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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. 18 |
| PAGE | |
Photograph of Abdul-Baha with Oriental and Occidental Bahais | |
The Resurrection of Christ after "three days" | |
| By MIRZA ABUL FAZL. | |
Minutes of the Eleventh Annual Mashrekol-Azkar Convention, held in New York City, April 28-30, 1919 | |
News from Egypt—Letter from Mohamed Said Adham | |
Recent Tablet from Abdul-Baha to Alfred E. Lunt | |
Spiritual Communication—A talk with Abdul-Baha by Mrs. Stannard | |
IMPORTANT—Paper shortage and high cost of production necessitates our printing only enough copies of each issue to cover the subscription list during the coming year. If friends desire to have extra copy for binding in book form it should be subscribed for at once.
--PHOTO--
ABDUL-BAHA WITH ORIENTAL AND OCCIDENTAL BAHAIS
Assembled on Mt. Carmel in November 1919.
(Photograph brought by Mrs. Corinne True and daughter Edna, who are standing in front row. See page 330.)
"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 | Mulk 1, 75 (February 7, 1920) | No. 18 |
Instructions from a letter written many years ago by MIRZA ABUL FAZL on the meaning of the "three days" Christ is said to have lain in the grave before His resurrection. Selected and
condensed by Marie A. Watson.CONCERNING the resurrection of His Holiness Christ after three days and nights: The term "day" is applied to many meanings; the first is the ordinary one of twenty-four hours. According to this meaning Abdul-Baha, explains the "three days" before Christ's resurrection thus:
After the ascension, departure of Christ, on account of the tyranny of the Jews, for three days and nights His blessed Name was not mentioned among the disciples. The wicked Jews were sure that they had uprooted that blessed tree, and the disciples of His Holiness repaired to solitude and seclusion through fear. Thus the Sun of Truth was outwardly concealed in the darkness of disappearance, and Peter, the apostle, who was the shining moon in the heaven of divine Religion, was veiled, depressed.
After three days and nights Mary Magdalen, whose valor, courage, perseverance and efforts caused her name to be written in the book of perpetual honor, for she gave her utmost energy, called each one of the disciples from the places of concealment and led them into the presence of Peter. She called forth a new spirit within them through the heat of her encouragement and explanation. Then again they arose to assist and serve the Cause of Christ, revivified and spread the name of His Holiness in the world, which name was considered by the Jews to be concealed in the grave of disappearance.
According to this explanation the meaning is in the utmost exaltation and in the highest simplicity and plainness, and it is true to say that His Holiness Christ arose from the grave after three days, for the purpose of His manifestation was the spread of His holy Name and penetration of His Word throughout the world, and this point was realized three days after His departure, for by the rising of His noble disciples the lights of His brilliant Cause shone forth through the East and the West, and His blessed Name was promulgated in the extensive parts of Europe, Asia and Africa.
The second application of the word "day" denotes the duration of a spiritual leadership, or individual reign; as it is said, the "day" of the reign of David, the "day" of the reign of Solomon. This duration is determined by the term "day," though it lasted forty years; or, as is said in America, the "day" of the presidency of Washington or McKinley, and the like, although the presidency of each lasted some years.
According to this standard, the "day" of each one of the Manifestations of God signifies the interval of the time between His rise and the appearance of a subsequent Manifestation—a second coming, or rising of the Sun of Truth. During this interval the laws, regulations and ordinances of that Manifestation continue effective and lead to the development and salvation of men. According to the terminology of the prophets
this day has a daytime and a nighttime. Its daytime signifies the days during which the Sun of Truth is manifest among people and with whose meeting is identical with the meeting of God, and can be attained while in the body of flesh. Its night-time means the duration of the time in which the Sun of Truth is hidden in the veils of concealment, and the Manifestation of God in human form is absent from among nations, and has ascended to the supreme horizon.
According to this meaning, if it be said that the "day" of Moses was the interval of the time between His rise in Egypt and the appearance of His Holiness Christ in the Holy Land, it is true. During this time the laws enacted in the Pentateuch were effective in securing the glory and felicity of the Jews, providing they complied with those laws. But after the appearance of Christ, nay, even after the arising of John the Baptist, this manifest efficacy was removed from the Mosaic laws, which led to the effacement of the felicity of the Jews.
Consider the 16th and 17th verses of the 9th chapter of Matthew, and the 11th, 12th and 13th verses of the 11th chapter of the same book for further elucidation of this subtle point and you will realize how the mysteries of the seals of the book are opened in this Manifestation of the Lord of Lords.
According to the standard of the term "day," the time between the appearance of Christ and the rising of the ideal Sun from the horizon of the East was 622 years; consequently, this number denotes the real "day" of His Holiness Christ, during which the laws revealed in the Gospels continued effective. In multiplying the 622 by three the result is 1,866. This shows clearly the mystery of the hidden point concerning the meaning of the three days. For in the year 1866 A. D., which corresponds to 1283 A. H., the mention of the declaration of the most holy Beauty of Abha in the city of Adrianople, was spread through different lands; the divine call was raised, and then the real meaning of the second descending of the Spirit of God from the heaven of divine command became manifest and realized. In those very days of the blessed person of the orb of the horizons, the Center of the Covenant, His Holiness Abdul-Baha—May the life of all the creatures be a sacrifice to Him!—was in His verdancy of age, and in the prime of youth, and His blessed Name was spread in the world with the titles, "The most great Branch" and "The most excellent and perfect Mystery of God." Then the meanings of the words in the 8th and 9th verses of the 3rd chapter of Zechariah and the 12th and 13th verses of the 6th chapter became fulfilled and evident.
Accordingly, the essence of the meaning of the resurrection after "three days" is this: that after the lapse of three periods of 622 years, which was the time of the manifestations of the lights of Christianity, the most great Spirit of God resurrected in the Name of BAHA'O'LLAH from among the slumbering nations and the dead of the world, and the beauty of the Branch extended from that Ancient Root dawned forth and appeared in that day. By this "resurrection" the prophecies of the prophets and saints were all fulfilled.
As to the third meaning of "day," in the terminology of the Israelitish doctors, each "day" is applied to a year. This application is termed by the Jewish learned men Youm Leshan in Hebrew, that is, "a day for a year." Most of the Christian scholars have also relied upon this application in their commentaries on the Old and New Testaments. They have derived this point from the 34th verse of the 14th chapter of Numbers and 6th verse of the 4th chapter of Ezekiel. Most of the Christian scholars and all the Jewish learned men have based their interpretations of
the symbolical dates in the 8th and 12th chapter in Daniel and the 11th and 12th chapter in Revelation upon this point, that is, have taken each day for a year. But this meaning has nothing to do with the "resurrection after three days" spoken of by His Holiness Christ.
As the fourth meaning of the word "day," it is applied to one thousand years, and is called the "Lordly Day." This point is alluded to in the 8th verse of the 3rd chapter of the Second Epistle of Peter the Apostle.
It is clearly revealed in some of the holy books thus: "Verily, one day with the Lord is as a thousand years of those which ye compute." To this application the Millennium of Christ spoken of in Revelation has reference; for the spiritually minded believe that in every one thousand years the world is renewed and the Sun of Truth dawns. The laws, cycles and conditions, even languages, undergo a manifest change. This application of the word "day" has likewise no connection with the resurrection of Christ after "three days."
Convention
Held in New York City at the Hotel McAlpin, April 28-30, 1919. FIRST SESSION—April 28th, 10 A. M.
DR. F. W. D'EVELYN, Temporary Chairman; ALFRED E. LUNT, Permanent
Chairman.CHARLES Mason Remey, President of the Executive Board of the Bahai Temple Unity, opened the meeting with prayer.
He then said: "After having gathered here during the last few days at this Congress, I think we all feel the coming confirmation in these gatherings as we come together in our so-called business session, and as we put into practice these commands which have come from Abdul-Baha, we will then receive the greatest victory and confirmation, because we know that there are different kinds of confirmation—when we take a mental stand, or when we turn our hearts to Abdul-Baha, there is a certain confirmation which comes, and when we begin to obey and to speak the holy Words, there comes a still greater confirmation, and then when, in addition to that, we begin to put into action the things he is telling us to do, there comes the greatest confirmation of all, and I think we feel and realize that the responsibilities of this moment are very great, because we are in the 'eleventh hour' of the Covenant, and surely now we are going to work to realize these things under his guidance and under his inspiration.
"I believe the first order of business in the Convention is the election of a temporary chairman, so nominations for the temporary chairmanship of the Convention are now in order."
Dr. Frederick W. D'Evelyn of San Francisco, was nominated temporary Chairman. There being no other nomination, on motion duly made and seconded, Dr. D'Evelyn was unanimously elected temporary Chairman.
Dr. D'Evelyn assumed the chair, and said:
"Friends, this is perhaps the most critical moment in our Bahai matters that we have yet reached and it will be very desirable that each one of us recognize our personal privilege and our personal responsibility during this conference. There are great things expected of us, for unto us a Charter has been given, and when the session closes let us go back to our respective homes bearing great fruits with us.
"There must be no uncertainty, there must be no false chords struck, and by no means is it an exaggeration to say
that not merely the eyes of the United States, but the eyes of the civilized world, are concentrated today upon this Bahai assemblage as it meets in New York City.
"Now don't forget these things: those that are for us will be with us, and those who are against us—go home." (Laughter.)
On motion duly made and seconded, and unanimously carried, Harlan Foster Ober of Cambridge, Mass., was elected temporary Secretary of the Convention.
On motion duly made and seconded it was voted to authorize the Chairman to appoint a committee of three on Credentials, also a committee of three on Permanent Organization.
Mrs. Corinne True, of Chicago, presented the report of the Financial-Secretary as follows:
Certificate of Deposit drawing 3 per cent interest | $107,664.27 |
Liberty Bonds, various issues—par value of | 28,050.00 |
War Savings Stamps—at par | 345.00 |
Promissory Notes—(?) | 120.00 |
100 Shares P. R. R. stock—par | 50.00 |
5 Shares American Can Co. stock—par | 100.00 |
Mrs. True reported all securities, bonds, etc., were placed in a safety deposit box in the Northern Trust Company of Chicago, the Financial-Secretary, the Treasurer and the Secretary, all having access to the box. If anything should happen to any one of these officers, the interest of the Unity is protected by this arrangement.
The Chair announced the following appointments of committees:
Committee on Credentials: Mrs. Alice Ives Breed and Frank E. Osborne, and as consultant, Harlan Foster Ober.
Committee on Permanent Organization: Mrs. Mabel S. Rice-Wray of Detroit, Wm. H. Hoar of Fanwood, N. J., and Hooper Harris of New York City.
The Chair called upon the following to report for their Assemblies: Howard C. Ives, J. W. Latimer, Portland, Oregon; Mountfort Mills, New York City; Mrs. Agnes S. Parsons, Washington.
The Treasurer, Wm. H. Randall, then presented his report, which had been audited by a public auditor and certified as being correct.
Mr. Randall stated that the funds of the Unity are held in the name of the Unity and are accessible only on the signature of three members of the Board, the Treasurer, Secretary and Financial-Secretary.
The detail of the report is as follows:
| Receipts | Cash Receipts | Exchange | Deposited in Bank | Interest | Liberty Bonds | W. S. Stamps | Notes | L. Bond Coupons |
April, 1918 | $ 1,006.98 | $ .28 | $ 1,006.70 | $20.79 | $ 200.00 | |||
May | 512.53 | 1.20 | 511.33 | 19.26 | ||||
June | 2,125.57 | .51 | 2,125.06 | 5.89 | 100.00 | |||
July | 457.42 | .39 | 457.03 | 7.17 | ||||
August | 263.18 | .25 | 262.93 | 8.05 | ||||
September | 1,596.53 | .35 | 1,596.18 | 9.57 | 1,100.00 | |||
October | 422.39 | .85 | 421.54 | 11.09 | 21,700.00 | $ 25.00 | ||
November | 1,964.83 | 1.31 | 1,963.52 | 12.16 | 200.00 | |||
December | 2,841.38 | 2.06 | 2,839.32 | 15.38 | 1,200.00 | 100.00 | $120.00 | $13.16 |
January, 1919 | 5,256.45 | 13.32 | 5,243.13 | 19.21 | 1,300.00 | |||
February | 555.78 | .50 | 555.28 | 13.67 | 1,800.00 | 145.00 | ||
March | 1,220.38 | 1.00 | 1,219.38 | 7.80 | 450.00 | 50.00 | ||
Totals | $18,223.42 | $22.02 | $18,201.40 | $150.04 | $28,050.00 | $325.00 | $120.00 | $13.16 |
Interest received on deposits | $ 150.04 | |||||||
Interest received on certificates of deposit | 16.55 | |||||||
Total cash receipts | $ 18,367.99 | |||||||
Balance, cash April 1, 1918 | 101,084.72 | |||||||
Total | 119,452.71 | |||||||
Disbursements as per vouchers | 4,764.36 | |||||||
Actual cash balance March 31, 1919 | $114,688.35 | |||||||
| Cash Proof March 31, 1919 | |
Certificate of Deposit dated May 24, 1918 | $ 35,665.95 |
Certificate of Deposit dated June 15, 1918 | 61,998.22 |
Certificate of Deposit dated February 3, 1919 | 10,000.00 |
Cash balance, Northern Trust Co., March 31, 1919 | 7,021.18 |
Deposited April 7, 1919 | 3.00 |
Total cash | $114,688.35 |
Cash balance March 31, 1919 | $114,688.35 |
Liberty Bonds received | 28,050.00 |
War Savings Stamps | 325.00 |
Promissory Notes | 120.00 |
Total available funds | $143,183.35 |
The Secretary reported the following applications from Assemblies desiring membership in the Bahai Temple Unity. The Executive Board recommended that they be admitted. Helena, Montana; Yonkers, N. Y.; Duluth, Minn.; Atlanta, Ga.; Asbury Park, N. J.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted unanimously to admit the above mentioned Assembles into full membership in the Unity.
The Chair called upon Walter Bohanan to report for Kenosha, Wis.
Mrs. Breed read the report of the Credential Committee as follows:
| NAME OF ASSEMBLY | DELEGATE | ALTERNATE DELEGATE |
Asbury Park, N. J. | Juliet D. Sherman | |
Atlanta, Ga. | J. Elmore Hays | |
Atlantic City, N. J. | Viola I. Eiselstein | |
Bakersfield, Calif. | Mary A. Morton Replogle | Sophia Apsley |
Baltimore, Md. | Roland R. Mann | Mrs. E. Dorrida |
Berkeley, Calif. | A. Frankland | |
Beverly, Mass. | Alice H. Ober | Edw. D. Struven |
Boston, Mass. | Alfred E. Lunt | Wm. H. Randall |
Benton Siding, B. C. | Mrs. Grace Ober | Alfred E. Lunt |
Brooklyn, N. Y. | Frank E. Osborne | Bertha Herklotz |
Buffalo, N. Y. | Margaret Sprague | |
Cambridge, Mass. | Harlan Foster Ober | M. Althea Dorr |
Chicago, Ill. | Mary Lesch Corinne True | Leroy Ioas Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi |
Cleveland, Ohio | Pauline Barton-Peeke | Mrs. E. Louise Smith |
Denver, Colo. | Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi | Corinne True |
Detroit, Mich. | Mrs. Mabel S. Rice-Wray | Mrs. Grimwood |
Duluth, Minn. | Mrs. Albert C. Killius | Albert C. Killius |
Fruitport, Mich. | Mrs. Iva Smack | Mrs. Mary Frazer |
Genoa Jct., Wis. | Zeenat Bagdadi | Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi |
Geyserville, Calif. | Dr. F. W. D'Evelyn | Roy C. Wilhelm |
Glenolden, Pa. | Mrs. Mary J. Revell | Mrs. W. C. Revell |
Grand Haven, Mich. | Martha Richter | |
Helena, Mont. | Albert C. Killius | Mrs. Albert C. Killius |
Honolulu, H. I. | Agnes Alexander | |
Ithaca, N. Y. | Hattie B. Townley | Chas. M. Remey |
Jersey City, N. J. | Wm. H. Hoar | Frederick G. Hale |
Johnstown, N. Y. | Ella C. Quant | Chas. M. Remey |
Kenosha, Wis. | Bernard M. Jacobsen | Mrs. Chas. Redeen |
Los Angeles, Calif. | Frank B. Beckett | Roy C. Wilhelm |
Minneapolis, Minn. | Mrs. Chas. Greenleaf | A. H. Hall |
Montclair, N. J. | Mrs. Victoria Bedekian | Anna VanBlarcom |
Montreal, Canada | Lizzie V. Cowles | Annie Savage |
Muskegon, Mich. | Mrs. Iva Smack | Mrs. Mary Frazer |
Newark, N. J. | Henry Grasmuk | Annie B. Bettinger |
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: | 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 | Mulk 1, 75 (February 7, 1920) | No. 18 |
Alexandria, Egypt,
December 6, 1919.
Dear Bahai friends in America:
We feel inclined to express to you our great pleasure at having seen some of the American Bahais on their way from and to Acca. Really it is a privilege to see pure souls steadfast in the Covenant, ready to teach the Cause, having no higher aims other than the enlightenment of the leaves of humanity. Praise be to God, that the door of communication with our beloved Master is again opened after five years. Certainly it is of the highest importance to see Abdul-Baha, equally important to teach the Cause and travel for this purpose, and last but not least, is to meet and associate with pure and blessed souls. "If thou willest to associate with God, associate with his friends."
Now, as we are not pilgrims nor teachers traveling for that purpose, we were favored in seeing quite a good number of American friends whose faces were gleaming with lights and whose tongues had no other mention but the love of the Cause. It was our good luck to be where we had the chance of meeting and conversing with friends from the Occident who were thousands of miles away from their homes. We ascertained, that the brotherhood of humanity is fulfilled and the East and the West embrace each other as two longing lovers. Let those who deny this, present themselves in such Bahai meetings, and they shall behold with their own eyes what they do not conceive in their own minds. This is from the favor and bounty of BAHA'O'LLAH to his friends. This is the spirit of the Bahai society for all are brothers no matter what they were before.
It happened that while Mr. and Mrs. Randall and daughter, Mr. Vail, Mr. Arthur Hathaway and Mr. George Latimer were in Alexandria on their way back to America from their trip to Haifa, the group was enlarged with the accidental presence of Dr. Zia Bagdadi and his honored wife who added to the beauty of the occasion. These two groups met in Alexandria in the port, and expressed their desire to see the friends, and the friends here responded eagerly to that desire. Also it happened that Dr. Basheer, who was studying medicine formerly in Chicago, and who now practices his profession in Port Said, happened to be in Alexandria. These were all the guests of Alexandria on the night of December 3d, 1919, and the Alexandrian friends hastened from different quarters to welcome the American friends. They have not seen such friends for a long period of time. We had a splendid and memorable meeting with them—a meeting that reminded us of the days when Abdul-Baha was in Ramleh and we used to have similar meetings. The thing that affected us most and left a vivid impression on our minds, was the spirit with which they were returning from Haifa. We noticed that they had become new creatures, full of spirit, life and love, charming and attractive, affecting, with their burning soul, every one who came in contact with them.
Thus, because of their presence, our meeting was most spiritual, full of Bahai love and every face radiantly happy. Each one of the friends gave us a short talk of what they saw and heard in Haifa, which was translated immediately. A new Egyptian beginner in the Cause was amazed at seeing the American friends associating with us with love and harmony, as if we were intimate friends who had known each other and met often before. After the chanting of Tablets in Arabic and Persian by Zeenat Khanum as well as the reading of a supplication in English by Mrs. Randall, supper was served.
The next day I went to the boat to bid them farewell. I saw two young Egyptian students who were on their way to Germany to study medicine and introduced them to our American friends who received them with Bahai cordiality. The students, seeing my friendliness with the Americans, expressed their wonder to me in Arabic saying, "How did you come to know such sincere Occidentals?" Really, this is one of the good results of the visits of the Bahai friends to the Orient. Not because the Orientals have not seen Occidentals, but because they are not accustomed to witness such love as is manifested between Western and Eastern Bahais.
I conclude with the Bahai love and greeting to all,
Faithfully yours in the Center of the Covenant,
Mohamed Said Adham.
Recent Tablet from Abdul-Baha to Alfred E. Lunt
To his honor, Mr. Alfred Lunt, Boston, Massachusetts—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Rest thou assured in the bounty of the Merciful, and be hopeful for the blessings of the Abha, Kingdom, for thou dost exert the utmost in service for Truth and this magnet attracts assistance and confirmation. The addresses thou hast delivered with reference to economic problems are highly suitable. The essence of the Bahai economic teachings is this, that immense riches far beyond what is necessary should not be accumulated. For instance, the well-known Morgan, who possessed a sum of three hundred millions,
and was day and night restless and agitated, did not partake of the divine bestowals save a little broth. This wealth was for him a vicissitude and not the cause of comfort.
He invited me to his library and to his home, that I might vlsit the former and have dinner at his house. I went to the library in order to look at the Oriental books, but did not go to his house, and did not accept his invitation. In short, he eagerly desired that I should visit him in the library but meanwhile important financial problems arose which prevented him from being present, and thus he was deprived of this bounty. Now, had he not such an excessive amount of wealth, he might have been able to present himself.
As to the events that had been predicted—Praise be to God!—all of them have come to pass, and all that had been the explicit and irrefutable declarations of His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH, and had been incorporated in the addresses of Abdul-Baha in America and Europe, all of them, word by word, have been fulfilled. These explicit declarations of His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH were revealed fifty years age by the Supreme Pen, and at present they have been made evident and manifest.
At present, thou hast a lofty aspiration, and hast the desire to engage in every service. My hope is, that through a heavenly power, and a Lordly influence, and by the assistance of the Holy Spirit thou mayst be confirmed in distinguished serviees—a service which thou dost think advisable and its success assured.
Thou hadst inquired that if a person owned a piece of land and is not able to develop it, and his revenues are less than his expenditures, is it permissible that he sell a portion of that land and mortgage it? Undoubtedly, it is permissible. Concerning the case of profit-sharing by the employers among the workers, which thou hadst written about, undoubtedly the workers must secure their daily salary, and in addition, must have shares with the employers so that they may engage with the utmost effort in that work. For example, a capitalist has a thousand employees, he must give them a moderate salary every day, that they may not remain hungry and naked, and also assign a definite share of the profit to the workers so that at the beginning of each year it may be distributed among them, that this may cause the workers to exert the utmost care and effort in their job.
Embrace on my behalf thy sweet children, and name the son Hossein, for it is a portion of the name of the Blessed Beauty, and call the daughter Zahrah. The letter thou hast written to the Boston paper is highly pleasing and favorable.
Upon thee be Baha-El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Bahjeh, Acca, Palestine, July 22, 1919.)
To the STAR OF THE WEST:
Should the STAR reproduce the photograph of Abdul-Baha with the group that Edna and I are in, I very much wish it might be stated that a feast to about eighty-five Bahais from India, Persia, Russia, Turkey, Egypt, England and America, was given by Hossein Rouhi of Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday, November 9, 1919, on Mt. Carmel. The long table was spread in front of the Tomb of the Báb and this picture was taken at the side of the Tomb. Each guest was presented with a photograph by our most generous host, whom many Americans will recall was in America nineteen years ago with Hadji Hassan Khorissani of Cairo, Egypt (now deceased).
| NAME OF ASSEMBLY | DELEGATE | ALTERNATE DELEGATE |
New Haven, Conn. | Frank Ashton | Emma L. Hinman |
New York City | Alice Ives Breed Roy C. Wilhelm | Mountfort Mills Nellie Lloyd |
North Augusta, S. C. | Mrs. Louisa B. Talbott | Margaret Klebs |
Nutley, N. J. | Mrs. Chas. A. Hunter | |
Peoria, Ill. | J. W. Gift | Corinne True |
Philadelphia, Pa. | Martha Washington | Mrs. Mary J. Revell |
Pittsburgh, Pa. | A. M. Dahl | Martha L. Root |
Portland, Ore. | James W. Latimer | Mrs. Julia P. Addison |
Racine, Wis. | Fred Peterson | Andrew J. Nelson |
Riverton, N. J. | Elizabeth Bowen | Will K. Bowen |
San Diego, Calif. | A. J. Frankland | Mrs. Ella G. Cooper |
Sandusky, Ohio | Cora E. Renner | Chas. Mason Remey |
Santa Paula, Calif. | Mrs. Eleanor Neville | Corinne True |
San Francisco, Calif. | Dr. F. W. D'Evelyn | Mrs. Ella G. Cooper |
Santa Barbara, Calif. | Dr. F. W. D'Evelyn | Mrs. Marco Zim |
Seattle, Wash. | Mrs. Frank T. Geary | Mrs. Gloria. Baker |
Spokane, Wash. | Dr. F. W. D'Evelyn | Mrs. Helen S. Goodall |
Springfield, Mass. | Olive E. Kretz-Bellejean | |
St. John, N. B. | Mrs. Mary D. Culver | Jean Nixon |
St. Louis, Mo. | Mrs. Caroline M. Barbee | Roy C. Wilhelm |
Trenton, N. J. | J. Newell Ayres | Harlan F. Ober |
Urbana, Ill. | Cora E. Gray | Beatrice Owens |
Washington, D. C. | Mrs. J . C. DeLagnel Joseph H. Hannen | Mrs. Claudia S. Coles Mrs. Geo. L. Drum |
Worcester, Mass. | Howard C. Struven | Mrs. Howard C. Struven |
Yonkers, N. Y. | Mrs. Maud Gaudreaux | Elizabeth Stevens |
On motion duly made and seconded the report of the Committee on Credentials was unanimously accepted.
The Secretary called the roll of the Assemblies, which indicated that delegates or alternates from the following Assemblies were present:
| Atlantic City | Minneapolis |
| Baltimore | Montreal |
| Beverly | Newark |
| Boston | New York City |
| Cleveland | Peoria |
| Detroit | Pittsburg |
| Fruitport | Racine |
| Glenolden | Sandusky |
| Grand Haven | San Francisco |
| Honolulu | Seattle |
| Jersey City | Springfield |
| Kenosha | St. Louis |
| Urbana | Montclair |
| Worcester | Muskegon |
| Benton Siding | New Haven |
| Brooklyn | Nutley, N. J. |
| Buffalo | Philadelphia |
| Cambridge | Portland, Ore. |
| Denver | Riverton |
| Duluth | Santa Paula |
| Genoa Junction | Santa Barbara |
| Geyserville | Spokane |
| Helena, Mont. | St. John, N. B. |
| Ithaca | Trenton |
| Johnstown, N. Y. | Washington, D. C. |
| Los Angeles | Yonkers |
The Committee on Permanent Organizatlon announced the following nominations: Alfred E. Lunt, Chairman; Harlan Foster Ober, Secretary.
On motion duly made and seconded
the report of the Committee on Permanent Organization adopted as the action of the Convention.
Mr. Lunt assumed the chair.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint an Auditing Committee of three to audit the books of the Treasurer and the Financial-Secretary.
Roy C. Wilhelm, Chas. Greenleaf, and Elizabeth Bowen were appointed the members of the Auditing Committee.
On motion duly made and seconded the meeting adjourned, to meet Tuesday morning April 29, 1919, at 10 o'clock A. M.
SECOND SESSION
ALFRED E. LUNT, CHAIRMAN
The meeting opened with the reading of a prayer by the Chairman, followed by silent prayer for some who were ill.
On motion duly made and seconded it was voted to postpone the consideration of certain instructions of Abdul-Baha until a later meeting of the Convention.
Harlan Foster Ober presented the report of the Secretary.
On motion duly made and seconded it was voted to accept the reports of the Treasurer, Financial-Secretary and Secretary.
The Chairman called for reports from the following friends who addressed the Convention in spiritual and uplifting words: Mrs. Bedikan, Montclair; Mrs. Watson, Washington; Mr. Oglesby, Boston; Madame DeLagnel, Washington; Mr. Ayres, Trenton; Roy Williams, Cleveland; Miss Quant, Johnstown.
The Chairman then read the latest cable received from Abdul-Baha: "Friends must be wholly spiritual. Greetings to Ahmad Sohrab.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS."
The Chair read from the Hidden Words after which on motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned to meet Thursday morning, May 1, 1919, at 10 o'clock A. M.
THIRD SESSION
ALFRED E. LUNT, CHAIRMAN
The Chairman opened the meeting with a prayer.
After a beautiful spiritual address, the Chairman called upon Mirza Ahmad Sohrab who read a cable received from Abdul-Baha, as follows:
"Convention opening blessed."
He made the request that the friends write to Abdul-Baha telling about the Convention and the Congress.
The Chairman then read to the Convention the fourteen points outlined, in the Unveiling of the Divine Plan, for the consideration of the Convention.
It was moved by Mrs. True, and duly seconded, that the Convention take these subjects, one by one, and that the first be the subject of the Mashrekol-Azkar, and plans for the furtherance of the work.
On motion duly made and seconded it was voted to lay the above motion on the table, for further consideration later.
While discussing ways and means of carrying forward the work, a wave of generosity swept through the Convention bringing the utmost happiness to all hearts. Altogether there was given $2,055.93 in money, and $5,105.80 in pledges.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that a Committee of nineteen be named to take into consideration the fourteen points mentioned in the Unveiling of the Divine Plan and to carry into effect these advices in unity with the Executive Board, also that the funds required for carrying on the work be appropriated from the fund. It being understood that in all matters pertaining to the Mashrekol-Azkar, the Executive Board will as promptly as it can, carry out its obligations. In all matters having to do with these fourteen points, the spreading of the Cause, the teaching, etc., action is to be taken by the united consultation of the committee, and sub-committee, named, and the Executive Board in consultation.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to recess, till 2:30 P. M. in the same place.
The Convention reconvened at 2:30 P. M.
The Chairman announced that the Executive Board recommended the admission of the Grand Haven, Michigan, Assembly.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to admit the Grand Haven, Michigan, Assembly to membership in the Bahai Temple Unity.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to proceed to the election of the Executive Board for the ensuing year.
The roll was called by the Secretary.
The Chairman appointed as tellers to prepare, distribute, and count the ballots: Mr. Osborne, Mr. Peck, Mr. Ioas, Miss Lesch, Mrs. True.
Mr. Wilhelm read an extract from a letter received from Major W. Tudor-Pole.
The Auditing Committee reported it had found the accounts of the Treasurer and Financial-Secretary correct and in proper form.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the report of the Auditing Committee.
Mrs. Breed presented the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Ashton and unanimously carried:
RESOLVED, that a Committee on Teaching and the Bahai Unity Board be asked to report as speedily as possible to the friends who will assemble at Green Acre this summer, and that the Committee on Teaching, and the Executive Board of the Unity be requested to confer with the Trustees of the Green Acre Fellowship with a view to making arrangements for the conduct of a summer school of instruction for teachers at Green Acre.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to publish, at the earliest possible moment, a preliminary report of the Convention, giving a brilliant and illumined outline of the spirit and accomplishments of the Convention, these reports to be mailed to the delegates and assemblies.
The friends joined in silent prayer for some of the sick friends, and for the afflicted and unfortunate of the whole world.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the publication of at least five thousand copies of the Unveiling of the Divine Plan.
Dr. Bagdadi reported that Mirza Ali Kuli Khan had translated the Hidden Words, that he also had gone over the translation at the request of Mirza Khan and it is now ready to be published.
Mr. Osborne reported the following result of the ballot for members of the Executive Board delegates voting, 45:
Mr. Ober | 33 votes |
Mr. Randall | 33 " |
Mrs. True | 32 " |
Mr. Lunt | 32 " |
Mr. Wilhelm | 29 " |
Dr. Bagdadi | 24 " |
Mr. Remey | 21 " |
Mrs. Maxwell | 18 " |
Dr. D'Evelyn | 18 " |
The Chairman announced the election of Mr. Ober, Mr. Randall, Mrs. True, Mr. Lunt, Mr. Wilhelm, and Dr. Bagdadi.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted to elect Mr. Remey, Mrs. Maxwell, and Dr. D'Evelyn members of the Executive Board.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to instruct the Secretary to cast one ballot for Mr. Remey, Mrs. Maxwell and Dr. D'Evelyn.
The Secretary cast the ballot as instructed, after which the Chairman declared the nine persons named, the members of the Executive Board.
On motion duly made and seconded,
it was voted that the Committee in reference to the fourteen points, be made up of nine members.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reconsider the previous vote and to increase the number, making the committee to consist of nineteen members.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to appoint a committee of three to nominate the nineteen members of the committee.
The Chairman appointed Mr. Vail, Mrs. Maxwell and Mr. W. H. Randall.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the members and delegates of the Bahai Congress and Convention extend their thanks and appreciation to the management of the Hotel McAlpin for the hospitality and the many kindnesses that have been extended to all in attendance at the Convention and that the Secretary be authorized to communicate this expression to the manager.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that when we do vote to adjourn, the Convention adjourn to meet in Chicago, Ill., May 23, 1919, at 10 o'clock A. M., at 5338 Kenmore Ave., the home of Mrs. True.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the Committee of Nineteen be made up of the nine members of the Executive Board and ten others, and that the nominating committee be so instructed.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to appoint a Publications Committee for the coming year.
Mr. Vail for the Nominating Committee reported the following names as members of the Committee of Nineteen:
- Mrs. Corinne True,
- Mrs. Ella G. Cooper,
- Wm. H. Randall,
- Alfred E. Lunt,
- Dr. Zia. M. Bagdadi,
- Mrs. May Maxwell,
- Joseph Hannen
- Mrs. Agnes Parsons,
- Hooper Harris,
- Harlan Foster Ober,
- Roy C. Wilhelm,
- Chas. Mason Remey,
- Dr. Frederick W. D'Evelyn,
- Louis Gregory,
- Albert R. Vail,
- Mrs. Mabel S. Rice-Wray
- Mirza Ahmad Sohrab
- Mrs. Mary Hanferd Ford
The Chairman announced this Committee is authorized to carry into effect the advices of Abdul-Baha, on the fourteen points.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the report of the Nominating Committee as the action of the Convention.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn.
(Signed) HARLAN FOSTER OBER.
Secretary of the Convention.
After listening to the record of Abdul-Baha's voice, Mirza Ahmad chanted the prayer revealed for the Central States.
On motion duly made and seconded, Harlan Foster Ober was elected Chairman of the meeting.
On motion duly made and seconded, Miss K. H. MacCutcheon was elected Secretary of the meeting.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to appoint a Committee on Credentials.
The Chairman appointed Mrs. Mabel S. Rice-Wray and Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke as a Credentials Committee.
The Credentials Committee reported the following Assemblies by proxies:
Mrs. True authorized to act for—
- Asbury Park, N. J.
- Baltimore, Md.
- Springfield, Mass.
- Atlantic City, N. J.
- Johnstown, N. Y.
- Sandusky, Ohio
- Racine, Wis.
- Washington, D. C.
- Ithaca, N. Y.
- Trenton, N. J.
- Detroit, Mich.
- Glenolden, Pa.
- Benton Siding, B. C.
- Kenosha, Wis.
- Bakersfield, Calif.
- Berkeley, Calif.
- Geyserville, Calif.
- San Francisco, Calif.
Dr. Bagdadi authorized to act for—
- Newark, N. J.
- Yonkers, N. Y.
- Nutley, N. J.
- Augusta, S. C.
- Montclair, N. J.
- San Diego, Calif.
- Peoria, Ill.
- Pittsburg, Pa.
- Philadelphia, Pa.
- Boston, Mass.
- Grand Haven, Mich.
- Spokane, Wash.
- Honolulu, H. I.
- Santa Barbara, Calif.
- Duluth, Minn.
Mary Lesch authorized to act for—
- Minneapolis, Minn.
- New York City (1)
- Brooklyn, N. Y.
- Urbana, Ill.
- Riverton, N. J.
- Montreal, Can.
- Worcester, Mass.
- Jersey City, N. J.
- Beverly, Mass.
- Salem, Mass.
- Los Angeles, Calif.
Mr. Ober authorized to act for—
- Portland, Ore. and Cambridge, Mass.
Albert R. Windust for Fruitport and Muskegon, Mich.
Miss Lafferty, St. Louis.
Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke, Cleveland, Ohio.
Dr. Bagdadi and Mrs. True, Chicago.
Total of 50 Assemblies represented by delegates or by proxies.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the report of the Credentials Committee be accepted.
On motion duly made and seconded, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, That we, the delegates, representing either in person or by proxy the Bahai Assemblies of the United States and Canada, assembled in Chicago, Illinois, in an adjourned meeting of the Eleventh Annual Convention of the Bahai Temple Unity, do hereby ratify all actions and all votes taken in the previous sessions of this Convention held in New York City, from April 28th to May 1st, 1919, inclusive.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn.
The session closed with a chant by Zeenat Khanum.
(Signed) KOKAB H. MACCUTCHEON.
A TALK WITH ABDUL-BAHA BY MRS. STANNARD
Notes sent by Mrs. J. Stannard to Mrs. Louise R. WaiteI ASKED Abdul-Baha concerning the state of all those young men souls who have fallen so suddenly and tragically during our world war. Could they affect our present living conditions in any way?
His reply ran as follows: "God treats these people with His mercy, not with His justice, since God is against war. But as many did not will the war, but were obliged to go to the battle field by force of circumstances, therefore God has mercy for they suffered much and they lost their lives. These deserve the forgiveness of God. As they suffered in the world and were afflicted by great calamities and their blood was shed and in reality they were treated unjustly and thus died unwillingly, therefore God will have mercy and forgive their shortcomings and will reward them. He will compensate them for loss. Is it just to be so afflicted and killed and suffer and have no reward? This is contrary to the Kingdom of God. We supplicate God that these murdered ones will become and stay alive in His Kingdom and be submerged in the sea of His mercy and be happy."
I then asked whether such a great collective soul consciousness could in any way affect the world of men. Could any get into communication?
To the first part of the question he answered: "No. They have no power to influence the world of men and only those who in life had been among the spiritually regenerated ones, those who had been re-born or baptized of the Holy Spirit, only such souls could consciously communicate or have knowledge of things in this world."
When I asked about the station of the very wicked, he said:
"They are in a state of dark consciousness, deprived of the mercy of God, but were not annihilated."
From Shoghi's Diary, on the same subject, we may read as follows:
"June 6th. Yesterday afternoon, at 3 P. M., two enlightened officers, one British and the other Irish, Col. Cash and Major Fitzgerald, called on the Master. They were hurrying back on their way to Egypt and were leaving by the evening train for Kantarah. They managed to spare two hours in order to secure an interview with Abdul-Baha, and among the questions was the following:
"Is it at all possible for those who have sacrificed their lives so freely on the battle field to communicate with their relatives and kindred from the world beyond?"
The epitome of Abdul-Baha's reply was as follows:
This spiritual communication and mutual exchange of thoughts is conditioned upon certain facts that prepare the person in this world to communicate with the spirit of his departed ones. A clear mind, a pure heart and a concentrated attention are the requisites for that spiritual inter-communication. Like unto a mirror, man's heart and mind must be purified, clarified and polished. Any dust or rust that may be on it such as attachment to this nether world, the turning of man's face away from God, sin or lust, animosity and rancour—all these must be removed that the rays of the Sun of Truth may shine upon it in full splendor and may be reflected therefrom with full effulgence. If such state or condition is attained, communication with the world above will be made possible. Purity of purpose and concentration with prayer are the essential requisites.
