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STAR OF THE WEST
"We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; that all nations shall become one in faith, and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men shall be strengthened, that diversity of religion shall cease, and differences of race be annulled. So it shall be. These fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come."
[Not in the reprinted edition as identical to Volume 11, p. 4]
[Not in the reprinted edition as identical to Volume 11, p. 5]
The Bahai Revelation
RAPIDLY SPREADING THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, AND ATTRACTING THE ATTENTION OF SCHOLARS, SAVANTS AND RELIGIONISTS OF ALL COUNTRIES—ORIENTAL AND OCCIDENTAL
The Bahai Revelation proclaims the time of universal peace and provides the base for the universal religion—the hope of the ages. It points the way and supplies the means for the unity of mankind in the knowledge and love of truth under the high banner of justice and mercy.
It is divine in origin, human in presentation, sane, practical and applicable to life in its every phase. In belief it inculcates naught but truth; in action, naught but good; in human relations, naught but loving service.
For the information of those who know little or nothing of the Bahai Revelation we quote the following account translated from the (French) Encyclopaedia of Larousse:
BAHAISM: THE RELIGION OF THE DISCIPLES OF BAHA 'ULLAH, AN OUTCOME OF BABISM.—Mirza Husian Ali Nuri, BAHA 'ULLAH, was born at Teheran in 1817 A. D. From 1844 he was one of the first adherents of the Bab, and devoted himself to the pacific propagation of his doctrine in Persia. After the death of the Bab he was, with the principal Babis, exiled to Baghdad, and later to Constantinople and Adrianople, under the surveillance of the Ottoman Government. It was in the latter city that he openly declared his mission, . . . and in his letters to the principal Rulers of the States of Europe he invited them to join him in establishing religion and universal peace. From this time, the Babis who acknowledged him became Bahais. The Sultan then exiled him (1868 A. D.) to Acca in Palestine, where he composed the greater part of his doctrinal works, and where he died in 1892 A. D. (May 29). He had confided to his son, Abbas Effendi (Abdul-Baha), the work of spreading the religion and continuing the connection between the Bahais of all parts of the world. In point of fact, there are Bahais everywhere, not only in Mohammedan countries, but also in all the countries of Europe, as well as in the United States, Canada, Japan, India, etc. This is because BAHA 'ULLAH has known how to transform Babism into a universal religion, which is presented as the fulfillment and completion of all the ancient faiths. The Jews await the Messiah, the Christians the return of Christ, the Moslems the Mahdi, the Buddhists, the fifth Buddha, the Zoroastrians Shah Bahram, the Hindoos the reincarnation of Krishna, and the Atheists—a better social organization! BAHA 'ULLAH represents all these, and thus destroys the rivalries and the enmities of the different religions; reconciles them in their primitive purity, and frees them from the corruption of dogmas and rites. For Bahaism has no clergy, no religious ceremonial, no public prayers; its only dogma is belief in God and in His Manifestations. . . . . The principal works of BAHA 'ULLAH are the Kitab-ul-lghan, the Kitab-ul-Akdas, the Kitab-ul-Ahd, and numerous letters or tablets addressed to sovereigns or to private individuals. Ritual holds no place in the religion, which must be expressed in all the actions of life, and accomplished in neighborly love. Every one must have an occupation. The education of children is enjoined and regulated. No one has the power to receive confession of sins, or to give absolution. The priests of the existing religions should renounce celibacy, and should preach by their example, mingling in the life of the people. Monogamy is universally recommended, etc. Questions not treated of are left to the civil law of each country, and to the decisions of the Bait-ul-Adl, or House of Justice, instituted by BAHA 'ULLAH. Respect toward the Head of the State is a part of respect toward God. A universal language, and the creation of tribunals of arbitration between nations, are to suppress wars. "You are all leaves of the same tree, and drops of the same sea," BAHA 'ULLAH has said. Briefly, it is not so much a new religion, as Religion renewed and unified, which is directed today by Abdul-Baha.—(Nouveau Larousse Illustre, supplement, p. 60.)
STAR OF THE WEST
PUBLISHED NINETEEN TIMES A YEAR
In the Interest of the BAHAI MOVEMENT
By the BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, 515 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
Publishers: Albert R. Windust—Gertrude Buikema—Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi
Entered as second-class matter April 9, 1911, at the postoffice at Chicago, Ill., under the Act of March 3, 1879.
TERMS: $3.00 per year; 20 cents per copy.
Two copies to same name and address, $5.00 per year.
Make Money Orders Payable to BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
To personal checks please add sufficient to cover the bank exchange.
Address all communications to BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
WORDS OF ABDUL-BAHA
"Great importance must be given to the development of the Star of the West. The circle of its discussion must be widened; in its columns must be published the essential problems pertaining to the Bahai life in all its phases. Its contents must be so universal that even the strangers may subscribe to it. Articles must be published, dealing with the universal principles of the Cause, the writers proving that this Cause takes a vital interest in all the social and religious movements of the age and is conducive to the progress of the world and its inhabitants. In short, the Star of the West must promote the aspirations and the ideals that will gather little by little around these general Tablets, bringing into the light of the day all the historical, religious and racial knowledge which will be of the utmost value to the Bahai teachers all over the world."
| Vol. 13 | CONTENTS | No. 1 |
| PAGE | |
Fac-simile of Cover—By Carl Scheffler | 1 |
Twelve Basic Bahai Principles—From the Words of Abdul-Baha | 4 |
The New Day—Words of Abdul-Baha | 6 |
Abdul-Baha in the Garden Surrounding the Shrine of BAHA 'ULLAH | 8 |
The Bahai Revelation—The Religious Need of the Time | 9 |
| By Charles Mason Remey. | |
The Great Convention of 1922—By Albert Vail | 14 |
The Bahai Calendar | 15 |
Editorial—Resurrection | 16 |
"Now, in this world of being, the hand of Divine power hath firmly laid the foundation of this all-highest bounty and this wondrous gift." | 17 |
| Letter from Shoghi Effendi. | |
The Days of Divine Springtime—Talk by Abdul-Baha | 18 |
"The Tree of Life is just beginning to grow. . . . This Tree of Life is the Book of the Covenant" | 19 |
| Last Tablet revealed by Abdul-Baha for the Bahais in America. | |
A glimpse of Abdul-Baha as the Gardener—Letter from Nellie S. French | 26 |
News from the Philippine Islands—Letter from Mirza Hossein Touty | 27 |
Some of the Bahai Assemblies in America | 28 |
PERSIAN SECTION—Fac-simile of Arabic Newspaper published in Haifa, containing eulogies of Abdul-Baha | 32-30 |
[Pages 4 and 5 of this issue have been omitted. They are identical with pages 4 and 5 respectively of Vol. XI.-ED. July 1978]
The New Day
DO you know in what day you are living? Do you realize in what dispensation you are alive? Have you not read in the Holy Scriptures that at the consummation of the ages there shall appear a day which is the sun of all the past days?
This is the day in which the Lord of Hosts has come down from heaven on the clouds of glory! This is the day in which the inhabitants of all the world shall enter under the tent of the Word of God. This is the day whose real sovereign is His Highness, The Almighty. This is the day when the East and the West shall embrace each other like unto two lovers. This is the day in which war and contention shall be forgotten. This is the day in which nations and governments will enter into an eternal bond of amity and conciliation. This century is the fulfillment of the Promised Century.
The East shall become illumined, the West perfumed and the children of men shall enter beneath the all-embracing canopy of the oneness of the world of humanity.
The foundation of divine religion is love, affinity and concord. Praise God that this cycle is the period of illumination! Minds have made great progress; intelligences have been unfolded; the means of unity and agreement are brought about; communication between the races of men is rapidly established. Now is the time that all of us may embrace the law of peace and treat each other with honesty and straightforwardness. Let the religious prejudices be wiped away. Let the law of racial supremacy be discontinued. Let political expediences be done away with. Let the love of country
be superseded by the love of the world. Let us all deal with each other with infinite kindness. We are all the servants at the one Divine Threshold. We are all receiving the rays of truth from the same Sun of Reality. We must all believe in all of the prophets. We must all acknowledge the divine authority of all the heavenly books. We must wash our hearts free of all human prejudices. We must serve God. We must propagate the oneness of the realm of humanity. We must be the cause of the appearance of the perfections of the world of man. We must not be like the beasts of prey. We must not allow carnage and bloodshed. We must regard the blood of man as sacred. We must not shed the holy blood of man for the paltry earth. We must all agree upon one fundamental principle—that principle is the oneness of the kingdom of humanity.
In this age, BAHA 'ULLAH has breathed the Holy Spirit into the dead body of the world. Consequently every weak soul is strengthened by these fresh divine outbreathings. Every poor man will become rich, every darkened soul will become illumined, every ignorant one will become wise, because the confirmations of the Holy Spirit are descending like unto torrents. A new era of divine consciousness is upon us. The world of humanity is going through a process of transformation. A new race is being developed. The thoughts of human brotherhood are permeating all regions. New ideals are stirring the depths of hearts and a new spirit of universal consciousness is being profoundly felt by all men.
—Words of ABDUL-BAHA
--PHOTO--
ABDUL-BAHA
IN THE GARDEN SURROUNDING THE SHRINE OF BAHA 'ULLAH AT BAHJE, NEAR THE CITY OF ACCA, PALESTINE
MAY 1, 1921
Photograph made for Mr. and Mrs. Stuart W. French. See page 26.
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."
| VOL. 13 | BAHA 1, 78 (March 21, 1922) | NO. 1 |
Need of the Time
By CHARLES MASON REMEYIN this day the religious formulae of the past—superstitions, creeds and dogmas—no longer ease the conscience of the world nor bring satisfaction to the mind of the individual adherent of these systems of thought. Humanity is in need of a spiritual power and knowledge with which to meet and solve the problems and conditions of this new day and age. Hence, the general changing and unsettled condition of the religious world which is causing a large and an increasing number of progressive people to quit thinking within the prescribed limits of the religious thought of the past, and to search diligently for those universal fundamental truths of the spiritual realm of life and being, the knowledge of which truths is the religion of God.
The Bahai Movement offers to the world an all-inclusive, universal, spiritual teaching, so broad that people of all races and of all creeds find place therein. It is essentially a religious movement, a spiritual teaching, free from the limitations of sect and "ism," and constructive in its building upon the true faith of the individual and upon the pure teachings of the past, thus increasing love and devotion to God and creating within each soul the desire to manifest the light of these divine attributes through brotherly service to one's fellowmen.
OBJECT.
,The object of the Bahai Revelation is the religious unification of all people. The teaching has come into the world to fulfill all divine teaching of the past. It stands as the goal toward which truth has always worked, through its appearance in the prophets sent unto various peoples of the past ages, and it is the beginning of that age of divine enlightenment and peace, the coming of which has been the theme of all revelations of the past—The Kingdom of God on earth. Thus the Bahai Movement establishes the universal religion which is the foundation of inter-religious, inter-racial and international brotherhood and peace. It offers to mankind a practical basis of unity, one which is in direct line with the great world needs of this age, and it is paving the way for the great universal civilization which will evolve as people of all religions, races and nations
unite both spiritually and materially into one great world people.
DIVINE REVELATION.
Man, being finite, can not comprehend the essence of the Infinite God, which is beyond any and all human conception. However, through the manifestation of the Spirit of God or "The Word," that power which has spoken to the world through the prophets and chosen ones of the past, humanity learns of God, knows His attributes, and is quickened by His Spirit.
Mankind needs and seeks spiritual guidance. This divine guidance has come to humanity through the instrumentality of the Manifestations of God or the prophets or Revealers of Truth. These chosen souls have been the founders of the great religious world-movements. They have manifested the Spirit of God to the people of the world, and through them men have known God and have become quickened by the life of The Kingdom.
THE ONENESS OF THE MANIFESTATIONS.
Though the personalities of the prophets differed, yet the divine power which spoke through each one was the same in spirit and reality. Each prophet revealed God and the law of the divine kingdom in proportion to the needs of the age to which he ministered, and in terms and parables familiar to its people.
In their purity, all religious teachings are in perfect accord; all teach the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Human differences, imaginations and superstitions have been the causes of religious division, dissension and disintegration, but true spirituality has ever been the source and mainspring of man's unity in religion and advancement in civilization. Each of the great world civilizations has had it conception and birth in a spiritually active religion, and the downfall of civilizations has been brought about by spiritually lifeless religions, shrouded in forms and in superstitions.
THE NEW REVELATION.
As the former ages have had certain spiritual or religious needs, so this present and coming universal age, upon the threshold of which the world now stands, has its own peculiar spiritual and religious needs. The world is now ready for the spiritual unity and harmony of its people. The universal religion now comes, in order that the universal civilization may be realized.
The prophets of the past foresaw this latter-day religious need, and they also foresaw the coming of two great teachers and prophets who would minister to the whole world, and fulfill the Covenant of God in establishing the universal religion or the Kingdom upon earth.
The Hebrew prophets dwelt at length upon the coming of the "Ancient of Days," and the glory of His epoch; Jesus, the Christ, spoke many times of His second coming and the establishment of His Father's Kingdom upon earth; the prophet Mohammad taught that the Mahdi would come, followed by the Manifestation of God who would establish the Kingdom; Zoroaster taught of the triumph of light over darkness, of truth over ignorance, and His followers expect the Promised One whom they call Shah Bahram, to accomplish this victory; Gautama, the Buddha, foretold the coming of the great fifth Buddha, who would bring enlightenment to all the world; the Hindu holy books mention another incarnation of Krishna, or the Divine Spirit, whose mission would be universal enlightenment; while the poets and prose writers of all times have depicted the beauty and the perfection of the utopian or millennial age, to be realized when The Great World Master appeared on earth to establish God's rule among the nations. In reality all testified to One who was to come. These
promises of the prophets of old are now realized in the coming of the Bahai Revelators and in the movement which they have established, the people of the various religions find the fulfillment of the sacred teachings of the past, and also the solution of the great latter day problem of religious unity. The Bahai teaching confirms and completes all religious teachings which have gone before, and offers a practical philosophy which meets the present day spiritual needs of humanity.
THE BAB.
On May 23, 1844, there arose in Shiraz, Persia, a young man, Ali Mohemmed by name, who declared Himself to be the Bab, or the forerunner of "He whom God would manifest"—a great teacher, who was soon to appear with manifest signs of divine power, through whose teachings the religious unity of all peoples would be accomplished.
Through his purity of soul and spiritual wisdom the Báb drew unto himself many followers who in turn promulgated his doctrines with so much fervor that within a short time many believed and joined his ranks.
The Báb was met early in his career of teaching by great opposition on the part of the Mussulman clergy and, at their instigation, was placed under military surveillance. In spite of this he continued his teaching, exhorting the people to holiness and sanctity of living, in order that they might be fitted to meet the Promised One, shortly to appear, and to become as mirrors which would reflect his spiritual perfection. Thus the first two years of his ministry passed, at the end of which time, he was seized, by the order of the opposing clerical authorities, and thrust into prison.
*"Bab is the Arabic word for door or gate.
The Báb's imprisonment lasted four years, during which time he taught his followers through letters and epistles smuggled by faithful friends past the guards of the prison. This was followed by a trial in which he was condemned to death upon the charge of heresy. With one of his followers, he suffered martyrdom in the cause of Truth in the city of Tabriz, Persia, on July 9, 1850.
The mission of the Báb being that of precursor of "He whom God would manifest," the institutions and ordinances which he established were for the time being only. With the appearance of The Promised One, the followers (Babis), were commanded to turn their faces unto him, when he, who was to come, would reveal his teachings, divine laws and ordinances, thus completing the foundation of the Kingdom on earth.
The Báb was not alone in being persecuted by the Mussulmans, for with his martyrdom came upon his followers troubles of the most dire nature. Over twenty thousand of these willingly gave up property, family and life rather than deny or recant their faith. As late as 1901, there were one hundred and seventy souls martyred in this Cause at one time in Persia.
BAHA 'ULLAH.
During the days of the Bab's ministry, while his cause was being promulgated by his followers throughout Persia, there were many believers who never met with him in person. Among these was BAHA 'ULLAH, a young man of noble family, who warmly espoused the Cause, publicly upholding and teaching it in Teheran. In 1852, shortly after the Bab's martyrdom, when the persecution of the Babis was at its height, BAHA 'ULLAH, with others of the new faith, was imprisoned in Teheran, and later on with a number of the followers was sent in exile to Baghdad in Irak, Arabia.
During the exile in Baghdad BAHA 'ULLAH,
through his teachings and spiritual insight, gradually brought calmness and assurance to the believers. As the movement gained strength the clerical authorities began to show fear. This led to an international arrangement made between the Turkish and Persian government by which BAHA' ULLAH with a band of the followers was ordered to a more distant exile in Constantinople. In April, 1863, on the eve of his departure from the land of Irak, BAHA' ULLAH declared himself to be the One whose coming the Báb had foretold, "He whom God would manifest."
From Constantinople the exiles were sent to Adrianople, where they remained until 1868, when they were finally sent to the fortified town of Akka (Acre), a penal colony on the Mediterranean just north of Mt. Carmel in Syria. There, in the land of Carmel, where "the coming of the Lord" in this latter day had been foretold by the prophets, BAHA' ULLAH lived and taught; many traveling from great distances to receive instructions from him, while others received teaching through his writings.
With the coming of BAHA' ULLAH the mission and teachings of the Báb were fulfilled and completed; so from that time on the movement became known as the Bahai Movement, and the believers, hitherto called Babis, became known as Bahais, this new name being a derivative of Baha. In the spring of 1892 the mission of BAHA' ULLAH being finished, he passed quietly from this world.
ABDUL-BAHA.
During BAHA 'ULLAH'S ministry his revelation was complete, yet his cause was not explained nor established in the world in general. To this end he, in his testament, as well as in various parts of his teachings, commanded his followers upon his departure to turn their faces toward his eldest son, Abbas, more widely known by this title, "Abdul-Baha," whom he had chosen as their spiritual guide: "The Center of The Covenant" of God to the people of the world, the expounder of his teachings, the one who would establish this great movement and to explain and demonstrate it before the world—the one upon whose shoulders his mantle would fall.
Abdul-Baha was born in Teheran, Persia, on the 23rd day of May, 1844, the day upon which the Báb first declared his message. During all the trials and vicissitudes of the mission of BAHA 'ULLAH, Abdul-Baha was at his right hand promulgating his cause and serving his followers. He was the first of all to recognize BAHA 'ULLAH as the Promised One and to voice the mighty message of the coming mission of the "Lord of the ages."
Abdul-Baha wished to be known as the servant of humanity. He sought no higher station than this, yet when one understands all that this means one realizes the combination of humility and exaltation which it implies. He made but one claim for himself, as to his spiritual station, that of service in the path of God. He signed himself "Abdul-Baha Abbas," which, being translated, is "Abbas, the Servant of Baha." Abdul-Baha was acknowledged by the Bahais as their spiritual leader, and the one to be emulated in the teaching of this great faith in the world. He, through his example, brought the spiritual life of BAHA' ULLAH within the reach of his followers, the Bahais. He was the first fruit of the consummation of God's Latter Day promise to the world, and he was the center from which the light was radiated to the world; therefore he in his mission lived and exemplified his title of "The Center of The Covenant."
Abdul-Baha's life was one of active service to humanity. There was no element in the daily life of this world too small to receive his attention. The great motive power manifesting through him was not of this world but was of
God. He worked to serve God, yet by serving God he served mankind. From his early childhood until his 64th year he was an exile and a prisoner; yet the light of his life and teachings reached and pentrated to the far corners of the earth. For forty years Abdul-Baha was a prisoner in the fortress of Acca—held there by the Sultan of Turkey for no other reason than that his teaching was bringing enlightenment and freedom of thought to all who came within the radius of its power. With the fall of the old despotic regime of Turkish government and the establishment of a constitutional rule, which occurred in the summer of 1908, Abdul-Baha was liberated from prison, and became free to come and go as he willed. During the summer and fall of 1911 he visited England and France, where he spent some months in teaching; and in 1912 he spent eight months in America, traveling and teaching from coast to coast, visiting many cities and towns where he had friends and where there were those to listen to his explanations of religious questions and seeking that vitalizing spiritual force which so characterizes his presence.
Upon this tour, in both America and Europe, the pulpits of many Christian churches of various sects and cults, institutions of learning, and the platforms of philosophical and humanitarian movements of various types sought Abdul-Baha and welcomed his message of the Oneness of the World of Humanity. The people who heard him were rejoiced by the spirit which he radiated, and those who came within the field of his spiritual love and power, were strengthened and inspired.
Abdul-Baha had the power of really penetrating the souls of men, of understanding the needs of each individual soul, and of ministering to them in the most beneficial manner. He was the spiritual physician of humanity. Many beautiful and touching incidents are related in the East of the way in which, through long suffering and kindness, he won the hearts of those who, because of their prejudices, formerly were his enemies. Caring for the sick and protecting the oppressed formed a large part of his daily duties. One of the titles applied to him in the Orient was "father of the poor."
Abdul-Baha's power was that of love. In going into his presence something within one's soul seemed to respond to his soul. Thus a spiritual bond was made which was most far-reaching, for it was of the nature of divine love and always remained with one. Through his life and example, he taught people the life and the way of the Kingdom. He had a message for every one, and as one met and contacted with him in spirit it was as if a new force were added to one's nature. The power of the love of God was brought very close to those who came in contact with Abdul-Baha.
From many countries people of different beliefs went to Abdul-Baha to receive spiritual help, and upon leaving him returned to their various homes to share with others the joy and assurance of his spiritual message and to follow in his path of service. He was the perfect life, and as the people contacted with him they found in him the center of this spiritual light of this new day and age. From that center was flowing the regenerative Bahai spirit, which is making things anew, re-establishing religion, reviving faith in God and uniting humanity in the one universal brotherhood of God's kingdom.
On November 28th, 1921, his glorious service finished in the body, he ascended to the Kingdom of Abha, leaving a Will and Testament—The Book of the Covenant—in which he appointed his grandson, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani*
*We present on page 17 the first message of Shoghi Effendi to the American Bahais.—The Editors.
Guardian of the Cause and Head of the House of Justice, a body of men to be chosen from the believers because of their spiritual qualifications for wisdom and divine knowledge.
GROWTH OF THE MOVEMENT.
The movement under the Báb was practically confined to the Islamic countries. During the ministry of BAHA' ULLAH the message was taken to various other countries of the Orient and under the ministration of Abdul-Baha it spread the world around. There are not only centers of Bahai teaching in China, Japan, Burma, India, Persia, Turkistan, Caucasia, the Turkish countries and in Egypt, but there are strong Bahai centers in France, Germany, England and throughout the United States and Canada. This growth has been a comparatively slow but steady one. It is not limited by religious nor racial conditions, which is proven by the many heterogeneous elements which this Cause is assimilating and fusing into one element, which is the world type of man.
The universal principles of Truth, which the Bahai Movement is teaching, are already seen in the way in which this teaching appeals to people of all religions, races and nationalities. When a soul becomes touched by the Bahai Spirit he becomes a citizen of the world, quite freed from the limitations of his former environment, while his social and religious prejudices inherited from forebears and environment are changed into a desire to do something toward world brotherhood through tangible service to his fellowmen. In the Bahai meetings—notably those in the East—one sees Christians, Jews, Moslems, Zoroastrians, Hindus and Buddhists mingling as brothers and eating at the same tables. It has been the writer's privilege to travel extensively and to attend many such reunions. He has spent much time in the Oriental countries and has seen the spiritual blending of the Orient and Occident, which process is being brought about by the love and devotion of the Bahais, one for another. These people are really demonstrating the power of divine love, for with them it is so powerful as to overcome all religious and racial antipathy and is producing real brotherhood and peace.
ONE of the most important Conventions in the Bahai history of America is to be held at the Auditorium Hotel, Chicago, April 22nd-26th. It is the first great assembling of the Master's American disciples since his ascension. May it be like the council on the mountain top which Abdul-Baha described so graphically when the disciples of old dedicated themselves to spread the Cause of Christ throughout the world. Now is the hour of a new dedication, a new severance. May it prove to be a new descent of the Holy Spirit.
This is also the first Convention which will see the foundations of the Mashreq Ul-Azkar, God's Universal Temple, actually arising at Wilmette. This is the first Convention to have a message from the beloved Guardian of the Cause, Shoghi Effendi. We hope it will be a great teaching Convention and will open a glorious epoch in spreading the Cause of God.
At the Feast of Rizwan, at the Auditorium Hotel, at 6 p. m., Saturday, April 22nd, the pilgrims just returned from Haifa, Mr. Mills, Mr. Wilhelm,
Mrs. True, Mr. Remey and Mrs. Randall, will bring the latest news from the family of the Master and the Guardian of the Cause. The Convention will hold its sessions morning and afternoon on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The friends will visit the Temple grounds and see the splendid progress on the foundations Sunday morning. The sessions of the Bahai Congress will be held Sunday at 3 p. m., Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 8 p. m., with addresses upon the new Bahai principles, the influence of BAHA 'ULLAH and Abdul-Baha and the spread of the Divine Teachings throughout the world.
Albert Vail.
THE Bahai year begins on March 21st, and is divided into 19 months of 19 days each, plus 4 (or 5 every fourth year) intercalary days—February 26th to March 1st, inclusive.
The first day of each Bahai month falls as follows:
| MONTH | NAME | FIRST DAYS |
1st | Baha' (Splendor) | Mar. 21 |
2nd | Jalal (Glory) | Apr. 9 |
3rd | Jamal (Beauty) | Apr. 28 |
4th | Azamat (Grandeur) | May 17 |
5th | Nur (Light) | June 5 |
6th | Rahmat (Mercy) | June 24 |
7th | Kalimah (Words) | July 13 |
8th | Asma (Names) | Aug. 1 |
9th | Kamal (Perfection) | Aug. 20 |
10th | Eizzat (Might) | Sept. 8 |
11th | Masheyat (Will) | Sept. 27 |
12th | Elm (Knowledge) | Oct. 16 |
13th | Kudrat (Power) | Nov. 4 |
14th | Kowl (Speech) | Nov. 23 |
15th | Massa'il (Questions) | Dec. 12 |
16th | Sharaf (Honor) | Dec. 31 |
17th | Sultan (Sovereignty) | Jan. 19 |
18th | Mulk (Dominion) | Feb. 7 |
19th | Ola (Loftiness) | Mar. 2 |
| (Month of fasting.) |
The following days and seasons are observed by the Bahais:
Feast of Naurooz—the Bahai New Year—March 21st.
Feast of Rizwan—(Paradise)—commemorating the Declaration of BAHA 'ULLAH in the Garden of El-Rizwan in Bagdad, April 21st, 1863. This season of feasting lasts twelve days—April 21st to May 2nd, inclusive. The first, ninth and twelfth days (April 21st, April 28th and May 2nd) are especially celebrated.
Anniversary of the Declaration of the BAB—May 23rd. (1844).
Anniversary of the Departure of BAHA 'ULLAH—May 28th. (1892)
Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the BAB—July 9th. (1850).
Anniversary of the Birth of BAHA 'ULLAH—November 12th. (Born in Nur, Persia, 1817.)
Feast of the Appointment of the Center of the Covenant, ABDUL-BAHA—November 26th.
[It may be the 28th will be observed as it is the anniversary of ABDUL-BAHA'S ascension.—The Editors]
Intercalary Days—During which hospitalities are extended to friends, the poor and the needy—February 26th to March 1st, inclusive.
Month of the Fast—March 2nd to 20th, inclusive, during which no manner of food or drink is to be taken between sunrise and sunset. Fasting is enjoined upon every one. Children, travelers, sick and infirm people, pregnant women and nursing mothers are free from this obligation.
O thou Star of the West!
Be thou happy! Be thou happy! Shouldst thou continue to remain firm and eternal, ere long, thou shalt become the Star of the East and shalt spread in every country and clime. Thou art the first paper of the Bahais which is organized in the country of America. Although for the present thy subscribers are limited, thy form is small and thy voice weak, yet shouldst thou stand unshakable, become the object of the attention of the friends and the center of the generosity of the leaders of the faith who are firm in the Covenant, in the future thy subscribers will become hosts after hosts like unto the waves of the sea; thy volume will increase, thy arena will become vast and spacious and thy voice and fame will be raised and become worldwide—and at last thou shalt become the first paper of the world of humanity. Yet all these depend upon firmness, firmness, firmness!
O ye apostles of BAHA'ULLAH—May my life be a ransom to you!
. . . . Similarly, the Magazine, the Star of the West, must be edited in the utmost regularity, but its contents must be the promulgator of the Cause of God—so that both in the East and West, they may become informed with the most important events.
Star of the West Committee—Convention of 1921
| Chas. Mason Remey, Chairman | |
| Dr. Wm. F. Slater | Albert Vail |
| Carl Scheffler | Martha Root |
| Editorial Staff: Albert R. Windust—Gertrude Buikema—Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi | |
| Honorary Member: Mirza Ahmad Sohrab | |
| VOL. 13 | BAHA 1,78 (March 21, 1922) NO. 1 |
Allaho' Abha!
The year seventy-eight of the Bahai era dawns.
A new phase of the Divine Springtime is at hand.
The rolling away of the stone of sadness from the tomb of last year's profound grief—because of the disappearance of the physical form of His Holiness Abdul-Baha from this material world—will come through the trumpet call sounded in his last Will and Testament—the Book of the Covenant.
And the arising of the united body of the Bahais with the chosen Head and Guardian of the Cause—Shoghi Effendi—to fulfill the commands of God in this great Book of the Covenant, will be this new Resurrection.
In this issue of the STAR OF THE WEST we publish the last Tablet revealed by Abdul-Baha, together with the first letter of Shoghi Effendi to the Bahais of America.
The trumpet of the Covenant is sounding!
hath firmly laid the foundation of this all-highest bounty and this wondrous gift"
The First Letter from Shoghi Effendi to the Bahais of AmericaDearly beloved brethren and sisters in Abdul-Baha:
At this early hour when the morning light is just breaking upon the Holy Land, whilst the gloom of the dear Master's bereavement is still hanging thick upon the hearts, I feel as if my soul turns in yearning love and full of hope to that great company of his loved ones across the seas, who now share with us all the agonies of his separation.
It is idle for me to emphasize how much the sorrowful ladies of the holy household look forward to the work that lies before the friends on the American continent, who, in the past, have rendered so glorious a service to his Cause and will now, faithful to his special love for them, carry on their mission still more gloriously than ever before. True, the shock has been too terrible and sudden for us all to recover from in so short a time, but whenever we recall his sayings and read his writings, hope springs in our hearts and gives us the peace that no other material comfort can give.
How well I remember when, more than two years ago, the beloved Master turning to a distinguished visitor of his, who was seated by him in his garden, suddenly broke the silence and said: "My work is now done upon this plane. It is time for me to pass on to the other world."
Did he not on more than one occasion state clearly and emphatically: "Were ye to know what will come to pass after me, surely would ye pray that my end he hastened!"
In a Tablet sent to Persia, when the storm raised years ago by the Committee of Investigation was fiercely raging around him, when the days of his incarceration were at their blackest, he revealed the following:
"Now in this world of being, the hand of Divine Power hath firmly laid the foundations of this all-highest bounty and this wondrous gift. Gradually whatsoever is latent in the innermost of this holy cycle shall appear and be made manifest, for now is but the beginning of its growth and the day-spring of the revelation of its signs. Ere the close of this century and of this age, it shall be made clear and manifest how wondrous was that springtide and how heavenly was that gift!"
With such assuring utterances and the unmistakable evidences of his sure and clear knowledge that his end was nigh, is there any reason why the followers of his Faith, the world over, should be perturbed? Are not the prayers he revealed for us sufficient source of inspiration to every worker in his Cause? Have not his instructions paved before us the broad and straight path of teaching? Will not his now doubly effective power of grace sustain us, strengthen us and confirm us in our work for him? Ours is the duty to strive, by day and night, to fulfill our own obligations and then trust in his guidance and never failing grace.
Unity amongst the friends, selflessness in our labors in his path, detachment from all worldly things, the greatest prudence and caution in every step we take, earnest endeavor to carry out only what is his holy will and pleasure, the constant awareness of his presence and of the example of his life, the absolute shunning of whomsoever we feel to be an enemy of the Cause; these—and
foremost among them is the need for UNITY—appear to me as our most vital duties should we dedicate our lives for his service. Should we, in this spirit, arise to serve him, what surer and greater promise have we than the one his glorious father, BAHA 'ULLAH, gives us in his Most Holy Book: "Verily, we behold you from our realm of effulgent glory, and shall graciously aid whomsoever ariseth for the triumph of our Cause, with the hosts of the Celestial Concourse and a company of our chosen angels."
How dearly the holy Leaves cherish that memory of the departed Master as he commented upon the fresh tidings that poured in from that continent, admiring the untiring activity of the friends, the complete subordination of their material interests to those of the Cause, the remarkable spread of the Movement in their midst and their staunch firmness in the Covenant of BAHA 'ULLAH.
It is these encouraging reflections of the Master about his loved ones in America and the tests intellectual rather than physical which he said he would send to them to purify them and make ever brighter than before—it is these comments and promises of his that make of the Movement in that land such a potential force in the world today. The beloved Master's cable to the friends in that region is a clear indication of the presence of those counteracting forces that may usher in those storms of tests that the Master himself has said will ultimately be for the good of the Cause in that land.
And finally, the ladies of the sacred household and we, the rest of his kindred and family, will pray at his hallowed shrine for every one of you, and he will surely watch over and enhance, in the course of time, that noble part of his heritage that he has bequeathed to his friends in the far west—friends from whom in return he expects so much and whom he has loved and still doth love so dearly.
Your sincere co-worker in his Cause,
(Mailed from Haifa, Palestine, January 21, 1922. Received at 104 Wall Street, New York City, February 17, 1922.)
A talk by Abdul-Baha at the Shrine of the Bab, Mount Carmel, at a feast given
by Aga Zeaollah of Ishkabad, Nov. 28, 1920.A TABLET was chanted, then the Master said: "Springtime is the time of buds and blossoms and flowers, but the season of fruits is after the springtime. The days of the Manifestations of God are like the season of the spring.
"In the time of the Manifestation Moses, the buds and flowers which appeared were turned into fruits some time after Moses' departure. Similarly in the days of His Holiness Christ, his words and utterances produced fruit afterwards. At the time of His Holiness the Prophet, (Mohammad) he planted the tree of Tooba with his own hand, but that tree also produced fruits afterward.
"Now we hope that the fruits of man's existence will appear in these days (or seasons). In the Koran it says: 'Before long God will bring forth people whom He loves and who love Him.' When they said to His Holiness Christ: 'Your followers do not behave according to discipline
and rules.' His Holiness Christ answered them: 'These are the days of marriage and not the days of discipline. The days of rules and discipline will come afterwards.' This means that the fruit of the trees will be gathered in summer and not in the spring. There were some people who appeared at Khorassan, and in reality revived the religion of His Holiness the Prophet, otherwise his religion would have been utterly destroyed. These people were souls who were severed from all desire save service.
"Now also our hope is that in these days the Holy Cause may yield its fruits. That the friends of God may become so self-sacrificing that the Cause may bring forth much fruit. The days are passing, before long a whirlwind of dust will place everybody in their graves.
"As long as we are living we must be all the time thinking of the promotion of the Word of God, so that the heavenly life may illumine all the world and may change this world of dust into paradise and change this wilderness of thorns into a rose garden."
(Translated by Mirza Azizollah S. Bahadur. Copied by E. H. S., Teheran, Persia.)
of Life is the Book of the Covenant"
The Last Tablet Revealed by Abdul-Baha for the Bahais in America
To all the friends of God in America—The Glory of God rest upon them!
He Is God!O ye friends of God!
Abdul-Baha is day and night thinking of you and mentioning you, for the friends of God are dear to him. Every morning at dawn I supplicate the Kingdom of God and ask that you may be filled with the breath of the Holy Spirit, so that you may become brilliant candles, shine with the light of guidance and dispel the darkness of error. Rest assured that the confirmations of the Abba Kingdom will continuously reach you.
Through the of the Divine springtime, the downpour of the celestial clouds and the heat of the Sun of Reality, the Tree of Life is just beginning to grow. Before long it will produce buds, bring forth leaves and fruits and cast its shade over the East and the West. This Tree of Life is the Book of the Covenant.
In America, in these days, severe winds have surrounded the lamp of the Covenant, hoping that this brilliant light may be extinguished and this Tree of Life may he uprooted. Certain weak, capricious, malicious and ignorant souls have been shaken by the earthquake of hatred, of animosity, have striven to efface the divine Covenant and Testament, and render the clear water muddy so that in it they might fish.* They have arisen against the Center of the Covenant like the people of the Beyan [The Book of the Bab] who attacked the Blessed Beauty (BAHA 'ULLAH) and every moment uttered a calumny. Every day they seek a pretext and secretly arouse doubts, so that the Covenant of BAHA may be completely annihilated in America.
O friends of God! Be awake, be awake, be vigilent, be vigilent! His Holiness the Báb made a Covenant for BAHA 'ULLAH with all the people of the Beyan,
*This is a saying in Persian meaning: "One creates trouble in order to profit by it."
so that on the day of the appearance of "Him-whom-God-shall-manifest"; and of the radiation of the light of BAHA 'ULLAH, they might believe and be assured, arise in service and promulgate the Word of God. Later the people of the Beyan, like Mirza Yahya and many others, arose against the Blessed Beauty, invented every sort of calumny, aroused doubt in the minds of the people, and from the books of His Holiness the Bab, that were full of references to "Him-whom-God-shall-manifest," tried to prove BAHA 'ULLAH false. Every day they wrote and spread a pamphlet opposing BAHA 'ULLAH, caused trouble and perplexity among the people; they inflicted the greatest injury and cruelty, yet counted themselves firm in the Covenant of His Holiness the Bab. However, when the light of the Covenant of His Holiness the Báb lighted the universe, then all the faithful and sincere souls were freed from the darkness of the violation of the people of the Beyan and shone like brilliant candles.
BAHA 'ULLAH in all the Tablets and Epistles forbade the true and firm friends from associating with and meeting the violators of the Covenant of His Holiness the Bab, saying that no one should go near them because their breath is like the poison of the snake that kills instantly.
In the Hidden Words He says: "Esteem the friendship of the just, but withhold both mind and hand from the company of the wicked."
Addressing one of the friends He says: "It is clear to your honor that before long satan, in the garb of man, will reach that land and will try to mislead the friends of the Divine Beauty through temptations which arouse the desires of self, and will cause them to follow the footsteps of satan away from the right and glorious path, and prevent them from attaining the blessed shore of the King of Oneness. This is a hidden information of which we have informed the chosen ones lest they may be deprived of their praiseworthy station by associating with the embodiments of hatred. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all the friends of God to shun any person in whom they perceive the emanation of hatred for the glorious Beauty of Abha, though he may quote all the heavenly utterances and cling to all the Books." He continues, glorious be His Name: "Protect yourselves with utmost vigilance, lest you be entrapped in the snare of deception and fraud," This is the advice of the Pen of Destiny.
In another address He says: "Therefore, to avoid these people will be the nearest path by which to attain the Divine good-pleasure; because their breath is infectious, like unto poison." In another Tablet He says: "O Kazim, close thine eye to the people of the world; drink the water of knowledge from the heavenly Cup Bearers and listen not to the nonsensical utterances of the manifestations of satan, because the manifestations of satan are occupying today the observation posts in the glorious path of God and preventing the people by every means of deception and ruse (from following the path). Before long you will witness the turning away of the people of Beyan from the Manifestation of the Merciful."
In another Tablet He says; "Endeavor to your utmost to protect yourselves, because satan appears in different robes and appeals to everyone according to each person's own way, until he becomes like unto him (satan), then he will leave him alone." In another Tablet He says: "Shun any man in whom you perceive enmity for this Servant, though he may appear in the garb of piety, of the former and later people, or may arise to the worship of the two worlds." In another Tablet He says: "O Mahdi! Be informed by these utterances and shun the manifestations of the people of hell, the rising-place of Nimrods (King who cast Abraham into the fire), the rising-place of Pharaohs,
the fountain of Tagut (satan, or any object worshipped except God), and the soothsayers.
Again He says: "Say, O my friend and my pure ones! Listen to the voice of this beloved prisoner in this Great Prison. If you detect in any man the least perceptible breath of violation, shun him and keep away from him." Then He says: "Verily, they are manifestations of satan." In another Tablet He says: "And turn your faces to the Great Countenance for before long the foul odors of the wicked persons will pass over those regions. God willing you may remain protected during those days."
In the 18th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, 6th to 9th verses, His Holiness Christ says: "But whoso shall one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye oifend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee."
And in the 21st chapter and 38th verse of the Gospel of Matthew He says: "But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him." Also in the 22nd chapter and the 14th verse of the Gospel of Matthew He says: "For many are called, but few are chosen."
In the holy writings of His Holiness BAHA 'ULLAH, in a thousand places at least, the violators of the Covenant are execrated and condemned. Some of the heavenly passages will be mentioned.
In short, all the friends in America know that the founders of this sedition, namely, violators of the Covenant, are people whose aims are known to all the friends. Yet, O glorious God, they are deceived by them!
Praise be to God, you know with perfect clearness that His Holiness Christ was extremely kind and loving, yet there were people like Judas Iscariot who, by their own deeds, separated themselves from Christ. Therefore, what fault of Christ's could that be? Now the Nakazene (violators) say that Abdul-Baha is despotic, drives some people out and excommunicates like the Pope. This is not so at all! Any person who has left (the Cause) did so because of his own actions, intrigues and evil plots. If this objection be raised against Abdul-Baha, they must also object to the Blessed Beauty who, with distinct and conclusive command, forbids the friends from companionship and familiarity with the violators of the people of Beyan.
Supplication:
O Lord of the Covenant! O luminous Star of the world! The persecuted Abdul-Baha has fallen into the hands of persons who appear as sheep and in reality are ferocious wolves; they exercise every sort of oppression, endeavor to destroy the foundation of the Covenant, and claim to be Bahais. They strike at the root of the Tree of the Covenant, and count themselves persecuted, just as did the people of Beyan who broke the Covenant of His Holiness the Bab, and from six directions shot arrows of reproach and calumny at Thy blessed body. Notwithstanding this great oppression they call themselves oppressed. Now this servant of Thy threshold has also fallen into the hands of oppressors.
Every hour they contrive new intrigues and fraud, and bring forth new calumny.
O thou BAHA 'ULLAH! Protect the stronghold of Thy Cause from these thieves and safeguard the lamps of the Kingdom from these malevolent winds!
O thou BAHA 'ULLAH! Abdul-Baha did not rest a moment until he had raised Thy Cause and the Standard of the Kingdom of Abha waved over the world. Now some people have arisen with intrigues and evil aspirations to trample this flag in America, but my hope is in Thy confirmations. Leave me not single, alone and oppressed! As Thou didst promise, verbally and in writing, that Thou wouldst protect this gazelle of the pasture of Thy love from the attacks of the hounds of hatred and animosity, and that Thou wouldst safeguard this persecuted sheep from the claws and teeth of the ferocious wolves, now do I await the appearance of Thy bounties and the realization of Thy definite promise. Thou art the true Protector, and Thou art the Lord of the Covenant! Therefore, protect this Lamp which Thou hast lighted, from the severe winds.
O thou BAHA 'ULLAH! I have forsaken the world and its people, am heartbroken because of the unfaithful—and am weary. In the cage of this world I flutter like a frightened bird and long for the flight to Thy Kingdom.
O thou BAHA 'ULLAH! Make me to drink the cup of sacrifice, and free me! Relieve me from these difficulties, hardships, afflictions and troubles! Thou art the Assister, the Helper, the Protector and The Supporter!
Now, some of the writings, prayers and verses of the Blessed Beauty will be mentioned in which association with the violators is forbidden:—
In the Persian Commune He says: "Protect this Servant from the doubts of the persons who have turned away from Thee and are deprived of the sea of Thy knowledge. O God, O God! Protect this Servant through Thy bounty and generosity from the evil of Thine enemies who have broken Thy Covenant and Testament."
In another place He says; "O my God, and the aim of my life! Protect this weak one with Thy mighty hand from the voice of the Na'ik"*
Also He says: "Ye have taken one whom I hate to be your beloved, and my enemy to be your friend."
Also He says: "The company of the wicked ones increaseth sorrow, and the association with the pious ones removes rust from the heart. The one who desires to associate with God, let him assoeiate with His friends; the one who wishes to hear the words of God, let him hear the words of His chosen ones."
Also He says: "Do not associate with the wicked, because the company of the wicked changeth the light of life into the fire of remorse. If thou asketh for the bounties of the Holy Sprit, associate with the pure ones, because they have quaffed the eternal chalice from the hands of the Cupbearer of eternity."
Also He says: "The greatest of degradation is to leave the shadow of God and enter under the shadow of satan."
Also He says: "O ye servants! There is nothing in this heart save the effulgences of the splendor of the morn of meeting (with God), and it does not speak but the absolute truth from your Lord. Therefore, do not follow self; break not God's Covenant and violate not His Testament. Proceed with perfect
*Na'ik—Croaker. Also refers to the calf worshipped by some of the Israelites.
steadfastness and with heart, soul and tongue, turn unto Him, and be not of the thoughtless."
And still He says: "You have forgotten God's Covenant and violated His Testament."
And again He says: "If anyone comes to you with the book of the wicked, put him behind you."
Again: "Among the people are those who have broken the Covenant, and among them are those who have followed what was ordained by the All-knower, the All-wise. My affliction is not from my imprisonment and persecution, or from what comes to me from my rebellious servants, but from the actions of those who attribute themselves to this persecuted One and commit among the people that which is degrading to the honor of God. Verily, they are of the seditious!"
Likewise speaking for the violators He says: "Thou hast made the pulpits for Thy mention, the proclamation of Thy Word and the manifestation of Thy Cause, and we [the violators] have ascended them to proclaim the breaking of Thy Covenant and Testament."
Likewise He says: "Take what has been ordained for you and follow not those who have broken God's Covenant and Testament, for lo! They are the people of error."
Again He says: "Those who have broken the Covenant of God, notwithstanding His commands, and have turned away, they are the people of error before the Most Opulent, the Exalted."
And He says: "Those who have been faithful to God's Covenant are the highest ones in the sight of the exalted Lord. Those who have become negligent are of the people of fire in the sight of Thy Lord, the Beloved, the Independent."
Likewise He says: "Blessed is the servant or maid-servant who believes, and woe to the polytheists who have violated the Covenant of God and His Testament, and deviated from My right path."
Likewise He says; "I implore of Thee not to deprive me of what Thou possessest or what Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones who have not broken Thy Covenant and Testament. Say! Die with your hatred! Verily, He is come by whom the pillars of the world have been shaken, and because of whom the feet have stumbled, save those who have not broken the Covenant, but have followed what God revealed in His Book."
Likewise He says: "The Supreme Concourse will pray for the one who is adorned with the garment of faithfulness between heaven and earth; but he who breaks the Covenant is cursed by heaven and earth."
Likewise He says: "Take hold of what has been revealed unto you, with a power superior to that of the hands of the unbelievers who have violated the Covenant of God and His Testament, and have turned from the Face."
Also He says: "O Yahya! Verily, the Book has come! Take it with a power from us and do not follow those who have broken the Covenant of God and His Testament, and have denied what has been revealed from the Powerful, the All-knower."
Likewise He says: "I awoke this morning, O my God, under the shadow of Thy great bounty and have taken, with Thy power, the pen to mention Thee with such mention as shall be a light unto the pure and fire unto the wicked who have violated Thy Covenant, denied Thy verses and put aside the Kawther
of Life which appeared by Thy command and was revealed by the finger of Thy will."
In a Tablet to Abdul-Baha He says also: "O God! This is a Branch which has sprung forth from the Tree of Oneness, the Sadrat of Thy unity. O God, Thou seest him (the Branch) looking to Thee and clinging to the rope of Thy bounties. Protect him in the shelter of Thy mercy! Thou knowest, O my God, that I do not desire him save for what Thou dost desire him, and I do not choose him save for what Thou dost choose him. Assist him with the hosts of Thy earth and Thy heaven. Assist, O God, those who assist him and choose those who choose him. Confirm those who draw nigh unto him and debase those who deny him and do not want him. O God, Thou seest that at this moment of revelation my pen shakes and my being trembles. I ask Thee, by my impatience in Thy love and my willingness to proclaim Thy Cause, to ordain for him and his friends what Thou hast ordained for Thy Messengers and the faithful ones of Thy revelation. Verily, Thou art the Powerful and the Omnipotent! By God, O people, my eye weeps, and the eye of Ali (the Fourth Caliph) weeps in the Supreme Concourse; my heart throbs, and the heart of Mohammed throbs in the Courts of Abha; my heart and the hearts of the prophets lament with the people of knowledge, if you are of those who are possessed with sight. My sorrow is not for myself, but for the one who comes after me in the shadow of the Cause with a clear, undeniable reign; because these will not acknowledge his manifestation and will deny his evidences and verses, will dispute his power, will antagonize him and will be traitors to his Cause, as they did to his person in those days, and ye were witnesses."
Again in a Tablet to Abdul-Baha He says: "O Greatest Branch! Verily, thy illness caused me sorrow, but God will cure thee, and He is the most generous and best helper. Glory be upon thee and upon those who serve thee and encircle thee! Woe and torment be upon him who opposes and torments thee! Blessed is he who befriends thee, and hell be for him who opposes thee."
Likewise He says: "Is it possible that after the dawning of the Sun of Thy Testament from the horizon of Thy greatest Tablet, that any foot shall slip away from the right path? We said, O my supreme pen, it behooves thee to do as thou hast been bidden by God, the Exalted and the Great. Do not ask about that which melts thy heart and those of the denizens of paradise who encompass Thy wonderful Cause. Thou shouldest not know what We have hidden from thee. Thy Lord is the Veiler and the Knower. Turn thy most luminous face to the greatest aspect and say: O my merciful God! Decorate the heaven of Beyan with the stars of steadfastness, trust and truth. Verily, Thou art the powerful over what Thou willest. There is no God save Thee, the Wise and the Generous!"
In short, from these holy utterances and those of His Holiness Christ it becomes clear, evident and proved, that man should associate with people who are firm in the Covenant and Testament, and befriend the pure ones; because bad associates bring about infection of bad qualities. It is like leprosy; it is impossible for a man to associate and befriend a leper and not be infected. This command is for the sake of protection and to safeguard.
Consider this text of the New Testament: the brothers of His Holiness Christ came to Him and it was said, "These are your brothers." He answered that his brothers were those who believed in God, and refused to associate with his own brothers.
Likewise, Kurat-ul-Ain, who is celebrated in all the world, when she believed in God and was attracted to the divine breaths, forsook her two eldest sons; although they were her two eldest children, because they did not become believers, she thereafter did not meet them. She said, "All the friends of God are my children, but these two are not. I will have nothing to do with them."
Consider! The Divine Gardener cuts the dry or weak branch from the good tree and grafts to it (the tree) a branch from another true. He both separates and unites. This is that which His Holiness Christ says: that from all the world they come and enter the Kingdom, and the children of the Kingdom shall be cast out. (Matt. 8: 11, 12). Noah's grandson, Canaan, was detested in the sight of Noah, and others were accepted. The brothers of the Blessed Beauty detached themselves from Him, and the Blessed Beauty never met them. He said: "This is an eternal separation between you and me." All this was not because the Blessed Beauty was despotic, but because these persons, through their own actions and words, deprived themselves from the bounties and bestowals of the Blessed Beauty. His Holiness Christ did not exercise despotism in the case of Judas Iscariot and His own brothers, but they separated themselves.
In short the point is this: Abdul-Baha is extremely kind, but when the disease is leprosy, what am I to do? Just as in bodily diseases we must prevent intermingling and infection and put into effect sanitary laws, because the infectious physical diseases uproot the foundation of humanity; likewise one must protect and safeguard the blessed souls from the breaths and fatal spiritual diseases, otherwise violation, like the plague, will become a contagion and all will perish. In the early days, after the ascension of the Blessed Beauty, the center of violation was alone; little by little the infection spread, and this was due to companionship and association.
This has been translated after the dear Master's Ascension & the Three Seals affixed to the original text after Him. Shoghi 23.1.22.
(Translated by Mrs. Hoagg, Ali Mohammad Bakir and Rouhi after the ascension.)
Haifa, Palestine,
January 24, 1922.
My dear Corinne (True):
The enclosed Tablet is one that the beloved Master wrote shortly before his ascension, but did not sign. The original is being sent to Roy Wilhelm, but you will find that Shoghi Effendi has affixed the seals of the Master to the original in Persia and also put a note that explains itself.
. . . . It is to be hoped that this heart-breaking appeal of the Master will not have been in vain; that his call to the firm ones to protect the Cause for which he lived and suffered, will awaken them to the realization of what "protection" means. Can any one longer feel that because the Master was loving and kind to his enemies, even the Nakazene, that anyone else can do as he did? It is very clear that our duty is to obey his commands regarding this and no longer play with fire. You who have been here know how strict the Master was concerning the association with the violators of the Covenant here. Yet I have seen Badi 'Ullah and his family in the house of the Master. He was the law-maker and could break his own law; but we are his flock that must be protected. I do pray that all the people
may become awakened to this duty through this saddest of appeals.
. . . . Before long the Will (and Testament) of the dear Master will be ready for America and elsewhere. Shoghi Effendi is translating it now. How wonderfully the Beloved provided for the protection of the Cause. This will be a happiness to the sincere and a test to the weak. Let us pray that the friends in America, will arise with strength and goodwill to obey and to serve. This is the least we can do now, that the beloved Master may be pleased with us, and forgive our many omissions as well as commissions. . . . .
Much love to all the friends and to each one of your family.
Affectionately,
Emogene (Hoagg)).
Pasadena, Calif.
Nov. 15th, 1921.
My Dear Miss Buikema:
I have not forgotten that you accorded to me the great privilege of sending you some words regarding our recent visit to the Master, Abdul-Baha, that you might use them perhaps to advantage in the STAR OF THE WEST. I am so happy to be able to share with the friends the wonderful impressions which we received there and to send you, for publication, the accompanying photograph. This picture was taken in the garden surrounding the Shrine of BAHA 'ULLAH at Bahje on the morning of May 1st of this year for Mr. French and me.
We had spent two days in the presence of our Master in Bahje, accompanying him at morn and evening into the Shrine to pray and supplicate at the Holy Threshold. On this particular morning, Sunday, the first of May, as we passed through that beautiful garden brilliant with early spring flowers, I begged the Master to grant us the favor of pausing for a photograph in order that I might bring back to the friends in America this glimpse of him as he stood among his flowers. How near it brings him! To me, no picture which we have ever had is quite so typical. Truly, he is the Gardener, and in the hearts he is planting only seeds of Love.
During the three days which we passed in his presence at Bahje, the strongest impressions which I received all bore upon the necessity of Obedience and Reverence. It may be too much to expect that all will be equally reverent, for that only comes with a deeper perception of the station of the Center of the Covenant. But even those who are attracted superficially to the Bahai teachings must recognize the justice of the commands of Abdul-Baha, and that all human and spiritual welfare must lie in obedience to those commands.
I asked one question which will be of interest to all the Assemblies and the answer an infallible guide. It had distressed me greatly that, in some places I had seen and known of, extraneous matter was being introduced into the regular Bahai meetings until these meetings had lost their spiritual illumination, growing thereby into intellectual pastimes rather than into an humble and reverent attitude toward the Words of the Messengers. When I mentioned these things to the Master he looked up with that inimitable smile and said: "Ask them where in the teachings of BAHA 'ULLAH they find these things."
The answer was so sweet, so courteous and so final that I leave it with the friends to ponder upon, hoping that it may bind us more and more closely together in pursuance of the Light which is to be found only in the pure teachings.
Faithfully yours in the service of the Center of the Covenant of God.
Nellie S. French.
To the STAR OF THE WEST:
. . . . By unexpected chance, I came to the Philippine Islands. Now it is about four months that I have been in Mindanao. As the island is American territory, I feel nearer to the American brothers than the Eastern brothers.
One month previous I ventured on an inland journey, beginning from Lianga (situated on the east coast of the Pacific), across northern Mindanao toward Butuan, which is situated on the bank of the Agusan River at the west coast of the Pacific Ocean. My journey was partly by trail and partly in a dug-out canoe on the above mentioned river.
Anywhere I find an interpreter for the local languages I deliver to them the new tidings of brotherhood. I am surprised to find these islands good and virgin field for the Bahai Movement. I think, up to the present time, none of the Bahai teachers have ventured to come to these places. The islanders are very kind hearted, simple and ready to embrace the Bahai teachings. But it is essential to speak the Spanish language and if possible Tagalog (the most important some fifteen dialects) the language of northern Philippine.
The population of Mindanao could be divided into three main groups:
First, the Visayan or the emigrants from the island of Cebu (a subdivision of Malayan and Chinese mixture). The Visayans are Christians, belonging to the Roman Catholic Church, and are the inhabitants of northern Mindanao.
Second, the Mambo tribe. These people are nearly the ahoriginals. They live on the inland mountains in a semi-wild way. These people do not belong to any of the modern religions, but as far as I could investigate they believe in God. They are a kind of idolators of their own from ancient time. Probably it was introduced to them, but at present there is no mark of it. Although these tribesmen do not like settling down and farming, yet under the good of the United States Government they are settling themselves in small towns and occupying farms from which they raise such products as hemp, indian corn, tobacco and sweet potatoes.
Third, the Moros, who are the inhabitants of southern Mindanao. These people by religion are Mohammedans and they are easily distinguished from the other Filipinos. They are the descendents of the Malayan army who were under the command of a certain prince named Kabungusuwan, the son of the King of Juhor. About two centuries before the Spaniards discovered the Archipelago they conquered western Mindanao and established therein an independent kingdom whereby Mohammedanism was introduced to their new subjects. Nearly all the population of western Mindanao belongs to this race, who are as fanatical as the other Mohammedan nations. But I prefer honoring a religious fanatic to a semi-ignorant, careless naturalist.
However, I had conversation with all these tribes and I liked them all. I hope that I will succeed in showing them the highway of brotherhood and conducting them to the high tent which is pitched by His Holiness BAHA 'ULLAH for the whole population of the earth.
I would greatly appreciate if you could supply me the STAR OF THE WEST, all bound in covers, from its beginning up to the present.
Allaho' Abha! to all beloved brothers and sisters.
Yours sincerely,
Mirza Hossein Touty.
Some of the Bahai Assemblies in America
Secretaries of Assemblies will please see notices are correct and notify the Bahai News Service of any change.
ASBURY PARK, N. J.
Bahai Study Class: Friday, 8 P. M., 701 Third Ave.
Juliet D. Sherman
AUGUSTA, GA.
Meetings: Montgomery Bldg.
Secretary: (Miss) Margaret Klebs, 604 West Avenue, North Augusta, S. C.
BEVERLY-SALEM, MASS.
Secretary: Grace P. Lunt, 12 Lowell Street, Beverly, Mass.
BOSTON, MASS.
Meetings:
Sundays, 7:45 P. M., Chauncy Hall, 585 Boylston St.
Tuesdays, 8 P. M., home of Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Oglesby, 63 Albion St., Somerville.
Wednesdays, 8 P. M., home of Mrs. Caroline Nelson, 149 Longwood Ave., Brookline.
Fridays, 8 P. M., home of Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Culver, 19 Willard St., Cambridge.
Secretary: Roushan Wilkinson, 35 Congress Street.
BISBEE, ARIZ.
Meetings at home of Secretary.
Secretary: Viola Duckett, P. O. Box 1384.
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
Meetings: Sundays, 3:30 P. M., 935 Eastern Parkway, and Thursday, 8:30 P. M., 52 Ft. Green Place.
Secretary: F. E. Osborne, 935 Eastern Parkway, Phone Decatur 9115.
BUFFALO, N. Y.
Headquarters: Thursdays, 8:00 P. M., Mrs. M. W. Tifft, 171 Chapin Parkway.
Secretary: (Miss) Maud M. Mickle, 98 Putnam St.
CHICAGO, ILL.
Meetings: Sundays, 3:30 P. M., Masonic Temple, Sts. John Hall.
Secretary: Carl Scheffler, 56 E. Congress St.
CLEVELAND, OHIO
P. O. Box 36, Station B
Secretary: Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke, 720 Rose Building.
Secy. of H. of S.: Mrs. Dale S. Cole, 1309 West Boulevard.
DENVER, COLO.
Meetings: Sundays, 3 P. M., 1548 California Street. Friday evening, Study Class, 4141 Xavier Street.
Secretary: Mrs. Elizabeth C. Clark. 4141 Xavier Street.
DULUTH, MINN.
Meetings: Thursdays, 8 P. M., 605 E. 3rd St.
Secretary: Mrs. A. Berridge, General Delivery.
FRUITPORT, MICH.
Meetings: Thursday afternoons, home of Mrs. Julius Frazer; 19-day feasts at home of Mrs. King.
Secretary: (Mrs.) Julius Frazer.
GRAND HAVEN, MICH.
Meetings: Wednesdays, 7 :30 P. M.
Secretary: Mrs. Charles Richter, 626 Clinton Street.
ITHACA, N. Y.
Meetings: Friday, 8 P. M., 214 S. Albany St.
Secretary: (Mrs.) Pauline Crandall, 316 Hector St.
JOHNSTOWN, N. Y.
Secretary: Margaret La Grange, 519 N. Market St.
KENOSHA, WIS.
Meetings: Sundays, 3 P. M., 259 Church St., Sunday School, 2 P. M.
Secretary: Walter Bohanan, R. 3, Box 135, Phone 326-R.
MILWAUKEE, WIS.
Meetings every 19 days.
Secretary: J. Duffield, 1159 Greenfield Ave.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.
Meetings: Friday, 8:15 P. M., 14 E. Franklin Ave.
Secretary: Mrs. M. A. Fox, 14 E. Franklin Ave.
MONTREAL, CANADA
Meetings: Fridays, 8:30 P. M., 716 Pine Avenue, West.
Secretary: (Mrs.) Lizzie V. Cowles, 14 Tower Avenue.
NEW HAVEN, CONN.
Meetings: Thursday evening following Esperanto Class, 270 Lenox St.
Secretary. (Miss) Louise N. Thompson.
OMAHA, NEB.
All visiting Bahais will receive a cordial welcome.
Meetings twice a month.
Secretary: Samuel H. Ackerman, 3259 Farnam St.
PEORIA, ILL.
Visiting friends and inquirers cordially welcomed.
Secretary: (Mrs.) Maye Harvey Gift, 1010 Glen Oak Ave.
RACINE, WIS.
Meetings: Sundays, 11 A. M., Sunday School, 10:30 A. M.
Secretary: A. J. Nelson, 2013 Carmel Ave., Phone 3252.
RIVERTON, N. J.
Secretary. Miss Zahra Bowen, P. O. Box 322.
SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.
Meetings at home of Mrs. M. F. Berkey, 733 State St.
Secretary: Mrs. Flora M. Clark, P. O. Box 369.
SANTA PAULA, CALIF.
Bahai Literature and Circulating Library.
Hearty welcome to all interested in "The Oneness of the World of Humanity."
Meetings: Fridays, 8 P. M., 514 Sixth Street.
Secretary: Mrs. A. Elizabeth Carpenter, P. O. Box 656.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.
Meetings: Home of Mr. and Mrs. Jurgens, 420 W. Reynolds St.
Secretary: Mrs. Rieke Jurgens, 420 W. Reynolds St., Phone Main 3693.
ST. LOUIS, MO.
Secretary: (Mrs.) Caroline M. Barbee, 5606A Delmar Blvd.
ST. JOHN, N. B.
Secretary: Jean E. Nixon, 182 Queen Street.
URBANA, ILL.
Meetings: Home of Mrs. E. B. Paine, 606 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Monday evenings.
Secretary: (Mrs.) Esther G. Harding, 704 W. Nevada St.
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BAHAI MEMORIAL SERVICE 6th January 1922.
His Excellency the High Commissioner has desired me to express his great regret that, owing to his temporary absence from Palestine, he could not be present with us to-day.
The Civil Secretary—Sir W. H. Deedes—has similarly expressed his regrets that pressure of work has detained him at Jerusalem.
Both these high officials asked me to convey their greetings to you and their deep sympathy with the relations of the man in whose honour we are gathered together.
Most of us here have, I think, a clear picture of Sir Abdel Bahá Abbas—of his dignified figure walking thoughtfully in our streets—of his courtesy and gracious manner,—of his kindness—of his love for little children and for flowers—of generosity and care for the poor and suffering.
So gentle was he—and so simple—that, in his presence one almost forgot ttha he was also a great teacher and that his writings and his conversations have been a solace and an inspiration to hundreds and thousands of people in the east and in the west.
It is possible to regard his teaching in many lights. Some may say that it did merely reassert truths which form the basis of all religious teaching. Some may declare that it was premature and unpractical: but everyone can appreciate the beauty of the ideal and agree that if the doctrine of universal brotherhood was carried out, this world woulb be a better and a happier place.
To us who just passed through the throes of one of the fiercest wars in the history of mankind—and whose minds and lives are still disturbed—words of peace and good-will sound almost strange upon our ears. We find it difficult to credit them but everywhere—men of diverse nations and of diverse creeds—proclaim the imperative need for peace. The conscience and the imagination of mankind have been stirred and there is a widespread hope that one by one the conflicting interests and misunderstandings that promote strife and hatred will be removed, and that better and more friendly relations will prevail between the nations, between creeds, between communities, and between individuals.
Whenever these better times come we may be sure that the name of this good old man who lived amongst us here at Haifa will be remembered with gratitude and affectionate esteem.
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