| ←Issue 18 | Star of the West Volume 12 - Issue 19 |
Index→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
We are working hard to have proofread and nicely formatted text for you to read. Here is our progress on this section:
|
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. 19
| PAGE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Funeral procession of His Holiness Abdul-Baha passing in front of Abbas Kuli's house | 290 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "The beauty of the Beloved disappeared and the hearts are melted by this great calamity"—Letter from MOHAMMAD SAID ADHAM (Illustrated with photographs of the funeral procession) |
291 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Letters telling of the passing of Abdnl-Baha From JOHANNA HAUFF, ETHEL ROSENBERG AND ABBAS ADIB. |
296 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cablegrams from and to Executive Board of Bahai Temple Unity | 303 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ode to the Center of the Covenant—By THORNTON CHASE | 304 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sanford Kinney Memorial Vase | 306 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Requiem Tablet revealed for Lillian Kappes—Kappes Memorial Fund | 307 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Obituary
--PHOTO-- The funeral procession of His Holiness Abdul-Baha passing in front of Abbas Kuli's house, near the Tomb of the Bab, on Mt. Carmel, Palestine, November 29, 1921. Many of the people in this picture are Bahais. Photograph sent by H. S. Fugeta. --PERSIAN TEXT-- 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 'ULLAH. Vol. 12 Ola 1,77 (March 2, 1922) No. 19 "The beauty of the Beloved disappeared and the hearts are melted by this great calamity" Letter from MOHAMMED SAID ADHAM to the STAR OF THE WEST. Illustrations from photographs sent by H. S. Fugeta Alexandria, Egypt, January 1, 1922. Dear Bahai friends: You must have heard the sad news of the departure of our beloved Abdul-Baha from this ephemeral world to the Kingdom of Abha. The news came to us as a thunderbolt that breaks the mountains and shakes the very fiber of the hearts. We could do nothing but weep—until wearied by weaping the tears stopped flowing. Our hearts are broken, and whenever we meet those who have not yet heard the news, the tears gush forth like a fountain; but the fire of our sorrow cannot be extinguished. Our only hope is that God may confirm us in His Cause and grant us favor and patience in this great calamity. Those who have been privileged to be in His divine presence and in whose hearts His love has grown firm, know that His departure is the greatest loss that can be imagined, and that patience is impossible save through His kindness and bounty. Our sorrow is beyond expression, and as I am a stranger to English, this adds to the difficulty of expressing myself on such a sad occasion. The friends here all have the same feeling and the fire of sorrow is blazing in their breasts. Since then it is very noticeable that there is more love, more firmness, more unity, more tolerance and more desire for service. All this is observed in the faces of the friends, and the more so as the violators appear and endeavor to play their personal intrigues on the pages of some of the daily papers. The friends here have unanimously agreed not to pay the slightest attention to them, never to associate with them and never to listen to their words, for in reality they are the bitter enemies of our Beloved and of the Cause. For thirty years the violators have tried to harm the Cause of BAHA 'ULLAH and have denied the Center of the Covenant, Abdul-Baha—and this denial shall never be forgotten. The violators aspire only to leadership and authority, and try to use the Cause to accomplish their wicked ends, and to them it is not a question of faith and service. BAHA 'ULLAH gave an explicit command, which they have absolutely refused to obey. He commanded all to turn to the Center of the Covenant, and this they have foolishly and maliciously refused to do, and in so doing they have violated the first and most essential command of BAHA 'ULLAH, namely, that after the departure of BAHA 'ULLAH they should turn to the Center of the Covenant, "He whom God hath purposed," Abdul-Baha. By the word of BAHA 'ULLAH and the very existence of Abdul-Baha, He (Abdul-Baha) was a divine being and not only a material son of BAHA 'ULLAH. Jesus Christ had brothers and sisters, but no mention of them was recorded in the New Testament. The violators supposed that Abdul-Baha was a material son --PHOTO-- The Leaders of Religions, the High Commissioner of Palestine and other notables arriving at the home of Abdul-Baha to attend the funeral. --PERSIAN TEXT-- like unto them. So it lies with you now, in America, who know this question very well, to prevent any communication between the friends and the violators, and not to admit the violators to your meetings. The departure of Abdul-Baha took place at Haifa on Monday, November 28, 1921, at 1:30 a. m., after an attack of bronchitis lasting about three days, during which time the Master met visitors as usual. In the afternoon of the last day (Sunday, November 27) three of the notables visited him, remaining with him from 2 to 5 p. m. He talked with them in his customary way and walked to the door with them, where they begged him, for the sake of his health, not to tire himself any longer. Abdul-Baha then talked to the family about his departure, encouraging them and exhorting them to continue his work. Among the utterances of Abdul-Baha was this: "From this day the Cause has begun, and the friends are now stronger to bear the responsibility of the Cause." He also said that he had many friends all over the world, while when Jesus Christ departed he had only a few. He spoke up to a few moments before he drew his last breath. Doctor Krug was present when he closed his eyes. Our friend Joseph Hebeqa, who was sent from Alexandria to Haifa on behalf of the friends, relates that Doctor Krug was so affected that he did not speak, but sat by himself meditating and sobbing, and went to the Tomb, where he would kneel and sob, bowing his forehead to the ground, and owing to his illness it was necessary at times for the friends to help him rise again to his feet. This shows how deep is the grief of the friends, when one like Doctor Krug, who was at one time an unbeliever, is thus affected. Surely the life of Abdul-Baha will ever be an inspiration and an example to the friends all over the world. The burial took place on Tuesday, November 29, the procession starting at 9 a. m. Sir Herbert Samuel, the High Commissioner of Palestine, accompanied by the high officials, arrived in a special train, starting from Jerusalem at midnight, in order to attend the funeral in time. The funeral, as described in an Arabic paper* at Haifa, was miraculous and beyond description. All the people of Haifa attended the funeral and all were bowed in grief and wept all the way from his house to the Tomb on Mount Carmel. When the casket containing the holy body of Abdul-Baha was placed before *See page 261 (English) and page 287 (Arabic). --PHOTO-- The white casket containing the blessed body of Abdul-Baha leaving his home — the pall-bearers carrying the casket even with the shoulders on the up-turned palms of their hands. --PERSIAN TEXT-- the house, the air was rent with the weeping of the family and friends. The friends then all advanced toward the casket and kissed, with flowing tears, the shawl laid over the casket. When this was over the funeral proceeded with pomp and greatness. Men of all creeds and societies, as well as the great men of the city, without exception, were present and followed the big train of the High Commissioner. When they reached the Tomb, after walking for one hour and twenty-five minutes, the casket was laid down before the Tomb of the Bab, until the rest of the procession reached that place. Then about nine speakers spoke spontaneously, declaring his greatness and comparing it with the prophets of the past, and testifying to the sorrow and the great loss which they felt in his passing. The speakers were all strangers—not Bahais, as the Bahais could only weep on this occasion. They were representatives of all the religions of the country, Mohammedans, Christians, Jews, et al. and poets of different creeds. Some of the speakers were heads of their religion. I cannot describe how I was affected by the reading of these ovations. Sir Herbert Samuel, after listening to the last speaker, who was a Jew and who spoke in French, shook hands with him as he had understood what he said. The others had spoken in Arabic. When this was over Sir Herbert Samuel, holding his hat in his left hand, knelt down and kissed, for the last time, the shawl that covered the casket, and all those who were present did the same. The burial took place in the central room where the Master used to sit. As soon as the friends here received the news of the ascension of Abdul-Baha, telegrams were sent to Haifa, and Joseph Hebeqa, whom the Bahais of Alexandria sent to Haifa, was the first of the friends to arrive from abroad. Upon his return he related to us the details mentioned in this letter. Joseph Hebeqa had not seen Abdul-Baha before, although he had made preparations to visit him the week previous to his ascension, but, unfortunately he was detained. He believed in the Cause during the time of the war, and we tried to perfect his faith. The ascension of Abdul-Baha and his presence in Haifa, on this great occasion, confirmed his faith and has had a wonderful effect upon him. After his visit of five days in Haifa, he was quite another being, and returned to us like a flaming torch, and in his confirmation he has found real consolation. Since we received the news of the passing of Abdul-Baha, we have been --PHOTO-- The funeral procession ascending Mt. Carmel on Allenby Road. The casket is seen in the midst of the crowd in the distance. Police and guards leading the procession. --PERSIAN TEXT-- animated by a strong spirit, which, during the life-time of Abdul-Baha, seemed to be chained, but has now been let loose, and we feel a strong spirit urging and inspiring us to greater service. And, too, we have a great secret in our hearts, of which the people of the world have as yet been deprived. I do not mean to convey the impression that we are in a better spiritual condition since the departure of Abdul-Baha, but I mean to say that we feel more keenly His spiritual power and inspiration, and it is overwhelming, and His Holy Spirit is now acting through the firm believers. The friends in Cairo kept openly three days of mourning, when the learned people of the Mohammedans and other notables, as well as Persians, who are not believers, called to console the friends. In Alexandria we had continual meetings at my home for several days, during which time one of the violators knocked at my door, desiring to see me and to console me in my grief for the passing of Abdul-Baha, it being an Eastern custom for the people to call, on the occasion of death, and offer their sympathy. The friends who happened to be present at that moment all agreed not to allow him in and insisted that word be sent to him that we would not see him. This, at first, might seem strange, to turn a man away from the door on such an occasion, but any believer who has ever heard of the violators and of their attitude toward the Center of the Covenant, Abdul-Baha, and who knows the trouble they tried to make for him, will certainly uphold our action in thus turning a violator away. A few days after this we had a telegram from the family of Abdul-Baha, in reply to all cables sent from Egypt to Haifa, which read thus: "The beauty of the Beloved disappeared and the hearts are melted by this great calamity. Our only hope is to raise the banner of the Covenant, and with all righteousness, unity and servitude we serve His sublime threshold." A few days later the great violator addressed the Bahais through the columns of the Arabic newspapers, calling upon them to follow him, according, as he stated, to the will of BAHA 'ULLAH, pretending, in his call, that although he had been separated from his brother by God's destiny, yet the filial relationship and hearty sensations were strong in his heart, and he tried outwardly to show sorrow for the passing of Abdul-Baha. One of his only two followers in Alexandria confirmed his call on a page of the same paper, but the House of --PHOTO-- Boy scouts with flags and band. The white casket is plainly visible. The large building to the left is the Pilgrim House not far from the Tomb of the Bab. --PERSIAN TEXT-- Spirituality in Cairo replied and contested both statements, stating in effect that this violator is not recognized at all by the Bahais, and since he has violated the Covenant of BAHA 'ULLAH for thirty years, he is not considered among the Bahais, and has not the authority to speak in their behalf, for all the affairs of the Bahais are now directed by the Houses of Spirituality, all over the world, whose members are elected and who will come under the control of the House of Justice, and they are the only representatives of the Bahais. And this violator is not a Bahai in the true sense of the word and according to the dictates of BAHA 'ULLAH. This reply was given especially for the benefit of the public, to give them correct information and to prove to them that the violators are not Bahais and were cut off thirty years ago by their disobedience to the command of BAHA 'ULLAH to turn, after His departure, to the Center of the Covenant, Abdul-Baha, and by their harmful actions to the Cause. The reply produced the desired effect and we, individually, spread it among the inquirers and thus enlarged the circle of its influence. Again they wrote an objection to our reply and published it, but after the reply given by the House of Spirituality none of the friends have entered, or will they enter, into any controversy with them through the newspapers. The people must understand and know by their own knowledge that the violators are unfaithful and weak in their reasoning, and this is plainly evident in the writings of the violators. We, the friends in the East, hope that the friends in the West will give a blow to the violators by totally avoiding them and never associating with them or accepting them in their meetings, because they are the only kind of people who could harm the Cause more than all other people put together, for the simple reason that their aim is to break the unity of the friends by putting doubt in the hearts of those who are not firm in their faith. We are hoping to hear from the West that which will add confirmation to the friends in the East. This is what is expected from America. We all pray that BAHA 'ULLAH may confirm us in raising high the banner of the Covenant at all times and in all regions. Faithfully in the Covenant of BAHA 'ULLAH, MOHAMMED SAID ADHAM, Teacher Abbasieh School, Alexandria, Egypt. --PHOTO-- The casket close at hand. Allenby Road at this point turns to the left and ascends as shown in picture on page opposite. One of the men to the left is looking up the road. --PERSIAN TEXT-- Letters telling of the passing of Abdul-Baha Two letters from MISS JOHANNA HAUFF, at Haifa, Palestine, to her parents in Stuttgart, Germany. (From the Sun of Truth. Translated from the German by Mrs. Aubrey J. Kempner.) November 28, 1921. What terrible hours were these tonight at the deathbed of the beloved Master! At one o'clock at night (Monday morning) we were called and told the Master was very low. Quickly we went down into the sorrowing house, to his bedside; for a long time I did not know whether He was still with His body or had ascended into His Kingdom. He is no longer among us! Oh, no, we must not say this; His spirit is perhaps a thousand times nearer to us; but it is incredible, unbelievable, because this great loss came so swift—so unexpected. We are all as stunned. I cannot say anything; I do not know what will happen! Rouha Khanum told me—weeping at his bed where he lay still, unspeakably beautiful and as if sleeping—that she had asked him only in the evening whether I might stay here for some time and that he had replied: "She may stay; she will be a beautiful teacher." But I don't know what will happen now; the heart, the mind, the spirit of this town, this country, our whole world is no longer in a human body! When this letter reaches you, the sad news will have long reached the whole world. We stand in the spirit of Him whose life was a living martyrdom, from the first to the last minute, for us and for the world, but who is now released from his sufferings and has entered into the eternal Glory. Friday and Saturday the Master had some fever, Saturday it was worse, Sunday he was all right again. The cause of death is not known; it was general weakness probably. Half an hour before death, there was difficulty in breathing. Shortly before passing away He told his daughter that He was going across. Haifa, Palestine, Dec. 3, 1921. As in a dream these last days have passed. Since I wrote to you on Monday, after the incredible had happened—incredible because it happened so unexpectedly—much has come to pass. Before I tell you something about it, I wish to thank you from the bottom of --PHOTO-- The tall clump of cypress trees in background is immediately behind the Tomb. The casket was carried up the road to a point nearest this spot, then borne to the right to the Tomb. --PERSIAN TEXT-- my heart, that you let me come here, that I was allowed to be here during these wonderful, hard and indescribably beautiful times. . . . . Only after I had been here for days, an understanding gradually arose within me of what it meant, and it was so indescribably spiritualized in the human form—always kind, always loving; already partly absent, yet among us and talking to us. I am not worth it, that those radiant, luminous, penetrating blue eyes should have rested on me, that that kind mouth should have spoken loving, beautiful words to me—and useless my life would appear to me if the power of the experience does not give me strength to really remold my life and to lead it to a high purpose. Mr. and Mrs. Bosch, Dr. and Mrs. Krug and I, were almost constantly in the most intimate family circle. On Monday night we were permitted to see the face of the Master once more—the only ones besides the family. How beautiful it was! Such peace! such rest! I do not believe that I shall ever in my life see again such an unspeakably beautiful face as that of Abdul-Baha in life and in death. All day long and the night afterwards I was still stunned, hardly able to think, hardly able to bear the grief and look on—until the next morning; then everything changed. We had gone over at eight o'clock and stood once more—for the last time, in the room in which He talked to us when He was not well and in which he passed away—before the bed on which rested the beautiful, white-clad figure. . . . . Mr. and Mrs. Bosch and I were alone in the big hall as the sons-in-law passed by to get the casket; they called Mr. Bosch, who helped to carry the casket into the death-chamber and to put the body into it. For a short time the casket was left in the hall and Mohammedan priests, who had asked permission to come, as did Jews and Christians, said a short prayer. Then the casket was carried up the mountain on the shoulders of eight men who frequently changed. Never in my life will I forget that walk. More than an hour we followed the bier which covered the human form of the beloved Master—after stormy, rainy days, radiant weather; dark blue the sea, dark blue the sky—slowly, slowly followed the crowd, reverently and shyly they followed the ruler who had gone to deep silence and rest. Whoever could, went along, people and soldiers on both sides of the road. The government and the nobility to accompany "Sir Abbas Effendi"; the poor, their benefactor; the --PHOTO-- Arrival at the Tomb of the Bab. The Leaders of Religion and other notables delivering soul-stirring tributes and eulogies The casket is seen in lower left hand corner of picture. --PERSIAN TEXT-- inhabitants of Haifa, their counsellor; others, their greatest scholar, philosopher and sage—men of all languages, nations and creeds, who were but passingly or not at all interested in his Cause, crowded around his casket. A triumphant procession it was, the first fruit, at least the first visible fruit, of his life of sufferings in this region afflicted with spiritual blindness. But before I noticed all that, the new uplifting feeling had come over me; while we slowly ascended the steep mountain and were looking at the deep, blue sea, the white city of BAHA 'ULLAH (Acca) and the radiant, blue sky, all mourning left me and a feeling of strength and comfort came over me; it seemed as if Abdul-Baha had not gone, as if the spirit of power and beauty that speaks from out his words, had suddenly, inexplicably, come over me and was comforting and guiding me past the sorrowing crowd into the nearness of His love and life. (I cannot possibly give an impression of what I felt; nor can I find the words.) Mrs. Bosch had similiar feelings and Mrs. Krug said: "It was the most wonderful experience." On the summit the casket was put down in front of the Tomb of the Bab and about five or six Arabic eulogies and one French address were given—all by non-Bahais who knew little of his teachings. I hope to get the translations. The Frenchman said that all stood deeply moved at the bier of a man who had proclaimed the religion of the soul, whose words and deeds were in perfect harmony, who gave the world the most beautiful teachings of all philosophies and all religions in such a way that it could accept them, and he ended with about these words: "Not only the inhabitants of Acca, Haifa and the Persians in his country, but all civilized people are weeping today at the bier of this great one." The Arabic addresses are said to have been very beautiful, too. To all in Haifa, to the government which lowered its flag to half-mast, even to the people who were indifferent or opposed him because they could not get away from their fanatical prejudices, to all came a presentiment that one of the greatest had gone from them. Just as at Christ's departure "the curtain of the temple was rent in twain," the curtain which does not let the real light penetrate into the temple of religion. God grant that it may remain rent and that the light can get in! (Two years ago, Abdul-Baha was asked when the carnage and dreadful riots in the world would stop. He answered: "When the world will have become wise enough to accept the teachings of BAHA 'ULLAH.") After the speeches were over, the casket was put down in the Tomb where it will remain until the orders which Abdul-Baha has left and his last Will and Testament will have been read, which will be done by his oldest grandson who is shortly expected back from London. The heart-breaking grief of the family, especially of the poor locked-in women whose sole spiritual life he was, is still harder, still more terrible and painful than that of the men. It is an irreplaceable loss for them. It had come so suddenly for all of them, although the Master had spoken for months continually of his going—they had not understood, probably because they simply could not believe it. Now only do they begin to realize it. And he was so weary, so tired! He said it to us, he said to everybody. Mrs. Bosch told me even on the first day: "His work is done, completely done, everything has been said; every further day is a gift of grace." We did not dare to ask questions, nor dare to deliver the letters, because we heard 400 letters were still lying there unanswered, but in his great love and kindness for Germany he wanted to have them nevertheless and his very last Tablet is going to Germany. The Krugs said too, a veil seemed to be about him, that he was quite different than before. I felt the strangeness at first as something too high, too incomprehensible at the first meeting and later, when his kindness bridged it over, I felt that he was hardly a human being any longer. On Sunday when he was so much better again that we were all quite happy, he told his family that he was leaving them now, that they should faithfully serve the Cause of God and should not let any enemies enter therein. He said: "This is my last day." But nobody realized what he meant, they thought he wanted to undertake a sudden journey, as he often did. When he said it, he smiled as if joking, and since he liked to joke they did not take it seriously. Then he told his daughter Rouha that he needed nothing, that he was well and all should go to bed—only she remained with him. At one o'clock at night he complained about difficulty of breathing and she threw back the mosquito netting, and wanted to give him milk, but he said: "You want to give me milk now that I am dying?" She had Dr. Krug called at once. By this calling I woke up too, but when he got there, the Master had already passed away. "As a thief in the night" was his coming and going, so that this prophecy too should be fulfilled! But now the time has come for every one to work, for the Germans particularly whom he loved so dearly, to whom his last message goes—to work in order to maintain unity and to definitely overcome all children's diseases. Hardest to bear for me was the grief of the unhappy helpless women, who locked up in their houses and hidden behind their black veils, cannot work as we do and cannot divert themselves to get over their sorrow; moreover, the horrid oriental custom which forces them to accept callers for seven days from morning till night and to listen to the weeping and wailing of all Syrian women who are entire strangers to them. Turkish and Arabic women are there too; all day long it continues without mercy; the nobler and more honored the deceased, the more wailing and the longer the call. It hurts my very soul, but I can scarcely be of any help, because I do not speak the language. We are often over there. Day before yesterday they even sent for us. Our presence, with our poise and true sympathy and understanding, seems to help them, their only joy it is to have the friends with them and to pray to become worthy to enact the Master's will. Two Letters from ETHEL ROSENBERG. Haifa, Palestine, December 8, 1921. Beloved friends in England: I know so well how heartbroken you have all been at this (for us) sad, sad news and how you must all be longing for a word directly from this sacred spot—made doubly sacred for all of us now as it is the resting-place of our Beloved Abdul-Baha. I cannot sufficiently thank God for allowing me to be here at this solemn time. You are, I know, all feeling with me that now is the "accepted time;" now is the moment when we must all dedicate our lives afresh to the service of our beloved Abdul-Baha, the Perfect Servant of God—and of us all. Dr. and Mrs. Krug of New York, Mr. and Mrs. Bosch from California, Miss Johanna Hauff from Stuttgart, and Mr. Kelsey, had all the blessed and wonderful privilege of being here at the time of his departure and ascension. Mrs. Stannard hastened here from Cairo as soon as they received the news—but she did not arrive until Tuesday, after the funeral had taken place. The actual passing was at 1:30 a. m. on Sunday night, i. e., in the early morning of November 28th—[so close to] the day he himself chose so many years ago to be his Commemoration Day—his "Day of Remembrance" for always. Some friends objected to his having selected November as the month for his special day, but in my hearing he said, "No! No! There is a special wisdom in this choice. Some day it will be known." Dr. and Mrs. Krug arrived only nine days before his departure. She tells me they were both much struck by his extreme fatigue and weariness, and they entreated him not to visit the Guest House, but to allow them to visit him. However, he continued to come over to see the friends here and to take a meal with them, right up to the Friday. On that day they were particularly impressed by his very loving and impressive farewell, "Good night! Good night!" he repeated several times, stretching out his hands towards them. On Saturday he was taken ill with fever, and his temperature rose to 104. On Sunday, the 27th, he seemed much better and he had no fever. At 5 p. m. that day he received the Quazi (the Mohammedan judge). This gentleman said to him, "I think it would be much better for your health if you would build a small house entirely of wood instead of living in a stone house." Abdul-Baha replied, "I have no time left now to build houses." Then he also received the two principal Police Authorities—after that he retired to rest at about 8:30. At midnight or so, he arose from his bed and took his temperature and showed his daughter Rouha Khanum that he had no fever. He refused milk and lay down again. Later on she once more entreated him to drink a little milk. He looked at her and said, "You would give me milk when I am going!"—and with that he was gone. I have told you these details that you may know how easy and rapid was the passing and that practically he had no illness—at any rate, no serious illness. During the previous week he had given his family many hints of his approaching end, if they had but understood them. To Rouhi Effendi he said, "I have decided to go far away, where no one can reach me." Rouhi Effendi and another young man who was present, thought he was joking and Rouhi Effendi said, "You know, Master, that is impossible; they will always find you." About ten days before the end, he left his little bedroom in the garden and came into the house. He told his family that he had dreamed in the night that BAHA 'ULLAH had come to him, and had said, "Destroy this room immediately," and therefore he did not like to sleep outside any more, but would come into the house. The family were thankful, as they felt he would be nearer to them if he needed any service during the night. They now understand the spiritual symbolism of the saying—the "room" being the Beloved One's body. So you see, he did what he could to make them ready that the blow might not be too unexpected and sudden. During all those days he was extraordinarily loving and tender to every one with whom he came in contact—they all say, so much so, that they remarked upon it. The funeral took place on Tuesday morning at 9 a. m. The whole of Acca and Haifa attended. Mr. Kelsey has taken some wonderful photographs of the whole procession which he intends to publish as soon as possible. The High Commissioner, Sir H. Samuel, came up from Jerusalem to be present and he walked with the procession the whole way. Colonel Summers, the Governor of Haifa, was also present. There were wonderful orations at the graveside. . . . The Master's body lies in the Tomb of the Báb (for the present) underneath the first chamber. Everything in it is most bright and beautiful. There are wonderful carpets spread upon the floor and a ten-branched candlestick on either side, besides all the other lights. It would cheer your hearts to see it—it is all so bright and joyous. I am sure we all feel that now is the time for us all to be united with the utmost love and firmness—to increase our activities tenfold in teaching and spreading the good news of the Kingdom. My best love to you all and greetings and love from all the family. Yours ever in the blessed Cause, Ethel Rosenberg. My dear Mrs. George: . . . . Tooba Khanum, I grieve, is ill with the heart. She poured out all her strength and energy in sustaining others, Mrs. Krug said, and finally collapsed from overstrain. She has been in bed for some days and is now better, I am told. Khanum is wonderful; so are all the ladies. I will try and enclose something for you to read to the assembled friends. . . . . Monaver Khanum sends her love and says will you please pray for them all. They all need your prayers so much—in order that they may be strengthened and guided to carry out the beloved Master's will and wishes in every respect. We have been to the Tomb each day for prayers and chanting. On the seventh day corn was distributed to all the poor. On the ninth (the final official day of mourning) we all went to Bahje and the Holy Shrine, 138 pilgrims, but the ladies of the household did not go. I am going again with them, later. Yours with love, Ethel Rosenberg. Letter from ABBAS ADIB to Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi. Damascus, Syria. January 4, 1922. My dear uncle: Oh! what a calamity has befallen us by the departure of our beloved Master. Several times in meetings during the year, up to the time I left Haifa, he said: "I have completed my work and duties in this world and what is left will be done by the friends. I want to rest. The actions of the nakazeen and others so injure me that if my heart be pierced with a spear it will be much easier to bear than these actions. Suppressed sorrows will kill a man. If one should relate his sorrows to a friend, the sorrow will be removed from his heart and he will be at ease; but if one shall keep it and does not speak it to others it will work in him, make him sick and kill him. You do not know what is happening. I do not say anything." Such words were uttered by Abdul-Baha many times. A certain person was such a great stumbling block in the path of the Beloved that he said to Bahadur: "My soul has reached my lips because of his deeds" . . . He continued: "I want to rest for six months. The doctor does not allow me to work, read and write." To begin with he dismissed Mirza Adizullah Bahadur and Ibn Asdak, the latter to stay in Shiraz under the care of Mirza Bakir Khan; next he dismissed Sheikh Mohamed Ali, his son and Seyed Mustafa of Rangoon. A little later be dismissed Jenabe Fazel and Soubhi, the latter was told that when his services would be needed he would be called—meantime to go and teach in Persia. Not a pilgrim was left in Haifa. On Friday night, November 18th, the Beloved had a cold. That morning Mirza Abul Hassan Afnan dismissed his servant and said he was going away. He wrote a supplication to the Beloved. Then the Afnan went to the seashore, about two hours walk, and threw himself into the sea. Some fisherman nearby took him out and notified the authorities. Abdul-Baha sent his automobile. I went with the Afnans and Dr. Lotfullah and helped to bring his body home. The next day when we carried the body from his house, the Beloved approached and assisted in carrying the casket to the carriage. I am sure the Master told him about His departure from this world and that because of it he threw himself into the sea. Another incident: Ten days before this a Bahai Turk named Dr. Suleiman Rifaat Bey, whose home is in Beirut, came to visit Abdul-Baha. The day after his arrival a telegram came stating his brother had died. The shock overcame him. Abdul-Baha opened the windows, washed the face and head, rubbed the chest of the doctor, gave him some water mixed with spices, patted him on the back, embraced him, and consoled him. During this talk the Beloved said: "Don't be sorry. My departure from this world is very near." (Dr. Bey did not mention this until after the departure of Abdul-Baha, not quite a fortnight later.) The next morning the Master sent him to Beirut with Ahmed Bey Yazdi and Monever Khanum . . . . On the morning of November 26th, I left for Damascus. I arrived that night and communicated the news of the good health of the Master to the friends and my father. On Sunday, at a meeting, we spoke of it. Monday noon a telegram came saying the Beloved had departed from this world. . . . . I heard that on Sunday, the 27th, Abdul-Baha sat in the garden under the apricot tree. He called Ismail Agha and asked for some fruit—tangerines, sweet lemons and oranges. He ate some and distributed the others among the friends who were present. He rubbed his hands together and said: "Finished, finished, finished." He arose and went to his room. That night he did not go to the meeting. At midnight he awoke, called the Greatest Holy Leaf, said good-bye to all and at 1:30 a. m. ascended to the Kingdom of Abha. Immediately, everybody was notified and the weeping and wailing commenced. A few days after the ascension, a Moslem said to one of the Afnans: "Sometime ago, His Excellency, saw me and inquired about my work. He paid me a few pounds and said, 'This will be the last time we meet.' It did not occur to me that he meant he would ascend so soon . . . ." As to the nakazeen, they surely gloated over the ascension of our Beloved. Mohammend Ali came to the house of mourning. Khosro saw him and told him to wait for permission. The Greatest Holy Leaf sent this word to them by Rouhi Effendi: "Our Beloved does not allow and does not like you to come in, and if you come in you will add to our sorrows." He went away and wrote an article in the newspapers calling the Bahais to turn to him, quoting extracts from the Covenant of His Holiness BAHA 'ULLAH. The Bahai Assembly of Cairo answered him, and exposed his claim to leadership. . . . Kindly give my love and greetings to Zeenat Khanum, Parvene and Hobour Khanum. Sheikh Abdul Rahman El-Hindi is present and greets you. Your sincere nephew, Abbas Adib. Cablegrams from and to Executive Board of Bahai Temple Unity Family, Abdul-Baha Abbas, Dec. 3, 1921.
Haifa, Palestine. "He doeth whatsoever He willeth." Hearts weep at most great tribulation. American friends send through Unity Board radiant love, boundless sympathy, devotion. Standing steadfast, conscious of His unceasing presence and nearness. ness. EXECUTIVE BOARD, (Signed) Lunt, Secretary. Assemblies of Persia and the East, Dec. 8, 1921.
Care of Rouhani, Care Dr. Moody, Teheran, Persia. Divine Covenant enthroned in Eternal Power and Beauty. West embraces East. EXECUTIVE BOARD, (Signed) Lunt, Secretary. Abdul-Baha Family—Bahieh Khanum, Dec. 15, 1921.
Haifa, Palestine. If you plan special commemoration service American friends beg privilege joining. Please cable date and procedure. EXECUTIVE BOARD, (Signed) Lunt, Secretary. Dec. 22, 1921. Memorial meeting world over January 7. Procure prayers for unity and steadfastness. Master left full instructions in His Will and Testament. Translation will be sent. Inform friends. (Signed) GREATEST HOLY LEAF. Forty days after the ascension of His Holiness Abdul-Baha, Memorial meetings were held in all Bahai Assemblies the world over, in compliance with the above word from Haifa. We hope to soon publish an account of the one held in Abdul-Baha's home.—The Editors. 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 '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 with the most important events. (Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS. Editorial Staff: ALBERT R. WINDUST—GERTRUDE BUIKEMA—DR. ZIA M. BAGDADI Honorary Member: MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB Vol. 12 Ola 1, 77 (March 2, 1922) No. 19 Ode to the Center of the Covenant BY THORNTON CHASE. To the Center of the Covenant: ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS—May the Souls of all Mankind be a Sacrifice to Him! O THOU David of the Promised Kingdom of GOD! Thou First Born in the Kingdom of Baha! Beloved of GOD and Men! This "Ode to the Center of the Covenant" was composed by Mr. Thornton Chase a few weeks before Mr. Chase's death. It was read in the holy presence of Abdul-Baha, and he wished it to appear in the STAR OF THE WEST. It was published in No. 11, Vol. 4.—The Editors. Thou Host of the Divine Table! Thou Establisher of the New Jerusalem descended from the Heaven of the
Will of God! Thou Heart of the World, sending the Blood of Truth through the arteries
of Humanity! Thou Ambassador of Heaven and the Manifestation of Righteousness! Thou Guide of mortals to Immortality! Thou Servant of the Highest, declared by Isaiah! Thou Lion of the Tribe of Judah! —REVEAL THYSELF TO THOSE WHO CAN BEAR THE KNOWLEDGE! Sanford Kinney Memorial Vase --PHOTO-- THE SANFORD KINNEY MEMORIAL VASE C. M. R. --PHOTO-- Inscription upon the Sanford Kinney Memorial Vase: 9 TO THE GLORY OF EL-ABHA and in loving memory of SANFORD KINNEY This vase is presented to the Holy Presence of The Center of the Covenant by a Bahai of Germany and a Bahai of America, in the hope that Abdul-Baha will place this offering at the threshold of the Holy Tomb of the Bab. In the year 77 of the Abha Covenant "Herr Albert Rentfle of Karlsruhe, a very devoted Bahai, and I have worked up this little plan. Abdul-Baha very graciously accepted the offering and I presume that it is now placed at the Tomb of the Bab." —Charles Mason Remey. (See STAR OF THE WEST, Vol. 10, No. 19. Page 349, for details of the departure of Sanford Kinney.—The Editors) Requiem Tablet revealed for Lillian Kappes Tablet Magfaret (Requiem) for the maid-servant of God, Miss Kappes—Upon her be BAHA 'ULLAH El-Abha! O my God and my Helper! Verily, I place my forehead in the dust and raise my hands toward heaven and call upon Thee with a heart whose waves surge in Thy remembrance, and with tears that are falling in Thy love, and a spirit which is moving by Thy goodness and favor and a soul that is increasingly thirsty, seeking the wine of Thy forgiveness and Thy pardon, and we are saying: O Forgiver of sins and O faithful Bestower of pardon and Protector from misfortune and Compassionate to the creatures! Verily Thy maid-servant was a stranger, alone, a unique one in Thy path; and far from her native land in the path of Thy love she was certainly approaching toward Thee and was seeking the glad-tidings of Thy favor and goodness. Then the hearts of Thy friends became saddened by her death.* The tears of the pure and of Thy chosen ones were flowing and from the hearts of Thy servants wailing and weeping arose, sympathy was established for Thy maid-servant and consolation for Thy friends whose hearts were burning and whose tears were flowing. The hot fire of sorrow was aflame within their vitals; they were weeping as a mother weeps for her dead child. In this way they were seeking consolation and favor for her, with burning hearts and with breasts filled with the marks of grief for this great calamity. O my God! Grant to her life immeasurable, excellence and companionship with the birds of Paradise in the eternal world. She is leaving this unreal *See STAR OF THE WEST, Vol. 11. No. 19, page 324. real world and arriving at Thy Holy Presence in the world eternal and she has become purified from the stain of sins, liberated and saved from the world. O God illumine her face with the light of Thy mercy and make fragrant her nostrils with the perfume of the garden of Thy unity and make her eyes radiant by beholding the Divine Face of her Lord, and appoint for her a place in the true station of nearness by Thy mercy; and open the gates unto her, putting her in communication with the Holy Leaves among the maid-servants and companions and aid her to reach the Kingdom of Mysteries in radiant Light. Verily Thou art the Forgiver and the Kind! Verily Thou art the Lord of Mercy and Forgivenness! She entered in unto Thee and into the path of Thy favor and goodness. I ask of Thee to bestow upon her a benevolent station; to accept her efforts and grant to her signs of favor and a station of kindness and pardon. O God! she had faith in Thee and in Thy Verses and was attracted by Thy fragrances and was reading Thy Words and Verses and giving the glad-tidings of the dawn of Thy pure unity and she called upon Thy Name in Thy regions. She left her native land and remained apart from family ties and brothers, enduring every trouble and distress and was content to accept the bitterness of separation for the love of teaching the children. And with enthusiasm educating the girls she lived in distant cities during long years and periods and was patient in every difficulty. Morn and eve she was endeavoring to clarify the intellects of the innocent children of good families and failed not in giving out daily that which was required of her in that distant region. She gave her hand unwearied every night and day and at evening-tide and morning-tide to the service of the friends and taught the little ones who drew nourishment from the breast of Thy favor until her body gave out, her strength failed, her body disintegrated and her form dissolved. Then, supported by Thy favor, she returned to Thee, eager to behold Thee near by. Verily Thou art the sublime Refuge, the Faithful, All-sufficient, the Dear and Illustrious, the Most Supreme! (Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS. (Revealed in Haifa, July 1, 1921. Translated in Teheran, Persia, October 12, 1921.) KAPPES MEMORIAL FUND Extract from a letter written from Teheran, Persia, the beginning of September, 1921, by Miss Elizabeth Stewart to Mrs. I. D. Brittingham. Dr. Moody you know is now very busy collecting for the Lillian Kappes Memorial Fund to erect a good school building and also to purchase the land for the same. There are over two hundred scholars and no place for them. Before Lillie's departure she started this fund. After she passed over, Dr. Moody said she would finish this work, for you know Abdul-Baha tells us the Tarbiat School in Teheran will eventually be the first school of the world. Among her subscribers, Dr. Moody has many who are not Bahais, and are of all nationalities, and you would be surprised to see how readily and with what great love they all respond. It has been a great pleasure to her. She first secured permission from the Mahfel Rouhani to proceed with the work. Then Abdul-Baha sent her a beautiful message through Dr. Lotfullah: "Bravo Dr. Moody! Be sure she will succeed in this noble work. I will pray for her." Dr. Lotfullah added: "He is very pleased with you and you are always remembered by him." Every one who knew Lillian is so glad to help this along, for her work here is not fully known. It has been wonderful indeed, nor has it been appreciated, for she truly gave her life for it—it was always on her heart and through everything she stood for her own methods of training the children, from which now we can see some results. The girls who get their certificates from the yearly examinations of the Darol Fonoon (Government University) are always sought for teachers because they have been trained by Miss Kappes. Moslems have brought their daughters and have said: "Please take her and have her study in your school, under your care." Lillie was loved by all, and she brought up this school from a mere handful to over two hundred pupils and twelve or fourteen teachers. All have been personally trained by her. Dr. Moody began to collect at Naurooz and since then has sent out to places and countries, with slips such as I am now enclosing (i. e., copy of the receipt for subscriptions to the L. V. Kappes Memorial School fund, headed with a medallion picture of Lillie Kappes). I am enclosing this for you and Dr. Moody sends word if you think of any special place to use it, to do so. She has had no report from America at all, but from London there have been sent sixteen hundred and thirty-two dollars ($1,632). The amount gathered here has been sixteen hundred and thirty tomans (or dollars). From Esphahan the women have sent thirty tomans. So she has now over three thousand tomans and is beginning to look for land, which is very high. There is much work to do and much money needed. Please speak of it whenever you can and urge the friends in America—Lillian's own country—not to forget this work. Dr. Moody will be very grateful. We have the impression that it should be built as quickly as possible. The building is so needed. We are awaiting the coming of the new teacher. We hope she will not be delayed. Elizabeth Stewart. --PHOTO--
Photograph taken in Teheran many years ago Obituary DR. SARAH CLOCK WILHELMITE, N. Y.: TEHERAN, PERSIA, January 24, 1922. DR. CLOCK DIED, PNEUMONIA. NOTIFY FRIENDS (Signed) MOODY. On the 8th of September, 1910, Dr. Clock sailed from New York for Persia. Twelve years of self-sacrificing service is her contribution to the Bahai Cause in Teheran. We believe a letter is on the way telling in detail of her life and passing. Upon her be the mercy of God!—The Editors. HELEN S. GOODALL Telegrams from her daughter: "Mother passed peacefully into the Kingdom of Light the morning of February nineteenth." Ella G. Cooper. "Impossible to finish article for this issue STAR. Any account of her life must contain the history of the Cause in California which takes time to prepare." Ella G. Cooper. "With the passing of this great soul, the Cause has lost one of its splendid pillars in America, and the STAR OF THE WEST one of its staunchest friends and supporters. We look forward to publishing the article referred to in the telegram in a near issue of the STAR OF THE WEST. On behalf of all the friends, we extend to the bereaved family our heartfelt sympathy.—The Editors. --PHOTO-- WILLIAM H. HOAR
WILLIAM H. HOAR On the 9th day of January 1922, at Fanwood, New Jersey, his home, the human temple that for sixty-five years had been the abiding place of the reality of William H. Hoar, was laid away for its final rest in an unpretentious grave. While we will see him no more in his earthly body, yet from that pure soul "will appear the traces of God," for God has said, speaking of the sincere souls who depart for the Supreme Concourse, that "the rays of those spirits are the cause of the development of the people." This is a firm sure rope which those who loved him can grasp. At the home, after the reading of the Episcopal burial service, by a clergyman who had been a dear friend of Mr. Hoar, the Bahai service was conducted by Mr. Montfort Mills, Mr. Roy Wilhelm and Mr. Hooper Harris. It was most beautiful and impressive. When the last rite was performed at the grave, the spiritual atmosphere was such that one of those present testified that it seemed to him that he could sense and feel the joy and exultation with which that dear soul ascended to the Supreme Concourse to "tell the angels what had happened to it in its existence here below." And surely Mr. Hoar had much to tell, for he was always kind and sympathetic to those in trouble and generous even beyond his means. Mr. Hoar was one of the pioneers of The Bahai Movement in America. He was one of the very first to hear of the teachings and accept them and was absolutely staunch and unwaivering up to the day of his departure. The first mention of the Bahai Movement in America was made by the Reverend Henry H. Jessup, of Beirut, Syria, at the World's Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893. At that Congress, Dr. Jessup said: "In the palace of Bahje, or Delight just outside the Fortress of Acca, on the Syrian Coast, there died a few months since a famous Persian sage, the Babi Saint named BAHA 'ULLAH—the Glory of God—the head of that vast reform party of Persian Moslems who accept the New Testament as the Word of God and Christ as the Deliverer of Men, who regard all nations as one and all men as brothers." Shortly after this announcement by Dr. Jessup, Mr. Hoar heard of a class in the Bahai teachings in Chicago and joined it. Thornton Chase was also one of the members of this class, and it was at these classes that Mr. Hoar first met Mr. Chase. The two men were very firm and close friends. We may be sure that now, in the Supreme Concourse, they are closer than ever before, or than they ever deemed possible, while in this body. Mr. Hoar moved from Chicago to New York in the early days of the Cause in America, and was one of those most instrumental in building up the Bahai Assembly in New York. In those days the teaching and spreading of the Cause was far more difficult than at present, and those who followed it were frequently ridiculed. Mr. Hoar's faith never for a moment waivered, and he was for years one of the most capable and useful members of the New York Board of Counsel. In 1900, Mr. Hoar made the pilgrimage to Acca. He was there in the presence of Abdul-Baha from September 26th to October 9th, two full weeks, and during that time he constantly received teachings from the Great Master himself, and also from that greatest of our Bahai teachers, Mirza Abul Fazl. He was thoroughy grounded and instructed in the fundamental Bahai principles, and was one of those who always insisted upon sticking to the words of the Divine Text, and not mixing with them the thoughts, opinions and teachings of men. Although he was exceedingly liberal and kind in his association with men of all sorts and shades of belief, he was nevertheless uncompromising in his attitude that religion consisted of the teachings revealed in the Divine Book and that we had no right to mix with it our own opinions and interpretations. Referring to his trip to Acca, Abdul-Baha in a Tablet to Mrs. S. G. Harris said: "As to his honor Mr. Hoar, verily he is one who hath presented himself here, witnessed, heard, comprehended and became illuminated and enlightened with the light of the gift of God." Towards the close of 1906, when Abdul-Baha decided to send an American teacher to India, the Tablet instructing the American believers that this should be done came to Mr. Hoar. It was through his untiring efforts and his ability that the necessary funds were raised, and the trip successfully made. When the arrangements for the trip were about completed, Mr. Hooper Harris received from Abdul-Baha a Tablet containing the following: "Praise be to God that the means of thy trip are brought about . . . . Convey on my behalf the utmost affection to his honor Mr. Hoar. That person is my beloved. I have the greatest love for him, and am always engaged in his remembrance," and while Mr. Harris was in Acca on his way to India, Abdul-Baha led him into his own room where a cabinet sized photograph of Mr. Hoar hung on the wall, and standing before his photograph, his face beaming with love, the Master pointed to it and said in English, "I love Mr. Hoar—good, good man." And Mr. Hoar's love for Abdul-Baha was intense. It was, in fact, the shock of the news of the Master's departure that hastened his death. He had been ill for several months, and in pain most of the time, having to sleep at night sitting in a chair, but brave and uncomplaining, confident of his recovery, planning the things that he was going to do for the Cause when he was again upon his feet, and making progress in overcoming his sickness; but when the news of Abdul-Baha's departure came, he seemed to lose heart and weakened perceptibly day by day. Upon the receipt of the news he sobbed like a child and said, "My friend is gone." His wife, speaking of this, said, "His supplications to Him were the most beautiful I have ever heard. From that time on I could see that he lost ground and the day of his passing he told Dorothy (his daughter) that he felt so near that other shore at times." I cannot close this article any more appropriately than to quote the words of his wife in a letter to me: "I have rarely seen such fortitude under such suffering. Never a word of complaint. He grew so patient and tender, and spoke so lovingly of many of the friends." That one should die supplicating at the Supreme Threshold because of grief at the departure of Abdul-Baha, and with his heart filled with love for the friends of the Great Cause — what greater glory can there be than this? Hooper Harris. DR. MOSES L. MURPHY. Our devoted brother, Dr. Moses L. Murphy, of Louisville, Ky., passed away June 27, 1921. He received the message during the visits of the Bahai teachers and with Mrs. Della Murphy, his wife, became aflame with the good news. He read the Word extensively and became active in guiding souls. His home was a center. He entertained with generous hospitality the teachers and visiting friends. On a memorable occasion, Jenabe Fazel, Mother Beecher, Mirza Ahmad and others, met a brilliant company around his board. He loved and served people of various races and religions. Although in poor health, he journeyed to Chicago to attend the convention of 1921 and found great joy. He had a large circle of friends and the Bahais especially showed him great love. Aware of the end of his mortal life, he calmly gave directions to his faithful wife. Two days before the end, he reported that he saw Abdul-Baha. He was firm and unshrinking. A member of the colored race, his success in both material and spiritual affairs was a credit to the human family and an ornament to the Divine Cause. Upon him be the mercy of God! Louis G. Gregory. GEORGE HURLBURT ALBERTSON Born, West Middlesex, Pa., March 27, 1872. Died, Washington, D. C., March 3, 1921. MRS. ARTHUR HATHAWAY. Tablet from ABDUL-BAHA. A supplication for Divine forgiveness for the deceased maid-servant of God, Mrs. Arthur Hathaway—Unto her be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious!—Care of his honor, Mr. Arthur Hathaway—Unto him be BAHA 'ULLAH El-Abha! He Is God! O Thou affectionate Lord! The maid-servant of God, Mrs. Hathaway, was a daughter of the Kingdom, was enkindled with the fire of the love of God, had her attention fixed upon Thee and was aflame with the fire of Thy love. Her heart and soul were illumined with the light of Guidance and with a supplicating spirit did she hasten to Thy Kingdom. O Lord! Bestow upon her (Thy) pardon and forgiveness and immerse her in the ocean of light in the world of mysteries! Verily Thou art the Pardoner and Thou art the Affectionate. (Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS. (Translated November 22, 1920, by Azizullah S. Bahadur, Mount Carmel, Palestine.) "O God, appoint for him who advances toward Thee and fasts by Thine order, the recompense of those who speak not save by Thy permission" MONTH OF FASTING—March 3d 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. "O God, verily I ask Thee, by Thy Name, by which Thou hast heard the call of the passionate lovers, the cry of the yearning ones, the loud voices of the near ones, the tender sigh of the sincere, and ordained the hope of the desiring ones and granted them what they desired by Thy Bounty and Benevolence, and by the Names by which the Sea of Forgiveness rolled before Thy Face and the Cloud of Generosity showered upon Thy sincere servants, to write (appoint) for him who advances toward Thee and fasts by Thine order, the recompense of those who speak not save by Thy permission and who give up what they have in Thy Cause and Love. "Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Holy, the Shining, the Precious, the Greatest, the Highest, the Abha! And clinging to the Train of Thy Robe, which is being grasped by all those of the life to come and the present one." Portion of the Prayer to be used at Dawn, revealed by BAHA 'ULLAH. On page 254, in letter from Major Tudor-Pole, the name of the First Secretary of the High Commissioner, Palestine, should be Sir Wyndham Deedes, instead of Geedes.
INDEX TO VOLUME 12—Continued
INDEX TO VOLUME 12—Continued
INDEX TO VOLUME 12—Continued
OBITUARY—
PERSIAN SECTIONS—Written by Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi:
INDEX TO VOLUME 12—Continued
--PERSIAN TEXT-- INDEX TO VOLUME 12—Continued
--PERSIAN TEXT-- |
