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STAR OF THE WEST
"We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; that all nations shall become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men shall be strengthened, that diversity of religion shall cease and differences of race be annulled. So it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come."
Words of BAHA'O'LLAH.
The Bahai Revelation
RAPIDLY SPREADING THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, AND ATTRACTING THE ATTENTION OF SCHOLARS, SAVANTS AND RELIGIONISTS OF ALL COUNTRIES—ORIENTAL AND OCCIDENTAL
The Bahai Revelation proclaims the time of universal peace and provides the base for the universal religion—the hope of the ages. It points the way and supplies the means for the unity of mankind in the knowledge and love of truth under the high banner of justice and mercy.
It is divine in origin, human in presentation, sane, practical and applicable to life in its every phase. In belief it inculcates naught but truth; in action, naught but good; in human relations, naught but loving service.
For the information of those who know little or nothing of the Bahai Revelation we quote the following account translated from the (French) Encyclopaedia of Larousse:
BAHAISM: the religion of the disciples of Baha'o'llah, an outcome of Babism.—Mirza Husian Ali Nuri Baha'o'llah was born at Teheran in 1817 A. D. From 1844 he was one of the first adherents of the Bab, and devoted himself to the pacific propagation of his doctrine in Persia. After the death of the Báb he was, with the principal Babis, exiled to Baghdad, and later to Constantinople and Adrianople, under the surveillance of the Ottoman Government. It was in the latter city that he openly declared his mission, . . . and in his letters to the principal Rulers of the States of Europe he invited them to join him in establishing religion and universal peace. From this time, the Babis who acknowledged him became Bahais. The Sultan then exiled him (1868 A. D.) to Acca in Palestine, where he composed the greater part of his doctrinal works, and where he died in 1892 A. D. (May 29). He had confided to his son, Abbas Effendi (Abdul-Baha), the work of spreading the religion and continuing the connection between the Bahais of all parts of the world. In point of fact, there are Bahais everywhere, not only in Mohammedan countries, but also in all the countries of Europe, as well as in the United States, Canada, Japan, India, etc. This is because Baha'o'llah has known how to transform Babism into a universal religion, which is presented as the fulfillment and completion of all the ancient faiths. The Jews await the Messiah, the Christians the return of Christ, the Moslems the Mahdi, the Buddhists the fifth Buddha, the Zoroastrians Shah Bahram, the Hindoos the reincarnation of Krishna, and the Atheists—a better social organization! Baha'o'llah represents all these, and thus destroys the rivalries and the enmities of the different religions; reconciles them in their primitive purity, and frees them from the corruption of dogmas and rites. For Bahaism has no clergy, no religious ceremonial, no public prayers; its only dogma is belief in God and in His Manifestations. . . . . The principal works of Baha'o'llah are the Kitab-ul-Ighan, the Kitab-ul-Akdas, the Kitab-ul-Ahd, and numerous letters or tablets addressed to sovereigns or to private individuals. Ritual holds no place in the religion, which must be expressed in all the actions of life, and accomplished in neighborly love. Every one must have an occupation. The education of children is enjoined and regulated. No one has the power to receive confession of sins, or to give absolution. The priests of the existing religions should renounce celibacy, and should preach by their example, mingling in the life of the people. Monogamy is universally recommended, etc. Questions not treated of are left to the civil law of each country, and to the decisions of the Bait-ul-Adl, or House of Justice, instituted by Baha'o'llah. Respect toward the Head of the State is a part of respect toward God. A universal language, and the creation of tribunals of arbitration between nations, are to suppress wars. "You are all leaves of the same tree, and drops of the same sea," Baha'o'llah has said. Briefly, it is not so much a new religion, as Religion renewed and unified, which is directed today by Abdul-Baha.—Nouveau Larousse Illustre, supplement, p. 60.
STAR OF THE WEST
PUBLISHED NINETEEN TIMES A YEAR
In the Interest of the BAHAI MOVEMENT
By the BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, 515 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
Publishers: ALBERT R. WINDUST—GERTRUDE BUIKEMA—DR. ZIA M. BAGDADI
Entered as second-class matter April 9, 1911, at the postoffice 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."
Vol. 12 CONTENTS No. 1
| PAGE | |
| Fac-simile of Cover | 1 |
| The Bahai Revelation—From the Encyclopaedia of Larousse | 2 |
| Twelve Basic Bahai Principles—From the words of ABDUL-BAHA | 4 |
| The Day of God—Supplication revealed by BAHA'O'LLAH | 6 |
| Looking up to the Tomb of The Báb on Mt. Carmel (Illustration) | 8 |
| The Bahai Revelation—By Louise R. Waite | 9 |
| What Abdul-Baha said to five American Christian Missionaries | 13 |
| The Bahai Calendar | 15 |
| Editorial—Naurooz Greeting | 16 |
| The Coming Bahai Congress and Convention in Chicago | 18 |
| "All affairs relative to the Mashreq'ul-Azkar are to be referred to the Annual Convention" | 19 |
| Delegates to the First All-India Bahai Convention (Illustration) | 20 |
| The First All-India Bahai Convention—Resolutions and letter from the Secretary—Reprint of newspaper articles—Letter from Elizabeth H. Stewart | 21 |
| Tablets to Bahais in America received in 1919 | 27 |
| PERSIAN SECTION—Written by Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi | 32-29 |
| 1. Naurooz (New Year) Greeting. | |
| 2. Tablet to Persian Bahais in London. | |
| 3. Spreading the Bahai Religion at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. | |
| 4. Recent Tablet to Dr. Bagdadi, concerning ministers. | |
| 5. Increase of Suicide in America; its causes and remedy. | |
| 6. Visit to His Holiness Abdul-Baha: Speak to the people according to their understandings. The creative Word. Mohammed's victory over the combined Arabian tribes in the battle of Khandak trench. |
(Pages 4 and 5 of the issue have been omitted. They are identical with pages 4 and 5 respectively of Vol. XI. -ED. July 1978)
[Page 6]
The Day of God
PRAISE be to Thee, O God of Names and Creator of Heaven! Praise be to Thee, for Thou hast made known unto Thy servants Thy Day wherein the River of Life streamed forth from the finger of Thy Generosity and the Fountain of Revelation and Unity became manifest, by Thy Manifestation, to all who are in Thy earth and Heaven.
O God! This is a Day the Light of which Thou hast sanctified above the sun and its effulgence. I testify that this Day is illumined by the Light of Thy Face and by the effulgence of the dawning Lights of Thy Manifestation.
O Thou, my God, and the Beloved of my heart! With the name of this Day
Thou hast adorned Thy Tablet, which is known only to Thee. Thou hast called it "The Day of God." Nothing is to be seen therein but Thy Supreme Self, and naught is to be remembered save Thy sweetest Name. Wherefore, when He appeared, the foundation of nations trembled, the learned were bewildered and the wise men were confounded, save those who came near unto Thee. took from the hand of Favor the pure wine of Thy inspiration, and drank in Thy Name, saying: "Praise be unto Thee, O Desire of the nations! Praise be to Thee, O Beloved of the hearts of the yearning!"
—Supplication revealed by
BAHA'O'LLAH.
--PHOTO--
LOOKING UP TO THE TOMB OF THE BAB ON MOUNT CARMEL FROM STREET IN HAIFA, PALESTINE.
STAR OF THE WEST
"We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; that all nations shall become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men shall be strengthened, that diversity of religion shall cease and differences of race be annulled. So it shall be; these fruitless strifes; these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come."—BAHA'O'LLAH.
Vol. 12 Baha 1, 77 (March 21, 1921) No. 1
The Bahai Revelation
By LOUISE R. WAITE
"Let no man glory in this, that he loves his country; but rather let him glory in this, that he loves his kind."—BAHA'O'LLAH.
THE Bahai Revelation is essentially a message of peace, love, unity and light; the establishment of the oneness of humanity and the consolidation of the whole world into one home. It declares that the visions of prophets, seers, sages and poets are in this "Great Day of God" to be fulfilled; that the dawn of "The Most Great Peace" is breaking over land and sea, and the sun of love, bringing into manifestation the deep realities of life, will soon enlighten the hearts of men. This scientific-social-religious Revelation is rapidly spreading throughout all countries and attracting the interest of scholars, savants and religionists, both of the Occident and the Orient. It offers to the world a teaching applicable to the modern needs of humanity, spiritually, mentally and physically.
In the year 1819 A. D., in the city of Shiraz, Persia, a child was born named Seyed Ali Mohammed. He was given the ordinary school education of a Persian youth, but from childhood he was renowned for his innate knowledge, for his deep piety, purity, and the beauty of his person. He possessed a passionate and instinctive belief in freedom. He protested fearlessly against the fanaticism that ruled his country and was a Luther in his denunciation of a blinding, bigoted faith.
In the year 1844, on the 23rd day of May, at the age of 24, he announced publicly that "The Dawn of a New Day was breaking and the Kingdom of God was soon to be established on earth as it was in heaven;" he declared that he had been called by God to be the herald of its appearance and he assumed the title of The Báb, the term signifying "The Gate." He began his mission by opening the minds of the people to the realities of their own religion. Like all great messengers, he did not arise to destroy but to fulfill. He did not tell his Mohammedan hearers that they had been deluded by a false prophet, but he berated them soundly, as Jesus did the Pharisees, for their hypocrisy and their adulteration and distortion of true religion. He also explained to them from their own sacred books that a Mahdi should come. To quote his own words, "In the past, whenever a prophet or divine teacher was needed on earth, God raised up such an one, bearing a book containing a divine revelation, and He will do the same in the future whenever there is need."
From the moment of the announcement of his mission he obtained a hearing, and in a short time a following, both among the most cultured and learned as well as in the unlettered and poorer classes. He taught his followers that the "Promised One" of all the ages, of whom he was but the herald, would soon appear; and that all of his writings were to give place to the revelation of this World Teacher, "he whom God should manifest." He proclaimed
that in nineteen years he would "come forth."
The rapid spread of his teachings alarmed the Persian Mohammedan teachers and priests, as well as the state, and through their intrigues he was thrown into prison and finally shot at Tabriz, in July, 1850. His brief mission of six years was one of heroic endeavor, and his martyrdom one of the supreme tragedies of modern times.
The Báb's doctrines were simple. He taught a pure faith in the One God; he inculcated a high morality, and declared that women were equal in all respects to men. He appointed eighteen disciples to spread the message of the "coming of the Kingdom," one of whom was a woman, the far-famed and beautiful Kurratul-Ayn, who was the Joan of Arc of her age and country, and who was also martyred for her faith.
The Báb had constantly exhorted his followers not to reject this Great One when he appeared, as has been the custom of former religions and peoples upon the advent of a new manifestation or divine teacher. Two years after his martyrdom, in 1852, all of the leading Babis were seized and imprisoned, and then commenced a terrible outburst of persecution and martyrdom of the Babis, for which there is scarcely a parallel to be found in history. The number of those martyred for their faith is variously estimated at from thirty to forty thousand men, women and children.
Amongst the leading Babis imprisoned at this time was one whom the government regarded as the chief leader, Mirza Hussein Ali, born in Nur, Persia, November 12, 1817; a wealthy Persian nobleman, a descendant of pure Aryan race (called Nuri or "a progeny of light.") During his youth his father died and left him, as the eldest son, at the head of the family. In his home he was instructed in the Persian language, but wisdom and the knowledge of the deepest spiritual mysteries were revealed to him through meditation and inspiration. On account of his good deeds he was called "the father of the poor." He became afterward universally known as BAHA'O'LLAH ("The Glory of God"). During his imprisonment in Teheran he was confined in a dungeon, with a heavy chain about his neck, attached to five or six other prisoners, for a period of four months.
The government, after a time, being unable to substantiate any charges against him, released him. Having confiscated his property, they exiled him with his family and a few of his followers to Bagdad, outside the borders of Persia and under the Sultan's domain. In this neighborhood he resided for nearly eleven years, two of which were spent alone among the Irak mountains, where the light of inspiration and revelation illumined his soul. He worked out a plan of salvation and regeneration for the triune being of humanity. All of the great universal movements of today were conceived and set forth by him through clear revelation years before their echoes reached the minds and hearts of men in general. The basic principles of being are set forth in his writings with power and force; they are living spiritual principles, for they appeal to and satisfy the soul and meet all of the moral, economical, scientific and spiritual needs of life. These truths are the foundation of the Bahai Revelation.
In 1863 the mullah, again becoming alarmed at the amazing spread of the Bahai faith, through intrigue and misrepresentation persuaded their government to demand of the Sultan that he be exiled to Constantinople, and he was accordingly sent there with his family and immediate followers. On this journey BAHA'O'LLAH with his people encamped for twelve days in the Garden of Rizwan, outside of Bagdad, and there he announced himself, first to his eldest son, Abbas Effendi, who chose the name of Abdul-Baha ("the Servant of God"), and then to his followers, as the Manifestation
whom the Báb had heralded. After studying the dates, his followers found that he had made his declaration on the last day of the nineteenth year after the Báb had declared his mission.
After some months' residence in Constantinople the Ottoman government banished BAHA'O'LLAH and his followers to Adrianople. Here he lived and taught for five years, his followers ever increasing and his teachings spreading. The name of the movement was then changed to the Bahai Revelation in recognition of BAHA'O'LLAH.
The government, unable to crush out the ever growing interest in and conversion to this New Light of Truth, in 1868 exiled these holy souls to Acca in Palestine, Syria (the same Acca, or Acre, of the Crusades, more anciently known as Ptolemais), its antiquated ramparts and crumbling fortifications, the scenes of some of the bloodiest combats of military history, from the time of the Phœnicians down to the Napoleonic war in Syria, all testifying to an earthly power of the past. Thus Acca, so intimately connected with the Bahai Revelation today, is most closely associated with constructiveness, spiritual power, unity, love and peace, the glad tidings of which were sent forth to all the world by BAHA'O'LLAH from behind its prison walls.
At the time of BAHA'O'LLAH'S arrival there the fortress of Acca was used as a prison and a place of exile, to which criminals of the worst type were sent. The deadly, fever-stricken spot slowly but surely accomplished the destruction of most lives confined within it. The authorities hoped that these poor exiles would not long survive their imprisonment. For two years after their arrival these pure, godlike people, seventy in number, were confined in two rooms, where they suffered incredible hardships.
From Acca BAHA'O'LLAH sent forth "the call" to the crowned heads of the world, summoning them to "unity and brotherhood," and declaring that the "dawn of The Most Great Peace" had come.
BAHA'O'LLAH departed this life in 1892; before which he told all of his followers by word of mouth and in his writings that after his departure they must turn their faces to the Center of his Covenant, Abdul-Baha Abbas, who was to be considered as one with him. He declared that his teachings would be built up and carried forward by this son, who ended this triad of manifestations.
The Báb, BAHA'O'LLAH and Abdul-Baha are the names of spiritual offices in the great world hierarchy, not the names of individuals. Each world race has its spiritual teachers under a different title. These three appear in the heaven of revelation as the Morning Star, the Sun, and the Evening Star, or the Herald, the Revelator, and the Interpreter of Divine Truth.
Abdul-Baha was born May 23rd, 1844, in the city of Teheran, Persia, on the same day that the Báb arose in Shiraz and declared the coming of the Kingdom of Peace on earth. All his life, from the age of nine, has been one of sorrow, persecution and imprisonment—forty years a prisoner and an outcast. When we consider the persecution and martyrdom of these "men of God," and the world-wide effect upon humanity of their lives and teachings, we find the ever-recurring cry, "Crucify him, crucify him!" that has rung down the ages whenever a messenger of truth has appeared. This alone, to an unbiased mind, should prove that their revelations were of God. BAHA'O'LLAH wrote: "Is it possible that a reasonable man would make a declaration rendering him ridiculous to the world unless that man were sustained by God? They have made conjectures that I have had in mind the immortalizing of my name, but is it possible that one uncertain of living until tomorrow would work for nothing but his own glory? I have
always seen the sword hanging over my head."
The fundamental principle of faith in the Bahai teachings is the need of a Divine Teacher, one who comes speaking "with authority." As a garden without the training of a gardener becomes choked with weeds, and the flowers give forth no fragrance, so man, the greatest of all God's handiwork, is in need of an educator, a divine gardener; as he has material and intellectual faculties which need development, so has he latent spiritual faculties, God-given potentialities, which must be quickened and brought forth into expression. Such spiritual educators were Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Christ and Mohammed, of the past, and his followers believe such is BAHA'O'LLAH of today. All of these were founders of great religions and revealed sacred books.
Students who have made a study of these religions tell us that what is most striking in their teachings is not that they announced new ideas that had never before been revealed to man, but that they gathered up into one definite whole all the various scattered rays of truth which is ever illuminating the world. Just as a lens or burning-glass gathers together the rays of sunlight into one powerful beam, so these divine teachers become as it were a focused effulgent center for the diffused rays of truth. Some of the noteworthy and progressive teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH are:
First—The oneness of humanity. "Ye are all leaves of one tree and the fruits of one arbor."
Second—Independent investigation of truth. "No man should follow blindly his ancestors. Each must see with his own eyes, hear with his own ears and investigate truth in order that he may find it."
Third—The foundation of all religions is one. "The foundation of all the divine precepts is one reality. It must needs be reality, and reality is one and not multiple."
Fourth—Religion must be the cause of unity among mankind. "Every religion should be the cause of unity and productive of the life everlasting. It is not for enmity or hatred, tyranny or injustice. If religion be the cause of enmity and rancor, if it be the cause of alienating men, then assuredly its non-being were better than its being."
Fifth—Religion must be in accord with science and reason. "Religion must be reasonable; it must agree with science perfectly, so that science shall sanction religion, and religion sanction science. Down to the present day man has accepted a thing because it was called religion, even though it were not in accord with human judgment and reason."
Sixth—The equality of men and women. This is peculiar to BAHA'O'LLAH for all other religions have placed men above women. "Daughters and sons must follow the same form of study and the same education alike."
Seventh—The abolishment of all prejudices of whatever nature. "All the prophets of God have come to unite the children of men and not to disperse them; consequently we must throw away all racial, patriotic and religious prejudices. We must become the cause of unity of the human race."
Eighth—Universal peace. "That all men shall make peace; that there be universal peace amongst governments, races, religions and the denizens of all regions."
Ninth—All mankind should partake of knowledge and education. "The education of each child is obligatory."
Tenth—The solution of the economic question. No religious books of past prophets speak of the economic question, while this problem has been thoroughly solved in the teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH. Certain regulations are revealed which insure the welfare and wellbeing of all humanity.
Eleventh—A universal language. "A universal language shall be adopted which shall be taught in all the schools and academies of the world." Thus everyone shall need but two languages, his national tongue and the universal one.
Twelfth—A universal tribunal. "A tribunal which shall be under the protection of God and under the protection of all men. Each nation must obey the decisions of this tribunal."
In the year 1908, at the reëstablishment of the Turkish Constitution, Abdul-Baha, with many other prisoners and exiles, was declared free, and is now no longer under military surveillance. Since his release he has made two tours, the first to Europe, in 1911, and later a return trip to Europe and America. He came forth from prison with whitened hair and face furrowed with the lines of many sorrows, yet brilliant with the light of love.
Wherever he goes he spreads the gospel of love and light, of unity and peace. It is not so much the crystalline purity and reasonableness of his ideas, founded upon his father's teachings, that affect the listener, but the wonderful spirituality of his personality.
Today, amid all the suffering of his people, he lives in his own home on Mount Carmel, the "holy mountain of God." Famine, war and pestilence surrounded him on all sides, yet he did not flee. Amid all the devastation of the world war, when his heart was broken by "man's inhumanity to man," he still held aloft the torch of assurance and divine Love. He says: "The foundation of all religions is One; now is the time that all of us may embrace the law of peace, and treat each other with honesty and straightforwardness. Let all racial supremacy be done away with; let political expediencies be discontinued, and let the love of country be superseded by the love of the world."
Words of Abdul-Baha
Blessed is he who proclaims the doctrine of Spiritual Brotherhood, for he shall be the Child of Light.
Blessed is he who associates with all with joy and fragrance, for he has obeyed the commands of BAHA'O'LLAH.
Blessed is he who is kind to his enemies, for he shall walk in the footsteps of Christ.
Blessed is he who comforts the downtrodden, for he will be the friend of God.
What Abdul-Baha said to five American Christian Missionaries
From the Diary of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab.
ABDUL-BAHA to five young American teachers attending a Missionary Conference in the vicinity of Mt. Lebanon, and who came to see him, said, when asked his opinion of the United States: "The true, liberal, religious spirit is more in evidence in America than in Europe; from an ethical standpoint they are far ahead of European nations. The American people are as a whole, a religious people. They investigate the Reality, and are free from the fetters of prejudice. The Europeans are not deeply religious, and they have their prejudices. The American are an inventive nation. In the light of their manifold inventions, their services to the world of humanity are considered as incalculable."
QUESTION: "Is there any leader or head in the Bahai Religion?"
ANSWER: "The Bahais are a community of co-operative servants, they have no leader. Their only leader is God. They have no ordained ministers or priests. Whosoever hears and believes in the principles of this Cause, it is required of him to convey this Message
to others. The Bahais have no organized missionary headquarters. Because their cardinal creed is the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man, they have no theological wrangles and no metaphysical speculations."
QUESTION: "Do the Bahai teachings renovate the individual private life? Or are they only a set of principles for the adjustment of general relations between men, without the necessary requirement of personal regeneration?"
ANSWER: "The teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH are the breaths of the Holy Spirit which create men anew. Personal amity, both in private and public, is emphasized and insisted upon."
QUESTION: "What do the Bahais believe?"
ANSWER: "They believe that mankind must love mankind, that universal amity must be practiced; that dead dogmas must be thrown away; that we are at the threshold of the Era of Independence; that we must forget prejudice and that universal love must become the dominant note of the Twentieth Century."
QUESTION: "What do the Bahais teach?"
ANSWER: "They teach that the internal, spiritual idea is the same in all the religions; that a unique general plan underlies the foundation of the past faiths; that priestcraft has discredited the Religions of God; that the active, divine idea is hidden under the incrustation of dead ecclesiasticism; that religion must shuffle off its tattered garments of medieval ages and put on the robe of the Universal Precepts of God."
QUESTION: "What is the Bahai Faith?"
ANSWER: "Trust in God. Be kind to their fellow-men, fill the world with the spirit of love. The spirit of faith in a Bahai is very strong. His trust is in the grace of the Holy Spirit."
Later, about the history and teachings of the Cause, etc., they said to Abdul-Baha: "We (the Missionary World) are watching with great interest the progress of this movement, for it seems to us it is advancing with great rapidity without the usual organization, which to us hard-headed Americans is so essential and necessary. We are watching to see what will be the objective aim of this Cause."
Abdul-Baha replied: "The objective aims are: The Oneness of the world of humanity, Universal Peace, Universal Love, International Co-operation and reciprocity; the promotion of the principles of human consanguinity and solidarity, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God, first, in the hearts of man and then upon earth. These are the noble objective aims. Are you not in sympathy with them ? Will you not also do your utmost to hasten that day? What harm is there in this? We are working day and night for the realization of these ideas and purposes. God and His servants are also pleased with these souls who are serving under a different flag and in a different camp to actualize these principles of humanity."
After several questions Abdul-Baha said to them: "The doors of colleges and universities must be wide open to the adherents of all religions and the members of all nationalities, so that these people from widely scattered countries may meet and associate with each other in those educational institutions, learn each other's customs and habits, interchange their ideas and discard their purposeless prejudices. In this way these young men and women will grow up with the ideas of world patriotism. There are a number of Missionary Colleges in the East that are dogmatically sectarian, trying all the time to teach the students the falsity of their parents' religions and the grandeur and sublimity of Christianity. The net result has been a woeful failure, for generally the students turn out of the college with no religion. Thus it has been witnessed
that when a missionary teacher tries to undermine, either with bitter antipathy or indirect references, the religions of the students in which they have been brought up, he is unconsciously undermining the religion of Christianity.
"In short, in this Radiant Century, the Sun of Reality has dawned, scattering its bright rays upon all humanity. We are beginning to realize that this globe is one home and all men are brothers and sisters, the members of one family, the stars of one heaven, the tents of one camp, the pearls of one necklace, the trees of one garden and the signs of the mercy of the Almighty.
"Creationally there are no bad people; they are all good. It is only when we subvert the original plan concerning our progress that the outcome is a distorted, abnormal state of being. The tree of humanity is one and is planted by God. The origin is one and the end must also be one."
The Bahai Calendar
The Bahai year begins on March 21st, and is divided into 19 months of 19 days each, plus 4 (or 5 every fourth year) intercalary days—February 26th to March 1st, inclusive.
The first day of each Bahai month falls as follows:
| MONTH | NAME | FIRST DAYS |
| 1st | Baha' (Splendor) | Mar. 21 |
| 2nd | Jalal (Glory) | Apr. 9 |
| 3rd | Jamal (Beauty) | Apr. 28 |
| 4th | Azamat (Grandeur) | May 17 |
| 5th | Nur (Light) | June 5 |
| 6th | Rahmat (Mercy) | June 24 |
| 7th | Kalamat (Words) | July 13 |
| 8th | Asma (Names) | Aug. 1 |
| 9th | Kamal (Perfection) | Aug. 20 |
| 10th | Eizzat (Might) | Sept. 8 |
| 11th | Masheyat (Will) | Sept. 27 |
| 12th | Elm (Knowledge) | Oct. 16 |
| 13th | Kudrat (Power) | Nov. 4 |
| 14th | Kowl (Speech) | Nov. 23 |
| 15th | Massa'ul (Questions) | Dec. 12 |
| 16th | Sharaf (Honor) | Dec. 31 |
| 17th | Sultan (Sovereignty) | Jan. 19 |
| 18th | Mulk (Dominion) | Feb. 7 |
| 19th | Ola (Loftiness) | Mar. 2 |
(Month of Fasting.)
The following days and seasons are observed by the Bahais:
Feast of Naurooz—the Bahai New Year—March 21st.
Feast of Rizwan—(Paradise)—commemorating the Declaration of BAHA'O'LLAH in the Garden of El-Rizwan in Bagdad, April 21st, 1863. This season of feasting lasts twelve days—April 21st to May 2nd, inclusive. The first, ninth and twelfth days (April 21st, April 28th and May 2nd) are especially celebrated.
Anniversary of the Declaration of the BAB—May 23rd. (1844).
Anniversary of the Departure of BAHA'O'LLAH—May 28th. (1892).
Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the BAB—July 9th. (1850).
Anniversary of the Birth of BAHA'O'LLAH—November 12th. (Born in Nur, Persia, 1817.)
Feast of the Appointment of the Center of the Covenant ABDUL-BAHA—November 26th.
Intercalary Days—During which hospitalities are extended to friends, the poor and the needy—February 26th to March 1st, inclusive.
Month of the Fast—March 2nd to 20th, inclusive, during which no manner of food or drink is to be taken between sunrise and sunset. Fasting is enjoined upon every one. Children, travelers, sick and infirm people pregnant women and nursing mothers are free from this obligation.
STAR OF THE WEST
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA
O thou STAR OF THE WEST!
Be thou happy! Be thou happy! Shouldst thou continue to remain firm and eternal, ere long, thou shall become the Star of the East and shall 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.
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA
O ye apostles of BAHA'O'LLAH—May my life be a ransom to you!
. . . . Similarly, the Magazine, the STAR OF THE WEST, must be edited in the utmost regularity, but its contents must be the promulgator of the Cause of God—so that both in the East and the West, they may become informed with the most important events.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
STAR OF THE WEST FOUNDATION
| 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. 12 Baha 1, 77 (March 21, 1921) No. 1
Editorial—Naurooz Greeting
Allaho'Abha!
The seventy-seventh year of the millennium dawns. Abdul-Baha, the Center of the Covenant, is upon the earth. The blessed Springtime of the Day of God is filling the hearts of spiritually awakened souls with joy and fragrance. Heavenly farmers are sowing the seed of the new dispensation throughout the world. Although storm clouds appear on some horizons, and the rumble of a storm is heard, yet the expanse of blue is brightened by the silvery lining of that very thunder cloud.
During the past year the Bahais of America have been greatly favored by Abdul-Baha through the presence of Jenabi Fazel Mazandarani. The good news of his seed sowing throughout the United States and Canada has gladened the Bahais everywhere. From this great work thousands of harvests will be gathered. He has been ably assisted by Manucher Khan and Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, who have interpreted for him during his travels. Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi has returned refreshed from the presence of Abdul-Baha and is active in spreading the glad-tidings.
"Lovely appear, over the mountains, the feet of them that preach, and bring good news of peace."
And this reminds us that the time is nearing when—
"Over the barren wastes shall flowers now have possession:
Dark shades of ancient days full of hate and oppression,
In the brightness of joy fade away and are gone.
In this age truly blest more than ages preceding,
Shall the corn never fail from the plentiful ground;
Under the shining sky shall the lambs gaily bound:
Void of fear, undisturbed, safely shall they be feeding.
Then the timorous doves, wheresoever they fly,
Shall not fear any more the hawk's merciless cry.
Lovely appear, over the mountains,
The feet of them that preach, and bring good news of peace."
From Bombay comes the news of the First All-India Bahai Convention—another manifestation of the universal divine springtime.
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"It is the hour of unity of the sons of men and of the drawing together of all races and classes."
Abha Greetings to the All India Bahai Convention convening in Bombay, December, 1920.
The Bahai's of Chicago
congratulate the Bahai's of India that they have attained such Divine unity as to assemble in one large gathering from all parts of that vast empire. Praise be to God, that through the divinity of Baha' Ullah, this has been made possible.
We received word from the Center of the Covenant, after the First All American Bahai Convention, in March nineteen hundred and nine, that such gatherings are to the spiritual body of the world what the inrush of the spirit is to the physical body of man, quickening it to its utmost parts and infusing a new life and power
With heartfelt prayers to the Divine Threshold, we beg that a Pentecostal Babtism may descend upon this All India Convention.
Your Co-workers in the Vineyard of God, The Chicago Assembly, per The House of Spirituality
Chicago, October 11, 1920.
Reduced fac-simile of parchment sent to the All-India Bahai Convention.
And it is fitting that the Bahais of Chicago should send Abha Greetings to the First All-India Bahai Convention, inasmuch as the First All-American Bahai Convention in 1909 was held in this city. Although sent by them, it is in reality a greeting from all of the Bahais of America to the Bahais of India. We reproduce it that all may share in its fragrance.
We, in America, should rejoice that the first Bahai Conventions of the world were held here—especially is this true of the Eleventh Annual Convention held in New York City in 1919. Abdul-Baha says: "This Convention in future shall acquire a great importance. It shall reach a point where all the Conventions of the world shall assume a lovely and submissive attitude toward the Convention." (See Tablet page 27.)
As we go to press, the word is received that the digging of ground to sink the caissons to bed-rock for the foundation of the Mashreq'ul-Azkar in Chicago, has begun, and there is every indication that this year will see the laying of the corner stone.
The STAR OF THE WEST too, is happy, for it has received a word from the Center of the Covenant. Mrs. Ella Goodall Cooper, when in Haifa, recently, asked Abdul-Baha if he had a message for the editors. He said: "Praise be to God, you are assisted in the service of God. Do not look now at the small influence of the STAR OF THE WEST. A day will come when this will be the greatest paper in the world. It will spread in the East and in the West."
Allaho'Abha!
—The Editors.
The Coming Bahai Congress and Convention in Chicago
The Thirteenth Annual Mashreq'ul-Azkar Convention and Bahai Congress, under the auspices of the Bahai Temple Unity, will be held in Chicago, April 23d to 27th inclusive. All the sessions of the Convention and Congress will be held in the Banquet Hall, ninth floor Auditorium Hotel. As usual, the Sessions are inaugurated by the Feast of Rizwan, which will be celebrated on Saturday evening, the 23d at 7 p. m.
After the banquet, it is planned to listen to talks from the teachers who have been at work in the world field: Miss Alma Knobloch, Miss Martha Root, Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, Mrs. May Maxwell, Mirza Ahmad Sohrab and Jenabi Fazel Mazandarani.
At the Sunday afternoon session we hope to hear from Mr. Louis J. Bourgeois, Mr. William H. Randall and Jenabi Fazel. On Sunday evening a reception is planned to Jenabi Fazel, followed by the Bahai Juniors Exercises and later by stereopticon views of the Holy Land.
Monday morning and afternoon will be devoted to the sessions of the Convention. Monday evening it is planned to hear from Dr. Frederick D'Evelyn, Mr. Louis Gregory and Jenabi Fazel.
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and afternoons the Convention will continue.
Tuesday evening Mr. Alfred E. Lunt and Jenabi Fazel will speak, and on Wednesday evening, Mrs. Corinne True, Mr. Albert Vail and Jenabi Fazel.
Special musical numbers will be rendered at each Congress session.
The model of the Temple has been on exhibition at the Art Institute where thousands have enjoyed its unique beauty. Arrangements are being completed to have the model remain at the Art Institute during the sessions of the Convention and Congress.
"All the affairs relative to the Mashreq'ul-Azkar are to be referred to the Annual Convention"
TABLET AND CABLEGRAMS TO MRS. TRUE
To the revered maid-servant of God, Mrs. Corinne True, Chicago—Unto her be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious!
He Is God!
O thou favored maid-servant of God!
Thy letter has been received and its contents understood. In every respect all the affairs relative to the Mashreq'ul Azkar are to be referred to the annual Convention. Whatever the Convention, with a majority of opinions, decides, must be accepted and executed.
Therefore, this point which thou hast asked about (in thy letter) should also be referred to the annual Convention. The answer of the letter which thou hast enclosed in yours I shall now enclose in this.
His honor Dr. Bagdadi, it is my hope, will be assisted and confirmed in his services. I have the utmost love towards him and kindness to his wife. I supplicate God to bestow upon him eternal glory and happiness. Fugeta is here busy in service.
Unto thee be the Glory of Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Azizullah S. Bahadur, Mount Carmel, Palestine, December 8th. 1920.)
BAGDADI-TRUE:
HAIFA, FEB. 15, '21.
ALL AFFAIRS CONCERNING UNIVERSAL TEMPLE REFERRED GENERAL CONVENTION. I CANNOT INTERFERE, SUBMIT EVERYTHING CONVENTION. —ABBAS.
TRUE, CHICAGO: HAIFA, FEB. 18, '21.
MASTER REFERS ALL TEMPLE MATTERS AND BUILDING FOUNDATION TO CONVENTION. LOVE. —(MRS.) PERRON.
Letter from Secretary of the All-India Bahai Convention
Bombay, India, February 16th, 1921.
The Spiritual Assembly, Chicago.
Dear Bahai brothers in the Holy Cause:
Permit me on behalf of the First All-India Bahai Convention held in Bombay 27-29th December, 1920, to offer you our cordial thanks for the message of love and affection sent to us along with the beautiful picture of the Mashreq'ul-Azkar of Chicago. The letter was read before the Convention on the 29th of December and the picture was passed around. A collection was then raised for the Chicago Temple and the amount will be remitted by means of draft. Allow me to thank you once more on behalf of the delegates and the Bahais of India.
With sincere Bahai greetings,
Yours in His Name,
Pritam Singh, Secretary English Section.
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DELEGATES TO THE FIRST ALL-INDIA BAHAI CONVENTION.
The First All-India Bahai Convention
THE first All-India Bahai Convention was held in the Bahai Hall in Bombay with Prof. Shirazi of Karashi in the chair. Jenabi Mirza Mahmood on behalf of the Bahai Assembly of Bombay gave a cordial reception to the delegates to the First Convention of Bahais in India. Among the delegates were the representatives of all the great faiths of the world and representatives of the different provinces of India.
The following Resolutions were passed unanimously:
Morning Session—December 27th, 1920.
1. That a supplication signed by all the Bahais in India and Burma be submitted to Abdul-Baha praying for a visit to this country.
2. That a Mashreq'ul-Azkar Committee be formed to collect funds to erect a Mashreq'ul-Azkar in India.
3. That a school be started for the education of Bahai children in Bombay.
4. That teachers be sent out to the different parts of India for spreading the cause.
Morning Session—December 28th, 1920.
5. That a Bahai Organ be started in India (English and Persian).
6. That a Library, a Reading Room and a Bookstall be established in Bombay.
7. That a Bahai Publishing Society be established with a view to translate Bahai Literature into the Indian language.
Morning Session—December 29th, 1920.
8. Four sub-committees were selected for carrying into effect the program contemplated by the Convention.
The sessions opened with prayer and closed with prayer.
(Letter from the Secretary)
Bombay, India, January 22, 1921.
To STAR OF THE WEST:
I have great pleasure in sending you a copy of the Resolutions passed at the morning sessions of the First All-India Bahai Convention held in Bombay on the 27th, 28th and 29th of December, 1920. Photographs and newspaper accounts have already been dispatched. Mirza Mahmood has also sent a Persian poem about the death of the great Bahai teacher Jenabe Haji Mirza Heidar Ali for publication in the STAR OF THE WEST. We hope that you will publish it and also try to publish Persian articles for friends in the East.
Yours sincerely,
Pritam Singh,
Sec'y, English Section.
(From The Times of India, Bombay, December 28, 1920.)
THE BAHAI CONVENTION
Prophecies Discussed
The first All-India Bahai Convention was held last evening in the Bahai Hall, Forbes Street, amidst a very large audience of ladies and gentlemen of the Parsi, Mohammedan and Hindu communities. Dr. Mazharali presided. A series of lectures have been arranged to discuss the Bahai movement and to explain its aims and objects, and the first of these commenced yesterday with a lecture on "The Need of Divine Education" by Prof. Shirazi.
The president at the outset explained at length in Urdu the prophecies that were written in the various scriptures and described the coming of the Imam Mahdi supported by hadis which, he said,
were weak. He then called upon Prof. Shirazi to deliver his lecture. The proceedings were partly in Urdu and partly in English.
Prof. Shirazi told them in a logical manner that they needed divine education and unless they had this education they could not prove useful to society. Education only could make them what they ought to be and this was of three kinds, viz., spiritual, physical and human; spiritual because they would know their Creator and their duties towards Him; physical because it would help them to live an honorable life in the world, and human, because it would teach them how to behave in society. He then described their past history and said it was a problem for them as to how they should become united. Divine education was needed to lead all nations to arbitration instead of war and this could be brought about by a universal language. There must be a new religion for the world, not the existing religions. The only thing that must be inaugurated was the New Gospel which must be constructive and not destructive. The speaker impressed upon them that there was need for divine education on earth in order to bring glory to all races and to bring them into unity.
Mr. N. R. Vakil then delivered a lecture on "Universal Religion," saying that there was something very high for a man to achieve, and that was to know God and to achieve perfection. For this education was necessary. He referred to the various traditions and scriptures bearing on the subject at length and explained the principles of BAHA'O'LLAH and described the life of Abdul-Baha and his vicissitudes for the furtherance of the movement. They wanted the League of Nations, as they did not want to go to war, whether they were Bahais or non-Bahais. Their belonging to one community or the other made no difference in the light of God. He emphasized the need of a universal language to attain this object and cited Esperanto as the probable one.
Messrs. Jamshed Khodadad and Aga Syed Mustufa Rumi also spoke, the former on the fulfillment of Zoroastrian prophecies leading to the Manifestation of BAHA'O'LLAH, and the latter on the "New Dispensation, its proofs from Jewish and Christian Scriptures," quoting hadis in support of his arguments.
The Convention then adjourned till today.
(From The Times of India, Bombay, December 29, 1920.)
THE BAHAI CONVENTION
The Next Avatar
The Bahai Convention resumed its sittings last evening in the hall of the Association, Forbes Street. Prof. Shirazi presided. There was again a large audience and lectures were delivered on different subjects in the vernacular bearing on the Bahai movement.
The president explained that all the Bahais believed that once more from God a new Manifestation had come with new teachings verging towards the unity of mankind. They were not a sect of any of the existing religions. Their movement contained new ideas and thoughts and they did not have to follow other religions. Whoever came from his standpoint of religion to their fold they believed would be united and have a religion of religions. The great manifestation of India was to be found in the Avatar. "Am I born, am I to establish it?" If they did not heed this, warfare might reign and there would be no spiritual life on earth. All prophets have manifested on earth. Why should it not be possible, then, in this glorious century that one would come? If there was something in the world of humanity that could produce a man who should claim Godhood to mankind, it could be found in the message of the Bahai movement and he gave them that message.
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BANQUEST AND RECEPTION OF THE FIRST ALL-INDIA BAHAI CONVENTION
He then called upon Mr. A. Rangswami Ayar to deliver his lecture on "The Kalanki Avatar."
Mr. Ayar began his lecture by quotations from Sanscrit, saying cowardice and delusions were denounced by their ancient rishis but what was it that prevented them from humility and the glory of God? These were catalogued by the Hindu sages into two heads, the pashugynan and the pachugynan, the latter being the pride of intellect that man was superior to everything. But he would say that self-glory and aggrandizement prevented them from knowing the glory of God.
People Forget Religion
Mr. N. R. Vakil, speaking in Gujerati, said that the Hindu religion and other religions foretold the coming of an Avatar and the fourth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita was a testimony to this in which Krishna was mentioned as the next Avatar. But he did not like to dwell upon it at length. He would say when people in the world became irreligious there would be an end of it and an Avatar would appear and he asked if there was any religion so firm that it could not be destroyed? But there was none on earth. Then how could they live on earth? People desired money and glory and the elevation of themselves and forgot their religion by being absorbed in worldly affairs. He would say the fault was not theirs. The fault lay at the doors of their teachers who taught them wrongly and they became tired of their religion and it spread in the wrong way. It was now time for them to look for the Avatar of God. If they knew it, they would be satisfied with it and it was for them to know the Spirit of God. The Hindu religion that predicted the Avatar Krishna, meant BAHA'O'LLAH.
Mr. Hashmatulla spoke on the equality of men and women in the Bahai cause. He said the principles of the Bahai teachings considered the education of a girl of the utmost importance for the future generation of men, and that boys would be able to support themselves. Women needed education to bring up good children and that was the message Abdul-Baha had given them. Abdul-Baha had told them that if they had a boy and a girl to be educated, they should
educate the girl. That was how Bahais understood the equality of men and women.
A Prophet Promised
Miss Stewart said she was a visitor from Palestine and the message she brought to them from Abdul-Baha was that men and women were equal and both must be educated. There were no differences in the brains of women and men. Given an opportunity the woman would prove equal to a man and this they had found in the colleges which women also attended. Fifty years ago women could not go to colleges but today they could do so. She emphasized the necessity of educating their girls.
Mirza Mahmood delivered a lecture on "The proofs of the Bahai Religion from the Mohammedan standpoint" saying he would treat the subject from the hadis and verses from the Koran. He thought there was no sect in the Mohammedan community which was not waiting for one to come from God and that there were many prophecies in the Koran for such an one. Quoting from a verse from the Koran, he said there was a time to come for every nation and it was manifest that there was also a limit to a man's life on earth. All, therefore, had a moment in their lives, but the verse referred to a nation. It should be a fixed time for a certain nation. If the Jews were asked if there was any prophet to come they would deny it. So also the Mohammedans, but the Bahais said one would come. God had fixed six thousand years as the time for the world to exist, but if any nation went against it, it was only a belief. The Mohammedans thought their prophet was the last to come in the world. He would be ready to discuss this with the Mohammedans at any other time. He said it was related in a Koranic verse that if the nation behaved honestly and properly on the earth, it would live a long life. The theologians had calculated a thousand years yet for the world to end.
The sitting then adjourned till today.
Resolutions
At the morning sessions of the Convention, the following resolutions were passed:—
That a supplication signed by all the Bahais in India and Burma be submitted to Abdul-Baha praying for a visit to this country.
That a Mashreq'ul-Azkar Committee be formed to collect funds to erect a Mashreq'ul-Azkar in India.
That a school be started for the education of Bahai children in Bombay.
That teachers be sent out to the different parts of India for spreading the Cause.
(From The Times of India, Bombay, December 30, 1920.)
THE BAHAI CONVENTION
End of the Sessions
The third day's sessions of the Bahai Convention were brought to a close last evening when it again met in the hall of the Association, Forbes Street. Mr. Hashmatullah presided. There was a large attendance and among the audience were Prof. Geddes, Mr. A. Rangswami Ayar, Prof. Shirazi, Miss Stewart, Mr. N. R. Vakil and Prof. Pritam Singh.
Mirza Mahmood speaking in Urdu on Universal Peace said that BAHA'O'LLAH had said that he desired but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; that all nations should become one in faith and all men brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened and that diversity of religion should cease and differences of race be annulled. He said "So it shall be, these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away and the 'most great peace' shall come." That was the message he gave them if they desired to see the happiness of mankind. The lecturer told them that Abdul-Baha, in a Tablet,
revealed in reply to the letter forwarded to him by the Central Organization for a Durable Peace at The Hague, had said that for the question of universal peace a Supreme Tribunal should be established; although the League of Nations had been brought into existence, yet it is incapable of establishing universal peace; but the supreme tribunal would fulfill this sacred task with the utmost might and power. The lecturer then referred to Abdul-Baha's plan and emphasized that it contained a firm basis on which peace could be established on earth, and exhorted them to consider it carefully.
Life After Death
Mr. N. R. Vakil delivered a lecture on "Life after Death" in the course of which he said that the body in which man lived was only the channel through which the spirit worked. The spirit was not in the body but the spirit manifested itself through the body. It was like a mirror placed before the sun. Thus the soul was like the sun and the body the mirror. If the mirror broke the sun shone, such was the case with them. This world gave them the idea of the unseen world, the heaven. Heaven is not a place where they were determined to go because spirit is not confined to time or space. Since spirit was not limited, how could it confine to any one place? Heaven and hell were only conditions. If they developed their spiritual side, then they were preparing themselves for the road to approach God. God is for all and the mercy of God is eternal and soul could develop through the mercy of God. This world is like the womb of a mother and if they knew what the other world is they would not like to live for a moment in this world. Then death was a glad-tiding for them and they should not be afraid of it as the whole universe is at the disposal of the Almighty.
Mr. Jamshed Khodad spoke in Persian on the proofs of prophets concerning the advent of the Bahai Revelation, quoting instances of how the prophecy was held out by the ancient peoples in the times of Moses, Jesus and Mohammed. He said all the nations longed for the revelation of BAHA'O'LLAH.
Prof. Geddes referring to the cardinal doctrines of BAHA'O'LLAH praised the characteristics of Abdul-Baha when he came in contact with him during his visits to Haifa and Acca in connection with town-planning and when they asked for a plot of land for a school, he gave it to them very generously, which was a gift of the soil to the children. He then referred to the pro-Jerusalem society which, he said, would help the Bahai movement to a great degree. They had another society there called the pro-Carmel society which had representatives of every religion in it.
A Topsy Turvy World
Prof. Pritam Singh dwelt at length on the "Solution of the Economic and Industrial Problem" from a Bahai point of view, saying the world was topsy turvy and the economic disease was brought about by man himself and the disease would be removed if the human creation were set right. The Bahai movement placed before them the fact that something was wrong with their brains or hearts. The remedy lay in purifying their hearts which could be done by applying the teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH to the solution of the problem.
Aga Syed Mustafa Rumi then delivered a lecture on "Universal Language" in Urdu, saying philosophers believed that in one year a hundred languages spread throughout the world. BAHA'O'LLAH desired that there should be a universal language in the world. He said even the beasts of the forests could build their own dens and thus lived in safety. But if there were different languages, one man could not know how to behave with the other if that other man's language was not known to him. The first principle was that they were all brothers and the second was that independent investigation of truth was incumbent
upon every one and the third was that religion should be the cause of unity without any prejudice. If any religion opposed the wisdom of a nation, it was no religion. Knowledge was the essential part of a sane man's faith in a religion. He then referred to the other principles of BAHA'O'LLAH and said it was one of the twelve principles laid down by BAHA'O'LLAH sixty years ago and were to be found in the book entitled Basharat, and then explained the adaptation of the universal language as indicated by Abdul-Baha.
The president thanked them for the trouble they had taken in attending the Convention and for the patient hearing they had given to the lectures during the last three days and dissolved the Convention.
(From The Bombay Chronicle, December 31, 1920.)
ALL-INDIA BAHAI CONVENTION
The first All-India Bahai Convention commenced its sitting on the 27th instant in the Bahai Assembly Hall at 10 a. m. when Prof. Mirza M. R. Shirazi, of Karashi, was in the chair. Delegates were present from Persia, Burma, America, Madras, United Provinces and Mandalay. The Convention opened with a prayer and was followed by an address from Mr. J. Mirza Mahmood, chairman of the Reception Committee, who welcomed the delegates and briefly described the history and the objects of the Convention. The president, Prof. Shirazi, then addressed the Convention in Persian. He dwelt upon the necessity of having a Bahai Temple in India and advised sending Bahai teachers to different parts in India and the Far East.
Prof. Shirazi addressed the assembly on "The Need of Divine Education" in the evening. In the course of his speech he said that everything in the Universe required education—e. g., new and interesting botanical experiments in America had resulted in giving the earth new types of flowers and vegetables, in the animal kingdom by education they were taught to do the work of men and forget their natural antipathies. He traced the evolution of states and empires and was sorry to reflect that nations, too, fought with each other and now the necessity had arisen of a Universal Religion.
Mr. N. R. Vakil, of Surat, then spoke on the "Universal Religion." He said that the Bahais had united different religionsts as brothers. There were no priests and the principal teaching was Universal Peace.
Messrs. Khodadad and Asia S. Mustafa Rumi spoke about Zoroastrian prophecies of the coming of the Redeemer and proofs were cited from Jewish and Christian Scriptures.
LETTER FROM ELIZABETH H. STEWART
(Portion of a letter received by Mrs. I. D. Brittingham from her niece, Miss Elizabeth H. Stewart, written on her return journey from her recent visit to His Holiness Abdul-Baha, to Teheran, Persia.)
S. S. Chakdars,
January 6, 1921.
I arrived in Bombay just as the All-India Bahai Convention was taking place and I was there nine days—nine wonderful days. Each one of the speakers was on fire and spoke with such power that they all wondered at themselves. Not one of them was well physically and one got up from his sick bed to be present; but their spirits were not ill! There were delegates from all parts of India, representing six different religions; Hindus, Burmese, Parsees, Musselman, Jews and I was the Christian representative.
The Convention had decided not to permit the women to attend their meetings. When I arrived, they could not exclude me, so the women were permitted to come and they turned out well at all the services and it was a beautiful sight. Native women had never been known to be present at such public lectures and it was another surprise and instruction to the people. The audience was most respectful and listened and asked good questions.
I spoke for five minutes upon the equality of men and women. Abdul-Baha helped me or I never could have done it. The power of the Spirit was so strong that I never thought of anyone, only what I wanted them to know. Many of those who were present at Convention are now going all through India and after that they hope that Abdul-Baha will come there. This surely must prepare the way for Him!
Elizabeth H. Stewart.
Tablets to Bahais in America received in 1919
MAUD THOMPSON
To the maid-servant of God, Mrs. Maud Thompson, Baltimore, Md.—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
Thy letter was received. Thou hast praised the Convention of this year (1919). This Convention in future shall acquire a great importance. It shall reach a point that all the Conventions of the world shall assume a lowly and submissive attitude toward this Convention, for its basis is the oneness of the world of humanity, universal peace, love and harmony among all men, equality in rights among all people, benevolent deeds and the shining forth of the light of Truth. Undoubtedly it shall increase daily in power.
Praise ye God, therefore, that He has assisted in the establishment of such a Convention. . . . .
I hope that through the infinite bounties of God all thy family may be illumined and assisted.
Upon thee be Baha-el-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine; July 16, 1919.)
MAUD GAUDREAUX
To the maid-servant of God, Maud Gaudreaux, Yonkers, New York—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Thy letter dated November 26th, 1918, was received with the divine assistance. I hope your gathering will widen from day to day, and will increase in union and harmony; will draw to itself the bounty of the Kingdom; will be the cause of the appearance of the oneness of the world of humanity; will be kind to all religions and the well-wisher of all races. If in this coming summer thou goest to Green Acre it will be highly favorable
and if thou art confirmed in contributing to the Mashreq'ul-Azkar, it will be greatly praiseworthy. I pray God that thy respected husband, the children, and thy relatives will be guided under the divine protection and will be kept safe and glad in this world as well as in the realm of the Kingdom.
Convey on my behalf the utmost kindness to the friends Helen Whelock, Nellie Lowes, Elise Weil, Elizabeth L. Stevens, and Ethel Adams. My hope is that ye may unanimously be confirmed in service to the world of humanity. There is not time to write more.
Upon ye be greeting and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, February 9th, 1919, Haifa, Palestine.)
MR. AND MRS. LATIMER
A prayer for Mr. James and Rouhani Latimer, care of his honor, Mr. George Latimer—Upon them be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O ye two souls of the Kingdom!
Turn your faces to the Kingdom of the merciful One and address this prayer:
Prayer.
O thou Compassionate God! We were heedless, Thou hast made us heedful. We were slumbering and Thou hast awakened us. We were thoughtless. Thou hast made us thoughtful. We had no share and portion from the supreme bounty, Thou hast given us full share therefrom. We were wanderers, Thou hast shown us the right path. We were thirsty, Thou hast quenched our thirst. We were deprived, Thou hast made us intimates with Thy mysteries.
Praise be unto Thee, that such a bounty has been realized and such a guidance has been made possible. Confirm us in firmness and steadfastness that we may be self-sacrificing in service to the Kingdom and may attain our loftiest aim.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Haifa, Palestine, November 26th, 1919.)
SANTA PAULA ASSEMBLY
To the members of the Spiritual Assembly, Santa Paula, California—Upon them be BAHA'O'LLAH El-Abha!
He Is God!
O ye who are firm in the Covenant!
Abdul-Baha is constantly engaged in ideal communication with any spiritual Assembly which is instituted through the divine bounty, and the members of which, in the utmost devotion, turn to the divine Kingdom and are firm in the Covenant. To them he is heartily attached and with them he is linked by everlasting ties. Thus correspondence with that gathering is sincere, constant and uninterrupted.
At every instant, I beg for ye assistance, bounty, and a fresh favor and blessing; so that the confirmations of His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH, may, like unto the sea, be constantly surging, the lights of the Sun of Truth may shine upon you all and that ye may be confirmed in service, may become the manifestation of bounty and that each one of ye may, at dawn, turn unto the Holy Land and may experience spiritual emotions with all intensity.
Upon ye be Baha-el-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, Palestine, November 12th, 1919.)
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