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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 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. 2 |
| PAGE | |
Detail of window of the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar | 34 |
At Rest—Selection from poem "The Dream of God" | 35 |
| BY ALBERT DURRANT WATSON. | |
The Bahai Revelation—The Religious Need of the Time (Continued) | 36 |
| BY CHARLES MASON REMEY. | |
Memorial Service held on the Fortieth Day after the Ascension of Abdul-Baha | 40 |
| From The Bugle, published at Haifa, Palestine. | |
| Translated by Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi. | |
A Bahai poem | 45 |
Directory of Bahai Assemblies in America | 46 |
PERSIAN SECTION—Compiled by Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi | 48, 47 |
| Words of consolation to all the Bahais of America from Mashad, Persia, and poem from Teheran, Persia—both pertaining to the departure of Abdul-Baha. |
--PHOTO--
DETAIL OF WINDOW OF THE MASHREQ 'UL-AZKAR
Photograph from full-size modeling of the lower part of the windows for the first story of the building. Thirty-six of these windows are to be used. They are arranged in groups on each side of the entrances. Louis Bourgeois, Architect
"We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; that all nations shall become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men shall be strengthened; that diversity of religion shall cease and differences of race be annulled. So it shall be. These fruitless strifes; these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come."
Words of BAHA 'ULLAH.
| VOL. 13 | JALAL 1, 78 (April 9, 1922) | NO. 2 |
Selection from Poem "The Dream of God"
(Copyright)
BY ALBERT DURRANT WATSONFOUR leagues from Nazareth. Hush, here he lies, Carmel his cenotaph, his home the skies.
Who, in his name, would dare to speak of death? Abdul-Baha, the blessèd, never dies.
* * * * * * *
Farewell to Haifa! Yonder crescent moon Tells of a land where it is always June.
Our white-sailed ships, far-speeding, bear away Into a life where is no afternoon.
We have not lost our gifted prophet sage; He has become the Spirit of the age;
A sea of love and purpose, power and thought O'er which we reach our promised heritage.
It is not meet that we should grieve or weep. The restless billows swell and heave and heap,
Then rise in vapor to the sun to fall In tears of rain where parchèd meadows sleep.
Now all our fetters—warnings from the past, With forward urging, far away we cast;
We burn our ships and climb along the stars, Facing our steadfast future calm and vast.
Need of the Time
BY CHARLES MASON REMEY
(Continued from page 14)
THE BAHAI WRITINGSTHE collective writings of the Bab are known as The Beyan. These treat chiefly of the coming of BAHA 'ULLAH, containing exhortations to the people calling them to purify themselves and prepare to meet the Promised One that they might be fitted to serve him.
BAHA 'ULLAH wrote many treatises in the form of books and epistles in which He demonstrates the oneness of the spirit of all of the former religious teachings; also treating of the present teachings in its relation to the religions of the past. A number of these writings were in reply to special questions asked by men of learning and were therefore written from various points of thought, Moslem, Jewish, Christian, etc.
The writings of Abdul-Baha are many and are chiefly in the form of letters or Tablets, explanatory of the spirit and the teachings of BAHA 'ULLAH. In Abdul-Baha's life of service to humanity is his method of teaching, through which means he gives life, vigor and a penetrative force to his words. His verbal teaching, much of which is reported and circulated in manuscript and in printed form, consists of explanations, given to various inquirers, regarding the Cause and its doctrines, together with exhortations to the followers and certain principles and truths, the pursuance of which is conducive to the best secular as well as spiritual welfare of mankind.
ETERNAL LIFE
Eternal life is the state of soul of spiritually quickened man. All souls exist as entities after the separation from the material body. However, from the spiritual standpoint, this mere existence is not "life." Only those souls who are awake to the glory of God can be said to be divinely awake and alive and of the life eternal. This spiritual awakening is from God. It is His gift and greatest bounty to man. By virtue of the truth and spirit revealed to humanity through the Prophets and Manifestations, man's soul is awakened from slumber, and, though in the world, yet he lives in a higher realm from which he receives divine strength and force.
According to the Bahai teaching heaven and hell are conditions of the soul. The soul which lives in God is in that divine state called heaven, while one not yet awakened to the glory of God is in a state of darkness, or hell. The coming of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth has been the one theme of Christ and the Prophets. All have spoken of this epoch in different terminology, but in reality they all spoke of the one great age of divine enlightenment—a time when faith should replace unbelief, and when divine knowledge should replace ignorance and superstition, and the Bahai Cause teaches that the world is now in the early dawn of that new day and age.
SOCIAL REFORMS, LAWS AND ORDINANCES
In addition to the purely spiritual
teachings of BAHA 'ULLAH, he ordered
certain changes in the manners and customs
of people, through the observance
of which the world in general will be
helped both materially and spiritually.
He exhorts the Bahais to be tolerant,
and in no way to separate themselves
from other people, nor denounce those
of other beliefs. All men are free to
believe as they wish, but all are advised
to unite in faith and to lay aside the
prejudices and superstitions of past ages. [Page 37]
Warfare should be abolished and international
questions settled by arbitration.
A universal language is favored as a
means of bringing people together in
unity. Legislation should be representative.
The Bahais should be peaceful
and law-abiding citizens. Their thought
should be humanitarian before all else.
Faith without works is not acceptable.
One's worship should be supplemented
by a pure and useful life in the world.
Men and women should marry. Asceticism
is discouraged. Monogamy is
taught. Harshness and hatred are to
be overcome by gentleness and love.
Man should not use intoxicants as a
beverage. Opium and kindred drug
habits are denounced as is also gambling.
BAHA 'ULLAH forbade mendicity, slavery, cruelty to animals and many other abuses which our western civilization has already remedied, so it is hardly necessary here to mention them. The following of these ordinances in already producing its good effect in the many Bahai centers throughout the world, and good fruits are coming therefrom.
MASHREQ 'UL-AZKAR
Prayer supplemented by a pure and useful life in this world form the elements of true worship. Faith without works is not acceptable. Every man should have an occupation which conduces to the welfare of humanity, the diligent pursuance of which is in itself an act of worship.
In this Cause there is no priesthood nor clergy. Each soul approaches God in prayer without sacred rite nor ceremony. Temples open to all people of all religions are to be provided for reading, meditation and prayer. These are to be surrounded by hospices, hospitals, asylums, schools, universities, etc., the whole group of buildings to be known as a "Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar," which translated from the Arabic literally means "The dawning point of the mentions (of God)." In these institutions is symbolized both the spiritual worship and the humanitarian service as taught by BAHA 'ULLAH.
A few years ago in the city of Eshkabad in Russian Turkistan a Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar was built. At present the Bahais throughout the world are uniting in the work of building the first Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar in America, which is to be erected upon the shore of Lake Michigan near the city of Chicago.
Of the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar to be built in Chicago, Abdul-Baha has spoken as follows:
"Now the day has arrived in which the edifice of God, the divine sanctuary, the spiritual temple, shall be erected in America.
"The accessories of the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar are numerous. Among them are the school for orphans, the great college for the higher arts, hospital, home for the cripples and hospice. The doors of these places are to be opened to all sects—no differentiations. When these accessories are completed, and, by God's help and aid, the departments fully systematized, it will be proved that the Mashreq 'Ul-Azkar is to human society a great bounty and a great blessing.
"In brief, through the unlimited bounties of God, I am hopeful that the beloved ones of God in America may be aided and confirmed in founding this mighty and solid foundation and gradually annex thereto its accessories.
"When these institutions, college, hospital, hospice and establishments for the incurables, university for the study of higher sciences and giving post-graduate courses, and other philanthropic buildings are built, its doors will be opened to all the nations and religions. There will be absolutely no line of demarcation drawn. Its charities will be dispensed irrespective of color or race. Its gates will be flung wide open to mankind; prejudice toward none, love for all. The central building will be devoted to the purpose of prayer and worship. Thus, for the first time, religion will become harmonized with science, and
science will be the handmaid of religion, both showering their material and spiritual gifts on all humanity. In this way the people will be lifted out of the quagmires of slothfulness and bigotry."
EDUCATION
Through a broad and liberal education along scientific, material and intellectual lines, balanced by a knowledge of man's moral and spiritual duties and relation to God, the Bahais believe that the superstitions of the past will disappear and with them the prejudice and ignorance which have always made for man's limitation. The Bahai Movement stands strongly for the freedom and education of women, even going so far as to teach that it is more necessary for parents to educate their girls than their boys. Women being the mothers and the early teachers of the children of the race, it is more necessary that they be educated than men. In the Orient, where the condition of ignorance and general degradation among the women is so widespread, the condition of the Bahai women is so far superior to that of the women in general in the countries in which they live as to be one of the clear demonstrations of the awakening of these peoples and their freedom from their former religious institutions which denied educational advantages to women. Particularly in the Moslem countries are the women denied culture and education by the established rule of theology, but now through the dawn of this new day and age all these limitations of the past are disappearing before the light of Truth.
PEACE
Religious differences have been the chief cause of warfare, while religious sympathy and understanding have always made for peace and prosperity. Prior to the beginning of the Bahai Movement, little or nothing was being taught or written about peace, arbitration, universal language, suffrage nor other universal institutions. During the past three-quarters of a century, however, the world has awakened to the necessity for all of these institutions for which the Bahai Cause stands; and now the most enlightened people are realizing that the lack of spiritual or religious understanding, with the accompanying lack of moral perception, is the real cause of our human ills and the cataclysmic conditions through which the world is now passing.
While BAHA 'ULLAH'S teaching was ahead of the world of his day, the world of today is realizing more and more the value of that teaching. The supply and the demand are now meeting, from which better conditions will result.
The Bahais believe in a federation of all the nations, both large and small, and the establishment of a world parliament for the judicial settlement of international disputes. In treating of this matter of peace between the nations, Abdul-Baha says:
"A tribunal will be under the power of God, and under the protection of all men. Each one must obey the decisions of this tribunal, in order to arrange the difficulties of every nation.
"About fifty years ago in the Book of Akdas, BAHA 'ULLAH commanded the people to establish the Universal Peace and summoned all the nations to the Divine Banquet of international arbitration so that the questions of boundaries, of national honor and property and of vital interests between nations might be decided by an arbitral court of justice.
"Remember these precepts were given more than half a century ago—at that moment no one spoke of universal peace—nor of any of these principles, but BAHA 'ULLAH proclaimed them to all the sovereigns of the world. . . . . They are the spirit of this age; the light of of this age; they are the well-being of this age."
SCIENCE AND RELIGION
The imaginations superstitions of the religious systems of the past, are against common sense and science, for these are but the thoughts of men of the
ages. The universal basic spiritual truths of religion, upon the contrary, accord with science. When men understand the true principles of religion no conflict will be found between them and the material sciences.
EVOLUTION OF MAN
According to the Bahai teaching, spirit or life force is of five kinds: vegetable, animal, human, and divinely spiritual life of the soul, and the Infinite unknowable Spirit of God. Man was created man, a species apart and above the vegetable and animal conditions. Through the spiritual influences of the Manifestations of God's Word, or the Prophets, man becomes characterized by the divinely spiritual qualities, and adds to his human nature the spiritual nature, or the life eternal.
The Bahais see true religion itself as a scientific fact, for to them the true philosophy of religion is the statement or the science of the higher spiritual laws of that plain of being known as The Kingdom of God. Through the working of these divine laws and a knowledge thereof, humanity arises from the state of spiritual ignorance which characterizes the so-called "natural" or savage man, and becomes quickened by the process of the higher life. Thus, through a knowledge of the basic principles of religion, and through the wisdom which the living spirit of religion instills into the soul, the true religious man is freed from the thraldom of ignorance and superstition, which imprisons the soul, and he finds ample opportunity and scope for the development of the highest and noblest virtues peculiar to that plane of being known as The Kingdom of God.
ORIENTAL-OCCIDENTAL UNITY
One of the greatest obstacles to overcome before universal brotherhood and peace can come is the natural lack of confidence and understanding between the Oriental and Occidental peoples. The Orient has always been the source of the world's spiritual inspiration, while in the Occident has appeared the fruition of this inspiration in the form of a highly evolved civilization. Through the Bahai teachings this chasm between the East and the West is bridged, and for the first time in history Oriental and Occidental are meeting on a common ground of sympathy and understanding.
ECONOMIC QUESTIONS
Co-operation is the basic principle upon which all institutions should be founded. The co-operation of all for the good of all. Laws should be so regulated that it will be impossible for one man to enrich himself at the expense of another. Through the proper adjustment of political and commercial relations between individuals and nations all will live in harmony, happiness and in plenty.
THE HOUSE OF JUSTICE
BAHA 'ULLAH arranged for the guidance and the welfare of his cause by appointing Abdul-Baha. "The Center of His Covenant," to whom the people turned for guidance. And Abdul-Baha arranged that after him the people should turn to Shoghi Effendi, whom he appointed "The Guardian of the Cause and Head of the House of Justice"—a body of men chosen from the believers because of their spiritual qualifications for wisdom and divine knowledge.
The business affairs of the Bahai Movement will then be conducted by these assemblies of consultation. In addition to the local Houses of Justice, there will be a general assembly of consultation composed of representatives from all parts of the world. This will be known as "The Universal House of Justice."
THE METHOD OF TEACHING
The teaching is given without money and without price. Teachers are usually self-supporting, giving their time and services, the recompense for which is the joy and satisfaction of serving in the cause of Truth, but in rare instances
(Continued on page 45])
O thou Star of the West!
Be thou happy! Be thou happy! Shouldst thou continue to remain firm and eternal, ere long, thou shalt become the Star of the East and shalt spread in every country and clime. Thou art the first paper of the Bahais which is organized in the country of America. Although for the present thy subscribers are limited, thy form is small and thy voice weak, yet shouldst thou stand unshakable, become the object of the attention of the friends and the center of the generosity of the leaders of the faith who are firm in the Covenant, in the future thy subscribers will become hosts after hosts like unto the waves of the sea; thy volume will increase, thy arena will become vast and spacious and thy voice and fame will be raised and become world-wide—and at last thou shalt become the first paper of the world of humanity. Yet all these depend upon firmness, firmness, firmness!
O ye apostles of BAHA'ULLAH—May my life be a ransom to you!
. . . . Similarly, the Magazine, the Star of the West, must be edited in the utmost regularity, but its contents must be the promulgator of the Cause of God—so that both in the East and 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 | JALAL 1, 78 (April 9, 1922) | NO. 2 |
Great Humanitarian, the man of learning and mercy,
Abdul-Baha Abbas.AT one in the afternoon people from Haifa, Acca and the neighboring towns, headed by the High Commissioner of Palestine, government officials, foreign consuls, religious leaders, prominent poets and scholars of all nations, race and creeds, assembled at the house of the late Abdul-Baha Abbas. Neither in Haifa nor in any other Oriental city has there ever been such an impressive service. A well arranged and perfectly prepared dinner was served to more than six hundred guests. Besides these, one hundred and fifty of the poor gathered in a special place prepared for them. After all had partaken of the delicious food, they assembled in the large hall. On the platform was a photograph of the departed.
At exactly two o'clock, Abdullah Effendi Mukhlis,* ascended the platform and opened the service, and spoke as follows:
"Many a time have we assembled in this home, which was the place of pilgrimage for scholars and the fountainhead of virtues. Then we used to find it budding and blossoming, the fragrance of its flowers pervading everywhere, the birds singing on its tall trees, the Water of Life overflowing and beauty of happiness on the faces of those who lived herein.
"But today, why do we see its pillars
*Secretary of the National Mohammedan Society.
fallen in ruins, everything sad and sorrowful, its face beclouded, its flowers wilted, its leaves fallen and scattered, its birds silent, everything completely submerged with grief and anxiety—the mineral, vegetable and human sharing alike in this desolation?
"We have more than once partaken of the food from this Hatimic table. (Hatim Tai was known to be the most generous man according to Arabian history.) We used to partake of its food with the utmost ease and drink its water copiously; today—why are we so choked with every mouthful and strangle with every drop?
"This roof has covered us at many scientific and educational meetings—gatherings that were full of happiness and joy, wherein voices sounded, and argument and discussion continued—today, why do we not utter even a word? It is as if birds were perched upon our heads (so silent are we). That happiness has changed to sorrow, that joy into grief and those discussions to quietness and silence. Is it because this home was confronted by circumstances and overpowered by the hosts of torture, or surrounded by calamities from all sides? No. It is neither this or that; nay rather, it is because the Lord of this home, its departed mystery, its spirit and its joy, Abdul-Baha Abbas, has ascended from this mortal world.
"Therefore, it has become lifeless and its appearance changed. We have lived in his time, and we have associated with him for tens of years without any fatigue or weariness; nay rather, we could hardly pass a moment without receiving a portion of his guidance. We know not how the years have passed! Why is it that our days have become long, our patience deficient, our sorrow increased, our endurance decreased?—and it is only forty days since his departure!
"During this sad period we have found only degradation for the world because of his departure, and glory for the spiritual realm because of his presence. He was the standard-bearer of knowledge, the proclaimer of the verses unity, the herald of the knowledge of God, the exhorter of good, the prohibitor of evil, the confirmer of the pillars of peace, and the promoter of harmony instead of strife.
"The Prophet (Mohammed)—upon him be peace—said: 'If knowledge were to be found in the stars, Persian men would reach it.' Verily, he spoke the truth. Islam and all it includes of ordinances, traditions, even language and ethics were classified and systematized by men of Persia. Unquestionably, our departed one was the seal thereof.
"Today, the Arab, the Persian, the Oriental, the Occidental, the Mohammedan, the Christian, and the Jew have equal share in this memorial service. Since his departure is a calamity for the whole world, therefore the people of the East and the West weep for him. Even though our calamity be most great, yet, praise be to God, his family has been spared for us. This is our great recompense.
The talk given by the Governor of Phoenicia, was as follows:
"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 today. The Civil Secretary, Sir W. H. Deedes, has similarly expressed his regrets because of pressure of work which has detained him at Jerusalem. Both these high officials asked me to convey their greetings to you, and their deep sympathy with the relatives of the man in whose honor we are gathered together.
"Most of us here have a clear picture of Sir Abdul-Baha Abbas, of his dignified figure walking thoughtfully in our streets, of his courtesy and gracious manner, of his kindness, of his love for
the little children and for the flowers and of his generosity and care for the poor and suffering. So gentle was he, and so simple, that in his presence one almost forgot that 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 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 teachings. Some may declare that it was premature and impractical, but everybody can appreciate the beauty of his ideals and agree that if the doctrine of universal brotherhood was carried out this world would be a better and a happier place.
"To us who have 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 goodwill sound almost strange upon our ears. We find it to credit them, but everywhere men of many nations and of diverse creeds proclaim the imperative needs of peace. The conscience and 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 communities and between individuals. Whenever these better times come we may be sure that the name of Abdul-Baha who lived among us here in Haifa, will be remembered with gratitude and affectionate esteem."
The poet, Wadie Effendi Bestani, gave the following recitation:
"Palestine knows what has befallen her;
But she is so stricken that she is unable to speak.
I am her heart and her tongue;
Her earth and heaven inspire me.
Why should I scatter pearls of tears on the earth
When the stars are perfectly set in the sky?
Death has not beclouded the light of Abdul-Baha!
He is smiling in the Most Glorious (Abha) horizon.
They called him a Bahai—
Christians and Moslems fall in love with him.
You may ask the Occident about him,
For though he is the Master in the Orient,
Supreme and great is he in the great West.
You may question the Kaiser and the crumbling thrones and crowns—
Where are the pillars and the geniuses of the people?
All will fail to answer—
Oh, Abdul-Baha!
Who will guide the astray who are groping in the dark?
Oh, ye who are commemorating Abdul-Baha,
Mention ye His words!
Oh, ye who are commemorating Abdul-Baha,
Comprehend ye His ideals!"
Youssif Effendi El-Kahtib spoke as follows:
"It seems to me no matter how deeply I try to think, I cannot find a way to express what is concealed in my mind. Poets and orators, even if they speak, are far from it, far from it. Can they utter words to be compared with the eloquence of your silence and acquiescence?
"I declare by my life, this makes me firmly believe that Abdul-Baha, after remaining four scores of years in this world, teaching with his thought, guiding with his pen, giving the best example in his glorious deeds, at last has chosen to teach and guide by his silence. Therefore, deep reflections and
meditations are necessary in this memorial service to day.
"As I caused you to weep yesterday in his beautiful home, now it is my duty to cause you to try and forget your grief. I ask you to lessen your heart sorrows and dry your tears. Yea, Sir Abdul-Baha took his body away from us, but he is living in his eternal qualities and benevolence. Even if he has departed, he has left for us from the 'daughters' of his sublime ideas, clear lessons; from his wonderful teachings, instructive principles; from his abundant bestowals, the grand heritage; from his precious life, great examples of zeal, will power, patience, firmness and the highest and noblest of all virtues.
"O Gentlemen! There are some people that live in their own pleasures; others live in the soul of their own kindred, nationality, race and creed;—but the one whom Palestine has lost, has lived and will ever live in the souls of the Orientals and Occidentals, in the old world and in the new world. Yea, his name will be remembered throughout ages and centuries, by millions of human beings both Persians and Arabs.
"If there is anyone who might doubt, deny or forget the grace and station of Abdul-Baha, let him recall that Abdul-Baha was a lover of mankind, strongly attached to all and the greatest worker to vivify the world of humanity. This is the foundation of all national, racial and religious unity.
"He was the one who endured until he changed the prison places into scientific and art institutions, and the battle fields into rooms of industries and righteousness. On his departure we have learned that the realization of his sublime aim is almost impossible at present in this unjust world. Therefore, it behooves the religious in their religion, the nations in their countries, and the scholars in their schools, to say: 'Mercy, all the mercy, belong to Abdul-Baha and all the misery to the feeble humanity.' O my God! We beg for mercy, which is the greatest comfort. Joy, and joy be unto Abdul-Baha!"
Dr. Kaiser Khoury recited his poem in Arabic.
"O spirit of Abdul-Baha, peace be unto thee!
Hover above us from thy lofty station and shine!
lllumine this place because herein is darkness;
Or descend from above and lead this memorial service of the fortieth day.
In the departure of Abdul-Baha there is a dreadful vacancy.
Far from it can any leader fill this vacancy!
O Abdul-Baha, thou hast a supreme place in eternity
And in thy sublime house (Shrine of the Bab) there is a shrine!
The effulgent shrine is shining here,
And its light, in the world, is eagerly sought by the people.
Abdul-Baha, the glory of the Orient,
Appeared in an age wherein science flourished and superstitions vanished.
Through him, nobility reached the loftiest place;
Towards him the scholars raced;
His new moon appeared in the horizon of Persia,
And thereby the minds became illumined.
The signs of his zodiac multiplied until he reached our horizon,
Wherein he stopped as a full moon.
While he walked, majesty followed and virtue accompanied him;
Even skulls and bones bowed to him.
He lived among us in the Holy Land;
Therefore, souls and bodies are sacrificed for the Holy Land.
O family of Abdul-Baha! weep not for him—
Because weeping is unlawful.
Whosoever has lived the life of Abdul-Baha,
Unquestionably the days will revive his name.
But if the friends of Abdul-Baha weep, it is befitting—
Because their weeping is reverence.
Let them weep for him, and let their children weep.
Let Haifa and the orphans weep.
Abdul-Baha, thou wert the father of all,
Therefore, we weep for thee, O Abdul-Baha! O thou hero!
In the East and in the West, thou hast a lofty station.
In all the hearts, thou hast a supreme place,
And on the head of beautiful Haifa, Thou hast a shrine."
Ahmad Effendi El-Imam spoke:
"A voice was raised by Persia (Teheran), repeated by Mesopotamia (Bagdad) and roared in Romelia (Adrianople). Palestine sympathized with it and opened her breast for it. Its echo grew and expanded to Egypt, and crossed the seas to the New World (America). A voice arose to call the world to love, unity and peace. The voice would never have been spread among the people as electric currents, if its source were not purity of purpose. It is through the grace of the owner of this sacred home for whom this sorrowful memorial service is held, that these Bahai teachings have been spread broadcast among the people.
"This meeting is not for the purpose of discussing the religion and the teaching of the one whom we have lost. We have assembled here in order to enumerate his qualities and to recall his adorable attributes. When we mention Abdul-Baha, we recall sublimity of character and firmness of determination; we recall purity of the heart and the nobility of personality; we recall unexcelled intelligence and Oriental genius. Yea, when we mention Abdul-Baha, we recall the excellence of morals, the exalted principles, and the noble susceptibilities. We mention him, because he loved the poor equally with the prince; we mention him because he used to entertain both adults and children; we mention him because he was merciful to the orphans and gave freely to the helpless and the stranger.
"One with such glorious qualities is certainly deserving of more than a commemoration. Is it not befitting for the Jordan river to gush forth with grief; the Bardi and the Nile to flow with blood; the Tigris and Euphrates to boil with sorrow; the sons of the Seine and the Thames to tear their breasts; the children of the Mississippi and Amazon to rend their hearts in grief and mourning for the departure of the one who arose to call the people to tolerance, brotherhood and unity so that this world might live in happiness, composure and peace?
"If mankind across the seas and beyond the rivers have wept for him, it was only repaying him in part for what they gained of his good aims and pure deeds. If the Orient has paid its tributes and the Occident has mourned, that was only an acknowledgment of the perfections of this Genius of the Age, who lived gloriously and departed graciously.
"O thou spirit of Abdul-Baha! We do not think our great one whom we have lost had any fear of death. I declare before God, that for whomsoever lives such a perfect life, death is not frightful. Whosoever has such characteristics and virtues, his name will never die. Nay rather, in the minds of the people he will live forever.
"Peace be unto thee, O thou pure spirit of the one whom we have lost and the mercy of God descend upon thy body. May mankind receive comfort and patience in this supreme calamity and may all live the life of the benevolent one who has departed. 'After death, man is only a theme. Be thou a good theme for a narrative.'"
persons of means have been known to provide traveling and living expenses enabling certain speakers and teachers for a time to extend the field of their labors. Teaching consists of first living the principles of the Cause in one's inner life and then speaking to others. Unless a teacher lives the life of which he preaches his words will have no effect upon the hearts of others.
All Bahais are servants of the Cause and are supposed to promulgate the teachings, each in his own sphere—each working according to his ability. Some are able to go about through the world teaching and preaching, while others carry on their religious work in conjunction with their material affairs. The Bahais in no way form a close sect or cult. They do not separate themselves from other people. Their work is ever outward and in the world where they are diffusing spiritual knowledge and serving humanity.
In the following words of Abdul-Baha he instructs teachers how they should teach:
"The intention of the teacher must be pure, his heart independent, his spirit attracted, his thought at peace, his resolution firm, his magnanimity exalted and in the love of God a shining torch.
"Should he become as such, his sanctified breath will even affect the rock; otherwise there will be no result whatsoever. As long as a soul is not perfected, how can he efface the defects of others?
"Unless he is detached from aught else save God, how can he teach severance to others?"
DR. ALBERT DURRANT WATSON of Toronto, Canada, has written a long poem of epic nature on the lives and teachings of the three prophets who constitute the Bahai Manifestation. The poem is being printed in a small book about the size of Hidden Words. The book will be ready on April 1st and is to be sold at cost, for 25 cents a copy, from the office of the author, 10 Euclid Avenue, Toronto.
Of this poem, Miss Martha Root, who saw the manuscript, has written: "The poem is wonderful. I never read anything so exquisite about the Bahai Cause. I feel so happy to read it and to know it will go down the ages."
And Mr. W. H. Randall, of Boston, writes: "I truly think the beautiful and wonderful poem will do a great deal for the Cause and is most significant. I believe it will cause many people to ask of the Bahai Revelation and to have a desire to read the words of BAHA 'ULLAH and Abdul-Baha. It is undoubtedly the first great English poem that has been written in the Bahai Cause, relating its history and revelation."
Bahais interested in the appearance of the Bahai essence in all forms of human activity will welcome this first presentation of the thrilling narrative and spiritual teaching in our western verse, and will rejoice that the Master has so inspired a poet of our time that he has laid his poetic gift upon the altar of the Universal Love. To the many souls, unsatisfied with the stones of the various orthodoxies, who have been searching restlessly for the perfect religion, trying in turn all the churches and societies which emphasize but one or, at most, few phases of truth, this poem from a writer widely recognized as a sincere seeker for Light, will serve as a torch leading and calling to that Perfect Manifestation which is the full cup of religious inspiration for our age.
Truly, in this Bahai poem we see art in its highest function, turning the soul of the reader to the beauty of the Supreme One.
Secretaries of Assemblies will please see their Assembly is correctly represented.
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, 68 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 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 North 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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