Star of the West/Volume 11/Issue 15/Text
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PUBLISHED NINETEEN TIMES A YEAR
In the Interest of the BAHAI MOVEMENT
By the BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, 515 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
Publishers: ALBERT R. WINDUST — GERTRUDE BUIKEMA — DR. ZIA M. BAGDADI
Entered as second-class matter April 9, 1911, at the post office at Chicago, Ill., under the Act of March 3, 1879.
Terms: $3.00 per year; 20 cents per copy.
Two copies to same name and address, $5.00 per year.
Make Money Orders Payable to BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
To personal checks please add sufficient to cover the bank exchange.
Address all communications to BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.
WORDS OF ABDUL-BAHA.
"Great importance must be given to the development of the STAR OF THE WEST. The circle of its discussion must be widened; in its columns must be published the essential problems pertaining to the Bahai life in all its phases. Its contents must be so universal that even the strangers may subscribe to it. Articles must be published, dealing with the universal principles of the Cause, the writers proving that this Cause takes a vital interest in all the social and religious movements of the age and is conducive to the progress of the world and its inhabitants. In short, the STAR OF THE WEST must promote the aspirations and the ideals that will gather little by little around these general Tablets, bringing into the light of day all the historical, religious and racial knowledge which will be of the utmost value to the Bahai teachers all over the world."
From Unveiling of the Divine Plan.
| Vol. 11 | CONTENTS | No. 15 |
| PAGE | |
Jenabi Fazel Mazandaraui and Manucher Khan meeting with the Bahai friends in Washington, D. C. | 250 |
The Bahai Revelation | 251 |
| Address by JENABE FAZEL MAZANDARANI. | |
The Investigation of Truth | 254 |
| Address by JENABE FAZEL MAZANDARANI. | |
"His honor Fazel, in reality, is perfect in all the grades" | 256 |
| Tablet from ABDUL-BAHA to Mirza Ahmad Sohrab. | |
"His honor Fazel is a revered person" | 257 |
| Tablet from ABDUL-BAHA to Roy C. Wilhelm. | |
Tablets to Bahais in America Received in 1919 and 1920 | 258 |
PERSIAN SECTION—Written by Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi | 264-261 |
| 1. Helpful Words to children revealed by BAHA'O'LLAH, Abdul-Baha, Mohammed, Christ, Moses, Solomon, David and Zoroaster. 2. Encouraging Tablets to teachers and pupils. 3. Proposed establishment of a School for Girls on Mt. Carmel, Haifa. 4. News from the Occident; Birthday of BAHA'O'LLAH. 5. Feast of the Center of the Covenant and "Thanksgiving Day." 6. Progress of the Bahai Cause in America and Canada. 7. Generosity of the Bahais in Kenosha, Wis. 8. News from the Holy Land. 9. Persia. | |
--PHOTO--
JENABI FAZEL MAZANDARANI AND MANUCHER KHAN MEETING WITH THE BAHAI FRIENDS IN WASHINGTON, D. C.
(See Page 256)
"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. 11 | Massa'ul 1, 76 (December 12, 1920) | No. 15 |
Address* by JENABE FAZEL MAZANDARANI, delivered at the Third Session of the Bahai Congress, New York City, April 27th, 1920.
Manucher Khan, Interpreter.THERE is no doubt that there are two powers in the world, the power of spirituality and the power of materiality. There is no doubt that the advancement of man is in the world of morality. Man's honor depends upon his soul and upon his morality. If man lacks spirituality and morality he is nothing but a mere animal and is in common with animals. There is no doubt that man needs a teacher for the education of his morality and the education of his soul. History proves to us that without a teacher for these two phases, morality and soul, and without education, man cannot be supreme. The greatest morality in the world is love. Love and morality are the foundations of this world. Love in the world of humanity is the cause of its salvation. Love and unity are the honor and progress of this world. Love and unity are the foundations of its life; love and unity are the cause of man's entrance into the Kingdom of God; love and unity are the cause of eternal life.
All the Manifestations of God appeared in this world only that love and unity should prevail among mankind. The prophets of the world had no other aim except love and unity amongst humankind. When we look into the heavenly books we see the same thing, that
*See page 182 for Jenabi Fazel's words of greeting upon his arrival at the Convention.—The Editors.
all the aims have been this aim and nothing else. We see that in those spiritual books and in those Divine books, every corruption is forbidden; we see only inimical passions have been prohibited in those Divine books, and they have united the people in love and harmony. When we look into and consider the Divine books, we see all the aims of all the prophets have been to perfect man's morality and to establish love and unity among all mankind. They have no other aims besides these.
When we look into the history of every religion, we see that in their own cycle and in their own time they established their aims and objectives. You know that in their own time they did good work; that is to say, they established love and unity as far as it was possible in their own time. In the time of Moses, as much as it was possible in that time, and when the time of Jesus came as much as it was possible in his time. But by and by superstitions crept into those pure religions and caused dissensions, and some blind imitations made it so that the people shunned religion. Today we see in every nation that some people run away from religion entirely. No sooner do you say a word about religion than they run away from you and say, "We are not ready to hear anything about religion."
Now, let us see why they are shunning and turning away from religion.
These people see only the superstitions which are among the people but do not see the reality and the significance of the religions; they see only the misunderstandings. They see only the blind imitations. Religions are like mirrors which are covered with dust and their brilliance is entirely dull now. The dust that has covered the mirrors is nothing but these blind imitations or superstitions. It is because of these superstitions and ignorances, which have caused dissensions among the religions of the world, that they are inimical to each other, and hatred has arisen among them. Great wars and bloodshed have been brought about by these same blind imitations. But when we look to see the essential principles of all the religions we see that their aims have been one. Jesus had the same aim as Moses and Abraham and the other prophets, and they had no other aim and no other purpose except love and unity among humankind. All these differences and dissensions were brought about by the aforementioned superstitions and men's ignorance. The primary principles are unchangeable, but, of course, the secondary principles and branches are changeable according to the exigencies of time. We know that as time passes everything is changed; as you say nowadays, everything is changing. The laws of commerce and of other transient things are changing with the exigencies of time. The only differences that occur in religions is in the outer and secondary laws, not in the essential principles. There is nothing important about those transient things, they change with the exigencies of time. The point to be considered is the principles only. The people of the world do not look at the principles and the important points but they adhere to the trifling things, so of course there is dissension among them. These differences in religions have caused the very destruction of the whole world. If a wise man peruses the situation of the world today, will he deny that in this time and cycle there is need of unity among religions? Can all these differences and dissensions remain as they are? How long should there be differences in the world, and when is the perfection of the world to come?
BAHA'O'LLAH has dawned from the horizon of Persia, and has established laws for the unification of all religions, and he has made the world understand that the reality and the principles of all religions have been the same. He has brought to light the foundation of all religions, and these principles have been published in his book. They are the same things, but with new explanations which are very effective and influential, so that those commands renew the world of soul and the world of heart. We see that with Divine power he is dispelling those differences. This is what we see with our own eyes. What can be seen with the eyes and felt with the heart cannot be denied. If a mason claims he can build a beautiful building and he builds it right before our eyes, can that be denied? Such a fact cannot be denied. This is what BAHA'O'LLAH claims. He said his aim was to bring unity and harmony among humankind. There is unity among people who come under his standard, and he is pointing out to the people the real qualities of religion and is dispelling superstition and ignorance. This was his declaration and claim, and he attained to his aim.
We have come from the East. Now, the East was the centre of fanaticism. The people of the East were immersed in such superstition and fanaticism that they were very inimical to each other; they even considered each other as filthy and infidels, and they would not communicate with each other, would not
talk to each other. They thought it praiseworthy to murder each other, and not only did they think this action praiseworthy but they thought if they murdered one of their friends they would be nearer to God!
There were many followers of this belief in Persia, that is, those who thought that if they should kill each other they would be nearer to God. This was not according to the Holy Book at all. The Holy Book invited the people to love and harmony, while all of this emanated from superstition and ignorance. But since the manifestation of BAHA'O'LLAH, people of different religions and different nations have entered under its banner, and they now manifest the utmost love and unity towards each other.
For instance, the Jews were very superstitious and very fanatical. In the time of Christ they did not believe in Christ and they did not accept Christ, but now hundreds and hundreds of them have entered under this standard; and also the other older nations that did not believe in any of the new religions. When you enter one of the Bahai meetings, you see men from different races and from different nations. You cannot distinguish the Jew from those of other religions. You see a large number of people with great harmony and love towards each other, whereas each was formerly under a separate religion. This unity of religion has been established and brought about only by the Words of BAHA'O'LLAH.
This is the greatest power that reveals itself in the human world. This is the aim of all the Divine Manifestations; this is that which is prophesied in the Holy Book, that the "last" day will come and there will be perfect unity among the people; that the day will come when the "wolf" and the "lamb" will graze in the same pasture, and the day will come when all differences will be removed. Now, we see that by this Revelation and this Manifestation all the differences are removed. Can such a tangible case be denied? Since the declaration of the Manifestation thousands and thousands of the Bahais have been killed. This tree has been watered by the martyrdom of hundreds and hundreds of people. From the beginning of this Manifestation up to this present time, about fifty or sixty thousand have been murdered. They were murdered by the ignorant—killed and tortured in all sorts of ways. The history of this Cause is very long indeed. Whatever happened or took place in former religions, and former Manifestations, appeared in this Manifestation also. The holy aim of the Bahais cannot be denied by anybody. In this time, which is a luminous time, we see that it needs such a great Manifestation, and it needs the unity of the people. Of course, it necessitates that all the secrets of the religious Books should appear; and this is essential that all the shining hearts from God should again be near to God.
Now, we can feel perfectly sure that if it were not for the Bahai Cause the whole world would be running away from religion; that is to say, people would see only superstitions of religion then and turn away. This period necessitates a great Manifestation, more than any other period. His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH appeared to mankind and said: "Ye are all the branches of one tree and the fruits of one tree; ye are all of one race; ye are all created by the same God." Put aside all your blind imitations and adhere to the principles of religion and then you will all be united. My hope is that we endeavor every day to spread this Cause as much as we can, because the progress of the world and the attraction of the attention of people to religion is not realized by any other way except this way.
Address by JENABI FAZEL MAZANDARANI, delivered at the Fourth Session of the Bahai Congress, New York City, April 28th, 1920.
Manucher Khan, Interpreter.WE ARE unusually late this night. But it is necessary to end in prayer. We ask God for His assistance and confirmation, that He may guide us in His path, and that He may lead the whole of humanity in that path. I see that this meeting is spiritual and I could not keep still. I feel very much as if the spirit is waving all over this place.
There are plenty of meetings of different sorts and everywhere, for different purposes, reunions and dances are held in different places, but there are few meetings which are organized for the sake of God. The Bahai reunions and assemblies are for this aim, that is to say, for the sake of God. This meeting has no other intention except the investigation of truth and to discuss and speak about truth. All the people have been waiting so long that I am sure that they have no other aim except the investigation of truth. The investigation of truth is the first aim and the first principle that BAHA'O'LLAH has commanded the people to do—it should be the aim of all the people of the world. BAHA'O'LLAH has told the people that every man should investigate truth, because man's opinion is divided into two kinds. One belief and one opinion exists in man because of inheritance and blind imitation. Most of his opinions and beliefs in the world are of this sort. It is not necessary to mention it further and to take more time in explaining it because you know it already. You know all the existent religions of the world are nothing but blind imitation or inheritance. There is no doubt about it, and you know it. When a father is a Christian, the son also becomes a Christian; if the parents are Jews, the son will become a Jew; if the father is a Zoroastrian, the son will become a Zoroastrian, and if he is a Hindu or a Buddhist or a Mohammedan, the son will accept the religion of his father. We must not expect that the son of a Jew will be anything but a Jew. They are trained in that religion and, of course, when they are grown up they have not been trained in any other religion than that. They perpetuate their own beliefs and opinions in the hearts of their children, and they sow the seeds of animosity in the hearts of their children against other religions. All the existing beliefs are no better than the ones mentioned. These are blind imitations, and I am sure they are not the cause of man's salvation. Belief in blind opinion is the cause of all the dissension in the world. All these differences of religion have sprung from blind opinion. This sort of religion which exists in the world is not praised by God, because they have believed in these opinions without any proof or demonstration. All these beliefs are the sources of dissension and the root of all differences.
There is one sort of belief that has very few followers and that is the belief in the investigation of truth. The unity of the Bahais which has been brought about in the world is from this source; that is to say, they have investigated the truth and have found the truth. There is no doubt that people would not give up their religion unless it were founded on valid proof; beliefs and opinions are something very dear and very precious to humankind, and they have some reason for changing their opinion or else they would not do it. This proof is brought about by knowledge and investigation of the truth;
there is no doubt about that. Now, as I said before, this meeting has assembled to investigate the truth. I want every one of you, if you have any difficulty about the Cause, to come to the Bahai centre and ask me and I will gladly tell you about it. These meetings that you see, and such gatherings as this, they have all over the world.
This is the time of the Rizwan feast of the Bahais and Conventions are held by the Bahais in different parts of the world. At this time, BAHA'O'LLAH was exiled from Bagdad at the instigation of the high priests and by the help and support of the governments of Turkey and Persia. Two powerful governments like Turkey and Persia, with the influence of their high priests, leaders and governors, tried to exile BAHA'O'LLAH. What did they mean by this banishment? They were not opposing BAHA'O'LLAH personally, but they opposed his words and they were inimical to his teachings. At this time of Rizwan, BAHA'O'LLAH declared his mission and called the people to perfect unity and to remove dissension; in such a time the banner of the standard of peace was uplifted. At such a time this religion was started. This was why all the people of Persia and Turkey arose against his teachings. They thought by this opposition that they could eradicate his teachings and they would not spread over the world, but they did not know that some purposes and some intentions are supported by God's confirmation.
For instance, a man arranges according to his own ways, and everything outwardly is all right, but he never attains to his aim and objective. He feels from the very beginning that he is not supported by God's confirmation. He appeals to everything to attain to his objective, but he cannot attain it. Some people arise and put into effect some sacred intention, some holy intention, and it is done. By the outward appearance of things, I can tell from the beginning whether you are assisted by God or not, and whether you are supported by God's confirmation or not. The Manifestations of God were assisted by the confirmations of God. No means and no implements do they possess. Everything and every outward appearance and everything was against them. In spite of this opposition they put into effect their aims and their intentions. Although they undertook to banish—although the Mohammedan priests and kings undertook to banish BAHA'O'LLAH—they did not know that they were in reality assisting him in every possible way. It was for his sake that all the glad tidings and the prophecies of the Holy Book were fulfilled. It is written, it is prophesied in the Old Testament, that the greatest Manifestation would manifest himself, and would appear from the Holy Land. You are well informed of the Holy Books and it is unnecessary to remind you of them. The light of God would appear on the Mount of Carmel and Acca should be the place, the destination, the hope of the people, and the Holy Land should be the center of the attraction of the whole world. These prophecies were fulfilled by the enemies of BAHA'O'LLAH. Thus, every man who caused his banishment put into effect and fulfilled those promises and those prophecies. That is why those who go to Haifa and Acca see the truth and fulfillment of those prophecies. I have seen with my own eyes how Haifa and Acca are the center of attraction of the people of the world: how people from the east and west and north and south go to the presence of the Master.
(The address was followed by a prayer chanted in Persian.)
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.
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.
| Northeastern States: HOOPER HARRIS. | Western States: HELEN S. GOODALL. |
| Southern States: | Dominion of Canada: MAY MAXWELL |
| Central States: ALBERT VAIL, CARL SCHEFFLER. | |
Editorial Staff: ALBERT R. WINDUST—GERTRUDE BUIKEMA—DR. ZIA M. BAGDADI
Honorary Member: MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB
| Vol. 11 | Massa'ul 1, 76 (December 12, 1920) | No. 15 |
The photograph shown on page 250 was sent to the STAR OF THE WEST by Jenabi Fazel Mazandarani. It was taken at Washington, D. C. Concerning their stay in that city he writes: "While in Washington we were the guests of Mrs. Parsons, who not only provided all the means of our comfort and happiness, but she was busy all day long arranging public meetings and private interviews for us. Our mornings were spent in interviews with prominent people of Washington. In the afternoon and until twelve o'clock at night we had from two to four public meetings before large audiences. The picture was taken at a banquet given by Mrs. Parsons, where many of the Bahais and others were present. Thanks to Mrs. Parsons for all her hospitality and unadulterated servitude. We are very grateful to all the Bahais of Washington who are resolute and firm."
—The Editors.
To his honor, Mirza Ahmad Sohrab,—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou servant of the Threshold of the Blessed Perfection!
The maid-servant of God, Mrs. Hoagg, and the maid-servant of God, Miss Culver, arrived. They brought your photograph with green turban and that of your respected wife; likewise the photograph of his honor Fazel with white turban and luminous face. It was conducive to great rejoicing. His honor Fazel, in reality, is perfect in all the grades—in knowledge and virtue, in sincerity of intention, in beauty of character, in severance from aught else save God and attraction with the fragrances of God. Truly I say, he is the
manifestation of this blessed verse: "I do not ask ye any reward. Verily my reward is with God, the Lord of the two worlds. It is written: 'If for the sake of thy self-sacrifice thou desirest a compensation, the compensation which is given by His Holiness the Almighty is the best of all.'"
The plan of the Mashrekol-Azkar was observed. Importance lies in its building. It is my hope that this foundation may be built.
Convey longing greeting to all the friends.
Upon thee be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Received July, 1920.)
To his honor, Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, New York City,—Upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious!
He Is God!
O thou my dear affectionate son!
Two letters from thee have arrived. Exercise thou the utmost love and kindness towards Bedros Darakjian! He should continue the work which he has already undertaken.
His honor Fazel is a revered person. He has been growing for a long time in the Cause. Next to his honor, Mirza Abul Fazl, he is the best informed of his contemporaries. He has no aspiration save service to the Cause of God. He is a scholar, he is appreciative and grateful to thee.
Thou hast written that the House of Spirituality of New York is splendidly confirmed and consequently the number of the friends is increasing. This news imparted great joy. My hope is that New York may become the center of this great Cause: the glad-tidings of the Kingdom of God may encompass (it); the banner of the oneness of the world of humanity may be raised, and the divine teachings may pitch their pavilion in that city. In my trip to America I spent a long time in New York. I went to Washington and returned to New York. I went to Boston and returned to New York. I went to Chicago and came back to New York. I visited California and went back to New York. From this it becomes evident that I feel the utmost attachment to New York.
Well, thou and all the friends should encourage the souls (people) to become firm in attachment to the Testament and Covenant, for the power of the Covenant brings together and makes them united and harmonious; otherwise every ambitious soul arises to bring about their separation, in order to draw a few souls around himself. The souls who were crying in all the assemblies and meetings (of the friends), that everybody who did not adhere to the Covenant and Testament of God, was excommunicated, wicked, expelled from the threshold of the Blessed Beauty and was hopeless of the mercy of God, yielded then to ambition, sought for fame and arose to violate the Covenant. Thou observest now how abject and miserable they have become. In every age many such people appeared, but in the end they fell into manifest misery.
Thou observest that after His Holiness Christ,—May my soul be sacrificed for Him,—how many different sects appeared. Read thou the book of his honor, Mirza Abul Fazl! In the history of the Church this is written and recorded. Of them was the Patriarch of Alexandria who attempted to give false impressions. One million and a half people became his adherents. Even the Emperor of Constantinople (followed him). He produced a great
disturbance in the nation of Christ. But ultimately he was vanquished and thrown into most striking misery. Now these people, whose number is small, it is already known what their end will be.
I hope that the friends will give the utmost importance to the Mashrekol-Azkar. A cablegram from Mr. Randall has lately been received, indicating that they will begin its construction. Through this news I became immensely delighted. The American friends are greatly endeared. Therefore I desire that they may be confirmed in great achievements and become the factors of the establishment of the Kingdom of God.
All the people of the world are, as thou observest, in the sleep of negligence. They have forgotten God altogether. They are all busy in war and strife. They are undergoing misery and destruction. They are like unto loathsome worms trying to lodge in the depth of the ground, while a single flood of rain sweeps all their nest and lodging away. Nevertheless, they do not come to their senses. Where is the majesty of the Emperor of Russia! Where is the might of the German Emperor! Where is the greatness of the Emperor of Austria! In a short time all these palaces were turned into ruins and all these pretentious edifices (empires) underwent destruction. They left no fruit and no trace, save eternal ruin.
The souls who have been enlightened with the Light of the Kingdom, however, have founded eternal sovereignty. They shine like unto the stars upon the horizon of everlasting glory. The Apostles (of Christ) were fishers. Consider thou to what a high station they did rise! and to what a great sovereignty they did attain; whose duration and permanence runs to eternity. Mary Magdalene was a peasant woman. She was without any name and fame or consequence, but her candle is in the assemblage of the world, lighted till eternity.
Upon thee be the glory of Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(August 9th, 1920. Translated by Azizullah S. Bahadur. Mount Carmel, Palestine.)
To the children* of the Kingdom—Upon them be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!—care of the daughter of the Kingdom, Bahiyeh Randall—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O ye children of the Kingdom!
Praise ye God that in the days of childhood ye have entered the divine kingdom and have been encompassed by the bounty and favor of God. At a time when ye were young He has chosen and selected ye and has made ye intimates with the mysteries, while the mature and full-grown have been deprived. This is to be attributed only to the
*The Bahai Juniors.
bounty of God. Praise ye God therefore and say:
"O Thou compassionate Lord! O Lord of Hosts! Praise be unto Thee, that thou hast preferred these young children to the full-grown and the matured, hast endowed them with Thy special bounty, hast guided them, hast bestowed upon them Thy light and hast given them spirituality. Confirm us that when we attain maturity we may be enabled to serve Thy Kingdom, may train the souls, may become ignited candles and may glitter like unto stars. Thou art the Giver, the Bestower and the Kind!"
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Haifa, Palestine, Nov. 26, 1919.)
MR. AND MRS. DEUTH
To their honors, Mr. and Mrs. Deuth—Upon them be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!—care of his honor, Mr. Albert Vail—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O ye two servants of the Kingdom of God!
His honor, Mr. Vail, has arrived and with an eloquent tongue and a brilliant language has been praising you very highly; that these two respected souls are indeed two truthful servants of the Word of God and are day and night roaring and surging like unto the sea. They have no purpose save the promulgation of the teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH and seek nothing save the guidance of souls. They have established a magazine* which promotes the Bahai ideals, which declares the oneness of mankind, which sets forth the inner meanings and the realities of things, which expounds the mysteries of God and the words of which glitter like unto pearls. This figure is an oriental figure by which eloquent and significant words are compared to pearls. But these pearls are of two kinds, one is the versified language and that is called poetry and the other is the ordinary language called prose. Now I pray to God that ye may both in prose as well as poetry set forth glittering gems and may be so confirmed that all your publications may be favorable to every sound intellect and suitable to all praiseworthy characters, and that no one will be able to criticize them or make the slightest objections.
In the utmost supplication, I beseech divine providence that He may bestow His favors upon you in this world and in the next.
Upon ye be Baha-el-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
*Refers to the magazine Reality, edited and published by them in New York City.—The Editors.
Supplication
O God! Make this magazine a mirror of Truth that therein the divine significances may be reflected, the mysteries of the Kingdom may be revealed, and that it may appear effulgent and resplendent to the eyes of men. Thou art the promulgator of publications that serve the world of humanity!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Haifa, Palestine, November 25, 1919.)
CHARLES MASON REMEY
To his honor, Mr. Charles Mason Remey—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou herald of the Covenant!
Thy letters have been received and an answer has been written. Verily, thou art firm in the Covenant, art self-sacrificing, art the son of the Kingdom and dost deserve the confirmations of His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH. Consequently, Abdul-Baha is highly pleased with thee and begs for thee from His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH limitless bounties. As a result of this glad-tiding fly on the wings of joy and raise thou the melody: "Happy am I, blessed am I!"
Mr. and Mrs. Deuth are, in the sight of Abdul-Baha, favored and esteemed. Verily, they are engaged in service. Day and night they strive that they may awaken the souls, they write articles in a moderate tone, they do not rend the veils asunder, and thus they are praised and esteemed by Abdul-Baha. Convey on my behalf to Richard Mayer respectful greeting. I supplicate for this enlightened soul the bounty of the Merciful.
O thou who art firm in the Covenant! If possible, convey to thy parents my greeting and my respect and give them this message: "Do not be disturbed. All is in the hands of God, and He is
the kind Father. Rest assured in His bounty and assistance."
The friends in Boston are indeed arising in service. I am pleased with them, am glad of their activities and ever thinking of them and beg for them all from the bounties of God's assistance and confirmation. Their names are preserved and recorded in the Book of the lordly ones in the Abha Kingdom. They may rest assured in the bounty of His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH, that confirmations shall uninterruptedly descend upon them.
I have been greatly affected by the death of Mr. Sandy Kinney. What a lovely child he was. On my behalf say to Mr. and Mrs. Kinney: "Do not grieve, and do not lament. That tender and lovely shrub has been transferred from this world to the rose-garden of the Kingdom and that longing dove has flown to the divine nest. That candle has been extinguished in this nether world that it may be rekindled in the Supreme Concourse. Ye shall assuredly meet him face to face in the world of mysteries at the assemblage of Light."
At present, wisdom does not permit that the teachers should apply to the government for half-rate fares or should have the property of the Mashrekol-Azkar exempt from government taxes. Wisdom does not permit that at present. Its time will come.
Concerning thy travel, if during the spring season thou goest to Germany and thence proceed to the Holy Land it will be highly advisable. Thou art permitted.
Upon thee be Baha-el-Abha!
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine, December 24, 1919.)
MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB
To his honor Mirza Ahmad Sohrab—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou wanderer over mountain and desert in the Path of the kind Beloved!
Thy letter, after thy return from California to New York, was received. Praise be to God, that in accord with the promise of Abdul-Baha thou didst behold the bestowal and favor of His Highness BAHA'O'LLAH manifest and clear in all the states of America! This is the fulfillment of what I have said: Every soul who in this day is firm in the Covenant will become the brilliant sign of the Kingdom of Effulgence. Do thou move and live in accord with the teachings of Abdul-Baha; then thou wilt observe that all the doors are open, all the paths straightened, help and assistance becoming one's companion and the cohorts of confirmation descending uninterruptedly. Today whosoever is the servant of the Kingdom of Abha will be established upon the throne of everlasting sovereignty. Praise be to God, that thou didst observe with thine own eyes and listened with thine own ears that today the power of the Covenant is the pulsating artery in the body of the world. Whosoever becomes one of the people of divine association, he is the candle of splendor and whosoever is an associate of the people of sedition he is established and has his dwelling in the lowest abyss of hell.
In the middle of nights, like Abdul-Baha, supplicate at the Threshold of the Blessed Perfection and cry and lament: "O Thou kind God! I am a weak ant, bestow upon me the sovereignty of Solomon! I am an ephemeral atom, suffer me to appear in the flow of the rays of the Sun of Reality! I am a drop, bestow upon me the waves of the Most Great Sea! I am a mosquito, make me the eagle of the Apex of Glory. I am lowly, endear me in Thy Kingdom! I am unknown and signless, grant me the visible token of confirmation!"
The pilgrims returning from this land, God willing, from now on will
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become the cause of union and harmony.
The Bahai Library in New York, truly I say is engaged in service and Mr. and Mrs. Deuth are in reality self-sacrificing and are the object of the favor of Abdul-Baha; but the believers must as much as possible assist this library and the magazine Reality. Mr. and Mrs. Deuth are unable to bear all the expenses.
Praise be to God, that Shanaz (Mrs. Waite) is full of song and melody and like unto the flute player is singing the notes of the divine musician.
It is hoped that ere long the Convention this year will be inaugurated in a
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befitting and behooving manner and the maid-servant of God, Mrs. Maxwell, Mr. Randall, Mr. Mills, Mrs. Marjorie Morton and Mrs. Zoraya Chamberlain have undoubtedly become confirmed in rendering great services.
Doctor Grant and Rev. Guthrie unquestionably have delivered detailed speeches. These two revered souls, truly I say, are worthy of respect and honor. I pray in their behalf that they may become assisted to render services to the Kingdom of God; each one of them may walk in the footsteps of the Apostles and become the lighted candles in the assemblage of Reality. In short, I hope that
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in this Convention the matter of the Mashrekol-Azkar may obtain a new importance. Undoubtedly your wedding is likewise solemnized. It is divine and blessed. I have given recommendations regarding your affairs to some of the pilgrims. It is assured that you will spend your life with joy and composure.
His Excellency, the ideal sage, Fazel Mazandarani, is the essence of humility and submission. God willing, with Manucher Khan, he has reached the United States under the protection of the Almighty. This respected soul is evanescent in the Cause of the Blessed Perfection. He is wise, well informed
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and a thinker. This is no doubt that he will become the cause of the exhilaration, rejoicing and the guidance of others. You must exercise toward him the utmost respect and consideration, and placing your hands in each other's, become ye engaged in the promotion of the Word of God.
Convey on my behalf, my love and affection to the favored maid-servant of God, thy respected wife and her mother.
Upon thee be Baha-el-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, June 28, 1920, New York City.)