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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.
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; 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."
Vol. 10 CONTENTS No. 6
| PAGE | |
Unveiling of the Divine Plan for the Southern States Second Talk by MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB at the Bahai Congress held in New York City, April 26th-30th. | |
News from the Holy Land and Persia Letter from SHOGHI RABBANI—Also containing Tablet revealed for a well-known Bahai of Teheran. | |
"Every latest (new) order should be acted upon because the general conditions vary and change" Recent Tablets from ABDUL-BAHA to Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi. | |
"The economic teachings shall, henceforth, be written in detail" Recent Tablet from ABDUL-BAHA to Juliet Thompson. | |
"Undoubtedly, the Standard of Universal Peace shall be unfurled" Recent Tablet from ABDUL-BAHA to Mrs. J. Stannard |
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.
Glad Tidings!
Words of ABDUL-BAHA to Mirza Ahmad Sohrab and quoted by him in his second talk delivered at the Bahai Congress— See page 112.
GLAD TIDINGS! Glad Tidings! That the Sun of Reality hath shone forth!
Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! That the illumination of heavenly brotherhood hath encircled the East and the West!
Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! That the doors of the Kingdom of mercy are wide open!
Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! That the melody of the Supreme Concourse hath reached the ears of every old and young one!
Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! That the banquet of the Lord is spread in the assemblages of the friends!
Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! That the period of bloodshed and carnage hath passed away and the century of universal peace and the gathering together of the nations of the earth hath dawned upon us!
Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! That the weeping eyes are made joyous and laughing, and ere long the diamond age of the Kingdom of Abha will be established in the hearts!
Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! For the sleepy ones are awakened and the negligent ones are made mindful!
Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! That the call of the Merciful is raised, the resurrection is set up, the dead are resuscitated, the lame are dancing like unto the gazelles, the deaf are endowed with hearing and the dumb are granted the power of speech!
Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! That the breaths of the Holy Spirit confer life and day by day the world of humanity advances toward the goal of perfection.
O ye inhabitants of the world, awaken ye! Awaken ye!
O ye factions of the earth, become ye mindful! Become ye mindful!
O ye devotees of religions, obtain life! Obtain life!
O ye sects and denominations, move ye! Move ye!
O ye lovers of the beauty of the True One, become ye self-sacrificing! Become ye self-sacrificing!
O ye enkindled ones! O ye supplicating ones! Become ye the confidante of the mysteries! Become ye the confidants of the mysteries!
O ye birds of the rose-garden of Abha! Sing ye the anthems of mercy! Break ye into the songs of beautitude!
O ye brilliant stars of the heaven of God! Shine ye! Shine ye!
O ye teachers of the Cause of the Supreme Lord! Travel ye, teach ye! Destroy ye the foundation of hatred, malice and contention from amongst the children of men, and lay ye the basis of the palace of love and universal peace!
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 Rahmat 1, 75 (June 24, 1919) No. 6
Unveiling of the Divine Plan for the Southern States
Second talk by MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB at the Eleventh Annual Mashrekol-Azkar Convention and Bahai Congress held in McAlpin Hotel, New York City, April 26th-30th, 1919.
BAHA'O'LLAH says in the Book of Akdas:
"It behooveth the one who hath drunk today the Elixir of Life from the hand of his Lord, the Merciful, to be pulsating like unto an artery in the body of the universe; thus the world may be moved through him and every mouldering bone be clothed with flesh."
Today the world of humanity is hungry for the Bread of Life and thirsty for the Water of Truth. Now that men have realized more than ever before that all their former institutions have been based upon a foundation of sand, they are trying to do away with all the past evils and build, on the solid rock of the Word of God, a palace of human prosperity which shall last forever. No doubt this new structure will not be built by a single man or by a single nation. It is only through the co-operation and mutual assistance of all men and of all races and all climes that this divine edifice will be raised. Its foundation must be laid in the hearts, and its walls rise to the seventh heaven of human consciousness. It is only through the power of God and the love of humanity that the builders will be inspired to set aside their national prejudices and traditions, merging them in the strong white light of internationalism and brotherhood. For has it not been said of old: "Love conquers everything." Without love nothing succeeds, nothing goes forward. When altruism and the love of God join hands, then we have really a dynamic and divine civilization. And it is only through the establishment of this divine civilization, that humanity shall enter through the portals of regeneration into the garden of Truth.
It is evident that every institution, both religious and social, has been subjected in the past to the law of change and modification. Most of the former movements, because they could not adapt themselves to a new environment, became little by little static, lost their pliability and elasticity, became lifeless and died from inanition. But in this age the law of religious truth and social energy has taught us a new lesson, i. e., a movement cannot survive the cataclysm of the ages unless it is permeated with a strong telic policy.
Now I believe from what you have seen and experienced of the Bahai Movement—have felt the effects of its ethical and practical laws and its religious and scientific aspects—we may assert that of all other movements of the last age, this Movement is endowed with an extraordinary amount of telic energy and the power of adaptation. The unveiling of the great Tablets to the believers of the Northeastern States must have demonstrated to you, in a striking manner, what this power of adaptation and telic energy must mean to the Bahais in the
future. It is only through the constant application of these two fundamental laws and the assistance of the Holy Spirit that we shall be enabled to teach the Cause of God and the brotherhood of races to all these millions of men.
At this session we will take another step, and bring within the range of our human vision the larger divine vision of Abdul-Baha, by reading to you the translation of the two Tablets revealed to the Southern States. The first Tablet was revealed on Wednesday morning, March 27th, 1916. The Beloved of our hearts was sitting on a chair in the midst of the fresh wild flowers, looking at them and admiring their color and beauty. After a few minutes of silence, he began to dictate.
[Here followed the reading of the Tablet received in America before the doors of communication closed. It was published in the STAR OF THE WEST, Vol. 7, No. 10, and Vol. 9, No. 14.]
The second Tablet for the Southern States, which is now given to the world for the first time, was dictated by Abdul-Baha on Monday morning, February 3d, 1917, in his little cottage at his home in Haifa, It is as follows:
TABLET
To the believers of God and the maid-servant of the Merciful of the Southern States.—Upon them be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He is God!
O ye blessed, respected souls!
The philosophers of the ancients, the thinkers of the middle ages and the scientists of this and the future centuries have all agreed upon the fact that the best and the most ideal region for the habitation of man is the temperate zone, for in this belt the intellects and thoughts rise to the highest stage of maturity and the capability and ability of civilization manifest themselves in full efflorescence. When you read history critically and with a penetrating eye, it becomes evident that the majority of the famous men have been born, reared and have done their work in the temperate zone, while very, very few have appeared from the torrid and frigid zones.
Now these sixteen Southern States of the United States are situated in the temperate zone, and in these regions the perfections of the world of nature have been fully revealed. For the moderation of the weather, the beauty of the scenery and the geographical configuration of the country display a great effect in the world of minds and thoughts. This fact is well demonstrated through observation and experience.
Even the holy, divine Manifestations have had a nature in the utmost equilibrium, the health and wholesomeness of their bodies most perfect, their constitutions endowed with physical vigor, their powers functioning in perfect order, and the outward sensations linked with the inward perceptions, working together with extraordinary momentum and co-ordination.
Therefore in these sixteen states, because they are contiguous to other states and their climate being in the utmost of moderation, unquestionably the
divine teachings must reveal themselves with a brighter effulgence, the breaths of the Holy Spirit must display a penetrating intensity, the ocean of the love of God must be stirred with higher waves, the breeze of the rose-garden of the divine love be wafted with higher velocity, and the fragrance of holiness be diffused with swiftness and rapidity.
Praise be to God, that the divine outpourings are infinite, the melody of the Lordly principles is in the utmost efficacy, the most great Orb is shining with perfect splendor, the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse are attacking with invincible power, the tongues are sharper than the swords, the hearts are more brilliant than the light of electricity, the magnanimity of the friends precedes all the magnanimities of the former and subsequent generations, the souls are divinely attracted, and the fire of the love of God is enkindled.
At this time and at this period we must avail ourselves of this most great opportunity. We must not sit inactive for one moment; we must sever ourselves from composure, rest, tranquillity, goods, property, life and attachment to material things. We must sacrifice everything to His Highness the Possessor of Existence, so that the powers of the Kingdom may show greater penetration and the brilliant effulgence in this new cycle may illumine the worlds of minds and ideals.
It is about twenty-three years that the fragrances of God have been diffused in America, but no adequate and befitting motion has been realized, and no great acclamation and acceleration has been witnessed. Now it is my hope that through the heavenly power, the fragrances of the Merciful, the attraction of consciousness, the celestial outpourings, the heavenly cohorts and the gushing forth of the fountain of divine love, the believers of God may arise and in a short time the greatest good may unveil her countenance, the Sun of Reality may shine forth with such intensity that the darkness of the world of nature may become entirely dispelled and driven away; from every corner a most wonderful melody may be raised, the morning birds may break into such a song that the world of humanity may be quickened and moved, the solid bodies may become liquified and the souls who are like unto adamantine rocks may open their wings and through the heat of the love of God fly heavenward.
Nearly 2,000 years ago, Armenia was enveloped with impenetrable darkness. One blessed soul from among the disciples of Christ hastened to that part, and through his effort, ere long that province became illumined. Thus it has become evident how the power of the Kingdom works!
Therefore, rest ye assured in the confirmations of the Merciful and the assistances of the Most High, become ye sanctified above and purified from this world and the inhabitants thereof, suffer your intention to become for the good of all, cut your attachment to the earth and like unto the essence of the spirit become ye light and delicate. Then with a firm resolution, a pure heart, a rejoiced spirit, and an eloquent tongue, engage your time in the promulgation of the divine principles; so that the oneness of the world of
humanity may pitch her canopy in the apex of America and all the nations of the world may follow the divine policy. This is certain that the divine policy is justice and kindness toward all mankind. For all the nations of the world are the sheep of God, and God is the kind Shepherd. He has created these sheep. He has protected them, sustained and trained them. What greater kindness than this? And every moment we must render a hundred thousand thanksgivings that, praise be to God, we are freed from all the ignorant prejudices, are kind to all the sheep of God, and our utmost hope is to serve each and all, and like unto a benevolent father educate every one.
Upon ye be greeting and praise!
Every soul who travels through the cities, villages and hamlets of these states and is engaged in the diffusion of the fragrances of God, must peruse this Commune every morning:
COMMUNE
O God! O God! Behold me! Notwithstanding my lowliness and my lack of capability and ability, I am bent upon the accomplishment of the greatest works, aiming to promote Thy Word amongst the republics and resolved to spread Thy teachings amongst all mankind. Far be it from me to become confirmed in this work save Thou mayst assist me with the breaths of the Holy Spirit! Make me victorious through the armies of Thy supreme Kingdom and encircle me with Thy confirmations, which shall make the moth the eagle, the drop the river and the seas, and the scintillas the suns and the moons!
O Lord! Confirm me with Thy insuperable power and Thy penetrating potency, so that my tongue may speak out Thy praises and glorifications amongst Thy creatures, and my heart become over-flowed with the wine of Thy love and knowledge. Verily, Thou art the Powerful to do that which Thou willest, and Thou art Mighty over all things!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, March 27th, 1919, Washington, D. C.)
It is significant to observe that Abdul-Baha, in writing to the Southern States, takes the example of farming, and applies it to the spiritual farming, for as we know most of these states are primarily agricultural. The world looks to the South for its cotton, and thousands of factories would be closed in case of a bad harvest. Now the desire of Abdul-Baha is that just as the Southern people are clothing the bodies of millions of men with finely woven textures out of their cotton, they may also clothe the spiritual body of mankind with the heavenly characteristics and divine attributes. Just as they sweeten the tongues with the sugar cane of Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia, they may sweeten the lives of men and women who have lost their bright hopes of a better state.
The sixteen Southern States have more than five times the area of the Northeastern States, and we can get an idea of the vastness of this section when we realize that Texas alone is larger than the entire group of the Northeastern States; nevertheless the population
is only about twenty-three millions; not much more than that of the Northeastern States. The problem of how to reach this great mass of humanity, and how to spread the Message of the Kingdom in all parts of the South, is a subject that only time, knowledge and discretion will disclose to us. It is not a matter to be decided upon in a decade or two. Once we are inspired with this glorious vision of man's spiritualization, and once there is a telic policy guiding all our aims and hopes, I am sure we will go on advancing from step to step till the final goal is achieved. We may not see that goal, but still ours will be the greatest satisfaction to have laid the foundation of this work, not on the crumbling rocks of human policies, but in the pure hearts of men and women gathered here in this meeting. Look on the map for a moment, and the whole South is dotted with large, thriving cities, the inhabitants intelligent and hard workers. Here we have Washington, with a population of nearly 500,000, the Capital of the United States, the seat of the National Government, with the President and the Congress; here also we have the representatives of the nations of the earth. Then Baltimore, with more than 500,000; New Orleans with about 350,000; Nashville with 120,000; San Antonio with 100,000; Richmond with 130,000; Memphis with 140,000; then Birmingham, Augusta, Charleston, Chattanooga, Covington, Fort Worth, Houston, Mobile, Oklahoma City, Savannah, Wilmington, and many others with large populations and prosperous agricultural and industrial communities.
The Bahai Cause, whose basic spiritual principles are the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, must permeate every stratum of society in the South; so that this section may become the paradise of glory, the nest of the nightingale of Truth, the haven of security and the land of joy and happiness, flowing with milk and honey. All the racial and religious prejudices must be wiped away, that every face may shine with the light of the Kingdom. This, I can assure you, is the supreme desire of Abdul-Baha, and the sooner this ideal condition is brought about, the nearer we will be to the Golden Age of Universal Peace.
And now I must bring this second talk to a close by quoting to you two short talks of Abdul-Baha. Here is the first. Having looked over and corrected the second Tablet to the South, he handed it to me, saying:
"Come, my son, take it. I have corrected it. The importance of this Tablet will be revealed in the future. In these vast sixteen states the lights of the Sun of Reality shall shine with great power and the dark clouds of ignorance and human prejudices will be dispelled from its horizon. Mr. Gregory must demonstrate a self-sacrificing spirit in teaching the Cause amongst the black race, diffuse the fragrances of God in every part of the South, and let his cry of 'Ya-Baha-el-Abha!' reach to the apex of heaven, in their meetings, gatherings, churches, colleges and schools. The believers of God with the utmost firmness and steadfastness must go forth and teach the heavenly institutes to the inhabitants of the South. They must not turn their faces from any difficulty. Like unto a waving sea they must be tumultuous and full of divine acclamation, and similar unto the thankful birds they must be always singing the songs of love, light and life. Every person in accordance with his capability and ability must engage in teaching the Cause of God and show an effort in the illumination of the souls, so that praiseworthy results may appear and become manifest from him. I desire nothing else from the believers of those States save teaching the Cause of His Highness, the Almighty. See with what love, with what attraction, with what exhilaration I wrote this Tablet for them. One of (Continued on page 111.)
STAR OF THE WEST
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA
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. Althou 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!
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA
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.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Editorial Staff: ALBERT R. WINDUST—GERTRUDE BUIKEMA—DR. ZIA M. BAGDADI
Honorary Member: MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB
Vol. 10 Rahmat 1, 75 (June 24, 1919) No 6
News from the Holy Land and Persia
Letter from SHOGHI RABBANI—Also containing recent Tablet revealed for a well-known Bahai of Teheran.
Haifa, Palestine, April 25, 1919.
Zia M. Bagdadi, Chicago.
My dear brother in the love of God:
As there has been a lull and decrease of activity in Abdul-Baha's ever-widening correspondence these days, I find ample time at my disposal to write you this letter acknowledging the receipt of your letters that have been sent to me and those supplications which you have forwarded to the beloved Master. I profit moreover by the occasion to give you the news of the Beloved's health and safety and a summary of the news of the Holy Land. Since the dispatch of your last Tablet dated January 10th, 1919, four supplications, enclosing other supplications from the friends, have been received from you as well as two letters addressed to me and dated February 28th and March 6th. The contents of all these letters have been fully exposed to the Beloved and have received his due and full consideration, a detailed Tablet in answer to all your questions has been revealed for you this afternoon and will be duly dispatched. The second (or middle) name granted to your dear daughter is Habibeh, after the name of her respected grandmother. Convey my greetings and my best wishes to your dear wife who, I hope, is enjoying good health and is collaborating with you in your indefatigable services to the Cause of God.
As to the news of the Holy Land, many and varied they are in these significant, memorable days. Friends from France, as M. and Mme. Dreyfus-Barney; from England, as Major Tudor-Pole;
from Cairo, as Mohammed Taghi Esphahani and others; from Adana, as Hossein Ikbal, your dear and charming brother with his family—all these are daily flocking in and are being privileged to gaze at the Master's radiant face after this unprecedented period of separation.
News, refreshing and inspiring, is being daily received from all over the world, from the far west in the United States of America to the middle east in Persia and the far east, Japan and India, and still beyond from the Hawaiian Islands in the mid-Pacific ocean. From New Zealand even the glad tidings of the Kingdom are breaking upon us and indicate the brilliant future that is stored for the far-off continent of Australia.
In Persia and particularly in Teheran, the Cause is advancing by leaps and bounds, the number of the friends is prodigiously multiplying, their gatherings and assemblies are open to the public, an intense and widespread interest is being aroused, many an important, responsible position is taken up by wise and firm Bahais, Bahai literature is being printed, published and widely circulated, the seed of knowledge and of faith is being sown broadcast by intelligent and well-directed hands and the influence of the friends of God is being felt everywhere. Throughout this period of ceaseless activity of reconstruction and of service—at a time when the whole world was in confusion and commotion and when human blood was being so profusely spilt; the friends in Persia were wonderfully protected and saved. Civil war, pestilence and famine ravaged and devastated Persia and although the death rate on one day had reached the unprecedented number of 1172, the friends of God were miraculously preserved, not a single one fell victim of this great calamity.
From what was once an integral part of the vast Russian Empire, from the distracted region of Turkestan a letter has been received from a friend of God residing in the city of Ishkabad. Praise be to God, that dear spot which has the first Mashrekol-Azkar erected within its walls and which has of late been shrouded with a heavy mist is now again unveiling itself and appears in its full light and splendor.
What strikes us most vividly is the good news of the welfare and safety of the friends of God. All throughout the years of war, civil as well as national, of loot and of riot and rebellion and of bloodshed, the friends have been continuously engaged in service to the Cause of God. Their meetings have not been discontinued, their fervor has not decreased and their energy has not relaxed.
This news from such a part of the world, together with the letters that have been received from Alma Knobloch and Consul Schwarz, have opened up all the closed channels of correspondence which the war had sealed with the Holy Land. The Beloved is in perfect health, strong and vigorous, happy and joyous and often does he wake up at midnight in order to peruse the contents that are being received from the East as well as the West. . . . . .
With best greetings to all the friends of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful, I am
Your brother in the Cause,
Shoghi Rabbani.
May I end this letter of mine with the translation of one of the most important Tablets that have been recently revealed to a well-known friend in Teheran?—
TABLET
O thou honorable martyr and the pioneer of the Cause of God!
The letter which you had written on the 19th of December 1918, arrived the 5th of February 1919. In spite of lack of time it was read with the utmost attention together with the enclosed letters. It gave us the glad tidings of the good health, safety, joy and fragrance of the friends of the Merciful. In this day one cannot conceive of greater news,
for in these years of agitation hearts were in anxiety and affliction. This universal storm was so bewildering, so terrific, so frightful that reason could not conceive that this oppressed people would be protected and safe in all countries. This is only from the decisive and extraordinary power of His Highness the Desired One—May the spirit of existence be sacrificed to the feet of His friends!
Consider that in all countries these oppressed people were in the hands of tyrants; in the days of peace and concord, of general tranquillity and comfort they were without help and support, subject to every tyrant, and inflicted with every calamity. Now, thanks to the assistance and favor of the Eternal Beauty, such a great miracle has become manifest and clear. During the years when all the peoples of the world were in infinite trouble and torment, in the utmost distress, commanded, subjugated, deprived and devoid of reason, these oppressed ones, through the power of the divine teachings and of everlasting confirmation, were everywhere in the utmost tranquillity and composure.
What miracle greater than this? If any one stops to think one instant, he will not find a greater proof.
Although Abdul-Baha had striven to the utmost of his power in this praiseworthy Cause prior to the declaration of the war, and so much have we said and spoken in connection with the lines of conduct, but without the favor of God we are nothing, absolutely nothing. This brilliant victory and this remarkable protection are exclusively ascribed to the blessings of the Eternal Beauty—May my spirit be a sacrifice to His friends!—otherwise human power is absolutely impotent. The tastes and inclinations of the people of Persia have decidedly changed; religious habits have disappeared and eventually unworthy habits may prevail in Persia. But rest assured the power of the Cause of God shall conquer and waves from this infinite sea shall surge and shall roll away, casting out upon the shore these foams, and verily our legions shall have the victory.
This is what He says in explicit terms in the Ishrakat: "Religion is a brilliant light and a strong fortress for the protection and comfort of the people of the world. If the lamp of religion remains veiled, chaos will take place, the luminary of justice and of equity, and the sun of rest and security, will be deprived of light. Any one who knows will ever bear witness."
Reflect what has been perpetrated by the miserable party in Russia! How they have destroyed this imposing empire and caused this mighty edifice to crumble into dust, and at present they are in a hopeless state. The state of affairs has become so acute that the pure and chaste women of Russia have brought their complaint before the great powers of the League of Nations, saying that this unprincipled party is forcing us to become public property. High and low, everyone has been villified. The veil of shame has been entirely rent asunder and the mass the people have attained a stage of savagery.
Consider, that fifty years ago the Supreme Pen foretold these events: "Verily, our armies will have the victory." Soon they will find themselves disappointed and at a loss and they will have to follow the commands.
In Persia we see now the beginning of heedlessness and the first manifestations of neglecting religion. If this state of things is not stopped by the power of the divine teachings, it will soon be chaos and distress, eternal vileness and shame. I take refuge in God in this impossible assumption.
The sacred Manifestations were not known in the first cycles and the fruit of their mission had not been discovered. But in this spiritual age, in this divine time the exaltation and the luminosity, the truth and the greatness of the Cause of God have become manifest and evident as the sun in all regions. All wise men
witness that these divine teachings are the very spirit of this age, and the light of this cycle; humanity will never find peace and tranquillity without the spreading of these teachings, nor will it attain perfect civilization.
In all temples, gatherings, assemblies of the West Abdul-Baha has spread these teachings most forcibly. Not a single person could oppose him, nobody raised an objection. Everyone listened, and with great applause and in the utmost respect manifested their approval. No one was found who said: "This is only the legends of the past." Even in a meeting of atheists a detailed address was delivered. Everybody approved of it and it was published in the American papers. Likewise in Oxford (England) an address was given, and also at the University of California in San Francisco [Leland Stanford, Jr. University, Palo Alto] were explained a part of the divine teachings. Everywhere I met with approval, but the Persians are still asleep. So great a blessing has been manifested in Persia, such a bejeweled crown has been set on its head—but a thousand times alas! that the Persians do not appreciate it and are suffering from neglecting religion. May God end it well. Praise be to God! All future events were clearly, openly and explicitly revealed in previous Tablets, some fifty years ago, others thirty years ago. All have come to pass, and yet the Persians are negligent!
The Eternal Beauty—Glory be to His Greatest Name!—proclaimed this Supreme Cause under fetters, hoisted this remarkable standard in the midst of prison and has given rise to such commotion! Yet the Persians are slumbering! The people of the West consider the East as inhabited by wild tribes and refer to it as a vile race, low and unfavored; now the power of the Greatest Name has had this deep effect in the hearts of the people of the West and in all the countries of the world there are groups respecting Persia.
Notwithstanding the manifestations of this great power, the Persians are still unaware and are immersed in heedlessness. Be admonished, ye people of light! The one to whom God has refused the light, he is deprived thereof.
In brief, we hope that the friends of God will be confirmed in the path of guidance and will remain and abide at the threshold of the Eternal Beauty,
Upon thee be Baha-el-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, April 25th, 1919.)
"Every latest (new) order should be acted upon because the general conditions vary and change"
RECENT TABLETS TO DR. BAGDADI
To his honor Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, Chicago, Ill.—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Thy numerous and successive letters have been perused in their meanings, and now we answer thee these general inquiries which thou hast asked. This is of my love for thee and tenderness toward thee. I ask God to confirm all in spirit and fragrance, to change every darkness into light that will illumine the universe; to make the hearts united and combined as the mixing of water and wine, so that all may arise for the elevation of the Word of God and the diffusion of the teachings of God; the abandonment of every mention that does not inherit a gift from God.
As to Dr. Barton-Peeke: I ask God to make her the sign of firmness in the horizons.
As to Mr. George Lesch: Verily, he has attained to the meeting of his Lord in the Kingdom of Abha, and he is saying, "I wish my people knew how my
Lord has forgiven me, and made me the sign of mercy in the world of light."
As to the turning of the colored race to the praise-worthy station: This is a matter that was promised in the Scriptures and the Tablets by the affectionate Lord. Therefore, we have rejoiced in the great glad tidings and we desire that the unity may be increased between the white and the black and the difficulties vanish, so that they may become intimates, strong in faithfulness, and as brothers reclining on the couches face to face, attracted to the manifest light.
As to your gentle daughter Parvene: We have given her the middle name of Habibeh. It is the name of her grandmother.
Concerning the book of his honor Mirza Mahmood Zargani: It is acceptable if you translate and distribute it, especially among the friends.
As to the Chinese, Japanese and Hindu students: It is acceptable to receive them into your gatherings.
Concerning the printing of the Tablets and the Epistles: It is conditioned and depends upon the opinion of the Executive Board of the Convention, so that it may not be the cause of disturbing the minds.
Every latest order (new) should be acted upon because the general conditions vary and change; therefore, a new order is issued to readjust the old order.
As to the STAR OF THE WEST: It is better if the English is mixed with the Persian. His honor Mirza Ahmad Sohrab has acquired skilfulness in the Persian in these later days.
As to all the epistles and the books pertaining to the Cause: They must be under the management of the Executive Board of the Convention. But have ye consideration for Miss Mary Lesch.
As to the souls whose consciences are clarified, whose secrets are sweetened, who have become assured in the mention of their Lord, who have sincerely turned their faces to God and who have traveled in the East of the earth and its West, its South and its North for the diffusion of the fragrances of God, unquestionably the merciful confirmations, the divine assistance shall reach them under all conditions and circumstances. Joy be unto the souls who help this illumined group and spiritual party.
As to the Epistles, The Mysterious Forces of Civilization and the Traveler's Narrative: Verily, they are the important epistles which vivify and civilize the souls and educate them with the best virtues and the best of politics. Therefore, attach ye to them great importance, and ye, O ye who are noble, do not waste your time in discussions that are useless and from which no benefit can be obtained; it is encumbent upon ye to elevate the Word of God and to spread the fragrances of God.
In these days a letter was received from his honor Ibn Asdak, saying that he had sent you articles in order that they be published in the STAR OF THE WEST; their distribution is acceptable.
Convey my greetings and my longing to all the friends in that country of the vast regions.
Upon thee be greeting and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS. (April 25th, 1919.)
As to thy inquiry about traveling to nearby towns out of Chicago for the promulgation of the divine teachings: It is acceptable if thou dost continue in this work.
As to the House of Spirituality: It is the name for the group, the committee, and it is the best of all the names.
Convey my greeting and praise to the maid-servant of God, Mrs. Grace Anderson, and say unto her: "Verily, I bury my face in the dust of supplication and invocation and I pray for thee to God to make thee free from every hindrance and attachment in the life of this world, so that thou mayest be clothed with the garment of holiness in the Kingdom of Abha, and become sanctified
from the darkness of the world of nature and its limitations, enkindled with the fire of the love of God and attracted to the fragrances of God.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS. (May 18th, 1919.)
"The economic teachings shall, henceforth, be written in detail"
RECENT TABLET TO JULIET THOMPSON
To the maid-servant of God, Miss Juliet Thompson, New York City—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
Numerous letters have been received from you and their contents noted. At present the presentation of a letter to the Presidents is not advisable, for they are occupied.
Convey my respectful greeting to Mrs. Barbee of St. Louis and say: "I hope that in this nether world thou shalt attain unto a heavenly light, thou wilt free the souls from the gloom of nature, which is the animal world, and cause them to reach the lofty stations in the human world. Today all the people of the world, except a small number of souls, are immersed in the world of nature. That is why thou dost witness jealousy, greed, struggle for existence, deception, hypocrisy, tyranny, oppression, dispute, strife, bloodshed, loot and pillage, all of which emanate from the world of nature. But few are those who have been freed from this darkness, who have ascended from the world of nature to the world of man, who have followed the divine teachings, have served the world of humanity, who are resplendent, merciful, like unto a rose-garden and illumined. Strive as much as possible in order to become God-like, Lordly, illumined and merciful, that thou mayest be freed from every bond and become attached at heart to the Kingdom of the incomparable Lord. This is Bahai bounty and this is heavenly light."
Convey to the maid-servant of God . . . greeting and kindness. On her behalf I supplicate and entreat at the Kingdom of Abha, in the utmost humility and lowliness, that she may be assisted to conduct herself in accordance with the divine teachings.
Convey my greeting and kindness to Mark Tobey, Howard Ives, Agnes Alexander and Frances Fales.
Convey my message to Mrs. Lehmann and say: "Service to the friends is service to the Kingdom of God, and the consideration shown to the poor is one of the greatest instructions of God."
Convey on my behalf the utmost kindness to Mr. Comfort (Will Livingston Comfort) and say: "When in the midnight hour the eye is awakened, affectionate sentiments are felt."
O thou Juliet! Endeavor in thy profession that thou mayest secure comfort for thy respected mother.
Convey to Marjory Morten my greeting and my message.
Say unto . . . . and . . . . "Strive as much as you can to turn wholly toward the Kingdom, that ye may acquire innate courage and an ideal power."
Convey longing greeting to Chaplain Purser.
Convey on my behalf the utmost respect to Rev. Van Kirk and say: "Reflect upon the past events during the time of Christ; present events shall become clear and manifest."
Convey my message to . . . . and say: "I also pray that your dear friend may be illumined with the light of everlasting life."
Convey my message to Frieda Bullinger and say: "If until eternity thou remainest grateful to Mrs. Grace, thou shalt not acquit thyself, for she has
caused thee to harken to the divine call and to turn thy face to the divine Kingdom. I hope that thou shalt acquire health and prosperity."
The economic teachings shall, henceforth, be written in detail.
On behalf of thy aunt, forgiveness has been solicited from the Threshold of Oneness.
Convey my greeting to Dr. Guthrie and Mr. Ledoux. From the bounties of God I ask that these two souls may be the cause of the promulgation of divine teachings, may proclaim the oneness of the world of humanity, may spread the cause of universal peace, that ignorant, religious, racial, political and even patriotic prejudices may vanish and the earth may become one home and all peoples be unified; and the same with the other divine teachings which are recorded in the Tablets and Epistles.
Convey my greeting to Dr. Guthrie and Kalil Gibran and say: "In the future some Tablets will be sent that ye may translate them, and, having translated them, print them."
To Mr. Bouck White say: "If thou seekest real liberty, thou shalt find it in the Bahai Movement."
I hope thy respected mother will grow better in health and Mrs. Maxwell may attain unto perfect health.
A letter will be written to Mrs. Krug and Miss Boylan, and being enclosed, deliver it to them.
Convey to each and all the friends the most wonderful Abha greeting. . . .
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, April 4th 1919, Haifa, Palestine.)
"Undoubtedly, the Standard of Universal Peace shall be unfurled"
RECENT TABLET TO MRS. J. STANNARD
(Copy of Tablet revealed for Mrs. J. Stannard of London, Eng.)
O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom of God!
Thy letter dated December 26th was received. I praised the Lord for having protected the friends all throughout the war that has new subsided. All mankind was held in the grip of anguish, and calamities afflicted every soul, while the safety of the friends constituted one of the greatest gifts. For that we thank God and pray that He may confer upon every one that which will illumine the hearts, refresh the souls, bestow light to the eyes and brighten the visions; and that is the dawn of the Sun of Truth upon all regions, from the horizon of universal peace.
Praise be to God, whatever was recorded fifty years ago in the Tablets and Epistles, has in these days been fully realized. Undoubtedly the standard of universal peace shall be unfurled, its legions shall conquer, its call shall be raised, its rays shall beam forth upon all lands. At present it is only the dawn of its morn, for its sun shall shine in full splendor upon all regions. As to thee, rest thou assured in the bounty of thy Lord, and if possible travel thou to the Holy Land and thence to Egypt or Europe as thou choosest.
Convey greetings and praise to the friends and maid-servants of the Merciful. In the utmost humility and lowliness I entreat the powerful, and the Omnipotent God that He may confirm them with that which pleases Him; that He may draw the hearts together, cause displeasure to vanish in the twinkling of the eye, and that thou mayest be the cause of joy and fragrance among the servants of the Merciful.
Upon thee be greeting and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, January 30th, 1919, Haifa, Palestine.)
Unveiling of the Divine Plan for the Southern States
(Continued from page 103)
the wisdoms of this universal war is no other than the writing of these Epistles, so that the believers may realize that the Cause of His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH must ultimately encircle the globe. Having thus clearly perceived their duty they will spare no effort to hasten its consummation.
"The prominent believers of the South, like Mr. Remey, Mr. Hannen, Mrs. Parsons, Mr. Gregory and others must come together, hold meetings of consultation and devise efficient ways and means for the teaching of the people of this great section and promote amongst the inhabitants the spirit of brotherhood, unity and the love of His Holiness Christ and BAHA'O'LLAH. Do thou present thyself in their meetings, and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit make them realize and feel how this question of teaching is one of the utmost importance in the Cause. Tell them: 'Do not let your thoughts and ideals be crystallized around particular matters. Close your eyes to outward differences and look upon each other with the eye of universal oneness. 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. Walk ye always in the pathway of lights and let the pillars of shining Bahai inspiration lead and direct you to your glorious destination. Let your thoughts be of BAHA'O'LLAH, your mention be of BAHA'O'LLAH, and fill all hearts with the truth of BAHA'O'LLAH. Like unto the sanctified souls, associate ye with the people of the world and show ye that which ye have. Do ye not hide the precious jewels of the Kingdom under the earth. This day is the day of revelation! This Manifestation is the manifestation of knowledge and understanding'."
The second talk was given one morning in February, 1918, while he was walking in his lovely garden. The names of the Southern States were brought to his attention, and his face was suddenly brightened with the light of inspiration. Then, as he continued his walk, he uttered the following poetic message, redolent with the fragrance of the garden of Abha:—
"Praise be to God, that the dark ages have passed away and the century of light has come. Praise be to God, that the traces of prejudices and superstitions are effaced, and the horizon of the minds and the hearts of humanity are broadened. Praise be to God, that the seas of the idle fancies of the religionists are calmed down and the oceans of the realities and significances of the Blessed Perfection are set in motion. Praise be to God, that the gloomy nights of ignorance have flitted away across the receding ages, and the bright dawn of intelligence and wisdom is becoming visible. Praise be to God, that the cold winter of fanaticism and bigotry, with its chilling hand and irrational heterodoxy has come to an end, and the soul-refreshing springtime of the imperishable flowers and hyacinths of universal love and toleration, has dawned, perfuming all the nostrils with the sweet odors of trust and confidence. Praise be to God, that the black clouds of human limitations and man-made restrictions are dispelled, and the world-enlightening Sun of the Kingdom hath dawned from the horizon of the hearts! Praise be to God that the chains of injustice and the fetters of the oppression of the Pharaohs of the earth and the despotic rulers of men have crumbled to dust, and the age of justice, equity, brotherhood and real democracy is inaugurated. Praise be to God that the crowns of the
despots have fallen to the earth, and the thrones of the absolutists are shaken to the foundation. But the real diadems of glory and power and the royal seats of just governments and democratic institutions were raised high. Praise be to God, that the period of satanic suggestions hath come to a close, and the cycle of angelic ideals and seraphic thoughts hath opened before the eyes of men.
"The past age was an age of wondrous achievements. All the inventions were perfected, new discoveries created, new fields of human activities, new undertakings gave deeper significance to the law of co-operation; new arts helped to make life more beautiful and new international laws are now in the process of formation to bind all nations of the earth together. The international tribunal of justice will soon be organized in accordance with the principles of BAHA'O'LLAH, and then all the differences will be adjusted before the members of that impartial tribunal.
"Therefore, as a result of these changes in the outward world, it has become part of the heavenly wisdom in the inner world to create a new spiritual plan for the propagation of the religion of God; thus the divine believers may obtain a new joy and a new happiness and display an extraordinary effort in the promotion of the reality of the religions of God; to deliver the nations from old, superannuated prejudices and diffuse the fragrances of the flowers of the primal truth; to unfurl the flag of the love, amity and the oneness of the world of humanity and remove the international misunderstandings from amongst the nations of the world. From their hearts and souls they must cry out: [Here are followed the proclamation on page 98, beginning: "Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! That the Sun of Reality hath shone forth!"]
"The lights of the oneness of the world of humanity are scintillating like unto precious jewels; scatter their rays to all parts! Upraise ye the banner of unity, fraternity, co-operation and reciprocity amongst all the people; so that there may not be left from prejudice aught save a name and from ignorance not even a shadow; the religion of God may pitch its tent over the East and the West, the light of the Kingdom may illumine all hearts, perfect agreement and association may be realized between races, religions and nativities, and the world of creation may find composure and tranquillity."
On another occasion, he said: "Give my greeting to the friends in Washington and say: 'O ye believers of God! I am always thinking of the days that I associated with you. Never will I forget you and the spiritual meetings held in your city. I beg from the favors of the Blessed Perfection that ye may become assisted to promote the Cause of God and promulgate the Word of God in the Southern States, that just as Washington is the political center of the American Republic, she may become the dawning-place of merciful susceptibilities and celestial feelings. Arise ye without any fear in the promulgation of the religion of God! Become ye firmly rooted in this great aim, send ye teachers to all directions, and become ye not apprehensive that ye meet strong opposition. The contradiction of others is more conducive to the strength of the Cause of God. Ever do I beg for you divine confirmation. My spirit is with each one of you. Do ye not look upon your own capacities. Rest ye assured in the bounties of the Blessed Perfection. He shall change the drop into an ocean and the moth into an eagle. He changes the stone into the precious ruby and the scintilla into the world-illuminating sun. Open ye the eloquent tongues and day and night consult with each other regarding the promotion of the Cause of God, so that in the end you may crown your heads with this diadem and carrying in your hands the swords of light, ye may conquer the kingdoms of the hearts'."
