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THE BAHA’I’ FAITH
“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues; yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, 1101' me. But these things have I told you, that when the- time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go my way to Him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness,
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because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
“Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”
—St. John: 16: 1-14
AROUND 1840 many devout souls throughout the world were convinced from their understanding of scriptural prophecy, that the millennium, or the return of Christ, was imminent. In Persia particularly, in the year 1844, when social as well as religious aflfairs were in a state of hopeless decadence, and education was neglected and science and art were regarded as unclean and contrary to religion, there was, in spite of all this, many saintly souls in whose hearts a longing for God was cherished, much as in the hearts of Anna and Simeon before the appearance of Jesus. Such was the state of affairs in Persia when, on May 23, 1844, a young
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man declared that He was the Forerunner of “One Whom God would make Manifest.” He declared Himself to be the Báb, meaning the Gate. It is significant to read in the Old Testament the words: “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, he is the King of Glory.”
Bahá’ís believe the Báb was the Gate, through which came the King of Glory.
As a result of the Báb’s declaration many people, both rich and poor, learned and ignorant, eagerly responded to His call. The political and religious authorities became alarmed and instituted violent persecutions in order to stamp out this new religion. Men, women and children were put to death, but despite all opposition and repression the Faith lived, even though 20,000 believers were martyred.
Among the Báb’s followers was One Who
later became known as Bahá’u’lláh, a name
meaning the “Glory of God.” He came of a
wealthy family, his father being a Minister of
State, and from earliest childhood he showed an
extremely kind and generous nature, and such
a profound knowledge that he became re
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nowned for his learning and wisdom. It is to Bahá’u’lláh that Bahá’ís throughout the world turn as the Manifestation of God for this Day. In 1863, thirteen years after the Báb’s death, Bahá’u’lláh declared Himself to the world in these words: “The time fore-ordained unto the peoples and kindreds of the earth is now come. The promises of God, as recorded in the Holy Scriptures, have all been fulfilled. Out of Zion hath gone forth the Law of God, and Jerusalem, and the hills and the land thereof, are filled with the glory of His Revelation . . . The Best Beloved is come . . . I testify before God to the greatness, the inconceivable greatness of this Revelation . . . He it is Who, in the Old Testament hath been named Jehovah, Who in the Gospel hath been designated as the Spirit of Truth, and in the Qur’án ”E acclaimed as the Great Announcement. . . .”
“Followers of the Gospel,” He called, “Behold the Gates of Heaven are flung open. He that hath ascended unto it is now come. Give ear to His voice calling aloud over land and sea, announcing to all mankind the advent of His Revelation . . .’
“ Koran.
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THE BAHA’I’ FAITH 7
Bahá’u’lláh, the Glory of God, declared Who He was! He was God’s Manifestation for this Day! ‘
Once more opposition was aroused and Bahá’u’lláh, with His son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (aname meaning: “Servant of The Glory”), and with many of their followers were hounded, banished, and finally flung into the dungeon of the prison of Akka. Here for years, in chains, they suffered all of the indignities, the hardships and the torture that human life can stand.
In 1892 Bahá’u’lláh left this mortal world, leaving His son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the Exemplar of His teachings.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá took the Message to London, Europe, and America. While in London the Reverend R. J. Campbell of the City Temple, the Congregational Church of London, invited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to occupy his pulpit and tell the people about the Coming of the Glory. That was September, 1911.
The word Bahá’í may sound strange at first. That is understandable. It is a Persian word meaning “light” and those who call themselves Bahá’ís are followers of the light, and the light, they are convinced, is Bahá’u’lláh, the Glory of God manifested.
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On What do they base their belief in this man?
Let us consider that from two points of view: first, what does Bahá’u’lláh claim for Himself? And, second, what have others said about Him?
Here are some of Bahá’u’lláh’s own words: “The Revelation which, from time immemorial, hath been acclaimed as the Purpose and Promise of all the Prophets of God, and the Most Cherished Desire of His Messengers, hath now, by virtue of the pervasive Will of the Almighty and at His irresistible bidding, been revealed unto men . . . Verily, I say, this is the Day in which mankind can behold the Face, and hear the Voice, of the Promised One. The call of God hath been raised, and the Light of His countenance hath been lifted up upon men. It behoveth every man to blot out the trace of every idle word from the tablets of his heart, and to gaze, With an open and unbiased mind, upon the signs of His Revelation, the proofs of His Mission, and the tokens of His Glory . . . Happy is the man that pondereth in his heart that Which hath been revealed in the Books of God . . . And let your ears be attentive unto His Word . . . The Best Beloved is come . . . Happy is the man that turneth unto Him . . .
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THE BAHA’I' FAITH 9
“The Voice of the Son of Man is calling aloud from the sacred vale: ‘Here am I, here am I, O God, my God!’ The Father hath come. That which ye were promised in the Kingdom of God is fulfilled. This is the Word which the Son veiled when He said to those around Him that at that time they could not bear it . . . Verily, the Spirit of Truth is come to guide you unto all truth . . . He is the One Who glorified the Son and exalted His Cause . . . The Comforter Whose advent all the Scriptures have promised is now come that He may reveal unto you all knowledge and wisdom . . . F ear ye God, and withhold not yourselves from recognizing the One Who is the Object of your creation. Hasten ye unto Him. Better is this for you than the world and all that is therein . .
Thus Bahá’u’lláh in most emphatic words claims He is the Return spoken of in all the Scriptures, and when the son of this glorious Manifestation visited England, not only the Rev. Campbell knew of his Faith and Message, but also Archdeacon Wilberforce of St. Johns, Westminster, was glad to receive him and sometime later, the Reverend George Townshend, M.A., former Canon of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, embraced the Faith and
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subsequently was inspired to write that splendid book “The Heart of The Gospel.”
There has been recorded for posterity a vivid report on Bahá’u’lláh. The distinguished orientalist, Professor E. G. Browne, of the University of Cambridge, visited Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí in the year 1890. These are some of his recorded impressions: “The face of Him on Whom I gazed I can never forget, though I cannot describe it. Those piercing eyes seemed to read one’s very soul; power and authority sat on that ample brow; while the deep lines on the forehead and face implied an age which the jet black hair and beard flowing down in indistinguishable luxuriance almost to the waist seemed to belie. No need to ask in whose presence I stood, as I bowed myself before one who is the object of a devotion and love which Kings might envy and Emperors sigh for in vam . . .
“A mild, dignified voice bade me be seated,
and then continued: ‘Praise be to God that
thou hast attained . . . We desire but the good
of the world and the happiness of the nations . . . That all nations should become one
in Faith and all men as brothers . . . That
diversity of religion should cease, and differ
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THE BAHA’I’ FAITH 11
ences of race be annulled—what harm is there in this? Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away and the Most Great Peace shall come . . . Do not you in Europe need this also? Is not this that which Christ foretold? . . . Yet do we see your Kings and Rulers lavishing their treasures more fully on means for the destruction of the human race than on that Which would conduce to the happiness of mankind . . . These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men he as one kindred and one family . . . Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind . . .’
“Such, so far as I can recall them, were the words which, beside many others, I heard from Bahá’u’lláh,” said Professor Browne.
These claims of Bahá’u’lláh cannot be brushed aside; they are truth manifested in a way that mankind has never known before. To believe in, and embrace the Bahá’í Faith is not a denouncement of Christ, rather is it the fulfilment—the carrying forward, of all that Christ taught. Bahá’u’lláh as the F ather, has, glorified Jesus as the Son, and exalted His Cause.
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GREAT THEMES OF LIFE
In this new World Faith as taught by Bau’llah, certain basic principles have been laid
down as a foundation on which the structure of the Oneness of Mankind will be reared. They include:
1.
2.
The oneness and wholeness of the entire human race.
Independent investigation of truth. One’s faith is conditioned by no one but himself. Leaving aside all one’s preconceived ideas, one must seek truth for himself.
The foundation of all religions is one. There is only one God and all religions are based on the progressive revelations of that one God. Religion must be the cause of love and unity. Religion must be in accord with science and reason.
Equality between men and women. Although this ideal was announced nearly 100 years ago in Persia, where it was a most heretical statement, yet it is not even now fully accepted in the Western world, let alone the East. Elimination of all kinds of prejudice—racia], social and religious.
The establishment of permanent and universal peace, as the foremost need and objective. Compulsory education for every child irrespective of color, race, creed or wealth.
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10. The spiritual solution of the economic problem. This requires an entirely new approach to the production and distribution of the earth’s products in such a way that there will be no extremes of poverty or of wealth.
11. A universal language. In addition to our mother tongue, there must be an international auxiliary language to eliminate barriers of full expression between the peoples of the world.
12. The establishment of an International Tribunal so that differences arising between nations might be settled in accordance with justice and reason, and the provision of necessary agencies for the safeguarding of universal peace.
Such is the broad basis of Bahá’u’lláh’s teaching for a new world order, but to tell the full story of this marvelous revelation would require many days. Could you in one brief hour tell the complete story of Jesus and His saving grace, the story of His love and sacrifice? The Bahá’í Faith, as revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, is a new Call to God. Too long have we been so occupied with our love for, and theological theorizing about Jesus that we have overlooked the purpose of His birth—to teach us of God, to
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lead us to God. God should be the central theme of our lives, not Christ, nor Buddha, neither Muhammad nor Bahá’u’lláh—but God alone. He is the author and finisher of our being.
Jesus was so conscious of His station in the world regarding His relationship to God, that He even refused to be called good. “No one is good save God!” He taught.
Today God has raised up Bahá’u’lláh to lead us back to a live awareness of Himself, not to lead us only to Bahá’u’lláh. In one sense all Manifestations are equal in that they all are of God, but in another sense they differ, in that each is Himself, and His Revelation is in accordance With the Day of His appearing.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, addressing the congregation of City Temple in London, said:
“The sea of the unity of mankind is lifting up its waves with joy, for there is real communication between the hearts and minds of men. The banner of the Holy Spirit is uplifted, and men see it, and are assured with the knowledge that this is a new day.
“This is a new cycle of human power . . It is the hour of unity of the sons of men and of the drawing together of all races and all classes . . . The gift of God to this enlightened
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age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion . . . There is one God; mankind is one; the foundations of religion are one. Let us worship Him, and give praise for all of His great Prophets and Messengers who have manifested His brightness and glory.” So spoke ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, calling on humanity to investigate these teachings which God has sent through His Manifestation.
“O my God! O my God! Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose. May they follow Thy commandments and abide in Thy law. Help them O God, in their endeavor, and grant them strength to serve Thee. O God, leave them not to themselves, but guide their steps by the light of Thy knowledge and cheer their hearts by Thy love. Verily, Thou art their Helper and their Lord.” *
“ Prayer of Bahá’u’lláh.
