Star of the West/Volume 1/Issue 11/Text
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Vol. 1 Chicago, (September 27, 1910) Mashiyat No. 11
To the Beloved of God in Teheran, Persia.
HE IS GOD!O ye Beloved Friends of Abdul-Baha!
Today the most important affair is delivering the Cause of God and spreading the fragrances of God. The duty of every soul among the believers of God is that he must rest neither day nor night, and with every breath think of the diffusion of the fragrances of Truth. That is, he must endeavor as far as lies in his power to quicken and guide a soul to the Path of Immortality, for this service of his will be perpetuated throughout centuries and cycles.
The power of the faith of the first guide will be transmitted, find continuation and become manifest in the lives of other believers, until one sanctified soul will become the cause of quickening a hundred thousand souls. Consider how important this is, for the guidance of one soul is greater than the sovereignty of a kingdom. The temporal dominion is ended in a few days and no effect or result, no rejoicing or happiness, no beatitude or praise and no name or fame is produced thereby. But this sovereignty which consists in the guidance of the souls is eternal and everlasting. It embraces the Divine Beloved and it establishes man upon the throne of grandeur. Therefore, Spiritual Assemblies must be established in all the cities and their aims must be the guidance of the souls.
Likewise some teachers must be sent to various
parts and in every direction, for the sake of diffusing
the fragrances of God, so that they may direct
the seekers to the Divine Path; even the coming
and going of the friends is beneficial. For instance,
the friends who live in the smaller cities often do
not receive any news, and then only at random.
Now if certain souls arise to travel through these
places, give the Glad-tidings of God, stay in every
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place a night or two, deliver the news of the Holy
Land and other countries and cities of the East and
West, and associate with them with the utmost love,
enthusiasm and happiness, this will be conducive to
attraction and enkindlement, the people will be
trained in spiritual matters and obtain exhilaration
and life. This will become the cause of diffusing
the fragrances and the motive-power of the promulgation
of the Word of God.
His Honor, Mirza Aga Taraz, and Ali Akbar are two blessed souls, and they are the cause of happiness to the heart of Abdul-Baha. It is assured that they will become assisted in the universal services, and in the Kingdom of ABHA they will shine and gleam like unto the morning star.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
We are indebted to Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi of Chicago for the following extracts from a letter which he received recently from Dr. Youniss Khan of Teheran, Persia:
The troubles, calamities, poverty, etc., which happened during the late years, have resulted in that the people of Teheran, the old and the young, the rich and the poor, have turned their faces toward the Threshold of the Holy Cause in such a manner that a thousand teachers are not enough to give the glad-tidings. Although all the friends of God, men and women, are occupied in spreading the Cause, yet when a teacher comes from another city all rush to him, and they want to hear more.
The assemblies and organizations for the welfare of humanity and services for mankind are numerous in the city. For example: (1) The Spiritual Assembly has the charge of all spiritual matters. (2) The Assembly of Peace for the settlement of difficulties which might occur among the friends. (3) Mahfala Mouratab is an assembly which looks after the order of the material and spiritual matters. (4) The Assembly of the New Society. This has charge of the financial welfare of the Cause, such as schools, etc. (5) Charity Society, for the help of the poor and needy. Besides these organizations there are two schools, one for boys and another for girls. These admit not only Bahai children, but also outsiders. All are treated equally. The poor are accepted free.
The Tarbiat school held its commencement exercises recently. This is the best school in Teheran. All the royal ministers and officers were present. The American embassador, although not a Bahai, was so filled with enthusiasm that he took a photograph of the party.
A hospital has been established in which Amat-el-Allah, Dr.
Susan I. Moody, Dr. Aristo Khan, Dr. Atta Ullah Khan, Dr.
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Mohammed Khan and the writer, Dr. Youniss Khan, are
practicing. Each doctor is in charge of a special department.
Thus, Dr. Moody is the superintendent and the gynecologist
for women's diseases. This makes it a well-equipped hospital.
Besides the above mentioned institutions and spiritual gatherings there are fifty Assemblies for teaching. Consequently, in this day the Sun of BAHA'O'LLAH and the Light of Abdul-Baha, The Center of the Covenant, is shining with utmost brightness in Persia.
DOCTORS OF THE RECENTLY ESTABLISHED HOSPITAL IN TEHERAN.
A farewell gathering for Dr. Sarah Clock was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur P. Dodge, 261 West 139th Street, New York City, on Sunday evening, September 4th. She sailed on Thursday, the 8th, for Haifa and Kazoin, Persia, with her friend, Miss Straiton of Scranton, Pa.
Fourth of a Series of Letters under this Heading.
Certain letters from our brothers printed in previous issues of the BAHAI NEWS properly belong to the series and should be incorporated in this article. We refer to one under the heading "The Outlook in Japan" (No. 2 issue), and one concerning Kunjangoon (No. 8). As it is unnecessary to reprint them, we present the following, written at Rangoon and Bombay, India, respectively:
Rangoon, Burma, Feb. 10, 1910.
The House of Spirituality of Bahais, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
Dear Brothers in El-Abha:―Brother Struven and I arrived here one week ago and are enjoying, more than I can express, the companionship of the believers in this and neighboring cities. * * *
The time has come in India for the Cause to be known outside of Islam. As in the early days, Christianity was for years considered as a sect of Judaism, so now in many Oriental countries the Cause of El-ABHA is thought to be a Moslem sect. Now, through the assistance of the Western friends, this notion is being corrected. When our teachers come and travel in these countries they prove to all that the Holy Cause is for the West as well as the East. This has a powerful effect upon the people, and through it many are attracted.
Brother Struven and the Rangoon Assembly send you and all of the friends greeting. We are busy day and night with meetings and receiving truthseekers from every phase of religion, Jews, Christians, Moslems, Parsees, Buddhists and Hindoos (Brahmans). * * *
In His Service,
CHARLES MASON REMEY.
Bombay, March 24, 1910.
To the House of Spirituality of Bahais, Chicago, Ill.
Beloved Brothers in the Love of Abdul-Baha:― * * * After leaving Rangoon, we came on to India, landing in Calcutta. There we remained six days, where several well-attended meetings and feasts were held, including one public lecture. In Calcutta one assembly is composed chiefly of young men. It is a new center, yet full of life and vitality. There we had a very profitable stay.
From Calcutta we went to Benares, Cornpau, Agra, Delhi and Mount Aboo. Our travels in these places were chiefly on account of wishing to see the many architectural remains of past India. From this latter place we went to Baroda, where our good friend, Mirza Mahmood, was expecting us.
Baroda is the capital of one of the free states of India, which has its own government, ruler, etc. * * * It is the most progressive place (native) which we have visited here in India. Its Maharajah is the wealthiest ruler in these parts. museums, schools and the like for the benefit of his people.
There are very few English there. All of this progress comes from the native government. * * * There the Cause is also in a good way. * * *
Here in Bombay we are having a beautiful time―quite a busy one with the friends. Several lectures are arranged. One before the students of Elphistom College for this afternoon, and one for next Friday before the Theosophical Society. Many truthseekers are coming to the Mashrak-el-Azkar, where daily meetings are held. * * *
Here in these Oriental countries I see everywhere the need of the Western Bahais. These people here have something for us. From them we can learn a lesson of devotion and love, and we can also teach them certain things which they must learn. From my experience in these several Oriental countries I see, and have seen for some time, that the Cause here needs Western enthusiasm and "push" to bring it out. * * * We must come to their aid in this matter. * * * The most necessary of all things now in the Bahai Cause in these countries of the East, is that some teachers may be sent to the East. The Oriental Bahais have given us the motive force of the Cause; now we must go back to them with the application of the same. * * *
Faithfully yours in His Holy Cause,
CHARLES MASON REMEY.
P. S.― * * * There was a good turnout this afternoon at the lecture on the Bahai Movement before the students of the Elphistom College―I should say about two hundred. Afterwards we took tea with the Principal of the College and continued the good work.
C. M. R.
Some of the words uttered by Abdul-Baha to Messrs. Howard C. Struven and Charles Mason Remey while in his presence at Haifa, Syria, May, 1910:
"Welcome! You are blessed in making such a world pilgrimage and by being allowed to serve in so many countries. Many tourists travel around the globe visiting places and cities, but their tours have no lasting effect and are soon forgotten. The effect of your tour will be eternal. Its effect will be seen during the ensuing centuries."
Abdul-Baha mentioned the great love with which the Persian Bahais had greeted Dr. Moody when she arrived in Persia, accompanied by Mr. Sprague, saying that between Enzeli, on the Caspian Sea, and Teheran there were nineteen relay stations and at sixteen of these there were Bahais gathered to greet these Western Bahais.
Abdul-Baha then asked about Professor Barakatullah and the work in Japan. When told of the labors and service of that believer, he was very pleased, and said that if the people of Japan responded to the Teaching theirs would be a blessing and production of the greatest good.
Abdul-Baha sends word to the American believers that it is necessary for some of them to go to Japan and there engage in spreading the Cause, saying that great results would be produced if some of the friends were to go to that country to enter into trade and business and at the same time do spiritual work.
The greetings and messages of the many friends in the various assemblies visited were given to Abdul-Baha and he was pleased. He was very much pleased when told of the love, kindness and hospitality of the Bahais in all countries.
Abdul-Baha spoke of the great work done by the simple and uneducated Bahais. Through purity of heart many had become so spiritually enlightened that their words had had great effect upon the minds and hearts of the learned and wise. Some of these simple, pure souls had even written books by dictation.
Abdul-Baha asked regarding the hardships of the journey, but was assured that any incidents of that nature were forgotten and as if they had never been. He then asked whether the addresses given in the various cities had been prepared or were extemporaneous. When told they had been the latter he said that the teacher should always speak from the heart, for only words from the heart reach the hearts of the hearers and has effect, whereas when one speaks not from the heart, the effect of his words is but a passing one. All teaching should be done by the Spirit working or speaking through the teacher, and should not come from the mentality of the individual. One should always use spiritual methods in teaching.
In speaking of spreading the fragrances of the Kingdom, Abdul-Baha said: "In movement there is life; in immobility there is death. The traveling of the teachers from place to place, country to country, and from the Occident to the Orient, is one of the greatest means for sowing spiritual seeds in the souls of the people."
In speaking again of Japan, Abdul-Baha said:
"Blessed results will appear from the Holy Cause
established in that land. I have sent your letter
regarding the work in Japan to Mr. MacNutt*[1] in
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New York, that he may spread the word for some
of the American believers to go to Japan, and there
serve and teach in the Cause. It is very good for
teachers to travel, and, through the love of God,
give life to the people. American Bahais should go
to the Oriental countries as teachers."
At another time Abdul-Baha said: "Encourage the Bahais to hasten to India, both men and women teachers. In India, in particular, women teachers are needed. Delay not! Now is the time to travel there, and in Persia, too."
"Later on, the results of your journey will be clearly seen. Praise be to God!―now our meeting here in the Land of Desire (the Holy Land) is open and easy, while in the past it would have been most difficult. Some of the friends came long distances and could only see me from a distance. Now you must go out and serve―you must no longer stay here."
The BAHAI NEWS wishes to inform its readers that Miss Laura Clifford Barney's drama, "God's Heroes," is now out. The publishers are, in U. S. A., J. B. Lippincott, Philadelphia; in Europe, Kegan Paul, London. This play, as it deals with the early history of the Cause and the heroic influence of Qurratul `Ain, will be, we are sure, of interest to all. The proceeds of the sale of this book will go to the Mashrak-el-Azkar's fund and towards helping to start a school for girls in Teheran, Persia.
Our Persian section this month contains: A Tablet to the New York Spiritual Assembly, received August 13, 1909; an article on College Education of Women in Europe and America, and urging the friends in Persia and other countries of the East to open schools for girls; mention is made of the newspaper and magazine articles on the Bahai Revelation, published in the West during the present year: (1) May 27, Journal of the Royal Society of Arts; (2) June 4, London Spectator; (3) July 3, New York Times; (4) July 31, Baltimore American; (5) August 1, Baltimore News; (6) August 5, Washington Post; (7) August 16, Washington Herald. Mention is also made of Prof. Barakatullah in Tokyo, Japan, and his monthly magazine, The Islamic Fraternity.
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
Sent postpaid throughout North America, including Canal Zone and Panama; and following islands: Cuba, Porto Rico, Hawaii, Philippines; also England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, and Shanghai City (China); Unsealed $1.00; single copy 10c. Sealed $1.25; single copy 12c.
Sent postpaid throughout other parts of Occident and adjacent islands including Newfoundland: Unsealed $1.00; single copy 10c. Sealed $1.75; single copy 15c.
Sent postpaid throughout Orient, including Egypt and Russia: Sealed $1.75; single copy 15c. Note.―Through agents when established in Oriental centers: $1.00 per year.
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) | ||
Word has been received that Abdul-Baha is in Egypt.
Two matters of importance are presented to the
Bahai World through this issue of the BAHAI NEWS.
One is the necessity of raising approximately $3,000
before January 1, 1911, to meet the payment due
at that time upon the land for the Mashrak-el-Azkar
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in America; the other is the necessity of
teachers arising to go to India, Persia and Japan.
Concerning the first matter, moneys should be sent
to the Financial Secretary of the Bahai Temple
Unity, Mrs. Corinne True, 5338 Kenmore Ave.,
Chicago, Ill., as early as possible; concerning the
latter, Mr. Howard MacNutt, 935 Eastern Parkway,
Brooklyn, N. Y., will answer any inquiries and
accept suggestions from or arrange plans with those
who feel they can undertake this service in the
Cause, in accord with the wishes of Abdul-Baha
as expressed in the following Tablet:
To his honor, Mr. MacNutt―Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH
El-ABHA.
O thou herald of the True One!
His honor, Mr. Remey, is traveling in India and has created wonderful interest among the people. Truly I say, in these days, India is awakened to a greater receptive capacity. The letter of Mr. Remey is enclosed. Consider how India has attained to receptivity. If several teachers from America travel to those parts it is certain that the Lights of the Kingdom shall illumine that region and many souls will be raised from among the Hindus and become the Army of Heaven, and through the power of the Word of God and the outpouring of the cloud of the Love of God, they will make India a rose-garden. Encourage and urge a few souls to take a trip to India so that they may fully realize that the doors of the Kingdom are opened, behold the uninterrupted confirmations of His Highness BAHA'O'LLAH, and unfurl a banner waving forever and ever with the breezes of Divine Confirmation and Assistance. Give this matter your most earnest consideration, for it is the most important problem of all problems concerning the Cause. We have also written to Persia to send a teacher to that country, but if several souls go from America it will have greater influence and weight and far-reaching results will become apparent and manifest.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
If you feel the "call" of the Spirit to serve either or both of these needs in the Vineyard of El-ABHA, we would suggest you respond at once. "Delay not!" Through quick decision and action it may be possible to send a representative to the Congress of Religions to be held in Calcutta in January as suggested by the following extract from a letter recently received by Mr. Chas. Mason Remey:
The Bahai Assembly of Rangoon has just received a letter
from the House of Spirituality in Chicago, U. S. A., to the
effect that no American can be sent as a Bahai delegate at the
Conference of Religions to be held in Calcutta in January next.
As the meeting in this conference will be solely conducted in
English, I ask your leave to suggest that the presence of an
American or a European Bahai in this Assembly would be extremely
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beneficial to the Cause. Among us in this country―as
you have seen yourself―there is none who can do this task
so well as a brother of us from the West. However, as it is
not yet too late, I hope you will see your way to help us in
this matter. * * * We people in the East are accustomed
to view such events as full of mysterious significances; and my
personal notion is that the occurrence of such incidents in this
age is meant by Providence for the widespread of the Message.
SYED JANAB ALI.
The editors desire to express their deep appreciation of the hearty manner in which the friends are co-operating with them, uniting their forces in an effort to make the BAHAI NEWS a worthy servant in the glorious Cause. It is entirely a labor of love, all serving for the joy of so doing, the money received being used only to meet the necessary expenses of publication and mailing. By adding the Persian section, its field of service is widened, and we hope, in time, if God wills, that both sections may be enlarged, thus permitting us to utilize more of the valuable material on hand for publication.
Three thousand copies of a forty-page booklet, printed in Persian by the BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, pertaining to the Mashrak-el-Azkar project in America up to and including the Convention of 1910, has been mailed throughout Persia, Russia, India and Egypt, during the past month. The manuscript was compiled and written by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab and the cover designed by Charles Mason Remey, while the cost of its production was donated by three of the American friends.
"The greatest affair and the most important matter today is to establish a Mashrak-el-Azkar and to found a Temple from which the voices of praise may rise to the Kingdom of the Majestic God."―ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
The real purpose for the construction of a material
structure, called the Mashrak-el-Azkar, has
not been clear to all. Abdul-Baha tells us to exert
every energy to build the material structure―"thus
may the outward represent the inward and the
form or letter express the reality or meaning." He
teaches that no soul is formed separate from a
body―hand in hand they come forth. As the great
Mashrak-el-Azkar work develops, the effect upon
the world, Abdul-Baha explains, is like the entrance
of the spirit into man. We must build this great
Body so that the ABHA Spirit may pervade the
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world―like the soul does the body―and have a
throne upon which to be seated.
More zeal and earnest effort will be necessary from now on if we are to be obedient servants to Abdul-Baha, for it is his wish that we should meet the payments on the land as they come due. Not less than $3,000 must be raised before January 1st, as the following will show:
On hand at the last convention | $5,709.46 |
Receipts since then | 2,910.29 |
Total | $8,619.75 |
Disbursements | 6,103.97 |
Amount now in bank | $2,515.78 |
We have $375 interest to pay December 24, 1910, and $5,150 to pay January 1, 1911.
America has been magnificently aided and strengthened by liberal contributions from the Orient. Shall we let these deeds of generosity end in failure and our glorious Mashrak-el-Azkar work flicker out like a taper for lack of real, earnest, zealous work? It will be built, Abdul-Baha says, but it is our privilege to be the builders, or we may slumber and others come in and do this noble work of God.
CORINNE TRUE,
Financial Secretary Bahai Temple Unity.
Mr. and Mrs. Brittingham recently spent four days with the friends in Baltimore.
Mr. T. C. Rice-Wray of Newark, N. J., is in Los Angeles for two or three months.
Mr. Albert H. Hall of Minneapolis was with the Chicago Assembly Sunday, September 25th.
Mr. Percy F. Woodcock and family have returned to New York City and are at their old address, 230 West 97th street.
Mr. Oscar Hinckley of National City, Cal., and formerly of Chicago, and Mr. L. K. Scotford of Chicago were in Los Angeles recently.
We regret to report the severe illness of two of our Chicago young people: Mr. Charles Scheffler, who is suffering with typhoid fever, and Miss Arna True, who is convalescing after an operation for appendicitis.
Mr. D. D. Babcock of Bremerton, Wash., reports that the fund for sending a teacher to Teheran, Persia, is now complete, a prompt and generous response having been received to his circular letter addressed to the friends.
Vol. I No. 11
نجم باختر . 27 سپتامبر 1910
جلد 1 . شماره 11
صفحه 1
Address:―
Peyam Baré Baktar.
1800 Belmont Road.
Washington, D. C. U. S. America.
نیویورک . اعضاء محفل روحانی علیهم بهاء الله الابهی
ای ابناء ملکوت . نامۀ شما رسید دلیل بر ایمان و ایقان و عرفان و ثبوت بر پیمان بود الحمدلله این محفل محفل رحمانی است وآنجمع سرگشته و مسئول لتدموآن رافع بزم اتحّاد و اتفاق آراستید جشنی به بشارت ملکوت الله برپا نمودید امید چنین است که محفل جدید سبب سطوع شدید گردد علم میثاق برافرازد و نفحات قدس گلشن پیمان منتشر نماید و وحدت عالم انسانی ترویج کند و منادی صلح اکبر گردد و اعلاء کلمة الله نماید اسرار ملکوت الله آشکار کند الیوم اعظم امور اتحّاد و یگانگی احبّاء است و این اتحّاد و یگانگی جز در ظلّ علم میثاق ممکن نیست وحدت میثاق است که سبب وحدت آفاق است عزم آن مؤزن اینکه در هر ماهی راپورت به محفل ارسال دارید این مقصود بسیار مقبول البّته مجری دارید الحمدلله مقصد آن یاران انتشار تعالیم جمال مبارک در جمیع آفاق است چون نیّت چنین است روح القدس ناصر و معین است و من بآستان جمال ابهی امروم تضرّع و زاری نمایم و از برای شما تأیید و توفیق طلبم و علیکم البهاء الابهی ع ع .
صفحه 2
تربیت دختران
هیئت جامعۀ بشر را فلاسفه و بزرگان به هیکل انسانی تشبیه نموده اند اگر جسد مرد از امراض و ناخوشی ها آزاد مسلمّ است که در انجام تکالیف شخصی کوتاهی نکرده و در خدمات نوعی تغافل و تجاهل نمی ورزد از کشیدن بار پهلو تهی ننماید و از رتق و فتق امور دنیوی شانه خالی نکند در حفظ حدود مملکت بکوشد و در دفاعیّه حقوق ملیّ جان بازی نماید از خر لجاج و مرکب خودخواهی پائین آید و در میدان عمل و کار هلهله و ولوله راه نیندازد این است ادب و عادت شخص کامل صحیح المزاج ولی اگر جزئی از اجزای مبداء بمرضی مبتلا گردد و یا خدای نخواسته در بند شقا فلوس یا نقرس گرفتار شود بسی واضح است که بتدریج قوای روحیّه و جسمیّه او رو به تحلیل گذارد و ایّام معدودۀ حیات بر او تلخ گردد و از استعداد جبینی او کاسته شود روز را به ناله و فریاد بگذراند و شب را به شیون و غوغا بسر برد مردم از او دوری جویند و او را بحالت تنهائی و بیچارگی و ناخوشی خود گذارده در عقب امور مهمّه دوان گردند پس چون دختران هر مملکتی جزو اعظم هیکل انسانی هستند برحسب قواعد و تعالیم بهائیان تربیت و تعالیم نمودن آنها مثل آن است که جزوی از جسد مرد سالم را بزالهای سفری آلوده نمود و جمعی را بیجهت در قید ناخوشی و الم نگاه دارند لهذا از قرن چهاردهم محمّدی دول اروپ و امریک در این واقعه سعی و جهد مینمایند که دختران مملکت خود را در هر گونه علوم و فنون تعلیم دهند تا آنکه بتدریج هیکل انسانی یعنی هیئت جامعۀ بشری از جمیع ناخوشی های جزئی و کلیّ نجات یافته و آیۀ شریفۀ فتبارک الله احسن الخالقین در وجود او تحقیق یابد بل بقدری اهمیّت باین مسئله میدهند که انسان مورّخ زیاده از حدّ حیرت و تعجبّ نموده نمیداند کدام یک از کلمالات آنها را شرح و بسط دهد و فی الحقیقیه چون شخص ناقد بر نتائج روحبخش تربیت دختران غرب آراسته گردد بخوبی مشاهده مینماید که جمیع زحمات و صدمات آنها مکللّ به نجاح و فلاح گردیده و امروز اساس عظمت و تمدّن دول زیرا باید در همین تربیت دختران کشف نمود زیرا چون دختران بسنّ بلوغ رسند و مادر گردند باید بر علم فهم تربیت اطفال مجهزّ باشند تا بتوانند پسرانی نیکو و ملتّ پرست به قوم پیشکش نمایند ولی اگر نادان و بی علم باشند بعدا ممکن نیست از عهدۀ چنین امانت خدائی برآیند و بهمین جهت است که یکی از دانایان گفته « دستی که گهواره را حرکت میدهد جهان را حکمرانی مینماید و دیگری میگوید : ما ها بخوبی میدانیم و برهر کس ثابت شده است که اساس آزادی ملیّ و دولت جمهوری اتازونی بر تربیت و تعلیم دختران گذارده شده است و اگر یک سال از تربیت دخترانمان که ودیعۀ
صفحه 3
الهی هستند غفلت ورزیم و جهالت ورزیم بدون شکّ و ریب از حالت همجیّت قرون اولی رجعت خواهیم نمود تا زمانیکه زنان تربیت شده داریم مردمان وطن پرست بزرگ از میان ملتّ قیام خواهند نمود چرا که صفات معیشتی و خانگی بر صفات مدنی تفوّق دارد ولی وای بر آن وقتی که مادر نادان و از قوانین حفظ الصحّه و بچّه داری محروم است و اگر خدای نکرده چنین یومی بیاید وجود سیاسی ملتّ محو و نابود خواهد گردید مادر جاهل و نادان یعنی ملتّ ضعیف و فقیر» ازطرف دیگر یکی از محرّرین غرب تقهقر و تذلذل دول چین و هند و ایران و عثمانی را در نادانی و بی علمی آن ملل فرض مینماید در صورتیکه تمدّن ملل انگلیس و آلمان و بلژیک و امریک را از برکت تربیت و تعلیم عمومی دختران بررسی میکند و این مسئله را با شواهد تاریخی و دلائل منطقی مفصّلا تشریح و توضیح میدهد و میگوید حتیّ در اروپ هم تا اواخر قرن هیجدهم زنان در چنگال ظلم و کبر مردان گرفتار بودند تا آنکه از پرتو انوار شمس حقیقت آزادی کم کم قلوب آنها نورانی گردید و خود را از قیود آهنین استبداد فرعون های لجوج زمان و شدّاد های پرکبر وقت رها نمودند و حال آنها در میدان مبارزات و تنازع بقا داخل گردیده از مردان هوشمند عصر پیشقدمی میجویند و در عوالم هنر و فنون و علوم و خیر به انسان ترقیّات فائقه نموده خود را مشهور جهان ساخته اند . ولی عجب در آنجا است که بعضی مردان زشت صفت حیوان طبیعت شهوت پرست بر پایۀ خیالات زایله و افکار جعلیّه زنان را به ضعیفه یاد نموده و آنها را از حیطۀ هنر و پیشه محروم دانسته و از روی کبر و غرور خود را خدایان ارض فرض کرده اند و به چشم حقارت و پستی به دختران نگاه نموده آن ارواح بی گناه و ملائک اقدس را الهۀ لهو و لعب و خوش گذرانی کلان فرموده اند . آه آه بر حال چنین ملتیّ که این نوع مردان دیوسیرت در حوضۀ خود نگاهداری مینمایند هزار حسرت بر نادانی چنین قومی که از روی جهل بجانب دریای عدم دوانند و از شدّت قساوت اخلاق در بادیۀ خذلان و انفعال سرگردان لاجرم در این موقع روی بجانب خیرخواهان ایران نموده در نهایت فروتنی عرض می نماید که اعظم و اهمّ تکلیف آن ملتّ غیور همانا تربیت دختران است و برای اجرای این خدمت فرد فرد قوم باید دست اخوّت و یگانگی بدون شقاق و نفاق بهمدیگر داده درهر شهری مدارس مکملّ برای دختران باز نمایند و وجود آنها را مکملّ علوم و فنون قرن جدید مزیّن فرمایند و همچنین زنان نباید دست بروی دست گذارده بامید آنکه مردان روزی بکمک آنها قیام خواهند نمود ساکت و صامت ننشینند بل باید در نهایت کاردانی انجمن های علمی و هنری و ادبی در میان خود تشکیل نموده و دور همدیگر جمع شده و حقوق خود را رسما از ملتّ
صفحه 4
بطلبند و بهمّت خود ابواب مدارس صحیحه افتتاح نمایند و اطفال را در اخلاق حسنۀ وطن پرستی و بمکیّه های حسنه نوع خواهی تعلیم دهند مثلی است مشهور خداوند کسانی را تأیید مینماید که به تأیید خود قیام مینماییند . از امروز ببعد پیام بر باختر بر حسب تعالیم حضرت بهاء الله و عبدالبهاء در نهایت صداقت و درستی و انجذاب و اشتعال خود را علمدار تربیت دختران ایران خصوصا و شرق عموما خواهد دانست و در این خدمت نوعی حاضر است که پیشوایان طریق معارف و اشجار سبز و خرّم فتحجه علوم را قولا و فعلا و مالا کمک و تأیید بی غرضانه نماید . قریب یک سال است کروستۀ از زنان عالمۀ امریک باب مراسلل نگاری را با زنان ایران باز نموده اند و مکاتیب روحانی مهیّجه مفید ردّ و بدل گردیده و از این ناحیه اخبارات خوش رسیده و میرسد که در بعضی شهر ها انجمن های معارف و علمی و دینی در میان خود تشکیل نموده و در جستجو و تفحصّ اند امیدوار آنکه این امر عظیم روزبروز قوام گیرد و بر اهمیّت و نفوذ آثار آن انجمن ها بیفزاید و حضرت عبدالبهاء در خصوص انجمن های طهران میفرماید : در خصوصمسائل نساء مرقوم نموده بودید البّته در این خصوص نیز اهمیّت داده نهایت سعی و کوشش را مجری دارید و یقین بدانید که عاقبت ثمر حاصل گردد و این قضیّه بسیار اهمیّت دارد چون چنانچه باید و شاید تحققّ یابد مقتدرانی در آن تربیت شوند که به نطقی فصیح و بلیغ جهانی را به حیرت اندازند و فصحای شرق و غرب را صامت و ساکت کنند الیوم در غرب اناث سبقت بر رجال دارند نفوس را بظلّ ممدود خوانند و به نطقی فصیح و برهانی بلیغ و دلیلی جدید برهان بگشایند و همچنین در این ایّام مدرسه برای تربیت و تعلیم دختران بواسطۀ بهائیان که ناشر این تعالیمند در طهران افتتاح گردیده و امید است در هر شهری و قریۀ ایران مدرسۀ منظمّی باز گردد و حضرت غصن الله الاعظم مؤسّس این بنیان مهمّ را باین لوح مبارک مفتخز فرموده اند : ای معلمّین دبستانی بخدمت قیام نموده اید که فی الحقیقه شایان تکریم و تحسین است زیرا تربیت و تعلیم نونهالان تازه جنتّ ابهی مینمائید این خدمت فائق بر جمیع خدمات و این همّت سزاوار هزار تحسین و مباهات عبدالبهاء در نهایت تضرّع و عجز و نیاز بملکوت ابهی ابتهال نمائید و شما را تأیید و توفیق طلبد که به عون و عنایت حضرت مقصود موفقّ باولادی روحانی و احفادی نورانی گردید که هر یک دشتستان توحید را سراج نورانی گردند و دبستان عشق را ادیب رحمانی شوند . ای اطفال وحید بشارت شما را که در ظلّ جمال ابهی در مکتب رحمانی تحصیل علوم و معانی مینمائید امیدوارم که چنان تربیت یابید و چنان
صفحه 5
همّت بگمارید و چنان سعی و غیرت مبذول دارید که عاقبت در جمیع فنون و مهارت یابید و اسرار کائنات را واضح کنید . بنابراین از صغری و کبرای صفحات قبل نتائج ذیل که عقائد محکمۀ متینۀ بهائیان است ظاهر و هویدا میگردد . اوّل تربیت اطفال عموما بقدری در دین بهاء الله مهمّ شمرده میشود که اگر کسی طفل خود یا طفل دیگری را تعلیم دهد بگو دین الهی را تربیت نموده و در نظر خداوند اعظم عبادت محسوب . دوّم بدون هیچ امتیازی دختران باید مانند پسران در معارف و علوم تربیت گردند بل بهتر زیرا آنها مربیّان حقیقی اطفالند . سوم دولت و ملتّ باید درس ملیّ مجانی بر حسب مدارس عمومی غرب بزودی هرچه تمامتر در هر شهری برای تربیت آنها باز نمایند . چهارم معلمّین از زمان هاله ببخشند چه در علم طبّ و حفظ الصحّه و تاریخ و حساب و جغرافیا و خانه داری و اقتصادی و طفل پرورش نمودن باید از غرب برای تشکیل و معلمّین آن مدارس اخذ نمود . پنجم مردان باید به هر جهتی احترامات فوق العاده نسبت به دختران و زنان مملکت از صمیم قلب اظهار دارند و در علوّ اخلاقی و پاکی طینت و نگهبانی عصمت و طهارت آنها همیشه جانفشانی نموده و در کمک و تءیید آنه در هر وقت حاضر باشند .
اخبارات :
در این سه چهار ماه قبل بسیاری از مجلدات و روزنامه های معتبر مقاله های مفصّل در باب امرالله انتشار دادند و چون متأسفانه صفحات پیام بر دفاتر محدودند لهذا فقط هم چند عدد از آن انتشارات و ترجمه اش را مرهون به وقت دیگر مینمائیم . جوانان انجمن صنایع اختصاصی . اسپک فی تورنیناهد جون . نیویورک تایمس 3 جولای . بالتمور آمریکن 30 جولای بالتیمور نیوز . واشنگتن پست . واشنگتن هرالد اغطس . و غیره و غیره .
دوستان و قارئین محترم را خبر مینماید که از این شماره به بعد پیام بر باختر بر حسب شمارۀ مشترکین خود چاپ خواهد شد فقط هر کس طالب اشتراک است امید آنکه بزودی این اداره را اعلام نموده تا اسمشان در دفتر مشترکین حفظ گردد .
جناب پروفسور مرکب الله که چندین سال در لندن و نیو انگلن ساکن و از تعالیم این امر بخوبی آگاه و در توکیو پایتخت ژاپن در یکی از مدارس مشغول به تدریس لسان به خاصّ و عامّ است که جریدۀ به لسان انگلیسی موسوم به حوادث اسلام چاپ و انتشار میفرمایند این جریده در تاریخ اسلام موجود نبوده و به خیارات فصیح و متعدّد سایز به اتحّاد و اتفاق صمد مینماید . پیام بر باختر طول عمر و بقای اخوّت اسلام را از پیشگاه حضرت معبود خواهان تا در امر اسلام خدمات شایان بانجام رساند .
