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PUBLISHED NINETEEN TIMES A YEAR
In the Interests of the BAHAI MOVEMENT
By the BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, 515 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
Entered as second-class matter April 9, 1911, at the postoffice at Chicago, Ill., under the Act of March 3, 1879.
TERMS: $2.50 per year; 10 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.
"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."
Vol. 10 CONTENTS No. 5
| PAGE | |
Recent photograph of Abdul-Baha and friends | 82 |
The Sacred Fire Address by HOWARD MacNUTT. | 83 |
The Power of the Holy Spirit Address by LOUIS G. GREGORY. | 84 |
Editorial—The Southern States contributes a General Outline | 88 |
News and Notes from the Southern Field | 89 |
Words of BAHA'O'LLAH | 91 |
Religion must be the Cause of Amity and Friendship Address by JOSEPH H. HANNEN. | 92 |
Concerning the matter of receiving Orientals—Recent Tablet to Joseph H. Hannen | 94 |
The Covenant of God shall remain stable and secure—Recent Tablet to Roy C. Wilhelm | 95 |
The ocean of the Covenant shall send forth a wave—Recent Tablet to Louise R. Waite | 96 |
BULLETIN—Owing to the increased cost of production and to meet the demand made upon us by Abdul-Baha to enlarge and re-establish the Persian section, we have increased the subscription price of the STAR OF THE WEST to $2.50 per year, beginning with issue No. 4.
--PHOTO--
RECENT PHOTOGRAPH OF ABDUL-BAHA AND FRIENDS TAKEN IN THE HOLY LAND.
| 19 ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS | ||
| 1 Abdul Hossein Khan, No. 1 | 7 Abbas Kuli (Keeper of the Tomb of the Bab) | Rouhi Effendi (Grandson) |
| 2 Abdul Hussein Khan, No. 2 | Mohammed Taki Esphahani, Cairo | |
| 3 Mirza Ali Mohammad Khan | Mirza Djalal, Teheran | Mme. Dreyfus-Barney |
| 4 Azizollah Bahadur | Sohiel Effendi (Grandson) | M. Dreyfus-Barney |
| Badi Boushrouhi | Mohammed Ali Afnan | Shoghi Rabbani (Grandson) |
| Mirza Anayetollah | Mirza Abdul Raouf | |
Photograph sent to the STAR OF THE WEST by Joseph H. Hannen, Washington, D. C.
STAR OF THE WEST
"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 Nur 1, 75 (June 5, 1919) No. 5
Address by Chairman HOWARD MACNUTT, of Brooklyn, N. Y., delivered at the opening of Second Session of the Bahai Congress at Hotel McAlpin, New York City, Sunday afternoon, April 27th, 1919. Stenographically reported.
ALLAH'O'ABHA! "Like unto the cup-bearers of eternity, turn ye round in the assemblages of mankind the overflowing goblets of guidance, and intoxicate them with the wine of the Love of God." (Words of Abdul-Baha Abbas.)
In the Words of Paradise, the Blessed Perfection, BAHA'O'LLAH, has said: "In this day a great banquet is celebrated in the Supreme Concourse, for all that was promised in the divine Books hath appeared. This is the day of the most great rejoicing!"
Every Manifestation of God, who appeared in the world, saw this day in spiritual vision and perspective, announcing what he saw in the symbolical language of prophecy; for mankind could not bear the full proclamation of the reality. That which we are now witnessing and what is yet to come, appeared to his inner sight in complete clearness. After his ascension to the supreme world, his followers and believers crystallized his teachings and ceremonials in a temple of worship which became the expression and reflection of the divine religion in that age and cycle. And now we see by the eye of heavenly illumination that the temple itself was but a symbol and prophetic sign; that the intended expression of divine purpose and goal of divine revelation was the conscious heart of man, the true and ultimate temple of the living God. Therefore what we are witnessing in this day is the consummation of the plan and Covenant of God and the reality of His promised presence in the purified heart of humanity.
Furthermore, the most central symbol within the temple of worship was the altar of sacred fire which was always kept burning. This pentecostal flame, this fire from heaven, this fire of the love of God appeared with each Manifestation of the Word; the holy spiritual flame perpetually burning. When that fire waned and grew dim, the religion of God became obscured and disintegrated; a change came; another Manifestation of God descended into the world from the Supreme Kingdom and with him the heavenly flame was lighted anew in the temple of its incarnation in human hearts.
Today we know and realize in the lovable personality and spiritual perfection of the glorious Servant of God, Abdul-Baha, that this sacred fire has come again into the world to glorify the heart of humanity, to purify, sanctify and illumine the universal heart of the nations. This is the sacred fire of the heavenly Books and teachings, fulfilled and interpreted in its outer, inner and complete meaning. We have clear evidence and definition of that sacred fire today in the words of Abdul-Baha, in the great principles set forth by him
in this country and throughout the world. We have explanation of it in his teaching that the fire from heaven is the fire of the Holy Spirit; that the Holy Spirit is the divine beneficence and grace, the heavenly bestowal, the bounty of God, the generosity and confirmation of God; and that it descends upon those who are sincere and humble recipients.
Each one of these great Conventions we have held during the last ten years has seemed to me a manifestation of the sacred fire of divine love. A heavenly flame, a heavenly power, the Holy Spirit of God has come down upon us at these Conventions. Each time, each year, more and more we renew this bounty. It comes stronger and lasts longer; the interim is not so great as the years increase. And new spiritually attuned with the Center of the Covenant we are awaiting its descent in the glorious meetings of this 1919 Convention.
The splendid brother who is to speak to you now, is from Washington. He has for his subject the "Power of the Holy Spirit;" how it is to convert and unify the hearts of humanity by its divine breath and fragrance. The blessed Abdul-Baha has zoned our country. Last night we heard his messages to the Northeastern States and today we are standing and waiting to hear his Tablet of command on the work to be done in the South. Our speakers are those who have done loyal and noble service in the Cause of God in the Southern States; who have been filled and animated by the Holy Spirit of God. The first one of these speakers is Louis G. Gregory of Washington, D. C.
The Power of the Holy Spirit
Address by LOUIS G. GREGORY, of Washington, D. C., delivered at the Second Session of the Bahai Congress, Sunday afternoon, April 27th, 1919. Stenographically reported.
THE finite cannot grasp the Infinite nor can the creature comprehend the Creator. So we approach this subject, "The Power of the Holy Spirit," in a spirit of meekness and reverence, with a desire for evanescence in the path of God and to testify only to what He has revealed to us in the day of His appearance. As "one of the journeys in the pathway of love is from the creatures to the creatures," the testimony of our companions on the ideal pathway confirms our happiness.
Truly we are living in a great and wonderful day, when the bounty of God's Holy Spirit is felt in all parts of the supreme world and the hearts of all humanity are quickened with this divine power. A new consciousness of life, freedom, happiness and power is reaching all races, classes and conditions of men. As is suggested by our learned brother, testimony of the Holy Spirit has been, from time immemorial, given in all the Holy Books. This divine power has been the reality of all the messengers and prophets, the creative Word by which, as mighty speakers of God, they addressed themselves to the creatures.
The Holy Spirit is compared in some of the sacred writings to the air, because it covers the whole earth. We are told that "the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind." The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of pentecost is symbolized by "the rushing of a mighty wind." BAHA'O'LLAH says: "I was asleep on my couch, the gales of my Lord, the All-Glorious, passed over me and taught me the knowledge of what was and is." These are the symbols of an unwearied and irresistible power, the supreme might of God which creates and transforms the face of His universe.
Oftimes the Holy Spirit is symbolized by water, oftimes by fire. The water and the fire are one. The hearts become aflame with the divine fire. They are purified by this fire from the dross of ignorance, superstition and imaginations. Then they can quaff the water of knowledge; then they are initiated into the mysteries of God; then they can look upon all the created beings with a divine eye. Yes, through the divine favor it becomes possible for the creatures to look upon the other created beings with the eye of God. By seeing with the eye of God we mean the universal vision, for the divine gifts and bounties are universal in their adaptability to human needs. The air we breathe cannot be confined to any household. Shall anyone say: "This air shall exist in my house but not in that of others?" Or: "This atmosphere shall be breathed by the people of my country and not by those of other nations?" The air is universal because it is the bounty of God.
In like manner the radiance of the sun is a universal light. We cannot limit the effulgence of that sun. It shines for all the created beings. It lights, cheers and warms the universe. So it is when the Holy Spirit, the Sun of Truth, arises. This healing influence penetrates to the utmost parts of the earth. This bounty flows forth with a mighty power. It conveys, with the greatest illumination, the most marvellous happiness, giving to the creatures the consciousness of the divine. In our humble acceptance of this bounty we draw near to God, the Supreme. It is reflected from the mirror of the hearts.
But in order to know this glorious Reality—which is the life of the world and the healing of the nations—we must know the mystery of God and His appearance in this world of ours. We are told by Abdul-Baha that, "The Holy Spirit is the bounty of God and the luminous rays from His Manifestation." It is a light which is not extinguished; it is a duration that never ends; it is a life that is never swallowed up by death; it is an honor which is not followed by abasement and shame.
Great is the opportunity of the people of earth in this marvelous day in which we are living, to see a new source of that wonderful power of attraction, guidance and supreme happiness. In order to know the mystery of greatness and the secret of might it is necessary to draw near to the divine Messenger at the time of his appearance. Shall we not accept the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Holy Books and realize that the day has come which is the sun of all the days of past centuries and ages? The appearance of God Himself, His light in the world, His Tabernacle among men, this is the life of mankind, the true wealth of nations, the healing of all the people and their drawing together under the tent of the oneness of God and the oneness of all humanity.
When the Báb arose in Persia, creating in that far-off country, by the fire of his word, a moral and spiritual awakening, the power of that word or spirit was illustrated and proved by its attracting energy in the lives of the people whom he trained and educated. When that Word went forth the query was asked, "Am I not your Lord?" Wonderful souls arose who answered this call. Prominent among these was Kurat'ul Ayn, a woman beautiful, clever, accomplished. Yet with all her fair fame and good character, had she continued to live the conventional life, it is most improbable that she would have been known outside of the narrow limits of her environment. But because she heard and heeded that wonderful voice, she was exalted to a supreme station. She shone forth with a marvelous radiance. She traveled through that country with a flaming sword, dividing truth from error. The elevation of her character guided souls to the divine pathway. She had discerned in
the divine call the duty and privilege of serving God. She embraced the opportunity to serve her country, to exalt her fellow creatures, especially to help those in the sphere of women, who in that country were for the most part in a most benighted condition, owing to the prevalence of superstition and the want of elevation and knowledge. And because she heard this voice and at the call of her Lord arose to teach and guide the people, we find that her fame is spreading throughout the world. Although she lived and wrought in the Orient, her traces now appear in the Occident. Whenever the cause of freedom for women is advanced we find traces of this illustrious woman who answered the call of her Lord and sacrificed her life for the freedom of humanity. The power of the great Bab was demonstrated in the training of this soul by the power of the Holy Spirit. But he trained not only one, but many thousands. He was not only the herald of the new day but the divine Messenger, the First Point of Revelation. He upturned the soil and planted the seeds of God. He opened wide the gate for the appearance of God Himself in His greatest Manifestation to all the created beings.
The Báb finished his work and the splendor of BAHA'O'LLAH arose like a brilliant sun enlightening the world. And again the spiritual power was proved upon a more magnificent plane than men have ever known. The spiritual power and the divine teachings of this Manifestation brighten the mind and gladden the heart. Not only do they lend themselves to the peculiar needs of the individual, unfolding the divine plan for each of His children, but they are conducive to the needs of the world of humanity, unfolding those universal principles which enlighten, vivify and regenerate the world.
It is related that in the time of BAHA'O'LLAH there was a boy in Persia who was not noted for his wit or intelligence and yet within him was a soul which responded to the universal call. Thus he became one of the chosen and was entrusted by BAHA'O'LLAH with a difficult and perilous mission. At the appearance of the Manifestation of God it is necessary that the people shall know. It is the divine wisdom that the kings and rulers of the people shall be informed of so marvelous an event. As an instrument for carrying the Tablet of BAHA'O'LLAH to the ruling power of Persia, the mighty Shah, surrounded by his great soldiers and his elegant and dignified court, this simple, humble boy was selected. We know the human limitations of this boy. But what happened to him, the mighty transformation that was wrought when he was entrusted with this wonderful mission, is told by BAHA'O'LLAH in the Tablet of Badi. He was called into the holy presence of BAHA'O'LLAH and such a power was breathed upon him that he would have overcome the Supreme Concourse! Then he was no longer Badi the ignorant. Then he became Badi the wonderful! Badi the mighty! Then he became a new creation, because his heart was illumined by the Spirit of Truth, the Word of God, the Light of Guidance. He felt the vibrations of that mighty love, the presence of God standing within him, "powerful, mighty and supreme!" His mission was executed in a way that will compel admiration as long as men pay a tribute to virtue and fidelity. And again, through this spiritual outpouring scientific discoveries were increased and spiritual sacrifices were multiplied as the earth became more and more illumined by the face of God.
Now again that great power, the supreme Word, the manifest light goes forth to heal the nations and quicken the dead. This time it descends upon the created beings from the Center of the Covenant of God. BAHA'O'LLAH, speaking of Abdul-Baha, the Center of the Covenant of God, says, "He is the east of my Cause, the shining-place of
my identity, the sea of my bounty, the heaven of my will, the lamp of my guidance, the path of my justice, the standard of my laws. Whoever hath turned to him hath turned to me." So if we want now to know that mysterious force which is the source of life and power, we must turn with severed hearts to the Center of the Covenant of God. This is the dawning-place of righteousness and peace. This is the mystery of God which is the mystery of divine love.
Love is the cause of the creation of all the beings. It is the power of unity in all the universe of God. Through His love for His creatures, through His will to be known, God created man. We can only realize the divine image and likeness as we draw near to God in loving, sacrificial service to our fellow beings. Thus the limitations of man depart, and his horizon is widened. The distinctions of race and creed and religion no longer exist and the oneness of creation reflects the oneness of God. But such a vision is impossible without the bounty of the Holy Spirit. Through this ideal gift man is enabled to look over the created universe, as Abdul-Baha says, with "the glorified vision of a seer and a prophet."
One way to become receptive to this heavenly visitation, which no one of the creatures can of himself merit, is to carry this message of unity to the people of the earth. God wills to be known, and happy are those souls who respond to the desire of God! The divine Message creates human unity, ideal brotherhood, heavenly harmony and universal peace. It is also necessary to humble ourselves before the True One, knowing well that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Whenever a Messenger of God appeared in past cycles and ages, those who drew near to him with a desire for knowledge and in a spirit of loving service and humble submission, found their stations exalted by that Supreme Power and Manifest Light. It is even so today. The God whose manifest Word and Holy Spirit create us is not a God of poverty or of limitations. He is the Lord of Wealth, of affluence, of inexhaustible power. He does not create us poor. He creates us rich. He desires that we shall be wealthy through the divine affluence. He wills us to be strong through the divine strength; to be wise through the divine knowledge; to be illumined through the divine radiance. Shall not our minds and hearts expand and grow through the great spiritual bounty which is the life of all the beings?
There are those who seem to rest contentedly in the thought that there is nothing new under the sun. There are others who in their desire for the expansion of the soul and the ideal freedom, are ever striving for something new. The savage may look upon the sun and find satisfaction in the thought that it is the same that shone upon his forefathers and ancestors for many generations. He has the same light and warmth and wants nothing more. But how different it is with the scientist, who regards the same sun! Although he cannot know the essence of that sun, yet one by one he discovers more of its qualities and attributes. He invents the solar spectrum and with its aid discovers the identity of the elements of the sun and of this earth, although the proportion and composition of these elements differ in different worlds. He discovers the sun spots, those great apertures through which myriads of worlds might pass. To the astonished vision of the scientist is revealed the great coats of the sun, the great spheres of radiance and the sources of the light. He perceives the great masses of radium which are the dawning-places of its radiance and illumination. As the poet says, "That which is, is but earnest of the things which are to be."
Who knows but that in the future,
(Continued on page 90)
STAR OF THE WEST
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA.
He Is God!
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!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Editorial Staff: ALBERT R. WINDUST — GERTRUDE BUIKEMA — DR. ZIA M. BAGDADI
Honorary Member: MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB
Vol. 10
No. 5
Editorial—The Southern States contributes a General Outline
By JOSEPH H. HANNEN
Careful study of the Tablets to America on Teaching, old and new, develops an increasing sense of the responsibility and opportunity of every Bahai. It is indeed the trumpet call to action. A new campaign is being waged against ignorance, lack of spirituality, prejudice and sectarianism. Its divine object is unity through love, and the formation of a republic of religions, in which all men shall be brothers, with God the Father of all, and His will shall "be done on earth as it is in heaven."
It is our desire and effort to enlist the co-operation of every friend in the Southern territory, bending a united effort toward the accomplishment of the task set before us. The large delegation which attended the New York Convention from Washington and other points in the Southern field, returned filled with enthusiasm and inspiration, and plans are being made to systematically spread the glad-tidings of the Kingdom. As in this work we have had the benefit of the personal co-operation of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, who spent much of his time before and shortly after the Convention in Washington, the plans which he outlined, and which are naturally based on a very thorough comprehension of Abdul-Baha's wishes, may be of general interest to the friends everywhere.
The objects to be attained are such as to require the best effort of everyone. There is no one connected with the Cause of God who has not a part in this great plan. With a view of facilitating the general work, and co-ordinating the efforts of the friends, an outline has been drawn up by Mirza Sohrab, which the Southern section submits to the friends as its contribution to the general outline, and with a constant supplication for guidance and bounty.
The outline is as follows:
| 1. A Central Bureau to be organized in Washington for the South. | 2. Teachers traveling in the South to send addresses of those to whom they |
have spoken, to this Bureau and all details of their work.
3. Teachers to send the names and addresses of all the liberal organizations, clubs and churches who would be willing to have Bahai lecturers.
4. Bahai books to be placed in the libraries of all the important centers and teachers to visit the different libraries and see how many books they have and if we can supply them with more.
5. Provision to be made for the publication of literature and books to be widely circulated in the Southern states.
6. Teachers to send the names of one or two large newspapers in each city that would be willing to publish Bahai articles when sent to them.
7. Monthly reports of the work in the South to be published and circulated in the STAR OF THE WEST and other channels.
8. Monthly articles containing interesting news about the Cause to be sent to important newspapers for publication.
9. Bahai writers in the South to be encouraged to write Bahai stories for magazines and press. These stories to be permeated with the transforming power of BAHA'O'LLAH and Abdul-Baha. In this manner we can reach hundreds and thousands that could not be reached otherwise.
10. The follow-up system be developed so that if a teacher has visited a number of towns for a few months past another teacher may follow him up and refresh those talks with those already interested.
11. All the larger towns to be visited and effort be displayed to interesting one or two in each city to open their homes for weekly meetings and study, thus the work may continue without interruption, for unless we try to establish such small centers all public work will bear no fruit—even the birds have nests—thus when some one makes his home the nest of the birds of paradise, people will know where to go and how to get Bahai teachings.
12. The Central Bureau for the South to keep a card index system of all the friends in this section and send all the vital information regularly to the National Bureau, thus working in unity with that board and receiving inspiration from one another.
13. There should be a school for the training of the youth to be sent out as teachers.
14. A Publicity Bureau to be established.
News and Notes from the Southern Field
Charles Mason Remey and John B. Bassett visited a number of points in the South, prior to the New York Convention, returning to be in attendance there. Subsequently they returned to Washington and spent some time in local work, visiting a number of nearby points where addresses were given to interested groups. They report a wonderful spirit in the South and receptivity which is most encouraging.
Louis G. Gregory and Roy Williams have also been touring the Southern territory and are still in that section. They have visited Richmond, Virginia; Charleston, West Virginia; Huntington, West Virginia, and a number of other points en route. They are sending in lists of those interested, showing splendid results, and are most happy in the work. The following extract from Mr. Gregory's letter describing an incident of their trip to one of the places visited, exhibits the spirit encountered and shows the opportunities to be found: "This morning we visited the Ministerial Union here, which, oddly enough in a Southern community, combines all denominations, save Catholic, and both races. We listened with intense interest to their discussion centering around the question of unity, and growing out of a proposition to have unity meetings of the various denominations for the summer
months. The presiding officer, a Congregational minister, had a clear vision and spoke like a Bahai! He spoke of the efforts to prevent overlapping in missionary fields, and thought the same thing should apply at home. He believed that a hundred, even fifty years would witness the end of all denominations. . . . . Near the close they gave us a brief audience, which made it possible to read the teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH and mention the twelve principles. They showed keen interest, and the effect was almost electrical upon the advanced thinkers among them. They eagerly took the booklets (Big Ben's) that were offered them, and warmly shook our hands. . . . . Next Sunday we are to speak in the church of Dr. H., one who attended the World's Parliament of Religions in 1893. When he agreed to open his pulpit, I asked him if he wanted a 'Methodist sermon.' 'I want your message, whatever it is,' he answered, and said he was very happy that liberal and progressive ideals in religion were being advocated."
The Washington Assembly has called a meeting to consider plans for the work, and will appoint committees and take other practical steps to get the campaign under way, with great unity of purpose and steadfastness of action.
It is earnestly requested that any of the friends who may be sojourning temporarily in the states covered by the Tablets to the Southeastern states, will communicate with the Washington Assembly, so that they may become a part of the active forces while with us. Also all friends in the states mentioned, who are not members of assemblies, are asked to send their names and addresses to the Secretary of the Washington Assembly, to be registered. Furthermore all those who have friends in the Southern territory who have been or should be interested, are urged to send the names and addresses of such friends, with such additional information as will enable us to serve them to best advantage. Address in all such correspondence, "Secretary, Bahai Assembly, P. O. Box 1319, Washington, D. C."
Joseph H. Hannen.
The Power of the Holy Spirit
(Continued from page 87)
through the evolution of science and religion and when the thoughts of all the world are concentrated upon peaceful and constructive measures, we may communicate with the inhabitants of that glorious sun, may respond to their vibrations of understanding and light and may quicken them to ours, so our hearts and minds are fixed upon noble, exalted and altruistic ideals! Immobility is ever the cause of stagnation and death. Motion is ever the cause of progress and life. Man should ever strive to grow and develop along lines of both material and spiritual evolution. Thus he may discover the mysteries of his own being and come to know himself, which we are told, on the highest authority, is identical with knowing God.
The Kingdom of God has descended, in accordance with the promises of past centuries and ages. The invitation to be citizens of that great and glorious Kingdom is extended to each and all. The light of God which is shining forth from His greatest Manifestation, BAHA'O'LLAH, and the Center of His Covenant, Abdul-Baha, is veiled only by its intensity of splendor. There have been numberless appearances of the divine Logos, the "Word made flesh," in past cycles and ages. For these appearances have been the divine wisdom and mercy to the people of the world. These lordly splendors have been the educators of the peoples and nations as they laid the foundations for all past civilizations. The glories of the past, wonderful as
they have been, are veiled to us by the imitations, forms, interpretations and divisions that have crept in after the lapse of ages. But now the supreme joy and the glorious knowledge of the appearance of God is ours. The brief span of our lives upon earth is contemporaneous with the most marvelous event that has ever happened in all the ages. This event has been the dream and promise of wise men, prophets and seers, in past centuries and ages. How glorious to be living in the day of its fulfillment, when the whole earth is illumined by the face of its Lord! By obedience to the divine commands we become conscious of the divine power. It is the privilege of all who hear this Message to become instruments in the hands of God of quickening flesh with the spiritual power and of receiving the peace, harmony and security of the world of existence.
"To souls of fire He gives more fire and to those who are manful, a might that is more than man's!"
Truly if a man lived upon this earth one hundred thousand years, no higher hope, no brighter destiny could be his, than to be an instrument in the hands of God of bringing universal happiness to man. The greatest souls of past ages, were it possible, would hasten to such an attainment and the kings of the earth, could they but know, would abandon their crowns for affinity with God in the day when His Kingdom is glorified by His greatest Manifestation and the Center of His Covenant is living, moving and vibrating among men!
The gift of God is to be quickened by His Holy Spirit, to know His oneness, to realize His singleness, to be mindful of His appearance and to characterize our reality with His attributes. This is drawing near to God, this is being illumined by His light; this is looking upon the face of His beauty. This is the attainment of the station of man. "This is eternal life and heavenly honor."
Words of Baha'o'llah
Recited by MRS. AGNES S. PARSONS, of Washington, D. C., at the Second Session of the Bahai Congress, Sunday afternoon, April 27th, 1919. Stenographically reported.
IT has been our aim to uplift men through exalted words unto the Supreme Horizon and to prepare them to hearken unto that which conduces to the sanctifying and purifying of the peoples of the world from the strife and discord resulting from differences in religions or sects."
"O friends! In this day the door of heaven is opened by the key of the Godly name, the ocean of generosity is manifested and is rolling before your faces and the Sun of Providence is shining and gleaming. Do not be exclusive nor destroy your most precious time through the speech of this or that person. Gird up the loins of endeavor and do your best in training the people of the world. Do not imagine that the Cause of God is a cause of opposition, hatred and wrath."
"The Son of Greatness hath said that which is revealed from the heaven of Will in this Supreme Manifestation is to unite the people in love and friendship toward all. The people of Baha who have drunk the pure wine of reality must associate with all the world with a perfect spirit of joy and fragrance and remind them of that which is for the benefit of all. This is the commandment of the wronged one to his saints and sincere ones."
"O people of the earth! Make not the religion of God a cause of variance among you. Verily of a truth, it was revealed for the unifying of the whole world."
"Blessed is he who loves the world simply for the sake of the face of his generous Lord. With perfect compassion and mercy have we guided and directed the people of the world to that whereby their souls shall be profited." "I declare by the Sun of Truth, which has shone forth from the highest horizon of the world, that the people of Baha had not and have not any aim save the prosperity and reformation of the world and the purifying of the nations."
Religion must be the Cause of Amity and Friendship
Address by JOSEPH H. HANNEN, of Washington, D. C., delivered at the Second Session of the Bahai Congress, Sunday Afternoon, April 27th, 1919. Stenographically reported.
IN the great principles laid down by BAHA'O'LLAH for the government of the world in the new age that is to come, the third is that religion must be the cause of friendship and amity.
First let me quote to you from some of the sayings of Abdul-Baha upon this subject: "The basis of the teaching of BAHA'O'LLAH is the unity of mankind and his greatest desire was that love and good will should live in the hearts of men. As he exhorted the people to do away with strife and discord, so I wish to explain to you the principal reason of the unrest among nations. The chief cause is the misrepresentation of religion by the leaders and teachers of religion. They teach their followers to believe that their own form of religion is the only one pleasing to God, and that followers of any other persuasion are condemned by the all-loving Father and deprived of His mercy and grace; hence arise among the peoples disapproval, contempt, disputes and hatred. If these religious prejudices could be swept away the nations would soon enjoy peace and concord. . . .
"If only the whole world would acknowledge the greatness of all the heaven-sent teachers, strife and discord would soon vanish from the face of the earth and God's Kingdom would come among men. . . . If men could only learn the lesson of mutual tolerance, understanding and brotherly love, the unity of the world would soon be an established fact." (From Paris Talks.) The Center of the Covenant, Abdul-Baha, has explained to us the principal reason of the unrest so apparent among the various religious groups of mankind: The followers of each religious Teacher, Manifestation, Prophet—call him what you will—regard themselves as the chosen people of God, and all others as merely tolerated beings.
Now, in promulgating his great principles for the government of the world in the new age, BAHA'O'LLAH has declared in the third, that religion must be the cause of amity and friendship. All religion, like all love, is universal in its inception. The child that loves its home, tenderly and unselfishly, is potentially the man who expresses much love. The little girl who mothers her doll will make, we know, the best mother; and the mother is the heart of the nation; of the world. But man is not content to continue upon the unselfish basis which marked all beginnings of real religion. He would circumscribe the divine revelation of love—regarding himself and those of his persuasion as the children of God, and all others as being outside the love and care of an all-loving Father! What a misapprehension! And yet as an unselfish community, filled with the spirit of co-operation and brotherhood, is developed by binding together many families rich in family love, so God, today, having trained His people in the principles of spirituality, is bringing them together
on a basis of amity and concord. All the past is but a preparation for this day, which is truly one of coming together, of unity—the promised day of all the ages, of all the cycles, of all dispensations. This is the day of which Jesus, the Christ, spoke, when He said: "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold. Them also I must bring, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd."
Let us think of the people of the world from a spiritual standpoint; they are as several flocks, each under a different shepherd. They are each gathered into different pastures, separated by walls—walls made not by God, but by man. Gradually the existence of these walls breeds the selfish thought in the heart of each flock. Each believes its pasture the only pasture; its shepherd the only shepherd. At last, when selfishness through separation has reached its climax the mighty blast of the same all-powerful Spirit at whose command a trumpet blast destroyed the walls of Jericho, levels all walls of separation, and lo!—the One Great Shepherd appears, and the sheep, passing over lines where walls once stood, realize His presence, and know themselves every one as the sheep of God, knowing the Voice of One Shepherd!
Fancy the possibilities of unity, the possibilities of friendship, whereas before there existed suspicion and enmity. This is the message of the divine Shepherd who has appeared today. He has spoken—aye, He is speaking; and in the hearts of those capable of understanding the voice they have heard, the basis of a great unity has been practically established. This is no idle dream, millions with understanding hearts have already heard the voice of Him who has joined them together in a bond which shall last forever! For those of us who have had the privilege of seeing people of many races, many languages and different religions, meet as brothers, loving each other—recognizing points of contact and forgetting differences—in the home of Abdul-Baha, there can be no question. We are indeed living in the great day of unity—the great promised day of God.
Studying over this question, it seems to me that one of the great causes of dissension among religions is the loss of the dynamic element which rouses to action and lifts men from the lowest depths to the greatest heights. In the early days of Christianity, for example, men were filled with the divine enthusiasm that spurred them to marvelous action. Today we hear in the pulpits fervent prayers that God will raise His people to greater heights. Aye, therein lies the weak point, that God shall raise them. For as long as religion is passive and people depend upon something outside of themselves to elevate them, just so long will there be the selfish desire to be in the highest place; just so long will there be the personal creed, the thought that my way is the most direct way, the only way, and that those who do not follow after my way are lost. But the religion that is dynamic, the religion that is active, is that of which our Lord Christ spoke when he said, "He who drinketh of the Water that I shall give him, shall never thirst, but out of him shall proceed streams of living water," and so today the call is a call to action, the call is that through the power of the Holy Spirit as exemplified and given to us by the Center of the Covenant we are to raise ourselves to the sublime, divine heights. The way we do this is by raising others. As we raise others to these higher thoughts, these higher ideals, we shall indeed raise ourselves and in this active conception of religion there can be no selfishness, there can be no enmity, there can be no prejudice, for we are all striving, perhaps through different paths, toward the same goal, and animated by the great unselfish conceptions which have been given to us today in the precepts of BAHA'O'LLAH, and the teachings and
example of Abdul-Baha, we shall find our greatest happiness in giving, giving, giving to others.
This is the day of the divine harmony. Goethe compared the world's great religions to the strings of a harp, each of which gives forth a peculiar note of its own, while the harmonious blending of all produces a symphony of music. Each of the seven great religions has its dominant note, its distinctive feature, a doctrine which differentiates it from all the rest. The several melodies constitute, when blended, a symphony of universal religion. The dominant note of Hinduism is the divine presence; the permeating note of Buddhism, renunciation; of Parseeism, purity; of Confucianism, reverence for the past; of Judaism, righteousness; of Christianity, love, and of Mohammedanism, submission.
Have you ever stopped to realize that seven major notes with variations and the demi-semi-tones and combinations make up all of the harmony of the world? And so we have here outlined before us seven dominant notes representing the seven great religious systems of the world. The creeds and the sects are many, and yet they are but variations of these seven primal notes. These notes, these great divine strings are sadly out of tune. There comes One then, the Author and Creator of all, and by the wonderful power of His Word attunes anew these strings, these seven great notes, and lo, when played upon by the master hand we have again sweeping from East to West, from continent to continent, from ocean to ocean, aye from world to world in this vast universe of ours, the divine harmony, the harmony of the new day. There is no spot so remote but what that divine harmony may be heard by those whose ears are attuned to the Infinite; and so today it is our privilege to stand, to listen, and to make ourselves as reeds through which the divine breath may blow, as strings upon which the divine hand may play, and thus the world shall become one great symphony of love, of peace, of unity, of all the blessings of God's new day, the day of harmony, the day of unity through love.
Allah'o'Abha!
(See page 99 for "Unveiling of the Divine Plan for the Southern States.")
"Concerning the matter of receiving Orientals"
RECENT TABLET TO JOSEPH H. HANNEN
To his honor, Mr. Hannen, Washington, D. C.—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He is God!
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Your detailed letter dated March 10th, 1919, was perused. It imparted great joy and happiness that, praise be to God, the friends in Washington are in the utmost joy and fragrance and are acting and conducting themselves in accordance with the Covenant and the Testament. They are kind to one another and are ready to sacrifice themselves for the promulgation of heavenly teachings.
Assuredly, invisible confirmation shall come to their aid and assistance and manifest light shall illumine their sight.
Concerning the matter of receiving Orientals regarding which you had inquired, affiliate and associate and exercise the utmost kindness to the Hindus, Chinese and Japanese Orientals for they have no bad intentions and are not ill-natured; but assuredly do not receive and associate with any Persian or Arab who may come to those regions without having an autographic letter of recommendation from me and bearing my signature. He may perhaps go to those
regions in order to intrigue, to sow the seeds of sedition and to create difference and enmity. The blessed souls, however, will undoubtedly carry with them a letter of recommendation from me.
I pray God that thy respected wife and the children may, under the shadow of the Covenant, be confirmed in the realization of their highest wish.
His honor Mirza Ahmad Sohrab has undoubtedly reached that country by this time and is associating with you in the utmost love. Convey to him, on my behalf, greeting and kindness.
Concerning thy mother, Mineola, Misses Fanny and Alma Knobloch, I supplicate for them the assistance and the favor of God. Convey to them on my behalf the utmost kindness.
Upon thee be Baha-el-Abha!
Signed ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, April 26th, 1919. House of Abdul-Baha, Haifa, Palestine.)
"The Covenant of God shall remain stable and secure"
RECENT TABLET TO ROY C. WILHELM
To his honor Mr. Roy Wilhelm, New York City.—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He is God!
O thou who art firm in the Covenant.
Your numerous letters have been received and their contents noted. In every age and cycle, in the time of Moses, of His Holiness Christ and of His Holiness Mohammed as well as after these sacred Manifestations, some people of evil intention have been found and have sown the seeds of discord and of sedition. Even after Christ, Arius, the well-known patriarch, was the cause of a widespread schism in the Cause of God and intense agitation among the believers. His followers numbered even three million, and he as well as his successors exerted the utmost effort in order to produce a great split and a widespread commotion in the religion of God. But eventually the power of Christ exterminated and utterly destroyed them all to the extent that no trace (of them) has been left. These people are like the froth that gathers on the surface of the sea; a wave surges from the ocean of the Covenant and through the power of the Abha Kingdom will cast these foams ashore. In the Koran it is mentioned: "As to the foam, it is quickly gone; and as to what is useful to man, it remaineth on the earth." These corrupt thoughts that emanate from personal and evil intentions will all vanish, whereas the Covenant of God shall remain stable and secure.
The design that Mr. Bourgeois has prepared and has indeed striven hard therein has been received. Blessedness awaiteth him and a goodly home.
Convey, on my behalf the utmost love and kindness to thy respected parents. As it has been previously wired, communicate directly with Haifa.
Convey to Miss Lloyd my greeting and my kindness. I have the utmost longing for Mr. Bourgeois. In reality, this respected personage is worthy of praise.
You had written concerning the Wednesday evening gathering which was in the utmost spirituality. From this distant region I felt the fragrance of that meeting. Attach great importance to the Japanese people. Mrs. Magee should continually communicate with them. As to Miss Rude and the aunt of Mr. Edsall, convey to them my greeting. . . . .
Thou hadst written that the health of thy father and mother has improved; this news has made me very glad. . . . .
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, April 26th, 1919. House of Abdul-Baha, Haifa, Palestine.)
"The ocean of the Covenant shall send forth a wave"
RECENT TABLET TO LOUISE R. WAITE
To the maid-servant of God, Mrs. Louise Waite, Los Angeles, California—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou dear maid-servant of BAHA'O'LLAH!
The letter thou hadst written to his honor Mr. Tudor-Pole was perused. It is just what thou hadst written, namely, that the question of supreme importance centers around the promulgation of divine teachings. This is conducive to amity among all denominations and races that dwell on earth, nay rather it links together the East and the West, binds closely together the North and the South, pitches the pavilion of the oneness of the world of humanity, lays the foundation of universal peace, emancipates mankind from the gloom of the world of nature and elevates it to the illumination of the Kingdom, secures freedom for all the hearts and gladdens the souls with the glad tidings of God.
As to the question of reincarnation which thou hast inquired: It is better for thee to refer to the Book of Certainty (Ighan) revealed through the Supreme Pen, wherein the question is fully treated. This is the explicit text of the divine utterance and therein thou shalt find that it has been manifestly declared that by "Return" is meant the return of human perfections and divine illumination. The Book of Ighan has been translated and possesses the decisive verdict. Consider and peruse it with the utmost carefulness.
Concerning the childish activities of some (violators) which thou hadst written about: Praise be to God, thou hast been able to fulfill admirably thy mission. Thou hast, armed with the power of the Covenant, resisted and surmounted these unwise and foolish attempts; thou hast protected the Cause of God and hast striven to expose and reveal the Truth to the people of that region. These people are like unto children—at every hour they exhibit a fresh and puerile attempt, but all that is likened to a ripple on the surface of water. Ere long thou shalt consider that no sign and no trace shall remain therefrom. The ocean of the Covenant shall send forth a wave and shall disperse and throw out these foams. Consider thou, at the time of Christ and after Him, how many childish attempts were made by different persons! What claims they have advanced and what a multitude have they gathered around themselves! Even Arius attracted to himself a million and a half followers and strove and endeavored to sow the seeds of sedition in the Cause of Christ. But eventually the sea of Christ surged and cast out all the gathering froth and nothing was left behind save everlasting malediction.
In fine, engage in the promulgation of divine teachings, that ye may serve in a distinguished manner the oneness of the world of humanity, may be the means of the propagation of universal peace, that the world of mankind may reflect, like unto a mirror, the divine Kingdom and that the lights of the realm on high may shine in the nether world.
Convey, on my behalf, to all the friends and particularly to thy respected husband, Mr. Waite, the utmost love and kindness.
Upon thee be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, March 15th, 1919. Home of Abdul-Baha, Haifa, Palestine).
