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STAR OF THE WEST
PUBLISHED NINETEEN TIMES A YEAR
In the Interest of the BAHAI MOVEMENT
By the BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, 515 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
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.
"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. 13 |
| PAGE | |
The Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar | 210 |
A Week in Abdul-Baha's Home | 211 |
| (Fourth installment) BY GENEVIEVE L. COY. | |
Cablegram Announcing Second All-India Convention | 215 |
News from India | 215 |
Echoes of First All-India Convention | 215 |
| Letter from K. K. BHARGAVA. | |
Needs of the Temple Treasury Before Spring | 216 |
Recent Tablets Referring to the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar | 218 |
PERSIAN SECTION—Written by Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi | 224-222 |
--PHOTO--
THE MASHREQ 'UL-AZKAR
THE importance of the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar cannot be confined within any measure or limit, because it is the first divine institution in that vast continent, and from this Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar, which is now in the process of construction, a hundred-thousand Mashreq 'Ul-Azkars will be born in the future.
Words of ABDUL-BAHA.
(See Tablet page 218)
"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 'ULLAH.
| Vol. 12 | Kudrat 1, 77 (November 4, 1921) | No. 13 |
WE were in prayer at the threshold of the Holy Tomb of BAHA 'ULLAH for a long time. Finally Zia Khanum went out toward the outer door. We followed her, ready to leave that place of light. But she returned, went to the front of the room, and opened the curtained door. I do not know why she did it; perhaps Mrs. Hoagg reminded her that it was our visit to the Tomb. But I am sure that in some way, the Master's will entered into it. When I fully accepted his will for me as my guide, "acquiesced," then my desire was granted.
The heavy curtains at some of the windows were pulled back, and the setting sun poured a radiant glory of light into the room. "His resting-place shall be glorious"—with torrents of physical light, as well as with spiritual glory. I do not know how long we knelt there. Time's passing ceased for us. My very breathing was a dedication of myself to our glorious leader, BAHA 'ULLAH.
Our drive home was a silent one. I think we were all rather weary, physically, from our long day. But the spiritual significance of all we had seen filled us with so much to think about, that we had no desire for speech.
The sun set in the blue waters of the Mediterranean, in a majesty of color. Darkness came down and shut us in on that crescent sea-shore. The horses sped along through the darkness, toward the distant lights of Haifa. We were eager to be again in the Master's presence.
We reached Haifa a short time before the dinner-hour, weary, but happy. At dinner that evening the Master said. "Did you have a happy day in Acca?" And we replied, "Oh, yes, it is a day we shall always remember!"
He replied, "You must always remember it! It must be like images cut in tablets of stone!"
That evening as he bade us goodnight, after dinner, he said in his dear, measured English, "Go—and rest! Go—and rest!"
By the Master's love for us, we know something of the love of BAHA 'ULLAH. And from the love of BAHA 'ULLAH we know of the Love of the Infinite Father, whose voice comes to us through the Supreme Pen: "I knew My Love in thee, therefore I created thee; upon thee I laid My Image, and to thee revealed My Beauty. * * * I loved thy creation, therefore I created thee. Wherefore love Me that I may acknowledge thee and in the Spirit of Life confirm thee."
September 8th.
On the morning of September 8th, I went alone to the Tomb of the Báb at sunrise. Cora had not been sleeping well, and so she did not feel like rising at 4:30 that day. But I woke, dressed and was almost to the Tomb before the sun rose. When his full splendor began to loom above the horizon, I sat down on a stone in the field below the Mossafer Khaneh (Pilgrim's House), and watched the lord of day cast his first light across the valley of Acca.
After a time I went on up to the Tomb,
passing along the path with its beautiful cypress trees. At the Tomb I entered the room on the east side, and stayed there in prayer and meditation for almost an hour. The tall Bahai from Eskabad came in and knelt in prayer for some time, and then chanted. After he had gone, a younger man whom I did not know came in and chanted very softly and sweetly. He went out and I was alone for some time. The folds of the long veil I wore fell about my face and shoulders, and seemed to shut me in with God. His radiant Presence was very near.
I tried to fill my heart with the exquisite beauty and peace of that heavenly place, for I knew that was my last morning on the mountain. I knew that many and many would be the times that I would long to be kneeling at that Threshold.
Finally I knew that it was time to be going down the mountain. Just as I was leaving the Tomb, Mirza Lotfullah came in. I went out into the garden, and walked about a bit, drinking in the beauty of flowers, hills, water and sky. Soon Mirza Lotfullah came out and bade me good-morning. Then he suggested that we gather jasmine blossoms to take down to the Pilgrim House. So we pulled off dozens of the fragrant flowers, and filled our pockets and handkerchiefs with them. Later we strewed them on the breakfast table. Mirza Lotfullah said that he used to fill a basket full of blossoms, stripping the bushes each morning. He took the basket to the Master, who scattered them everywhere he went.
About 7:00 a. m. we started down the mountain. Mirza Lotfullah had a stone-bruise on his heel, and was wearing a loose slipper and carrying a cane; but never once did I hear him complain about it. Instead he talked of how the Master works, with no thought of physical fatigue. He works all day long, interviewing callers, etc. He goes to bed possibly by 9:00 or 9:30, but often he is up again at midnight, chanting and praying. Then he may correct Tablets for a while, and then sleep two or three hours more. And at perhaps 6:00 a. m. he rises for the day's work! Apparently he averages not more than four to six hours of sleep a night! So his whole life is given to the service of mankind.
Mirza Lotfullah said, "The real Bahai activity is not to stay here in the light of the Master's love. It is to go out into the world and spread his message of service. Be happy that you are going out to work for him."
But at another time he said, "Pray for us who live here in the Master's household. We have many temptations to guard against. We must never become impatient or give way to any depression. Not long ago when the Master was speaking to us, he said, 'You must be an example to all who come here. In you they must see what a real Bahai should be.' So we need your prayers that we may live up to that work."
We had thought of the great joy of being a member of the Master's family, but then we began to realize that only those of great unselfishness may be his helpers there in Haifa.
On that beautiful morning we entered the Pilgrim House before breakfast was quite ready, and strewed the jasmine blossoms over the table.
The Master came in after breakfast, and stayed only a few minutes. He smiled at us all, and we were very happy to be near him. He asked especially about Mrs. George's health. He said a few words to her, smiled at all of us, and then rose and left us. We all went to the door and watched him as he disappeared through our gate.
After breakfast we went over into the Master's garden, and waited for an opportunity to talk with him for a few moments. After a while Rouha Khanum called Mabel and Sylvia in to see him. While they were gone we stood talking with Mrs. Hoagg and some of the young men. I shall not forget the
look on Mrs. Hoagg's face when she spoke of the Master's longing for unity among the friends. His only happiness is to know of the increase of unity among the believers, and of their spreading the Cause. His face always becomes sad if he hears of any contention or lack of harmony. "If people in America could see the Master, could realize how he works, they would never do anything to sadden him," she said. When one is in the Master's presence it seems utterly impossible that one should ever do anything that would sadden, or make any heavier the load of work he carries! "In the light of his holy presence, all desire dies save the desire to be like him."
Later in the morning Cora and I were called in to see the Master. Rouha Khanum translated for us. We gave the Master the letters we had brought from American friends. We asked him to bless the ringstones and rosaries we had bought at Mirza Enyat 'Ullah's shop. He took them in his hands, said a few words that must have been a prayer, kissed them, and handed them back to us. And so we brought back to America Bahai ringstones, made doubly precious by his touch of love.
The Master said that he was sorry not to have seen us more, but that he had been very busy while we were there. "But," he continued, "it is not the length of time that one spends here that is important. Some people stay a short time, and then go and do great service. Other people are here a long time, and they learn nothing. There is some wood that is very dry: it catches fire quickly and burns well. There is other wood that is so wet that it will not burn even though you should try for a whole day. There is no result but smoke. It will not blaze, it will not keep any one warm; it will not even cook anything!" As he said the latter he smiled. But when Rouha Khanum translated it, Cora laughed out loud. That seemed to delight the Master, for he laughed very heartily with the most unaffected enjoyment.
Cora asked how one should teach the Bahai Movement to our United States southerners, among whom race-prejudice is so strong. He said, "Go slowly at first. Be kind and courageous and patient. Live the Bahai life among these people. Do not mind if they oppose you. Their prejudice is so strong. It is like a religion. But when they become Bahais they will be very good and sincere ones. But at first teach the principles and be kind to them. The rest will follow in time."
After this we went and talked with some of the ladies of the household. Soon the Master called for Mabel and Sylvia, and gave Sylvia a Bahai name, Badia, which means "something new and wonderful." We were not present when he gave her the name, but Mabel said that he walked up and down the room, radiating power and love.
When Sylvia came back with her new name, the Holy Mother brought out a box of candy, in honor of Sylvia's nameday. The candy was white with a little chocolate center. Bringing it out in Sylvia's honor was one of the sweetest, kindest acts of simple thoughtfulness that we saw in Haifa. Needless to say, Sylvia Badia Paine was a very happy girl that day.
It was on that morning that the Greatest Holy Leaf showed us the pictures of BAHA 'ULLAH and the Bab. We had already seen pictures of the Bab, and so I think most of our attention was centered on the photograph of BAHA 'ULLAH. The pictured face was of dignity, power and majesty. But the feeling of the power, the glory, the supreme Reality of BAHA 'ULLAH which came to me in Haifa, did not come from seeing His photograph. That Reality is living and vibrant in the unselfish lives of the friends; it makes radiant the atmosphere of the Tomb on Mt. Carmel and the Tomb at Bahjee; it shines from the Master's eyes.
Later in the morning Cora and I were sitting on a bench in the garden, just below the window of the Master's writing-room. Occasionally his voice floated down to us, as he dictated or talked with a caller. Once he came out of the house, and walked to the corner of the garden, where some masonry was being done. Soon he returned, and his voice was again heard from his room. Such brief glimpses made us very happy, for he radiates such life that one is lifted toward supreme joy just to know he is near. In his Essense he is so detached from earthly things, he is so different from all human beings one has ever seen, he is Love incarnate.
Mirza Aziz 'Ullah came and talked with us for a while, and told us stories about the European Bahais whom he had visited not long ago. Other friends passed and stopped for a word. It was a perfect morning and we were sorry when the lunch-hour called us back to the Pilgrim House.
After dinner that evening Rouha Khanum took us to receive the Master's farewell. I can remember very little of what he said. He told us that his love and thoughts and prayers would go with us. He sent his love and greetings to all the Bahais in America.
I knew that I should not see him again, but I felt no sadness or grief. His love was too great: it poured in a radiant flood about me, and held me suspended in a priceless moment, when time stood still, and I lived in eternity. His eyes were glorious stars of light and love. No words can express their beauty.
He shook hands with us in parting. When he said good-bye to Sylvia, he smiled down at her and said, "Sylvia!—Badia Khanum!—Miss Badia!"—and his voice was filled with the most affectionate and sweet laughter!
Thus we left the Master's house, that wonderful home, of which he has said, "My home is the home of peace. My home is the home of joy and delight. My home is the home of laughter and exultation. Whoever enters through the portals of this home must go out with gladsome heart."
Next morning, before daybreak, we ate our last meal in the Pilgrim House and said farewell to our happy housemates there. Said Effendi, Mirza Lotfullah, Rouhi Effendi, and faithful Esfendiar and his horses, took us to the train which left at 6:00 a. m. We had a half-hour's talk with the young men before the train pulled out—but of that time I remember clearly one thing. Mirza Lotfullah turned to us as he said good-bye, and added, "Be good! Be good!" Then he smiled and said, "You know what I mean! And no one who had seen the members of the Master's household for a week could fail to know that "to be good" is love and service and the spreading of the ideals that the Master teaches.
In the Hidden Words BAHA 'ULLAH has said, "If thou run with all immensity and speed through the space of heaven, thou shalt find no rest save in obedience to Our Command and in devotion before Our Face." In Haifa one learns, as never before, the meaning of that sentence. The will to obey, a longing for devotion, are born in one's heart and spirit.
Since we left the Master's home, the days and weeks and months fly past, and are filled with many duties; many calls to help in the work of the world. But the beauty of the Master's face is with us. "In the light of His Holy Presence all desires die save the desire to be like Him."
Allaho'Abha!
"But I shall go down from this airy space, this swift white peace, this stinging exultation.
And time shall close about me, and my soul stir to the rhythm of the daily round.
Yet, having known, life will not press so close, and always I shall feel time ravel thin about me;
For once I stood
In the white, windy presence of eternity."
From The Most Sacred Mountain. by Eunice Tietjens.
Bombay 11
Wilhelm, 104 Wall Street, New York.
Bahai convention December. Inform all.
MAHMOOD.
Jenabe Mirza Mahmood has received a Tablet from His Holiness Abdul-Baha in reply to a communication from the Bahais of India supplicating him to visit that ancient country, as follows:
"The letter signed by most of the friends in India has been received. Abdul-Baha is greatly longing to make a trip to India, provided health and time permit." In the same Tablet it is revealed that: "It is my hope that extraordinary souls in that country from among the people of that country will arise in service."
In a Tablet revealed for Jenabe Jamsheed it is revealed that, "You shall soon see in Persia that the people shall believe in this Cause in groups every day."
May 5, 1921.
Allaho 'Abha!Miss Sophie Loeding, Chicago.
My dear Bahai sister:
. . . I left Glasgow on Friday, March 25th, and arrived in Manchester on March 26th. I stayed in Manchester with dear brother Mr. Joseph and was there till Monday, the 4th of April, 1921. I found the friends in Manchester in the highest spirit. Every one of them, even the youngest child, is full of enthusiasm and Bahai love. They all inspired me and my heart felt the spirtualizing effect of the silent but quickening song of love and unity. They are all very earnest and anxious to devote their whole lives to the service of the Divine Cause.
I was very happy with them and when I left Manchester I felt as if I was leaving people with whom I had been living for many years. . . .
May they all blossom into beautiful, sweet and fragrant flowers delighting the hearts of all who pass by them, is my earnest prayer to Him for them!
I left Manchester on Monday morning and arrived in London the same evening at 5 p. m. I stopped in London for a week and I was staying there with brother Mr. S. T. Ali of Rangoon. I had never before met or seen Mr. Ali. People, who were there, were quite surprised to see that we could be so intimate with each other after a minute only. But you know Bahais are always so hospitable and loving. Next morning I met brother Shoghi Rabbani Effendi, who even came to Glasgow to meet me. Then I went to see Miss Rosenberg on Tuesday evening. She is a wonderful soul and has drunk deep at the Kawther of His grace.
On Wednesday evening I went to attend the usual Bahai meeting at Lindsay Hall. Mr. Shoghi Rabbani read a paper dealing with economic problems
(Continued on page 219)
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!
O ye apostles of BAHA 'ULLAH—May my life be a ransom to you!
. . . . Similarly, the Magazine, the STAR OF THE WEST, must be edited in the utmost regularity, but its contents must be the promulgator of the Cause of God—so that both in the East and the West, they may become informed of the most important events.
Editorial Staff: ALBERT R. WINDUST—GERTRUDE BUIKEMA—DR. ZIA M. BAGDADI Honorary Member: MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB
| Vol. 12 | Kudrat 1, 77 (November 4, 1921) | No. 13 |
Extracts from recent letter sent out by the Executive Board of
Bahai Temple Unity.THE contract for construction of the basement section of the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar was signed by the Bahai Temple Unity with McCarty Brothers, Chicago contractors, August 24, 1921, and work was begun September 12, 1921. Already the ground is excavated for the driving of the secondary pilings, and the true, majestic proportions of the Temple can now be realized by an observer.
This new contract with McCarty Brothers was signed after full consultation with the members of the Sub-committee of Engineers of the Board, provided for in the action of the last Convention, and with the express approval and recommendation of Messrs. W. S. Maxwell and E. Roger Boyle, the members of the Committee present at the consultation.
Although the net amount in the treasury, after deducting estimated necessary disbursements up to January 1, 1922, is approximately $15,000 less than the amount of the contract authorized, all agreed, including the Sub-committee of Engineers, that the average flow of contributions should amply take care of this slight deficit prior to the time the final payment becomes necessary, and in this way the work of the Temple will go on without check through the fall and winter; otherwise nothing except a little excavation work could be done until spring which would tend to prevent the construction of the basement being completed prior to next Rizwan.
This new contract for basement construction, bringing the Divine Edifice eleven feet above ground level, includes all the structural work except a few conveniences, i. e., electrical appliances, certain plumbing fixtures, and other necessary items. These minor items, costing about $15,000 will have to be installed before the commodious basement rooms can be used for meetings, conventions, etc., and we trust the friends will do everything in their power to meet this financial need before early spring, when this final work can be done. The items above named, costing about $15,000, are, of course, in addition
to the approximated $15,000 we need prior to January 1st to take care of the final payment on the McCarty Brothers' contract, so that the present actual needs of the treasury are at least $30,000, about one-half of which will be expended in the early spring. This is the minimum and it is, of course, most desirable that contributions in excess of
--PHOTO--
STEPS OF TEMPLE
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
9.81
END ELEVATION
THE STONE
22' 6" 16' 0" PLAN
THE STONE OUTER WALL
SHERIDAN ROAD SHERIDAN ROAD
The smaller circular Plan shown in lower right-hand corner is the Basement Section of the Temple, showing the caissons, and the distance between the outer wall of the Temple and the spot dedicated by Abdul-Baha in 1912; which may be the site of the Corner-stone. The larger Plan (3 drawings) shows the proposed Small Chapel to be erected at the Place of the Stone set by Abdul-Baha.
this sum be in hand at the earliest possible date, so that the third section of the building may be undertaken without too great delay. This section is between the first floor and the first balcony. New estimates based upon the changed conditions since last spring have not yet been obtained on this section.
We know how great is the longing of all the friends that in the construction of the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar the work be planned so that, if Abdul-Baha approves, the American believers may have the blessing of gathering there pending the completion of the Temple; that is, that provision be made, in the architectural and engineering plans now under way, to arrange the basement or crypt section so that it may be utilized in the immediate future. Thus, God willing, something of the mystery of the Temple,
which may be disclosed through actual use thereof, will be revealed in all the hearts, and its benefits showered upon the whole land as a pure and mighty torrent flooding a parched and thirsty ground.
Your Board has, within recent days, mailed a supplication to His Holiness Abdul-Baha outlining the steps thus far taken in the Temple's construction, begging his forgiveness for every shortcoming, asking his instruction and direction and numbly supplicating his
blessed presence in America next Rizwan to lay the corner-stone of the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar.
On June 25, 1921, a blessed Tablet was revealed to Miss Irene C. Holmes of New York City concerning the spot dedicated by His Holiness Abdul-Baha in 1912 on the Temple site. We realize that many of the friends have been concerned about the essential preservation of this holy place; some of them have believed it to be the center of the structure, but all believe that it should be permanently enshrined and preserved for future generations. In the Tablet to Miss Holmes the Master mentions this spot as the corner-stone. It is in reality about four feet inside the outer wall of the Temple (as per sketch herewith). We have supplicated concerning this that the American friends might have the privilege of placing therein symbols of the Center of the Covenant and such suitable decoration as he might approve, so that it might be accessible to future centuries as a shrine or special holy place in the edifice. It is hoped that this spot, wherein the small stone was placed in 1912, together with the gold trowel* which the Master referred to in the Tablet to Miss Holmes, may become a part of the corner-stone itself, and in our supplication we have mentioned this to Abdul-Baha.
It is almost unnecessary to say that no calamity could be greater than that the treasury should be without the necessary funds to clear up the pending contract and the incidental matters which must necessarily be finished prior to the laying of the corner-stone next spring. Let us make our gifts commensurate with the degree of love and unity which our capacity shall attract in these wonderful moments.
*Note—The trowel may be placed in the bronze box made by Mr. Remey some years ago.—The Editors.
To the maid-servant of God, Irene C. Holmes—Unto her be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious!—Care of Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm.
He Is The Most Glorious!O thou who art heavenly!
If, with the consultation of the Executive Board and its approval, thou shouldst polish the stone I laid in the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar and engrave on it, its story, so that it may become the corner-stone of the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar, it would be permissible. On the condition, however, that it would be with the approval of the Executive Board; because I have referred all the affairs of the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar to the Convention. I hope that through the bounties of God, Mr. Roy Wilhelm, Mr. Remey, Mr. Latimer, Mrs. Corinne True and thou, all will be confirmed in the service of the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar.
(Translated by Rouhi M. Afnan, Haifa, Palestine, June 25, 1921.)
Through the revered maid-servant of God, Mrs. Corinne True, Chicago—to ..............—Unto ...... be greeting and praise!
He Is God!
O thou who art a servant at the Threshold of God.
Thy letter has been received. From its flowers of significance the fragrance of truthfulness and straightforwardness was perceived. It is my hope that thou will remain in faith and in the Covenant firm and steadfast.
Thou hast touched upon the question
of the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar. The importance of the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar cannot be confined within any measure or limit, because it is the first divine institution in that vast continent, and from this Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar which is now in the process of construction, a hundred-thousand Mashreq 'Ul-Azkars will be born in the future. Therefore, it is very important. As its cost of construction, however, will amount to a huge sum of money, its construction cannot be accomplished in a short time.
Every meeting (in the Cause) whose formation is permitted and sanctioned by Abdul-Baha is accepted and favored by God, otherwise, it produces no result and bears no fruit, nay rather, it gives rise to the distraction of minds. I have no difference with anybody. I am busy in servitude to the Threshold of BAHA 'ULLAH. Everybody who agrees with me, I feel attached to him.
Eternal, life is characteristic of the human soul. The sacred souls are in the utmost harmony and joy with one another in the world of eternity. . . . Strive thou as far as thou art able in the Divine Mine so that thou mayst discover heavenly jewels.
.... Thou hast asked about the third Tajalli, which is about sciences, arts and industries. By these sciences and arts are meant those which are useful and are studied in Europe and America, such as geometry, chemistry, geography, all mathematics and other useful sciences.
In Persia, however, in that time such sciences had prevalence which were mere imaginations, but their names were great. They had termed them Hekmat-i-Eshrakieh (a system of old philosophies). The people would busy themselves in the studying of these sciences and would take pains for thirty to forty years. At the end they would realize that their studies consisted of mere superstition and pure nonsense. Those helpless souls (students) would become disappointed and discouraged.
.... I supplicate God to bestow upon thee great assistance and confirmation and to enable thee to enter the Kingdom of God; to be established in the school of Abdul-Baha, and to learn wisdom and servitude towards His Holiness BAHA 'ULLAH. This is the divine school, this is the enlightened school and this is the heavenly school.
Unto thee be greeting and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Aziz 'Ullah S. Bahadur, Mount Carmel, Palestine, December 12, 1920.)
and their solutions according to the Bahai principles. His paper was beautifully worded and was very good. At the end of the meeting I introduced myself in my own humble way to all those who were present there. Their happy faces radiated love and spiritual harmony and one could easily see from their faces the happy reflection of their loving hearts. I must make special mention of Mrs. Coles of Washington, who is these days staying in London. She is overflowing with spirit and enthusiasm to serve the Cause.
On Thursday I was to meet Major Tudor-Pole but I could not see him. On Thursday night I went to see Mr. Damond. He is a splendid Bahai and a wonderfully spiritual soul. I found in him the same Bahai love and inspiration as in the others.
On Friday I went to see Mr. and Mrs. Bedingfeld. They are quite young but very promising. Mrs. Bedingfeld was a Bahai before she was married and it was through her influence that brother Bedingfeld accepted the Cause. Both of them are filled with the spirit of love. I was very much impressed with the spiritual atmosphere of their home.
On Saturday afternoon we all met at Miss Herrick's house. Miss Herrick is a very splendid and spiritual soul. Mr. Eric Hammond came to this meeting. He is very inspiring and is silently enriching this impoverished world with the jewels and diadems of Bahai wealth.
I spoke in this meeting about the progress of the Bahai Cause in India, where they had the First All-India Bahai Convention in the last week of December, 1920. They had a splendid and successful convention. His Holiness Abdul-Baha sent a cablegram in reply to one from India as follows:
"His Holiness BAHA 'ULLAH is with you—congratulations."
On the first day the following resolutions were passed:
1. That a supplication be forwarded to His Holiness Abdul-Baha to visit India.
2. That a fund may be collected for a Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar in India.
3. That a Bahai School may be started in Bombay.
4. That teachers may be sent in India to spread the Cause.
A wonderful spirit prevailed when these resolutions were passed and the first one was passed amid loud exclamations, the whole audience standing. Nearly 175 Bahais were present in all. Prof. M. R. Shirazi presided at all the morning sittings. Janabe Mirza Mahmood welcomed the delegates and read a poem composed by him for the Convention.
On the second day, in the morning, resolutions about starting a Bahai magazine, appointing an organizing secretary, having a free library and reading room containing Bahai literature, opening a book depot for sale of Bahai literature and similar other resolutions were passed.
On the third day various committees were formed. All the morning sessions began with prayer and ended with prayer. Photographs of all the delegates were taken and copies may be obtained from Bahai Assembly, Bombay.
In the afternoon sessions public lectures, according to the printed program, were delivered, except that for want of time, the lecture on "The Immortality of Soul" had to be dropped and the one on "The Economic and Industrial Problem" was delivered by Prof. Pritam Singh instead of Prof. Shirazi. At the end of all the lectures questions were put and were replied to. Many non-Bahais came to the meeting. The lectures were full of spirit and were very instructive and effective. Prof. Geddes of Glasgow, who happened to be in India, addressed the audience. He referred to his meeting Abdul-Baha in Haifa and said that they wanted land for a school and Abdul-Baha gave them land for a school and £100 for erecting the stairway which also leads to the Holy Tomb of the Bab.
This is a very short account of the most important event in India.
Mr. Vakil left Bombay in company with Mr. and Mrs. Pritam Singh on January 1st, 1921. They got down at Itavsi and gave the message to several souls at the station. The party arrived in Allahabad on January 3d, at 10 p. m.
On Jan. 5th a lecture on "Universal Peace" was delivered in the Hindu Hostel. Prof. Pritam Singh presided. A short discussion followed at the end of the meeting.
On Jan. 6th some persons came to Mr. Pritam Singh's house and Mr. Vakil spoke to them for several hours.
On Jan. 7th a lecture on the "Bahai Movement" was delivered in the Ewing Christian College. Prof. Dudgeon, Ph. D., presided. The meeting was well attended and the students showed much interest in the movement.
On Jan. 8th they spoke at the Kayastha Pathshala College on "Abdul-Baha and Universal Religion." It was well
attended. Principal Sanjiva Rao presided.
On Jan. 9th a public lecture in the Hindu language was delivered in Vidya Pitte on "Bahaism." Mr. Purshottam Dais, a leading lawyer, presided.
The Independent and The Leader, two English dailies, of Allahabad, published all the lectures. Mr. Vakil sums up the whole work in few words, saying, "It was all done by His Power and splendid results will soon follow."
Mr. Vakil left Allahabad on Jan. 10th for Benares, the center of learning in India. Benares reminds one of the ancient Hindu civilization and on the banks of the river Ganges, one feels himself or herself in a wonderful atmosphere of spiritual harmony and communion with God. In Benares Mr. Vakil stayed with Prof. Dey of the Hindu University, Benares. Prof. Dey was most kindly and very hospitable. Prof. Dey helped Mr. Vakil very much and one lecture was delivered in the Kashinaj Hall under the auspices of the Hindu University College. Prof. Adhikar, a philosopher and learned vedantist presided. It was very well attended. A second lecture was delivered in the Theosophical Society. Mr. Vakil speaks very highly of this meeting, and says that at the end of the meeting much interest was shown by the audience among whom were several Indian ladies. Two other lectures were delivered in the hostels. Students took much delight and interest and many interesting questions were put by all.
Mr. Vakil then went to Calcutta where four lectures were delivered. The lectures were well attended. From there Mr. Vakil went to Dacca for a day and there splendid work was done. A lecture on "Universal Religion" was delivered at Dacca. There were about 250 men and most of them were professors and teachers in colleges.
From Dacca Mr. Vakil went to Uymensingh where a lecture on "The Bahai Movement" was arranged in the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj during Mr. Vakil's stay of eight hours.
Mr. Vakil then returned to Calcutta and after three or four days went to Shantiniketan. There the great poet Dr. Robindranaki Tagor has a splendid school and the whole atmosphere is spiritual. A lecture, rather an informal talk, was arranged by Dr. Tagor's relatives and students.
From Shantiniketan Mr. Vakil went to Patua. He stayed there for twelve hours and spoke at the Brahmo Samaj. From there Mr. Vakil went to Lucknow and met a Bahai brother, Surat Narain, who is doing splendid work there. Several meetings were arranged and good work was done. From Lucknow Mr. Vakil went to Agra, where he spent a week. In Agra four lectures were arranged—one in the St. John's College, one in the Agra College, one in the Bhargava house and a fourth one in one of the college hostels. A fifth one was delivered in Urdu in the town. From there Mr. Vakil went to Karauchi. Two lectures were delivered in the Theosophical Hall, one on "The Bahai Movement" and the other on "The World Teacher."
Mr. Vakil, after practically touring around India, returned to his home in Surat on February 28, 1921. The work done is very splendid and shows the self-sacrificing spirit of the friends in India. Prof. Pritam Singh has resigned his professorship at the Allahabad University and gone over to Bombay to serve the Cause. Mr. Vakil is a splendid soul and his only desire is to serve the Cause to his utmost. May God give him power to do so!
I shall soon be going to Germany, and I shall let you know my address later on. ... Please convey my message of love and unity to all the friends. . . .
Yours cordially in His Name,
K. K. Bhargava.
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