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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. 17 |
| PAGE | |
Recent Tablet from ABDUL-BAHA to Fanny Knobloch | 282 |
| "I am a Bahai and am a friend to all religions and nations." | |
His Story—What an Oriental said to an Occidental | 283 |
| By ARTHUR S. AGNEW | |
The Bahai Movement and Esperanto | 286 |
| Compilation by Jeanne Bolles. | |
Second Tablet from ABDUL-BAHA addressed to the Committee of Universal Peace at The Hague | 288 |
News from South Africa | 292 |
| Extract from Bulletin No. 5. | |
PERSIAN SECTION—Written by Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi | 296-293 |
|
1. Words of BAHA'O'LLAH—The Arising of the Bahais in the Occident to serve the world of humanity. | |
He Is God!
Thou shouldst say:*
"I am a Bahai and am a friend to all religions and nations. I consider all to be of one race and count them as my relatives. I have divine love and not racial and sectarian love. According to the explicit written Command of BAHA'O'LLAH, I do not pronounce a word pertaining to politics, because we are forbidden to interfere in political affairs. We are concerned with affairs which are heavenly. We are servants unto the world of morality. We consider that religious, racial, political and national prejudices are destructive to the world of humanity. We believe that the whole of the surface of the earth constitutes one home and all mankind form one family. With all we associate in the utmost sincerity and kindness."
—ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS
*TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA TO FANNY KNOBLOCH
To the maid-servant of God, Fanny Knobloch, South Africa, the sister of Alma Knobloch, Germany—Upon her be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious!
He is God!
O thou dear maid-servant of God!
Thy letter has been received. Verily, thy sister has lighted a lamp in Germany. God willing, thou wilt be to a larger extent confirmed. Thou wilt kindle a luminous lamp. It may be the Government of those regions will check thee. Thou shouldst say: . . [see above].
Upon thee be the Glory of Abha!
[Signed] ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
[Translated by Azizullah S. Bahadur, Haifa, Palestine. August 10, 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 | Sultan 1, 76 (January 19, 1921) | No. 17 |
His Story
What an Oriental said to an Occidental
BY ARTHUR S. AGNEWONE evening in Cairo two gentlemen called upon us at the hotel where we were stopping. They were friends of our interpreter. Both were tall and straight, dressed in long, flowing, spotless robes, and would have been received as men of distinction in any gathering. One of them was a man of the desert and in our rooms at the hotel he seemed as far away from contact with worldly things as if he were out under the stars alone with his God. The vitalized air of the desert seemed to float around and exhale from him. After enjoying a very pleasant visit we noticed he was having quite a lengthy conversation with the interpreter, and as the words of his discourse began to come to us through the interpreter we found ourselves listening to a most profound discourse. Had we known what was coming we would have taken notes from the beginning, so great was the impression made upon us all. As it was, the words were ended, they had bidden us adieu and were gone before we realized it.
That was many years ago and now it seems fit that this thought should be recorded. But I regret that I shall have to express it in my own way, for I cannot remember his illustrations nor ever hope to produce anything like the wonderful words he used: all I can remember is the great idea he so beautifully set forth.
Before attempting to reproduce his argument, I wish to bear tribute to the wonderful personality of this man of the desert, the winds that cheered him seemed to blow over the desert of self-forgetfulness of his heart and its luminous stars seemed mirrored in his eyes, while his whole being seemed warmed with the spirit of severance from all things save God.
Consider first that little animal or insect whose life consists of less than a day (ephemeral)—of which the morning sun witnesses the birth and the entire life is consummated before the evening sun sets beneath the horizon. If it were an intelligent thinking creature it would assume the world to be eternally bathed in sunlight.
Consider next the annual plants of our gardens. Their life begins with the warm days of spring and under the impelling force of the summer sunlight they burst into bloom and in the chill days of autumn fold their leaves about them and close up their existence. If they were intelligent thinking creatures they would know the sun not only shines in the daytime but drops below the horizon at night to furnish a period of sleep, rest and refreshment, only to arise again on the following day a fiery orb to demand of them new exertion.
Now consider the shrubs and trees which survive the winter and which make a greater growth each year. If they were intelligent thinking creatures they would know that not only day follows night and night follows day, but that another action of the earth and sun caused the sun to rise from a new point
on the horizon each day, producing the seasons, and that this underlying action of the seasons does not in any way interfere or prevent the sun rising each morning and setting each evening. They would know that here were two apparently independent actions, the one causing the days and nights and the other causing the seasons of the year. These two actions, one complete in twenty-four hours and the other complete in 365 days, operate independently of each other but in perfect accord, the one like the waves on the surface of the ocean, the other like the great tide.
Now let us consider human life. It passes through babyhood, childhood, youth, manhood, middle age and old age. Each life is lived moment by moment; each thought, each decision, is of only a moment's duration, for time moves on imperceptibly in a way impossible to measure; yet the higher the intelligence, and the greater and more important the life, the greater the underlying purpose which moves steadily on from the moment of birth to that of death.
Without using further illustrations, if you examine everything you will find in it the momentary action and underneath the great design, the wave on the surface and the great tidal movement, the thought of the moment and the great underlying purpose.
Man's greatest endeavor is to find his perfect relationship with himself, his family, his neighbors, his country and his God. Only through religion is he able to do this, for without it he cannot find the balance between the personal and the universal. What is universal to man is personal to the neighborhood. What is universal to the neighborhood is personal to the nation. That is, to make a united nation each neighborhood must set aside its own personal wishes in part to become a unit of the government, and each man must set aside his own personal wishes in part and look at things in a universal way to have a good neighborhood. Religion furnishes this perfect balance between the personal demands and the universal demands, because, when man sets aside his own idea of God and accepts the idea of God as set forth by the Manifestations of God, he finds unity in idea, and among men the proper appreciation of values becomes realized.
Now let us consider the religions and see if we find in them the solution of the needs of the hour and also the great underlying purpose as we find throughout nature.
The Holy Land has been the center of religious exposition from the time of our father Abraham. The Mountain of Carmel has seen the manifestation of the will of God to men from Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed and Baha'o'llah. Abraham came from Ur of the Chaldees, he journeyed up the Mesopotamian valley, through the fertile crescent at the north of the Arabian Desert till he came to the Holy Land. He met the needs of the hour by setting up a patriarchal form of government and left the promise that sometime all men would become as brothers and that this Covenant God made with him would become established throughout the world.
To this land came Moses from Egypt and he met the needs of the hour by establishing the principle of law, and Moses and the prophets promised a future time when peace should reign supreme, when men would beat their spears into plowshares and not learn war any more.
To this land also came Jesus, to a land sanctified by the feet of the Holy ones before him, to a land flowing with the milk and honey of spiritual endowment. He taught the needs of the hour in the law of love and forgiveness, and he established the church or sanctuary as a place to keep alive this sacred flame of love lest the feet of the fierce ones of the world stamp it out. It was like the sweet childhood of religion, the manifestation of the Son of God.
And to this land came also Mohammed. He taught the wild tribes of the
desert, and he met the needs of the day in his strong denunciation of error and wrong, in his fearless stand for righteousness and justice, and established unity in the statement that "There is no God but God and Mohammed is his prophet." The teachings of Mohammed are very little known in the Christian world, and it is only through the teachings of Baha'o'llah that they can be understood by Christians.
And now comes in this day to the Holy Land the manifestation of God for this day, Baha'o'llah. Although this is new and the centuries have not yet accorded their wealth of adoration, it is not necessary to ask whether it is true or not, it is only necessary to take the instructions of Baha'o'llah and put them into practice in our lives to realize the warmth in the heart and the spiritual enlightenment which follows. The proof of the sun is to step into the sunshine. No need to ask the little plant whether it receives its warmth from the sun or from the cool dews of the evening. This great revelation was vested in three persons, the Bab, the forerunner; BAHA'O'LLAH, the great central figure, revealer of the Words of Life; Abdul-Baha, the successor, the explainer, the Center of the Covenant. Baha'o'llah, although born in Persia, was transported to the Holy Land through the action of the Persian and Turkish governments. Apparently through no will of his own he followed in a more extended way the journeying of Abraham. Abraham came with his family and his flocks—Baha'o'llah came a prisoner and an exile, but he also came in majesty the like of which the world has never before witnessed.
It is not the purpose here to enter into a detailed account of the Revelation of Baha'o'llah. It is sufficient to say that he has with divine power opened up the sacred mysteries of all religions, torn away all the barriers which separate mankind into unkind groups, made it possible for all humankind to enter into one body, of one thought and purpose under the banner of love and service, in a way entirely satisfying to the judgment of mind and heart. All this with perfect order, everything provided in the fulfillment of this Covenant, even to the appointing of the Center of the Covenant in the person of Abdul-Baha.
It is possible that mankind may reject this wonderful and perfect gift—but then again it is not possible. It is inconceivable that a purpose extending down through the ages from before Abraham should fail at the appointed time of its consummation through the lack of human minds and hearts to receive it. The Word of God has power to change the heart—history has shown that it can raise up from the stones children to Abraham. The heart of the world is good. Its power for good has been weakened by separation, it has grown up in separate groups, kept apart by lack of understanding which has grown into prejudice. This prejudice will fade away before the divine power of this wonderful unfoldment (revelation) as the mists fade away before the morning sun. Nothing can prevent the consummation of the divine plan throughout the ages. "These ruinous wars, this fruitless strife must cease and all men become as one family."
So we find religion conforms to the great natural law. The Spirit of God attaches itself from time to time to certain holy souls of such radiant purity that they are able to reflect to mankind the will of God. Each one is a manifestation of the will of God for the needs of humanity in their day, and opens up a new era. From Abraham down through each new manifestation, in Moses, Jesus and Mohammed, the world has been prepared for the time when the promised Covenant might be fulfilled. And the need of this day in which we are now living is for the establishment of this age-old promised Covenant. For the first time in history the Manifestation of God has come at a time when all parts of the world are in
daily communication with each other. At no previous Manifestation could the whole world be united, for during the day of Moses, Jesus and Mohammed the western continents of North and South America had not yet been discovered.
When the people of the world unite in this great idea, set aside their own wills for the will of God (throughout the ages), the Divine Master will prevail and the world become the Paradise of Union, Love and Service, the brotherhood of man will be realized in the fatherhood of God, the Covenant to Abraham will have been fulfilled, the great underlying wave will have reached the surface.
Such was the great idea left with us by this pure-hearted, charming soul of the desert, and I think you will agree with us in the thought we expressed at the time we listened to him—that in his heart the desert had blossomed as a rose. This and kindred thoughts were in our minds on this pleasant evening, meeting with such a delightful personality and listening to such a wonderful story.
"THE Sixth Ishrak is concerning union and harmony among servants (mankind). Through union the regions of the world have ever been illuminated with the light of the (Divine) Cause. The greatest means (for this end) is that the peoples should be familiar with each other's writing and language.
"We have formerly commanded, in the Tablets, that the trustees of the House of Justice must select one tongue out of the present languages, or a new language, and likewise select one among the various writings and teach them to the children in the schools of the world, so that the whole world may thereby be considered as one native land and one part.
"The most splendid fruit of the Tree of Knowledge is this exalted Word: Ye are all fruits of one tree and leaves of one branch.
"Glory is not his who loves his own country, but glory is his who loves his kind.
"In this connection we have formerly revealed that which is the means for the prosperity of the world and the unification of nations. 'Blessed are those who attain! Blessed are those who practice!'"
(Extract from the Tablet of Ishrakat (Effulgences) by BAHA'O'LLAH, revealed in Acca more than 40 years ago.)
ESPERANTO
In Sept. 1901:
Abdul-Baha said to some pilgrims, "The differences between this Revelation and that of Jesus Christ are, that in this cycle all the inhabitants of the world will be gathered into one nation; universal peace will prevail, bloodshed and war will cease; there will be a universal language; union and harmony will reach its highest state."
In December, 1912, Abdul-Baha said:
"All through America I have encouraged the Bahais to study Esperanto and to the extent of my ability I will strive in its spread and promotion."
Extract from an address by Abdul-Baha on International Language, given in Edinburgh, Scotland, January 7th, 1913, under the auspices of the Edinburgh Esperanto Society, during which he said:
"His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH many years ago, wrote a book called The Most Holy Book, one of the fundamental
principles of which is the necessity of creating an auxiliary language, and he makes clear the good and profit which will come because of its use. Now let us thank the Lord because this language, Esperanto, has been created. We, therefore, have commanded all Bahais in the East to study this language very carefully, and ere long it will be spread through the entire East. I also beg of you all, Esperantists and non-Esperantists, to work energetically for the spread of this language, for it will hasten the coming of that day, that millennial day, foretold by prophets and seers, in which it is said that the wolf and the lamb shall drink from the same fountain, the lion and the deer shall feed in the same pasture. The meaning of this holy writing is that hostile races, warring nations and differing religions shall become united in the spirit of love, and will become bound together, one with the other."
While on a visit at Clifton, England, January 16th, 1913, Abdul-Baha addressed a meeting there, during which he said:
"The tenth principle is the establishment of a universal language so that we will not have to acquire so many languages in the future. In schools they will study two, the mother tongue and the international auxiliary language. The use of an international auxiliary language will become a great means of dispelling the differences between nations."
Address by Abdul-Baha at the Esperanto Banquet, given at Hotel Moderne in Paris, France, February 12th, 1913:
"In the human world there are two kinds of undertakings, universal and particular. The result of every universal undertaking is infinite, and the outcome of every particular undertaking is finite. In this age all the human problems which create a general interest are universal and their results are likewise universal, for humanity has become interdependent. Today international laws have great influence, international policies are bringing nations nearer to one another. Therefore it is a general axiom that in the human world every universal affair commands attention, and its results and benefits are limitless; therefore let us say that every universal cause is divine and every special matter is human. For instance, the universal light is from the sun, therefore it is divine. Special light which is electric and which has illumined this banquet hall is through the invention of man. By this I mean that all the affairs in the world of humanity which are trying to establish solidarity between nations and infuse the spirit of universalism in the hearts are divine. Consequently we can say that the international auxiliary language is one of the greatest virtues of the world of humanity, for such an instrument will remove misunderstandings from amongst the people, and will cement their hearts together. The universal auxiliary language will be the means for each individual in the world of humanity to become enabled to be informed of the scientific accomplishments of all his fellow men.
"The basis of knowledge and the excellencies of the world are to teach and be taught. To acquire sciences, and to teach them in turn, depends on language; therefore, when the international auxiliary language becomes universal, it is easily conceivable that the acquirement of knowledge and instruction will likewise become universal.
"No doubt you are aware that in the past ages a common language shared by various nations created a spirit of interdependence and solidarity among them. For instance, one thousand three hundred years ago there were very many divergent nationalities in the Orient. There were Copts in Egypt, Syrians in Syria, Assyrians in Musel, Babylonians in Bagdad along the river Mesopotamia. There existed between these nations divergence
(Continued on page 290.)
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 with 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 | Sultan 1, 76 (January 19, 1921) | No. 17 |
Committee of Universal Peace at The Hague
(See page 123 for First Tablet)To the Honorable Executive Committee of Universal Peace.
He Is God!
O ye honorable Members!
Your kind answer to my letter, dated 12th of June, 1920, has arrived and greatly pleased me. Praise be unto God, that it was indicative of the fact that your motive and purpose is identical with that of ours. Its contents also consisted of spiritual susceptibilities which are expressive of sincere love.
We, Bahais, feel great affection towards that honorable Assembly. Therefore have we sent two honored persons to that highly esteemed Assembly as a sign of strong relationship.
Today the most important problem in the affairs of the world of humanity is that of the Universal Peace, which is the greatest means contributing to the very life and happiness of mankind. Without this most luminous reality it is impossible for humanity to attain to actual comfort and proficiency. Nay rather, shall it have, day by day, some additional misfortune and tragedy.
This last terrible war has clearly proved that the modern war implements are beyond the endurance of the world of humanity. The future cannot, however, be compared with the past, because the arms and war implements of the past were very simple, while the modern armaments can, in a short time, exterminate the whole of the human world, and so they are beyond the endurance of mankind.
Therefore Universal Peace is, in this age, like unto the sun which is the cause of life to all beings. So it is of prime importance and incumbent upon every individual to strive for this most significant end. Now with oneness of goal we, I mean ye and we, will strive with all our strength, sacrificing (in this path) property, life and family.
As ye may no doubt have heard, thousands of souls, (Bahais) have, in Persia, sacrificed their lives in this path and thousands of homes have undergone destruction. Notwithstanding this, we have not yielded to disappointment. Up to the present, we have been striving and every day we are putting forth a new effort. Why? Because peace-loving is not only one of the products of the intellect, but also it is a belief based on faith and it is one of the eternal principles of God. Therefore, we are striving with all our energy, disregarding our self-interests, rest, comfort and even the management of our own affairs of life, because we consider this noble motive as the very foundation of the religions of God. It is a service to the Kingdom of God. It contributes to the attainment of eternal life and is the greatest means for the entrance into the Kingdom of the Merciful.
Today the advantages of Universal Peace are to mankind well proved and the disadvantages of war are similarly unquestioned by all. But in this problem, knowledge alone is not sufficient. An executive force is needed so that it (Universal Peace) may become established throughout the world. Ye should be thinking to draw help from some spiritual executive force so that this lofty ideal may be brought out from the stage of imagination into that of realization. And it is evident that this most great aspiration cannot be attained through the ordinary emotions. Nay rather, it needs intense spiritual feelings to turn it from potentiality to actuality.
Almost all the people of the earth know that amiability of character is praiseworthy and desirable and that badness of character is despised and distasteful. Similarly do they know that justice and fairness is agreeable and attractive and cruelty and tyranny abominable and repulsive. Notwithstanding this, all the people, with the exception of a limited number, are lacking in praiseworthy character and justice.
Therefore, they are in need of a spiritual force and higher sentiments to improve their character. Our firm belief is that the executive power for this great problem is the power of the Word of God and the confirmations of the Holy Spirit.
We feel great relationship, love and union with ye. With heart and soul, we are longing for the day when the pavilion of the oneness of the world of humanity may be pitched in the world and the banner of Universal Peace may wave upon all horizons. Therefore the oneness of the world of humanity should be established in order that the edifice of Universal Peace may be erected.
That honorable Assembly, which is the well-wisher of the world of humanity, is highly honored by all Bahais. Therefore do we ask ye to kindly accept our highest respects and to keep us always informed of the progress of Universal Peace in Europe. Constant communication should be carried on between us.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Azizullah Khan S. Bahadur, Haifa, Mount Cannel, Palestine, July 12, 1920.)
of opinion and hatred, but as they were slowly brought near to one another, finding common interests, they made the Arabic language a common vehicle of speech among them. The study of this common language by all made them as one nation. We know very well today that the Assyrians are not Arabs, that the Copts, Syrians, Chaldeans and Egyptians are not Arabs. Each one of these nations belongs to its own sphere of nationality, but, as they all began to study the Arabic language, making it a vehicle of intercommunication, today, they are all considered as one. They are so united that it is impossible to break this indissoluble bond. Today in Syria there are many religious sects, such as Orthodox, Mussulman, the Dorzi, Nestorians and so on. As they all speak Arabic they are considered as one; if you ask any one of them, he will say—I am an Arab, though in reality he is not. Some of them are Greeks, others are Jews, etc. In short, there are many different nations and religions in the Orient that are united through the benefit of a common language. In the world of existence an international auxiliary language is the greatest bond to unite the people. Today the causes of differences in Europe are the diversities of language. We say, this man is a German, the other is an Italian, then we meet an Englishman and then again a Frenchman. Although they belong to the same race, yet, language is the greatest barrier between them. Were a universal auxiliary language now in operation they would all be considered as one. Just as in the Orient a common language created common interests between the various nations, likewise, in this age a universal auxiliary language would unite all the people of the world. The purpose of my remarks is, that, in the world of humanity, the greatest influence which will work for unity and harmony among the nations is the teaching of a universal language. Every intelligent man will bear testimony to this, and there is no further need of argument or evidence. Therefore His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH wrote about this international language more than forty years ago. He says that as long as an international language is not invented complete union between the various sections of the world will be unrealized, for we observe that misunderstandings keep people from mutual association, and these misunderstandings will not be dispelled except through an international auxiliary language. Generally speaking the whole people of the Orient are not fully informed of the events in the West, neither can the Westerners put themselves in sympathetic touch with the Easterners—their thoughts are enclosed in a casket—the international language will be the master key to open it. Were we in possession of this universal language, the Western books could easily be translated into this language, and the Easterners be informed of their contents. In the same way the books of the East could be translated into that language for the benefit of the Westerners. Thus will the misunderstandings that exist between different religions be dispersed. They bring about warfare and strife, and it is impossible to remove them without this universal language being spread everywhere. I am an Easterner and on this account I know nothing of your thoughts because an international language is not yet in vogue. Likewise you of the West are shut out of my thoughts. If we had a common language both of us would be informed of the other's thoughts. Consequently the strongest means of universal progress towards the union of East and West is this language. It will make the whole world one home and will become the greatest impulse for human advancement. It will upraise the standard of the oneness of the world of humanity, it will make the earth one universal
commonwealth. It will be the cause of love between the children of men. It will cause good fellowship between the various races. Now, praise be to God, that Dr. Zamenhof has invented the Esperanto language. It has all the potential qualities of becoming the international means of communication. All of us must be grateful and thankful to him for this noble effort, for in this way he has served his fellow-men well. He has invented a language which will bestow the greatest benefits on all people. With untiring effort and self sacrifice on the part of its devotees it will become universal. Therefore every one of us must study this language and spread it as far as possible so that day by day it may receive a broader recognition, be accepted by all nations and governments of the world and become a part of the curriculum in all the public schools. I hope that the language of all the future international conferences and congresses will become Esperanto, so that all people may acquire only two languages—one their own tongue and the other the international auxiliary language. Then perfect union will be established between all the people of the world. Consider how difficult it is today to communicate with various nations. If one studies fifty languages one may yet travel through a country and not know the language. I know several languages of the Orient, but do not know the Western tongues. If this international language were in force, having studied it, I should be able to speak it and you would have been directly informed of my thoughts, and a special friendship established between every one of us. The lack of such a language is now a great barrier.
"Therefore I hope that you will make the utmost effort, so that this language of Esperanto may be widely spread. Send some teachers to Persia if you can, so that they may teach it to the young people, and I have written to Persia to tell some of the Persians to come here to study it.
"I hope that this language will be promulgated very quickly and the world of humanity finds eternal peace; that all the nations may associate with one another and become as brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers; then each individual member of the body politic will be fully informed of the thoughts of all.
"I am extremely grateful to you, and thank you for these lofty aims, for you have gathered at this banquet to further this language.
"Your hope is to render a mighty service to the world of humanity, and for this great aim I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart."
Extract from Address of Abdul-Baha to the Theosophical Society of Paris, France, Thursday evening, February 13th, 1913:
"We observe that today the means of unity are brought about. This in itself is an evidence that the divine confirmations are with us. One of the principles of the oneness of the world of humanity is the invention of the universal auxiliary language, Esperanto. We observe that this language is spreading daily, and its advocates are increasing. It is indubitable that the universal auxiliary language will become instrumental in wiping away the present misunderstandings, and each individual will be able to be informed of the thought of all humanity.
"Therefore we must all strive to spread among our fellow men this language. This international auxiliary language will be an introduction to the establishment of the oneness of the world of humanity. The greatest efforts must be displayed in this direction."
Excerpt from Tablet, Jan. 10, 1919:
"My hope is that the Esperantists may become attracted by these epistles and may consider the magnitude of confirmation bestowed upon the Esperanto Language and may endeavor to translate some of the important Tablets of His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH and propagate them all around."
WE are sure all will be happy to hear of the progress of the work in South Africa through reports from Miss Fanny Knobloch, who left this country during the early summer. Going over on the steamer she was confirmed to give the Message to many souls.
There was a Forum arranged as part of the entertainment, and she was invited to speak. She held the attention of the audience, including the ship's officers for over an hour. Some sixty-four or more listened to her talk, "My trip to the Orient," and of course she proclaimed the Glorious Message. This resulted in many wanting to know more and requests for literature. Also through the interest awakened and the friendship of some of the passengers she was introduced into some delightful homes in Cape Town upon arrival there. Miss Knobloch was scarcely settled in her hotel, before Bahai work started. Her temporary abiding place was the Cadarga Hotel, where, unlike other places, the guests are supposed to mingle socially, and every one present is expected to meet thus informally. At the time of writing she had been privileged to give the Message to many guests at this hotel. "The people here are refined, very spiritual, almost angelic," she writes.
From her letters, we gather that the Message had been given in Cape Town before, at least in part, for about seven years ago a Dr. Buchanan, then a minister of the Presbyterian church, expounded some of the principles of the Bahai Cause. This attracted the educated and best class of citizens. Dr. Buchanan left South Africa because of his health, and is living now in the United States. Those interested were without a teacher and without literature and so they became scattered. In a remarkable way Miss Knobloch came in touch with some one who had attended these meetings, and thus began the gathering together of the would-be-nucleus started so long ago. It is not possible to tell you how happy Miss Knobloch has made the people. That she is there seems like a miracle to them; that they are to receive the real Bread of Life, they can scarcely believe. Some of them exclaimed: "Is it true, is it really true? You have come to us to bring the Bahai Message? O how rejoiced and happy you will make us!"
During this short time of residence there, she has gathered together the old nucleus—who were attracted to the Cause, but not fully informed. They are having regular meetings for studying the teachings. At the close of her letter she adds:
"On Monday we are to read and discuss the first chapter of The Ighan. Wednesday afternoon and evening we will discuss the blessed Cause at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cook. Thursday evening the Message will be given at the beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Jones. Friday evening seven new seekers will meet me at Miss Busby's apartment. Then next week I speak at the Forum: and still another public address has been arranged for me under the auspices of the Theosophical Society. . . . In the meantime there are parlor talks in various homes, and the time passes all too swiftly. How little I am qualified to do this work—there is so much I should know; yet here I am, even without fear, yes, with confidence in the guidance of Abdul-Baha. Do pray for me."
The confirmations of the Center of the Covenant have surely reached Fanny Knobloch. That this is just a beginning, and that she will continue to serve effectively, there is no doubt, for she has the promise of Abdul-Baha.
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