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Vol. 1 Chicago, (Dec. 12, 1910) Masa'il No. 15
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA.
To the Believers of God in Ghalé Darré, Persia.
Upon them be the Glory of God the Most Glorious!
HE IS GOD!
O ye servants of the Blessed Perfection!
In the Day of the Manifestation, you have caught
the lights from the Manifestor on the Mount of
Sinai and beheld the splendor of the Ray of Truth.
Ye are the children of the Period of BAHA'O'LLAH
and have become the appearance of the Effulgence
of Mercifulness in the Day wherein the rays of the
Divine Sun radiate upon all things. Tear down the
old garment and clad your sanctified temples with
the new robe! Ye have passed from the salty water
of ignorance and have drunk the salubrious salsabil
of knowledge. Ye have closed your eyes to the wine
of heedlessness and became intoxicated with the
choice sealed wine of intelligence! Ye have taken
the cup of prosperity from the cupbearer of the
Covenant and with infinite rejoicing, happiness and
beatitude celebrated the Feast of beholding the rays
of the Orb of regions!
Now is the time that we may sacrifice, for the sake
of the Love of that Beloved, our spirit, our soul, our
heart, our mind, our property, our life and our all;
and to wish for nothing but His good-pleasure,
search for nothing but His Path, and desire nothing
but His Service!
Upon ye be Glory!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, November 30, 1910,
especially for the BAHAI NEWS.
ABDUL-BAHA IN EGYPT.
Third of a series of special news items pertaining to the sojourn of Abdul-Baha in Egypt.
Special to the BAHAI NEWS:―You have asked
for an account of Abdul-Baha's departure to the
land of Egypt. Abdul-Baha did not inform anyone
that he was going to leave Haifa. The day he left
he visited the Holy Tomb of the Bab on Mt. Carmel,
and when he came down from the mountain of the
Lord, he went direct to the steamer. This was the
first anyone knew about the matter. Within two
days he summoned to his presence, Mirza Noureddin,
Shoghi Effendi, Khosro, and this servant. The only
persons who accompanied Abdul-Baha to Egypt were
Mirza Moneer Zain and Abdul Hossein, one of the
pilgrims who was leaving at that time. When
Mirza Noureddin arrived in Port Said, his brother
Mirza Moneer returned to Haifa.
For nearly one month Abdul-Baha remained in
Port Said and the friends of God came from Cairo,
in turn, to visit him. One day he called me to accompany
him when taking a walk in the streets of
the city. He said: "Do you realize now the meaning
of my statement when I was telling the friends
that there was a wisdom in my indisposition?" I
answered, "Yes, I do remember very well." He
continued, "Well, the wisdom was that I must always
move according to the requirements of the
Cause. Whatever the Cause requires for its promulgation,
I will not delay in its accomplishment
for one moment! Now, the Cause did require that
I travel to these parts, and had I divulged my intention
at that time, many difficulties would have
arisen."
The day that he left for Alexandria he did not
mention the matter to anyone; nor did this servant
know the time of his departure. However, when
I heard that he had left, I hurried to the steamer
and there met him with two pilgrims from Eshkabad.
He said: "Tell the friends, how, under severe
circumstances of bodily weakness, I have accepted
the hardships of traveling to promote the
Word of God, to spread the Cause of God and to
diffuse the Fragrances of God! I have left behind
friends, relatives and home for the sake of the
Cause!" By this he meant that the believers of [Page 3]
God must follow in his footsteps and illumine the
East and the West with the lights of knowledge,
peace and brotherhood.
While in Alexandria many noted persons, formerly
enemies of the Cause for years, have met him and
after being in his presence are changed entirely.
Also, distinguished editors of Arabic and Persian
newspapers, such as Moaid and Tchehre Neina, have
talked with him and afterward wrote and published
columns of praise and commendation on his Teachings
and greatness. Thus the newspapers have given
great publicity to the Movement. In regard to the
Moaid article, Abdul-Baha says: "A clipping from
the newspaper of Moaid, which is the first newspaper
of Egypt and its editor well known throughout the
world for his learning, is enclosed. Formerly, this
person, through the instigation of some influential
resident Persians, wrote many articles against this
Cause and called the Bahais infidels. But when
Abdul-Baha arrived in this country, with one interview
he was completely changed and contradicted all
his former articles with this one. This is the type
of the just man!"
There is no doubt that this trip is fraught with
wonderful results for the Cause and many people
will become awakened. In one of these interviews
Abdul-Baha stated he may go to Cairo and pass
the remainder of the winter in that city. The
Egyptian winter weather is ideal, temperate and
agrees with him. Since he has arrived in Egypt
his health is much improved, and should he decide
to go to America it will not be before the springtime.
With great love and greeting to all the friends
in the West, I am always
Your co-worker in the Cause,
ASSADOLLAH GOMI.
NEWS FROM THE ORIENT.
BURMA.
RANGOON.―We wish to express our deep appreciation for the
BAHAI News and the great interest it has evoked in the East
both in the Bahai circle and outside of it.
The Cause here is progressing admirably and the recent visit
of our brothers Messrs. Charles Mason Remey and Howard C.
Struven, served to impart to it a fresh acceleration. The
Movement in Kunjangon, referred to in kind terms in one of
the issues of the BAHAI NEWS, has been engaging the attention
of many seekers in India and Burma, for though of a very [Page 4]
recent origin has been rather singular in its kind. The number
of believers is swelling day by day and the new school for
the Bahai boys, which was recently opened by our revered
brother Seyad Mustafa Roumie, though in a very primary scale,
is well attended and has caused great zeal among the servants
of God all over India. Also, our brother Aga Seyad Mehdi
Behahani, who, since his return from the holy land of Acca in
October, has been residing in Bombay, has just arrived in
Rangoon and will go to inspect the school, and in all probability
will be placed in charge there to train the boys.
A. S. Ismaeel.
PERSIA.
GAZVIN―Two of our spiritual American sisters have arrived
here after a brief visit with Abdul-Baha in Alexandria, en
route. Several of the friends went outside of the city to welcome
them, and when they arrived at the house of Karim Elahi,
we talked with them, through interpreters, about the spread
of the Cause in America, and from them inhaled the spiritual
fragrances of our western brothers and sisters. At the same
time, several prominent men, who were on their way to visit
Abdul-Baha, arrived from Teheran and joined us in conversing
and feasting with these two dear sisters.
His honor, Samander, an active teacher and spreader of
truth since his early life and who has been for the past three
months in Rasht, has just returned bringing glorious news of
the progress of the Cause. His honor, Haji Valz, an old and
venerable teacher, according to the decision of the Board of
Consultation, has just left the city to travel in the surrounding
towns and villages to invite the people to the Kingdom of
ABHA and teach the friends its essential principles.
We are expecting the arrival of Mirza Ali Akbar, a young
Bahai brother, to teach English to our children in the school
of "Tavakkal," so that both boys and girls may study that
language and converse and correspond with the friends in the
West.
MASHAD.―We regret to report that his honor, Fazel Foroughi,
was shot by three persons who called upon him at his home
under pretext of desiring an interview with him. The government,
hearing of this event, placed a guard about the house
and the wounded venerable teacher was removed to the hospital.
The outcome of his condition is not yet known.
SHIRAZ.―The Occidental Messenger* has been received in
this city. Indeed, it is a useful, unique and truly Bahai publication
and we pray to God that year after year, month after
month, it may add to its circulation and salutary influence in
binding together the East and West. We are very anxious to
establish closer commercial relations between America and this
city, and will send rugs, silk cloth, lamb skins, etc., whenever
proper headquarters are provided, and we, in turn, desire to
receive from America, hardware goods, implements, etc. The
Occidental Messenger can aid this endeavor in many ways, for
already its appearance has created a great spirit of search and
activity in various lines.
We have written the officers of the Persian-American Educational
Society in Washington, D. C., expressing our desire to
found a school, to be called "Tarbiat," as a branch of the
school in Teheran. We have a fund to purchase tables and
chairs for the schoolroom, but we need primary books in arithmetic,
geography, history and literature, which cannot be had
here. The Society can help us in the founding of this school
by sending to us the required books. Gholam Hossein Mirza,
who knows English well and has been serving as secretary to
the English Consulate, with his two sons and three of the
friends are ready to found the school and teach the children.
- Persian Section of the BAHAI NEWS.
SEYAD ASSADOLLAH GOMI.
Seyad Assadollah Gomi, who has sent the special
news item pertaining to the journey of Abdul-Baha
to Egypt, published in this issue, is one of the oldest
and most patriarchal Bahais of the early days of
BAHA'O'LLAH. He has served the Cause in many
ways and is now living in Port Said as the channel
―PHOTO―
SEYAD ASSADOLLAH GOMI. ―PERSIAN TEXT―
of communication between the friends all over the world and Abdul-Baha―having been sent there from Acca to continue the work of the late Seyad Taki Menshadi.
While a young man he was eager to learn the
truth from every source. Later, he heard of the
Bahai Revelation and, after a thorough investigation,
accepted it. He then began to teach and lead[Page 6]
others. On account of his open teaching, he was
taken by the authorities of Teheran and thrown into
prison with the renowned Mirza Abul-Fazl and
eleven other prominent Bahais. After a year and
a half in prison, suffering untold hardships―the
recital of which is pathetic and soul-stirring―he
and others were set free. About this time, Mirza
Assadollah―who has been in America―and his family
were preparing to leave Teheran for Acca, and
Seyad Assadollah Gomi volunteered to go with them.
Arriving at their destination, Seyad Assadollah
begged BAHA'O'LLAH to remain in His service, and
for many years he was in turn a gardener in the
Rizwan and a teacher to the Bahai children in the
Holy Land.
When BAHA'O'LLAH departed from this life, for
nine months Seyad Assadollah was instructed by
Abdul-Baha in the art of teaching the Truth; after
which he sent him to Persia to spread the Cause.
Again he was apprehended in one of the remote cities
of Persia, and with chains on his neck, hands and
feet, was brought to Teheran to be judged. The
Prime Minister, after investigation and finding him
innocent, liberated him. At this time Abdul-Baha
revealed to him some very glorious Tablets.
It was about the year 1900 that our editor, Mirza
Ahmad Sohrab, had the privilege of traveling with
him through southern Persia, India and finally to
Acca, and who testifies of Seyad Assadollah's gentleness,
firmness, nobility of spirit and loftiness of
mind.
NEWS NOTES.
The officers and chairmen of the Woman's Assembly of Teaching
of Chicago, are all working earnestly and with marked
effect. The letters received by the Corresponding Secretary,
from the maid-servants of the different assemblies in the Orient,
have been most interesting, telling of their organized work in
that country and of their joy at hearing so often from their
Western sisters. The 19-day Board meetings and 19-day Teas
are held regularly each month. Mrs. Charles H. Greenleaf has
returned to Chicago and is now Chairman of the Visiting Committee,
Miss Arna True and Miss Alma Albertson being her
assistants. Miss Mary Lesch is a new member of the Board,
serving as its present Treasurer. The Young People's Society
was recently delightfully entertained at the home of Mrs.
Corinne True. The Sunday School, under the supervision of
Mrs. Foster, assisted by Mrs. Brush, is gaining steadily in
numbers.
Louise R. Waite, Cor, Sec'y.
Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Dahl are now at 554 Duquesne Avenue,
Edgewood Park, Pittsburg, Pa., and will be pleased to greet
friends passing through that city.
THE MASHRAK-EL-AZKAR IN AMERICA.
"The beloved of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful
intend to found a Mashrak-el-Azkar in Chicago. They have sent
to us numerous plans that one may be accepted and the edifice
be built accordingly. Now the funds must be accumulated, the
land entirely paid for and the necessary preparations for building
made and then the accessory matters considered. Therefore,
make ye an effort and show ye zeal that the price of the land
be fully discharged and the means for the edifice produced."―ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
On Tuesday, November 29th, a very interesting
event for the Temple site took place. The new
drainage canal skirting the entire western boundary
of the Mashrak-el-Azkar land was formally opened
and the water from Lake Michigan turned into the
channel. The public schools in the vicinity were
dismissed for the occasion and fully five hundred
children were grouped on the bank of the canal.
As the water began to flow through the opening,
some of the Bahais stood on the bank and repeated
the Greatest Name.
The water on its onward flow through the busy
city must first lave the Mashrak-el-Azkar grounds,
and we pray that a blessing may rest upon these
waters, and a healing, purifying effect be carried
through them to wash away the impurities of the
great city. As this land lies at the intake of this
pure stream of water to be used for cleansing drainage
purposes, is it not symbolic of the Water of Life,
contained in the Word of God, flowing down from the
spiritual edifice, the Mashrak-el-Azkar, to cleanse the
hearts of its inhabitants from impurities and cause to
spring up in them divine attributes and characteristics?
Thus a new spiritual city will replace the
present mart of intensest commercialism.
Report in last issue of BAHAI NEWS to be raised Jan. 1, 1911 | $1,360.64 |
Amount received since | 618.43 |
Leaving amount to be raised | $742.21 |
CORINNE TRUE.
Financial Secretary Bahai Temple Unity.
CONVERSATIONAL PERSIAN TAUGHT BY CORRESPONDENCE.[edit]
The Bahai Correspondence School teaches Persian by simple
lessons and phonographic records. Each pupil receives all
necessary individual help and attention through a system of
written lessons and criticisms. No Persian written characters
are used; the English letters only are employed and pronunciations
expressed in English characters. Many are taking advantage
of this system, both in Europe and in America.
For particulars address MIRZA S. M. RAFFIE, S. B., 729
Livingston Hall, Columbia University, New York City, U. S. A.
BAHAI NEWS
ISSUED MONTHLY
ALBERT R. WINDUST―EDITORS―GERTRUDE BUIKEMA
Address all communications to
BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P.O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.
Persian Editor.―MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB, 1800 Belmont Road,
Washington, D. C.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE PER YEAR
Sent postpaid throughout North America, including Canal
Zone and Panama; and following islands: Cuba, Porto Rico,
Hawaii, Philippines; also England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales,
Germany, and Shanghai City (China); Unsealed $1.00; single
copy 10c. Sealed $1.25; single copy 12c.
Sent postpaid throughout other parts of Occident and adjacent
islands including Newfoundland; Unsealed $1.00; single copy
10c. Sealed $1.75; single copy 15c.
Sent postpaid throughout Orient, including Egypt and Russia;
Sealed $1.75; single copy 15c. Note―Through agents when established
in Oriental centers: $1.00 per year.
Vol. 1. Chicago, (Dec. 12, 1910) Masa'il No. 15
BAHAI CALENDAR.[edit]
MONTH | NAME | FIRST DAYS |
1st | Baha' (Splendor) | Mar. 21 |
2nd | Jalal (Glory) | Apr. 9 |
3rd | Jamal (Beauty) | Apr. 28 |
4th | Azamat (Greatness) | May 17 |
5th | Nur (Light) | June 5 |
6th | Rahmat (Mercy) | June 24 |
7th | Kalamat (Words) | July 13 |
8th | Isma (Names) | Aug. 1 |
9th | Kamal (Perfection) | Aug. 20 |
10th | Izzat (Wealth) | Sept. 8 |
11th | Mashiyat (Will) | Sept. 27 |
12th | Ilm (Science) | Oct. 16 |
13th | Qudrat (Power) | Nov. 4 |
14th | Qaul (Saying) | Nov. 23 |
15th | Masa'il (Questions) | Dec. 12 |
16th | Sharaf (Honor) | Dec. 31 |
17th | Sultan (Sultan) | Jan. 19 |
18th | Malik (King) | Feb. 7 |
| Four intercalary days. | ||
19th | Ola (Sublimity) | Mar. 2 |
| (Month of fasting) | ||
Our Persian section this issue contains (1) a
Tablet to the Baltimore, Md., Assembly, received
some time about 1905; (2) an article on the Universal
Bahai Religion; (a) the evolution of the religious
idea or instinct of the race from the earliest
time, (b) the appearance of the prophets throughout
the succeeding ages of known history, (c) the establishment
of the seven great religions, Brahmanism,
Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Confucianism, Buddhism,[Page 9]
Christianity and Mohammedanism, (d) explaining the
division and difference wrought by the religious orders,
(e) giving the seven points of similarity in
the teachings of the Founders of these religions, (f)
quoting from their Books prophecies of the coming
of the Universal Manifestation, (g) the appearance
of BAHA'O'LLAH, whereby the prophecies of the seven
great religions are fulfilled, (h) quotations from
the Writings of BAHA'O'LLAH and Abdul-Baha to
corroborate the above statements for the establishment
of the Universal Bahai Religion; (3) news
pertaining to the sojourn of Abdul-Baha in Egypt.
We are pleased to reprint the following notice and
editorial from a Teheran, Persia, newspaper, telling
of the good works of Dr. Susan I. Moody, believing
it will interest all the friends:
TEHERAN NEWSPAPER NOTICE.
DOCTOR MOODY―American lady.―Not only does she know medicine, but also gynecology, obstetrics and women's diseases. Her good qualities and kind attributes, her love for her Persian oriental sisters, are all equal. Every day from morning till noon she is in her office, No. 10 Avenue Aladauleh, receiving her patients for consultation, examination and treatment, excepting Friday and Sunday afternoons, when she goes to the Hospital Sehat (Hospital of Health) where she meets the patients of the higher and wealthier class.
EDITORIAL.
We give the utmost thanks and gratitude to such a noble
woman, to such a respected person, whose presence here is a
great privilege to the country of Persia. On account of the
great care of this blessed person, the sick of all nationalities,
moslems, et al., become healthy and well. We beg of God to
keep this blessed and respected person with us.
NEWS NOTES.
Additional copies of circular and card pertaining to the
collating of books for the Orient, recently distributed by the
Persian-American Educational Society through the BAHAI NEWS
SERVICE, can be obtained by addressing Mrs. Claudia S. Coles,
310 The Burlington, Washington, D. C.
In a recent issue of the BAHAI NEWS the statement was
made that regular meetings of the Ithaca, N. Y., Assembly had
been inaugurated and that the first meeting was held Oct. 21st.
We should have added that Mr. and Mrs. George S. Hopper,
now of Washington, D. C., were for many years faithful workers
in the Cause in Ithaca and meetings were held at their
home regularly.
Recognizing the need of more co-operation and fellowship
among the men-servants in the Cause, nineteen men of the
New York City Assembly have formed what is known as the
"Brotherhood of Baha." A meeting was held at their headquarters,
6 West 90th Street, Monday evening, November 28th,
to which all the men were invited and the principles of the
Brotherhood set forth.
ASSEMBLIES IN THE OCCIDENT.
Secretaries are requested to see that their Assembly is correctly represented.
CANADA.
MONTREAL, QUE.―Weekly meeting held Friday evenings at
the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Maxwell, 716 Pine Avenue.
ENGLAND.
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 24P. ZUFFENHAUSEN.―At
the home of Herrn und Frau F. Schweizer, Karl strasse 26I.
UNITED STATES OF 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 Wednesday evenings at the home
of Dr. and Mrs. C. M. Swingle, 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.
PHILADELPHIA, PA.―Miss Jessie E. Revell, Secretary, 1429
Mayfield Street.
PORTLAND, ORE.―Regular weekly meeting, Thursday, 2 p. m.,
at 501 Yamhill Street, corner Fifteenth Street. Mrs. M. M.
Rabb, secretary, 1146 Willamette Boulevard, Station F.
SEATTLE, WASH.―Regular weekly meeting held at 2916
Beacon Avenue, South.
SPOKANE, WASH.―Regular weekly meeting held Friday evenings
at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Killius, 124 Fifth
Avenue. Miss E. Mabel King, Secretary, E413 Mission avenue.
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 Eighth Street, N. W.
Vol I No. 15
نجم باختر . جلد 1 شماره 15
12 دسمبر 1910 . 19 ذی الحجّه 1328 . آدرس تلگرافی : نجم . واشنگتن
صفحه 1
Address:= Najme Bahktar 1800 Belmont Road. Washington D.C. U. S. America.
بالتیمور . اعضای محفل روحانی علیهم بهاء الله الابهی
ای یاران عزیز من . نامۀ شما رسید و مضمون بسیار ملیح و بدیع بود زیرا دلالت بر انتشار نور هدایت مینمود که الحمدلله انوار صبح ملکوت پرتوی بر آن شهر زده و در مستقبل روشن شود و ستاره های نورانی از افقش درخشنده گردد امروز فجر هدایت کبری در نهایت سطوع از افق عالم طلوع نموده و شعاع شمس حقیقت د ر نهایت قوّت تابیده لهذا جهان جهان دیگر شده و فیوضات فیوضات دیگر اندکی توجّه و همّت لازم است تا صفحات قلوب از زنگ علائق جهان فانی پاک و ممتاز گردد آنوقت ملاحظه مینمائید که روشنائی ملکوت چقدر درخشنده است . امّة الله مسس امل و امّة الله مسس پوول الحمدلله خانۀ خویش را لانه و آشیانه مرغان آسمانی نمودند و محفلی آراستند امیدوارم که آن دو محفل روز بروز روشن تر گردد و عرفان و ایقان حاضرین بیفزاید و ثبات و استقامت مزداد گردد آن دو محفل فی الحقیقه خانۀ من است و لانه و آشیانه مرغان چمن . جمیع یاران الهی را فردا فردا تحیّت مشتاقانه برسانید و همچنین کنیزان عزیزان خدا را تحیّت محترمانه ابلاغ دارید و علیکم التحیّة و الثناء ع ع .
دین عمومی بهائی
موعود پیغمبران و رسل میفرماید : عاشروا مع الادیان بالرّوح و ریحان ایّاکم من تأخذکم الجاهلیّه بین البریّه . تاریخ ادیان قدیم و جدید چنان نمایان میسازد که عالم از اوّل تا ازل رو به نشو ترقیّ دائمی بوده و همان نوع که ملل حاضره که مشتمل بر چهارصد الی چند ملیون هستند ثمره و نتیجۀ آنها نشو و نما و تربیت و اختلاط و ذهاب و ایاب طرفین است بهمان دلیل ادیان بزرگ موجوده
صفحه 2
میوۀ بعثت پیغمبران و ظهور ادیان طرق حقّ است که هر عصری باذن خداوند یکتا و بیهمتا قیام فرموده و قطعۀ از عالم را بانوار تعالیم روحانی و آیات صمدانی منوّر و روشن ساخته اند اگر نظری در حکایات ادیان قدیمه بیندازیم معلوم میگردد که در اهور سلف هر عائلۀ الهۀ مخصوص داشت و با بستگان خود حسادت نمی نمود و آنها را بیدین و ملاحده فرض میکرد و حتیّ عقائد دینی بقدری تنگ و طرق عبادت تا اندازۀ متعدّد بود که اگر یک نفر از محلیّ به محلّ دیگر نقل مکان مینمود باید الهه و محراب او را همراه خود ببرد و الا بکلیّ مغضوب و مردود محسوب میگشت و اگر مردی دختری را از عائلۀ دیگری ازدواج مینمود آن دختر گریان و مویه کنان دست از عبادت الهۀ حلقۀ پدر و مادر کشیده و در نهایت کراهیّت اتیکتی بعد از آن مجبورا ائمّه شوهر را می پرستید . و چون در آن ایّام اسباب سفر و ارتباط مابین ملل موجود نبود و اسباب اختلاط و معاشرت بکلیّ مفقود قرون متمادیّه در این حالت خجیّت و جدائی و غرابت معیشت نمودند و همیشه دسته جات ضعیف بر دسته جات قوی غلبه یافته حیات آنها را چون طومار از صفحۀ روزگار بر می چیدند و اثری از آنها باقی نمیگذاردند و بغض و کینه مابین شعب و ایلات باندازۀ قویم بود و جنگ حیات و مبارزات وجود بقدری تند و تیز که ادنی اختلافی مورث خونریزیهای کلّ میگشت « نا این لیل عدلهم طویل مجهول الابتلاء » جمیع ملل را در زندان بت پرستی و عادات قبیحه و رسومات سخیفه گرفتار نمود تا آنکه بتدریج مردمان خدا بین پیغمبران اولی العزم محض ارشاد و هدایت آن ملل جنگجو از جنتّ لامکان قدس مبعوث گشته و هر یک از آن شموس قدرت و مرتعت در گوشۀ از عالم ظاهر شده و ملتّ مخصوص خود را به شاهراه حقیقت دعوت فرمود و از غرابت و بیگانگی نجات بخشید و برحسب آیۀ کریمه « و ماکمأل الرسول ان یأتی بآیة باذن الله » مردم را به آداب انسانیّت و محبّت و دانش آرایش نمود و در ترویج علم وحدت الهی و یگانگی بشر و عبادات سعی کرد و چون در آن زمان بازار علم و دانائی بسیار کساد و فهم و دانش ملل از هر جهت محدود لذا هریک از آن پیغمبران بر حسب مقتضیّات عصر و و قت قوانینی متین برای دائر نمودن حیات ملتّ خود توضیح فرمود و آنها را به اخوّت و مهربانی با یکدیگر امر شدید کرد و جمیع افراد را به ظهور کلیّ در آخرالزمان نوید عظیم و بشارت کبیر داد تا به مرور قرون و دهور از اوساخ جهنمّی و وساوس شیطانی پاک و مطهرّ نموده و در حین ظهور آن موعود کلّ بخدمت امرش قیام نمایند و در انتشار دین عمومیش همّت گمارند تا در آن واحد صفحۀ ارض جنّت غلبا و بهشت رعنا گردد . چنانچه اگر امروز هفت ادیان عظیمه را که در کتب سماوی به هفت سماء و هفت جنّت ( جنّات تجری من تحتبا الانهار کلمّا رزقوا منها ثمرة رزقا قالوا هذا الذ ّی رزقنا من قبل )
و هفت باب و هفت مدن تعبیر یافته است
صفحه 3
ملاحظه نمائی و قدری در ریاض الهی سیر کنی و در حیاض فیض نامتناهی خوض فرمائی و چشم بینا و گوش شنوا بیابی بحقّ الیقین درک خواهی فرمود که با وجود آنکه این جنتّ ادیان در در جنتّ قوانین الهی مساوی و یگانه هستند باز شب و روز بر ضدیّت و مناقشت یکدیگر برمیخیزند و خون همدیگر را برای عقائد خلاقیّه آباء و اجداد میریزند و برحسب آیۀ مبارکۀ « انا وجدنا آبائنا علی امّه و انا علی آثارهم مقتدون » خود را از ادراک شمس حقیقت محروم نموده اند ایکاش بهمین کفایت کرده بودند ولی دیده میشود که برخی خودپرست هریک از این ادیان را به صد ها فرق و مذهب مختلف و خرق و عرخشن قسمت کرده و از نهایت جهل و نادانی و شقاوت هر یک چراغ تهی خود را شمع شب افروز جهان فرض کرده و سائر ادیان و مذاهب را نیز شیطان رجیم و کذب لئیم گمان
نموده است . این است درجۀ معرفت قوم در صورتیکه بهائیان به حقانیّت جمع اصول و مؤسّسین هفت ادیان قائلند « هل یستوی الذیّن یعلمون و الذیّن لایعلمون » اجمال آنکه این جنتّ ادیان که بر حسب مورّخین موثقّ دین برهمائی و زردشتی و موسوی و کنفوسیوسی و بودائی و مسیحی و اسلام دست از تعالیم مهمّۀ ذیل که جمیع ملل را توان بر آن متحدّ نمود یکسان است آیا ایمان بخداوند بود زیرا مقصود از پیروان آن ادیان این بود که بر حسب نوامیس الهی زندگی کنند تا در ملکوت قدس و حسن باقی ربّ المعین با وجهی روشن و قلبی مانند داخل گردند . مؤسّسین این ادیان کلّ ادّلای وحی الهی را نموده و کلّ خود را به حضرت پروردگار نسبت داده اند که هر یک از این پیغمبران دبیران دورۀ اوّل مورد قتل و غارت و شتم دشمن گشته اند و هریک کتابی الهی که وحی آسمانی نامیده شده و قوانین بر حسب مقتضیّات زمان تدوین گشته از این دنیا محض سرمشق قبل گذر نمایند و هر یک از آن ادیان سنبل مخلوق را دعا و عبادت و نماز فرموده که هر یک از آن انوار مغیثه ملتّ خود را به ظهور پیغمبر یا امام عمومی در آخر الزمان بشارت داده است لهذا ملاحظه فرمائید که بر حسب آیۀ « رحمتی وسعت کلشیئ آنان دارای نوامیس الهی هستند بنابر این بر حسب عقائد اهل بها در ظهور حضرت بهاء الله موعود کلّ پیغمبران کامل گردید و ابواب نبوّت یکسره مفتوح گشت و چون آن نیّر اعظم از افق امرالله طالع گردید و نوامیس عمومی عالمگیر توضیع فرمود که جمیع ادیان در نهایت سهولت بتوانند اختلافات دینیّه و مذهبیّه را فراموش نموده برادر وار با همدیگر زندگی نمایند و کلّ را اوراق شجرۀ انسانیّت ببینند و جمیع را ازهار شاخسارتربیت شمرند جمیع ملل را با خود برادر دانند و بخدمت عالم قیام کنند . اگرچه جمیع کتب ادیان مذکوره حاوی ثبوات بسیار است در بشارت ظهور این یوم اعظم ولی محض اثبات این مسئله در آن مقام
صفحه 4
از هریک از پیغمبران قدیم یک یا دو آیه ذکر مینماید و مابقی را برای تحصیل و جستجوی قارئین محترم محوّل میکند در دین الهی برهما که یکی از اقدم و اعظم ادیان است در کتاب سماوی باگات گیتا عندلیب آشیان روحانی به شهناز هزار دستان معنوی کرشنا این نغمۀ لاهول را میسراید ای پسر راستی برانا درجون چون دین مضمحل گردد و بی دینی میرسد من آنوقت خود را برای حمایت در باب دیانت اخیر ظاهر میکنم و برای هلاکت بدکاران و ایقان دین من در هر عمری خود را هویدا مینمایم در کتاب هنو که یکی از پیغمبران دین برهمن است ذکر شده : چون خداوند بیدار شود یعنی چون مظهر امر هویدا گردد هر خانه بحرکت را به ترانه می آید و چون بآرامی بخواب رود جهان را غفلتا محروم میگردد و همان نوعی که در دین مسیحی آن نیم ثلاثه پدر و پسر و روح مقدّس و در دین اسلام خداوند و جبرئیل و حضرت رسول علیه و آله تحیّة والثناء و در دین موسوی ربّ و شجرۀ موقده و موسی و در دین زردشت اهورامزدا و شمس و زردشت و دردین مصری قدیم آی نویس دینانویس هوروس بوده بهمان نوع در دین برهما به مؤسّس مظاهر امرالله قائلند که اترا تری مورتی نام نهاده و موسوم به برهما و مسیو و دشنو است و حضرات برهمنی ظهورات خداوند را آواتار میگویند و معتقدند که خداوند ویشنو باید در دورۀ آینده ظاهر گردد . اواتار و یشنو در نفوس الهیّه در عالم قدیم بعرصۀ ظهور هویدا گشته و میگویند که از آن زمان که ویشنو از آسمان نزول نموده و آواتار هم تحققّ خواهد یافت و جهان ظلم و جهل را منهدم و ملکوت اصلی اسلام را قرار خواهد فرمود در نبوّت زند و اوستای زردشت جای دارد در قرون اخیره مظاهر امرالله در تحت اسامی هوشیدر و سوشیاس وستامهر و ظهور مولا و بهشت برین و ساکنین آن ملائکه های علیّین گردند یکی از بیانات این هادی نور این است تا زی فزون از هزار سال چیره گل نیاید و خورشید یزدانی بیش از هزار و دویست در قدسان پنهان نماند چون این شماره بسر آید و این هزاران بانجام رسد اختر ایرانیان بدست آید و گوهر پاک بهر است از این نژاد گرامی هویدا گردد و جهان در از ظهورش از خاور تا باختر بهشتی خیریّه شود و بر سرشت که از فرمایش یزدان است گردن پیچد در بند گرفتاری جاوید فرو ماند تا بشارت این ظهور اعظم در کتب انبیای بنی اسرائیل از حدّ و فقط بذکر آید از جمله در کتاب میاحی فصل سوم آن میفرماید
صفحه 5
کنفوسیوس که که شش قرن قبل از مسیح در چین ظاهر شد و امروز ساکنین آن مملکت پیرو تعالیم او هستند این نبوّت را بجهت ظهور حضرت بهاء الله در زمان آینده جمیع عالم سجده خواهند نمود در جلوی آن شخصی که روح سماوی تارا ( خداوند کریم ) در هیکل او مجسمّ گردد و رواست که صلح و آسایش و اخوّت عمومی برقرار خواهد نمود و حضرت بودا چنین میفرماید یک مرد روحانی ماوراء الطبیّعه بود بآسانی پیدا نتوان نمود و از هر نقطۀ تولدّ نمیشود ولی هروقت چنین نفس الهی بوجود آید مملکت را به طریق ترقیّ مینماید خود حضرت مسیح در الجد در کتاب یوحنّا فصل دهم آیۀ شانزدهم میفرماید : ولی حرف آخر است من هذا الخطیره ینبغی ان آنی بتلک ویضا فتمسع صول و تکون رعبة واحدة و در فصل چهاردهم آیه دوم همین سفر میفرماید « هل بیت آل منازل کثیرة والا قل کنت لکم و حضرت رسول ص در گلستان قرآن میفرماید : « یدبرّ الامر من السماء الی الارض ثمّ یعرج الیه فی یوم کان مقداره الف سنة ممّا تعدّون » و در مقام دیگر میفرماید و زی الارض هامن و اذا انزلنا علیها النار اهتزت درهبت و انبتب من کلّ زوج بهیچ و همچنین میفرمایند کمیکن الذیّن من اهل الکتاب منتکلین حتیّ یأتیهم البیّنه الرّسول من الله تیلو صحفا مطهرّه فیها کتاب قیمه این امّت بعضی از نبوّات پیغمبران قدیم که کلّ مستقیما مردم را به این ظهور عالمگیر دلالت نموده اند ولی علماء سوء که همیشه اعظم سدّ مالی ملل بوده دیوار های آهنی بدور هر بیتی کشیده و آنها را از معاشرت با سائر ملل محروم داشته اند زیرا این هقت ادیان مانند جنتّ باغ با صفا و جمال است که ساکنین باغی بواسطۀ دیوارهای بلند از تماشای باغ دیگر مأیوسند رؤسا بحیل و تذاویر رابهی چنان ترس و خوف در دل پیروان خود انداخته اند که گمان نمایند که پشت دیوار باغشان بغیر دژ صحراهای بی آب و هامون های پر خار و خسک چیز دیگر پیدا نمی شود در صورتیکه مزارع سبز و خرّم و باغهای دلکش و روحبخش بسیار است با آنکه این هفت دین مانند هفت مراد زلال بوده که بواسطه جهل و نادانی کشیش ها و آخوندها و معبد ها و خاخام ها و گوردها گل آلود شده مردم از شرب آن محروم گشته اند و حال ظهور حضرت بهاء الله برای انهدام این دیوارها و اتصّال این جوی ها و فضای این شهرها است تا کلّ بمشاهدۀ هفت باغ و هفت جنتّ ابهی فائز گردند و اینهمه رود ها آبش صاف و بحر عظیمی بحساب آید .
صفحه 6 پس از اینکه بشارات ازمنۀ قبل ذکر شد خوب است چند آیه هم از بیانات و اوامر شمس حقیقت نقل گردد تا این مقاله کامل آید . ای دوستان با جمیع اهل عالم به روح و ریحان معاشرت نمائید . همه بار یک دارید و برگ یک شاخسار . لیس الفخر لمن یحبّ الوطن بل لمن یحبّ العالم . با کمال شفقت و رحمت اهل عالم را به تنفع به قوم دلالت کردیم و راه نمودیم . قسم بآفتاب حقیقت که از اعلی نقاط عالم اشراق نموده اهل بها جز عمار و اصلاح عالم و تهذیب امم مقصودی نداشته و ندارند . اوّل باب آنکه این ظهور مولود کلّ ادیان است قلم اعلی میفرمایند « و اجعله الله الدریاق الاعظم و سبب الاتم قیّمه و هو اتحاد من علی الارض امرو حدود شریعة واحدة بذالاتمکین الا بطبیب حاذق کامل مؤیّد هذا اجراء الذی انّه غبطه میان عهده فی ذرّ اللبین و محمّد رسول الله بل از تفرلناس و الرّوح فی الله انجیل و العلیم فی الظهور الخلیل فی امر ان کنتم تعلمون هذا هو الذ ّی بشرکم محمّد رسول الله بنا هو الذ ّی ذکر نمو فی القرون و الاعصار قل تالله مکلمّ الطور ینطق رفتم ماتشعرون و هوا موعود بلسان الانبیاء اتقو الله درتجار و بآیات الله مهیمن القیّوم قل هذا نومه براستفساء عالم حضرت عبدالبهاء که مرکز بلند و متین کتب غیر اعظم است در خصوص این امر عمومی میفرماید : رایت یزدان است که موقع در قطب همان است آیت سبحان است که مشرق از افق امکان است بحر اعظم است که موجش با اوج است و عیوش عرموم است که در ملکوت ابهی در هجوم دمبدم است و به نفحات قدس یحی هم لشکر نجات است که صف شکن موج ضلالت است و سبب نسائم حدائق توحید است و روح بخش نفس تجرید و شمیم عنبرین ریاض یقین است که ناقز سنگین عزّ الان علییّن است باری این است شعاع یکی از جوهرهای شب چراغ که در گنج لایتناهی حضرت بهاء الله موجود و انوارش روز بروز قلوب دور و نزدیک روشن میگردد .
اخبارات
الحمدلله حضرت عبدالبهاء در این ایّام دور و نزدیک اسکندریّه را بملاقات یار و اغیار میگذراندند و اغلب روزها سرتاسر مصر چون مؤیّد و علم و متعضم و همه مقاله های مفصّل در باب سفر مبارک مرقوم داشته اند و هر کدام از این مدیران محترم بر حسب فهم و دانش نظری و عقائدی اظهار نموده اند که کلّ مدّتی همه حرّ خاضع هر دو اعلاء کلمة الله است . این سفر عظیم حضرت عبدالبهاء بهائیان عالم را بحرکت و جنبش غریبی درآورده و از هر گوشه اظهار سرور و فرح بی پایان نمایان است که یاران در نهایت همّت کمر بانجام خدمات بزرگ بسته اند و از نشر اصول امر جانفشانی مینمایند بلی بلیعمل الیوم یوم والتکون لاارب العالمین هل یوم یوم الصمت لادلتفسی بحقّ لو کنتم من العارفین .
