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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.
WORDS OF ABDUL-BAHA
"Great importance must be given to the development of the STAR OF THE WEST. The circle of its discussion must be widened; in its columns must be published the essential problems pertaining to the Bahai life in all its phases. Its contents must be so universal that even the strangers may subscribe to it. Articles must be published, dealing with the universal principles of the Cause, the writers proving that this Cause takes a vital interest in all the social and religious movements of the age and is conducive to the progress of the world and its inhabitants. In short, the STAR OF THE WEST must promote the aspirations and the ideals that will gather little by little around these general Tablets, bringing into the light of day all the historical, religious and racial knowledge which will be of the utmost value to the Bahai teachers all over the world."
From Unveiling of the Divine Plan.
Vol.12 CONTENTS No. 2
| PAGE | |
Friends assembled on Mashreq'ul-Azkar grounds, March 21st, 1921 | |
Breaking ground for the Foundation of the Mashreq'ul-Azkar— By CARL SCHEFFLER | |
News from the Near East—Letter from ELIZABETH H. STEWART | |
Photograph of Japanese children | |
News from the Far East—Letter from AGNES B. ALEXANDER | |
Tablet from Abdul-Baha to the Editor of the Star of the East. Japan | |
Reduced fac-simile of pages of the Star of the East | |
PERSIAN SECTION—Written by Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi | |
| 1. Tablet to the Ex-Archbishop John Haddad (Greek Church) of Chicago. 2. The First All-India Bahai Convention. 3. News from Persia—Kashan and Hamadan. 4. Activity is the cause of life, while inactivity is the cause of death. 5. Visit to His Holiness Abdul-Baha (continued): Ignorance is worse than all else. Jeering at the prophet. None could jeer at BAHA'O'LLAH. The Holy Land is the place for the "second birth" and the resting place for heart and soul. Safety is in truthfulness. Story of the truthful spy. | |
--PHOTO--
Friends assembled on Mashreq'ul-Azkar grounds, Chicago, March 21st, 1921.
Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi digging first shovelful of earth.
STAR OF THE WEST
"We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; that all nations shall become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men shall be strengthened, that diversity of religion shall cease and differences of race be annulled. So it shall be; these fruitless strifes; these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come."—BAHA'O'LLAH.
Vol. 12 Jalal 1, 77 (April 9, 1921) No. 2
Breaking ground for the Foundation of the Mashreq'ul-Azkar
BY CARL SCHEFFLER
IN the early afternoon on March 21st, Naurooz* day, 1921, a small group of the friends in Chicago made their way to Wilmette, to witness the beginning of the actual work of constructing the first Mashreq'ul-Azkar in America. When they arrived at the grounds, they found several large tracks being unloaded by workmen, and on coming closer they found that the engineers had driven stakes in the ground to locate the places where the caissons are to be sunk to bed rock 120 feet beneath the surface.
All of the believers there were very happy in the thought that this start in construction meant a great success and achievement, and without a doubt a step that would bring a decided advance in the progress of the Cause of God in this country. This beginning of the work must fill all hearts with joy and courage to work harder than ever before to bring it to an early completion. It is a wonderful sign of the majesty and power of the Cause of BAHA'O'LLAH in that, in spite of all prison walls, in the short space of seventy years, it has spread to all parts of the world, and in America to such an extent that such a building could be raised. It is without a doubt a great miracle. For already we are beginning to feel a stir among the people of the world because of it. It is a sign from heaven that is causing all to ask and wonder. Did not Abdul-Baha, years ago, tell us that the stones would be raised up to spread the Cause of God? Certainly "He doeth whatsoever He willeth."
After the work of unloading the materials was completed, all present gathered around the place where the main doorway, i.e., the entrance, which from the center of the building will be directly in line with Haifa, and turning their hearts toward God, they raised their voices in praise and thanksgiving for the great bounty that was bestowed on them. There was a brief ceremony, the Holy Utterances were read, and then each one in turn followed Dr. Bagdadi in breaking the ground.
That was the start. Since then work has not ceased. The great wells are swiftly being sunk and at present they are over 60 ft. deep. May God give strength to those workmen, and an eternal blessing, and let us all arise to do our part, and with strengthened faith and greater sacrifice hasten the glorious work.
Feast of Naurooz—Bahai New Year's day.
News from the Near East—Letter from Elizabeth H. Stewart
Bagdad, Mesopotamia.
January 22, 1921.
Miss Alma E. Albertson, Chicago.
My dear sister in the love of El-Abha:
While I am waiting here for my permission of transports up into Persia, I am writing all my friends. Have been here a week and expected to leave tonight, but received word my permission had not passed the General somebody, and until that is accomplished I must sit here and do nothing and wait. Poor Dr. Moody is wailing for me in Teheran. She loaned me for four months to an English lady going home with her children who had twin babies only six weeks old. I went with her as far as Port Said. From there she went on to England, while I got permission from Abdul-Baha to come up to Haifa. I expected to be gone only about four months, but on account of delays it will be six months before I get back. In Bombay I got malaria, something I never had before and when I reached Haifa was ill in bed. I was forty blessed days there, then started for home. At Port Said waited nine days for ship, but it was full first and second class so I concluded I would try third, as two Bahais from Bombay. Janabi Esphandiar, his wife Bahno Khanum and their two children were returning that way. They were Parsee believers who had been nine months in and around Haifa—her father and mother live there. Well, we started third class—if it had only been clean it would not have been so bad. Added to the general filth of the boat, we had vermin of all kinds and the food was very heavy so the dear kind brother and sister took pity on me and as they were cooking for themselves, included me. I never shall forget their great big generous hearts—not a selfish thought. They were like two good angels until we reached Bombay.
There I found they were getting ready for an All-India Bahai Convention. I found gathered there from north, from south, east and west, Hindoo, Burmese, Parsee, Musselman, Jew and Christian. It was inspiring indeed to hear these different ones speaking in all languages and from the standpoint of their holy book proving to the world today that this is the Day of God. Many questions were asked and answered and all seemed satisfied with the answers given. Truly this Convention will be the means of preparing India for the coming of Abdul-Baha. Mirza Mahmood was the instrumental one and as soon as Abdul-Baha gave him permission, all the others gathered around him and they were as one soul in many bodies. I think before this they have written an article for the STAR. Mr. Shirazi presided and got out of a sick bed to do so. Mr. Vakil, Mr. Hashmatollah, Prof. Pritam Singh, Janabi Seyed Mustaffa, two young men from Burmah, with an old man filled with the Spirit—in fact, all the speakers were intoxicated with the wine of the Spirit. I felt so thankful that Abdul-Baha had permitted me to get there at such a time.
While the trip on the boat was not pleasant this repaid it all, and then I contracted with some people on the steamer whose kind I had not seen before. All over the ship was Lenine's picture and one of the deck hands said if they did not get better food they would stop the ship. But we did not have any such troubles—thank God! Nobody is thinking of helping his brother, it is all for self and God is not in it at all.
I suppose by this time you have seen Mrs. Goodall and Mrs. Cooper. They expected to return by way of Chicago. It was perfectly lovely to be in Haifa the same time they were there and Mrs. Frankland and Mrs. Ralston, also dear Emogene Hoagg, Arthur Redeen and
Fugeta—whom I had never seen before—we were all together in the American Pilgrim House; and every day Abdul-Baha came and lunched with us. My forty days were wonderful ones, indeed. Again I laid my head at the two blessed threshholds. I remembered you all, and the day before I came away, early in the morning before sunrise. Dr. Lotfullah Hakim and I walked up the blessed Mt. Carmel to the holy Tomb of the Báb and prayed and supplicated for all of us. The uplift was tremendous and ever since my heart has been singing one joyous song of praise. O my dear one, there is nothing, nothing in the world today but this Cause; and Abdul-Baha is so loving, so tender, so wonderful in his might and power. One day we drove over in automobiles to Acca and out to the Holy Threshhold of the Tomb of BAHA'O'LLAH. There again after eleven years I was permitted, through the mercy of the Center of the Covenant, to lay my head. I also was in the great prison where they first were confined when they arrived in Acca. I had never been there before, but now it is in the hands of the English who are making a barracks for soldiers but said to Abdul-Baha: "The rooms that your father, BAHA'O'LLAH, occupied we will not do anything with but will keep them for a place of visitation at all times." I think Mrs. Goodall and Mrs. Cooper will tell you of all the happenings and I was there only a short time afterwards but the Greatest Holy Leaf came back from Beyrouth with Touba Khanum, Mirza Mohsen, her husband and small son Foad. I was so glad to see the Greatest Holy Leaf. She is all spirit. I was privileged to see much of the holy household this time and having learned Persian, I could talk with them, especially the Holy Mother who does not know English. She and I grew to love each other very much. Monavar Khanum I saw in Port Said, where she is with her husband Mirza Ahmad Yazdi. Zia Khanum and dear Rouha are serving day and night; as Rouha does the translating for Abdul-Baha for the ladies, she never has a moment to herself. They are a most wonderful household.
When I left Bombay, I came by way of Indian ocean and Persian Gulf to Basrah, where I went from gulf steamer to a river steamer (we were very fortunate as sometimes one has to wait many days for connecting steamer). I was a whole week coming up part of the way on the Euphrates river to a certain point and then coming up the Tigris the rest of the way. The Garden of Eden was supposed to be in this place where the rivers part and there is a tree they point out as the tree of knowledge, but that is very uncertain. At the present time they have two trees of knowledge and call all Mesopotamia the Garden of Eden. The river is so crooked that one does not know if you are coming or going, sometimes the boat would be going due east and in a half hour due west, or north or south as the river turned. The trip was pleasant except one day a very bad fog, and we had to tie up all day.
The first thing I did in Bagdad was to find the friends after I had gotten room at this hotel. We had a beautiful meeting one day from 4 to 6 P. M., and met some fifteen or twenty sturdy Arabs with their fancy head trappings and gold embroidered abas or coats. We had a most spiritual time. They have just begun to open up the work of teaching here. Before they could not do so. Now Abdul-Baha has sent them a teacher from Persia, and I think much work will be done. Then I had the blessed privilege of visiting the holy house here, where the Blessed Beauty used to live—it is in great ruin and not fit to enter. They have all the material ready for rebuilding and in a month they will begin as Abdul-Baha has instructed them. One of the friends here will advance the money and afterward it will be gathered from all the different assemblies. It is a blessed privilege to be able to give towards it.
I made the visit in company with Dr. Naurollah Khan and his wife and young son, an old lady, who has been in the blessed presence of BAHA'O'LLAH, and some others. One of the young women chanted the visiting Tablet in a very sweet voice and again, dear Alma, I could bow my head at His Threshold. How blessed I have been, I cannot be thankful enough for all the mercy of God that I have received. Another day one of the young men came and took me to the Garden of Rizwan* that is in another part of Bagdad. At the present time the English have the garden and have erected a splendid building upon the grounds and have a large hospital. Being a nurse, I had no trouble getting in, but they have put up so many buildings and laid the grounds out, until no one knows just where the sacred spot is. It is situated very near the river. I could go from my hotel, which is on the river, by boat to the garden as well as drive there by carriage for one rupee, or about thirty cents in American money.
I have written you such a book, you may grow tired reading, but I have time here. When I leave here will be traveling every day, first by train from here to a place called Quirito, then from there to Teheran by auto convoy, sometimes thirty or forty machines in the convoy going up over the mountains, which now are covered with snow, and everyone coming in says it is very cold. I bought a large coat, they make them of sheep skin, turning the skin side out, and it
*The garden of Najeeb Pasha has four gates, north, south, east and west. Four roads lead from these gates to the center. It was at the intersection of these roads that BAHA'O'LLAH pitched his tent and proclaimed himself. The roads were lined on either side with cypress trees and between these trees, all spaces were filled with the famous fragrant roses.—Explained by Abdul-Baha to Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi.
is all decorated, the color being yellow. The name of this is pustine. I shall put that on, then wrap up in blankets, have a hot water bottle, which I shall lay in my lap for my hands and then feel as if I were ready. We take our lunchbox with us and teapot and tea, stopping at post houses, get hot water for tea and draw on one's lunchbox. Going in a convoy is very slow traveling and it may take us from ten to fourteen days to reach Teheran, stopping at night at post houses. There are about six hundred miles to cover in this way, and one pass is 1,784 feet high. Traveling in Persia is not play. When I came down this way last fall the roads were fine, we were in a private car and made splendid distance each day. I enjoyed every minute of it. In each city we pass through I hope to see the friends. Here you see the great tie of the love of God, for I go into a city not knowing a person and after I visit the address given me, I am not in want of a friend, in fact, I have a hundred new brothers and sisters all giving me a warm welcome; and especially coming right from Abdul-Baha, they want to know all the news. The holy household all long to go to Persia and see all the dear believers there.
I suppose you know about the passing of dear Lillian Kappes from typhus fever. It has happened since I started back. Abdul-Baha sent me word by a pilgrim who was returning, so any more than the fact I do not know. What a glorious crown she will receive, for she has done a splendid work in the school during these years. For her dear mother and family my heart is sad. But what difference does it make if one is working here or there for the Cause. God knows where we can do the best work, and our lives are in His hands. I thank Him for it all, whatever may be our lot and wherever we may be, here or there. This is the Day of God, and there is nothing else but that. May my life be a sacrifice to His feet and to the life of the friends.
Madam and Mr. Dreyfus-Barney were in Haifa for a week, while I was there, before they left for Singapore and their work in Hindoo-China.
My dearest love for you all, in His name and work,
Elizabeth H. Stewart.
--PHOTO--
A remarkable picture of children who live upon our street who came at the request of Miss Alexander to the Christmas tree festivities. Miss Alexander some time before Christmas planned to have such a meeting for these little children whose playground is the street, so she and Yurican (the little Japanese girl who edits the Star of the East, went the length of the street (about the length of an American city block) inviting those little ones to come. These dear little children sat upon the floor for nearly four hours very quietly and patiently while they were entertained by Mr. Noto and Mr. Ono, two blind believers; also Miss Uri and Mr. Futakami who told them stories and sang songs.—Ida A. Finch.
News from the Far East — Letter from Agnes B. Alexander
Tokyo, Japan.
March 19, 1921.
Beloved friends of the STAR OF THE WEST:
You have probably heard that the light from the STAR OF THE WEST has reached the East. To quote from a letter dictated by our blind brother, Mr. Ono: "Now it seems that the reign of Grace is coming upon this land. The beautiful dawn of Light has reached us, and waves of the light of the STAR OF THE WEST have attained the East, and our little magazine has been born."
The enclosed is the sixth number of our magazine which was born in October, and now it has his (Abdul-Baha's) great confirmation, and he wishes it to be the Star of the East.
The girls whose picture you see on the first page with the Persian copy of their last Tablet, sent their greetings to Abdul-Baha on May 23rd, 1920. They wrote in Japanese, as they know very
(Continued on page 44)
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 shalt spread in every country and clime. Thou art the first paper of the Bahais which is organized in the country of America. Although for the present thy subscribers are limited, thy form is small and thy voice weak, yet shouldst thou stand unshakable, become the object of the attention of the friends and the center of the generosity of the leaders of the faith who are firm in the Covenant, in the future thy subscribers will become hosts after hosts like unto the waves of the sea; thy volume will increase, thy arena will become vast and spacious and thy voice and fame will be raised and become world-wide—and at last thou shalt become the first paper of the world of humanity. Yet all these depend upon firmness, firmness, firmness!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA
O ye apostles of BAHA'O'LLAH—May my life be a ransom to you!
. . . . Similarly, the Magazine, the STAR OF THE WEST, must be edited in the utmost regularity, but its contents must be the promulgator of the Cause of God—so that both in the East and the West they may become informed of 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 | Jalal 1, 77 (April 9, 1921) | No. 2 |
Tablet from Abdul-Baha to the Editor of the Star of the East
To Miss Mochizuki, Japan—Unto her be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious!—through Mr. H. S. Fugeta (Haifa, Palestine).
He Is God!
O thou who art a new grown tree on the meadow of Truth!
Thy letter dated October 14, 1920 has been received. As it was indicative of the susceptibilities of thy conscience, it became the cause of joy.
Japan is like unto a farm whose soil is untouched. Such a soil as this has great capacity. One seed produces an hundredfold. Now, praise be unto God, ye have found such a farm. Ye must develop the lands; ye must free them from thorns and weeds; ye should scatter the seeds of the love of God thereupon, and irrigate them with the rain of the knowledge of God. Rest ye assured that heavenly blessing will be bestowed!
It is my hope that in that farm ye will become divine farmers. The enlightened people of Japan are tired and disgusted with the superannuated and putrefied blind imitations. They are assured that these blind imitations are pure superstitions without any truth. Therefore they have the capacity to hear the Call of God. The land is untouched. We will have to see what the divine farmers will do!
At present thou hast started a journal. It is my hope that this journal will shine as the Star of the East. In the journal write thus:
When the horizon of the East was covered with immense darkness; when dark clouds were predominate, and when all the heavenly stars were concealed to the eye, His Holiness, BAHA'O'LLAH like unto the sun, shone forth from the horizon of the East and with radiating splendor He illumined the Orient.
The light of that Sun of Reality consisted of heavenly teachings which were spread in the Orient, because there the obscurities of blind imitations, of religious, sectarial, racial, political, economic and home prejudices were in ascendency. The darkness of these prejudices had dominated the Oriental world to such a degree
that it had blinded all the eyes and deafened all the ears. There prevailed quarrel and strife, warfare and bloodshed.
In short, it has a long description but I mentioned it briefly. When the Sun of Truth shone forth with all might and energy, these obscure and dark clouds dispersed and the splendid Day presented to the eye an aspect with such freshness and beauty that the wise became astonished; the sick were cured; the blind received sight; the deaf obtained hearing; the dumb proved eloquent, and the dead quickened. A heavenly Table was spread in the Orient. The divine teachings like unto an unshakable edifice were instituted.
The first principle of BAHA'O'LLAH is independent investigation for truth, that is, all the nations of the world have to investigate after truth independently and turn their eyes from the rotten blind imitations of the past ages entirely. Truth is one when it is independently investigated, it does not accept division. Therefore the independent investigation for truth will lead to the oneness of the world of humanity.
Another one of these teachings is the oneness of the world of humanity. All mankind are the trees of the divine garden and the Gardener of this orchard is His Most High, the All Sustainer. The hand of His favor hath planted these trees, irrigated them from the cloud of Mercy and reared them with the energy of the Sun of Truth.
Then there remains no doubt that this heavenly Farmer (Gardener) is kind to all these plants. This truth cannot be denied. It is shining like unto the sun. This is the divine policy and unquestionably it is greater than the human policy. We must follow the divine policy.
The point is this that some people are sick; some are immature and ignorant, and some without any knowledge of their beginning and of their end. The sick should be cured; the immature should be brought to maturity, and the ignorant should be taught to become wise and not that enmity should be exercised towards them.
Similarly describe fully in that journal the other teachings which thou art acquainted with, one by one, a detailed description: For example, that religion must be the cause of concord; that it should agree with science and reason; that it must be a factor of progress to the world of humanity, that it should be free from blind imitations. Another example is that all prejudices are destructive to the foundation of the world of humanity.
Other examples are: The equality of men and women; the universalization of knowledge (education); the creation of one universal language; justice and righteousness; economic facilities among mankind; the need of the world of humanity of the breaths of the Holy Spirit; the establishment of universal peace; the institution of the Supreme Court of Arbitration; the freedom and equality of all mankind; the brotherhood of the world of humanity, and other teachings like these which are mentioned in the Tablets of God. Describe all these teachings fully in the most eloquent and sweetest terms expressive of the most charming realities and insert them in the journal!
It is my hope that thou together with Miss Alexander will be confirmed to accomplish this service. Miss Alexander is the herald of Truth in Japan. Rest assured that she will be confirmed and assisted.
Unto you be the Glory of Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Azizullah S. Bahadur, Mount Carmel, Palestine, December 9, 1920. Received in Tokyo, Japan, March 3d, 1921.)
Ho Popolo de la mondo, vi estas ĉiuj la fruktoj de unu Arbo kaj la folioj de unu Branĉo. Baha'o'llah.
--JAPANESE TEXT--
—(COVER)—
KAŜITAJ VORTOJ
de Baha'o'llah.
4. Ho Filo de Justeco.
Kiu amanto ie ajn krom en la Hejmo de l'Amato loĝas? Kaj kiu serĉanto sen la Dezirato povas ripozi? Sincera amanto vivon en la Apudesto trovas, kaj morton en apartiĝo. Lia brusto je pacienco malplena estas, kaj lia kora je kontento pura estas. Cent mil vivojn li forlasas kaj al la Monto de l'Amato li rapidas.
--JAPANESE TEXT--
--PHOTO--
--JAPANESE TEXT--
Reduced fac-simile of pages from Japanese Bahai magazine, Star of the East.
--JAPANESE TEXT--
ナルーズについて
ｘｘｘ里に於いて千九百十三年三月二十日にアブドル・バハのなした講演から。
齋木仙醉ｘ
私は此ナルーズの機會に諸君を見ることを非常に嬉しく存じます。此日は波斯人には最も神聖な日と考へられてゐます。
此の日太陽は子午線に現れて晝夜は不分です。今日に至るまで北極は暗黒の中にありました。倂し太陽は今日北極の水平線上に現れます。今日太陽は赤道に上り又没します。而して二つの半球は平等に照らされます。此神聖なる日、太陽が平等に全地を照す時は、晝夜平分と呼れます。而して晝夜平分は神のｘ現の象徴です。昇理の太陽は神聖なる慈悲の地平線に上ります。而して其光線を前に送ります。此日は之を記憶するやうに聖別されます。それは春の始です。太陽が赤道に現れるや、それが繐の活ける物に一つの運動を惹き起します。ｘ物界は運動に置かれ、植物は芽を出し初め、沙漠は原野にｘ化し、木はｘし、而して各々の生物は之にｘへます。動物と人との身ｘも此中に含まれてゐます。
赤道に於ける太陽の上りは生の象徴です。而して一様にそれは神の神聖なるｘ現の象徴です。何故なれば神聖なる恵の天に於ける眞理の太陽の上昇は世界に向て生にシグナルを打ち建てたから、人間の賓在は生きることを始めます。我等の思想はｘ化されます。而して我等の知恵はｘめられます。眞理の太陽は永遠の生命を賦與します。恰度太陽系の日が地上の生命の原因であるやうに。
地上に於ける神のｘ現の現れる日は一の神聖なる日であらねばなりません。其日にはひとは祈禱と讃美とにて神をｘ念せねばなりません。古の波斯人の間には此日は年中の聖日として仰がれたものです。而して其上に病院や慈善事業は打ち建てられました。貧者にｘする集金は此日に於いてｘされ、各々の努力は何等か神聖なる痕迹を残すことなしには過ぎることが許されない程張りつめられてゐました。波斯全ｘを通じて人は之をｘ念したものです。ｘ許り多くの善き業によりて此神聖なる日の歴史的痕ｘを見ることができます。
ｘ――千九百十五年三月二十一日以来、バハイ教の新年日が東京に於いてｘせられた。此日は波斯に於ける如くそれだけｘく旦享に於ても一の特ｘなるｘｘを持つて居る。何故なれば此虜にはそれはｘｘ的宗教的聖日であるから。ｘ京にて守られた昨年の此日のｘにｘしてアブドウルバハより一の敎書が受取られた。「東の星」の第一巻第二ｘ十七頁にて載せられたその敎書中、アブドウルバハはバハオラ―のｘ生日として其に引照して居る。之が此日の現賓納の意味である、ｘも其が神のｘ現の象徴であるやうに。 ―――（Ａ, Ｈ, Ａ）――
十二の信條
バハイｘｘの眞髓は「愛」と「統一」の二つにｘきると云ふことができる。その愛によって生きた生活、その統一によって導かれたｘｘ、それこそバハイ運ｘの唯一の目的である。そしてそこから次のやうなアブドルバハの十二の信條が説かれてゐるのである。十二の各々の信條について「愛の宗教」から簡單に要點を拔いて再ｘする。
一、人類の統一
バハウラーは自ら人間界に話しかけてｘつてゐる。「彼等は總て、一つの樹の多くの枝であり、一つの樹の多くの葉であり、一つの樹の多くの果實である。」即ち、存在界は一つの樹に過ぎない。そして民族や人民は、それから出た別々の枝や小枝であり、個々の人間はその果實や花と同じである。
凡てを愛する一つの神は、そのｘい惠みと慈みとを全人類に與へた。「一」も全も最も高いもの（神）の儀である。神の善と、惠みと愛の慈しみとはその總ての創造物の上に注がれる。聖典は私共に「總ての人は神の前には平等である。神はｘｘなものでない」と敎へてゐる。
二、䈯理の獨立探究
誰でも盲目的にその祖先や古人に從つてはならない。ｘ各々が自分のｘで見、自分の耳で聞き、自分で眞理を知る爲に眞理を硏究するべきである。古人ｘｘの宗敎は盲目なｘｘにｘいてゐる。人は皆ｘ文に眞理をｘ求しなければならぬ。
三、諸宗敎の同一ｘｘ
總ての神の敎へる奧にあるｘｘは、一つの實在である。それは、實在でなくてはならない。そして實在は一つであつてｘではない。それｘｘの宗敎のｘｘは一つである。けれど吾々の知つてゐるやうに、ある形式がｘ入つて來た。ある形式のｘｘや儀式がｘ入して來た。ｘｘｘれらは異なつたものであるから、異ｘであり邪ｘである。從つて、それが諸宗敎の間に異を來たすのである。けれど、若し我々がこれらのｘｘを除いてｘｘの實在を認めるならば、我々は總て一致し、宗敎も一つであつてｘでなくなるのである。
四、宗敎人類統一の源
あらゆる宗敎は、神の最も大いなるｘｘであり、人間の間にある生命の源であり、人類の榮えの源であり、そして人類の中に永續する生命のｘ產である。宗敎はｘみやｘみのｘではない。暴虐や不正のためではない。若し宗敎が怨みや憤りのｘとなり、明らかに人々の不和を起すものなら、確かに無宗敎の方がいい。だから宗敎とそれについてゐる敎へとは、丁度治療法のやうなものである。治療法の目的は何であらう。救助と治療である。けれど若しその治療法が單にｘｘから下した診斷や判斷であるなら寧ろ無い方がましである。それと同じく宗敎を捨てることは統一に向かふ一つの階段である。
五、宗敎と科學との調和
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Reduced fac-simile of pages from Japanese Bahai magazine, Star of the East.
News from the Far East—Letter from Agnes B. Alexander
(Continued from page 39)
little English, except Yuri Mochizuki, the one on the far right. Through Mr. Fugeta, they received a reply from Abdul-Baha. The white paper you see in the picture on the table in front of the second girl from the left, is their first Tablet from Abdul-Baha signed with his hand. I enclose the English translation of their last Tablet which is published in Japanese in the magazine on page 76.
On page 73, 74 and 75 is the Japanese translation of the Tablet to Miss Mochizuki, the young editor of this magazine, a girl 21 years of age. At present she is living with me in this little home. The Japanese translation of this Tablet was made by Mr. Fugeta at Abdul-Baha's command.
On page 77 is the New Year Greeting from Abdul-Baha published in the STAR OF THE WEST March 21st, 1918, and on page 78 is the Talk of Abdul-Baha given in Paris on Naurooz, taken from the STAR OF THE WEST March 21st, 1914, page 4.
On page 80 to page 83, the twelve principles are expounded.
On page 84, at the top of the page is a translation of a prayer from Abdul-Baha. Below, on the right, is a poem by Miss Mochizuki on the journey of our brother, Mr. So Muto, who sailed for France last month. Following the poem is something in reference to the subscriptions, etc. On page 85, in the left-hand corner is the subscription notice. It is $1.10 in United States money, or yen 2.20 in Japanese money, a year and is published every month on the 19th day.
Now the East and West will truly join hands to work together in His Great Vineyard, and may the harvest be great!
Forever your loving sister in His service,
Agnes B. Alexander.
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA
To the daughters of the Kingdom, Otoe Murakami, Kimiko Hagiwara, Kazu Fukasawa, Haruko Mori, Yuri Takao, Yuri (Fuyu) Mochizuki, Japan—Unto them be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious!
He is the Most Glorious!
O ye daughters of the Kingdom:
The reflection of your forms (picture) arrived in this Holy Land. Praise be unto God, those figures are luminous. From your eyes the light of the love of God is emanating. This picture has been taken while ye have been in the utmost of joy and happiness. Praise ye God, that in this age of youth ye have entered the Kingdom of God! Ye have become enlightened. Ye have become celestial, divine and heavenly.
Through the graces of His Holiness, BAHA'O'LLAH—May my life be sacrificed for His friends!—I cherish the hope that ye will, day by day progress more and more in the Kingdom of God; that each one of you will shine like unto a brilliant star from the horizon of the Supreme Guidance, thus proving to be the cause of guidance unto others, giving sight unto their eyes, hearing power unto their ears and quickening unto their hearts.
Unto you be the Glory of Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Azizullah S. Bahadur, Haifa, Palestine, January 11, 1921. Received in Tokyo, Japan, March 3rd, 1921.)
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