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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. 17
| PAGE | |||||||||||||
Message of ABDUL-BAHA to the American Bahais through Mrs. Corinne True and Miss Edna True | |||||||||||||
Unveiling of the Divine Plan for the Islands of the Sea—Tablet from ABDUL-BAHA | |||||||||||||
News from Japan—Letter from Agnes Alexander | |||||||||||||
News from Haifa, Palestine—Letters from Mrs. Corinne True, Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi and George Latimer | |||||||||||||
"Universal peace is one of the principles of BAHA'O'LLAH—Tablet to the Hon. William Sulzer | |||||||||||||
Recent Tablets from ABDUL-BAHA to American Bahais | |||||||||||||
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MESSAGE OF ABDUL-BAHA TO THE AMERICAN BAHAIS THROUGH MRS. CORINNE TRUE AND MISS EDNA TRUE ON THE EVE OF THEIR DEPARTURE FROM HAIFA, NOV. 12, 1919.
My message to them is that they must be united, must remain firm and steadfast, must be always turning to the Kingdom and must be the manifestations of truthfulness, of faith, of harmony and of self-sacrifice. They must co-operate and serve one another with sincerity and goodwill, with devotion and with humility. They must be pure in heart, purer than this water at table. Their hearts must be always directed toward God and turned away from man. They must seek His divine good-pleasure and should be wholly detached from this ephemeral world, for attachment to it will plunge man into an intense darkness. The love of this world is the fountain head of every vice and sin. It is the first sin that a soul can commit. No sin is greater than this. Whoever is detached from this world is assuredly near unto God, is a real and sincere Bahai, and whoever is attached to it knows well that he is not a real Bahai, for a real Bahai cannot love this world and cannot be possibly attached to it. At most it is this that man may live a few days in this world, sleeps, eats, drinks and then passes away, is confined into a subterranean dungeon and goes to the lowest of the low, leaving no trace and no name behind him. But if, on the other hand, he turns during the days of his life to the divine Kingdom, acquires human perfections and the excellent attributes of the world of humanity, his life will be a fruitful one, he will pertain to the Kingdom and will become heavenly and illumined. He will never feel inclined to this world and if he at all occupies himself with it, it is simply to acquire the means of subsistence. The two most essential requisites are harmony and severance from this world. Attachment to this world is a hindrance to union. If attachment is decreased, union and harmony will be gradually realized.
Good tidings and refreshing news must be received from you when you reach the West—tidings which, when I become informed of them, I may be gladdened and rejoiced. I trust that when ye reach America ye may be in the utmost degree of enkindlement, that ye may stir and quicken the souls. I pray that ye may bestow such a joy and fragrance that when ye attend a gathering of friends and when ye address them ye may transform and stir and vivify the souls of your hearers.
Rest assured that the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty (BAHA'O'LLAH) will ever come to your assistance and will ever encompass you. On your behalf I pray at these Sacred Spots and beg for ye assistance and confirmation. Rest ye assured that ye are under His sheltering protection!
"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 | Sultan 1, 75 (January 19, 1920) | No. 17 |
Tablet* of ABDUL-BAHA read at the Seventh Session of the Eleventh Annual Mashrekol-Azkar Convention and Bahai Congress held in McAlpin Hotel, New York City, April 26-30, 1919.
TABLETTo the believers and the maid-servants of the Merciful of the Bahai Assemblies and Meetings in the United States and Canada!
O ye real Bahais of America!
Praise be to His Highness the desired One, that ye have become confirmed in the promotion of divine teachings in that vast continent, raised the call of the Kingdom of God in that region and announced the glad-tidings of the Manifestation of the Lord of Hosts and His Highness the promised One. Thanks be unto the Lord that ye have become assisted and confirmed in this aim. This is purely through the confirmations of the Lord of Hosts and the breaths of the Holy Spirit. At present your confirmation is not known and understood. Ere long ye shall observe that each one of you like unto a brilliant and shining star will diffuse the light of guidance from that horizon and that ye have become the cause of the eternal life to the inhabitants of America.
Consider: The station and the confirmation of the apostles in the time of Christ was not known, and no one looked on them with the feeling of importance—nay, rather, they persecuted and ridiculed them. Later on it became evident what crowns studded with the brilliant jewels of guidance were placed on the heads of the apostles, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of John.
Likewise your confirmation is not known at the present time. I hope that ere long it may throw a mighty reverberation through the pillars of the earth. Therefore, it is the hope of Abdul-Baha that just as ye are confirmed and assisted on the continent of America, ye may also be confirmed and assisted on other continents of the globe:—that is, ye may carry the fame of the Cause of God to
*NOTE—This Tablet to the Assemblies of the United States and Canada was revealed on Tuesday morning, April 11, 1916, in Bahjee, near the blessed Tomb of BAHA'O'LLAH.—The Editors.
the East and to the West and spread the glad-tidings of the appearance of the Kingdom of the Lord of Hosts throughout the five continents of the world.
When this divine call travels from the continent of America to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the islands of the Pacific, the American believers shall be established on the throne of everlasting glory, the fame of their illumination and guidance shall reach to all regions and the renown of their greatness become world-wide. Therefore, a party, speaking the languages, severed, holy, sanctified and filled with the love of God, must turn their faces to and travel through the three great island groups of the Pacific Ocean,—Polynesia, Micronesia and Mylanesia, and the islands attached to these groups, such as New Guinea, Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Philippine Islands, Solomon Islands, Fiji Islands, New Hebrides, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia, Bismarck Archipelago, Ceram, Celebes, Friendly Islands, Samoa Islands, Society Islands, Caroline Islands, Low Archipelago, Marquesas, Hawaiian Islands, Gilbert Islands, Moluccas, Marshall Islands, Timor and the other islands. With hearts overflowing with the love of God, with tongues commemorating the mention of God, with eyes turned to the Kingdom of God, they must deliver the glad-tiding of the Manifestation of the Lord of Hosts to all the people. Know ye of a certainty that in whatever meeting ye may enter, in the apex of that meeting the Holy Spirit shall be waving and the heavenly confirmations of the Blessed Perfection will encompass all.
Consider ye, that Miss Agnes Alexander (of Honolulu), the daughter of the Kingdom, the beloved maid-servant of the Blessed Perfection, traveled alone in the Hawaiian Islands, and now she is gaining spiritual victories in Japan! Reflect ye how this daughter was confirmed in the Hawaiian Islands. She became the cause of the guidance of a gathering of people.
Likewise Miss Knobloch traveled alone to Germany. To what a great extent she became confirmed! Therefore, know ye of a certainty that whosoever arises in this day to diffuse the divine fragrances, the cohorts of the Kingdom of God shall confirm him and the bestowals and the favors of the Blessed Perfection shall encircle him.
O how I long that it would be made possible for me to travel through these parts, even if necessary on foot and with the utmost poverty, and while passing through the cities, villages, mountains, deserts and oceans, cry at the top of my voice: "Ya-Baha-El-Abha!" and promote the divine teachings. But now this is not feasible for me, therefore I live in great regret; perchance, God willing, ye may become assisted therein.
At this time, in the islands of Hawaii, through the efforts of Miss Alexander, a number of souls have reached the shore of the sea of faith! Consider ye, what happiness, what joy is this! I declare by the Lord of Hosts that had this respected daughter founded an empire, that empire would not have been so great! For this sovereignty is eternal sovereignty and this glory is everlasting glory.
Likewise, if some teachers go to other islands and other parts, such as the
continent of Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, also to Japan, Asiatic Russia, Korea, French Indo-China, Siam, Straits Settlements, India, Ceylon and Afghanistan, most great results will be forthcoming. How good would it be were there any possibility of a commission composed of men and women, to travel together through China and Japan,—so that this bond of love may become strengthened, and through this going and coming they may establish the oneness of the world of humanity, summon the people to the Kingdom of God and spread the teachings.
Similarly, if possible, they should travel to the continent of Africa, Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands, Madeira Islands, Reunion Islands, St. Helena, Zanzibar, Mauritius, etc., and in those countries summon the people to the Kingdom of God and raise the cry of: "Ya-Baha-El-Abha!" They must also upraise the flag of the oneness of the world of humanity in the island of Madagascar.
Books and pamphlets must be either translated or composed in the languages of these countries and islands, to be circulated in every part and in all directions.
It is said that in South Africa, a diamond mine has been discovered. Although this mine is most valuable, yet after all it is stone. Perchance, God willing, the mine of humanity may be discovered and the brilliant pearls of the Kingdom be found.
In brief, this world-consuming war has set such a conflagration to the hearts that no word can describe it. In all the countries of the world the longing for universal peace is taking possession of the consciousness of men. There is not a soul who does not yearn for concord and peace. A most wonderful state of receptivity is being realized. This is through the consummate wisdom of God, so that capacity may be created, the standard of the oneness of the world of humanity be upraised, and the fundamentals of universal peace and the divine principles be promoted in the East and the West.
Therefore, O ye believers of God! Show ye an effort and after this war spread ye the synopsis of the divine teachings in the British Isles, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Portugal, Roumania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece, Andora, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Monaco, San Marino, Balearic Isles, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete, Malta, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Shetland Islands, Hebrides and Orkney Islands.
In all these countries, like unto the morning stars shine ye from the horizon of guidance. Up to this time ye have displayed great magnanimity, but after this, ye must add a thousand times to your effort and throughout the above countries, capitals, islands, meetings and churches, invite mankind to the Kingdom of Abha! The circle of your exertion must become widened. The more it is broadened and extended, the greater will be your confirmation.
Ye have observed that while Abdul-Baha was in the utmost bodily weakness and feebleness, while he was indisposed, and had not the power to move—notwithstanding this physical state he traveled through many countries, in Europe
and America, and in churches, meetings and conventions was occupied with the promotion of the divine principles and summoned the people to the manifestation of the Kingdom of Abha. Ye have also observed how the confirmations of the Blessed Perfection encompassed all. What result is forthcoming from material rest, tranquillity, luxury and attachment to this corporeal world! It is evident that the man who pursues these things will in the end become afflicted with regret and loss.
Consequently, one must close his eyes wholly to these thoughts, long for eternal life, the sublimity of the world of humanity, the celestial developments, the Holy Spirit, the promotion of the Word of God, the guidance of the inhabitants of the globe, the promulgation of universal peace and the proclamation of the oneness of the world of humanity! This is the work! Otherwise like unto other animals and birds one must occupy himself with the requirements of this physical life, the satisfaction of which is the highest aspiration of the animal kingdom, and one must stalk across the earth like unto the quadrupeds.
Consider ye! No matter how much man gains wealth, riches and opulence in this world, he will not become as independent as a cow. For these fattened cows roam freely over the vast tableland. All the prairies and meadows are theirs for grazing, and all the springs and rivers are theirs for drinking! No matter how much they graze, the fields will not be exhausted! It is evident that they have earned these material bounties with the utmost facility.
Still more ideal than this is the life of the bird. A bird, on the summit of a mountain, on the high, waving branches, has built for itself a nest more beautiful than the palaces of the kings! The air is in the utmost purity, the water cool and clear as crystal, the panorama charming and enchanting. In such glorious surroundings, he expends his numbered days. All the harvests of the plain are his possessions, having earned all this wealth without the least labor. Hence, no matter how much man may advance in this world, he shall not attain to the station of this bird! Thus it becomes evident that in the matters of his world, however much man may strive and work to the point of death, he will be unable to earn the abundance, the freedom and the independent life of a small bird. This proves and establishes the fact that man is not created for the life of this ephemeral world:—nay, rather, he is created for the acquirement of infinite perfections, for the attainment to the sublimity of the world of humanity, to be drawn nigh unto the divine threshold, and to sit on the throne of everlasting sovereignty!
Upon ye be Bahá El-Abha!
Any soul starting on a trip of teaching to various parts, and while sojourning in strange countries, may peruse the following supplication, day and night:
O God! O God! Thou seest me enamored and attracted toward Thy Kingdom the El-Abha, enkindled with the fire of Thy love amongst mankind, a
herald of Thy Kingdom in these vast and spacious countries, severed from aught else save Thee, relying on Thee, abandoning rest and comfort, remote from my native home, a wanderer in these regions, a stranger fallen on the ground, humble before Thy exalted threshold, submissive toward Thy most high realm, supplicating Thee in the middle of nights and in the heart of evenings, entreating and invoking Thee in the morn and eve;—so that Thou mayst assist me in the service of Thy Cause, the promotion of Thy teachings and the exaltation of Thy Word in the Easts of the Earth and the Wests thereof.
O Lord! Strengthen my back and confirm me in Thy servitude with all my powers, and do not leave me alone and by myself in these countries.
O Lord! Associate with me in my loneliness and accompany me in my journeys through these foreign lands.
Verily, Thou art the confirmer of whomsoever Thou willest in that which Thou desirest, and verily Thou art the Powerful, the Omnipotent!
Beloved friends:
Here again I am in this land after a wonderful voyage from Honolulu in teaching the Cause, as the doors opened as never before. When I went on the steamer in Honolulu, it was the twelfth time I had boarded a steamer without knowing beforehand anyone who was sailing. The first morning a letter was handed me from Mrs. Cooper, telling of a lovely French lady, Mlle. Charlotte Comte, who was traveling on the same steamer, and who had become deeply interested in the teachings. Strange to say unconsciously as we were sailing from Honolulu, I was guided to her and we talked together, though not at that time of the Cause. She was on her way to Vladivostok to be married and had traveled from Paris alone through the United States. At Niagara Falls she met a Bahai and heard for the first time the teachings, then in Chicago she went to the Sunday meeting, meeting others who sent her to dear Mrs. Cooper in San Francisco. Her soul was fully prepared for the divine Message and we pray that in Vladivostok she may plant the divine seeds. Then Mlle. Charlotte Comte introduced me to Dr. and Mrs. Shastri who also were interested. Mrs. Shastri, as Miss Jensen of Omaha, had heard several Bahai speakers there and through Mr. Vail had some of the literature which she was taking to India, her new home which will be in Benares. She was eager to read everything, though she has not yet fully grasped the great Message. Another lady was a Mrs. Ernst whose home was in Chicago. She became deeply interested. She had lived among the Arabs in Tunis and her desire is that she might go to these people whom she loves and who love her and teach them some day. I gave her a copy of the Divine Plan to take to Manila where she is now going to her children. Others, Filipino doctor and a Holland gentleman were interested, also a Japanese gentleman who had, through a friend, attended a meeting in Washington. He offered to do all in his power to help me here.
I am now staying in the Tokyo station
(Continued on page 316)
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 with 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 | Sultan 1, 75 (January 19, 1920) | No. 17 |
Cairo, Egypt.
November 16, 1919.
To the Editors of the STAR OF THE WEST:
We spent eleven heavenly days in Haifa with Abdul-Baha. Two weeks ago this morning (November 2nd) we reached there after pushing through many difficulties. None of the countries have recovered from the war. Traveling is really filled with discomforts, and the innumerable official signatures necessary to enter or leave a country is most annoying. We were held up for three weeks in Paris getting our British visé to enter Egypt. Fugeta wrote me from Naples that he was held up indefinitely there for the same reason. Of course we could not go to Abdul-Baha without first going to find out just how Fugeta was situated. This necessitated our sailing for Egypt via Italy. We had to leave him in Naples, greatly to our regret, but there was a service we could render him in Cairo by hastening the sending on of his British visé that the consul had cabled for. We had a beautiful steamer from Brindisi, Italy, to Alexandria, and the trip was lovely in every way.
Let me go back to tell you that in Paris, Mirza Ali Kuli Khan and his charming wife were adorable to us, and perfect lifesavers. They were the only two Bahais we could find at that time in Paris, Mr. and Mrs. Scott having gone to the country on a protracted stay. The afternoon we were leaving Paris for Italy, Mr. Randall and George Latimer came to our hotel to see us, and at six o'clock we had dinner with the five members of their party. It was so good to see them.
In Brindisi we found Dr. Esselmont at our hotel, waiting for his ship. He sailed in the afternoon and we in the
morning of the same day, but our ship was the fastest ship we could get to Egypt, and then we proceeded to Haifa by rail. The railroad in Palestine was built and is run by the military, therefore we required a military permit to ride on it. Getting this permit required us to come to Cairo, military headquarters. This also took time, so Edna made good use of every moment for sightseeing, as we did not expect to return to Cairo. Finally arrangements were perfected for us to take the train Saturday evening at 6:15, and we reached Haifa Sunday morning about 11 o'clock. It was the most difficult part of the journey, no comforts whatever on the train, only a bunk to wrap oneself in a steamer rug and stretch out for the night. It was quite thrilling to find oneself riding through that territory which Moses led the children of Israel through in his journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.
Our struggles to attain the goal of reaching Haifa so soon after a world war, in which all the countries we passed through had been vital factors, were indeed great compared to the ease with which Arna and I had made the journey twelve years ago, but this very struggle made the joy of arrival so great that we were almost stunned to find ourselves actually in the presence of Abdul-Baha and in Haifa.
In one of his talks he has said that it will be impossible for us to realize his fatherhood for us while we are in the body. I think this is in Divine Philosophy. Upon reaching Haifa the first thing was an expression of his divine fatherhood for his spiritual children. He had prepared a pilgrim house for the American Bahais, even hiring a European housemaid (a deaf German woman from their colony). One must pass through the many struggles of travel through broken down war countries, still tied up with military red tape, to fully realize what the joy was first to actually be in his holy presence again and partake of his fatherly care awaiting our arrival. His welcome was all the heart needed to wipe away every trace of the struggle, and count every discomfort as the greatest comfort. Eleven days were spent in that Holy Spot. Beginning the morning by meeting with the holy family in Abdul-Baha's living room at 6:30, where chanting was done and those far-famed cups of tea were served, which seem like veritable draughts of life. Sometimes we asked Abdul-Baha questions and sometimes he talked to us without questions. Always was that marvelous flow of divine knowledge and wisdom. We usually went back to the American pilgrim house after chatting with the Greatest Holy Leaf or the Holy Mother or the daughter of Abdul-Baha.
One of the sweetest things happened early one morning that I must tell you about. The daughter, Tubah Khanum, her husband, Mirza Mohsen, and their little child, a boy of three years, were in Beirut when we arrived, but returned in a day or so. The first morning after their return, when the little three-year-old grandson came into the family gathering, he went to Abdul-Baha with the deepest sense of reverence, and picking up the hem of his garment, which was a white abba that morning, he kissed it and buried his little head in its folds. It was a picture never to be forgotten. The act of the child was clearly spontaneous, one could see. From the Orient the Occident must learn the real lesson of reverence. This is a spiritual quality she has to impart to us, while on the other hand the Occident has some qualities to reciprocate—it is give and take—the two embracing as two lovers.
A beautiful part of the day was after we had returned to the pilgrim house and been served a European breakfast, and some piece of work was taken up which we could do on the front balcony. Seeing us free the Oriental pilgrims would come on this balcony and visit with us, and from them we learned much of the early history of the Cause in Persia, and also the present methods by which it is being spread. I am bringing
a photo containing the faces of all the dear pilgrims, and when I see you will talk to you for hours about them.
At 4 o'clock again we went to the holy family for tea and a visit. Then at 6:30 we American women were permitted to meet with the men believers, who gather every evening with Abdul-Baha, for an hour. The evening dinner was one of the most wonderful times. Seated on his left was Edna, and on his right this servant, and at the table about a dozen of these wonderful Oriental pilgrims, who are mostly the great Bahai teachers. That is another long chapter, but I must close.
Lovingly in His Name,
Corinne True.
Haifa, Palestine.
December 11, 1919.
To the STAR OF THE WEST.
My beloved co-workers:
On November 11th, the night of the blessed Birthday of BAHA'O'LLAH, we sailed from America; on the 26th of November, the Feast of the Center of God's Covenant, we sailed from Italy; and on the 9th of December we reached the holy presence of Abdul-Baha. He inquired about all the friends in America and he is pleased with all.
Oh! what a difference between now and twelve years ago. At present the light of justice is shining, in the past there was only injustice. Now, for the first time in the history of the Holy Land, religious freedom is given; people's lives, property and chastity are safeguarded.
The face of the Master is radiant as the sun, and the multitudes around him are as butterflies, and he is the luminous lamp. He says the people of the world will enjoy the blessings of the Most Great Peace only when they accept the Bahai Message. The Cause of BAHA'O'LLAH is creative, but the creatures are the creatures, and all mankind cannot create a mosquito. I am thinking and praying for you and all the beloved friends in America. The Master said: "Khili khoob (Very good)," after he saw issue No. 8 of the radiant STAR OF THE WEST. Faithfully,
Zia (Bagdadi).
On board S. S. Canopic.
December 19, 1919.
To the STAR OF THE WEST:
After twelve wonderful days at Haifa, on the "Mountain of God" with Abdul-Baha, our boat arrived three days ahead of time to bring us back to America. At first the news of its sudden arrival saddened us, but we soon realized that our cup of capacity had already been filled to the brim and our greatest joy was to carry back the love and fragrances of that holy spot to the friends in America.
Now that all the doors of communication have been opened, Abdul-Baha is extremely busy welcoming the pilgrims from all parts of the world and sending out his teachings and instructions everywhere. Often he works many hours into the night correcting Tablets and answering letters. His power, energy and activity was an inspiration to us all, and his supreme joy is the news of unity and the progress of the Cause.
On November 19th, when he came to the Pilgrim House, prepared for Western friends, to have lunch with us, it was remarked that upon our return to America the first question the friends would ask is: "When will the Master return to America?" His face lighted up with a beaming smile as he said:
"We will see what God wants. If America becomes illumined, its illumination like a magnet, will draw me there. If America will become the America I want it to become, I will surely come and I will go to all parts, to every state."
These words were still ringing in our ears and hearts when on November 27th, the time of parting came. Before our departure, Abdul-Baha again expressed the greatest longing of his heart, saying:
"You must all do your best to increase love among the friends, that really and sincerely the friends may all love one another—so that faith in the Kingdom may give forth good results, because life in this world depends upon love. The illumination of the world of man depends upon love, the splendor of God depends upon love, tranquillity of heart and soul both depend upon love. Anything beside that is personified imagination. If a friend arrives from another city or state, friends must show him the utmost love so that he may be pleased with coming to the city and meeting the friends."
Will not this call of the Center of the Covenant, the call which pulsates through all the arteries of the world of humanity, awaken within us that love and unity of purpose which will become the torch of illumination that will once more attract him to our shores?
With Bahai love and greetings,
George Latimer.
NOTE:—Those returning from this pilgrimage are Mr. and Mrs. Randall, their daughter Bahiyeh, Albert Vail, Arthur Hathaway and myself.
To the Honorable William Sulzer, Ex-Governor, New York—Greetings!
He Is God!
O thou who art the well-wisher of humanity—felicitations!
Your epistle concerning the League of Nations has been received and read with great joy. I am hopeful that the members of the League of Nations, especially President Woodrow Wilson, the well-wisher of the world, shall be confirmed in this, that in accordance with the teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH there shall soon be established a great tribunal, the members of which shall be composed of the best men and women from all the governments of the earth. This great tribunal must be the guarantor of universal peace.
The present is the beginning of the dawn of universal peace. The hope of the world is this: That the sun of universal peace may rise with a supremacy that shall entirely dispel the darkness of war and its infamous disgrace.
The question of universal peace is one of the principles of the teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH. These teachings have other principles that make them complete, such as: The oneness of humanity; the investigation of truth and reality and the abandonment of old superstitions; unity and religious amity; that religion must be the cause of concord; that all religions must conform with science and reason; that there must be no religious, racial or national prejudices; that there must be a oneness of language—that is, the adoption of a universal auxiliary language, so that every mind shall know two languages, one the national tongue and the other the universal language; that there must be a solution of social problems and economic questions based on justice to all; that there must be equality of the rights of women and men, that righteousness and justice must prevail, and that
there must be education and freedom for all the sons and daughters of mother earth.
With the efforts of your President the matter of universal peace has come forth as expounded in the League of Nations.
Through the favor of the True One, and by the Word of God, I pray the League of Nations shall soon become a fact; that universal peace shall thenceforth be established; that then the brotherhood of man shall then be recognized, and that your honor and the people of your country, may continue a manifestation of their confirmation.
Praise be to God!
Love and benediction.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Revealed June 18, 1919, Haifa, Syria. Translated by Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, Chicago.)
hotel where I was guided. All the trains of the Empire come and go from this point and I see and hear them from my window, but so long as I can follow only His guidance it must not matter where I am only so thankful for the two wonderful years in America. My three Bahai children have gathered here to see me, and I feel now my is to make the essence, which is planted in them, so strong that through them the divine torch will blaze in Japan.
Fuyo San is now writing for a newspaper and doing well. She wrote an article about the Bahai Cause, and my coming, for her paper and it is beautiful. So this little "shrub," as Abdul-Baha called her, is beginning to blossom, praise be to God!
Agnes Alexander.
VIOLA KLUGE
To the maid-servant of God, Miss Viola Kluge, Chicago, Illinois—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou radiant child!
The letter thou hast written in the utmost sweetness has been perused. It evidenced and indicated thy brilliant capacity, thy wit and thy understanding. The epistle was clear and consummate and I therefore became hopeful of thee, as thou attainest maturity, thou mayest become a radiant, merciful and Godly maiden, freed and sanctified from the impurities of the world of nature, partaker and participator of the illumination of the divine reality and the cause of the glorification of the world of humanity.
Convey to thy father and thy mother my greetings and my kindness and likewise to thy acquaintances.
His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH has endured for your sake all these calamities and trials, that the light of guidance may illuminate your hearts. Abdul-Baha has passed his days in confinement, in exile and under a drawn sword; not for a single hour did he ever entertain the hope of deliverance until the present time when an equitable government has pitched its tent over these regions. Now the means of assurance have been provided. In fine, all my intentions center around this: that radiant children may be trained by divine education and become the blazing candles of the world of humanity.
Upon thee and upon thy father and mother be greetings and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, home of Abdul-Baha, Haifa, Palestine, Feb. 1, 1919.)
JESSIE REVELL
To the maid-servant of God, Jessie Revell, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Thy detailed letters were received. Although the pressure of occupation is extreme and excessive, leaving no time for a short letter and particularly for a detailed one, yet I am affectionately attached to thee. Notwithstanding the lack of time, I write thee this letter that thou mayest know how dear thou art to me. As thou art brilliant and pure and hast no wish but to serve the Cause of God and promulgate the divine teachings, I pray and entreat at the threshold of God and beg for thee limitless assistance and bounty.
Convey on my behalf greeting and kindness to Grace VanSciver and Joline Ruestle. On their behalf, I pray that they may be reared in the arms of the kind father, His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH and may become the cause of illumination of mankind.
On behalf of Effie Dixon I beg pardon and forgiveness from the compassionate Lord that she may be immersed in the ocean of forgiveness and may become in the Divine Kingdom the recipient of favor and bounty.
Convey on my behalf respectful greeting to Mrs. Rorer and say: "If thou art the lover of mankind, strive to promote the teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH for these teachings are the essence of love, of kindness and of the unity of mankind."
Convey on my behalf the utmost love and respect and favor to the favored and attracted maid-servants of God, Mrs. Brittingham and Mrs. Nourse. I beg for them eternal happiness and unbounded glory.
As to thy presence in these days at the Holy Land, it is not in accordance with wisdom. Thou must engage in those regions, day and night in service.
As to the marriage of the maid-servant of God, Badieh, to Laurie Culver, it is a blessed one. I pray God that this marriage may be eternal, spiritual and merciful.
As to the new name thou hadst requested, let it be "Nareman."
The Assembly of Philadelphia is indeed worthy of praise. I supplicate from the bounties of God that that assembly may become a heavenly rose-garden and may receive everyday a share from the Lord's Supper.
Thyself and thy sister are striving to learn Spanish; this is highly acceptable, that, God willing, after its acquisition, thou mayest promote heavenly teachings.
As to the appearance of Christ after war and commotion, by this is meant the promulgation of divine teachings, that throughout all regions the teachings of God will be promoted and the result will be universal peace. For universal peace is unachievable save through the power of the Word of God.
Convey on my behalf to the maid-servant of God, Ruth Lerman, the utmost kindness and say: "How fortunate thou wert that this supreme glad-tiding hast attained thine ears and thou hast been awakened by the call of the divine Kingdom."
Convey to thy respected mother my greeting and say to her to strive with heart and mind in order to cause the colored group to enter the Kingdom, to illumine their hearts, to help them to acquire heavenly characteristics and to cause them to attain unto everlasting glory.
As to your residence in Philadelphia or Ohio, wherever the means of comfort are forthcoming therein reside.
Impart to the maid-servant of God, Ethel, the glad-tiding of the divine bestowals. I pray that Mr. Elliott, Miss Brooks, Miss Thompson, Mr. Ellwood and his wife may illumine their sight with the resplendent light that shines from the Kingdom of Abha.
The two gatherings which ye had held in Philadelphia wherein the friends of God have been present as well as newcomers to the Cause, these two meetings are highly acceptable in the divine Kingdom and have been praised and extolled. The hope is entertained that advantageous results may be derived, that is to say, whenever a favorable occasion presents itself, such meetings may be again held.
As to the children with whom thou are speaking, thy pure breath will undoubtedly exert its influence upon them.
Upon thee be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine, July 16th, 1919.)
MARIA REBECCA ROBERTSON
To the maid-servant of God, Maria Rebecca Robertson, New York City—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
Thy letter was received. Formerly I have met thee and have given thee certain admonitions with the utmost kindness. Undoubtedly thou bearest them in mind. At present, moreover, I am writing thee an answer. Consider how kind I am that I desire thee to become related to the Kingdom, lordly, merciful, illumined and one of the heavenly angels. Such are my admonitions.
Upon thee be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine, July 16th, 1919.)
HELEN WHITNEY
To the maid-servant of God, Helen Whitney, Portland, Oregon—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
Thy letter was received. Thou hast asked about fate, predestination and will. Fate and predestination are the necessary and indispensable relationships which exist in the realities of things. These relationships have been placed in the realities of existent beings through the power of creation and every incident is a consequence of the necessary relationships. For example, God has created a relation between the sun and the terrestial globe, that the rays of the sun should shine and the soil should yield. These relationships are predestination, and its manifestation on the plane of existence is fate. Will is that active force which controls these relationships and these incidents. The epitome of the explanation of fate and predestination is this. I have no time for a detailed explanation. Ponder over this. The reality of fate, predestination and will will be made manifest.
As to thy presence in the Holy Land, at present travel is difficult. Postpone it until the time when it is made easy.
Upon thee be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine, July 18th, 1919.)
EDGAR WAITE
To his honor, Mr. Edgar Waite, Los Angeles, California—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou who art turning thy face to the divine Kingdom!
Thy respected wife has written a letter and has praised thy character and thy conduct; thou hast become lordly, illumined, attracted to the Kingdom, hast secured a share and portion from the breaths of the Holy Spirit, hast attained unto everlasting life, and hast been gladdened and filled with joy. She has also sent the poem which she composed in praise of the Convention. Verily, the verses were in the utmost eloquence and sweetness, and were the cause of the gladness of their hearers. I hope that through the bounties of God
both of you may pass your days in the utmost joy and fragrance and become the cause of the promulgation of the divine teachings.
Convey on behalf of Abdul-Baha to thy respected wife my wonderful Abha greetings, and say: "The kindness, the training and the education extended to prisoners is an exceedingly important matter. As thou hast therefore exerted an effort along that line and hast awakened some of them, and hast been the cause of the turning of their faces to the divine Kingdom, this praiseworthy deed is highly acceptable. Persevere assuredly along this line. Convey on my behalf to the two prisoners at San Quentin the utmost kindness, and tell them, "That prison in the sight of the wise souls is the school of training and development. Ye must strive with heart and soul that ye may become famous in character and knowledge."
Upon thee and upon them be greeting and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine, July 18th, 1919.)
OLLIE JAMES WATTS
J. E. GILLIGAN
To their honors, Messrs. Ollie James Watts and J. E. Gilligan, through Mrs. Louise R. Waite, Los Angeles, California—Upon them be greeting and praise!
He Is God!
O ye two servants of the Kingdom!
Your letter was received. It was conducive evidence that, praise be to God, ye have been freed from the darkness of superstitions, have attained to the center of Truth, have been emancipated from the old imitations that indicate antiquity of the world, and are investigating Truth. This undoubtedly is due to the bounty of God and is indicative of the lordly bestowals.
Consider how the people of the world are immersed in a sea of imitations, they lack perception and hold fast to what they hear. Although they have been immersed for thousands of years in the ocean of superstitions and have acquired no results, yet they are still sleeping.
Praise be to God, therefore, that your inner sight has been opened, that ye have discovered the Truth, and have attained unto that which is the cause of heavenly glory and everlasting life.
Upon you be greeting and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine, July 18th, 1919.)
RUTH KLOS
To the maid-servant of God, Ruth Klos, Atchison, Kansas—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou seeker of the Kingdom!
Thy letter was received. Thou hast written that "I am not worthy." Who is worthier than thee? Hadst thou not been worthy, thou wouldst not have turned to God and wouldst not have wished to enter the Kingdom.
Thy worthiness has guided thee until this blessing and bounty have encompassed thee.
Upon thee be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Acca, Palestine, July 25, 1919.)
PETER MAUS
To his honor, Mr. Peter Maus, Helena, Montana—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou faithful servant of God!
Thy letter diffused a musk-scented perfume—the perfume of the flowers and fragrant herbs of the love of God. The nostrils were perfumed and the heart was gladdened, that, praise be to God, that firm and steadfast soul has become the cause of the illumination of two other ones and has led them to the
fountain of life, that each of them may, in the divine orchard, become a fruitful tree, may cast an extensive shade and may extend their branches and leaves to the divine Kingdom. I pray God that both may be illumined, assisted and confirmed.
Upon thee be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Bahjeh, Acca, Palestine, July 22, 1919.)
EMILY OLSEN
To the maid-servant of God, Emily Olsen, Chicago, Illinois—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou pure leaf of the Blessed Tree!
Thy letter was received. Thou hast written thou hadst translated some epistles and Tablets into Danish and sent them to Europe during the war. So far nothing has been heard of them. As war was going on, answer from Europe was delayed. But now as war has given way to peace it is hoped that the translation of these Tablets and epistles may be disseminated throughout Denmark.
As to the teachings thou hast arranged for children, God willing, they will be enforced.
Upon thee be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Bahjeh, Acca, Palestine, July 22, 1919.)
JAMES MORTON
To his honor, Mr. James Morton, New York City, N. Y.—Upon him be Baha-El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou dignified personage!
Thy letter was received. Its terms were most eloquent and its significances in the utmost perfection. Praise be to God, thou hast harkened to the call of the Kingdom, hast secured share and portion of the divine teachings, hast been freed from the world of imitations, hast investigated Truth and hast comprehended the mysteries of heavenly books. At present thy wish is to become the cause of the illumination of the world of mankind, to promulgate the principle of universal peace, to awake the slumbering and to cause the heedless to become heedful; so that they may be freed from ignorant prejudices, may secure rest and comfort under the shade of the pavilion of the oneness of mankind, may partake of divine bestowals and may become the center of merciful susceptibilities. There is no purpose higher than this. My hope is that thou mayest be confirmed therein.
Thou art thinking of traveling to Persia. The project is a blessed one. I hope that after visiting the Holy Land thou mayest be confirmed in that voyage.
Upon thee be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Bahjeh, Acca, Palestine, July 22, 1919.)
RACINE ASSEMBLY
The members of the Bahai Assembly, Racine, Wisconsin, care of his honor, Mr. Andrew Nelson—Upon them be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O illumined Assemblage!
Praise be to God, that ye have been confirmed in establishing that Assembly and that your aim centers around the promulgation of universal peace, the establishment of the oneness of mankind and the investigation of Truth.
I pray to God that heavenly assistance may encompass that Assembly, that it may daily progress so that it may become the center of merciful susceptibilities and radiate all around the rays of supreme guidance.
Upon ye be BAHA-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Bahjah, Acca, Palestine, July, 22, 1919.)
