Star of the West/Volume 1/Issue 10/Text
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Vol. 1 Chicago, (Sept. 8, 1910) Izzat No. 10
WORDS OF ABDUL-BAHA TO FRIENDS IN
AMERICA.
Extracts from Tablets recently received by the Librarian
of the Spiritual Assembly (H. of S.) of Chicago,
for preservation in archives, and sent to the
BAHAI NEWS for publication.
HE IS GOD!
O thou son of the Kingdom!
*** Today, the most important affair and greatest
hope is the unity and concord of the Friends.
In every city where the Friends are united, spirituality
and illumination is manifest and apparent
with infinite power and strength; but where
there is a lack of the warmth of love, every one
becomes withered, cold, unhappy and deprived.
Therefore, endeavor ye with all your heart and
soul so that union and concord may be increased,
the Word of God promoted and the lights of unity
be spread. Convey on behalf of Abdul-Baha the
wonderful ABHA Greeting to all the Friends of that
Spiritual Assembly.
(Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, Aug. 16, 1910.)
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
*** Ere long the regions of the West will become
the dawning-places of the East, and the Sun of
Truth will shine in such wise that the darkness of
ignorance will be dispelled. But a large multitude
of people will arise against you, showing oppression,
expressing contumely and derision, shunning
your society, and heaping upon you ridicule. However,
the Heavenly Father will illumine you to
such an extent that, like unto the rays of the sun,
you shall scatter the dark clouds of superstition,
shine gloriously in the midst of Heaven and illumine
the face of the earth. You must make firm
the feet at the time when these trials transpire,
and demonstrate forbearance and patience. You
must withstand them with the utmost love and kindness; consider their oppression and persecution as the caprice of children, and do not give any importance to whatever they do. For at the end the illumination of the Kingdom will overwhelm the darkness of the world and the exaltation and grandeur of your station will become apparent and manifest; nothing will remain hidden. If the light remain in the depth of the well, ere long its shining will appear on the summit of the hill. The small ones will become great, the powerless powerful, the babes will become the children of the Kingdom, and the wanderers reach the Divine native land of the Father. Rest ye assured.
(Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, Nov. 14, 1909.)
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
PERSIAN-AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY.
In anticipation of an active fall and winter campaign,
the opportunity of reporting progress and
plans through the medium of the BAHAI NEWS is
welcomed.
A Committee of Reorganization is now considering
an amended Constitution upon which to base a
world-wide work, with no restrictions, such being
the instructions given by Abdul-Baha in the Tablet
addressed to the Officers of the Society, and which
was printed in our previous review. It is contemplated
that the name of the organization shall be
changed to the "Occidental & Oriental Interdependence
Association," or that a similar designation be
adopted which will adequately set forth its aims.
In addition to the subject of education, there are to
be separate divisions, known as departments or
committees, devoted to agriculture, industrial development,
commerce, medicine, arts and sciences,
etc. A plan somewhat similar to the Bureau of
American Republics, is in view, with the important
difference that the aforesaid Bureau is only for
North, South and Central America, while this Association
is to be for the whole World.
In due season it is hoped that a monthly magazine
will be issued in connection with the work
of the new Association, printed in English, Persian
and perhaps Arabic, and as the Association grows, also in other Oriental languages. There are to be agents in all countries, and to that end a committee of correspondence with all parts of the world will be an early development.
The headquarters of the Occidental & Oriental Interdependence Association will be in Washington.
World Conventions are to be held every three
or five years, the place to be designated at each
Convention for the succeeding one.
Broadly speaking, the object of the Association
will be to furnish commercial and industrial data
and information to oriental merchants about
America, and to acquaint American manufacturers
with the commercial possibilities of the far and
near East. Underlying this practical working,
there is the idea of a universal Association to
gather and disseminate in the East and the West
information upon all subjects of human activities
and inventions, so that both hemispheres may find
a common channel through which their generous
impulses and humanitarian aims may flow and
commingle.
It is desired to have the new Constitution and
By-Laws ready for submission at the first Annual
Meeting of the Persian-American Educational Society,
in April, 1911, at which time the merger
will be proposed. Meanwhile, the Committee desires
to receive from all the Friends and others
interested, suggestions and advices based upon experience
and observation, so that the Association
may become truly a fit instrument for the propagation
of the great principles of brotherhood and
an international medium for the exchange of goods
and ideas. If anyone should desire to draft a Constitution
embracing the foregoing suggestions, this
will be particularly appreciated. The Committee
will wait for one month from the date of this publication,
to receive suggestions, after which the
formation of a Constitution will be undertaken
here. This will then be submitted to lawyers who
are available for consultation, and perfected before
being finally presented. All correspondence
upon this subject may be addressed to Mirza
Ahmad Sohrab, 1800 Belmont Road, Washington,
D. C.
From every standpoint the proposed Occidental
& Oriental Interdependence Association will be the
first organization of its kind in the world possessing
such a broad platform of universal principles,
and this is truly a movement along Bahai lines.
We pray God that He may confirm us to accomplish
the great work ahead. Much can be done if
we have the co-operation of all.
During the coming fall and winter, however, the
Persian-American Educational Society will represent
the working nucleus of the larger organization,
and our efforts will be concentrated upon its
success. Since the last report, a draft for two
hundred dollars has been sent to Mr. Sydney
Sprague. Ten additional scholarships have been
subscribed, as follows: No. 40, Miss M. Billet, New
York; No. 41, Mrs. Gannett, New York; No. 42,
Mr. J. D. Bosch, Geyserville, Cal.; No. 43, Mme.
Aurelia Bethlen, Salt Lake City, Utah; No. 44,
Mr. F. G. Hale, of Jersey City, and Mr. James, of
Hoboken, N. J.; No. 45, Mrs. Luella Kirchner,
Chicago; No. 46, C. B. Nourse, No. 47, Miss K. E.
Nourse, No. 48, P. H. Nourse, of Atlantic City,
N. J.; No. 49, Mr. T. T. Steele, New York.
Many appreciative letters have been received
from prominent persons in Persia; the Persian
newspapers in Persia, Egypt and India have given
columns to the consideration of this vital subject,
predicting great things for the future. Thus the
Orient has awakened to the work we are undertaking,
and we dare not fail or stop short of large
achievements. It is reported that a very interesting
Constitution, written for the management
of the Society in Persia, has been received from the
authorities of the Tarbiat School.
The following communications received recently
by the Corresponding Secretary, will serve as an
indication of the interest manifested at remote
points:
His Honor, the Persian Consul of Batoum, Russia,
transmitted to me your little booklet of Persian-American
Educational Society, and he seems to be very much
interested in this movement. Perhaps you have these
little booklets already translated and printed in French
and Russian. It will be very advantageous to us to
find these little books in these two languages, so that
we may spread it among our numerous acquaintances
of the French and Russian families, so that they may become acquainted with your great work. We will be infinitely obliged to you if you send us a few copies in French. Hoping to hear from you, accept, Monsieur Secretary, the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
(Signed) MISS Z. ROBINS,
Batoum, Russia.
(Translated from the French.)
Dear Spiritual Brother―I read today in the BAHAI
NEWS sent to me by Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, of Wall
Street, and found it of the utmost importance, nay,
rather, the greatest and most obligatory thing to be
done, to help the Persian-American Interdependence
Society, and am very desirous of helping it in all the
ways I can. I am extremely desirous of becoming an
active member of the Society for Bombay, if permitted,
and beg to be asked to do all that I can and should. I
am as yet a student of law, and have not begun to earn
my honest penny. My most beloved father is a very
staunch Hindoo. I being thus situated may not be able
to help the Society by material means, which it most
needs, but hope to do so in the near future, when I shall
be able to spare a little money. At present I offer my
most humble services, greatest appreciation of its need
and usefulness, and heartfelt desire to see it progressing.
I most humbly and most respectfully pray to God,
that the Almighty may shower His Favors upon it.
With love and greetings to all the spiritual brothers and
sisters in El-ABHA; with due thanks to all the dear
brothers and sisters who work for the P. A. I. Society,
and a sense of the appreciation of the great work they
do, I beg to remain, my dear spiritual brother, your
brother in El-ABHA,
(Signed N. R. VA KIL,
Navsari, India.
16th July, 1910.
All are urged to secure more scholarships, and
to work with us so that the coming winter season
may see a large increase in this respect. We are
before the eyes of the world, and must do our full
duty!
The Librarian asks that attention be called to
the need of literature for the Tarbiat School in
Teheran. Any books, magazines, etc., will be
welcomed. They may be sent direct to Mr. Sydney
Sprague, c/o Mirza Azizollah Khan, rue Arbab
Jemsheed, Teheran, Persia, or to Mrs. Claudia S.
Coles, 310 The Burlington, Washington, D. C.
Postage on printed matter to Persia is the same
as domestic rates, and no better use could be
found for discarded magazines or spare books,
than to pass them along for this worthy use.
JOS. H. HANNEN, Cor. Sec'y.
Washington, D. C., August 27, 1910.
AROUND THE WORLD WITH MESSRS.
REMEY AND STRUVEN.
Third of a Series of Letters Under This Heading.
We take the liberty of prefacing the letters selected
for this issue with the following Tablet to
one of the friends at Cincinnati, O., believing it
not only confirms the correctness of the observations
of our brothers that organization and systematic
work is needed in many centers, but that it
will assist such centers in their endeavor to comply
with the wish of Abdul-Baha expressed therein:
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA.
HE IS GOD.
O thou seeker of the Kingdom!
Thy letter was received. It is impossible to organize
the House of Justice in these days; it will be formed
after the establishment of the Cause of God. Now, the
Spiritual Assemblies are organized in most of the cities,
you must also organize a Spiritual Assembly in Cincinnati.
It is permissible to elect the members of the
Spiritual Assembly from among the men and women;
nay, rather, it is better, so that perfect union may result.
According to the Texts of the Akdas the dues are
to be collected in the Treasury in order to meet the
necessary demands, but do not make the dues obligatory
to anyone. Everyone can pay according to the dictates
of their hearts and let it be a voluntary contribution.
O thou seeker of the Kingdom! Now is the time that
you may become engaged in that country in the promotion
of the Word of God, the diffusion of the sweet
fragrances of the Paradise of ABHA and the spreading
of the Divine Teachings.
Upon thee be the Glory of God!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, May 18, 1910.)
HONOLULU, H. I.
Honolulu, H. I., Dec. 10, 1909.
To the Members of the House of Spirituality of Bahais,
Chicago, Ill.
Dear Brothers In His Name:―Before leaving the
Coast it was in my mind to write you something about
the things which Brother Struven and I had experienced
in our visits with the various friends of the many Bahai
Assemblies in America, hoping in this way to be of
service to you by helping you to come into closer touch
with these many centers. * * *
Both Brother Struven and I feel the necessity of
systematic and united work and organization in the
various Assemblies; that the believers should unite and
work in the name of the Assembly, whichever one it
may be.
It seems to me that The House of Spirituality can
do much to meet this need. By correspondence with the men in the various centres the plan of systematic work could be presented to them in such a way that they would take hold of it. * * * As I wrote before, I feel that now is not the time for the women throughout the country to organize, but rather for the men and women to organize together. The plan of organizing exclusive women's meetings in the younger assemblies tends towards accentuating rather than diminishing the gravity of the question of getting the men believers to take an active part in the work.
That old misconception, the idea that Abdul-Baha
does not wish any organized effort, is still in the
minds of some of the friends. * * *
Greetings In His Name,
CHARLES MASON REMEY.
Honolulu, H. I., Dec. 14, 1909.
To the Washington (D. C.) Assembly:
Dear Friends in El-ABHA:―Today Howard Struven
and I are leaving these Islands for Japan. Our stay
of three weeks here has been a short, pleasant and most
busy one. Nowhere on our travels have we found so
spiritual a response to The Message as here in Honolulu.
For some time past there have been ten or a
dozen firm believers here, but outside of a very few, the
Bahai Cause was not known. All was ready for a public
movement when we arrived.
A campaign of public meetings was planned and
successfully carried out. There has been some opposition,
but very little; and a little ridicule, but this has
also been very slight. Public meetings have been held
almost daily and besides these there have been study
classes for the seekers after Truth; study classes for
believers; two Unity Feasts, and the celebration of the
Fete of Abdul-Baha (Nov. 26th), as well as other
meetings. Practically the whole town knows something
about The Message―between the meetings and papers,
almost everybody at least knows the name "Bahai,"
and knows that now an assembly is here organized for
systematic work.
The ladies are going into philanthropic work, too―doing
this in the name of The Bahai Assembly of Honolulu.
This, I feel, a very important step, and one which
the believers in all places can well emulate. In each
centre we should unite as an assembly and take a position
in the active work of the place in benefiting
the people and working for the public good In His
Name, the Name of Baha. The more we do this the
more we will grow. The less show made the better,
nevertheless we should not work anonymously, but let
our light shine and be felt. This will attract the souls.
As Abdul-Baha says, we must manifest forth the love
of the Kingdom through deeds. The organization and
work of the Washington (D. C.) Assembly is an example
and an inspiration to all. We have informed all
of the friends of the good news we hear from you, and
this is inspiring others to do likewise.
Yours in His Cause,
CHARLES MASON REMEY.
BAHAI NEWS
ISSUED MONTHLY
ALBERT R. WINDUST―EDITORS―GERTRUDE BUIKEMA
Address all communications to
BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.
Persian Editor.―MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB, 1800 Belmont Road, Washington, D. C.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE PER YEAR.
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Vol. 1. Chicago, (Sept. 8, 1910) Izzat No. 10
BAHAI CALENDAR.[edit]
MONTH | NAME | FIRST DAYS |
1st | Baha' (Splendor) | Mar. 21 |
2nd | Jalal (Glory) | Apr. 9 |
3rd | Jamal (Beauty) | Apr. 28 |
4th | Azamat (Greatness) | May 17 |
5th | Nur (Light) | June 5 |
6th | Rahmat (Mercy) | June 24 |
7th | Kalamat (Words) | July 13 |
8th | Isma (Names) | Aug. 1 |
9th | Kamal (Perfection) | Aug. 20 |
10th | Izzat (Wealth) | Sept. 8 |
11th | Mashiyat (Will) | Sept. 27 |
12th | Ilm (Science) | Oct. 16 |
13th | Qudrat (Power) | Nov. 4 |
14th | Qaul (Saying) | Nov. 23 |
15th | Masa'il (Questions) | Dec. 12 |
16th | Sharaf (Honor) | Dec. 31 |
17th | Sultan (Sultan) | Jan. 19 |
18th | Malik (King) | Feb. 7 |
| (Four intercalary days.) | ||
19th | Ola (Sublimity) | Mar. 2 |
| (Month of fasting) | ||
Our Persian section this issue contains a Tablet
to the Spiritual Assembly (H. of S.) Chicago, dated
Dec. 16, 1902; an article on Universal Bahai Education,
quoting statistics from England and France,
also Tablets; and following news items: (1) Unity
Feast at Washington, D. C., (2) Mr. Remey's visit
to Green Acre, (3) receipt of letters from Mashad,
Persia, (4) concerning Mirza Ali Kuli Khan.
NEWS NOTES.[edit]
The Philadelphia, Pa., Assembly has been
greatly favored by the visits of Mr. and Mrs. Brittingham
of New York City, Mrs. Russell of Chicago,
Mrs. Dixon of Washington, Mr. Hope of
Baltimore, Mr. and Mrs. Dahl of West Hoboken,
and Hilbert Dahl of Pittsburg. On the evening of
Aug. 17th, a meeting was held in a hall. Mrs.
Brittingham gave The Message in a beautiful, clear,
loving way and every one was attentive and seemingly
eager to learn. About fifty people were present.
A Bahai baptism was held at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Summers, No. 3228 Fairhill St., on
the afternoon of Aug. 20. Walter, Irvin and Harry
Summers, Harry Weyand, and Elwood, the infant
son of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Revell, were baptized
in the name of the Kingdom of El-ABHA, by
Mrs. Brittingham. In the evening the Unity
Feast was observed at the home of Mrs. Mary
J. Revell, 1429 Mayfield St. Twenty-one believers
were present at this beautiful meeting.
J. E. R.
Excerpt from a long prayer revealed by Abdul-Baha
at the marriage feast of Mirza Eskander
Khan (Mr. Sydney Sprague) and Farahangise
Khanum, daughter of the well-known Bahai
teacher, Mirza Assad Ullah, who were recently
married by Abdul-Baha, himself, in the presence
of representatives of all nations and religions at
Haifa, Syria:
Lord! Verily, Thy servant, Eskander Sprague, journeyed
to the most remote countries while aglow with
Thy Love; he was attracted by Thy Call while in those
far-away regions, hastened to the Radiant Spot (the
Holy Land) and willed to unite with Thy pure maid-servant
who believeth in Thy Verses, who is aflame
with the Fire of Thy Love and who is related* to The
Branch of the Tree of Thy Grace. Lord! Make this
marriage blessed by Thy Favor; happy by the benediction
of Thy Generosity; an indissoluble tie; a partnership
holy unto Sprague; a blending fellowship, a rejoicing,
a unity and an affinity lasting throughout the
Eternity of Eternities, in every world of Thy Holy
Worlds―upon the plane of the Spirits and the Lights.
Verily, Thou art the Helper! Verily, Thou are the
Generous! Verily, Thou art the Merciful, the Clement!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Dr. Ameen U. Fareed, Aug. 19, 1910.)
*Farahangise Khanum is a niece of "The Branch," Abdul-Baha.
Charles Mason Remey addressed the regular
meeting of the New York City Assembly, held in
Genealogical Hall, Sunday, Aug. 21st, giving a
very interesting account of his extensive travels
and experiences with the Bahais in the New Holy
City (Acca and Haifa, Syria) and in Turkey generally,
and in India, Persia, Russia and Europe.
In the evening both he and Miss Juliet Thompson,
to whom he is engaged, were present and
took part in an interesting and largely attended
meeting at the residence of Mr. Arthur P. Dodge.
Mr. T. D. Fuller, of Chicago, was also present at
these meetings. Mrs. Eva Webster Russell, also
of Chicago, has been a most welcome visitor during
the summer, reading to the friends the letters
of Doctor Moody from Teheran, Persia.
A. P. D.
Miss Georgiana Dean is now in Fairhope, Ala.,
ministering to the needs of Mrs. Paul K. Dealy,
who is afflicted with blindness. She writes: "Mrs.
Dealy suffers a great deal, yet she gives The Message
to all she can. Her face shines with the
light of God."
Mirza Ali Kuli Khan has arrived in Washington,
D. C., and presented his credentials to the State
Department in the capacity of Charge d'Affaires
from Persia, but will leave in a few days for the
West to bring back his family who are now in
California.
Mr. Remey has recently visited Hudson, Johnston,
Utica, Clinton, Ithaca, Pomery and Cazenovia,
N. Y., accomplishing much good for the propaganda,
unification and solidarity of the Cause of
God in these centres.
CONVERSATIONAL PERSIAN TAUGHT BY
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Bahai Correspondence School teaches Persian
by simple lessons and phonographic records. Each
pupil receives all necessary individual help and attention
through a system of written lessons and criticisms.
No Persian written characters are used; the
English letters only are employed and pronunciations
expressed in English characters. Many are taking
advantage of this system, both in Europe and in
America.
For particulars address MIRZA S. M. RAFFIE,
S. B., 729 Livingston Hall. Columbia University, New
York City, U. S. A.
Vol. I No. 10
نجم باختر . 8 سپتامبر 1910
جلد 1 . شماره 10
صفحه 1
Adress:―
- Peyam Baré Baktar.
- 1800 Belmont Road.
- Washington D.C. U. S. America.
شسکاغو اعضاء محفل روحانی . علیهم بهاء الله الابهی
ای عزیزان عبدالبهاء لایحه های شما را در نهایت ابتهاج تلاوت نمودم سبب روح و ریحان قلوب است و باعث انشراح نفوس اگر این محفل روحانی بنفحات رحمانی و تأیید یزدانی دوام و استقرار یابد منشاء آثار عظیمه گردد و موفقّ بر امور کلیّه محافل روحانیّه که در این ملعر الهی و قرن رحمانی تأسیس شود البته مثل و مانندش در اعصار ماضیّه تحققّ نیافته زیرا محافل عظمی در تحت حمایت اکابر رجال بود امّا این محافل در تحت حمایت جمال ابهی ناصر و معین آنان یا امیریا ملیک بود و یا کاهنی رئیس جمهوری کثیر امّا این محافل روحانی را ناصر و معین و مؤیّد و ملهم حضرت ربّ قدیر حال را نظر ننمائید استقبال و مآل را تصوّر کنید دانه در بدایت بسیار صغیر است ولی عاقبت شجری بسیار عظیم نباید نظر در دانه کرد باید نظر در شجر نمود و امواع شکوفه و برگ
صفحه 2
ملاحظه در زمن مسیح کنید که عبارت از شر ّ ذمّۀ قلیل بود بعد ملاحظه نمائید که دانه چه شجری شد و چه ثمری داد حال اعظم از آن است زیرا ندای ربّ الجنود است و صوت صافور حیّ قیوم آهنگ صلح و صلاح آفاق است و رایت راستی و درستی و آشتی در میان ملل متنوّعۀ بلاد و دیار نورانیّت شمس حقیقت است و روحانیّت حضرت احدیّت این دور اعظم جمیع آفاق را احاطه نماید و عاقبت کلّ ملل در ظلّ این رایت محشور گردند پس اهمیّت این دانه را بدانید که آن دهقان حقیقی در کشتزار الهی بدست رحمت افشانده و از فیض باران موهبت سقایه نموده و از حرارت و ضیاء شمس حقیقت پرورش میدهد پس ای یاران الهی بشکرانۀ حضرت یگانه پردازید که مظهر چنین موهبتی گشتید و مورد چنین زحمتی طوبی لکم بشری لکم من هذا الفضل العظیم و علیکم التحیّة و الثناء ع ع .
تربیت عمومی بهائی
همان نوعی که زمین بدون باغبان سبز و خرّم نگردد و بیابان بدون آب چون گل نخندد و انسان بدون روح فعّاله زنده نماند و حیوان بدون مواظبت بحالت همجیّت و سبعیّت رجعت نماید بهمان قسم اطفال انسان اطفال انسان بدون تربیت و تعلیم از نعمات آزاد ی و استقلال محروم و بی نصیب میمانند و در نظر خلق به حقارت و پستی مشهور گردند . مسلمّ است که انسان بی علم و تجربه اکثر امور مخرّبه گردد جوهر و لؤلؤ را بر خذف و شبهه بفروشد حقوق اصلی مادرزادی خود را از روی نادانی از دست بدهد سبب خرابی شهرها و انهدام مآثر مدنیّت گردد دین مبین را بباد دهد و اخلام ملتی را مذموم و مقدوح نماید طریق ظلم و جفا پوید و به سنگدلی و بیرحمی آتش بر خانمان بیچارگان زند بلی ای خواننده عزیز هیچ مملکتی حقیر و ضعیف نگردید مگر بواسطۀ ظلم سران و بزرگان و هیچ سری و بزرگی ظلم نکرد مگر از روی جهل و نادانی پس بر صاحبان بصر پوشیده نیست که نادانی اساس ظلم و اجحاف و اسارت و ظلامی است و هنر قرن جدید
صفحه 3
پایۀ عدالت و نصفت و آزادی و حریّت و این مسئله مبرهن است که هیچ یک از دول حبّۀ زمان حاضره به مقاصد سامیۀ خود نرسد مگر از طریق تربیت عمومی و نشر معارف مفیده در میان جمهور ملتّ امّا برای رفع اشکالات که در قرون متمادیّه جمع شده بود دول متمدّن امروز زحمتها کشیدند کوههای عظیم عوائق را از جلوی قدوم خود برطرف کردند و ملیونها نفوس جان خود را نثار نمودند تا آنکه تعصّب های بی معنی کشیش های پر غش و راهب های پر حیله و تزویر را شکست داده محبوبۀ روح پرور را در آغوش کشیدند و مدارس عمومی مجّانی باز نمودند و وجود دختران و پسران خود را به علوم و فنون تزئین و آرایش دادند و در حوضۀ رفعت و سعادت ملیّ داخل گشتند و حالهم روزبروز بر شجاعت و بسالت نفسی خود افزوده و ممالک تاریک و ظلوم جهالت را فتح نموده و قصور دلگشای نورانی آنرا به مأرف افلاک میرسانند ولی چون در این اعظم حضرت بهاء الله اوامر متقنه در باب تعلیم عمومی و تحصیل هنر و پیشه وضع گردیده پیروان این امر تربیت اطفال خود را چه پسر و چه دختر یکی از مسائل ضروریّه دینیّه میدانند و تحصیل معارف مفیده را بزرگترین عبادادت الهی فرض مینمایند و این امر روحبخش فقط در دین بهاء الله باین وضوح و اتقان نازل گردیده و سرچشمۀ جمیع فلاح و نجاح عالمیان دانسته شده و کسانیکه بر نفوذ و ترقیّ دین حضرت مسیح له ابمحدو انتشار تعالیم آزادی بخش حضرت رسول ص مطّلعند میدانند که غلبۀ جهانگیر کلمات الهی اثرش در قلوب نحل و ملل بیشتر از قوانین
امپراطوران ارض است و چون امر حضرت بهاء الله محض اتحّاد ناس و ایجاد محبّت میان ادیان عالم پرده از جمال برافکنده لهذا هر قدر بیانات و تعالیم او بگوش مردم برسد و هر قدر مشام پسران خاک از نفحات قدس معطرّ گردد در تربیت اطفال خود بیشتر از پیش خواهند کوشید و باین وسیله کم کم فرد فرد ساکنین جهان از چین تا امریک و از افریق تا تارتار به تحصیل علوم مزیّن گردیده و در حوضۀ مردمان آزاد داخل خواهند گشت و امروز هرقدر دولت و ملتّ ایران اوقات شریف را صرف تحصیل مسالک مدارس ملل غرب نمایند و اسلوب کاملۀ آنها را در مملکت رواج دهند مسلمّ است که اطفال خود را بهتر و خوشتر میتوانند تربیت کنند . مثلا ملاحظه فرمائید که دولت انگلستان فقط در جزیرۀ انگلند و ویلز صدوبیست وپنج ملیون
صفحه 4
تومان خرج تربیت اولادهای خود مینماید 29162 مدارس و کلیّات بنا نموده است چهارده کرور دختران و پسران در هر سال به کسب کمالات مشغولند و صدوچهل ویک هزار معلمّین زن و چهل و یک هزار معلمّین و پروفسورهای مرد شب و روز در دبستانها روح علوم در قلوب میدمند تا آنکه بزرگی و استعداد او بمقامی صعود نموده که اذعان مینماید که بقدری مملکتش وسیع الارجاء است که جمیع مناطق عالم را از اینرو آفتاب از متصرّفاتش هرگز غروب نمی نماید زیرا اگر از نقطۀ غروب کند از افق دیگری طالع خواهد نمود همچنین دولت فرانسه که همیشه در سر صف جیش مدنیّت غرب بود در سال گذشته 221221905 فرانک خرج مدارس خود نمود و ابواب هشتاد هزار دبستانها و دارالفنونها در داخل مملکت باز داشته است و در همین سال بیشتر ازشش ملیون اطفال از پسر و دختر به تحصیل مشغول بودند و از همین جهت است که در نظر ملل جهان باین شرافت و مزیّت نامبرده میشود سعدی بافرجام که خلاقّ کلام و سلطان فصاحتش میدانیم چه خوش گفته که «ملک از خردمندان کمال گیرد و دین از دانشمندان جمال پذیرد پادشاهان بر صحبت خردمندان محتاجترند که خردمندان به تقرّب پادشادهان » و در این مورد حضرت بهاء الله عالمیان را خطاب نموده میفرماید ای بندگان من شما اشجار رضوان منید باید باشجار بدیعه ظاهر شوید تا خود و دیگران از شما منتفع شوند لذا بر کلّ لازم که به صنایع و اکتساب مشغول گردند این است اسباب غنا یا اولی الالباب و انّ الامور تعّلقه باسبابها و فضل الله یغینکم و اشجار بی ثمار لایق نار بوده و خواهد بود . پست ترین ناس نفوسی هستند که بی ثمر در ارض ظاهرند و فی الحقیقه از اموات محسوبند بلکه اموات از این نفوس معّطله مهمله ارجح عندالله مذکور . بهترین ناس آنانند که به اقتران تحصیل کنند . و حضرت عبدالبهاء به عبارات روشن میفرمایند « به فلیکن بتربیّته الاطفال منند نعومة اطفالکم و فلیکن بتحسین اخلاقهم علیکن بالمواظبة علیهم فی جمیع شئون و الاحوال لانّ الله سبحانه و تعالی جعل الامهّات مربیّات اوّلیات باولاد و الاطفال هذا امر مهمّ عظیم الشأن عالی شدید فلا یجوّز الفتور فیه ابدا » و در مقام دیگر در لوح عظیم تربیت و تعلیم که انتشارش در ممالک غرب اثرات زیاد بخشوده چنین ملل آنها را نصیحت مینمایند « اگر مربّی نباشد جمیع نفوس وحوش مانند
صفحه 5
و اگر معلمّ نباشد اطفال کلّ مانند حشرات گردند اینست که در کتاب الهی در این دور بدیع تعلیم و تربیت امر اجباری است نه اختیاری یعنی بر پدر و مادر فرض عین است که دختر و پسر را به نهایت همّت تعلیم و تربیت نمایند و از پستان عرفان شیر دهند و در آغوش علوم و معارف پرورش بخشند و اگر در این خصوص قصور کنند در نزد ربّ غیور ثاموذ و مذموم و مسئولند و این گناهی است غیر مغفور . اوّل تکلیف یاران الهی و اماء رحمان آنست که بایّ الله کان در تربیت و تعلیم اطفال از ذکور و اناث کوشند و دختران مانند پسرانند ابدا فرقی نیست جهل هر دو مذموم و نادانی هر دو بیعوض اگر بدیدۀ حقیقت نظر گردد تربیت و تعلیم دختران لازمتر از پسران است زیرا این نبات وقتی آید که مادر گردند و اولاد پرور شوند و اوّل مربّی اطفال مادر است زیرا طفل مانند شاخۀ تر و هر طور تربیت شود نشو و نما نماید اگر تربیت راست گردد راست شود و اگر کج کج شود و تا نهایت عمر براین منهج سلوک نماید پس ثابت و مبرهن شد که دختر بی علم و تربیت چون مادر گردد سبب محرومی و جهل و نادانی و عدم تربیت اطفال شود . البّته بجان بکوشید که اطفال خویش را علی الخصوص دختران را تعلیم و تربیت نمائید و هیچ عذری در این مقام مقبول نه تا عزّت ابدیّه و علویّت سرمدیّه در انجمن اهل بها مانند شمس محی جلوه و طلوع نماید و قلب عبدالبهاء مسرور و ممنون شود پس از شرح نکات و نقل بیانات عظیمه قبل باید بر ساکنین ارض مبرهن گردد که عقیدۀ بهائیان در باب تعلیم و تربیت چیست و ملاحظه خواهند فرمود که این امر دارای چه روح سموّ و علوّ و ترقیّ است و این مسئله را باید هر فرد بهائی که در هر مملکتی مسکن دارد قولا و فعلا اظهار نماید تا مردمان بعین الیقین بدانند که بهائیان جند ترقیّ هستند و مروّج تمدّن و آزادی علمدار تربیت و تعلیم عمومند و ناشر معارف حقیقی این قرن پر نور این است تربیت عمومی بهائی این است نعمت های لذیذ ملکوتی .
اخبارات
در 20 ماه اغطس بهائیان واشنگتن در مجلس عمومی جمع شده و عید نوروز را در نهایت خلوص برپا داشتند بعلاوه جمیع احبّاء قریب 15 نفر از طالبین حقیقت حاضر بودند و محفلی بود بسیار روحانی جناب دکتر امین الله فرید شرحی از تاریخ امرالله با بلاغت
صفحه 6
بیان نمودند و جناب مستر هنن عبارات جاذبه در تعالیم حضرت بهاء الله که سبب اتحّاد ملل گردیده اظهار داشت و ترجمۀ مکتوب فصیحی از جانب اماء الرحمن یزد که بواسطه امّة الله روحا مرقوم شده بود قرائت گردید و سبب اشتعال و انجذاب یاران گردید امید چنانچه که این نوع مراسلات زود زود از اطراف ایران به امریک برسد .
جناب مستر ریمی در این ایّام بجهت نشر نفحات در سفرند و دو سه هفته قبل در گرین عکا که محلّ تابستانی است و امرالله چند سالی درآنجا تبلیغ گردیده چندین مجالس منعقد نموده و در اعلاء کلمة الله خطابه های مؤثرّ ادا نموده اند از اخبارات خوش آنکه امّة الله مس چولیت تامسن نقاشّ مشهور بهائی نیویورک نامزد مستر ریمی گردیده و در آینده عروسی واقع خواهد گردید . پیام بر باختر تبریک صمیمانه اظهار میدارد .
در این ماه چهارده لوح مبارکه از قلم حضرت عبدالبهاء بافتخار یاران امریکی دریافت گردید و پس از ترجمه بر صاحبانش ارسال شد و همچنین مکاتیب روحانی از مشهد بانضمام جزوۀ اشعار عبح که در وقایع و بایل و و رزایاء احبّاء حصار و نامق که بواسطۀ حضرت قابل به نظم درآمده بود زیارت گردید و سبب حزن شدید گشت انسان متحیّر است تا کی ایرانیان پیروی ظلم و کشتار را نموده و خود را در نظر ملل متمدّن غرب به وحشیّت و بربریّت شهرت میدهند .
جناب آقای علیقلی کرمانی بسمت شارژدائمی دولت علیّه ایران درامریک برقرار گردیده پس از توقفّ چند روزی در نیویورک وارد واشنگتن گردیدند و اعتبارنامه های دائمی خود را به وزارت خارجه پیشنهاد نمودند و پس از پیدا نمودن منزل موافق برای سفارت مشغول به رتق و فتق تکالیف مهمّه خواهند گردید حضرت مشار الیه سه نفر از جوانان باهوش ایران را بهمراهی خود آورده اند که در مدارس امریک به تحصیل شعب مختلفۀ علمی شروع نمایند و روزنامه های اتازونی باین مسئله اهمیّت بزرگی داده و مقالات مفصّله در این باب نوشته اند . پیام بر باختر حیات وطن پرستانه و سرور ملیّ خود را در این موقع بخدمت جناب شارفرادافر اظهار داشته و امید است که بزودی از اهتمامات ایشان خدمات عظیمه نسبت به ایران بانجام رسانند و روابط تجارتی و صناعتی مابین این دو مللکت قدیم و جدید نمایان گردد و اصلاحات کلیّه تحققّ یابد ولیس هذا علی الله بعزیز .
