Star of the West/Volume 1/Issue 12/Text
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Vol. 1 Chicago, (Oct. 16, 1910) Ilm No. 12
ABDUL-BAHA IN EGYPT.
First of a series of special news items pertaining to the tour of Abdul-Baha.
Portion of a letter from Mr. Sydney Sprague to Mrs. Isabella
D. Brittingham.
Mount Carmel, August 29, 1910.
Dear Sister in the Holy Cause:―I have a very big
piece of news to tell you. Abdul-Baha has left this
Holy Spot for the first time in forty-two years, and
has gone to Egypt. Think of the vast significance
and importance of this step! By it many prophecies
of the sacred Scriptures are fulfilled. The Light and
Life of Acca has departed and we feel as though we
were now left in obscurity while Egypt is illumined,
and that ancient country which has seen the prophets
Joseph and Moses and even the infant Christ is now
to see the Consummation of all the prophets. Will
it appreciate and realize this Bounty? Everyone was
astounded to hear of Abdul-Baha's departure, for no
one knew until the very last minute that he had any
idea of leaving. The afternoon of the day he left, he
came to Mirza Assad Ullah's home to see us and sat
with us awhile beside a new well that has just been
finished and said that he had come to taste the water.
We did not realize that it was a good-bye visit. Then
he took a carriage and went up the hill to the Holy
Tomb (of the Bab). That night, as usual, the believers
gathered before the house of Abdul-Baha to
receive that blessing, which every day is ours, of being
in his presence, but we waited in vain, for one of
the sons-in-law came and told us that Abdul-Baha
had taken the Khedivial steamer for Port Said. We
could hardly believe it was true, so great was this
news. Think how happy we must be that after forty-two
years in this cage, the Divine Bird has spread
His wings and in perfect freedom flown away.
SPECIAL.―Word has been received from Port Said that Abdul-Baha has sailed from that port on a steamer for an unknown destination.
AROUND THE WORLD WITH MESSRS.
REMEY AND STRUVEN
Fifth of a Series of Articles under this Heading.
SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Written shortly after the interviews with Abdul-Baha,
from notes taken at the time, by Charles Mason
Remey, while in Haifa, Syria, May, 1910.
Question―Many of the American believers desire to
worship daily in accordance with the Teachings. What
prayers should they use daily? No instruction has
yet been revealed for them regarding daily worship.
Answer―Later on I will give instructions.
Q.―Was BAHA'O'LLAH of the seed of Jesse?
A.―Yes. He was the ninth generation in succession
from Jesse, but this was not the Jesse of the
Bible.
Q.―What is the Command regarding the giving of
tithes: Is it 19% of the increase of one's capital, or
is it the one-nineteenth part of one's income?
A.―It should be the one nineteenth part of one's
income. This tithe giving is a blessed privilege.
Among mankind money is the greatest thing. This
giving will confirm the people. With this money
many great works will be done. In Hamadan in
Persia, the Jewish believers raised much money in
this way. At first I did not accept this money, but
later on I directed that it should be used in their
own town for the Bahai school. This giving was a
great spiritual blessing to those believers. Everyone
knows how the Jews love money.
Q.―Is the calendar as revealed by the Bab to be
used in this Dispensation?
A.―Yes; but later on modifications will be made.
Q.―From what year does the era of the New Dispensation
date―from the Declaration of the Bab or
from that of BAHA'O'LLAH?
A.―From the Declaration of the Bab, 1260 A. H.
or 1844 A. D.
Q.―Which day of the week will the Bahais eventually
observe as a day of rest?
A.―Friday.
Q.―We have been taught that BAHAO'LLAH was
the Seventh of a series of great World (Universal)
Manifestations of this present cycle, Christ being the
sixth, Melchesidec the fifth, while the first four
were before the compilation of our present world history,
and of them we have no records; that their
teachings were applicable to all mankind under all
conditions; while upon the other hand the Manifestations,
such as Zoroaster, Abraham, Moses, Mohammed
and the Bab were sent each to a certain people,
bringing teachings which were applicable to those
certain conditions and people only, while the teachings
of the World Manifestations were not limited in
their application to peoples. Is this teaching correct?
A.―Yes, it is correct.
In a subsequent conversation, during which questions
were being asked and answered, Abdul-Baha
said:
That BAHA'O'LLAH was not a descendant from the
Prophet Zoroaster.
That the Anniversary of the martyrdom of the Bab
should be observed with solemnity by the friends.
That the Anniversary of the Departure of BAHA'O'LLAH
should be observed in like manner, and that
in the night time a meeting of prayer should be held.
That it would be well for the Western friends to
interest themselves in commercial and industrial matters
with the people of Persia, for Persia and the
West both need connection one with the other.
That in serving together the believers should always
avoid those matters upon which they cannot agree.
The believers should serve together, the men and
women working together in harmony. In meetings of
consultation the majority should rule, but it is far
preferable that there should be such unity that there
be no minority―that all should be of one mind.
LETTERS FROM RANGOON AND BOMBAY.
A glimpse of the immediate result of the tour of
Charles Mason Remey and Howard C. Struven, which
Abdul-Baha has said will have eternal effect and "be
seen during the ensuing centuries":
Rangoon, Burma, Aug. 1, 1910.
Mr. Charles Mason Remey.
Dear Brother in the Great Service of El-Abha:―Our foremost
thought is to heartily congratulate you on your happy return
home after a brilliant conquest of so many kingdoms for the
Great Kingdom of Baha'. That you have been the instrument
to introduce this Divine Light in numberless dark regions is a
pleasure in reality to us. We always feel the spirit left among
us by your good self and dear brother Mr. Struven, who is
rightly called by Abdul-Baha, in his Tablet, "Proclaimer of
Truth," and we look with expectant eyes the recurrence of such
events as often as possible, for they are calculated to leave,
invariably, happy indelible impressions on the memory.
Another important event of which I would like to inform you,
as the result of the wonderful work your happy spirit has been
doing in this region ever since we were blessed with your delightful
presence here, is the opening of a school in Kunjangoon
village in the suburb of Rangoon for the education of the
Bahai children of that quarter, by our good Brother Janab
Syed Mustafa Sahib. He took great pains in getting a house
erected in his presence and supplying books and various other
materials as much as is consistent with our extremely poor fund.
At present there are 71 children―30 boys and 41 girls. The
number, however, is swelling very rapidly. We like to connect
it, if possible, with the Persian-American Bahai Educational
Society, founded in Persia by Mr. Sydney Sprague, and we
earnestly hope that this Society will arise from its present
limited sphere to the station of Universal Alma Mater for the
Bahai World; and the Bahai educational seminaries in all
regions may come under the direct supervision and parental control
of this Society. Kindly pray that this cherished hope of
ours may be accomplished. We would welcome with great
pleasure any suggestion that you would be pleased to offer regarding
the methods to be employed or the procedures to be
adopted for the training of these Bahai children in this school.
For the time being we have employed a Mulla, who has just
accepted the Faith under somewhat mysterious circumstances,
to teach Burmese and Arabic.
The history of this Mulla is very interesting. He was one
of the staunchest Mullas prior to when the Message came to
be delivered in the village of Kunjangoon, in which place, as
you have seen, the Bahai movement is progressing wonderfully.
This Mulla, immediately after the advent of the Bahai spirit
in the village, became dumb, and remained so for the last three
years. But during the last week when our Brother Hazrat
Syed Mustafa had been staying there and looking after the construction
of the school building, this man in one night while
he was by himself in his booth in the paddy field, saw a sudden
glow of Light before himself and at once, most wonderfully,
regained his lost power of speech―his first utterance being,
"The Manifestation is a true one for it has enabled me to
speak!" and for two or three days continuously was like one
possessed, delivering talks in the praise of God. He embraced
the Faith himself on the spot and induced his father, 70 years
old, and his grandfather, aged about 90 years, to do the same. * * *
Such is the history of this Mulla who is now a Bahai
and whom our friend Syed Mustafa chose to teach the children
there.
The servants of God in this part of the world feel great delight
in extending their Bahai love and greetings to the friends
of God living in the New World.
The Cause has received a very good encouragement by your
presence in India, which we hope will be frequently repeated
by other American teachers as well.
Our dear brother Syed Mustafa is just preparing to leave
Burma for India, with the view of watering the seeds already
sown by you and Mr. Struven, and nursing them to bring forth
healthy fruits to the best of his ability.
With Bahai love and greetings, we remain devotedly yours,
THE BAHAI ASSEMBLY OF RANGOON,
Per A. S. Ismaeel
Bombay, August 19, 1910.
Miss Gertrude Buikema, Chicago, Ill.
My Dear Spiritual Sister:―You need not be amazed to
read this letter. This unity is due to the All-Powerful, [Page 5]
and this correspondence due to the holy command that we
should correspond in order to spread the holy breezes of
love and unity. This acquaintance of name is due to our
beloved friend and brother Prof. Charles Mason Remey of
Washington, D. C.
I am a Hindoo believer in the Most Blessed Cause, by
the favor of the Almighty, and you will be interested in
knowing that we have a society in Bombay where there are
many Zoroastrian and Mohammedan (Persian as well as
Indian) believers. There are two Hindoo believers also.
The president of the society is Aga Mirza Mahram, whose
name you might have heard.
We had the happy occasion of having the cheerful faces
of our two brothers, Prof. Charles Mason Remey and Mr.
Howard C. Struven, in their tour around the world, and
hope to have many more as it is most needy.
We have another society in Rangoon and Mandalay, while
we have scattered believers all over India. The cause is
not spread far and wide over India, but Abdul-Baha has
said that Bombay will surely advance and that India will
become a beautiful garden of believers. No doubt the Cause
is progressing very rapidly all over the world and when
God thinks it fit, India will have her share. It is no
doubt a blessing to us that we have a very learned teacher
like Mirza Mahram, whose very presence is enough to
breathe spirit into our nostrils, but it is a misfortune of
India that he does not know English and cannot bestir her
because of his want of the power of expression.
My desire is to inform you of many or any important or
praiseworthy events that take place here. A Mohammedan
believer of Punjab, who had recently believed and gone
to his native place, was opposed and troubled by his parents,
friends and relatives. At last, having found him firm, they
asked his sister to poison him. She did so. He was
poisoned, but―thanks to the Almighty!―he was at once
removed to the hospital and is cured. He is the first Indian
who gave the risk of life.
Give my love and Bahai greetings to all the sisters and
brothers. I send the love and greetings on behalf of the
society, too.
I am your spiritual brother in El-ABHA,
NARAYAN RANGUATH VAKIL.
THE MASHRAK-EL-AZKAR.
"Today all the beloved of God in those parts must endeavor
that the Chicago Mashrak-el-Azkar be founded and be built
in the utmost solidity and exquisiteness."―ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Translated by Mirza A. K. Khan, Dec. 17, 1908.
The Executive Board of Bahai Temple Unity has
just held a session in Chicago and finds from reports
of treasurer and financial secretary that more prayer,
more work, more money, must be put into the Mashrak-el-Azkar
work than we have been doing. Abdul-Baha
tells us it is the greatest and most important
work in the Cause in America today, and yet this
Board finds itself nearing the time for important payments
with a deficit in the fund unless the friends
throughout the country arise with a tremendous zeal
and sacrifice and supply the needed money.
The treasurer reports money in bank October 1st,
$3,108.14; interest due in December, $375.00, and a
note of $5,150.00 to be met January 1, 1911. Thus, in
two months at least $2,500 more will be needed.
Abdul-Baha said to some Chicago pilgrims: "The
most important thing now in America is the building
of the Mashrak-el-Azkar. You and your friends
must endeavor in this matter. This building will be
the cause of the confirmation of the believers. It has
a great effect because it is the beginning of the foundation.
After centuries it is not so important as it is
now, but now it is very important. At first they build
the Temple and worship in it and grow. In past
times they could not build it so outwardly. This
building will be the cause of Unity and prosperity of
the Cause.”
When asked by a pilgrim last year if he would
come to America, Abdul-Baha replied: "If they build
the Mashrak-el-Azkar." Again, when entirely alone
with him, this pilgrim asked, "Will you come to
America?" His face grew very serious and a great
majesty came upon it. After a second or two he continued:
"If the ground in America is well prepared
so that much work can be done for the Cause." The
pilgrim then said to him, the responsibility rested
upon the believers, and he replied: "The building of
the Mashrak-el-Azkar will prepare that ground."
The friends will read elsewhere in this issue a
description of Abdul-Baha's sudden departure for
Egypt. Let America take warning from this sudden
departure and exert her utmost energy lest Abdul-Baha
come upon us suddenly and "find us sleeping."
As one soul in many bodies let the believers of
America work and pray till the Mashrak-el-Azkar is
accomplished. All contributions will be received and
receipted for by the financial secretary, Mrs. Corinne
True, 5338 Kenmore Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Your servants,
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD BAHAI TEMPLE UNITY.
Mountfort Mills.
Annie L. Parmerton.
Bernard M. Jacobsen.
Arthur S. Agnew.
Corinne True.
William H. Hoar.
Joseph H. Hannen.
Roy C. Wilhelm.
MARRIAGE OF MR. SYDNEY SPRAGUE AND FARAHANGIZ KHANUM.[edit]
Extract from a letter written by Mr. Sydney
Sprague, from Haifa, Syria, Aug. 3, 1910, to Dr.
Susan I. Moody, Teheran, Persia:
Now I know you will want to hear all about my marriage.
The first part took place July 20th, which happened to be the
feast day of Elijah, the Prophet, and Mt. Carmel was en fete.
Abdul-Baha, himself, appointed the day so that Mr. Cobb could
be here―he left the next day.
On that day all the pilgrims and the Bahais of Haifa gathered
in the home of Mirza Assad Ullah, and Abdul-Baha was
present. * * * A wonderful Tablet, which he had revealed
especially for our marriage, was chanted, and after the
special prayers revealed by BAHA'O'LLAH for such occasions
were chanted, Abdul-Baha gave a long, beautiful talk, dwelling
on the great significance of this union and calling down
the blessing of God upon it. Then I had the great joy of
pouring rose water, which I had brought from the garden of
Kurat-ul-Ayn in Kazvin, on the hands of Abdul-Baha and all
the guests and of serving them to shereeni (sweets), tea, etc.
In another place Farahangiz was holding a meeting for women.
These meetings took place a little before sunset. Four days
later a Mulla came and married us according to the laws of
Islam, Abdul-Baha also being present. Then that same night
he called Farahangiz and me to him, and as we knelt before
him, he took from his hand two rings and gave them to us,
anointed our heads with oil and sent us forth hand in hand from
his presence, uplifted with pure and holy joy. Oh! I am sure
no wedding was ever more sacred, more pure, more beautiful.
All of the holy household were present. All of them have shown
us such love and kindness. The Greatest Holy Leaf has given
me a ring she used to wear and she, herself, prepared Farahangiz
for the wedding―a thing she has never done before,
saying that Farahangiz was her own daughter. She and the
holy mother and all sent us beautiful presents. Abdul-Baha
presented us each with our wedding clothes. Is it possible
for any one to be more blest on this earth than we? Ought
not this union to be a very happy one and endure throughout
all eternity as Abdul-Baha said?
There were several pilgrims here from Eschkabad, Baghdad
and Kazvin, and I entertained them and the Bahais of Haifa
at a dinner, Farahangiz entertaining the women. I forgot to
say that on the day of our wedding Abdul-Baha sent me with
his sons-in-law and grandchildren to pray at the Holy Tomb.
Now we are settled at the home of our parents and are very
happy. Each day as we grow to know each other better our
love deepens. I could never have found a more loving, devoted,
beautiful wife either East or West. She is willing to
go anywhere with me.
NEWS ITEMS.
A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Windust at
Chicago, October 3d.
We are asked to announce that Mrs. F. S. Smith, 3 Church
Place, North Adams, Mass., will gladly entertain any visiting
believers.
Books, magazines, etc., for the Persian-American Educational
Society should be sent as heretofore requested, either direct to
address given in BAHAI NEWS No. 10, or to Mrs. C. S. Coles,
Librarian, 310 The Burlington, Washington, D. C.
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
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.
Vol. 1. Chicago, (Oct. 16, 1910) Ilm No. 12
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) | ||
A letter from Mirza Heydar Ali Oskoey of Tabriz,
Persia, tells of the joy of the friends over the inauguration
of the Persian section of the BAHAI NEWS and
all eagerly await the arrival of future issues. He
says it is read again and again in their meetings, and
that many of their youths can read and speak English
fluently, therefore the section in English is also a
great delight to them and they are kept busy translating,
as the older people wish to know what it contains.
Our Persian section this issue consists of (1) a
Tablet revealed for the Hoboken (N. J.) Assembly in
1907; (2) an article on Universal Bahai Language
in its religious, scientific and historical aspects―quoting
from writings of BAHA'O'LLAH and Abdul-Baha―concluding
with a description of the Sixth
Esperanto World Congress held in Washington, D. C.,
recently; (3) news of Abdul-Baha's sojourn in Egypt,
(4) and of Aga Seyad Assadollah Gomi going to Port
Said from Acca at the wish of Abdul-Baha―to take
the place of the late Seyad Taki Menshadi―through
whom all letters for Abdul-Baha from the East and
the West are forwarded.
The little band of faithful Bahais composing the
Seattle, Wash., Assembly has by united and systematic
effort accomplished great results. Because of
the inspiration it will be to all, we quote the following
extract from a letter received recently by
Mrs. Corinne True from Mrs. Ida A. Finch, Secretary
of the Seattle Assembly:
"Thank you, dear sister, for the kind words in regard to
our Assembly. The fact that money comes to you regularly
is because we have determined, through the help of the Spirit
of ABHA, to be steadfast and self-sacrificing in the path so
plainly marked out by Abdul-Baha. We give for the love of
giving. The reason the amounts are not larger is because
there have been calls from so many persons in dire need for
the necessities of life, and we never turn an appeal aside.
Since January 30, 1910, we have given money according to
the following statement:
Mashrak-el-Azkar fund | $260.00 |
Printing and books | 139.00 |
Expenses | 152.61 |
Teheran school | 36.00 |
Teacher for Teheran and calls outside the city | 109.35 |
Philanthropic work in Seattle | 123.87 |
| $820.83 | |
We will, however, endeavor more and more for the Mashrak-el-Azkar, but you see from the amounts enumerated that it comes first in our giving."
"The Oriental Rose―or, the Teachings of Abdul-Baha,"
a book by Mary Hanford Ford, recently published
by the Broadway Publishing Co., 835 Broadway,
New York, is a creditable addition to our Bahai
literature. The author has caught the spirit of the
Subject and depicts it with an enthusiasm and
warmth that is contagious. It gives an excellent historic outline of the Bahai Movement, incorporating many incidents in the life of the Bab for which the author acknowledges indebtedness to M. Nicolas, secretary of the Persian Legation in Paris, who has written a biography of the Bab. It is a book every Bahai will enjoy reading and can hand to others to interest them in the Cause of BAHA'O'LLAH. The book is tastily bound in cloth; the price is $1.00, postpaid.
WASHINGTON, D. C.
The Fall campaign has commenced in earnest, and with the
return of the regular attendants and a gratifying proportion of
inquirers, the meetings are assuming normal proportions. The
Unity Feast of September 27 was devoted to the discussion of
plans and the development of enthusiasm in the work of the
coming season, in the Washington Assembly. Addresses were
delivered by Miss Grace E. Griswold, Mrs. Lua M. Getsinger,
Dr. Ameen U. Fareed, Dr. E. H. Egbert, and the writer. Miss
Katharine McNeal, who assumes charge of the Studio at 1219
Connecticut Avenue for the season, rendered charming musical
selections, and with appropriate refreshments our Persian brothers,
who had charge of the feast, concluded a most enjoyable
evening.
Late advices from the East contain the important news that
Abdul-Baha, in fulfillment of a promise given last year, is visiting
the believers in Cairo. He spent some time in Port Said
en route. The Glad-tidings seem almost incomprehensible. The
first thought inspired is that America should proceed rapidly
with the completion of finances for the Mashrak-el-Azkar, that
we may consistently ask for the blessing of a visit to this
country.
The Persian colony in Washington has been increased by the
presence of three young men, brought over by the new Charge
d'Affaires, Mirza Ali Kuli Khan. These sons of nobility are
here for the purpose of obtaining an education along American
lines, and their coming marks an epoch in history. This is
another fruit of the Bahai movement.
Mr. Albert H. Hall spent several days in the city as a delegate
to the American Prison Association Convention. His visit
is timely as an inspiration in plans for the Mashrak-el-Azkar
fund.
The Sunday morning Bible class resumes its sessions October 2.
Mr. Stanwood Cobb, of Massachusetts, is to be in Washington
this year.
Mr. Charles Mason Remey returns shortly, and expects to remain
with us for some time.
Miss Louise Shuman and Ardeshir Irani, our friend from
India, left on September 1 for Kirksville, Mo., where they have
taken up the study of Osteopathy. These devoted and regular
attendants at our meetings will be missed.
Several of the friends have been seriously ill recently, but all
are progressing favorably. The recovery of Mrs. R. H. Barnitz
has been little short of miraculous. When, on September 18, a
number of the friends gathered at her home to join in prayers
for her welfare, few thought that she would recover from a
serious operation performed on the 19th. But at the present
writing her convalescence is most satisfactory. Mr. W. P.
Ripley is recovering from his illness, and the condition of Mrs.
Jere. Wilt shows improvement.
The death is reported, on September 9th, of John Klaus, the
grandfather of Messrs. Edward and Howard Struven, at his late residence, Catonsville, Md. His age was 86. He enjoyed very much, even with his feeble and failing sight, the reading of such Bahai literature in German as could be secured.
The Baltimore Assembly has changed the Sunday Bible class
from afternoons to evenings, and plans an alternation of leaders.
The work in Sumerduck, Va., progresses, and the meeting on
the fourth Sunday of each month has been adopted permanently.
At the last meeting, the school house was too small to accommodate
those who came, some driving several miles to hear the
Glad-tidings. Any of the friends who undertake teaching in the
smaller and isolated communities will find a gratifying number
of thoughtful, earnest souls ready to listen.
JOS. H. HANNEN.
ASSEMBLIES IN THE OCCIDENT.
Secretaries are requested to see that their Assembly is correctly represented.
NORTH AMERICA
BALTIMORE, MD.―Regular weekly meetings Tuesday evenings at
629 West North Avenue, and Sunday evenings at 516 Broadway. Residence
of Secretary, 629 West North Avenue.
BOSTON, MASS.―Sunday mornings, at 11 o'clock, in Beckton Hall,
200 Huntington Avenue.
BUFFALO, N. Y.―Meetings every Sunday and Thursday evening at
494 Elwood Avenue.
CHICAGO. ILLS.―Regular weekly meeting, Sunday, 11 a. m. at Corinthian
Hall, 17th floor Masonic Temple, State and Randolph Streets.
Address of Assembly, P. O. Box 283 George Lesch, Secretary.
DENVER, COLO.―G. Nathaniel Clark Secretary, 4141 Xavier Street.
KENOSHA, WIS.―Regular weekly meeting, Sunday, 10:30 a. m.; Sunday
school, 9:30 a. m. at Gronquish Hall, 218 Park Street. Address of
Assembly Fountain Nicholas, Secretary, 868 Park Street.
LOS ANGELES, CAL.―F. B. Beckett, Secretary, 429 Citizens National
Bank Building.
NEW YORK, N.Y.―Regular weekly meeting, Sunday, 11 a. m., at
Genealogical Hall, 226 West 58th Street. Paul T. G. Marshall, Secretary,
139 Shippen Street, Weehawken Heights, New Jersey.
SEATTLE, WASH.―Regular weekly meeting held at 2916 Beacon
Avenue, South.
SUMERDUCK, VA.―Meetings on fourth Sundays; address care Mrs.
R. H. Duckett.
WASHINGTON, D. C.―Regular meetings Friday evenings at 8:15;
Sunday mornings at 11:15, at 1219 Connecticut Avenue. Mail address
of Assembly, P. O, Box 192. Residence of Secretary, 1252 Eighth
Street, N. W.
CONVERSATIONAL PERSIAN TAUGHT BY CORRESPONDENCE.[edit]
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. 12
نجم باختر . 16 1کتوبر 1916
جلد 1 . شماره 12 . 23 نوامبر 1910
صفحه 1
Address:― Payam Bare Bakhtar 1800 Belmont Road. Washington D.C. U. S. America.
هویوکن . اعضاء محفل روحانی . علیهم بهاء الله الابهی
ای یاران عبدالبهاء از پیش خبر جذب و وله و وجد و طرب شما رسید مکتوبی مخصوص ارسال گردید البّته تابحال رسیده حال جناب مسترهریس استراوبروارآمدند و نهایت ستایش از شما کردند که دوستان هوبوکن ثابتند و مستقیم و و مافقند و در این اقلیم محفل بنفحات قدس آراسته و انجمنی مانند بهشت برین ترتیب شده هریک به نور هدایت شمع روشنند و بقوّۀ محبّت الهیّه لشکر منصور و مظفرّ و همچنین از جمیع یاران خطّه امریک نهایت ستایش نمودند و بسیار ممنون و مسرور بودند و از محفل روحانی نیویورک بسیار توصیف و تمجید مینمودند که شب و روز بخدمت مشغولند و از مستر هور بسیار ممنون بودند مختصر اینست چهار شب در خانۀ این مسجون همدم بودند متمادیا ستایش و نیایش از احبّاء مینمودند و بشارت انجذاب بنفحات الله میدادند عبد البهاء در این سجن سروری جز خبر خوش احبّاء ندارد هر وقت نفسی از آنان ستایش کند قلب آسایش یابد و جان شادمان گردد باری ای یاران عبدالبهاء همّتی نمائید و تعلیم بر جنتّ ابهی کنید علم صلح برافرازید و تعالیم جمال ابهی نشر کنید تا جهان خواب بیدار گردد و هر بیهوش هوشیار گردد جهان جهان دیگر گردد و عالم انسانی عالم دیگر شود سرسر احساسات و آیات آسمانی شود و جفا به محبّت و وفا تبدیل گردد سلیل شمشیر مبدّل بصریر اقلام شود و آهنگ جنگ منقلب سجن بدیع کتب و فرهنگ گردد تا جمیع افراد انسانی دست در آغوش یکدیگر نمایند و بکمال محبّت و الفت معاشرت نمایند و علیکم البهاء الابهی ع ع .
صفحه 2
لسان عمومی بهائی
پیغمبران و قادیان سبل در کتب ادیان قدیمه چنین ذکر کرده اند که چون حقّ جلّ جلاله انسان را از عالم عدم به وجود و مشهود درآورد و او را باسم جلیل و علمّ آدم مفتخر ساخت و آیۀ شریفۀ « انّ مجاعل فی الارض خلیقة » در حقّ او نازل نمود آدم را مرکز صفات عالیه و مصدر اسرار سامیه فرمود و کاخ سراج او را بر انجم روشن قوای عظیمه آهنگ آزادی عقل فکر حافظه خیال محبّت اولاد مزیّن کرد و در محافل متمادیّه قوانین عدل و داد و و حدت و اتفاق درج فرمود تا آن نصایح و نوامیس خدائی را سرمشق قرار داده مابین هم جنس خود در نهایت خوشی و خوبی و وقار و درستی زندگی نماید لهذا بنی نوع انسان که در آنوقت دارای لسان واحد بود چندی بر حسب اوامر الهی بیعت نمود و در نهایت الفت و پاکدامنی با سایرین معاشرت میجست و حتیّ به حیوانات ظلم و جفا روا نمیداشت تا اک کم بر قوای موجوده در وجود خود آگاه گشته راه کبر و طریق غرور را پیش گرفت و بر ضدّ حضرت ربّ الارباب اعلان طغیان و سرکشی اظهار داشت و با قوّۀ مخترعۀ خود اساس برج بابل را بریخت و بلندی آنرا بآسمان خواست و خیال اوج بر کنگرۀ افلاک و عالم هولاک را در سر پخت و نقشۀ جنگ با قوّت عرش اقدس را حاضر نمود ولی چون آن برج بانتهی رسید وسیله خداوند باریتعالی آنرا به زلزله از اساس برافکند و بواسطۀ صدای مهیب و هیاهوی غرّش آمیز آن مردم بیچاره مشوّش الحال و مغشوش الخیال پراکنده و دربدر گشته پیوسته در کناری تمسّک جست و از معاشرت با دیگری محروم و بلسان واحد و ثلث واحد و السن زیاد به طوائف مختلفه تبدیل گردید و از آنوقت علامات و رسومات هر شعبه اشکال مخصوص گرفته و بمرور قرون و ادوار یگانگی اصلی خود را بکلیّ فراموش و دائره خصومات و جنگها و رقابت و کشتارها روزبروز توسعه یافت و نادانی و جهل مرکبّ به نقطۀ رسید که وحدت اصلی از نظر محو و هر ملتی اجداد و آباء جعلی برای خود برقرار و اخلاف و نژادی کشف کردند چینیان خود را پسران آسمانی نامیدند و اسرائیلیان ملتّ مخصوصه گشتند برهمائیان جهان حقائق مختلفه جهان بر اطفال خداوند بحساب آمدند و یونانیان خود را فنون و سائر ملل را بنام بوپر یاد کردند اروپائیان بهترین ملل ارض گشتند و امریکائیان خود را فوق ساکنین عالم فرض نمودند این است ثمرۀ و نتیجۀ اخلهذا از فوائد بزرگ معاشرت و مراودت تلافات قومی از طرف دیگر فلاستعدادلس بر آنند که اشجار سبز و خرّم لسانهای چلتو که از هزار هم بیشتر است از ریشۀ روئیده و انسانهای زند و پهلوی و سانسکریت و پارسی قدیم و جدید و لاتینی و یونانی و انگلیس و آلمان و فرانسه و سائر السن غرب لسان ادیان مشتق گردیده و ادیان نسخۀ فرس به ایران قدیم است که با شنوندگانش بطرف هندوستان و اروپا مهاجرت کردند تاتارک های کلدانین و آشوریان و اعراب و اسرائیلیان از سستیک نمونمول ثالثا چینی و ناپون و اهالی سیبریا بر پایۀ لسان مستقل برپا شده است . ولی مورّخین روشن ضمیر برآنند که چون در زمان قدیم آلات حمل و نقل سریع در میان نبود و امتّ و طوائف بحالت تمجیّت
صفحه 4
معیشت مینمودند از تواریخ و حالات همدیگر اطلاع نداشتند و لسان همدیگر را نمیدانستند و بواسطۀ طبیعت حالیّه آخوندها لطف با همسایگان خود را حرام میدانستند و در وادی جهل و بساطت قرون تاریک سرگردان و حیران بودند و در قید ملاذمات خرافیّه و افعال وحشت انگیز لهذا از فوائد بزرگ معاشرت و مراودت و از حرکات تعاون و تعاضد بی ثمر ماندند نه نوری که آنها را بشاهراه حقیقت هدایت کند و نه مشعلی که آن گمگشتگان صحرای عداوت را بر جنتّ وحدت دلالت نماید بنابراین اطفال انسانی در قرون متوالیه همین حالت انزوا و خمودت و سکوت در اطراف جهان بدون اینکه از اوضاع همدیگر اطلاع داشته باشند زندگی نمودند تا بتدریج بنابر حسب نوامیس پیغمبر ها را بر خداوند در هر دوری پیغمبران اولی العزم و فلاسفه هوشمند و هیاکل قدسیّه و ظهورات جدیّه از سرادق غیب به عرصۀ ظهور قدم گذاردند و تخم صنوبر آزادی و وحدت را بموضع در اراضی قلوب و عقول پاشیده نسترن و شقائق علوم و معارف در قرن جدید پاشیدن گرفت نسیم رحمت الهیّه وزیدن یافت ابواب عنایت مفتوح گردید غمام مکرمت مرتفع شد و شمس عیب منافق قدرت ظاهر گردید و عالم عالم جدید شد و طبیعت خلعت الشرق امر فرمود اسرار کائنات پرده از رخ برانداخت و دلبر فنون و اختراعات در انجمن اخیار دل بربود کشتی های سریع الحرکه دریاهای بی پایان را بهم مرتبط ساخت و خطوط راه آهن شهرهای بعید را بهم نزدیک کرد سیم تلگراف اخبارات اقصی بلاد عالم را در ساعتی بجمیع اطراف منتشر نمود و تلفون صدای انسانی را در آنی صد ها میل عبور داد چون این نعمای رحمانیّه و این آلات حمل و نقل برقیّه معجزه نما بقوّۀ اختراعیّه انسان ظاهر گردید بشر را بکلیّ تغییر داد و خواه ناخواه دول رومی که در قرون دورۀ مسیح با هم رابطه داشتند در حوضۀ معاشرت و زد وخورد اقتصادی دائمی درآورد و چون لزومیّت گفتگو و مکالمه در میان آمد هر دو طرف ملتفت شدند که لسان همدیگر را ندانسته و باینجهت فهم مطالب مابین محال است این سبب شد که دول غرب که همیشه شائق فروش مال التجاره و غصب ممالک دول ضعیف و انتشار دین مسیحیّه بودند بنای تحسین السن سایر دول را نموده و حتیّ لهجه های وحشی های افریق و بت پرستان جنگل های هندوستان را در نهایت اشتعال کسب نمودند منافع باقیّه بواسطه فروش اشیاء خود آنقدری که ممکن بود اراضی و ممالک را در تحت تصرّف آورده و برای نشر تعالیم حضرت مسیح انجمنهای عظیم تشکیل و صد ها ملیون تومان خرج تورات و انجیل و پانصد تومان ترجمه و کرورها چاپ و در اطراف جهان و کوچکترین بنادر دنیا انتشارداده اند امّا با وجود اینهمه اکتشافات سریع ابدا اشکالات معاشرت مابین آنان رفع نگردید و بر ممانعات قبل افزود زیرا چون هریک از امکانات و ترقیّ لسان ورّاثی خود آگاه شد بیشتر از پیش بر قرار و اغراض خود زیاد می نمودند و اثر این و سائر السن ترجیح دادند در تکمیل آن بکوشند و در توسعه اکثر لغات وطنی سعی کرد مناقشات علمی و ادبی نیز تند گردید و تا اواخر قرن نوزدهم مسیحی فقط دو سه نفری بفکر لسان عمومی افتاده ولی چون افکار آنها روی مأخذ و قانون نبود ابدا تأثیری در میان مردم نکرد و امّا مسئله اختلاف السن بقسمی اذهان را پر کرده بود که چند نفری از عقلای عصر پی باصل برده بودند که منشاء اغلب خونریزیهای قرون وسطی و جدالهای ملل کبری از روی نفهمیدن لسان همدیگر برخواسته است
صفحه 4
و سعی مینمودند شاید علاجی بجهت این درد پیدا کنند ولی چون حکمای حاذق نبودند از عهدۀ معالجه برنیامدند تا آنکه شمس حقیقت از افق ایران طلوع نمود و قلوب مردم را بانوار لامعۀ تعالیم الهیّه روشن ساخت نسیم رحمت بوزید الهام عدل میانه بگسترد و امطار فصل ببارید معنی لذاتری الارض بلز ثورض آشکار شد و حقیقت و اشرقت نورض منوّر و هویدا گردید قوانین عمومیّه و جلال نازل شد که یکی از آن امر لسانی عمومی است چنانچه چهل سال قبل در کتاب اقدس ملل جهان را بعبارات روحیّه ذیل که اساس وحدت و اخوّت عالم بشر است یاد میفرماید : یا اهل المجالس فی البلاد اختاموا نعته من اللغات بتکلمّ بها من علی الارض و کذلک من الخطوط انّ الله مبیّن لکم و ینفعکم عن دونکم انّه لهو الفضّال العلیم الخبیر هذا سبّ الاتحّاد لو انتم تعلمون و الغة الکبری الاتفاق واتدنّ لو انتم تشعرون . مقصود از این امر آنکه ملل حبّۀ حاضرۀ جهان مجلس عمومی معیّن نمایند و کلا با فهم و دانش خود را بآن مجلس گسیل داشته جمیع در آن انجمن کبری مدّتی معیّن با همدیگر مشاورت و مصلحت کنند و بر حسب اکثریّت آراء یا آنکه یکی السن موجود را برای لسان عمومی انتخاب نمایند و بار دیگر دانشمندان اهل شرق و غرب را وعده گرفته تا لسانی بسیط اختراع کنند و چون جمیع وکلاء ملل اکثریّت آنها رضایت خود را در باب قبول لسانی اظهار داشتند آن رضایت را باید قانون بین المللی قرار داد تا جمیع دول عالم آن لسان را در مدارس باطفال خود درس دهند تا چون بسنّ بلوغ رسند و خیال سفر نمایند بتوانند با ساکنین نقاط جهان در نهایت آسانی معاشرت و گفتگو کنند و رشتۀ تجارت و اخوّت را بین همدیگر محکم نمایند دلبر اتحّاد حقیقی پرده از چهره براندازد و محبوب آزادی با عشوۀ روحانی غم بزداید و حکمت این امر مبرم آنکه در آینده بزرگان و سرداران هر ملتّی مجبور به تحصیل سالهای زیاد نخواهند گردید بعلاوه هیچ یک از ملل لسان مخصوص خود را فراموش نخواهد کرد بل روز بروز معارف و علوم مادر لسان خود کامل کرده و عوض آنکه چون این زمان ده یا پانزده سال تحصیل نماید و باز در وقت سفر در مملکتی دور میان اهالی سرگردان و حیران ماند فقط زبان وطنی خود و لغت عمومی را تحصیل نمود و با همان لسان بین المللی قادر خواهد شد که در کمال سهولت بجمیع اطراف عالم سفر نماید . باری از چهل سال قبل باینطرف افکاز دول اروپ و امریک خیلی متوجّه لسان عمومی گردیده و بقول فلاسفه لغت را پر مشغول داشته و کتب مفصّله در این باب نوشته اند و هریک بخیال خود لسانی اختراع نموده تا چون چند سالی میگذرد خطاهائی در آن پیدا کرده و در پی اختراع لسان دیگری می افتد چناچه یکی از لغت دانان ورسو پروفسور زمنهوف پس از چندین سال زحمت لسان عمومی باسم اسپرانتو اختراع نمود و و کتابی در این باب در سنه 1896انتشار داده و از آنوقت تا بحال این لسان در میان دول غرب ترقیّات قابل ملاحظه نموده است و امید محصّلین بر آن است که این لسان عاقبت پس از جرح و تعدیل کلیّ لسان عمومی خواهد گشت و حضرت عبدالبهاء ارواحنا له الفداء در الواح متعدّده ذکر این لسان اسپرانتو را فرموده اند و از عبارات مبارک همچنین معلوم میشود که ممکن است عمومی گردد لذا اگر دستۀ از بهائیان در تحصیل آن کمر همّت بربندند در هر صورت بیفایده نخواهد بود زیرا کسب آن بسیار سهلو کلا در شش ماه میتوان یاد گرفت و اصول آنرا بچنگ آورد . حضرت من یظهره الله میفرماید :
صفحه 5
امّا مسئله لسان عمومی عنقریب مذاکرات مائره در این خصوص در میان اهل معارف بوقوع خواهد انجامید و نتیجه خواهد بخشید . در لوح دیگر میفرماید : و امّا در خصوص لسان اسپرانتو که مرقوم نمودید این لسان تا یکدرجه عمومی گردد ولی منبعد لسان انجیل از این و یا خود این لسان تعدیل گردد و عمومی شود امیدوارم که دکتر زمنهوف به تأییدات غیبیّه الهیّه موفقّ شود و خدمتی نمایان به نوع انسان نماید در لوح دیگر نازل گردیده لسان اسپرانتو هنوز تعمیم نیافته تا در سفر مفید باشد ولی این لسان عمومیّت یابد و در بعضی اقالیم منتشر شود و در لوح دیگر میفرماید لغت جدید اسپرانتو لسان عمومی موعود نیست عنوان آن لسان است امروز محصّلین این لسان در جمیع اطراف اروپ و امریک پیدا میشوند و تعداد آنها به یک ملیون میرسد و مجلدات روزنامه ها و کتب در این باب چاپ میشود و مجامع عمومی در آخر هر سال منعقد میکنند چنانچه در ماه قبل انجمن ششم بین المللی اسپرانتو در شهر واشنگتن منعقد گردید و مخترع لسان پروفسور زمنهوف به محلّ مخصوص سفر نموده بجهت افتتاح انجمن حاضر شد . نه حکومت مانند چین ، ژاپون ، برزیل ، اسپانیا ، ایران ، استرالیا و انگلیس و غیره وکلاء رسمی فرستاده بودند و چون مجلس شروع شد بیشتر از هزار نفر از مرد و زن وکلا از اطراف عالم حاضر بودند و جمیع خطابه ها و صحبت ها بزبان اسپرانتو اجرا گردید جناب آقای علیقلی خان شازده نماینده ایران در این انجمن بود . جناب دکتر امین الله فرید در جلوی وکلای محترم و امرالله و عبدالبهاء در باب لسان عمومی شرحی بیان نمود و مورد سرور پروفسور زمنهوف و حضّار گردید و حال مشارالیه خواهش نموده است که اوامر رؤسای روحانیّه امین امین اعظم را ترجمه کرده و در مجله رسمی لسان اسپرانتو چاپ نماید باری غرض از این تفاصیل آنکه مردمان خاور و باختر بخوبی بدانند که لسان عمومی که اعظم وسیله اتحاد عالم بشر است یکی از اوامر جهانگیر دین بهائیّه است .
اخبارات
از اخبارات فرح انگیز که یک عالم سرور بخشیده و دور و نزدیک را در بحر فرح و انبساط غرق داشته است همانا سفر نازنین دراد حضرت عبدالبهاء به قاهره مصر است که پس از چهل سال حبس در شهر عکا الحمدلله در نهایت آزادی و خوشی سایر ممالک را بقدوم خود مبارک فرموده اند و حال یک ماه تمام است که در پورت سعید توقفّ فرموده اند و احبّای مصر 3 نفر به زیارت وجود مقدّس مشرّف میشوند . یاران امریک بساط شعف گسترده و در نهایت وله و انجذاب احبّای شرق را عموما و دوستان مصر را خصوصا بر این عطیّه عظمی تهنیت و تبریک میرسانند . در این هفته خطی روحانی از پورت سعید از جناب آقای آقا سیّد اسدالله قمی روحیفداه دریافت گردید که بر حسب امر مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء ایشان بعد از این بجای جناب حاجی سیّد تقی منشادی مرحوم علیه بهاء الله مصدر مراسله نگاری با یاران شرق و غرب خواهند گردید . پیام بر باختر جناب مشار الیه را از این رحمت کبری از صمیم قلب تبریک تسلیم مینماید و خدمات شایان و حبس و زنجیر این وجود محترم را در امرالله بنظر آورده امید است که سالهای دراز به نشر نفحات قدس مؤیّد و موفقّ گردند و در ملکوت جانان جبین به نور مبین روشن فرمایند .
