| ←Issue 13 | Star of the West Volume 10 - Issue 14 |
Issue 15→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
We are working hard to have proofread and nicely formatted text for you to read. Here is our progress on this section:
|
STAR OF THE WEST
PUBLISHED NINETEEN TIMES A YEAR
In the Interest of the BAHAI MOVEMENT
By the BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, 515 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
Publishers: ALBERT R. WINDUST—GERTRUDE BUIKEMA—DR. ZIA M. BAGDADI
Entered as second-class matter April 9, 1911, at the post office at Chicago, Ill., under the Act of March 3, 1879.
Terms: $2.50 per year; 15 cents per copy.
Make Money Orders Payable to BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
To personal checks please add sufficient to cover the bank exchange.
Address all communications to BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.
WORDS OF ABDUL-BAHA.
"Great importance must be given to the development of the STAR OF THE WEST. The circle of its discussion must be widened; in its columns must be published the essential problems pertaining to the Bahai life in all its phases. Its contents must be so universal that even the strangers may subscribe to it. Articles must be published, dealing with the universal principles of the Cause, the writers proving that this Cause takes a vital interest in all the social and religious movements of the age and is conducive to the progress of the world and its inhabitants. In short, the STAR OF THE WEST must promote the aspirations and the ideals that will gather little by little around these general Tablets, bringing into the light of day all the historical, religious and racial knowledge which will be of the utmost value to the Bahai teachers all over the world."
From Unveiling of the Divine Plan.
| Vol. 10 | CONTENTS | No. 14 |
| PAGE | |||||||||||||
Portrait of ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS | |||||||||||||
The "Center of the Covenant" | |||||||||||||
| From The Bahai Proofs by MIRZA ABUL FAZL. | |||||||||||||
In praise of the "Greatest Branch" | |||||||||||||
| By MIRZA ABUL FAZL. | |||||||||||||
Recent Tablets from ABDUL-BAHA to American Bahais | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Supplication revealed by ABDUL-BAHA | |||||||||||||
--PHOTO--
THE CENTER OF THE COVENANT, THE GREATEST BRANCH: ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:"—Isaiah 11:1.
"This person is the Expounder of My Book and all must turn to him."—Words of Baha'o'llah.
"We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; that all nations shall become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men shall be strengthened, that diversity of religion shall cease and differences of race be annulled. So it shall be; these fruitless strifes; these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come."—BAHA'O'LLAH.
| Vol. 10 | Kowl 1, 75 (November 23, 1919) | No. 14 |
From The Bahai Proofs, by MIRZA ABUL FAZL.
In the Name of God, the Most Holy Beauty of El-Abha!TO the people of Faith, the clear appointment of the Center of the Cause, after the departure [death] of the Manifestation [BAHA'O'LLAH], is considered the most important point in religious matters, as it is the greatest channel which connects the servants of God with holy divine truth. They are all sure and convinced that the Center of the Covenant is no other than His Holiness, ABDUL-BAHA; for, apart from the divine signs that were manifest in him, BAHA'O'LLAH clearly and implicitly, verbally and in writing, directed all of his servants to the blessed person of ABDUL-BAHA, and, under all circumstances, clearly showed that he was far distinguished above others, in order that all the servants should look unto him alone, and follow his commands. For it is only through his explanation and decision that all discord is removed. Consequently the Bahais appreciate the determining of the "Appointed Center" as the greatest of the divine providences and account his blessed being as an impregnable fortress which protects the divine Religion from the doubts of the skeptic and fanciful imaginations of men.
But notwithstanding all this, as BAHA'O'LLAH foresaw, that when his beauty of oneness was concealed under the veils of disappearance, the people of desire, through jealousy, would hold to groundless doubts and suspicions and disregard the prohibition to interpret the Book. He, therefore, prior to his departure, revealed the blessed Kitab-el-Ah'd, [Book of the Covenant, the Will of BAHA'O'LLAH]. This he wrote, and sealed it with his own blessed hand and seal, in order that the darkness of discord might not again obscure the brilliant horizon of the Cause of God, and the calamities and disasters which afflicted other religions might not overtake this Movement. In this Book (his Covenant) he clearly indicated that the purpose of the "Branch extended from the Ancient Root," revealed in the blessed verse of Akdas, was the "Center of the Circle of Names," the exalted "Branch" of the Blessed Tree of Abha, His Holiness ABDUL-BAHA. Then he, for the second time, enjoined, through an unchangeable and irrefutable command, all his "branches," "twigs" (relatives), and the Bahais without exception, to look unto that dawning-place of divine light, and to know him as the source and origin of the commands and prohibitions of the heavenly religion. He desired, by this clear elucidation, to counteract the imaginations of the ignorant, extinguish the world-consuming flame of jealousy and hatred of the people of error, and guard the divine religion from divisions and sects which are, according to the judgment of common sense and the clear texts of holy Tablets of God, the most deplorable for religion and humanity. By this he sought to preserve the divine Word from human doubts, suspicions and artifices.
Written by MIRZA ABUL FAZL, November 24, and read in Washington, D. C., November 26, 1902, at the celebration of the anniversary of the Feast of the Appointment of The Center of the Covenant.
In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Abha!O YE beloved of God and His friends! Praise and glorification behoove the holy court of the True One, the Exalted, who has, in this great age and wonderful cycle, primarily caused the shining star of the Blessed Being of the First Point (The Báb) to appear like unto the beaming orb of the morn from the horizon of the world; has rejoiced and revived the creatures through the glad tidings of the advent of the new Day, and the Manifestation of the Glorious Lord. Praise be to God! who subsequently caused the Sun of the most holy Beauty of El-Abha (Exalted is His Supreme Name!) to dawn forth in the midst of the heaven of power and grandeur. After the disappearance of these two Lights a third Splendor became manifest from the Sinai of Epiphany, and the Orb of the Covenant shone forth from the firmament of beatitude, the apex of exaltation and glory, with the most marvelous effulgence. Through these three shining lights, the darkness of the nations, superstitions, will be dispelled, the dust of discord of the people will be subsided by the showers of mercy descending from the clouds of divine providence; the banner of peace will be hoisted; the mortal world will be clothed in the excellent robe of ideal humanity; the bond of perfect love will be strengthened among contradictory nations and repugnant peoples; and the world, east and west, will become the Paradise of El-Abha and as a garden bringing forth fruits of divine grace. We, therefore, praise Him in such glorification from which the lights of sincerity may gleam forth and scintillate throughout ages and epochs; and we thank Him in such sanctification from which the pure fragrances of meekness and humbleness will be diffused and exhaled with the duration of nights and days!
O ye beloved of God and His friends! This great Day has been assigned to the blessed name of the Lord of the world, the sign of pre-existence, the standard of divine victory among nations, the Light of the heaven and the earth, the point around which the Supreme Concourse revolves, in the kingdom of Names—His Holiness, ABDUL-BAHA (May the life of the creatures be a sacrifice to him)! Ye are all attracted to his love, united in his servitude, overshadowed under his banner, and are assembled together in this excellent meeting, with rejoiced hearts and shining faces, speaking the praise of the most holy beauty of El-Abha, and uttering the glorification of the Center of His Covenant, His Holiness, ABDUL-BAHA.
How can this servant duly praise and thank God, the Exalted, who hath enabled him to make his tongue fluent in glorifying the Center of the Covenant in this wonderful meeting, in the presence of His chosen ones and friends? Again I praise Him for this wondrous confirmation and glorious success. Verily, He is the Mighty, the Praiseworthy!
How can this weak one befittingly glorify and sanctify a most holy personage with whose name all the ancient and heavenly books are adorned and who has been announced and prophesied, by the tongue of the prophets and chosen ones, from the beginning to the end? Every prophetic page seems like unto a heaven, studded with the beaming stars and shining pearls of the praises of the Orb of the Universe; or like unto a rose-garden decked and embellished by the
verdant leaves and fragrant flowers of the glorification of the Center of the Covenant. Again we praise Him with such words whereby hearts are cheered and breasts are dilated, and we thank Him in such hymns whereby the light of bliss and beatitude shine forth from the horizon of the hearts!
O ye beloved of God and His friends! Consider how in the second Psalm, David (Peace be upon him!) has announced the appearance of the Son of God in dominion and judgment, and how he hath warned the kings and judges of the earth to serve him! Consider in the fourth chapter of Isaiah how that great prophet has foretold the appearance of the Exalted "Branch" of the Lord in the utmost beauty and glory, and how God hath appointed him a place of refuge for the saved ones. Consider how Isaiah has spoken in the eleventh chapter of his book that the lofty "Branch" of the Blessed Tree shall appear from the root of David, and shall grow out of the Holy Land; how the spirit of supremacy and power, of counsel and divine wisdom shall rest upon him; the lights of glory and divine grandeur shall beam forth from his shining face; how he shall hoist the pavilion of universal peace and divine equity, and assemble all the various and contradictory nations, including weak and strong, high and low, under the shadow of union and harmony.
Reflect upon the 26th verse of the 30th chapter of the book of Isaiah, how God, the Almighty, has clearly spoken that in the day when Israel shall be saved, and the sins and errors of the heirs of Abraham effaced, the shining moon of the Center of the Covenant shall gleam forth in the utmost glory and splendor, and the beaming lights scintillating from the brilliant face of that dawning-place of supremacy and Lordship shall be like unto the Sun of Truth! Consider how, in the first few verses of the 42d chapter of Isaiah, it is clearly shown that in the last day, God, the Exalted, shall elect the bearer of the banner of His servitude, confer upon him the Holy Spirit of His divinity, unfurl the standard of the Supreme Covenant and Testament in His Name, and shall protect him, with His strong hand, from the deceit of the violators and the devices of the people of rancor; that Servant of the Lord shall become a banner for the people's salvation and a light for hearts and souls; shall restore the blind and deliver the captives; direct those who sit in darkness unto light; place all the creatures under the standard of universal peace, security and absolute emancipation, and make the tongues of all in the East and West fluent in new hymns and wonderful glorifications!
Likewise, consider the 7th chapter of Daniel. First, in the 9th and 10th verses, God hath announced the Manifestation of the Great Lord, the Ancient King, the Most Holy Beauty of Abha (Glorified is His Supreme Name!) and hath spoken of the founding of the sound religion and manifest law and of the rise of the hosts of chosen ones and holy ones.
Then He hath said in the 13th and 14th verses of the same chapter that the Excellent "Branch" shall be extended from that Ancient Root, and the Spirit of God descended from heaven shall shine forth from his beaming face and Glory and Kingdom shall be conferred upon him from God; his command shall influence all nations and multitudes, and his Kingdom shall continue forever.
Likewise, consider the 8th and 9th verses of the 3d chapter of Zechariah, where the great prophet has clearly prophesied that in the day of the Most Great Manifestation, the dawning of the Sun of the Ancient Beauty, God, the Exalted, shall bring about the removal of the nations' iniquity and the elimination of the people's calamities by the rise of that Excellent "Branch" extended from the Pre-existent Root; and He
hath made the restoration of the Holy Land, the covenanted country of the prophets and chosen ones, dependent upon the power of that blessed being.
Likewise, in the 12th and 13th verses of the 6th chapter of the same book, God, the Exalted, hath explicitly promised Zechariah that in the Day of the Lord's Manifestation the Blessed "Branch" shall grow up out of the pure Tree of Divinity, shall bear the glory of the Lord, shall sit and rule upon His throne, and shall build the Temple of the divine worship; the banner of universal peace and eternal beatitude shall be hoisted among all mankind through the council of peace held between the "Branch" and the Lord.
Consider the New Testament; in every instant in which His Holiness, Christ (Glory be to him!) and his eminent disciples have announced the coming of the Kingdom of God, they have spoken of the rising of the Excellent "Branch" and of the dawning of the Orb of the Covenant. Especially his holiness, John, has adorned all the prophecies of his Book of Revelation with this glorious name, and has clearly stated the appearance of the Covenant of God in the Day of the Lord's Manifestation. He has explicitly said that in that great Day, the new Holy City shall be illuminated with lights shining from the face of the Lord and His appointed "Branch"; the rivers of wonderful enlightenments, which would impart life to the people of the world and save nations, shall flow forth from the throne of the Lord and that of the Center of His Covenant. Nay, rather, he hath elucidated that those written in the Book of Life of the Excellent "Branch" shall be saved, and those overshadowed under His Ancient Standard shall inherit everlasting glory.
To resume: The tongues of all the prophets sung the praise of his blessed name, and the hearts of the chosen ones rejoiced at the announcement of his coming, until that most holy being was born in the Day* of the Manifestation of the "First Point" (Exalted is his supreme name!). The birthday of the "Branch extended from the Ancient Root" coincided with the day of the appearance of the Lord's precursor, and the "Mystery of God" was realized by this coincidence. In his childhood he was nurtured under the favors of the most Holy Beauty of El-Abha, until, at the age of nine, he escorted the Ancient Beauty (BAHA'O'LLAH) from Teheran to Bagdad. He shared with the Beauty of El-Abha in every calamity and affliction during their exile from Bagdad to Constantinople, Adrianople, and finally to Acca (the prison), and endured unbearable sufferings. The Tongue of Grandeur was always uttering the greatness of his station, and appointed His Holiness, the Excellent "Branch," to the position of the "Center of the Covenant." In a Tablet revealed by the Beauty of El-Abha to Abdul-Baha, while the latter was in Beyrout, He said: "We have appointed thee a protection to all the creatures, a guardian to all in the heaven and the earth, and a fortress to those who believe in God, the One, the Omniscient!"
O ye beloved of God! How can I duly praise the Lord of mankind, the Center of the Covenant (May the life of all the creatures be a sacrifice to him!), and how can I explain the loftiness of his station! For he is the one whom all the divine Manifestations have praised and extolled.
Let us now offer our humble efforts in praising and glorifying God, the Exalted, who has honored us by serving the Center of His Covenant, hath made us know in his name, and hath placed us under the shadow of his glorious banner. We thank Him in such praises whereby the faces of the steadfast ones are illuminated!
Praise be to God, the King of the Heaven and the earth!
(Signed) Abul Fazl.
*May 23, 1844 A. D.
ELLA G. COOPER
(Portion of Tablet from Abdul-Baha to Mrs. Ella G. Cooper, San Francisco, California.)
. . . . Four letters have been received from you, the last dated April 18th, 1919. All of them were indicative of firmness in the great Covenant. Praise be to God, the friends in California are holding fast to the helm of the Almighty and are attracted to the God of Elijah. Their movement is like unto the attraction of steel which is subjected to magnetic power; their aims are confined to the good pleasure of God and their highest wish centers around the unbounded blessing. They are engaged in service and are intimately connected with the Holy Spirit. . . . .
Thou hast referred to the little assembly of Los Angeles. Although that assembly is small, yet it is kept under the protecting eye of God. If it prove to be firm and steadfast it shall resist all that is on earth.
Consider how many souls arose after His Holiness Christ and determined to extinguish the Lamp of God. Even the Roman emperor, who was a most eminent philosopher, exerted the utmost effort in order to resist the sweeping movement; he wrote a refutatory book against His Holiness Christ, published it throughout his empire, and caused a great many to turn away from His Holiness Christ. But, eventually, the power of the Word of God conquered and broke all imperial resistance. The resplendent light of the Covenant and Testament of God dissipated the darkness of doubt and suspicion that was entertained by those philosophers and potentates. It is evident, therefore, as to what will result from these important forces.
At most it is this: that some feeble and heedless souls will waver in the Cause of God, but ultimately this fire will be quenched.
Refer to the history of the Church and read the details of the activities of Arius, the Patriarch of Alexandria. Notwithstanding the fact that his followers numbered a million and a half, and the support of the mighty emperor was extended to him, eventually he was completely destroyed and no trace of him whatever remained, and so on and so forth. . . . . Undoubtedly, wherever a carcass is to be found, a number of ravens and contemptible dogs gather around that putrefying body, but ere long they shall be scattered in great distress.
. . . . Read attentively the translations of his honor Mirza Abul Fazl's book, The Brilliant Proof; it is very necessary,—and send it then to the spiritual assembly of Los Angeles. . . .
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine, June 2, 1919.)
MARY RABB
To the maid-servant of God, Mrs. Mary Rabb, care of Mrs. Ella Goodall Cooper—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
Your letter dated March 5th, 1919, was received. Its contents were conducive to gladness and they indicated firmness and steadfastness in the glorious Covenant.
Today the pulsating power in the arteries of the body of the world is the spirit of the Covenant—the spirit which is the cause of life. Whosoever is vivified with this spirit the freshness and beauty of life become manifest in him, he is baptized with the Holy Spirit, he is born again, is freed from oppression and tyranny, from heedlessness and inclemency which deaden the spirit, and attains unto everlasting life.
O thou STAR OF THE WEST!
Be thou happy! Be thou happy! Shouldst thou continue to remain firm and eternal, ere long, thou shalt become the Star of the East and shalt spread in every country and clime. Thou art the first paper of the Bahais which is organized in the country of America. Although for the present thy subscribers are limited, thy form is small and thy voice weak, yet shouldst thou stand unshakable, become the object of the attention of the friends and the center of the generosity of the leaders of the faith who are firm in the Covenant, in the future thy subscribers will become hosts after hosts like unto the waves of the sea; thy volume will increase, thy arena will become vast and spacious and thy voice and fame will be raised and become world-wide—and at last thou shalt become the first paper of the world of humanity. Yet all these depend upon firmness firmness, firmness!
O ye apostles of BAHA'O'LLAH—May my life be a ransom to you!
. . . . Similarly, the Magazine, the STAR OF THE WEST, must be edited in the utmost regularity, but its contents must be the promulgator of the Cause of God—so that both in the East and the West, they may become informed of the most important events.
STAR OF THE WEST FOUNDATION
| Northeastern States: HOOPER HARRIS. | Western States: HELEN S. GOODALL. |
| Southern States: JOSEPH H. HANNEN. | Dominion of Canada: MAY MAXWELL. |
| Central States: ALBERT VAIL, CARL SCHEFFLER. | |
| Editorial Staff: ALBERT R. WINDUST—GERTRUDE BUIKEMA—DR. ZIA M. BAGDADI | |
| Honorary Member: MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB | |
| Vol. 10 | Kowl 1, 75 (November 23, 1919) | No. 14 |
Praise thou God that thou art firm in the Covenant and the Testament and art turning thy face to the Luminary of the world, His Highness BAHA'O'LLAH. Thou hast illumined thy face with the light of guidance and perfumed thy nostrils with the fragrances of the Abha paradise. Strive therefore that thou mayest attract the souls and train them through the divine teachings that they may become the signs of guidance, may turn into blessed trees and may secure a large share from the day of Manifestation.
The teacher is like unto a farmer who sows a seed, the cloud of mercy pours out its showers and every seed multiplies a hundred fold, gives forth a luxuriant harvest and becomes the cause of heavenly benediction.
I hope that thou mayest be confirmed to acquire that heavenly benediction and may become my partner in this lucrative enterprise; that thou mayest grow to become a blessed tree, fruitful, green and rich in foliage and laden with sweet and delicious fruits.
Upon thee be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine, June 3, 1919.)
LOS ANGELES ASSEMBLY
To the members of the spiritual assembly of Los Angeles, California, care of the maid-servant of God, Mrs. Ella G. Cooper—Upon them be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O ye blessed souls!
Although ye are undergoing crucial tests in view of the repeated and assiduous attempts of some people to shake the faith of the friends in Los Angeles, yet ye are under the guarding eye of the bounty of BAHA'O'LLAH and are assisted by legions of angels.
Walk, therefore, with a sure step and engage with the utmost assurance and confidence in the promulgation of the divine fragrances, the glorification of the Word of God and firmness in the Covenant. Rest ye assured that if a soul arises in the utmost perseverance and raises the Call of the Kingdom and resolutely promulgates the Covenant—be he an insignificant ant—he shall be enabled to drive away the formidable elephant from the arena, and if he be a feeble moth he shall cut to pieces the plumage of the rapacious vulture.
Endeavor, therefore, that ye may scatter and disperse the army of doubt and of error with the power of the Holy Utterances. This is my will and this is my counsel. Do not quarrel with anybody, and shun every form of dispute. Utter the Word of God. If he accepts it the desired purpose is attained, and if he turns away leave him to himself and trust to God.
Such is the attribute of those who are firm in the Covenant.
Upon ye be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine, June 2, 1919.)
BAHAIS OF CALIFORNIA
To the friends and maid-servants of the Merciful in Los Angeles and the other cities of California, care of Mr. and Mrs. Beckett—Upon them be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O ye friends and maid-servants of the Merciful!
From the spiritual assembly of Los Angeles a letter has been received. It was indicative of the fact that the blessed souls in California, like unto an immovable mountain, are withstanding the gale of violation, have like unto blessed trees been implanted in the soil of the Covenant and are in the utmost firmness and steadfastness. The hope is entertained, therefore, that through the blessings of the Sun of Truth they may daily increase in their firmness and steadfastness. The tests of every dispensation are in direct proportion with the greatness of the Cause and as heretofore such a manifest Covenant, written by the Supreme Pen, has not been entered upon, the tests are proportionately severe. These trials cause the feeble souls to waver while those who are firm are not affected. These agitations of the violators are no more than the foam of the ocean, which is one of its inseparable features, but the ocean of the Covenant shall surge and shall cast ashore those dead bodies for it cannot contain them. Thus it is seen that the ocean of the Covenant has surged and surged until it has thrown out the dead bodies—the souls that are deprived of the Spirit of God and are lost in passion and self and are seeking leadership. In fine, this froth of the ocean shall not endure and shall soon disappear and vanish, while on the other hand the ocean of the Covenant shall eternally surge and roar.
Consider then that Christ, in order to preserve the unity of Christendom, said to Peter: "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." This Word has secured every one's submissiveness and allegiance and has preserved for a thousand years the unity of the Christian world. Notwithstanding the fact that this declaration was not a command to obey and to follow and was verbally delivered, yet it has proved to do away with any foam that might appear on the surface of the ocean of Christ and to cast ashore any dead body that sought the vanities of this world. At present His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH, through His Supreme Pen, has written the Book of the Covenant and has called it the "Book of the Covenant," and has entered with every one into a covenant and a testament. He first addresses the Aghsans, then the Afnans and then the relations bidding
them to turn their faces to the Center of the Covenant and has then, in accordance with the explicit text of the Most Holy Book (the Book of Laws), made the Center of the Covenant the Expounder of the Book.
From the early days of creation down to the present time, throughout all the divine dispensations, such a firm and explicit Covenant has not been entered upon. In view of this fact is it possible for these foams to remain on the surface of the ocean of the Covenant? No, by God! The violators are trampling upon their own dignity, are uprooting their own foundation and are proud in that they are upheld by flatterers who exert a great effort to shake the faith of feeble souls. But this action of theirs is of no consequence; it is a mirage and not water, the foam and not the sea, the mist and not the cloud, illusion and not reality. All this you shall soon see.
In short, praise be to God, ye are firm and steadfast and be ye thankful that like unto blessed trees ye are firmly implanted in the soil of the Covenant. It is sure that every firm one will grow, will yield fresh fruits and will increase daily in freshness and grace. Reflect upon all the writings of BAHA'O'LLAH, whether epistles or prayers, and ye shall surely come across a thousand passages wherein BAHA'O'LLAH prays as follows: "O God! Exterminate the violators of the Covenant and defeat the oppressers of the Testament." "He who denies the Covenant and the Testament is rejected by God, and he who remains firm and steadfast therein is favored at the Threshold of Oneness." Such sayings and prayers abound, refer to them and ye shall know.
In short, never be depressed. The more ye are stirred by violation, the more deepen ye in firmness and steadfastness, and be assured that the divine hosts shall conquer for they are assured of the victory of the Abha Kingdom. Throughout all regions the standard of firmness and steadfastness is upraised and the flag of violation is debased for only a few weak souls have been led away by the flattery and the specious arguments of the violators are outwardly with the greatest care exhibiting firmness but inwardly are engaged in stirring souls. Only a few who are the leaders of those who stir and agitate are outwardly known as violators while the rest, through subtle means deceive the souls, for outwardly they assert their firmness and steadfastness in the Covenant but when they come across responsive ears they secretly sow the seeds of suspicion. The case of all of them resembles the violation of the Covenant by Judas Iscariot and his followers. Consider: Has any result or trace remained after them? Not even a name has been left behind his followers and although a great number of Jews have sided with him it was as if he had no followers at all. This Judas Iscariot who was the leader of the apostles betrayed His Holiness Christ for thirty drachme.
Take heed, O ye people of perception! At present these insignificant violators will surely give away the Center of the Covenant for the large sum which they have begged by every subtle means. It is now thirty years that His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH has ascended and these violators have meanwhile striven with the utmost effort. What have they done so far? Under all conditions those who have remained firm in the Covenant have conquered while the violators have met defeat, dejection and disappointment. After the ascension of Abdul-Baha, no trace of them shall remain. These souls ignore what will happen and are proud of their own fancies.
In short, O ye friends of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful! The hand of the divine bounty has placed upon your heads a bejeweled crown, the precious gems of which shall eternally shine over all regions. Appreciate this bounty and unloosen the tongue in praise and thanksgiving, and engage in
the promulgation of the divine teachings for this is the Spirit of Life and the means of salvation.
Upon ye be Baha-El-Abha.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Bahjeh, Acca, Palestine, July 23, 1919.)
AGNES LEO
To the maid-servant of God, Agnes Leo, Spokane, Washington—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou maid-servant of God!
Thy letter was received. Thou wert complaining of your assembly that it has fallen into disgrace. Every ailing has its remedy, and every affliction its relief. The efficacious remedy of this disease with which the assembly has been afflicted lies in meditation and contemplation over the Covenant and Testament. It should be observed whether the Blessed Beauty has entered into this Covenant and Testament in order to exact obedience from all, or to bring about disobedience. If the latter is intended, then nothing is to be said, and if obedience and compliance are the objects aimed at, then wavering leads to utter loss, and disobedience and rejection are absolute error.
His Holiness Christ, with reference to Peter, hath uttered one word, and has not personally written anything, and that word is: "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." Notwithstanding the fact that it was only one word, void of any great importance and has been orally communicated and not written, nor has it been put down by the pen of Christ, yet all the apostles submitted and complied.
Now, the Blessed Beauty has given explicitly through His own writing, and by the stroke of the supreme pen the absolute command of obedience, and of the turning of the face toward the Center. It must be either said that, God forbid, the Blessed Beauty was ignorant and has been wrong in commanding that all should obey the Center of the Covenant or, on the other hand, obedience should be shown, and the face should be turned towards him. Strange! What answer will they give to the Blessed Beauty in the divine Kingdom? This much consideration is enough if justice is considered; and if it is not, and injustice prevails throughout discussions, then it is another question.
In fine, these Covenant-breakers and their disobedience are like unto froth, which does not last, and which shall soon vanish, while the sea, itself which is the cause of life, will remain and continue to exist. Reflect upon the time subsequent to the manifestation of Christ: How many souls have sown in the Cause of God the seeds of sedition and intrigue but eventually their efforts were doomed to disappointment and failure and Truth hoisted its banner. This breaking of the Covenant is likewise doomed to failure. Like unto a mirage, soon it shall vanish and disappear.
Upon thee be greetings and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine; June 24th, 1919.)
ERNEST WALTERS
His honor, Mr. Ernest Walters, Chicago, Illinois—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou servant of God!
Two letters have been received from thee and from the contents of both the turning of thy face toward the Kingdom of God was noted. Divine bounty has been extended and the blessings of His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH are complete. Rest thou assured that thyself and thy mother shall ever be encompassed by divine bounty, but thou must be so firm
and steadfast in the Covenant and Testament that the violators who may be found at thy meeting may not even draw a breath.
Today the magnet of the confirmations of the divine Kingdom is firmness in the Covenant and the Testament and all else save that is useless talk for by what can Bahai unity be preserved? Can it be preserved through the absurd and useless words of some people? God forbid. His Holiness Christ, in order to preserve the unity of Christendom addressed one word to Peter: "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." This word preserved the unity of Christendom for 800 years although it was communicated only orally. But on the other hand the Kitab-el-Ahd is not an oral communication; it is the mark of the Supreme Pen. It has been revealed in order to preserve Bahai unity, so that the souls may not become agitated and perturbed, may not every day set up for themselves an idol and establish a new center of authority and seditious men may not agitate.
Glory be unto God! Notwithstanding this some thoughtless and ambitious persons desire to turn away through their meek language and flattery the souls from the straight path and cause them to wander aimlessly in the wilderness of superstitions. They have their liberty. On us it is incumbent to state the truth. Whosoever desires may accept it, and he who refuses, "Verily, God is independent of all the world."
Upon thee be Baha-el-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Bahjeh, Acca, Palestine, July 18, 1919.)
MR. AND MRS. SCHEFFLER.
To their honors, Mr. and Mrs. Scheffler, Chicago, Illinois—Upon them be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O ye two firm ones in the Covenant!
Happy are ye that, like unto a blessed tree, ye have struck roots deeply in the soil of the Covenant, and are in the utmost firmness and steadfastness. If a thousand winds begin to blow, they shall not affect ye and such should be one's firmness and steadfastness. Otherwise, if by the diffusion of the offensive odor of violation, health is converted into sickness, of what use is existence? Death and life are alike in that respect.
In short, I pray on your behalf and beg from the divine Kingdom assistance and bounty. Rest ye assured that ye are confirmed souls. Convey to all the friends my greeting.
Upon ye be greeting and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Bahjeh, Acca, Palestine, July 20, 1919.)
MARY LESCH
To the maid-servant of God, Miss Mary Lesch, Chicago, Illinois—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou maid-servant of God!
Thy letter was received and its contents indicated firmness in the Covenant. Therefore, the hope is entertained that thou wilt be assisted under all conditions, for today that which is most important is firmness in the Covenant and the Testament and otherwise Bahai unity will not be preserved. If Bahai unity could be preserved through something else, undoubtedly the Blessed Beauty would have commanded it.
In accordance with the Kitab-el-Akdas, which is the supreme authority and the Kitab-el-Ahd which is the last book of the Blessed Beauty written by His supreme pen, all are addressed in a clear and explicit manner.
First he addresses the Aghsans, then the Afnans and the relatives and finally the rest of the friends and bids them to turn their faces toward the Center of the Covenant. And the verses which have been revealed in the Kitab-el-Akdas
ordering all to turn after His Ascension to "Him who is branched from the Pre-Existent Root" are explicitly recorded in the Kitab-el-Ah'd as having for their object the Center of the Covenant. And in another special Tablet the authenticity of which is admitted by every one, it is recorded that if the center of violation whose proper name he mentions, deviates the least from the shadow of the Cause, he at once loses the station of Branchhood. How could it be more explicit? Now it must be either said that the Blessed Beauty has done wrong and has led the people to error for he ordered them to obey a person who ought not to have been obeyed, or on the other hand it must be said that the least deviation from the Covenant and the Testament entails deprivation from the bounties of the Luminary of the world. One of the two alternatives must be true and there is no third one to it.
In fine, Bahai unity cannot be preserved save through the Covenant of God. Today the stirring power in the body of the world is the Covenant, and if this Covenant is made ineffective, what power will be able to stir it? The statement which was made orally by His Holiness Christ to Peter—that "thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church"—this declaration preserved for a thousand years Christian unity. After the lapse of a thousand years, due to political questions, dissensions happened. Now, if this Word of Christ has preserved the unity of Christendom for a thousand years, consider what will be done by the Kitab-el-Ahd which has been revealed by the Supreme Pen. But superficial, restless souls, who at first were firm in the Covenant and have written epistles with reference to their firmness and detachment from violators and have considered them as outcasts from the Threshold of the Almighty—and these epistles are still extant—these persons like unto Judas Iscariot, have for personal interests and financial motives, deviated from the Covenant. They followed the people of craft and stained their hands with the blood of Christ. Be admonished, O ye who possess intelligence!
If at all thou art firm and steadfast in the Covenant, strengthen and fortify thy relationships with the Convention, and from whomsoever thou inhalest the odor of violation, avoid his company and keep aloof, that thou mayest remain safe and protected under the protection of the Covenant, and, like unto a candle, be ignited with the light of steadfastness.
I am kind to all people and do not attack anyone. I pray on behalf of all that all may gather under His divine protection. This Covenant and Testament have been entered into by the Blessed Beauty and I have not taken any such part. Let them answer Him and I have no objection. My duty is to be kind to everyone; vengeance is reserved for the Blessed Beauty and not for myself. As I am kind to everyone, I mention only the good characteristics of a person and if a word is written, the intention is the setting forth of truth and the preservation of the religion of God, so that Bahai unity may be preserved. If any persons desire to upset this unity, they are free and let them present their answers to the Blessed Beauty in the Abha Kingdom, should He address them as follows:
"O ye, my friends! Have I, through My Supreme Pen and the explicit verses of the Kitab-el-Akdas commanded obedience or disobedience? Have I not ordered the center of violation to obey and to turn his face (towards Him)? Why have ye turned away from My manifest and irrefutable Center? I have given the command to turn your faces toward Him, how have ye turned away? Why have ye upset Bahai unity?"
What will they answer?
The friends must be very attentive and then whatever they deem advisable,
they may perform. I have nothing to impose. In America, no doubt whatever call is proclaimed, ambitious and thoughtless souls will be found to support it for a time. Even at Green Acre it has been remarked that one of the inhabitants of Malta was summoning men to excessive hunger [fasting] and used to receive pay for it. Notwithstanding this, some souls gathered around him and from hunger they seemed dead yet would pay to that man.
Do not grieve for thy dear brother who has ascended from this mortal world to the eternal realm and do not feel depressed. That drop has hastened to the limitless ocean and that wandering bird has flown to the shelter and nest of the Supreme Concourse. Thou shalt find him at the effulgent gathering in the Kingdom of Mysteries.
As to the dream thou didst have that thy brother appeared fully dressed, clothing is the ornament of man and and that is the bounty of the Merciful. As to the bundle he had in hand, it is his benevolent deeds, and his serious look denoted his purpose to make thee realize the following fact: "Consider to what bounty I have attained! Praise be to God, that I am safe and well and have on me the garment of piety and carry in my hand the bundle of my deeds. I am alive and not dead. Consider closely, I am living and have not passed away. Be thou attentive."
Upon thee be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Acca, Palestine, July 22, 1919.)
MARY HALL
To the maid-servant of God, Mary Hall, Chicago, Illinois—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou dear maid-servant of God!
Thy letters were received. God willing, this time that thou hast turned away from the Theosophists to the Bahai faith, thou mayest remain so firm and steadfast that if all the people that dwell on earth should gather to deviate thee a hair's breadth from the path of BAHA'O'LLAH, they would fail in their endeavor. Consider, that in the time of Christ, how much the Pharisees—and those souls who at first believed in Christ and then turned away from Him, such as Judas Iscariot and his companions—scattered the seeds of doubt in the Cause of Christ, in order to shake the faith of the believing souls. But these doubts and those who originated them are like unto the foam of the ocean, which has been cast ashore by the ever-surging ocean of Christ. This is because the foam does not last, while the ocean is eternal.
Praise be to God, thy eye has been again illumined, thy ear has responded, thou hast investigated the Truth and hast believed in the Cause of BAHA'O'LLAH. I hope that, day by day, the bounties of the Kingdom may constantly encircle thee, thou mayest daily increase in firmness and become the cause of the guidance of other souls.
As to thy presence in the Holy Land, these days it is very difficult, and here the conditions are not yet quite stable. God willing, when conditions are stabilized and travel is made easier, thou shalt present thyself.
Upon thee be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Acca, Palestine, July 26, 1919.)
DR. PAULINE BARTON-PEEKE
To the maid-servant of God, Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke, Cleveland, Ohio—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
Thy letter was received. Praise be to God, it was indicative of the utmost firmness and steadfastness. It behooves
thee to be the herald of the Covenant and the Testament and to be attracted by the fragrances of the Merciful. The meeting thou dost hold at thy house pertains to the Kingdom, for the Sun of Reality shines therein. At the meeting the memory of God is commemorated, the hearts are turned to the divine Kingdom and the eyes are opened to witness the signs of the Merciful. Continue to hold this meeting and strive daily to fortify its basis and to arrange its sessions. My hope is that meeting may become in that land the recipient of merciful susceptibilities and the cause of the manifestation of divine illumination and the training of human souls.
Upon thee be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Acca, Palestine, July 26, 1919.)
ROY WILLIAMS
To his honor, Mr. Roy Williams, care of his honor Mr. Hannen, Washington, D. C.—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou firm in the Covenant!
Three consecutive letters have been received from thee. From their contents it became known that in Cleveland from the murky breaths of the Covenant-breakers the hearts are afflicted and among the friends harmony has decreased. Praise be to God! A hundred times it has been foretold that the violators are lying in ambush and by a certain means desire to cause dissension among the friends so that this dissension may end in violation of the Covenant. Notwithstanding this warning, how is it that the friends have neglected this explicit declaration?
The point at issue is firm, direct and in the utmost brevity. Either His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH was wise, omniscient and aware of consequences or was ignorant and a sinner. He entered by His Supreme Pen into such a firm Covenant and Testament with all the Bahais, first with the Aghsans (branches), Afnans (twigs) and Muntasebeens (relations) and commanded them to obey and turn toward (him). By His supreme pen, He has explicitly declared that the object of the following verse of the Kitab-el-Akdas (the Book of Laws) is the Greatest Branch:
"When the ocean of My Presence has disappeared and the Book of Origin is achieved to the end, turn your faces toward him whom God hath purposed, who hath branched from this Pre-Existent Root." Its meaning briefly is this: That after my ascension, it is incumbent upon the Aghsans, the Afnans and the Muntasebeens and all the friends of God to turn their faces to him who has branched from the Pre-Existent Root.
He also plainly says in the Kitab-el-Akdas (Book of Laws): "O ye people of the world! When the Dove flies away from the orchard of praise towards the Most Supreme and Invisible Station refer in whatever ye do not comprehend in the Book to him who has been branched from this Pre-Existent Root." Addressing all the people of the world, He says: When the Dove of Holiness flies away from the orchard of praise to the Most Supreme and Invisible Station—that is, when the Blessed Beauty turns away from the contingent world towards the invisible Realm—whatever ye do not understand from the Book refer it to him who has branched from the Pre-Existent Root. That is, whatever he says that is the actual fact.
And in the Book of the Covenant, He explicitly says that the object of this verse, "Who has branched from the Pre-Existent Root," is the Greatest Branch. And He commands all the Aghsans, Afnans, Muntasebeens and the Bahais to turn toward him. Now either
one must say that the Blessed Beauty has made a mistake or He must be obeyed. Abdul-Baha has no command to call the people to its obedience save the diffusion of the fragrances of God, the exaltation of His Word, the promulgation of the oneness of the world of humanity, the establishment of universal peace, and so forth, from the Commands of God. These are divine commands and have nothing to do with Abdul-Baha. Whoever wishes may accept them and any one who rejects them may do as he pleases.
Now some of the mischief-makers, with many kinds of tricks are seeking leadership and in order to reach this position they instill some doubts among the friends that they may cause differences, and differences may result in drawing a party to themselves. But the friends of God must be awake and must know that the scattering of these doubts have as their motives personal intentions and the realization of leadership.
Do not break up Bahai unity, and this unity cannot be maintained save through faith in the Covenant of God.
In fine, thou hast the desire to travel about that thou mayest spread the fragrances of God. This is highly suitable. Assuredly divine confirmations will assist thee and the power of the Covenant and the Testament will secure thee triumph and victory.
Upon thee be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Haifa, Palestine, July 18th, 1919.)
NORMA WILSON
To the maid-servant of God, Norma Wilson, Chicago, Illinois—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
Thy letter was received. It was like the melody of the divine nightingale, the twittering of which gladdens the hearts. This is because its contents indicated faith, assurance and firmness in the Covenant and the Testament. Today the stirring power of the world of existence is the power of the Covenant which like unto arteries pulsates in the body of the contingent world and protects Bahai unity.
The Bahais are ordered to establish the oneness of mankind; if they cannot unite around one point how will they be able to bring about the unity of mankind?
The purpose of the Blessed Beauty in entering into this Covenant and Testament was to gather all the existent beings around one point so that the thoughtless souls, who in every cycle and generation have been the cause of dissension, may not undermine the Movement. He has, therefore, commanded that whatever emanates from the Center of the Covenant is right and is under His protection and favor, while everything else is error.
Praise be to God, thou art firm in the Covenant and the Testament.
Upon thee be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine; July 18th, 1919.)
O God! Assist me with the hosts of the Supreme Concourse and make me firm and steadfast in the Covenant and Testament. I am weak in the Covenant and Testament; confer upon me strength. I am poor; bestow upon me wealth from the treasures of the Kingdom. I am ignorant; open before my face the doors of knowledge. I am dead; breathe into me the Breath of Life. I am dumb; grant me an eloquent tongue, so that with a fluent expression I may raise the call of Thy Kingdom and quicken all of them in firmness to the Covenant. Thou art the Generous, the Giver and the Mighty!
