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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. 16 |
| PAGE | |
The Knighting of Abdul-Baha | 266 |
Abdul-Baha on Mt. Carmel | 267 |
| Notes by MABEL PAINE of Urbana, Illinois. | |
News from Sweden | 270 |
| Letter from AUGUST RUGG. | |
News from England | 271 |
| Letter from E. T. HALL to Chas. Mason Remey. | |
Two Important Tablets to the Bahais of America, just received | 272 |
Recent Tablet from Abdul-Baha to Mr. Hall | 275 |
Tablets to Bahais in America received in 1919 and 1920 | 276 |
PERSIAN SECTION—Written by Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi | 280-277 |
| 1. Abdul-Baha and the Bahai Cause. An article in Arabic—Illustrated. 2. Poem. 3. News from the Orient. Death of Mirza Ali Akbar, Nakhjavání and Miss Lillian Kappes. |
--PHOTO--
THE knighting of Abdul-Baha at Haifa, on April 27th, 1920, was an event of surpassing interest. The following is from a letter sent by Abbas Guli, the Persian who is in charge of the Tomb of the Bab, to a Bahai in America:
"Friends from all parts of the world are here. They have come from America, Persia, India, Russia, Italy, France, England, Mesapotamia, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, and all are rejoicing notwithstanding the great unrest of the world. Praise be to God, the Bahais are here and over all parts of the world are a most happy community. Today in the presence of the Bahais, the notables of the country, the leaders of all religions, while the English soldiers were saluting and the military music was playing, the Master received the highest gold medal sent by the King of England. It was a very happy occasion. Dr. Bagdadi is here and is writing this letter for me (in English)."
Photograph taken in the garden of the Military Governor at Haifa, April 27th, 1920.
"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 | Sharaf 1, 76 (December 31, 1920) | No. 16 |
Abdul-Baha on Mt. Carmel
Notes by MABEL PAINE, of Urbana, Illinois, on her visit to Haifa, Palestine,
with a party of pilgrims, September, 1920.THE experience of being in Haifa and meeting Abdul-Baha is so great that it cannot be contained in the narrow bounds of the few days spent there. After the pilgrimage is over new beauties are revealed, new strength is derived. Every scene, event, and circumstance partakes of the eternal world and so continues to grow and develop in our hearts. The sojourn there is like being on a spiritual mountain top where broader, more spiritual views are spread before us. Or better, it is like having the water of life flow with its penetrating, life-giving, cleansing power into every last part of one's heart and life.
In some place, Abdul-Baha has said that everything in the outer material world is a sign, symbol or counterpart of a reality in the spiritual world. This truth one realizes intensely at Haifa. The physical surroundings there are outer expressions of the spiritual life. The Psalmist wrote "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion." And this description may now be applied to Mount Carmel. Rugged mountain, blue sea, wide plain, all glowing in brilliant sunshine, combine to make a scene of great beauty, more beautiful complete and varied, it seems to many, than any other scene. So, one learns while at Haifa, is the spiritual life more beautiful than any other life.
Abdul-Baha himself is the Living Word, the very embodiment of the spiritual life. His whole bearing, his every attitude of body and expression of face mirror forth spiritual truth. How precious are the mental pictures of Abdul-Baha which remain with the returned pilgrim! I see him standing a little apart from the rest and in his bearing is absolute independence and majesty. It is evident that he can stand alone against the whole world. It comes to me that this great power and independence of aught save God is with him because he is so entirely selfless. It is a part of his station, the wonderful station of servitude.
Again I see him, I can't tell when, but it is in the day time, so that I see his face most clearly. He is walking. The head is a little bent. The eyes are full of that wonderful compassion which all spiritual artists have tried to portray in paintings of great spiritual beings. There is a great freshness and youth in those eyes, the freshness of early dawn, the purity of the child, a look of wonder as of one sojourning in a strange and foreign world. Such a look may have been in Christ's eyes when he said to his disciples, "How is it that you have so little faith?" But a look too of great compassion, such compassion as must have existed from the beginning which hath no beginning and which will endure to the end which hath no end. Then what compelling, active power in those eyes when sometimes they flash a summons from this world to the other!
What a blessing comes to the pilgrim to Haifa from being able to watch the
daily life which is the active counterpart of these heavenly pictures! The following incident related by M. Azizullah Khan Bahadur illustrates the unfailing kindness which Abdul-Baha showers so freely on every one with whom he comes in contact. M. Azizullah spoke in some such way as this:
"One morning I was in Haifa with the Master. We entered a store. Here we found a group of people and among them a German missionary, a resident of Haifa. At first this man was talking in such a way as to display his knowledge of classical Arabic literature. Then the subject of his conversation changed. He spoke of his personal affairs. He was no longer receiving remittances from the missionary board in Germany. This was during the war. He was in need of money. When the Master heard the man speak of his need, he promptly gave him a generous sum of money."
Mirza Azizullah continued: "All the time I was feeling critical of the Master and at the same time blaming myself for feeling critical. This missionary I knew had no love for the Master. He had opposed the Master and would oppose him again. 'Still,' I said to myself, 'if that is not the Master, I don't know who is.'"
How often while in Haifa were we sharply confronted with this contrast between the human and divine way of thinking! "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." One morning some pilgrims were sitting in a small room on the ground floor of the Master's house. One of the pilgrims, a Mohammedan, was pouring over the pages of the Bible. He had recently become a Bahai and since that time could not read the Bible enough. Soon Dr. Lotfullah Hakim entered. He brought a message from the Master to the Mohammedan pilgrim. It directed him to go to the hospital. He had not been well for several days and the Master, like a kind father, was watching over him and advising him for his best welfare. But the pilgrim answered that he had not seen the Master for three days and that he would not go to the hospital until he had again seen the Master. In the mind of one of the pilgrims who was watching this little scene, sprang up a feeling of disapproval, a feeling a little critical and consequently a little hostile to this Oriental brother. (Why was he not obeying Abdul-Baha?) But we were soon to see the Divine way of regarding the man. Dr. Lotfullah carried the man's message to the Master and returned immediately with directions to the man to step outside. He did so, the rest of us following. We went by the gravel path around to the front of the house. Soon Abdul-Baha appeared on the porch just above us. He looked down on the sick man with laughing kindly eyes and his beautiful musical voice fairly rippled with laughter as he again advised him to go to the hospital. The man's face beamed with pleasure and he went off to the hospital satisfied.
Abdul-Baha's Answer to a Question regarding Church Attendance.
It is well to worship in any place where the thought is turned to God. Whether the place is home, church, or mosque, the object is to turn to God. But if there is a Mashrekol-Azkar it is better to worship there. In the other worshiping places the hearts are not engaged in worshiping God. They are turned to the world. Therefore in those places the breaths of the Merciful are not inhaled. But if there is no Mashrekol-Azkar, there is no harm in going to other worshiping places.
When I was in America I used to go to churches to speak. When I entered they were engaged in worshiping. I also used to stand up and turn to the Kingdom of God. After they had finished
their prayer I used to give the Divine Glad Tidings. I used to give the proofs and evidences of God. I gave the teachings of the Blessed Beauty. All listened. There was no opposition. In truth I turned to God when I entered the churches. When they were in the congregation of God and were singing songs I enjoyed it. When they were shouting, "My God, my God!" I was happy.
When His Holiness Christ gathered his disciples together on that last night, it was not in a church; it was in a room. On that night they had the Last Supper. It was in a room. The idea is that the heart should be attracted, the spirit filled with Divine Glad Tidings and the soul turned to God. This is the object. Other things are secondary.
Tuesday, September 7th, Western Pilgrim House Haifa, after breakfast.
QUESTION: "Just before the Master came in we were talking about how to train children to be thoughtful of others and unselfish. Will the Master speak to us on this subject?"
ABDUL-BAHA: "The body of man is from the world of nature. His body is akin to that of the animal. He has animal tendencies. But the Divine power in him is great. His spirit is pure, sanctified and heavenly. His body is satanic. If his spiritual qualities overcome his animal qualities he becomes illumined, full of activities and good qualities. But if the animal qualities overcome the spiritual, the spiritual will be entirely extinguished. All the qualities will be animalistic. In such a state the love of self is found; man is immersed in passion; darkness succeeds darkness. Man becomes negligent of God. No sign of his spirituality remains. This is why His Holiness Christ says that we must be born again. When man is born from the womb of the mother he is freed from material darkness. In the same way he must be born from the world of nature so that he may become free from the darkness of the world of nature. This is the second birth. Man must always strive to have his spirit overcome his body. When his spirit overcomes his body, the second birth takes place and he becomes freed from imperfections. He becomes filled with virtues. He becomes nearer the Divine and follows the Divine teachings. He becomes like a lighted candle. This is the reality of the subject. But when he is immersed in the world of nature he is like an animal, a fierce animal. He displays all the worst qualities."
Sunday afternoon, September 5th, Mt. Carmel, near the Tomb of the Bab.
ABDUL-BAHA: "Do you like it here? Do you like the view here"?"
MISS COY: "Yes. It is most beautiful."
ABDUL-BAHA: "The truth is that this place has a spiritual atmosphere. There are many beautiful views, but they have no spiritual atmosphere. All the prophets have been on Mt. Carmel, but in the mountains of Lebanon there were no prophets. It is strange that all the world is one, yet this part has become especially blessed. Palestine has been mentioned by God continually. But Sumal, Lebanon, and Damascus have never been mentioned. There was a magnificent temple of the sun at Baalbek. Its ruins still exist. It is written in the Koran: "God gives His bounty and favor to whomsoever He willeth." So it is with this land.
"The heart is attracted here. His Holiness Elijah dwelt in a cave below this spot. At that time all the children of Israel were opposed to the religion of God. They were engaged in their own passions and pursuits. Only their name indicated that they were the people of His Holiness Moses. If His Holiness Moses had come among them at that time he would not have recognized them. He would have said: 'I do not consider them as my own, for they have entirely forsaken the religion of God. They are
deprived of the law of God. There is no light at all remaining in them. They are like a negro servant whose name is Diamond. His name is Diamond but he is a black servant.' Such was their condition.
"Then His Holiness Elijah educated certain souls in this cave. He educated pure and sincere souls as they ought to be and sent them among the children of Israel. They began to teach and call the children of Israel back to God. They called them back again to the law of God. His Holiness Elijah gathered all their chief men together and brought them to the top of this mountain. There were three hundred and sixty of these chief men. But however much he taught and counselled them he obtained no result. He tried to guide them, but it was no use. For several years he worked to educate them. At the end no result was apparent. He realized that they would corrupt other souls. Then he had these three hundred and sixty men put to death. Then the rest of the children of Israel returned to their original spiritual morals and behavior. Then they regained their spiritual life. The everlasting glory again became apparent. They overcame the neighboring tribes. They rebuilt the Holy Temple. The laws of God were put into effect.
"Then when His Holiness Elijah had finished his work he left it and went away. He retired. They thought he had ascended to Heaven. But no, having accomplished his work, he retired, He had no attachment to the world. When his object was accomplished he retired from the world. When he realized that his work was done he devoted himself to his own development.
"The sincerity of a pure person is apparent in his deeds and activities. His Holiness Elijah tried very much and labored very hard. Then when the way became smooth and the time of comfort and ease came he went away. He had no attachment to this world. All the thoughts of man, every trace which he leaves behind him must be heavenly. He must have no attachment to this world. This world is like the waves of the sea. It does not last. The wise person does not attach his heart to waves."
Sunday, September 5th, at the supper table in Abdul-Baha's house.
ABDUL-BAHA: "I hope the health of the friends is good. Today you went to visit the Shrine of the Bab. Are you happy?
"His Holiness Christ was once eating grapes. He said, 'I will not eat grapes again until I eat them anew with you in the Kingdom.' But the grapes of the Kingdom are not like these grapes (referring to the grapes on the table). In the Kingdom there are no grapes like these. Now also, I say to you all. We will eat together of the Divine Bounty, that is Divine food, God willing, in the Kingdom. Its taste is everlasting. Its strength and power is everlasting. God willing, we will eat together there of that heavenly food."
Mabel Paine.
Boviken, Sweden.
To the STAR OF THE WEST—Friends of the Kingdom of El-Abha!
Your humble co-servant in the great Cause of God arrived in Sweden the 8th of July. Went to the most remote corner of the country to begin spreading the great Truth, and there I found a pure hearted soul, who in three weeks accepted the Truth. Highly educated in both Swedish and English, she began to work with me in the Cause. Naturally, progress is very slow, but hope by the grace of God and our beloved Master, will soon grow faster.
Yours in the Kingdom of El-Abha.
August Rudd.
Manchester, England.
November 14, 1920.
Allaho'Abha!
Mr. Mason Remey, Washington, D. C. Dear Friend in the Bahai Faith:
We have received safely all your very kind communications and rejoice that you are in Europe again, and doing mighty service in the Cause of El-Abha. We have not a large gathering here yet, for the war split us up and scattered us for several years. We meet at Mr. Joseph's room every Saturday evening. Our gatherings number from twelve to seventeen every week. We want at least one hundred souls at these meetings; and we are going to advertise our meetings and the Cause more than we have done up to now. You know our poverty of purse and brains—I don't mean we are in need or starving; not anything like that—but people seem to want big musical evenings to attract them and please them, or a very tine building to come to, or wonderful oratory to listen to! And we are only working-class people, impoverished still more than usual by the war.
However, we are united, brotherly, and we love the Master; so eventually all will grow and prosper. As you know, I was in the hospital, very ill through exposure in France, and have been in a terribly weak state of body ever since; but as I put a good face on the matter, nobody realizes what I have gone through. To have been shot and finished in France would have been a light matter (very light) compared with this ill health. But God has mercifully pulled me through to be more conscious of His Presence and to understand and love His Holy Servant more and more; and to sympathize with every stricken one. This ill-health has been the cause of my seemingly limited efforts. But not a moment any day have I lost sight of the importance of serving the Cause—and perhaps triumph awaits us yet. At any rate, the friends meet each Saturday (last night was the fifteenth meeting at Mr. Joseph's) and great cheerfulness and harmony and spiritual joy prevail. Not a soul has been lost, though we were split up for six years. Is not this testimony to the wonderful power of God in Abdul-Baha? Of course we owe such a great deal to Bahais outside Manchester—yourself not least—who have kept the fire burning by correspondence. In fact, we are the result of the activities of friends of God everywhere and are bound up with them by countless threads of pure gold.
So much for ourselves. Now I have been requested by Mr. Joseph and all the friends to ask you that, in the event of your coming over to England—to London—will you come a little further, to Manchester, and see us, and renew the wonderful fellowship which was begun before the war. The effect which you and Mr. Latimer had upon us all then has been ineffacable; it was so fragrant and so strong, that the friends look upon your last visit as but a few days ago, and are eagerly hoping to see you again. We are truly sorry we are so far away and so few; and indeed it would be asking too much, but our love for you speaks out and we wish to meet you again. Mr. and Mrs. Chessel and Mr. and Mrs. Craven and my wife and I would dearly like to see you. Mr. Joseph will see to sleeping accommodation for you and during the days we would like our homes to be your homes, and our tables to be your tables, and ourselves at your service. It will also do the Cause good here, dear friend, and that is what we are all out for. So we shall be happy and also doing good work for the Master and the great Cause.
Would you be so kind as to explain to
(Continued on page 274)
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 | Sharaf 1, 76 (December 31, 1920) | No. 16 |
To the friends of God—America—Unto them be the glory of God, the Most Glorious!
O ye friends of God!
The world is still filled with tribulations and agitation, and the nations of the world are in fact in competition, strife and war with one another. In some countries there is also open warfare, and strife. The world of humanity is sick and unawakened and the physicians of morality are in conflict more than all other people: they have not yet discovered the cause of the sickness (of world), nay rather, they are utterly ignorant. In reality the physicians themselves are sicker, weaker and more avaricious than all. In spite of this, all the nations of the world are neglecting and disregarding the fact that, except the Divine Physician, who is well aware of the constitution of the world of humanity, no one can remedy these diseases and bestow the most effective antidote. Various diseases have so permeated the body of the world that the sick, together with the nurse and the physician, have become utterly helpless and are suffering great calamities.
Today the only community which has no prejudice and is not in conflict with any other community, and besides this wishes the good health, ease, comfort and harmony of the world of humanity, is this oppressed (Bahai) community. Notwithstanding this the peoples of the Orient are practicing the utmost oppression towards this persecuted community. In Persia every day they create some new disturbances and take recourse in false charges as a new
pretext: the chiefs of the old religion instigate the masses in general to attack and wipe out all these persecuted souls.
Then pray ye that the friends in the Orient may remain protected and guarded. The firm and steadfast friends in the Orient in spite of this (persecution) are waving like unto the sea, and their utmost aspiration is to attain to the most great martyrdom. They have attained to complete severance, enkindlement and sincerity and are ready to ascend to the Kingdom of God. Verily, verily they are self-sacrificing and life-giving!
Formerly in Persia divorce was very easily obtained. Among the people of the old nation (Islam) a trifling matter would cause divorce. However, as the light of the Kingdom shone forth souls were quickened by the spirit of BAHA'O'LLAH, then they utterly abstained from divorce. In Persia now divorce does not take place among the friends (Bahais) unless something unbearable occurs which makes harmony impossible. Under these rare circumstances some cases of divorce take place.
Now the friends in America must live and conduct themselves in this way. They must strictly refrain from divorce unless something arises which compels them to separate because of their aversion for each other, then with the knowledge of the House of Spirituality they may decide to separate. They must then be patient and wait a year. If during this year harmony is not re-established between them then their divorce may be realized.
As soon as a slight friction or displeasure of the heart appears between the husband and wife, the husband should not think of union with some other woman; or, God forbid, the wife should also think of another husband! This is contrary to heavenly purity and real chastity. The friends of God must live and conduct themselves, exhibit excellence of character and refinement, in such a way as to make others astonished. The love between husband and wife should not be purely physical, nay rather it must be spiritual and heavenly. These two souls should be considered as one soul. How difficult it is to divide one single soul! Certainly there will appear great difficulties!
In short the foundation of the Kingdom of God is based upon harmony, love, oneness, relationship, union and not upon differences: especially between the husband and the wife. If one of these two becomes the cause of divorce, that one will unquestionably fall into great difficulties, shall become the victim of formidable calamities and shall experience deep remorse.
Unto you be the glory of Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Azizullah S. Bahadur, Haifa, Palestine, November 12, 1920.)
To the friends of God, America.
He Is The Most Glorious!
O ye friends of God!
The foundation of the Kingdom of God is laid upon justice, fairness, mercy, sympathy and kindness to every soul. Then strive ye with heart and soul to practice love and kindness to the world of humanity at large, except to those souls who are selfish and insincere. It is not advisable to show kindness to a person who is a tyrant, a traitor or a thief because kindness encourages him to become worse and does not awaken him. The more kindness you show to a liar the more he is apt to lie, for he thinks that you know not while you do know but extreme kindness keeps you from revealing your knowledge.
Then, O ye friends of God! Ye must not only have kind and merciful feelings for mankind, but ye should also exercise the utmost kindness towards every living creature. The physical sensibilities and instincts are common to animal and man. Man is, however, negligent of this reality and imagines that sensibility is peculiar to mankind, therefore he practices cruelty to the animal. In reality what difference is there in physical sensations! Sensibility is the same whether you harm man or animal; there is no difference. Nay rather, cruelty to the animal is more painful because man has a tongue and he sighs, complains and groans when he receives an injury and complains to the government and the government protects him from cruelty, but the poor animal cannot speak, it can neither show its suffering nor is it able to appeal to the government. If it is harmed a thousand times by man it is not able to defend itself in words nor can it seek justice or retaliate. Therefore one must be very considerate towards animals and show greater kindness to them than to man. Educate the children in their infancy in such a way that they may become exceedingly kind and merciful to the animals. If an animal is sick they should endeavor to cure it; if it is hungry they should feed it; if it is thirsty, they should satisfy its thirst; if it is tired they should give it rest.
Man is generally sinful and the animal is innocent; unquestionably one must be more kind and merciful to the innocent. The harmful animals, such as the bloodthirsty wolf, the poisonous snake and other injurious animals are excepted, because mercy towards these is cruelty to man, and other animals. For instance, if you show kindness to a wolf this becomes a tyranny to the sheep, for it (the wolf) may destroy an entire flock of sheep. If you give the opportunity to a mad dog it may be the cause of the destruction of a thousand animals and men. Therefore, sympathy to the ferocious animal is cruelty to the peaceful animal, so they (ferocious animals) should be done away with. To the blessed animals, however, the utmost kindness should be exercised: the more the better it will be. This sympathy and kindness is one of the fundamental principles of the divine kingdom. Ye should pay great attention to this question.
Unto ye be the glory of Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Azizullah S. Bahadur, Haifa, Palestine, November 12th, 1920.)
the friends in Stuttgart that we have not written to them, because we have had our hands full here, and we have had no one strong enough to deal with even Manchester alone, but hope in future to begin a very happy correspondence with them. During the war, we always regarded the Stuttgart Bahais as a handful of brilliant jewels in the setting of that beautiful country and our sympathies went out continually to them; and we always mentioned them with high honor and respect. When I was sent as a conscript to France, working in the forests, or with pick and spade on the miserable roads of that country even in the battle zone, I often spoke of the Stuttgart Bahais, praising them because they were out for the Brotherhood of Man, and making it plain that we were all victims of a savage past and the godlessness of today; and the soldiers agreed that this was true.
I can only speak as representing a very few here in Manchester; but we respect and love, and feel in perfect unity with the energetic and large body of
Bahais in Germany. They are our brothers and sisters and we know no such a thing as nationality. We all have one country—the Kingdom of Abha; and BAHA'O'LLAH is the King.
Onr silence has not been due to any other cause than that all our thought and energy has been used up here to establish the Cause of Abdul-Baha here. With all our love and kind remembrances, your brother in the Cause of El-Abha,
E. T. Hall.
Through Aga Mirza Lotfullah—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!—to his honor Mr. Hall, Manchester, England.—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou who art attracted to the Word of God and herald of the Kingdom of God!
Two letters have been received from you. Their contents produced excessive joy, for they were indicative of this, that thou hast arisen in Manchester with a firm purpose, a superior power and a peaceful intention, and desiring to form a luminous meeting so that the friends may gather together. The manna which came from heaven for the disciples, was neither cress, onion, lentil, garlic nor leek. It was bounty and knowledge; it was faith and assurance; it was love and attraction; it was attachment and enkindlement by the fire of the love of God. These spiritual foods were present upon that table. As the disciples ate from these bounties of His Holiness Christ, they became filled with the love of Christ; they hastened to all parts of the world and heralded the Kingdom of God. My hope, from the unlimited grace, is that that gathering may also eat from this manna and bounties.
Convey this message on my behalf to Mr. and Mrs. Chessel: "O ye two birds of the gardens of the Kingdom, make a nest and dwelling like unto birds upon the Tree of Life, which is the heavenly teachings, and raise in a variety of tunes, melodious songs in the gardens of the Kingdom."
Convey longing greetings to Mr. Joseph. Say: "As the Joseph of Egypt possessed real beauty and knowledge, he was in great demand in the Egyptian market. Although he was a stranger and abject, yet, as he had this splendor, he became then the beloved of the divine Egypt: attained eternal glory, and was addressed by his brothers, 'Verily, God hath given thee precedence over us.' Now thou bearest the same name. Strive in the path of the Kingdom so that thou mayest be addressed by all the friends with such a suitable address."
Convey on my behalf the utmost respect to Mr. and Mrs. Craven, and say: "O ye two faithful souls! If ye announce the advent of the Kingdom and become the exhibition of divine happiness and heavenly exaltation, no doubt you will become two luminous candles and loved souls in that gathering."
Convey to Mr. and Mrs. Birch my profound Abha greeting and say: "This is the century of Lights, and the age of the unfurling of the mysteries. All the existing beings are in growth and progress, and the realities of things sing the songs of praise and glorification to the Lord of Hosts, because the Sun of Reality hath shone in this century at the zenith, and energized all existence. This is why you observe every day some new discovery and superb lights appear on the stage of visibility."
Upon thee and upon them be Baha-el-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Lotfullah S. Hakim, Haifa, Palestine, February 12, 1920).
AUGUST RUDD
To his honor, Mr. August Rudd—Upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious!
He Is God!
O thou son of the Kingdom!
Thy letter was received. Thy desire is to return to Sweden, thy home. In the country of Sweden the call of God is not yet raised. God willing, thou mayst be confirmed to raise the divine call in that country and be the cause of guidance unto a large multitude. Let not this statement look strange to thee, because the confirmations of the Kingdom of Abha are powerful. They make the feeble strong, and give feathers and wings to the featherless bird.
The maid-servant of God, Miss Knobloch, went from America to Germany. Of course thou hast heard how she stirred Germany and consequently how many souls were guided! Now I supplicate to God that thou mayst be more (than she) confirmed, so that that dark country of the world of nature may be illumined with the heavenly luminosity. Feel assured that confirmation will reach thee.
Upon thee be Baha-el-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Azizullah S. Bahadur, Haifa.)
FERDINAND PETERSON
To his honor Mr. Ferdinand Peterson, Racine, Wisconsin—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou servant of the Divine Threshold!
Thy letter was received. Thou hadst written that this year thou hast attended the Convention, hast been present at that illumined assemblage, hast heard those merciful addresses, hast secured a fresh spirit and hast increased in faith, assurance and firmness in the Covenant. Appreciate the value of this lordly bounty and thank God that thou art living in the dispensation of the Covenant, and art attracted to the Sun of the Reality of the Abha Beauty—May my life be a sacrifice to His friends!
Thou hadst written concerning the piece of land which thou desirest to sell and consecrate its price to the Cause of God. At present do not hurry, and let it remain in your hands.
On behalf of the friends in Racine I supplicate and entreat at the Divine Threshold, and beg for them a new outpouring of the Spirit, so that they may be stirred and quickened, may be animated and enlivened, may promulgate the Divine teachings, strive for the oneness of the world of humanity, and serve the principle of universal peace.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Bahjeh, Acca, Palestine, July 20, 1919.)
MRS. WAITE
To the attracted maid-servant of God, Mrs. Shahnaz Waite—Upon her be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious!
He Is God!
O thou sweet singing bird!
The new song* has been received. Verily, verily art thou raising sweet melodies in the Rose-garden of the love of God. The vibration of this melody will, forever, give pleasure to the ears of the children of the Kingdom.
Upon thee be the Glory of God!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Azizullah S. Bahadur, August 15, 1920, Haifa, Palestine.)
*Song entitled, "The New Liberty Bell," dedicated to Abdul-Baha and the Bahai Juniors.—Shahnaz Waite.
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WILLIAM F. KYLE
To his honor, William F. Kyle; Red Wing, Minnesota—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou servant of God!
Thy letter was received. On thy behalf I prayed to God and supplicated to the Kingdom of God that thou mayest be detached from this world, may become self-effaced and may be thinking of the everlasting Kingdom. The foundation of this world is not secure and is of no consequence. One should devote his time to it as much as it is necessary
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and the rest of his time he should consecrate to the Kingdom of God, so that eternal illumination may be secured and everlasting existence may be attained.
Upon thee be Baha-el-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Acca, Palestine, July 25th, 1919.)
H. DE BOER
To his honor, Mr. H. De Boer—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou servant of God!
Do not grieve at the afflictions and calamities that have befallen thee. All calamities and affiliations have been created for man so that he may detach
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himself from this mortal world―a world to which he is much attached. When he experiences severe trials and hardships, then his nature will be drawn to God and he will seek the eternal realm—a realm which is sanctified from all afflictions and calamities. Such is the case with the man who is wise. He shall never drink from a cup which is at the end distasteful, but, on the contrary, he seeks the cup of pure and limpid water. He will not taste of the honey that is mixed with poison.
Praise thou God, that thou hast been tried and hast experienced such a test. Be patient and grateful. Turn thy face
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to the divine Kingdom and strive that thou mayest acquire merciful characteristics, mayest become illumined, of the Kingdom and lordly. Endeavor to become indifferent to the pleasures of this world and to its comfort, to remain firm and steadfast in the Covenant and to promulgate the Cause of God.
This is the cause of the exaltation of man, the cause of his glory and of his salvation.
Upon thee be Baha-el-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine, October 14, 1919.)
