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Vol. 1 Chicago, (Nov. 4, 1910) Qudrat No. 13
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA.
To the Believers in Systan, Persia.
Upon them be the Glory of God the Most Glorious.
HE IS GOD!
O ye believers of God and friends of Abdul-Baha!
If ye knew how the heart of Abdul-Baha is soaring
at this moment at your mentioning and the spirit
is rejoicing at your name, undoubtedly you would
not contain yourselves in this physical temple,
neither would you have heeded any persecution or
suffering.
Today the world of existence is moved through
the Call of the Covenant, and the disjoined members
of this earth have found mutual communication.
Consider ye that the confusion produced thereby cannot
be cleared and the forces cannot be brought together
save through the Power of the Testament,
and the darkness of the East and the West can only
be dispelled through the Sun of the Covenant. The
Divine Covenant is like unto the spiritual Springtime,
which encircles all creation.
Now the greatest test for a tree is to have the
latent possibility of fruition, and with the appearance
of the spring they put forth leaves, branches and
blossoms, but if a tree is barren at this season it
will remain deprived and fruitless. Likewise, those
souls who have been firm in the Covenant of God,
are detached from all else save God, and are attracted
to the fragrances of God, their faces will
shine like unto the luminous moon, with the Light
of Assurance. But the jealous bats, the people of injustice
and pride, flew away from the Light of the
Covenant and shrank out of sight into the dark dungeon
of hesitation and fear. They have left the
lamp of the Testament and are running in the Sahara
of discord and are seeking the gloom of worldliness.
They turned away from the Pure Spring of Life and
attached themselves to the stagnant pools of superstition.
They left behind the Paradise of ABHA and
were contented with this nether world.
They do not search after the Garden of Holiness
but they wish for the sterile desert of passions and
selfishness. They passed by the Blessed Tree and
gathered around the stunted bitter plant. They did
not yearn for the Star of Guidance, but they desired
the wil' o' the wisp of allurements. This is the
result of their exertion in this life. Leave them to
themselves, pay no heed to their faults, for verily
they have left the Path of Guidance and forgotten
the Road to Righteousness. Verily, they are afflicted
with inharmony and discord and their loss
will be very great.
Therefore, O ye friends of God! enter ye in the
Rose-garden of Oneness, take ye a share from the
essence of singleness and spread the Breaths of the
Morn of Holiness. The Glad-tidings of the Bounty
of the Blessed Perfection is descending from the
Invisible Kingdom, the Sea of Providence is moving
and the waves of the Mercy of the Almighty are unlimited.
Endeavor ye as far as ye can, so that ye
may immerse yourselves in this vast Ocean and soar
heavenward toward this Exalted Apex.
The greatest of all affairs is unity and harmony,
the love and affection of heart and soul. The believers
of God are the waves of one Sea, the drops
of one River, the signs of one Kingdom, the standards
of one Regiment, the lights of one Orb, the
Armies of one General, the stars of one Heaven and
are addressed by one Covenant. Consequently they
must associate with each other like the brilliant
Stars of Pleiades in one firmament and become the
letters and words of one Book.
Upon ye be greeting and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab especially for BAHAI NEWS,
Washington, D. C., July 21, 1910.
AROUND THE WORLD WITH MESSRS. REMEY AND STRUVEN.=[edit]
Sixth of a series of Articles under this Heading.
A SUMMARY―BY MR. REMEY.
Dear Friends:―In these days the unity of the
Bahais of the Orient and Occident is manifesting
itself in more tangible ways than ever before; for
now the believers in this country are seeking to express
their love for their brothers and sisters on the
other side of the planet in helpful service, following ever in the way of Abdul-Baha.
That which is most needed between the East and
the West is spiritual co-operation. There is as
much in the East for the Occidental as there is in
the West for the Oriental. These treasures, which
are of different nature, need to be brought out―shown
to the world. The Bahai is called to do this.
Since my return from the Orient, I have had
many letters of inquiry regarding the ways and
means through which the people in the West can serve
those in the East, and it is in the hope of being
able to offer some ideas in this line that I am
writing this general letter.
Our friends of the Orient are rich in the love and
unity of the Cause. We, upon the other hand, are
full of initiative force and activity. It is necessary
that both should combine forces and work together,
each strengthening the other. In reality, the East
and the West are very dependent one upon the
other.
Undoubtedly the traveling of Bahais in foreign
countries is one of the most efficient means of
unity. Abdul-Baha is now calling for those who can,
to go to Japan, Persia, India, and Burma and to
other countries. There are comparatively few, however,
who are prepared to do this; consequently,
many wish to know how they can serve while remaining
at home.
Corresponding is another great means through
which the love of the Kingdom is manifesting; and
this is open to each and all of us. During the past
few years this communication between the East
and the West has greatly increased. The women
of the assemblies of the West are carrying on a
systematic correspondence with the assemblies of
the women of the East. This is already productive
of much good and is paving the way for the Western
women to go out to the East as teachers, nurses and
physicians, all of which are most needed there.
Of late the attention of the American friends has
been drawn to the Bahai educational movement now
developing in Persia. This is of the most vital interest
to the progress of the Cause and the development
of the Persian people. It is a subject which
demands our most serious consideration. The Bahais
in Turkistan, India and Burma, as well as in [Page 4]
other countries, are also facing the educational
problem, and they, too, need our assistance.
By assistance, I mean our co-operation in starting
these enterprises. There seems to be a slight misconception
of the kind of "assistance" which our
Eastern friends need in this work. They do not
need our money to support their institutions. No
one should for a moment consider our work amongst
them in the light of a "charity." The Bahais of the
East represent the most progressive of the people.
They are prosperous. To be sure, a year or two
ago, we heard a great deal of the financial and commercial
troubles of our people in Persia, but that
was during the revolutionary troubles, when the
whole country was crippled in business ways. Now
that is all passed and the financial outlook there is
better than ever before. Money is needed for carrying
on any practical work, but the point to bring out
is that the Bahai institutions of the East do not require
to be supported by Western subscriptions and
contributions. Our energies and funds should be
so directed as to meet in the most efficient manner
the needs in question.
The way in which I feel we can best serve in the
East is through helping the friends there to inaugurate
and start needed good works. Our enterprise
and practicality of temperament, combined with their
knowledge of the conditions and needs of their own
people, forms a very practical basis upon which to
build. The work of Dr. Moody and Mr. Sprague
in Teheran quite proves this. Surely the founding
of a girls' school in Teheran marks a most important
development in the Bahai work in Persia. This
institution which is being established is but one of
the many needed. Once established and running and
ministering to the needs of the people, this girls'
school will prosper and not lack for support. A
timely and needed institution always lives. Our
policy should be to hold ourselves in readiness to
give our timely co-operation along all of the various
avenues for service now opening between the
East and the West. The good work done in Teheran
by our two Western Bahais there proves that the
actual presence of the sincere Western Bahai worker
in an Oriental assembly is productive of more good
than could have been accomplished through the expenditures
of vast sums of money.
For many years Western religious enterprises
have furnished the funds for the maintenance of
schools in the East, and a good work has thus been
done, yet the mass of the people has remained in
ignorance. Now, with our work, this is different.
Through the light of the Revelation of BAHA'O'LLAH
the people of the countries themselves are being
aroused, and now are desirous of improving their
own condition. This, you see, is a new and a different
problem from any of those of the past. It is given
to us to be allowed to go to these distant friends
and, in the spirit of brotherhood, share with them
what we have, and in turn receive abundantly from
them.
There is no way in which we can better co-operate
with our Oriental friends than by sending them
Bahai teachers for the instruction of their children.
These teachers, men and women, should be qualified
physically, mentally and spiritually. Their traveling
and living expenses should be borne by us. We
should come together in this work, preparing for all
of the means, and then placing the matter before
Abdul-Baha, that he may guide and approve the
Eastern mission of the Western workers.
Education is but one phase of the work before
us. Medical institutions and commercial and industrial
enterprises, carried out upon interdependent
lines, are to be formed, through which both the East
and the West will be blessed. These enterprises will
be a great means for the spreading of the fragrances
of the Kingdom.
During our recent visit to Abdul-Baha, Mr. Struven
and I spoke with him regarding these matters,
and from the many and varied lessons which he gave
us, demonstrating the power of combined spiritual
and material consultation and co-operation, we are
assured of his sympathy with all such movements
upon the part of the friends.
Wherever Mr. Struven and I traveled we found the people, both in and out of the Cause, looking toward
America, ready and anxious to receive and to learn
from us. Through judicious service upon our part,
our own people in the Eastern lands will be greatly
assisted, and through them the great masses of humanity
about them will be lifted.
The time is at hand for us to come together and,
through consultation, ascertain ways and means by [Page 6]
which we will be able to accomplish maximum results
from the means at hand.
Nothing pleases Abdul-Baha more than when the
friends, through consultation and unity, inaugurate
and carry on works of service. It is our privilege
to ask him to guide and confirm us in carrying on
these works. This he stands ever ready to do.
Faithfully yours in His service,
CHARLES MASON REMEY.
THE PERSIAN-AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY.
A photograph of the first thirty children who are
being educated in the Tarbiat School, in Teheran,
Persia, by this Society has been received, and is
here reproduced. The following list shows the names
of the beneficiaries, with the names of the members
contributing to the scholarship of each:
| NO. | NAMES OF CHILDREN. | NAMES OF CONTRIBUTORS. |
| 1 | Ezzatollah | Mr William Remey, Washington, D. C. |
| 2 | Mohammed Aga | Madame Bluementhal, Russia. |
| 3 | Nasrollah Kahn | Mrs. Lesley O'Keefe, Spokane, Wash. |
| 4 | Fazlollah | Mr. Arthur D. Mayo, Washington, D. C. |
| 5 | Nasratollah | Miss Flora Raymond, Washington, D. C. |
| 6 | Aga Anayetullah | Miss Charlotte Segler, New York City. |
| 7 | Habibollah | Miss Jacox, New York City. |
| 8 | Abol Gasem | Mrs. Claudia S. Coles and Mr. Louis G. Gregory, Washington, D. C. |
| 9 | Nasrollah | Mr. Joseph Staus, Cincinnati, O. |
| 10 | Mirza Foad | Mrs. Agnes Parson, Washington, D. C. |
| 11 | Agha Habib | Miss Laura Clifford Barney, Paris, France. |
| 12 | Mirza Ezzatollah | Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Goodale, Kenosha, Wis. |
| 13 | Godratollah | Miss Emma Smith, Sandusky, Ohio. |
| 14 | Abdol Peiman | Mrs. E. E. Stephens, Sandusky, Ohio. |
| 15 | Noruollah | Mr. Benjamin R. Taylor, Cincinnati, Ohio. |
| 16 | Aga Azziz | Mrs. J. F. Roberts, Brockville, Ont. |
| 17 | Mirza Mohamad | Miss Mary Lesch, Chicago. Ill. |
| 18 | Mehdi Khan | Mrs. Grace Foster, Chicago, Ill. |
| 19 | Zabi'ollah | Mr. Lars Johnson, Chicago, Ill. |
| 20 | Aga Fazlollah | Mr. L. W. Foster, Chicago, Ill. |
| 21 | Aga Jalal | Mrs. Clara E. Frye, Mrs. Louise R. Waite, Mrs. Luella Kirchner, Chicago, Ill. |
| 22 | Mashallah | Miss Gertrude Buikema, Mrs Eva W. Russell, Miss P. Casselberry, Chicago, Ill. |
| 23 | Aziizollah | Mrs. Emily Olsen, Mrs. Cecilia M. Harrison, Mr. James W. Woodworth, Chicago, Ill. |
| 24 | Abdollah | Mr. Louis Kellar, Chicago, Ill. |
| 25 | Mirza Mohammad Aga | Mrs. Sophia Scheffler, Mr. Chas. Scheffler, Chicago, Ill. |
| 26 | Mirza Noureddin | Mrs. Lua Getsinger, Washington, D. C. |
| 27 | Sayad Ameenollah | Mr. E. H. Abbott, Chicago, Ill. |
| 28 | Aga Jalal Khan | Mrs. Josephine C. DeLagnel, Washington, D. C. |
| 29 | Mirza Anayetollah | Mrs. May Maxwell, Montreal, Can. |
| 30 | Aga Seyad Ali | Mrs. Jennie Bonds, Chicago, Ill. |
[Page 7]
This photograph is of vast importance, representing
the first tangible evidence of a world-wide work
which is truly a demonstration of the Bahai Spirit,
and which is attracting notice and comment in the
East as well as in West. It is hoped that many
―PHOTO―
The pupils of the school Tar Biat. Teheran, Persia, whose tuition is paid by scholarships from America, through the Persian American Educational Society.
who have been awaiting this practical proof of the
work started during the current year, will now send
their subscriptions. The whole cost of scholarship
is $18.00 annually, and the contributor becomes an
active member in the Society. Associate memberships
may be subscribed for at $1.00 annually, the
latter receipts covering the actual expenses of the [Page 8]
Society, such as postage, printing, etc. There are
no salaries paid and no fixed charges.
Since the last report, scholarships have been received
as follows:
| 50 | W. J. E. Dillabaugh, New York City. |
| 51 | Mrs. William H. Hoar, Fanwood, N. J. |
| 52 | Mr. William H. Hoar, Fanwood, N. J. |
| 53 | Miss Marie A. Foote, Brooklyn, N. Y. |
| 54 | Honolulu Bahai Assembly, Honolulu, H. I. |
| 55 | Mrs. Louisa E. Ruddiman, Gobleville, Mich. |
Address all communications to the Society, 1800
Belmont Road, Washington, D. C. or to Joseph H.
Hannen, Corresponding Secretary, P. O. Box 192,
Washington, D. C.
NEWS FROM THE ORIENT.
Epitomized from many long letters recently received by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab.
EGYPT.
PORT SAID.―Abdul-Baha is in Alexandria and enjoying
his sojourn in Egypt most heartily. Mirza
Ahmad Yazdi, just returning from Europe, has received
permission to go to Alexandria and meet him.
PERSIA.
ESPHAHAN.―News of the reorganization of the Oriental-Occidental
Interdependence Association has reached this city,
and all the friends are waiting to receive the new Constitution
so as to form a branch society here.
The first copy of the Occidental Messenger* has created great
happiness among the Bahais. It is read in the meetings with
spiritual joy, and we thank God for this practical bond of
unity between the East and West. The women of this Assembly
have organized a Women's Club and plan to correspond with
their Bahai sisters in the West regularly; they meet once a
week to study various problems touching home-life and economics.
Two renowned teachers, Seyad Jalal and Mirza Haji
Aga, who are traveling and teaching throughout Persia, recently
arrived in the city. The friends arranged extra meetings and
many people have been attracted to the Cause.
MASHAD.―During the past few months an Assembly has been
organized here whose policy is to equip teachers and to send
them forth in the field to teach. All the friends and members
of this Assembly of Teaching contribute a certain amount of
money regularly to defray their expenses while traveling. It is
understood that they are not to stay for any length of time
in one place, and thus there is always one teacher in some
town. Branch assemblies are organized through this province
of Khorassan, who keep in touch with each other through
regular correspondence. Already the central assembly has sent
forth several teachers to spread the Glad-tidings. Kerblai Reja
Forougi and Abdol Hossein Samandar came from Eshkabad,
Russia, and by their presence and talks many hearts were
awakened. The Occidental Messenger has been received, and is
awakening great interest among the friends throughout the
province of Khorassan.
- The Persian section of No. 8 issue of the BAHAI NEWS.
RASHT.―Mirza Samandar, one of the recognized teachers of
the Cause in Persia, is at present in Rasht and is teaching day
and night. The maid-servant of God, Olovyja Khanom from
Mazandran, has also arrived here by the wish of Abdul-Baha
and is teaching the women in their gatherings. Many regular
meetings of the Assembly, conducted during the week, are well
attended and spiritual. The Occidental Messenger has appeared
in this city and its contents make us realize the power and
greatness of the Cause of BAHA'O'LLAH.
SHAHHOOD.―The Occidental Messenger has been received by
the Bahais here and they thank God for this wonderful miracle
performed to actually cement the East and West with the
bond of good-will, peace, mutual helpfulness and co-operation.
We desire to know by what manner or means we can assist
in establishing a firm commercial foundation between the friends
of the Occident and the Orient, what kinds of goods and
manufactures can be shipped from America to Persia, and
through what channel we can send money direct.
TABRIZ.―The number of believers in this city has visibly
increased during the past year. There are four organized assemblies
all working together―each assembly holding one meeting
in the week, which all the friends attend in order to meet,
teach and read the holy Words. We have a general Board of
Consultation as well as branches for it established in surrounding
towns and villages. In many places a house has
been erected which is used as a Mashrak-el-Azkar, where the
friends congregate to worship; but these buildings are temporary
structures and not built according to the accepted plan
intended for a permanent Mashrak-el-Azkar. The Oriental
Messenger has been received and all the friends are overjoyed
with its contents. Many of our young men are studying English
at the American school here.
TEHERAN―Two Bahai teachers, Mirza Assadullah Fazel and
Aga Seyad Abdul Hossein, were lately taken prisoners in the
city of Najaf, their property confiscated and their Tablets
appropriated; then a false Tablet was fabricated together with
other false articles and an endeavor made to show that the
Bahais were trying to make trouble between Turkey and
Persia. The Turkish authorities investigated the matter, and
finding no truth whatever in all the false accusations, set the
teachers free and stopped the publication of the newspapers in
which the libelous articles appeared. The members of the
Teheran Assembly some time ago discussed the advisability
of starting a Bahai newspaper, but not wishing to arouse the
antagonism of the ill-wishers, decided to abandon the project
for the time being. Now, all are glad and happy that the
Occidental Messenger has appeared from the "Land of the
Free."
RUSSIA.
MERV.―Regular meetings are held in this city and all are
well attended by the Persian Bahais, who are spreading the
Message with zeal. The hearts are gladdened through reading
the first issue of the Occidental Messenger, and the friends
anxiously await the arrival of future issues.
SAMARKAND.―God be praised! We are supremely happy to
have lived in this day to see with our own eyes the actual
realization of unity between the East and the West embodied
in the appearance of the Occidental Messenger. The distance
between Chicago and Samarkand, Asia and America are thousands
of miles, and yet the mighty Words of BAHA'O'LLAH have
united the two continents. We hope that this publication will
continue to shed its light upon the world for all the years to
come. Lately, a Spiritual Assembly was organized here. A
school for both boys and girls has also been started, and
Mirza Mohammad Sabet has come to instruct them. We have applied
to the Russian government for permission to buy land on which
to build a Mashrak-el-Azkar, although at present we have a
fine house where we hold our weekly meetings and where the
school is conducted. God willing, it will be started soon.
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
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Sent postpaid throughout other parts of Occident and adjacent
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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, (Nov. 4, 1910) Qudrat No. 13
Letters from the East, received during the past
month, indicate that the inauguration of the Persian
section of the BAHAI NEWS has "taken the Orient
by storm"―to use the expression of its editor, Mirza
Ahmad Sohrab.
Many people in the East are astonished and the
friends are surprised to see and read the open, uncompromising
stand that has been taken in proclaiming
the Teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH and Abdul-Baha;
especially in the initial copy (No. 8) in which the
editor comes out squarely with nine articles of policy,
stating that the publication would stand for the
Bahai Cause, spread its teachings, uphold its doctrines
and champion this Universal Movement.
Seyad Assadullah writes from Port Said that Abdul-Baha
requested one of the friends to read the
latest copy before a large gathering of the Bahais
there, and all the time it was being read, he was
smiling and commenting upon it. In a recent Tablet
received by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, Abdul-Baha says:
"Truly, I say, in this publication you have written
instructive articles. May God assist and confirm
you! Unquestionably, confirmations shall descend
upon the workers of this paper!"
From Teheran, Esphahan, Tabriz, Rasht and Mashad,
Persia; Eshkabad, Shahrood, Kongand, and
Samarkand, Russia, and Port Said, Egypt, comes the
word that the BAHAI NEWS is having great effect,
and the friends hold out glorious promises for it for
the future.
Because of lack of space we cannot publish these
interesting and inspiring letters, but the following
from Esphahan expresses the spirit of them all:
To the Editor of the Occidental Messenger:*
A star shone forth from the West and became the sun of
the heaven of Truth in the East. The BAHAI News, No. 8,
which was adorned with the Persian section, was received this
week. In truth, we must congratulate the assembly of humankind
and rejoice greatly for the appearance of this luminous
star in the heaven of literature. For it is the first star which
has appeared from the clear horizon of the Bahai Cause for
the education of the children of men and the progress and
advancement of the majestic ideals of life and the spread of
the teachings of God. It is hoped that the Occidental Messenger
may establish a strong tie of union and harmony between
the various Eastern and Western Bahai Assemblies, may consolidate
the pillars of peace and concord among the children
of humankind, and become the most efficient instrument for
the promulgation of the Word. If we consider with a clear
eye and ponder with deep insight, the power and grandeur of
the Religion of BAHA'O'LLAH will become clearer than the
sunlight, and one can realize how the influence of the ethical
and spiritual teachings of this Cause have perfumed the East
and the West. It has become evident to wise men that the
union of the world of man, which is the hope of all the children
of God, can never be established except through the Religion
of BAHA'O'LLAH. Therefore, those who have attained to the
highest station of knowledge and understanding know that the
spread of this Religion is the first step for the salvation of
humanity and the best means for the attainment of success and
prosperity. For this reason the friends with soulful enthusiasm
and with all the spiritual and material means at their
hands are continually serving the Cause so that this Beloved of
Hope may unveil her countenance in the assemblage of man.
The ruthless laws of the "survival of the fittest" and the
"struggle for existence,"―which are apparently the unchangeable
policies of the human world―unless they are founded upon
spiritual laws derived from the Religion of God, will become
the deadliest instruments for the suffering, unrest and inequalities
between the children of men. For this "survival of the
fittest" and "struggle for existence" in former ages, have
caused untold havoc and destruction to the people; nay, rather,
in this Age, which is the period of progress and civilization,
those very merciless laws are well rooted in the structures of
the civilized world and have taken unto themselves aspects
of barbarism and warfare, and created problems of capital
and labor, national and racial prejudices; so much so that
thousands of men and women have given up their lives hopelessly,
and have put an end to their existence by inflicting upon
themselves cowardly acts, such as suicide, etc.
Therefore, the so-called civilization and enlightenment of
today falls short of the divine perfections and true humanity,
and in order to attain to this high goal it is necessary that
man make great progress in the reformation of the moral world
and the progress of the spiritual element in his being. To
attain to this station is impossible except through the teachings
of the Religion of ABHA. It is the Divine Instructions
that unify the families of men, and the behests of Abdul-Baha
that ennoble and spiritualize the people of the earth.
Praise be to God! that the Occidental Messenger is the first
paper which is the standard bearer of the unity of mankind
and the spreader of the Teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH in the world
of literature. Although outwardly it is small and unassuming,
yet in reality it has accepted a noble and divine responsibility,
and we hope that through the invisible confirmations it may
- The title of the Persian section of the BAHAI NEWS.
accomplish its mission in the world with great power and influence.
The Bahai Assembly of Esphahan unitedly send their congratulations
to the Occidental Messenger, and pray in the
Threshold of God, its continuance, prosperity and spiritual
triumph, and we beg of God to reinforce and confirm the
founders of this palace of unity, so that it may be established
on a firm basis and continue to shed its light through all the
coming ages. We expect, likewise, that through the effort and
assistance of the Bahais, in the East, it may increase the
circle of its power and circulation, and in the service of humankind
win the palm of precedence.
We will send every month the news of the Cause in Esphahan,
through the agency of the Occidental Messenger.
THE SPIRITUAL BAHAI ASSEMBLY OF ESPHAHAN.
The opening sentence of the letter above quoted has suggested the new title of our Persian section:
Najme Bahktar (Star of the West) which has been
changed, with this issue, from Payam Bare Baktar
(Occidental Messenger) at the wish of Abdul-Baha,
who gives the following reason therefor:
"In regard to the title Payam Bare Baktar in connection
with the NEWS, some have read it and thought
it means the Peygam bar (i. e. the Prophet) of the
West―Peygam bar being one of the titles of Mohammed,
meaning Messenger or Prophet. This may become
the cause of opposition among the outsiders.
If it is possible and you deem it advisable, change
the title * * * in any way you think best."
This issue of the Star of the West contains (1)
a Tablet to the Fairhope, Ala., Assembly, received
in 1906; (2) an article on Universal Bahai Peace,
with quotations from the leading thinkers of Europe
and America against war, statistics of the cost of the
armies and navies of the nations, and quotations
from the Words of BAHA'O'LLAH in regard to Universal
Peace and its establishment; (3) notice of
and reason for changing the name of this section
from Occidental Messenger to Star of the West; (4)
news of the sojourn of Abdul-Baha in Alexandria;
(5) acknowledgment of the many letters received
in regard to the appearance of this publication in
the East, and the appreciation of the Editors for
the many good wishes and kind words of their
Oriental brothers and sisters.
NEWS NOTES.
Mrs. Charlotte Rosenhauer, of Bangor, Mich., visited with
the Kenosha, Wis., Assembly for several weeks, she being one
of the first believers of that Assembly.
During the past month at Chicago, Mrs. Kupferle and Mrs.
Carolyn D. May departed from the world. Both of these
devoted souls will be remembered by the friends for their
hospitality.
THE MASHRAK-EL-AZKAR IN AMERICA.
Extract from a letter from the Bahai maid-servants of Yazd, Persia, to their sisters in America:
The believers of Yazd send their love to the Bahais of
America and submit to them the following petition:
First, we supplicate from our beloved Abdul-Baha that all
of you may remain firm and united under the shade of the Tree
of the Covenant; that ye may become confirmed and assisted in
laying the foundation and raising the structure of the Mashrak-el-Azkar.
You must not become disheartened and discouraged
on account of delays and the lack of ample means. Think and
ponder over the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. This is
a great service and most significant foundation. The similarity
of a great work is like unto a great stone that cannot be raised
without much pain and endurance. The invisible confirmations
with all strength and power will be and is your support. What
prosperity and what glory is greater than this? For you have
become the recipient of the greatest bounty and the object of the
most wonderful favor. We entreat from our Lord to confirm
you in the accomplishment of this House of God.
The following supplication was received in the month of Ola
(Fast). Nine days more are left in the month of Fasting.
God willing, we will chant this prayer for your spiritual success:
"O God, my aim, my hope! With hearts full of longing and
breasts full of yearning, we beg of Thee and we supplicate at
the threshold of Thy Might to raise the foundation of the
Mashrak-el-Azkar in Chicago in the most speedy manner. Make
its basis firm and its structure enduring, suffer its pillars to
remain unshakable and make its columns of the steel and iron
of firmness. Glorify its servants, beautify the characters and
make the worshipers beloved. Suffer its nightingales to sing,
'Ya Baha-el-ABHA!' and its parrots to warble the praises of
our Lord, the Most Supreme. Make its men the standards
unfolded on the mountains of the world, and its women the
sanctified angels of the tabernacle of the world!"
The Treasurer's books, October 1st, showed a balance
of $3,108.14, since which time the receipts have
been $516.80, showing a balance, November 1st, of
$3,624.94―thus making it necessary to raise $1,900.06
before January 1, 1911.
CORINNE TRUE,
Financial Secretary Bahai Temple Unity.
NEWS ITEMS.
Interesting articles, in answer to questions pertaining to the
Bahai Faith, appeared in The Weekly Scotsman, Edinburg, Scotland. October 8th and 15th.
Regular meetings of the Ithaca, N. Y., Assembly have been
inaugurated. The first meeting was held Friday evening,
October 21st, at the residence of Dr. W. E. House.
The Philadelphia, Pa., Assembly has been greatly favored by
receiving a visit from Mr. Howard Struven, who traveled
around the world with Mr. Remey. He came on Sunday,
October 16th. In the evening, the nineteen-day Feast was held
at the home of Mrs. Mary J. Revell, 1429 Mayfield Street,
which was beautiful, after which Mr. Struven gave us an interesting
address, telling us about his travels and wonderful
visit with Abdul-Baha. We wish, as an Assembly, to express
our sincere thanks to him and hope, God willing, he will visit
us very soon again. His visit was very greatly appreciated
by all present.
J. E. R.
NEWS FROM GERMANY.
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA.
Through Monsieur Dreyfus, to the friends and maid-servants of God, Stuttgart, Germany:
Upon them be the glory of El-Abha!
HE IS GOD!
O sons and daughters of the Kingdom!
Your letter which was written on the Day of
Naurooz in the assembly of the friends, has arrived.
Its contents told of spiritual happenings and feelings
of attraction. Its reading brought me the utmost
happiness, for―Praise be to God!―in Germany, the
servants and the maid-servants of the Rahman have
adorned a gathering of friendship and love in the
Day of Naurooz, have perfumed their nostrils with
the vivifying breezes of the divine garden, and have
been mentioning the King of the Kingdom and the
Lord of Hosts.
Therefore, Abdul-Baha has been praying and supplicating
to the Word of God that these servants and
maid-servants of the Rahman may day by day become
more brilliant and make greater progress, penetrate
the mysteries of the Kingdom, become the cause
of the diffusing of the principles of human unity,
call every one to the Shade of the Tent of harmony
and instruction of mankind, become the cause of enlightenment
of these regions, make the hearts filled
with the love of the bountiful Beloved, and attract
the people to the divine Kingdom, so that during the
coming year they may make still greater progress.
The flowers which were inside of your letter were
exceedingly sweet, delicate and perfumed; it told of
the sweetness of your countenances and characters.
Upon you all be the glory of God.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
LETTERS FROM STUTTGART.
To the dear friends in America:
Our assembly remembers with love all the friends, especially
those in America, to whom we owe such boundless thanks for
sending to us a teacher, who with great love and patience led
us to the True Path. Through our beloved Miss Knoblock and
through the BAHAI NEWS we know that, also, in America
teachers are necessary, yet, nevertheless, a teacher decided to
acquaint her old Fatherland with the joyous Message. The
Lord be thanked, therefore, a thousand times!
Our constant prayer is that we may become more and more
worthy of our Great Teachers, BAHA'O'LLAH and Abdul-Baha.
We, therefore, beseech the friends to support us in this our
prayer as we also remember them in our prayers. * * *
With the inmost Bahai greeting, we are yours sincerely,
M. SCHWEIZER.
To the Editors of the BAHAI NEWS:
The believers wish me to extend hearty thanks for the
highly appreciated BAHAI NEWS, which is always translated
into the German, bringing welcome breezes from the Kingdom
of ABHA. We are greatly indebted to you for the benefits
received, hearing thereby of the great advancement and progress
made in the Cause throughout the world.
Mr. Mountfort Mills, of the New York Assembly, spoke to us
at a social Bahai gathering held Sunday evening, Sept. 11th,
giving interesting and very helpful notes takes at Acca. The
spiritual fragrances from the powerful Words of Abdul-Baha
were highly instructive and deeply felt by all. Recognizing the
importance of co-working in this Most Great Cause, whereby
the bonds of unity are strengthened, his visit will ever be
remembered. * * *
We are now sending Bahai literature to different cities and
towns in Austria, Switzerland and Germany. We pray that
God may bless the seeds that have been sown.
A. S. K.
ASSEMBLIES IN THE OCCIDENT.[edit]
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, ILL.―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.
CLEVELAND, O.―Meetings: Friday evening at Dr. Barton-Peeke's,
the Neff Apartments, corner 36th and Prospect; Wednesday
evening at Dr. Swingle's, 2101 Prospect Avenue.
DENVER, COLO.―G. Nathaniel Clark, Secretary, 4141 Xavier
Street.
ITHICA, N. Y.―Regular meeting of assembly. Friday evenings
at the residence of Dr. W. E. House, 241 South Cayuga 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,
Joseph H. Hannen, 1252 Eight Street, N. W.
BRITISH ISLES.
LONDON, ENG.―Regular meeting of assembly Friday, 8:15 p. m.
at 10 Cheniston Gardens, Wright's Lane, Kensington
High Street.
GERMANY.
STUTTGART, WURTEMBERG.―Regular meetings of assembly,
Friday evenings. Kanzlei strasse 24. P. Zuffenhausen, at the
home of Herrn and Frau F. Schweizer, Karl strasse 26 I.
Vol. I No. 13
نجم باختر . 3 نوامبر 1917 . مورّخه اوّل ذیقعده 1328
جلد 1 . شماره 13 . بر حسب تاریخ بهائی هر نوزده روز چاپ و توزیع میگردد .
صفحه 1
Address:― Najmé Bakhtar. 1800 Belmont Road. Washington D.C. U. S. America.
اوراباما . اعضاء محفل روحانی . علیهم بهاء الله الابهی
ای یاران روحانی و اماء رحمن چون ظلمت نادانی و غفلت از عالم یزدانی و احتجاب از حقّ جهان را احاطه نمود صبح نورانی طلوع کرد و اشعاع ساطع افق شرق را روشن نمود پس شمس حقیقت طلوع فرمود و انوار ملکوت بر شرق از غرب بتافت آنان که بینا بودند بشارت کبری یافتند و و ندای یا طوبی یا طوبی بلند نمودند و مشاهدۀ حقایق اشیاء کردند و به اسرار ملکوت پی بردند از اوهام و شبهات رستند نور حقیقت مشاهده کردند و از جام محبّت الله چنان سرمست گشتند که بکلیّ خود و جهان را فراموش نمودند رقص کنان در نهایت طرب به مشهد فدا شتافتند و در قربنی عشق جان و سر باختند ولی کوران از این ولوله حیران گشتند و سرگردان شدند و فریاد این اشور زدند و گفتند ما نوری مشاهده نمیکنیم و آفتابی طالع نه بینیم این اوهام است حقیقتی ندارد خفّاش صفت بظلمات سخت حقیقی شتافتند و بخیال خویش راحت و آسایش یافتند الی هدایت طلوع است قوّت حرارت شمس حقیقت هنوز تأثیر تامّ نبخشیده چون بوسط شما رسد حرارت چنان نفوذ کند که حشرات را نیز در زیر زمین بحرکت آرد هرچند مشاهدۀ نور ننمایند دل بقوّه حرارت گل ها بجنبش و حرکت آرد . پس ای یاران الهی شکر کنید که در یوم اشراق توجّه به نیّر آفاق نمودید و مشاهدۀ انوار کردید از نور حقیقت نصیب بردید و از فیوضات ابدیّه بهره گرفتید و بشکرانۀ این موهبت الهی بیاسائید و و ساکن و صامت بیائید بشارت ملکوت را بگوشها برسانید و کلمة الله را منتشر نمائید و نصایح و وصایای الهی مجری دارید یعنی بحرکت و آدابی قیام کنید که جسم را جان بخشید و طفل صغیر امکان را به مقام رشد و بلوغ رسانید تا توانید در هر محفلی شمع محبّت برافروزید و هر دلی را بنهایت رأفت ممنون و مسرور فرمائید بیگانگان را مانند خویش پندارید و اغیار را بمثابه یار وفادار مهربان گردید اگر نفسی جنگ خواهد شما آشتی طلب کنید و اگر کسی ضربتی بر جگرگاه شما زند شما مرحم بر زخم او مالید بشما شرّ کند محبّت نمائید ملامت کند ستایش فرمائید سمّ قاتل دهد شهد فائق بخشید بهلاکت نوازد شفای ابدی دهید درد گردد درمان شوید خار گردد گل و ریحان شوید شاید بسبب این رفتار و گفتار آن حالت ظلمانی نورانی گردد و این عالم خاکی آسمانی شود و این زندان شیطانی ایوان رحمانی گردد چون جدال برافتد و محبّت و وفا در قطب عالم خیمه اندازد این است نتایج وصایا ومصالح الهی و خلاصۀ تعالیم دور بهائی و علیکم التحیّة و الثناء ع ع .
صفحه 2
صلح عمومی بهائی
جمال قدم میفرماید بگو ای احبّای من شما اطبّای معنوی بوده و هستید باید بحول و قوّه الهیّه و بیان اسم اعظم امراض باطنیّه و یدعیون اهل عالم را مداوا نمائید و شفا بخشید تا کلّ بشاطی بحر اعظم در ایّام مالک قدم توجّه نماین ، واشنگتن پدر استقلال ایالات متحّده اجرای قوانین برابری و برادری و آزادی میکند . اوّلین و آخرین امید من آن است که بچشم خود به بینم که جنگ و قتال که بر پای بنی نوع بشر است در میان ملل دنیا رفع گردد از صد وچهل سال باین طرف که واشنگتن این عبارات صحیحۀ عمیقه را اظهار داشت چون بتاریخ جهان نظری می اندازیم و در ترقیّات هنگفت آنان میگردیم ملاحظه می نمائیم عوض آنکه جنگ و جدال از میان آنها رفع شده باشد نائره اش باندازۀ وسیع گردیده و آلات انسان کشی بدرجۀ تکمیل شده که اگر در ایّام قدیم در شقّ مدید شهری را تسخیر مینمودند امروز در یک ساعت بواسطۀ احتراق بس کن فیکون خواهد گشت حتیّ در وقتی که واشنگتن آن بیانات انسانیّت پرست را گفت ایالات متحدّه نه فنون معیّنی داشت و نه فروندهای کشتی های جنگی ولی امروز اگر سر از قبر بیرون آرد مشاهده خواهد نمود منظر هولناکی را که مافوق تصوّر است و خواهد شنید که ایالات متحدّه و اطفال وطنی او هر روزی بیشتر از دو کرورتومان خرج مصالح جنگ و نگهداری مخازن حرب و ترقیّ عالم قتال مینماید . بلی کمال مذاهب که ظاهرا ادّعای مدنیّت و خیرخواهی به عالم انسانیّت مینمایند و با اختراعات بیحدّ و حساب خود که نتیجه ایجاد الکتریسیته است شب و روز مینازند و میبالند هنوز باطنا از حوضۀ وحشیان آدمکش خونخوار بیرون نیامده اند و هیاکل خود را بصفات جلیله رحمت و شفقت حقیقی آرایش ننموده اند . گرگ خلقتند ولی صورت برّه های بی گناه دارند پلنگ طبیعتند ولی بشکل غزالهای خوش خطو خال درآمده اند آداب جسمانی و خود غرضی دارند امّا فریاد روحانیّت و جهان دوستی بلند نمایند آشکارا ترویج دین مسیحیّت خواهند ولی در خفی غصب ممالک دول ضعیفه جویند . در هر نقطۀ انجمن های صلح و صلاح آرایش دهند و هر سال بر قوای برّی و بحری خود می افزایند در جرائد و مجلدّات مقالات مفصصّله در باب سلماء مدام در نهایت فصاحت و و بلاغت درج کنند و طرق برقرار نمودن ملکوت صلح را اظهار دارند ولی در دوائر حکومات و ادارات به اختراع آلات ناریّه جدیده مشغول گردند مشاخه تیّدن که علامت آشتی است دوست دارند و طپانچه خونریز در زیربناش پنهان نمایند در دل دزدان قطاع الطریقند ولی در وجه متبسّم نوعا ملیّت و مودّت دارند باری این دول غرب که هریک ادّعای مسیحیّت مینمایند و خود را بآن وجود مقدّس مظلوم نسبت میدهند بکلیّ از روح تعالیم روحانیّۀ او که صلح و سلام و آشتی و دوستی و یگانگی است محروم گردیده امّا یک قرن گذشته باسم دین بجان یکدیگر ریخته و بدن همدیگر را شرحه شرحه کرده اند و بحکم اساقفه و کشیش ها در میان خود لشگر کشی کرده و خون همدینان خود را حلال و امهال آنها را مباح میدانسته و اگر درست به کنه مطلب پی بریم می بینیم که جمیع آلات حربیّه و ناریّه و توپ و تفنگ و شش لول و باروط بی دود وبمب و خمپاره و کشتی های جنگی جدید و کشتی های هوائی حربی در میان ملل مسیحیّه که هر هفته در کنائس خود بجهت نزول حکومت اسلام دعا مینمایند کامل گردیده است . بعلاوه اگر دمی در تواریخ جنگهای صلیبی نظری بیندازیم مشاهده خواهیم نمود که چگونه بواسطه هیجان اساقفه و کشیش های کاتولیک صد هزار صد هزار مرد و زن و اطفال بدون هیچ اسبابی چون امواج دریای متلاطم از اروپ بسوی اراضی مقدّسه حرکت نموده در راه تلف می شدند و یا اگر جنگهای ناپلیون اوّل در ایتالیا و مصر و استرالیا و آلمان و روس و کشتار ملیون ها نفوس بی گناه نگاهی بکنیم در بحر اندوه غرق
صفحه 3
خواهیم گشت . در جنگ ملیّ ایالات متحّده در چهل و پنج سال قبل که در میان تعالیم جنوب و شمال واقع گردید مدّت چهار سال و نیم بغیر از مخارج ملیون ها دلار و مفلوج شدن تجارت و صناعت بیشتر از هفتصد هزار نفر جوانان رشید مقتول و مجروح گردیدند و در جنگ روس و ژاپون که در کرون واقع شد در نوزده روز از هر دو طرف دویست هزار کشته و اسیر شدند و همچنین جنگ سی سال در آلمان و هشتاد سال در ندرلند و جنگ انگلیس و ترانسوال و جنگ اسپانیا و آمریک و هزاران حربهای قدیم بسبب قتل نفوس زیاد و خرابی ممالک مدرن گردیده است امر حضرت ابهی امروز بجهة اعلاء پرچم صلح حقیقی ظاهر گردیده و به اوامر مبرمه و تعالیم نورانیّه کلّ دول به دور انداختن آلات کشتار و قتال نصیحت میفرماید در آداب حسنه و اطوار رحمانیّه و سلام عمومی دعوت مینماید . چه خوش است عالم رأفت و یگانگی . چه ناهنجار و دلخراش است آثار ضغینه و بغضاء یکی از سیاسیّون بصیر میگوید حرب مورث انهدام ممالک است و صلح باعث آبادانی اعمار حرب آتش نفاق و جدال برافروزد و صلح شمع آفاق و وثاق روشن نماید . حرب اشجار تجارت و حرف و پیشه را از پا براندازد و صلح تخمهای گلهای معارف اعلام در قلوب بکارد . حرب اطفال را یتیم و زنان را بیوه و خواهران را بی برادر نماید صلح پسران را با علم دختران را و آثار علوم ناس را رفاهیّت دهد . حرب امور جهل و تاریکی است صلح پدر علم و روشنائی حرب طفل شیطان است صلح ملائکه عالم لامکان حرب دیو لعین است صلح حوری حیات نعیم حرب با انسان است صلح کأس کان را جهان کافور حرب درخت حنظل است صلح شجر مبارکه لا شرقیّه و لا غربیّه باری از رنج جنگ و جدال ملل از هر جهتی بسیار وحشتناک و خونخوار بنظر می آید علی الخصوص در ازمنۀ قدیم دول جنگجو بدون هیچ زحمتی تقی القلبا ممالک را با شمشیر و آتش خراب و منهدم نموده مردم بیگناه را پاره پاره کرده اسرای بیچاره را از لب تیغ آبدار گذرانیده جوی آب را زهر ریخته جنرال ها را با حیله و تزویر قصاص کرده و چون پس از آنهمه قتال به کشتار یک طرف منتج میشود بیجهت و سبب زنان و اطفال صغیر و مادران را کشته دودمان آنها را بباد داد و خانه ایشان را سوزانید و مردان پیر را به غلامی میبردند اگرچه امروز در میان دول متمدّنه این رسوم بربریّت فسخ گردیده ولی آن روح جنگ و خونخواری هنوز در عروق و شریان جای دارد ولی عجب در آنجاست که همیشه ذر میان هرملتیّ مردمانی پیدا شده اند که باین طبقۀ جنگجویان و آدم فروشان احترامات فائقه اظهار داشته و آنها را مصدر همه گونه امور مهمّه مینمایند و در این باب بنام یکی از بزرگان عرب میگوید هیچ چیز بدتر از افکار عمومی در باب حرب نیست . اساقفه کنائس امنای دولت رؤسای بارل امتیاز و آدمهای متعارف گویا دست بدست همدیگر داده و جنایت را در شکل جنگ در نهایت آزادی حمایت مینمایند مردی را با لباس مخصوص مزیّن دارید در ایّام مخصوصی باینوسیله فی الفور تسلط عظیمی پیدا نموده و هر گناهی بخواهد مرتکب بشود شهر ها را غارت میکند مردم را میکشد حیات را بباد میدهد و پس از اینکه این امور موحشه را مرتکب شد او را شجاع نامیده صفت را پوشانند . کارلیل انگلیسی جنگ مابین دو مملکت را باین عبارات لطیف بهیّه میدارد . سی نفر جلو سی نفر می ایستذ و هریک تفنگی در دست دارد فرمانده فی الفور کلمۀ بزن را میگوید چون دود بر طرف میشود ملاحظه نمائید که در اوج همدیگر نه قفس تن خلاصی بخشیده اند و این دنیا عوض شصت نفر آدمهای کارکن صفت گر شصت جسد مرده در دست دارد که باید آنها را دفن نموده برای آنها اشگ ریز می نماید . آیا این مردمان با همدیگر مخاصمه داشتند ؟ . ابدا آنها دور از همدیگر زندگی میکردند و همدیگر را بهیچوجه نمیشناختند بل در این جهان وسیع بواسطه روابط تجارت مابین هریک از آنان
صفحه 4
رشتۀ یگانگی غیر مرئی دیده میشد . پس جهت این کشتار چه بود؟ جواب . ای احمق خاکپای ایشان میانشان بهم خورده بود و عوض اینکه همدیگر را تیر بزنند و بکشند تدابیر بکار برده این آدمهای فقیر را جلوی همدیگر آورده تا بجای آنها کشته شوند ملکۀ انگلیس انگلند را میگوید من هیچوقت به تهیّه این آلات جنگ که گویا ملل عالم از آن سیر نمی شوند اطمینان نداشته یک روزی این مخازن دولت حرب چون سرباز و توپ آتش گرفته و معضله هایش جنگی برپا خواهد ساخت که عالم انسانیّت را از روی ارض به عزای ابدی گرفتار و پدر عمومی مادر آسمان محزون خواهد گشت . لرد کلارندن میگوید ما نمیتوانیم جهنمّ را بهیچ وجهی بهتر و خوبتر در نظر خود مجسّم نمائیم مگر وقتی به بینیم که مملکتی به جنگ مشغول است . سر داوید بروستر میگوید در تاریخ انسان هیچ چیز غریب تر از هیئت جنگ که طفل بربریّت است ظاهر نمیشود علی الخصوص جنگ در زمانی باید شیوع داشته باشد که که ادّعای تمدّن و روشنائی مینمائیم و همچنین این مسئله غیر قابل ادراک است که جنگ باید در میان مللی موجود باشد که دو هزار سال تعالیم و انواید روحانی حضرت مسیح در میان آنها نافذ بوده و اشخاصی پیدا میشوند که بجهة اطلاع طبقه جنگجویان از کتب مقدّسه آیات ثقل فهمند . جوشاهی میگوید بدترین و بی فائده ترین دیوانگی های انسان جنگ است . رومئو فیلسوف فرانسه میگوید جنگ بد شکل ترین دیوی است که از دهان جهنمّ خارج شده است ناپلیون میگوید جنگ کار ملل بربر است . شرمن میگوید جنگ جهنمّ است . ولینگتن میگوید حرب شنیع ترین اعمال دنیاست اگر شما یک روز هیئت جنگ را میدادید از خدا مسئلت مینمودید که دیگر آنرا در عمر خود نبینید جورج لوید وزیر مالیه انگلیس در سنوات قبل در خطابۀ این عبارات را اظهار داشت : من باید اذعان نمایم که ازدیاد مخارج دولتی نه فقط در این مملکت بل در هر مملکتی در ظلّ شمس متعلقّ است بآنچه که آن شخص محترم سالخورده لرد چارلز رسفرد در پارلمان ملتّ اظهار داشت که این مخارجات هنگفت از موهبت و همسری جنون و دیوانگی دول عالم است که مروّج نمودن و زیاد کردن آلات حرب سعی مینماید دول عالم امروز هر سالی 2250000000 دلار خرج این آلات انهدام مینمایند در همین بیست سال گذشته 100000000 دلار به مخارجات جنگی افزوده شده و گویا جمیع دول به این ناخوشی طاعون ولخرجی گرفتار گردیده اند وو ما در این مخارج بجهت آلات اتلاف انهدام از کلّ دول جلو هستیم باری چون انسان در عبارات فوق که قطرۀ از دریای افکار سیاسیّون غرب است ملاحظه نمایند خواهد فهمید که اگر صلح عمومی بیارد از اثر کلمات حضرات در میان بنی نوع انسان برقرار شود البّته سفر یزد و مردم در بستر استراحت و امنیّت متنوّعه بودند ولی اغلب آن نفوس که عبارات فوق را اظهار داشته اند یا از روی صداقت نبوده یا اگر از روی صداقت بوده قوّه اجرای آنرا نداشته اند چنانچه عوض آنکه اقلا محض اثبات قول خود هر سال از مخارج ادوات جنگی کمی بکاهند بالعکس ملیونها زیاد مینمایند و در دفتر ذیل 1909 بخوبی معلوم خواهد شد :
انگلیس 137295000 دلار بحر 100117517 ملیون دلار ایالات متحده بر 95935836 ملیون دلار بر 124794798 آلمان بر 474500000 دلار فرانسه بر 48000000 دلار بر 665200000 ایتالیا 55000000 بر 31127200 روس بر 253750000 بر 49000000 بر ژاپان بر 40000000 بر 37000000
حال درست تعمقّ نمائید که با وجود صرف این مبالغ بجهت نگاهداری آلات حرب و قتل و ازدیاد آن در هر سال هواخواهان صلح را کمی امید مانده بود و از مستندان عالم انسانی از ظهور ملکوت سلام محروم شده بودند تا آنکه به تقدیرات الهی که مافوق
صفحه 5 تدابیر اطفال بشر است طلعت بی مثال جمال مبارک از خلف سبحات جلال جدید گردید باصابع قدرت ختم از رحیق جانپرور و سبیل موج بخش پر داشت و آوازه شیرین و شهناز بدیع دول جهان را به مائده سماوی صلح عمومی دعوت فرمود طوطا و رحمت کبری به هیجان آمده امواج بحر عنایت عظمی بجوش و خروش دلهای ناامید پر از امید گردید و جانهای خسته مصدر روح و ریحان گشت آیۀ مبارکۀ یا قد منقم عن افتراغ و الجدال فی کتاب الله ربّ العرش العظیم تمسّکوا بما منتقع به انفسکم و اهل العالم بگوش و دل شرق و غرب رسید و کلمات دریّه یا معشّر الملک انّا نزلکم فی کلّ سنة تزا اودن مصارفکم و تحلونا علی الرقبة ان هذا الله الالم عظیم قلوب ملیونها را جذب و مشتعل ساخت بیانات روحیّه از تمانندتم بصلح الاکبر ارائکم لنسکوا بهذا اصلح الاصغر تعل به تصلح امورکم و امور انیتال ظلکمّ علی الذین معشر الامرین صلحولانت بینکم الا یحنا جون لل کثرتا مهاکرو فما قسم لقا علی قد تحفظون به ممالکم و بلداتکم ایّاکم ان تارعوا نصمتو به من لدن علیم الین . اتحدوا یا مبشرالملوک به تسکن اریاح و خلاف منکم و تسریح شرعیّه و من حولکم ان کنتم من العارفین . ملوک جهان را از خواب غفلت بیدار نمود و نصائح مشفقانه نزاع و جدال را نهی فرمود و نهیا عظیما فی الکتاب بذالعرا تتدنیّ هذا الظهور الاعظم من حکم انحو وزیّنه بعزاز الاثبات انه هو العلیم الحکیم افق افکار ملل را از اغراض ملیّ پاک و مطهرّ ساخت پس ما بهائیان عالم بر حسب اوامر روحانیّه مذکور باید در نهایت همّت و شجاعت به نشر معارف صلح و سلام بپردازیم و هر فکری را کنار گذارده بخدمت نوع بشر مشغول گردیم علم وحدت معنوی را بلند نمائیم و تخم هائیکه بید قدرت در اراضی قلوب کشته شده آبیاری کنیم تا آن حبوب طیّبه نبات گردد و نموّ و ترقیّ نموده گل و شکوفه و اثمار لذیذه ببار آرد این است که جمال اقدس ابهی از رفرف وحی یاران را باین بیانات اعلی متذکرّ میفرماید : باید اهل بها که از رحیق معانی نوشیده اند بکمال روح و ریحان با اهل عالم معاشرت نمایند و ایشان را متذکرّ دارند بآنچه که نفع آن به کلّ راجع است
اخبارات
چون بعضی از مفسدین نادان و تنگ دلان بی سواد کلمۀ پیام بر که ارا مقصود نه جز بر دار و تا همعهد بود استغفرالل به پیمبر یا پیغمبر تعبیر نموده این کلمۀ را بیت آویزان نمایند لذا از این تاریخ به بعد این جریده نجم باختر نامیده خواهد شد همینقدر این کج صفتان بخوبی بدانند که ایمان بایوان عالم به حضرت رسول ص خیلی بیشتر از بعضیعلماء سوء است چنانچه تاریخ شهادت میدهد که زردشتیان و یهودیان و عیسویان و بودائیان که هزاران سال به حضرت رسول ص ایمان نمی آوردند امروز به تبلیغ بهائیان ایمان به حضرت آورده اند و اذعان به رسالت محمّد ص مینمایند . تازه خبر رسیده است که حضرت عبدالبهاء ارواحنا لوجود له الفدا پس از توقفّ دو سه هفته در پورت سعید عازم اسکندریّه شد و حال الحمدلله وجود مبارک در نهایت صحّت است و یاران بهائی بحضور مشرّف میشوند . در این سه چهار هفته مکاتیب مفصّله روحانیّه و رقیمه جات وجدانیّه در باب وصول نجم باختر از طهران و اصفهان و تبریز و مشهد و شاهرود و رشت و عشق آباد و سمرقند و مرو وجغند و پورت سعید رسیده و جواب علیحدّه بهریک نوشته شده است مؤسّسین این جریدۀ محقرّه بهائی از عبارات و عنایات هر یک از یاران کمال امتنان و سرور را پیدا نموده و مکاتیب تحیّت آمیز سبب تشویق آنها گردیده امیدوارند که مادام الحیات بخدمات احبّای الهی موّفق گردند و این روزنامه خادم حقیقی بهائیان شرق و غرب گردیده و بتدریج بهمّت و تحریص کلّ اثراتش بسیار وسیع شود .
