Edition:Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era (1923)/Retrospect and Prospect

CHAPTER XV

RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT

“I bear witness, O friends, that the Bounty is complete, the Argument affirmed, the Proof made manifest and the Evidence established. Let it now be seen what your endeavours in the path of detachment will show forth. In this wise hath the Divine Favour been fulfilled unto you and unto them that are in _ Heaven and on earth. All praise to God, the Lord of all worlds.” —Hidden Words of BAHA’U’LLAH.

Progress of the Movement.

Unfortunately it is impossible, within the space at our disposal, to describe in detail the progress of the Baha’i Movement throughout the world. Many chapters might be devoted to this fascinating — subject, and many thrilling stories related about the pioneers and martyrs of the Cause, but a very brief summary must suffice,

In Persia the early believers in this revelation met with the utmost opposition, persecution and cruelty at the hands of their fellow-countrymen, but they faced all calamities and ordeals with sublime heroism, firmness and patience. ‘Their baptism was in their own blood, for many thousands of them perished as martyrs 5 while thousands more were beaten, imprisoned, stripped of their possessions, driven from their homes or otherwise ill-treated. For sixty years or more anyone in Persia who dared to own allegiance to the Bab or Baha’u’'llah did so at the risk of his property, his freedom and even of his life. Yet this determined and ferocious opposition could no more check the progress of the Movement than a cloud of dust could keep

the sun from rising. 214 [Page 215]RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT 215

From one end of Persia to the other Baha’is are now to be found in almost every city, town and village, and even amongst the nomad tribes. In some villages the whole population is Baha'i and in other places a large proportion of the inhabitants are believers. Recruited from many and diverse sects, which were bitterly hostile to each other, they now form a great fellowship of friends who acknowledge brotherhood, not only with each other, but with all men everywhere, who are working for the unification and upliftment of humanity, for the removal of all prejudices and conflict, and for the establishment of the Kingdom of God in the world.

What miracle could be greater than this? Only one, and that the accomplishment throughout the entire world of the task to which these men have set themselves, And signs are not lacking that this greater miracle, too, is in progress,

In Turkestan, in America, in India and Burmah, Baha'is are already to be numbered by the thousand, while in Germany, Italy, Switzerland and France Baha'i centres have been established and the range of their spiritual activities is rapidly extending. In some of these countries there are one or more monthly magazines devoted to the Cause, and in a number of them there are regular annual congresses attended by representatives of all the Baha'is in the country. Japan also has a monthly Baha'i magazine published in Japanese and Esperanto. In many other countries of the world, east and west, believers are to be found—a mere sprinkling of the population as yet, but exerting an influence out of proportion to their numbers. The Movement is showing an astonishing vitality, and is spreading, like leaven, through the lump of humanity, transforming humanity as it spreads.

Jinab-i-Avarih writes :—

‘ As to the numbers of the Baha’js at the present time, no exact figures can be given, as the Movement is growing so rapidly that day by day, nay, even hour by hour, the Cause is progressing and all the members of the Movement are engaged in spreading its teachings. It can safely be said, however, that whereas at the time of the passing away of Baha’u’llah his followers probably numbered less than one million, both Eastern and Western writers about the movement, including even opponents of [Page 216]216 BAHA’U’LLAH AND THE NEW ERA

the Baha’i Cause, now admit that the number of Baha’is throughout the world is to be reckoned in millions.

The only real test as to whether a man is a Baha’i or not is whether he “lives the life” as taught by Baha’u’llah and the “Centre of the Covenant”; and the only way in which the real success of the Movement can be gauged is, not by the number of its professed adherents, but by the way in which its principles are permeating and changing the world. ‘That the world, since the advent of Baha’u’llah, has been changing incomparably faster than it ever did before, none can deny. ‘That this phenomenal progress is taking place, to a marvellous extent, along the lines laid down by Baha@’u’llah more than half a century ago, must also be evident, we think, to every fair-minded reader of the foregoing chapters. That one who so clearly anticipated and so powerfully advocated these changes must have been a factor of some importance in bringing them about is surely, therefore, an entirely reasonable conclusion. Readers who have some acquaintance with the phenomena of telepathy, or knowledge of the dynamic power of prayer, will have no difficulty in conceding also that one endowed with the spiritual power which Baha’u’llah so abundantly showed could not fail to exert a potent influence on people of sympathetic and receptive minds, no matter in what part of the world they lived, or whether they had ever heard of his existence.

Prophethood of Bab and Baha’u’llah.

The more we study the lives and teachings of the Bab and Baha@’u’llah, the more impossible does it seem to find any explana t Lord Curzon, in his book, Persia and the Persian Question, published in 1892, the year of Baha’u'llah’s death, writes :—

“The lowest estimate places the present number of Babis in Persia at half a million. Iam disposed to think, from conversations with persons well qualified to judge, that the total is nearer one million, They are to be found in every walk of life, from the ministers and nobles of the Court to the scavenger or the groom, not the least arena of their activity being the Mussulman priesthood itself.c. sx

“Tf Babism continues to grow at its present rate of progression, a time may conceivably come when it will oust Mohammedanism from the field in Persia. This, I think, it would be unlikely to do, did it appear upon the ground under the flag of a hostile faith. But since its recruits are won from the best soldiers of the garrison whom it is attacking, there is greater reason to believe that it may ultimately prevail.” (Vol. i. pp. 499-502.) [Page 217]RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT 217

tion of their greatness, except that of Divine Inspiration, They were reared in an atmosphere of fanaticism and bigotry. “They had only the most elementary education. ‘They had no contact with Western culture. They had no political or financial power to back them. ‘They asked nothing from men, and received little but injustice and oppression. The great ones of earth ignored or opposed them, ‘They were scourged and tortured, imprisoned and subjected to direst calamities in the fulfilment of their mission. ‘They were alone against the world, having no help but that of God, yet already their triumph is manifest and magnificent.

The grandeur and sublimity of their ideals, the nobility and self-sacrifice of their lives, their dauntless courage and conviction, their amazing wisdom and knowledge, their grasp of the needs of both Eastern and Western peoples, the comprehensiveness and adequacy of their teachings, their power to inspire whole-hearted devotion and enthusiasm in their followers, the penetration and potency of their influence, the progress of the Movement they founded—surely these constitute proofs of prophethood as convincing as any which the history of religion can show.

A Glorious Prospect.

The Baha’i glad tidings disclose a vision of the Bounty of God and of the future progress of humanity, which is surely the greatest and most glorious Revelation ever given to mankind, the development and fulfilment of all previous Revelations. Its purpose is nothing less than the regeneration of mankind and the creation of “ new heavens and a new earth.” It is the same task to which Christ and all the prophets have devoted their lives, and between these great teachers there is no rivalry. It is not by this Manifestation or by that, but by a// together, that the task will be accomplished.

As ‘Abdu’l-Baha says :—

“Tt is not necessary to lower Abraham to raise Jesus, It is not necessary to lower Jesus to proclaim Baha’u’llah. We must welcome the Truth of God wherever we behold it. ‘The essence of the question is that all these great Messengers came to raise the Divine Standard of Perfections.

All of them shine as orbs in the same heaven of the Divine Will. All of them give Light to the world.”—Star of the West, vol. iii. No. 8, p. 8. [Page 218]218 BAHA’U’LLAH AND THE NEW ERA The task is God’s, and God calls not only the prophets but all

mankind to be His co-workers in this creative process. If we refuse His invitation, we shall not hinder the work from going on, for what God wills shall surely come to pass, If we fail to play our part He can raise up other instruments to perform His purpose ; but we shall miss the real aim and object of our own lives. At-one-ment with God—becoming His lovers, His seryants, the willing channels and mediums of His Creative Power, so that we are conscious of no life within us but His Divine and abundant Life—that, according to the Bah@’i teaching, is the ineffable and glorious consummation of human existence.

Humanity, however, is sound at heart, for it is made “in the image and likeness of God,” and when at last it sees the truth, it will not persist in the paths of folly. Baha’u’llah assures us that ere long the call of God will be generally accepted, and mankind as a whole will turn to righteousness and obedience.

- All sorrow will then be turned into joy, and all disease into

health,” and the kingdoms of this world shall become “ the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ ; and He shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. xi. 15). Not only those on earth, but all in the heavens and on the earth, shall become one in God and rejoice eternally in Him.

Renewal of Religion.

The state of the world to-day surely affords ample evidence that, with rare exceptions, people of all religions need to be re-awakened to the real meaning of their religion; and that re-awakening is an important part of the work of Baha’u’llah. He comes to make Christians better Christians, to make Muslims real Muslims, to make all men true to the spirit that inspired their prophets. He also fulfils the promise made by all these prophets, of a more glorious Manifestation which was to appear in the “Fulness of Time” to crown and consummate their labours. He gives a fuller unfolding of spiritual truths than his predecessors, and reveals the Will of God with regard to all the problems of individual and social life that confront us in the world to-day. He gives a universal teaching which affords a firm foundation on which a new and better civilization can be built up, a teaching [Page 219]RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT 219

adapted to the needs of the world in the new era which is now commencing.

Need for New Revelation.

The unification of the world of humanity, the welding together of the world’s different religions, the reconciliation of Religion and Science, the establishment of Universal Peace, of International Arbitration, of an International House of Justice, of an International Language, the Emancipation of Women, Universal Education, the abolition not only of Chattel Slavery, but of Industrial Slavery, the Organization of Humanity as a single whole, with due regard to the rights and liberties of each individual —these are problems of gigantic magnitude and stupendous difficulty in relation to which Christians, Muhammadans and adherents of other religions have held and still hold the most diverse and often violently opposed views, but Baha’u’llah has revealed clearly defined principles, the general adoption of which would obviously make the world a paradise,

Truth is for All.

Many are quite ready to admit that the Baha’ teachings would be a splendid thing for Persia and for the East, but imagine that for the nations of the West they are unnecessary or unsuitable. To one who mentioned such a view, ‘Abdu’l-Baha replied :-—

“ As to the meaning of the cause of Baha’u’llah, whatever has to do with the universal good is divine, and whatever is divine is for the universal good. If it be true, it is for all; if not, it is for no one; therefore a divine cause of universal good cannot be limited to either the East or the West, for the radiance of the Sun of Truth illumines both the East and the West, and it makes its heat felt in the South and in the North— there is no difference between one Pole and another. At the time of the Manifestation of Christ, the Romans and Greeks thought His Cause was especially for the Jews. They thought they had a perfect civilization and nothing to learn from Christ’s teachings, and by this false supposition many were deprived of His Grace. Likewise know that the principles of Christianity and the Commandments of Baha’u’llah are identical and that their paths are the same. Every day there is progress; there was a time when this divine institution (of progressive revelation) was in embryo, then new-born, then a child, then an intellectual youth; [Page 220]220 BAHA’U’LLAH AND THE NEW ERA

but to-day it is resplendent with beauty and shining with the greatest brilliancy.

“‘ Happy is he who penetrates the mystery and takes his place in the world of the illumined ones.”

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHA

The New Phase.

With the passing of its beloved leader, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, the Baha'i Movement entered on a new phase of its history. It had grown to such an extent that more systematic organization was needed, in order to co-ordinate the activities of the friends in all parts of the world and bring about greater unity and efficiency. The plan of organization had already been outlined by Baha’u’llah, but was more fully described in the last Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. ‘The three principal elements in the plan are :—

1. “The Guardian of the Cause of God,” 2. The Hands of the Cause of God,” and 3. “The Spiritual Assemblies, Local, National and International.”

The Guardian of the Cause of God.

‘Abdu’l-Baha appointed his eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, to the responsible position of “ Guardian of the Cause” (ValiyiAmru’llah). Shoghi Effendi is the eldest son of Ziaiyyih Khanum, the eldest daughter of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. His father, Mirza Hadi, is a relative of the Bab (although not a direct descendant, as the Bab’s only child died in infancy). Shoghi Effendi was twentyfive years of age, and was studying at Balliol College, Oxford, at the time of his grandfather’s passing. ‘The announcement of his appointment is made in ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Will as follows :—

O my loving friends! After the passing away of this wronged

one, it is incumbent upon the Branches and ‘T'wigs of the Sacred LoteTree (i.e. the relatives of the Bab and Baha’u’llah), the Hands of the Cause of God and the loved ones of the Abha Beauty, to turn unto Shoghi Effendi—the youthful Branch, branched from the Two Hallowed and Sacred Lote-Trees (Bab and Baha’u’llah) and the fruit grown from the union of the two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness, as He is the Sign of God, the Chosen Branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God, he unto [Page 221]RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT 221

whom all the Branches, the Twigs, the Hands of the Cause of God and His loved ones must turn. He is the expounder of the Words of God, and after him will succeed the first-born of his lineal descendants. .. .

“The sacred and youthful Branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God, as well as the Universal Assembly (Baytu’l-‘Adl) to be universally elected and established, are both under the care and protection of the Abha Beauty, under the shelter and unerring guidance of His Holiness the Exalted One. May my life be offered up for them both! Whatsoever they decide is of God... .

“O ye beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon the Guardian of the Cause of God to appoint in his own lifetime him that shall become his successor, that differences may not arise after his passing. He that is appointed must manifest in himself detachment from all worldly things, must be the essence of purity, must show in himself the fear of God, knowledge, wisdom and learning. ‘Thus, should the first-born of the Guardian of the Cause of God not manifest in himself the truth of the words, ‘The child is the secret essence of its sire,’ that is, should he not inherit of the spiritual within him (the Guardian), and his glorious lineage not be matched with a goodly character, then must the Guardian of the Cause choose another Branch to succeed him.

“The Hands of the Cause of God must elect from their own number nine persons that shall at all times be occupied in the important services of the work of the Guardian of the Cause of God. ‘The election of these nine must be carried, either unanimously or by majority, from the company of the Hands of the Cause of God, and these, whether unanimously or by a majority vote, must give their assent to the choice of the one whom the Guardian of the Cause of God hath chosen as his successor. ‘This assent must be given in suchwise that the assenting and dissenting voices may not be distinguished (i.e. by secret ballot).”

‘’ Hands of the Cause of God.”

During his own lifetime Baha’u’llah appointed four tried and trusted friends to assist in directing and promoting the work of the Movement, and gave them the title of Ayadiyt-Amru lah (lit. “‘ Hands of the Cause of God”). Of these, three have passed away and only one remains, ‘Abdu’l-Baha makes provision in his Will for the establishment of a permanent body of workers to serve the Cause and help the Guardian of the Cause, who shall bear the same title. He writes :—

“O friends! the Hands of the Cause of God must be nominated and appointed by the Guardian of the Cause of God. . . . The obligation of the Hands of the Cause of God is to diffuse the Divine Fragrances, [Page 222]222 BAHA’U’LLAH AND THE NEW ERA

to edify the souls of men and to be, at all times and under all circumstances, sanctified and detached from earthly things. They must manifest the fear of God by their conduct, their manners, their deeds and their words.

“This body of the Hands of the Cause of God is under the direction of the Guardian of the Cause of God. He must continually urge them to strive and endeavour to the utmost of their ability to diffuse the sweet savours of God, and to guide all the people of the world, for it is the light of Divine Guidance that causeth all the universe to be illumined.”

Spiritual Assemblies,

The local spiritual assemblies of the Baha’i Movement have been described in a previous chapter and are already at work in many parts of the world. Besides these, however, Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha have provided for the establishment of national

and international spiritual assemblies. ‘Abdu’l-Baha writes in his Will :-—

And now, concerning the Assembly (Baytu’l-‘Adl) which God hath

ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error, it must be elected by universal suffrage, that is, by the believers. Its members must be manifestations of the fear of God, and daysprings of knowledge and understanding, must be steadfas: in God’s Faith, and the well-wishers of all mankind. By this assembly is meant the Universal Assembly : that is, in each country a secondary Assembly must be instituted, andthese secondary Assemblies must elect the members of the Universal one.

“* Unto this body all things must be referred. It enacteth all ordinances and regulations that are not to be found in the explicit Holy Text. By this body all the difficult problems are to be resolved, and the Guardian of the Cause is its sacred head and the distinguished member, for life, of that body. Should he not attend in person its deliberations, he must appoint one to represent him... . This Assembly enacteth the laws and the executive enforceth them. The legislative body must reinforce the executive, the executive must aid and assist the legislative body, so that, through the close union and harmony of these two forces, the foundation of faimess and justice may become firm and strong, that all the regions of the world may become even as Paradise itself.

“ Unto the Most Holy Book everyone must tum, and all that is not expressly recorded therein must be referred to the Universal Assembly. That which this body, either unanimously or by a majority, doth carry, that is verily the truth and the purpose of God Himself, Whoso doth

deviate therefrom is verily of them that love discord, hath shown forth - malice, and turned away from the Lord of the Covenant. [Page 223]RETROSPECT -AND PROSPECT 223

“Tt is incumbent upon the members (of the Universal Assembly) to gather in a certain place and deliberate upon all problems which have caused difference, questions that are obscure, and matters that are not expressly recorded in the Book. Whatsoever they decide has the same effect as the Text itself. And inasmuch as this Assembly hath power to enact laws that are not expressly recorded in the Book, and bear upon daily transactions, so also it hath power to repeal the same. ‘Thus, for example, the Assembly enacteth to-day a certain law and enforceth it, and a hundred years hence, circumstances having changed and the conditions being altered, another Assembly will then have power, according to the exigencies of the time, to alter that law. ‘This it can do, because that law formeth no part of the Divine Explicit Text. ‘The Assembly is both the initiator and the abrogator of its own laws.”

Further Extracts from Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

In view of the momentous importance of the Last Will and ‘Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, the gravity of the issues it raises and the profound wisdom underlying its provisions, we feel that it would be inadvisable, for the present, to undertake any commentary on its contents. We give, however, as a fitting close to this outline of the Baha’i Movement, a few further extracts, which vividly portray the spirit and leading principles which animated and guided ‘Abdu’l-Baha and are transmitted as a rich heritage to his faithful followers :—

“O ye beloved of the Lord! In this sacred Dispensation, conflict and contention are in nowise permitted. Every aggressor deprives himself of God’s grace. It is incumbent upon everyone to show the utmost love, rectitude of conduct, straightforwardness and sincere kindliness unto all the peoples and kindreds of the world, be they friends or strangers. So intense must be the spirit of love and loving-kindness that the stranger may find himself a friend, the enemy a true brother, no difference whatsoever existing between them.

‘For universality is of God and all limitations are earthly.”

“Wherefore, O my loving friends! Consort with all the peoples, kindreds and religions of the world with the utmost truthfulness, uprightness, faithfulness, kindliness, good-will and friendliness ; that all the world of being may be filled with the holy ecstasy of the grace of Baha; that ignorance, enmity, hate and rancour may vanish from the world, and the darkness of estrangement amidst the peoples and kindreds of the world may give way to the Light of Unity. Should other peoples and nations be unfaithful to you, show your fidelity unto them ; should they be unjust [Page 224]224 BAHA’U’LLAH AND THE NEW ERA

towards you, show justice towards them; should they keep aloof from you, attract them to yourselves; should they show their enmity, be friendly towards them ; should they poison your lives, sweeten their souls ; should they inflict a wound upon you, be a salve to their sores. Such

are the attributes of the sincere! Such are the attributes of the truthful ! ” 3

/ “Oye beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon you to be submis ~ sive to all Monarchs that are just, and show your fidelity to every righteous King. Serve ye the Sovereigns of the world with utmost truthfulness and loyalty. Show obedience to them and be their well-wishers. Without their leave and permission do not meddle with political affairs; for disloyalty to the just Sovereign is disloyalty to God Himself. ‘This is my counsel and the commandment of God unto you. Well is it with them that act accordingly.”

“Lord! ‘Thou seest all things weeping me, and my kindred rejoicing in my woes. By thy glory, O my God! even amongst my enemies, some have lamented my troubles and my distress, and of the envious ones a number have shed tears because of my cares, my exile and my afflictions. They did this because they found naught in me but affection and care, and witnessed naught but kindliness and mercy. As they saw me swept into the flood of tribulation and adversity, and exposed even as a target to the arrows of fate, their hearts were moved with compassion, tears came to their eyes, and they testified, declaring: ‘The Lord is our witness ; naught have we seen in him but faithfulness, generosity and extreme compassion.’ ‘The Covenant-breakers, foreboders of evil, waxed fiercer in their rancour, rejoiced as I fell a victim to the most grievous ordeal, bestirred themselves against me, and made merry over the heart-rending happenings around me.”

“T call upon Thee, O Lord my God! with my tongue and with all my heart, not to requite them for their cruelty and their wrong deeds, their craft and their mischief, for they are foolish and ignoble, and know not what they do. They discern not good from evil, neither do they distinguish right from wrong, nor justice from injustice. They follow their own desires and walk in the footsteps of the most imperfect and foolish amongst them. O my Lord! have mercy upon them, shield them from all afflictions in these troubled times, and grant that all trials and hardships may be the lot of this, Thy servant, that has fallen into this darksome pit. Single me out for every woe and make me a sacrifice for all Thy loved ones! O Lord, Most High! May my soul, my life, my being, my spirit, my all, be offered up for them! O God, my God, lowly, suppliant and fallen upon my face, I beseech ‘Thee, with all the ardour of my imvocation, to pardon whomsoever hath hurt me, to forgive him that hath conspired against me and offended me, and to wash away the misdeeds of [Page 225]a_—

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them that have wrought injustice upon me. Vouchsafe unto them Thy goodly gifts; give them joy, relieve them from sorrow, grant them peace and prosperity ; give them Thy bliss and pour upon them Thy bounty. Thou art the Powerful, the Gracious, the Help in peril, the Self-Subsisting.”

“The disciples of Christ forgot themselves and all earthly things, forsook all their cares and belongings, purged themselves of self and passion, and with absolute detachment scattered far and wide, calling the peoples of the world to the Divine Guidance, till at last they made the world another world, illumined the surface of the earth, and even to their Jast hour proved self-sacrificing in the pathway of that Beloved One of God. Finally in various lands they suffered glorious martyrdom. Let them that are men of action follow in their footsteps.”

“O God, my God! I call Thee, Thy Prophets and Thy Messengers, ‘Thy Saints and Thy Holy Ones, to witness that I have declared conclusively Thy proofs unto Thy loved ones, and set forth clearly all things unto them, that they may watch over Thy faith, guard Thy straight Path and protect Thy resplendent Law. ‘Thou art verily the All-Knowing, the All-Wise !”

FINIS.

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