National Teaching Committee Bulletins/1924/February 3/Text

National Teaching Committee Bulletins
February 3, 1924

PROMOTED TO THE SUPREME KINGDOM

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Our beloved teacher and sister, Mrs. Isnbella D. Brittingham, entered the All-Glorious Light of the Divine Realm on the night of January 28, 1924 in the home of the blessed Revell family, 2531 North 19th Street, Philadelphia. Our Master had given her sweet peace in this blessed home, where she was served by those ministering angels and selfless souls, Mrs. Revell ond her two daughters, Jessie and Ethel.

Those who had seen her daily, stated that for the past six months or more she lived in heaven, though her body was in the world.

The illness which marked the end of the journey here, began on Thursday, January 24th, with a digestive disturbance which superinduced a heart attack. There

“was no suffering. On the other hand, while she was slowly but surely slipping away,

she continued her service almost to the end, for on the last night of her illness, she dictated eleven letters to the ever faithful and devoted Jessie, for friends throughout the country on important matters which she felt hnd to be attended to, and finished just a few moments before the transition. Calm, serene, with e heavenly smile on her face, resting in the arms of Jessie Revell, the reality of the loved one soared to the "parndise of rest", leaving in this world countless loving and absolutely vital deeds as a telling monument to her illumination ond spiritual heroism.

The funeral service was held at the Revell home, where our loved one had resided for the past four years. The service was profoundly spiritual, and we feel sure will never, never be forgotten by those in attendance. Mr. Louis G. Gregory of Washington conducted the service with such divine humility and spiritual charn, that all in turn became one with him in longing to pay a fitting tribute to the distinguished teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney were there from Nlew York. Mrs. Kinney» read from the Holy Utterances, ond Mr. Kinney contributed his loving service in heevenly music, playing and chanting the special music which Mrs. Brittingham requested him years ago, to use at her funeral. Surely there never was such a funeral in Philadelphis. The resident Baha'is were there, ond many came from the surrounding cities; also those attracted to the Cause - many of them her pupils - besides others in large numbers, filling the house to the doors. Here were gathered the white, the colored, the Jews - all her devoted spiritual relatives ond friends.

The poll-bearers - those who carried the remains to their fincal resting place in Mt. Vernon Cemetery - were chosen from the three races. Every arrangement was perfect, and oll felt confident the service was as dignified and spiritual as Mrs. Brittingham would have wished. The many exquisite floral tributes bore testimony likewise of the devotion of her loyal friends. As ‘Abdul Baha had instructed us that the “fragrance of the flowers" on such occasions “reaches the one for whom the flowers are intended" we all felt that our loved one was surely enveloped not only in the fragrance of the flowers, but also in the fragrance of the love of those about her.

“?his world is 2 prison for heavenly souls“ and our revered sister sought freedom. She longed to be with the Master in the Kingdom of ABHA, and thus it was that we often heard her wish for deliverance from the bodily cnage. About two weeks before her passing, she related how she hand seen ‘Abdul Baha standing before her, and that He had told her to continue her work yet a little while.

Mrs. Brittingham was born in Norristown, Pa., Feb. 21, 1852, the daughter of an Episcop:l Clergyman. Her maiden nome was Isabella Davis. She was married Nov. 10, 1886 to James D. Brittingham, ond thereafter they lived in Brooklyn and New York. There were no physical children; but in one of the most wonderful Tablets Mrs. Brittingham received from the Hand of 'Abdu'l Bahe., He refers to her vast spiritual lineage.

Our revered sister was innetely spiritual and endowed with a keen, trained mind. All of her early life was spent in an intellectucl atmosphere of great refine[Page 2]ws

ment. Before coming into the Baha'i Cause, she was a teacher in an Episcopal Sunday School, and was noted as a student and teacher of the Bible. She became a Baha'i in New York City in 1898 in the first class of twenty-one taught in that City, and she was the first in the class who fully accepted the Terchings. With her pure heart and extraordinary capacity, she grasped the “essential purpose" of the Most Great Revelation, and it may truly be said of her that she “entered the silent chamber of realities and significances snd the Kingdom of Mysteries". From that time to almost the very moment of her passing, she was "always serving".

To do real justice to the story of her services, would mean to review a greater part of the history of the Cause in America, so closely has she been associated with the progress of the work from its inception.

We gather now, from the Tablets revealed for her by 'Abdu'l Baha, and in the light of the development of this time, how our Master spoke to her of the deep mysteries of the Cause. They reveal how He, the Divine Physician, knew her; how he classified her as one of the great teachers of today; how He loved this devoted daughter and faithful follower; how He trusted her with the fairy key of knowledge which unlocked the mysteries! Her Tablets became the Divine Law and Gospel for her, and her deep appreciation and thankful heart were made manifest in the way she rendered unto her Lord instant and complete obedience.

One of her very early Instructions from the Master was the following:

" ..ee.-Take the Cup of Knowledge, overflowing with the Wine of Explanation, and refresh every one who is athirst for the Kingdom of GOD. Verily, thy Lord will confirm thee in this; the Hosts of the Kingdom will reinforce thee: the angels of Heaven aid thee; the Fragrance of the Garden of Holiness refresh thee; and the Light shining from the Sun of Truth illumine thee. This is a Bounty from thy Lord upon thee. His Bounty is great, great!"

She arose with all power and passed this "wine of explanation" to many 2 traveller on the Path, and by word of mouth and with her pen, she personally instructed and comforted hundreds of souls for the past twenty-five years. Also her talks, given before large public audiences, if compiled, would form a volume.

Among the writings from her pen, her book entitled "The Revelation of Baha'u'llah", was one of the earliest contributions to Baha'i literature. ‘'Abdu'l Baha commended this book in the following Words which are quoted from one of her Tablets:

"Thank GOD for that He caused thy tongue to utter His NAME and helped thy pen to write on this wonderful Religion..... . The book of proofs regarding the Appearance of the Kingdom of GOD which was written by thy rapid (i.e. flowing) pen, reached Me. Oh! excellent are the words and proofs whereby thou hast proved the Great Manifestation! Endeavor in compiling other books and spread them in those parts."

Among her short articles shared with many, and which we hope will some day be published, may be montioned a most marvelous 2nd noteworthy exposition of the Station of the Covenant; an article on the Greatest NAME - (an explanation); the very illuminating treatise on "THE LOGOS"; another on "The True Significance of Certain Biblical Symbolism"; and still another on "The Proof of the Manifestation of GOD in Baha'u'llah from the Prophecies of Jesus Christ". These are only a few of her many contributed articles for the instruction of the friends in this country.

Nearly all of her Tablets contain the injunction not to become discouraged because of opposition. She had been called and chosen, according to her Tablets, to be a "Proclaiming Voice","a2 Herald of the Covenant" in America, and the Tender, Divine Master knew this meant Jikewise, for a sensitive soul, a long, long martyrdom. In accordance with great spiritual attainments and her lofty station, would [Page 3]ae

there likewise be the descent to the "depths of ordeals" in the Path of the Loving Lord. From her Tablets, we quote the following:

"QO thou dear maid-servant of GOD! Endeavor that thou mayst © become the scorn of the world in the Pathway of GOD, and become known among the nations. From every direction mayst thou find the piercing arrow of ridicule end from every point mayst thou see the unsheathed sword of censure; and singly and alone mayst thou cry among the peoples of the world - 'Ya Baha UL ABHA!!

Then wilt thou be faithful to the Covenant, and a glistening star in the “ingdom of Heaven."

"QO thou dear maid-servant of the Blessed Perfection! Thou art well nigh and dear in the Holy Threshold and the confirmations will descend from all directions in order that thou shalt behold the Doors are open........-If thou art experiencing some reSistance on the part of the heedless ones, art bearing reproaches from the ignorant ones, and art blamed by the fanatics, do not become broken-hearted, neither become thou discouraged. The calumniators will finally regret, and the people of derision shall repent. Such was the case in the nascent stage of every Dispensation."

Every one of the Creative Utterances in her Tablets took effect in her heart, and gave her the capacity to surmount every difficulty and overcome every obstacle in her Path.

What was Mrs. Brittingham's greatest charm, - the one with which she held so many hundreds of souls? We believe it was her firmness in the Covenant. Her Tablets indicate that she had been educated, trained, chosen as a Herald of the Covenant. She had been given great capacity to comprehend the significance of the Covenant, she was in the dust at the Divine Feet of the Center of the Covenant, and just before the Ascension of our Lord, she received her last Tablet from Him which was the blessed crown He placed upon her head. In this Tablet He told her all the people she taught were firm, that “her purpose in teaching a soul was to make that soul firm in the Covenant".

She will likewise be forever known as the one who worked from the earliest days for the protection of the Cause in this country and particularly for keeping the Teachings pure. She prote&ted the Word of GOD at every point, and throughout the entire period of her services, her great endeavor was for accuracy. She repeatedly quoted the Instruction of 'Abdu'l Baha contained in one of her own Tablets, and lived herself in accordance therewith, as follows:

"Whenever any soul explains any matter he must have authority from the Verses of GOD and the Words of the Supreme - either from the Book of Akdas or other Divine Tablets. If he is asked for the proof of his statement, he must show the Text of the Book; that is his evidence. Briefly, every statement and word which is not based upon the Divine Texts is not Truth. No one must listen to it. No one must interfere with it. This is the irrefragable Command. Expatiate in detail upon this: subject in every meeting."

She not only religiously obcyed this Command literally, but she has left in this country a large number of pecple whom she has trained along this line, and who will thank her forever and throughout all Eternity for her illumined instructions, and devoted services as teacher and sister.

Probably the greatest spiritual experience of her life was when she stood for the first time in the Holy Presence of '/ibdu'l Baha in Acca in 1901, and again in 1909 when she made her second pilgrimage. Her precious Notes taken on these [Page 4]sls

sacred visits and the sweet story of her experiences, written in her brilliant style will, in due time, we sincerely hope, be published. And finally the recent letters

from the Beloved Guardian of the Cause, Shoghi Effendi, to the Philadelphia friends

and Assembly commending their beautiful services and firmness in Faith, were like a

balm to her tired and strained heart and her final Benediction.

This brief account, inadequate as it may be, will serve the purpose of informing the friends without dealy that the renowmed Baha'i teacher so well know, throughout the world, is now serving us all in the Realm beyond the Veil.

In closing, perhaps it is fitting to make a brief reference to the recent distinction Mrs. Brittingham has won through her repeated services at the large broadcasting Radio Station in Philadelphia where they permitted her to broadcast various points in the Baha'i Message and where she has given several talks on Education. he was well and favorably known to hundreds and perhaps thousands of people in this way, who received the Message of Life, and many of whom have written notes of appreciation. At the time of her passing this Broadcasting Station gave her the distinction of having a notice of her death given by Radio, part of which notice is as follows: '

"We are expressing at this time our sympathy for the late lirs. I. D. Brittingham of this City who passed away last Monday. Mrs. Brittingham has broadcasted from this Station several times and won for herself a host of admirers...... Her great grand-father, John Morton, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence; and her mother's cousin married Abraham Lincoln."

Death was indeed gladtidings to the illumined irs. Brittingham who had been so carefully preparing for the journey for some time. "That divine bird flew away to the rose-garden of the Merciful and that plant of humanity hastened to the Garden of the Kingdom of EL ABHA."

We rely on God's Promises which are ever fulfilled; it is therefore with joy that we now think of our loved one “imsersed in an ocean of light" singing anthems of glorification and praise to her Merciful Lord.

Washington, D. C. Mariam Haney February 3, 1924.

(NOTE: The Philadelphia friends have suggested that a Memorial Service for Mrs. Brittingham be held in each Bahati Center forty days from the date of her passing.)