waves of progress swept the shores of the East their effect would be immediate, because the Eastern mind was well grounded in philosophy, and thought much on these subjects. That iron-sight was very ordinary in Persia amongst the Sufis and people who studied these questions. That you could not perfect yourself in it except by constantly turning your mind and heart in a spirit of loving demand that God would shower His Bounty, and that illumination was bound to follow. That each time we turned to God we received and showed forth radiance. That one does well in not relying too much upon the teaching of others, but to turn to the Holy Spirit for guidance.
That the Christian Science movement was doing great good in America and in other parts of the world. That different minds needed different experiences. That without splendid health you were incapable of doing your best and most useful work, while suffering and adversity had its lessons which we must all learn sooner or later.
That we must always have a cheerful face because of the glad tidings in our hearts.
That life and death were the same—there was little change, and as human beings helped each other on the earthly plane, they could still continue to show affection and give support to each other after the apparent separation.
That the Heavenly Kingdom was in us now. That if the spirits of the departed entered the most heavenly Paradise without eyes to see its beauties and ears to hear the celestial music, they would hardly recognize they were there.
That on earth you could either ascend or fall; that in Heaven there was no descent possible—only unbroken progress.
That one should constantly turn to the Heavenly Father for guidance on all points.
The Message[edit]
“For as the lightning cometh out of the East, and shineth even unto the West; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be."
Matt 24:27.
“Thy Kingdom Come”[edit]
When His Holiness Jesus was on earth He taught just one prayer. Its opening sentence proclaims the Fatherhood of God and the relation we sustain to Him—His children. The next teaches us to pray for the coming of His Kingdom among us and universal obedience to His will as King of Kings.
The preaching and teaching of the Messiah was all about the Kingdom and the coming of the Son of man (i. e., one born of human parents), who would establish that—spiritual—Kingdom or religion on the earth.
The burden of the Apostles cry was the same: the “appearance of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
The hope of the church all through the ages has been that "coming." Especially was this true during the period of the Church's greatest purity—the first four centuries.
The yearning and cry of the Church has ever been for the "Coming of the Lord."
The time set for that coming by the Holy Spirit, speaking thru the Prophets in every age was, A. D. 1844 (1260 of the Hegira). Note Daniel, chap. 12: Ezekiel 4 :6.
One fact is certain—God never breaks a promise. He promised that at that time He would manifest Himself and set up His Kingdom on earth; THEREFORE He has kept His word. The Holy One has come. We must seek Him in that year. Somewhere He must be found doing His Great Work at the time appointed, i. e., 1844 A. D., because GOD appointed that time.
Where shall we look for His Manifestation? The parable of the daily sunrise to give light and health to the material world teaches us to "look to the East" for the rising of the Sun. So also with the world spiritual, the Sun of Righteousness rises in the East; in that region where all the Manifestations have arisen to lighten the darkness of the ignorances and superstitions of men and lead them to The Father.
Our search reveals the fact that at the time appointed there arose One who announced Himself as the Manifestation, who spake with the Master's voice, who gave the Word of life to all who would receive it, and who was and is recognized as the Promised One. This claim cannot be ignored. It is too vital. If you object and deny Him, the burden of proof is on you and you must produce the real Manifestation who DOES bear all the signs and marks of "He Whom God shall manifest." Do not say, “He has not come as I expected He would, therefore, it is not so.” Remember, it is written “My ways are not your ways, saith the Lord."
Either God has broken faith with mankind or He has not. Either His Kingdom has come and is being established, or He has not kept His promise. Either this, or WE HAVE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE His Manifestation, The Glory of the Lord, "El Baha Ullah" (see Isaiah 35: 1, 2), just as the Jews failed to recognize the Messiah—and denied the Holy One.
WHICH IS THE MORE LIKELY? THINK IT OVER.
J. C. O. Toronto, October, 1908.
LIVING LETTERS.
Each soul is a letter from God, Sent out to some other soul; Read the line, oh, brother mine, Writ on a human scroll.
—Laura Fitzhugh Preston.
A Bible Study[edit]
THE SECOND COMING—THE GREAT DAY OF GOD
I. WHO IS COMING? The "Ancient of Days" and "one like the Son of Man." Dan. 7:9-13, Rev. 4 and 5, Titus 2:13, Matt. 21:40-41, Mark 12:9, Luke 20:16, Micah 5:2. Melchizadek was one of these "goings forth." Gen. 14:18, Heb. 5 and 7, St. John 8:54-59.
II. WHAT? Rev. 7 and 21, Isa. 65:17-19, Isa. 35:10, Hab. 2:14, Isa. 2:2-5, Hosea 2:18, Isa. 3 and 16, 4-6, Zeph. 2:11, Ezek. 36:24-38, Ezek. 39:21-29, Zeph. 3:15-17, Jer. 23:1-18, Isa. 43:1-9, Isa. 11:11, Zeph. 3:9, Isa. 62:2, Isa. 52:6, Rev. 3:12, Rev. 14:1, Rev. 22:4.
III. HOW? Isa. 9:6, Isa. 49, Isa. 41:25, Isa. 63. In Isaiah 54. Israel is described as a widow because she rejects Christ, but she shall accept and rejoice in the "Holy One of Israel."
IV. WHERE? Isa. 65:10, Hosea 2:15, Joel 3:2, Joel 3:12-16, Isa. 35:1-2. Achor (Joshua 7:24-26) was a place of punishment, so is Acca.
V. WHEN? In the day of Automobiles, Nahum 2:3-4.
- Threshing Machines, Isa. 41:15-16.
- The Suez Canal, Isa. 27:12-13.
- See also Dan. 8:14, Dan. 12.
Other signs—Isa. 24:23, Isa. 30:26, Matt. 30:24-29. “Sun and Moon” have a spiritual significance possibly spiritual leaders or institutions. “Fir trees" (Nahum 2:3) means "established institutions." The “end of the world” means “end of the age” or dispensation. Natural things will go on for ages and “goings forth” after goings forth (Mich. 5:2) will succeed each other in coming dispensations as they have in the forgotten past, while man is destined to be perfected through these mighty manifestations of his God. "Fire" means “the consuming power of the truth.” Study Isa. 30:26-33, Isa. 54:9, Isa. 66:15-16, Dan. 7:10. “For our God is a consuming fire.” Heb. 12:29.
CHARLES MANNING.
Tablet to Mr. Thornton Chase.
The Jewish people were expecting the Manifestation of Jesus, and were at the same time attracted to Moses. When His Holiness, Christ, appeared, they (the Jewish people) thought that Holy Personality intended to take away the eternal honor of Moses. Moses, in the eye of Israel, had no equal. Now they had never thought that a greater than Him would appear. So this way of thinking became the cause of their being kept away from the Light of Christ, and they were prevented from the precious things of the Holy Spirit, notwithstanding the fact that the greatest friend of Moses was Christ, and He made His Holiness Moses great in the eye of the world, and made Him to be glorious in the contingent world, whereas, even now Israel, that is, the Jews, deny His Holiness, the promised Christ, and count Him to be an enemy of His Holiness, Moses, and of Aaron and David, and are kept away from the bounties of Christ. They think that no other great person like Moses could ever come upon the earth, and if such a person should be sent (by God), He must come under the shade of His Holiness, Moses, and promulgate the law of the Torah.
This negligence on the part of the Jews became the cause of keeping away a multitude from the heavenly bounties and from the beneficence of the Holy Spirit for nineteen hundred years.
The SUN is ever the same, but the place where the Sun has appeared has changed. Then, at Christ's time, it appeared in the sign of Aquarius, but now it has manifested itself from the sign of Cancer: these signs are only for an illustration. The sun is the same SUN, no matter from what sign it may manifest itself or from what spot it may arise. Thou must look at the SUN. Do not become veiled by the places from which the SUN appears.
(Signed) ABDUL BAHA ABBAS.
The News From Acca[edit]
We print the following extracts from letters written by our dear brother, Dr. Ameen U. Fareed from Haifa, Syria, to friends in America. We would be most happy to print the letters in full, but space forbids.
Haifa, Syria, Aug. 20, 1908.
Beloved ones in the Most Great Peace:
Haifa, Syria, Aug. 20, 1908.
Beloved ones in the Most Great Peace:
* * * A few days ago I informed you of the late change in the government of Turkey and you have learned the details thereof from the "dailies." The great national events which have occurred in this country, as well as those of Persia, have brought to light the full meanings of certain prophecies of Baha'o'llah (Glory is and shall ever be upon Him). Such wonderful fulfillments! Suffice it to give only one effect or result of this prophetic change in the destiny of a nation, whought by El-ABHA! A long letter read by the beloved Abdul Baha yesterday in the gathering of the friends—a letter recently from Teheran, Persia—informs us that in the capitol of Ancient Iran the only religious people safe from the suspicions of the government and highly respected by the authorities are the Bahais, to so great an extent that others, Musselman, Christian or Jew, in order to free themselves from the stern judgments of the Court, declare themselves Bahais and bring witnesses to that effect. The details of the letter were numerous, all most favorable for the Cause of the Most Great Peace. I have given you the quintessence which appealed to all present. Just marvel at this great and wonderful change!
As to the signs of the longed for Most Great Peace here in the Ottoman Empire, one or two instances will show clearly its blessed advent.
A few days ago the Mohammedan inhabitants of Haifa invited all the Christian and Jewish residents to an open civile, "Banquet of Peace." They decorated the naturally beautiful olive grove in the vicinity of Elijah's Cave, otherwise called "The School of the Prophets," (for therein gathered in by-gone days some willing souls to learn the counsels of God and the commandments of the Lord, and were sent therefrom to all the Tribes of Israel to preach the doctrines of salvation).
Wall, there in the shade of those old olive trees, some of which have witnessed a few thousand years of the world change, beneath Ottoman flags bearing the memorable words of France, "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," gathered together thousands of people, men, women and children, all happy, all glad, congratulating one another for the signs of peace and progress.
An orator, in the eloquent tongue, the Arabic, holding aloft an immense standard upon which was inscribed, "Liberty and the Greatest Unity,” delivered a great, resounding oration, a Bahai sentence of which I will cite for you here:
"O ye friends!" said he, addressing the great multitude, "we are henceforth brothers, loving one another, for present humanity demands it. We are Mohammedans in the Mosque, Christians in the Church and Jews in the Synagogue, but free, loving, united brothers in all other departments of life."
The first sentence, as I styled it, is Bahai. The second partly so. It will be fully a Bahai statement when even in the Temple they are "loving, united brothers." The solution of this difficult problem they will find in the realization of "the Temple of the Most Great Peace," the Mashrak-el-Azkar. Its blessed name indicates this great fact—The Dawning Place or Source of Praises—of praises, not praise; that is to say, the praises and offerings of all the nations.
The Sunday following that date the Christians invited the Moslems and Jews, giving a similar "treat" and next Saturday is the Sabbath of the Children of Israel who will not be left out of notoriety and are glad to use this opportunity and celebrate peace and unity.
I cannot write more this time. The Master asked me to make two copies of my translation of His last beautiful and long Tablet to the East and the West and l must work on it now. Has the first copy sent by Him got to America, I wonder—have you seen it?
Love from my dear parents and yours faithfully
to you and all the beloved.
(signed) DR. AMEEN ULLAH FAREED.
Haifa, Syria, Sept. 9, 1908.
He is the Light of the world!
About 3 P. M. the beloved Abdul-Baha told us He was going to the Holy Tomb of the Bab on Mt. Carmel and we were to go with Him and feast in His holy presence. In a little while we were up on the blessed spot. After prayer and thanksgiving in the sacred place, the good friends, like trained soldiers in the army of Bahai service, marched after the Servant-General and, by His bidding, sat facing the blue sea, and, across its beautiful bay St. John d'Acre. The sight in itself was glorious, but much more so in the holy presence of our Guide to the Kingdom of ABHA.
As tea was being served the loved One spoke, the substance thereof being as follows:
Pointing to the distant seashore, He said: "When we were brought here years ago, as exiles, the steamer touched here near the coast at Haifa. We landed and were told that our destination was across the bay at Acca. There were no vehicles on land between Haifa and Acca at that time; the only way was by the sea. A cargo row boat was, therefore, appointed for our party—quite a large party of exiles. By means of sails and oars we were taken and when we reached Acca, we were immediately placed in the kishla of the barracks. As we entered the place we found the inhabitants of Acca, without exception sickly looking people of sallow, yellow complexion, a good many unable to walk and hence strewn on the narrow streets. Even the soldiers and officers, who possessed privileges, looked ill. In fact, a number of the soldiers—that is, those who were ordered to guard us, were very sick and I began treating them at once. In short, in the course of the first few days our party, except the Manifestation, myself and Agha Riza (a certain Bahai) was likewise afflicted. Like the leaves of an immense tree, they all fell upon the earth. I and Agha Riza acted as cooks and produced a daily soup which we gave them and, besides treated each until they recovered. Since that date consider how the very conditions, telluric and otherwise, have changed, and how every one of those who oppressed this party of exiles and endeavored with might and main to suppress the spread of this Light, has become lost in the abyss of despair and oblivion."
"They have gone and we are still here, whereas, from the standpoint of the world and human reason, it should have been reversed. Everybody imagined that under the existing circumstances all this would end shortly and naught would be left of the Bahais. Is not this an evidence of divine protection and providence? We have longed for death in the path of God; we have been ready to welcome the cup of sacrifice and were thirsty for the chalice of martyrdom. The Lord willed that we stay and serve Him."
Then he arose and walked to and fro over the roof of the reservoir and told us of His design and the beautiful geometry of the future place; His intended arrangement and great plans for the Holy Tomb.
He turned to the building which is intended for the visitors and in a little while went down and we followed Him to town.
A certain learned Hebrew Bahai from Russia, who is here now and enjoyed Abdul Baha's company that day, told me in whisper tone in my ear: “Every move is an actual fulfilment of Biblical prophecy.
Every event to-day reminds of some line of the good Book.”
The night that followed added another charming chapter to the heavenly story. A number of the officials of Haifa, such as the superintendent of the telegraph office, etc., came to see Him, native Jews, Christians and Mohammedans gathered and He spoke to them.
The next day in the morning the Russian, the French and the Italian consuls called to see Him and the interview was of very great interest. * * *
To my great joy He, Abdul Baha, called for my diploma from the University of lllinois, looked at it and immediately penned thereon a glorious Tablet with His blessed pen, in my honor. I have committed it to memory and will give you its translation here below:
"He is the Helper, the Confirmer, the Generous!
O God! Help Thy servant, the trustworthy, the unique (el-ameen el-fareed) in Thy service, in healing the sick and in treating the afflicted and diseased and the poor of all peoples, tribes, nations, races, sects and religions. Then confirm him in Thy healing and in removing the accidentals from the essentials in life.
Verily Thou art the Generous, the Almighty. Verily Thou art the healer, the Efficient, the Merciful, the Clement.
(signed) E E ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS."
Can there be any diploma in the world greater and more precious than mine? Abdul Baha's sanction and glorious Tablet thereon repay for all the difficulties and troubles this poor student encounteded while pursuing his course of study in America. Nay, the reward is worth a life time of labor.
Towards evening many friends had gathered and He said: "We must see the moonlight this night on Mt. Carmel, at the Holy Tomb." Therefore, all went up and he came in the carriage. We had a heavenly night—nay, it was verily a day. "Your places were all empty," dear friends.
The third day Abdul Baha and all the friends were invited to dine at the home of Mirza Hussine. More than fifty were invited and at noon appeared. It was a beautiful day. A long table was set in the garden and Abdul Baha and all of us sat around it. Various kinds of Persian foods, with some of which you are familiar, were served. Among them was a stuffed lamb, the contents being rice, pine nuts, raisins, etc. It was delicious.
Abdul Baha discoursed upon the subject of Darwinian evolution. I have no time to tell you of this. It needs another letter.
In the afternoon he left for Acca.
So ended the three days of Abdul Baha upon Mt Carmel.
Give all the friends my loving Bahai regards.
Your brother in the Cause of Baha,
(signed) AMEEN ULLAH FAREED.
(From Table Talks With Abdul Baha, by Mr. and Mrs. Geo. T. Winterburn.)
Teaching[edit]
"All teaching and knowledge are enclosed in the soul of man, because his soul encompasses everything. To study means to try to bring them to light. For instance: The flowers, fruits, and leaves are contained in the seed; and with the heat, light, and soil, the fruits are manifested. The figure is contained in the mirror, but the mirror of itself has not the power to reflect it. Polishing is necessary in order to give out a perfect reflection. Even on this wall there exists the possibility of a reflection, but it needs polishing to bring out the reflection. So study is polishing."
New York[edit]
FIRST IMPRESSION OF THE NEW YORK MEETINGS By LAURA M. BOOTH
"Last Friday evening for the first time I experienced the great joy of attending a meeting of the Bahai Assembly in New York City. (119 East 19th St.)
There is a small Assembly in Cleveland of very earnest souls, but the New York Assembly is much larger and I was impressed with the beautiful spirit of Miss Thompson, who presided at the meeting. The light shone through the faces of the believers and there was no doubt that Abdul Baha was present there spiritually. What a wonderful power this is to unite all nations into one great Brotherhood!
Sunday I attended the meeting at Fifty-eighth Street (Geneological Hall) and as I entered the Assembly was singing "Onward Christian Soldiers," a song I always loved. It is stirring and inspires hope and courage. Here I was impressed with the wonderful love among the believers. What a contrast to the world of strife and commotion without!
Sunday evening the meeting at Mrs. Gibbons' was most inspiring. The Rev. Dr. Fisher read from "The Seven Valleys," and explained so beautifully the first Valley of Search. I feel it a great privilege to have been led into this Valley, and through great trials."
Our Brother, Mr. Percy Woodcock, by the direction of Abdul Baha, is making a special effort to hasten the building of the Mashrak-el-Azcar, and for the past month has been with us in New York City. We print herewith the tablet received by Mr. Woodcock concerning his work, translated at Acca on June 19th by Dr. Ameen Ullah Fareed, and received through Mirza Enay-et' Ullah:
HE IS GOD!
O thou spiritual friend!
Thy services are accepted in the Kingdom of ABHA, mentioned in this Merciful Assemblage, and are the cause of joy and gladness of Abdul-Baha.
Thank GOD, thou art a believer and an assured one, firm and steadfast; a truthful servant of the Divine Kingdom and an agreeable lover of His Holiness Baha'o'llah. Thou hast spent thy time in spreading the Fragrances of GOD, and thy possession in the Promotion of the Word of GOD.
Rest assured in the great Bounty and Bestowal; be attracted by the Fragrances of the Kingdom of ABHA. Fatigue not thyself on account of any difficulty and give not up because of any ordeal. Be not grieved because of any trial nor hindered by any hindrance.
Night and day confine thy time to the education of the world of humanity. Arise to guide the creatures and spend time in promulgating the Teachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah, so that lives may find glad tidings, hearts gladness, the souls Eternal Life and the minds extraordinary advancement.
In respect to the Mashrak-el-Azkar, brevity must now he observed—that is, as much as possible endeavor should be made so that by the assistance of all the friends and the sincerity of your intentions, it may become instituted and built, in Chicago even though it be not possible to build a most solid, lofty and great (edifice). Whatever is now possible should be erected.
And the question of giving the glad tidings (i. e., teachings of this Religion) should be given moment. The holy souls who are free from the ties of this mortal world and attain to the confirmation of the Holy Spirit, although they live on earth, yet, verily, they are heavenly, illuminated, spiritual and divine. Such souls must appear, engage with simplicity, freedom and purity in training the public and in guiding all people. lf such souls arise, the Holy Spirit will aid them, the hosts of the Heavenly Angels
will render them victorious, the Bounties of the Kingdom of ABHA will surround them, the ray of the Sun of Truth will shine, the breezes of the Paradise of ABHA will give spirit, the ocean of favors will boil and the good scent of the Fragrances of Holiness will perfume the nostrils of the inhabitants of the world.
By the Bounty and Grace of the Educator, I hope thou mayest attain to this providence and bounty.
Convey greeting of reverence and utmost kindness to all thy relations, Mrs. Woodcock and thy respected daughter and others and to all the beloved and the maid-servants of the Merciful.
(Signed)
"E. E." ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Our brother is told "Not to give up because of any ordeal, and not to be grieved because of any trial nor hindered by any hindrance." We trust that he will go forward with a stout heart and that the most abundant success will crown his efforts.
The Young Folks[edit]
The following lines written by one of the little Bahai children of Seattle, Washington, were sent us recently and we print them, not only because of the real Bahai thought they contain, but also as an encouragement to the young people:
- Far away in the East there lies,
- A radiant Light which never dies.
- There, closed in by the walls of Acca,
- A place where we turn as some to Mecca
- Is a child of God like Christ,
- Who also is a sacrifice.
- He still is among us, so why close our eyes?
- Do not wait till he has passed from our lives,
- But spread the news, like a ringing bell,
- And over the wide world let us tell
- The joyous news; perchance in time
- All people will know that each of the nine
- Great religions of earth are united in one,
- And the whole world will be ONE in
- prayer and peace.
AGNES BUSH.
Seattle, Wash., August 4th, 1908.
And, since we are spanking of young people, we are reminded that recently Mrs. Charles A. Butler, of Huntington, Indiana, daughter of Col. and Mrs. Archie C. Fisk, recently paid a visit of a few weeks to her parents and friends in New York, and while here took advantage of the opportunity to have her four little children baptized, Christened, or named in the ABHA religion. The service was conducted by Mrs. Isabella D. Brittlngham in accordance with the instructions of the Supreme Pen. We hope to give a full account of the service and to print the instructions for the benefit of all in our next issue.
The Vahid Club[edit]
THE BULLETIN is asked to mention the
Vahid Club, a club of young people,
mostly the children of Bahais, organized
under the auspices of the Ladies' Auxiliary
Board of New York City. It is a
literary and social club, which, with a
little care and attention on the part of
the Maid-servants, should develop into
a most helpful means of interesting the
young people in serious thought, as well
as affording them the opportunity for
healthy, clean, social enjoyment. The
last meeting of the club was held Saturday
evening, November 8th, at the home
of Mrs. L. E. Gibbons. Our good sister,[Page 14]
Mrs. Gibbons, is to be commended for
the marked interest she has always taken
in the young folks, and Mr. and Mrs.
MacNutt also deserve mention in this
matter, for the Vahid Club owes its
name and birth the kindly service
they rendered when such an organization
was first proposed.
Chicago[edit]
A letter from Miss Mary Lesch, of No. 1049 West California Avenue, Chicago, gives us the following interesting bit of news:
"We had a most delightful meeting yesterday in this City, and among those who worshipped with us and who addressed us were Mr. Hoar of your City, and Mr. Ober and Mr. Lunt of Boston, and a native of India whose name I have forgotten."
Miss Lesch refers to Mr. Dass, of Calcutta, a member of the Brahmo Somaj, who attended several of our meetings in New York and on one occasion delivered us a short address on the work of the Somaj.
Our sister Dr. Susan I. Moody, sends us the following and requests its publication:
DEATH NOTICE.
Mrs. Charles A. Olin, daughter of Mrs. G. B. Webster of Green Bay, Wis., passed away on October 4th.
The prayer, "O my God! Thy Name is my healing," etc., (repeated nine times) was revealed in a precious Tablet by Abdul Baha for this sister.
Washington[edit]
We print the following from Brother Ahmad Isphahani:
To THE "BULLETIN":
The good news from Acca continues to come in weekly. Now that the people have received what they have longed for many years and have celebrated the occasion with wild ecstacy and joy, they are settling down calmly. Some are putting all their force in the forwarding of the machinery of freedom, others, being timid, are keeping themselves aloof and watching to see how things will go, while a third party, who opposed the inauguration of this era, are uselessly plotting in the dark. For this last party, Abdul Baha, writing recently to a German believer in Stuttgart, has the following short and significant line:
"The hand of Divine Power has taken away the chain of prison from the necks of these exiled ones, while putting it around the necks of the oppressors and tyrants."
Likewise He has written to an eminent Bahai teacher in this country regarding His freedom:
"Praise be to God that thou has become assisted in the service of the Cause and that I also have become assisted in the visit of the Holy Threshold. In one day the world became another world and the chains and manacles of prison were torn to pieces and Abdul Baha attained to the meeting of the Holy Tomb."
In the old days, when no one knew
what would become of him the next
hour, and the believers were in great
anxiety on account of dangers which[Page 15]
threatened to destroy everything, Abdul Baha,
in order to console them, would
often calmly and smilingly utter these
pregnant words: "In ONE DAY God
shall change all these things." But the
believers could not conceive it possible
that such a vast, tottering fabric of corruption
and degeneracy could be replaced
by a magnificent and artistic
palace of freedom, brotherhood and
equality. But now we realize that these
prophetic words of Abdul Baha were
more than literally true.
One of the signs that the conditions in Acca are diametrically opposed to what they were only a short while ago, is the reception of a great many Tablets for the Bahais and the seekers of truth in this country and in Europe. For eight or nine months past, on account of the troubled conditions, very few Tablets have been revealed from the Pen of Abdul Baha; but now every week a package of these Holy Epistles is finding its way to this country and after translation these are being forwarded to those fortunate enough to be honored by this Heavenly favor.
Abdul Baha has at various times and upon various occasions recommended the Bahais of America to put themselves in closer communication with their brothers and sisters in the Orient, and for this reason He has commanded us to correspond with them as often as possible. For the last three or four years the Washington Bahai Assembly has been carrying on a spiritual correspondence with the Bahai Assemblies in the East and satisfactory results have been reached and Abdul Baha has quite often expressed His entire satisfaction with what has been accomplished.
A general letter was addressed and forwarded from the Bahai Assembly of Washington to the Eastern Assemblies a few months ago, and answers to it are now pouring in every week. Up to this date (Oct. 8th) more than fifty letters, each overflowing with the warmest expressions of love and devotion toward their western brothers and sisters have been received from the Orient. l see letters on my desk addressed to the American believers from all parts of the world and all religions—Zoroastrians, Jews, Mohammedans, etc.,—letters from India, Egypt, Russia, the Caucasus, Arabia, and from every town and city of Persia. These letters, indeed, are the greatest proof of the unifying power of the words of Abdul Baha, who to-day, singly and alone, is uniting and cementing together all nations and tongues, and causing them to drink from the salubrious water of union and harmony.
I hope to be able to translate one or two of these Bahai letters for the next issue of THE BULLETIN.
Your brother in the Cause,
AHMAD ESPHAHANI.
A BAHAI DEATH.
"O SON OF SPIRIT!
Break the cage, and like unto the bird of love soar in the atmosphere of holiness; leave the self, and rest with heavenly souls upon the sacred Plain of God."
1252 8th St., N. W.,
Washington, D. C. Oct. 25th, 1908.
To THE BULLETIN:
A number of the friends here and elsewhere have asked Mrs. Hannen to send to you for publication an account of Mrs. Knobloch's passing out, and of the Bahai funeral services. This account is best embodied in a letter to Dr. Moody, of Chicago.
Faithfully yours I H. N.
JOS. H. HANNEN.
Letter to Dr. Moody.
Washington, D. C., Oct 4, 1908.
Allaho ABHA!
My dear Sister in El-Baha:
Your telegram was received just as
we were preparing to come down stairs
to the Bahai Burial Service to he held
in my sister's home, at half past nine[Page 16]
A. M. on Friday, my saintly mother's
last wish before departing this life.
Oh! my dear sister, if only the whole world might have seen the holy light upon my mother's face and heard the wonderful words of praise and glory to Baha'o'llah and the heavenly advices to us and to all the people about her during her last days, they must have been deeply affected with the power of the Spirit even if they doubted the Truth. The trained nurse said she had never heard tell of, nor had she ever witnessed such a glorious death-bed scene. Such joy and peace as pervaded the house could never be told—it must be seen to be understood. She said my sister and I had faces transfigured when we uttered the Greatest Name, which we were doing with nearly every breath. The moment we stopped my dear mother would gasp, “Allah” and her lips moved for the rest though no sound came forth. Then my sister Fanny or I would say it aloud for her and she would smile sweetly and slip away again. This we did until the very end.
She wished to live that I might go to Acca and she might care for my boy, but God saw best to take her, nor did she wish to stay after the Glory of the Lord had been revealed to her. Every now and then she would cry out: "I want out of here"—meaning her body.
After her gentle spirit had left the body, my sister, Dr. Mary Parsons, who is also a Bahai, and I prepared her body according to the Bahai burial form as we have it. We bathed the body with water scented with cedar and camphor and were praying aloud all the time. Then we annointed her with rose water sent by Abdul-Baha; then my sister and I wrapped her in a winding sheet of creamy silk. No dress was put on, but nine yards of this silk, which comes for the purpose, was wound about her from head to foot. She looked as she was, a saint!
The service consisted of chanting the Commune in unison. Then Mr. Remey read a number of her favorite hidden words; then the Burial Service in which all took part; then Mirza Ahmad chanted a prayer of Baha'o'llah's in Persian. All were happy and at peace.
The flowers were most beautiful and the parlor was literally a rose-garden. Five carriages took the family and friends to the cemetery. Here Mr. Remey read a prayer after which my little sons dropped three roses each upon the casket, one at a time, pronouncing the Greatest Name. Then every one present threw a rose upon the casket. It looked so beautiful, and before the earth was put in we left. It was a glorious death and a heavenly service; even the weather was glorious.
This is the reason why Mr. Hannen and I will postpone our trip to Acca. We had planned to leave the 15th of Oct., but were waiting for mamma to be out of danger before buying the tickets. I was nursing her and my sister was ill at Atlantic City. It seems now to be the Will of God that my sister should go on the 15th instead of Mr. Hannen and I. It is expedient that she go and at once. God grant that I may look upon the face of my beloved Abdul-Baha some day. If not, He will be with me I know. We have done what we believe to be the Will of God. My sister is in a dazed condition and my sister in Germany will not take it quite so hard when she hears that she is to see Fanny so soon and together visit the servant of God, Abdul-Baha.
Could we do otherwise? Can we think of self at such a time? My dear sister had no say in the matter—Mr. Hannen and I are making all the arrangements and she must go.
You will hear from me later.
Did I tell you of the last three days of my saintly mother's life? The wonderful messages she gave to us—how we three, mother, sister and I, had coffee and cake together, at her request? We were filled with awe, for the time had arrived when the medicine or even
water refused to trickle down her throat and to all appearances she was dead. Still she drank half a cup of coffee and two bites of coffee cake. When this was over, she wished to be washed. The nurse and I bathed her, put on clean clothes, clean sheets and pillow slips,—made her comfortable. Then her gentle spirit left the body for a while. Then, in a loud, clear voice, she gave the Message to the nurse; then, one after another she addressed us and prayed over and blessed us, etc. Did I tell you all this in detail—that she talked three hours after we believed her dead? It was the most wonderful and glorious sight that any of us had ever witnessed. The doctor and the nurse said it was not death at all, but the passing of a saint.
Everything good and beautiful belongs to God, and if this letter has power to touch the hearts, then I am truly thankful that He has permitted me to do even so small a service in His Cause.
We can truly say “there is no death,” for we die daily. Death is birth. Some one present at the burial service said it was more like awaiting the birth of a child than being at a funeral service. I do not believe any one would have been surprised if dear mother had arisen in her casket and spoken to us. It was so peaceful and joyous.
As to our two dear ones, my sister Fanny Knobloch and Mrs. Finch are now on the ocean. God grant that they may return to us full of the Spirit.
Oct.. 18, 1903.
My precious mother's death has had a wonderful effect upon the firm as well as the weaker Bahais. They seem so much more closely united to each other in a stronger bond or love. They all speak of it and have proven their love and devotion to mamma in two memorial talks. I attended one and it was heavenly, but the Unity Meeting last Friday was the crowning event of my saintly mother's life and death. I was not present at this meeting, but my husband was and I have requested him to give a brief account of it so that you may share this last tribute with us.
Affectionately your sister, (signed) PAULINE HANNEN.
Pauline has said that I may describe as well as possible in a small space the beautiful memorial portion of Friday evening's Unity Meeting.
The Meeting (or Feast) was under the direction of Mmes. Getsinger and Cowles. About fifty were present. The spirit of love and unity was diffused, as you can readily imagine. The andience was seated in three rows at each side of the hall. In the center were three tables; one with a samovar and cups for tea which was served in Persian fashion; the middle table bore a great bunch of cosmos blooms, and at the front of the hall was a table with cakes, fruit, etc. At the head of this latter table were two vacant chairs, draped in white, and it was explained that one of them was for Abdul-Baha and the other for Mrs. Knobloch, present in spirit with us.
Mrs. Getsinger gave a beautiful eulogy of our angel soul so lately gone home, saying in effect that tradition had it that the souls of the departed who are of the perfect type, partake of the Wine of God's Love at His Table, and that surely her portion would be sweet, while she watched over us in the spot which she had held most dear of all while with us. Many words of love from the Bahais and friends present, spoken in converse after the meeting had closed, completed a perfect symphony of memoriam whose harmonies shall not cease until the notes be blended into the muslc of the spheres in infinity.
BROTHER JOSEPH HANNEN.
THE PRAYER FOR THE DEAD.
(Let the following prayer be read in a suppllant attitude, that is, standing with both hands stretched upward and toward the face:)
"O, My God! This is Thy servant and the daughter of Thy Servant who has believed in Thee and in Thy Verses, and hath turned unto Thee, while severed from all else save Thee. Verily, Thou art the Most Merciful One!
"I beg of Thee, O Thou Forgiver of sins and Concealer of faults, to do unto her that which behooveth the Heaven of Thy Generosity and the Ocean of Thy Graces, and cause her to enter the vicinity of Thy Most Mighty Mercy which hath preceded the Heaven and earth. There is no God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Beneficent!"
(Then they must magnify God, while saying:)
| (Say once.) | (Say 19 tlmes.) |
| God is the Most Mighty! | We are all worshippers of God! |
| God is the Most Mighty! | We all bow down before God! |
| God is the Most Mighty! | We are all invoking God! |
| God is the Most Mighty! | We are all commemorating God! |
| God is the Most Mighty! | We are all returning thanks to God! |
| God is the most mighty! | We are all endurlng patiently in God! |
Denver, Colorado[edit]
Letter from Mrs. A. M. Bryant. To THE BAHAI PUBLISHING SOCIETY,
New York City.
(FOR THE BAHAI BULLETIN.)
Dear Servants of God:
My summer sojourn at Woodland Park, Colorado, will soon end. I reached here on the 3rd of July after spending a week with friends and believers—en route—in Denver, from Chicago, where I had a most blessed nine weeks communion with the beloved Bahai friends, and a one week visit in Kenosha. Everywhere I found an intense desire to serve. Kenosha is on "fire" with the love of exemplary servitude. The Industrial School conducted by Sister Jacobson is a marvel. Every service is systematized to give every one an opportunity to serve. Their Unity of endeavor is marked and a week with the friends there is good the soul.
The believers in Chicago are feeling the importance of their especial responsibility regarding the building of the Mashrak-el-Azcar and much work has already been accomplished in that direction. The celebration held on the 23rd of May last in honor of the Bab (May our souls serve in his memory) on the proposed grounds for the Temple Building, was an auspicious occasion. Sister Corinne True had the program in charge and her inspiring activity together with numberless servers made a Feast for mind and body, long to be remembered. While in Chicago, this Maid Servant attended some ninety gatherings and found a host of sincere and efficient servers in the Vineyard. About November 1st our reading room will be open in Denver and regular assembly gatherings begin. I am sending with this enclosure a copy of a blessed Tablet to the Denver Assembly.
Yours in the Service of Baha through the Center of the Covenant Abdul Baha.
(Signed) MRS. A. M. BRYANT, Denver, Colorado.
TABLET TO THE DENVER ASSEMBLY.
O ye servants of the True One and the maid-servants of the Merciful!
Do not think that ye are forgotten for one moment!
Abdul Baha is at all times remembering you with Infinite Love and Kindness and supplicates at the Threshold of Oneness, Assistance and Favor; so that the Invisible Confirmation may pour down, the Divine Bounties unveil their countenances, the friends in that region be ignited like unto the lamps, and the maid-servants of God shine like unto the stars; in order to illumine that country, make that clime the Paradise of Perpetual Abode, to suffer the people to drink from the Wine of Guidance, to intoxicate the yearning ones after the Kindom of Abha, to open spiritual universities, to be instructed in the Mysteries of the Love of God by the Heavenly Instructor, to associate with each other with the utmost humility and attain to spiritual affinity. Each one must sacrifice his life and possession to the other, and each person be loving to all the inhabitants of the world, to rend assunder the curtain of foreignness and consort with all the people with union and accord. They must be faithful to the traitors and benevolent to the tyrant. They must recognize the enemies as friends, the unknown as known. These are the advices and exhortations of God!
O ye friends!
O ye maid-servants of the Merciful!
In order to thank for this Most Great Guidance, consort with all the people with the utmost joy and happiness; so that ye may become the recipients of the Glances of Providence. Become ye not sad on account of any calamity, neither be ye broken-hearted by any trials. Be ye and steadfast in order that the Beloved of hope become the Cup-bearer of the assembly and the greatest desire become realized.
Blessing be upon ye by the Bounty of your Lord the Merciful!
Upon ye be Baha-El-Abha.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Translated by M. AHMAD ESPHAHANI Oct. 9th, 10 p. m., 1907, Washington, D. C., through Charles Mason Remey and Mrs. A. M. Bryant.
Racine, Wisconsin[edit]
Our brother, Mr. Jos. Johnson, of 1740 Howe Street, Racine, Wis., sends us a most interesting account of conditions in that city, and while the letter was not sent for publication, we take the liberty of printing an extract:
"I received your letter and was very glad to hear from you. To get up a magazine for the believers, as you and your friends have done is a very nice thing. And the friends here in Racine, that is those who come steadily to the meetings are going to take it and I will see the others and try and get them to subscribe, for the little magazine will be a great help to them, and may be the cause of their picking up steadfastness and again coming to the meeting.
There are only a few of us here and we only meet once a week, except on Feast nights. From what I learn there must have been some forty here in the time of Dr. K., but they fell at the time of the test some of them, and some of them have moved away; but I pray God that those who fell under testing may come back to the centre of the Covenant and look to Abdul Baha, the Great Servant, who is the True One, for the commands are plain, only we must read them with an open heart full of the love of God, otherwise we will only have our own imaginations and thoughts. It may be that I can find their addresses and see some of them.
I send you a tablet which I received from Abdul Baha some time ago.
Remember me to Mr. Wilhelm and tell him that I often think of him since he has been here.
I close, sending love to all in your city.
I remain your brother in His Name.
(Signed) JOS. JOHNSON.
Announcement of Meetings[edit]
NEW YORK.[edit]
Regular meetings every Sunday at 11 o'clock, A. M., at Genealogical Hall, No. 226 West 58th Street.
Regular meetings every Friday evening at 8 o'clock, at the studio of Miss Juliet Thompson, No. 119 East 19th Street.
Regular meetings every Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, at the residence of Mr. Arthur P. Dodge, 261 West 139th Street.
Regular meetings every Sunday evening, at 8 o'clock, at the home of Mrs. E. E. Gibbons, No. 83 Madison Avenue.
BROOKLYN.[edit]
Regular meetings every Sunday evening at 7:30 o'clock P. M., at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Howard MacNutt, No. 935 Eastern Parkway.
JERSEY CITY.[edit]
Regular meetings at 8 o'clock P. M., at No. 550 Newark Avenue. The friends in New York are especially requested to encourage these meetings by their presence.
