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| VOL. 19 | NOVEMBER, 1928 | NO. 8 |
| Page | |
How Humanity Finds Security, ’Abdu’l-Bahá | 226 |
Editorial, Stanwood Cobb | 227 |
International Congresses Use Esperanto, Martha L. Root | 240 |
A New Child Born to the Pacific, Alexander Hume Ford | 234 |
America’s Asiaward Destiny, Stanwood Cobb | 230 |
Significance of the Women’s Pan-Pacific Conference, Compilation by Julia Goldman | 237 |
Complete Healing, Walter B. Guy, M. D. | 244 |
Religion and Education, Marzieh Nabil | 246 |
Can the Races Harmonize? A Significant Inter-racial Conference, Louis G. Gregory | 248 |
’Abdu’l-Bahá in America, Dr. Zia Bagdadi | 253 |
of Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi; preserved, fostered and by them turned over to the National Spiritual Assembly, with all valuable assets,
as a gift of love to the Cause of God.STANWOOD COBB | Editor |
MARIAM HANEY | Associate Editor |
MARGARET B. MCDANIEL | Business Manager |
Subscriptions: $3.00 per year; 25 cents a copy. Two copies to same name and address, $5.00 per year. Please send change of address by the middle of the month and be sure to send OLD as well as NEW address. Kindly send all communications and make postoffice orders and checks payable to Baha'i News Service, 706 Otis Building, Washington, D. C., U. S. A. Entered as second-class matter April 9, 1911, at the postoffice at Washington, D. C., under the Act of March 3, 1897. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103 Act of October 3, 1917, authorized September 1, 1922.
At a time in the Orient when even physical brotherhood was not in existence His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh appeared. At first He set forth the principles of physical brotherhood and afterward founded the brotherhood spiritual. He breathed such a spirit into the countries of the Orient that various peoples and warring tribes were blended in unity. Their bestowals and susceptibilities became one; their purposes one purpose; their desires one desire to such a degree that they sacrificed themselves for each other, forfeiting name, possessions and comfort. Their fellowship became indissoluble. This is eternal, spiritual fellowship, heavenly and divine brotherhood which defies dissolution.
“Material civilization advances through the physical association of mankind. The progress you observe in the outer world is founded mainly upon the fraternity of material interests. Were it not for this physical and mental association civilization would not have progressed. Now, Praise be to God! the indissoluble spiritual association is evident; therefore it is certain that divine civilization has been founded and the world will progress and advance spiritually.
In this radiant century divine knowledges, merciful attributes and spiritual virtues will attain the highest degree of advancement. The traces have become manifest in Persia. Souls have advanced to such a degree as to forfeit life and possessions for each other. Their spiritual perceptions have developed, their intelligence has quickened, their souls are awakened. The utmost love has been manifested. Therefore it is my hope that spiritual fraternity shall unite the East and the West and bring about the complete abolition of warfare among mankind. May it bind together individuals and members of the human family, be the cause of advancing minds, illuminating hearts and allowing divine bestowals to encompass us from all directions. May spiritual susceptibilities set hearts aglow with the message of glad tidings. May spiritual brotherhood cause rebirth and regeneration, for its creative quickening emanates from the breaths of the Holy Spirit and is founded by the power of God. Surely that which is founded through the divine power of the Holy Spirit is permanent in its potency and lasting in its effects. * * *
“Through this divine brotherhood, the material world will become resplendent with the lights of divinity, the mirror of materiality will acquire its lights from heaven and justice will be established in the world so that no trace of darkness, hatred and enmity shall be visible. Humanity shall come within the bounds of security, the prophethood of all the Messengers of God shall be established, Zion shall leap and dance, Jerusalem shall rejoice, the Mosaic flame shall ignite, the Messianic light shall shine, the world will become another world and humanity shall put on another power.”
| VOL. 19 | NOVEMBER, 1928 | NO. 8 |
have advanced, industries have progressed, politics have been reformed, liberty has been proclaimed, justice is awakening. This is the century of motion, divine stimulus and accomplishment; the century of human solidarity and altruistic service; the century of Universal
peace and the reality of the divine kingdom.”—’Abdu’l-Bahá.“WHEN THE INTELLECTUAL, the moral and cultural leaders of the nations begin crossing their national boundaries in quest of a common experience in service, there seems reason to believe in the near approach of an international civilization of unprecedented splendor. It is a well-known fact that the number of world conferences participated in by the national representatives of various interests is greatly on the increase. The phenomenal frequency of such gatherings is scarcely appreciated, however, by the average person. So engrossed is one in the immediacy of the tasks that lie ahead that there is a tendency to circumscribe the universe by the imaginary lines of private predilections. Meanwhile, the educational and cultural forces operating in behalf of a more closely knit universe are widening the scope of their influence.
The hope for the future abides right there—in this constant interchange of ideas and personalities and points of view. The world is as yet in the primary stages of this significant educational process, bu even now there may be seen emerging from these international gatherings a totally new type of citizen-a citizen no less concerned with his own national duties, but a citizen increasingly responsive to the total range of his international responsibilities.”
Thus comments the Christian Science Monitor on the many international conferences being held in Europe and elsewhere in the name of science and human progress,—conferences on pedagogy, archaeology, religion, geology, human relations and conditions in industry, astronomy, radiology, and other subjects connected with world peace, industry, and economics. And at the same time that Europe is staging some of these international conferences, the nations facing on the Pacific have been holding in Honolulu under the auspices of the Pan-Pacific Union and the Institute of Pacific Relations, international conferences to discuss science, education, religion, the Press, and various commercial conferences such as the Pan-Pacific Food Conservation Conference.
WELL MAY WE anticipate, as the Monitor intimates, “the near approach of an international civilization of unprecedented splendor.” The great epochal civilizations of the past have been similarly the outgrowth of a vast cultural unity both absorbing and stimulating the creative energies of the race. Because of the wider field for achievement and renown, because of the increased competition between brilliant minds, and because of a common progressive aim toward improving the arts of life, periods of
great empire and great wealth have synchronized with periods of active and high civilization.
Now these conditions are being repeated on a similar, yet far vaster scale. The whole inter-communicating world is beginning to function for the first time in history as a cultural unit. Men of all races and nations are united, if not under a single political force, at least under the dominion of mind and of the spirit of progress. Nations vie with nations in discovery, in invention, in progressive achievement. The stimulation to human effort has become as powerful, as the field of accomplishment and reward has become expanded. Any great discovery or attainment now brings to its author world-fame. Any important invention brings streams of wealth from every civilized country. Every great musician, painter, literary genius, receives esteem and financial reward not from his own country alone, but from the whole world. Thus an Irish writer, like George Bernard Shaw, living and working in England may be securing the major part of his income from sales in America. Thus a Belgian historian, like George Sarton, conceiving an immense project in tracing the international history of science, finds the field for successful fruition of his idea in America.
Not only is a cultural unity now becoming prevalent over the globe, but wealth is everywhere rapidly increasing due to man’s marvelous conquest over nature, to his successful exploitation of her resources, and to his more efficient organization of machinery and labor for mass production. Thus the amount of goods and the amount of actual wealth in all industrial countries is piling up in the same fabulous way as it did in rich empires of the past—but with this significant difference—that wealth is
not focused in any one spot by the military exploitation of other portions of the world, but is being equably produced everywhere in proportion to the will, energy, and intelligence of the population.
Such wealth, distributed inevitably more or less throughout the great masses of the population, gives a mass-purchasing power which is a stimulation to invention and to industrial and artistic achievement even more enormous than that offered by the greatest emperors and individual patrons of art and progress of the past. Truly we are facing the dawn of a glorious world civilization such. as will cast into shade the most dazzling achievements of humanity in the past.
CERTAIN THINGS are needed, however, to facilitate and to assure the continuity and acceleration of such world-progress. The first is the realization and establishment of the principle of the oneness of mankind, above and beyond any concept of nationality, race, or religion. Then must follow the achievement of world-peace. War must be banished from the field of human activity if human enterprise is to accomplish results pertaining to a stable world-civilizaation. Thirdly, education must become universal, in deed as in name, and throughout all countries of the globe. Fourthly, an auxiliary language must become established, or the world interchange of ideas and science can go on but haltingly. (Already international conferists, realizing this great need, are experimenting with Esperanto as a solution—as are also the great Radio and Movietone corporations.) Lastly, there must be established a spiritual homogeneity of culture, such as will bring between all the races of the world mutual understanding, sympathy, and respect.
IN ALL THESE great fields of human needs the Bahá’í Movement has for years been working effectively. Already it has united, and is uniting, in a strongly cohesive culture individual members of every race and religion, and of every continent. Already it is arousing the interest and admiration of world rulers, as they realize the spiritual significance and vast humanitarian goal of this modern and world-progressive movement.
Accustomed as we are in this great century of progress to dream dreams and see visions of the future, it is almost impossible fully to conceive the vast span which world-civilization will achieve when all the necessary conditions are fulfilled. Then all discoveries and achievements of human thought will be published simultaneously in a universally adopted language in all quarters of the globe. Then artists, actors, lecturers, can visit professionally all countries of the world, speaking a language as universal as music now is. Then the great colleges and universities of the world, following a universal curriculum in a universal language, will become great international centers of culture attended peripateticaily by men and women of every race and clime.
The results for human progress and happiness, of such an amazing world-culture, are almost inconceivable. The reader may use his imagination here with the utmost freedom—for no flights of the imagination can equal the achievements of reality before the Twentieth Century shall reach its glorious close in an epoch of brotherhood of man, and of love and knowledge of God.
Need we doubt the possibility of this spiritual achievement of a humanity unified in and through the powerful cosmic dynamic of the love of the One God, when we see about us being daily achieved miracles just as unexpected and apparently incredible in the realm of matter? The limitations of the past, obstacles seemingly insuperable in the nature of man’s personality, the precedents of past spiritual failures of humanity to achieve such organized perfection, need not incur scepticism as we realize the enormous obstacles to the conquest of nature which man has first slowly and then with accelerating speed pushed back across the barriers of space and time. Nothing is impossible to the brave spirit of man, aided by the power and guidance of Destiny.
“In this present cycle there will be an evolution in civilization unparalleled in the history of the world. The world of humanity has heretofore been in the stage of infancy; now it is approaching maturity. Just as the individual human organism having attained the period of maturity reaches its fullest degree of physical strength and ripened intellectual faculties, so that in one year of this ripened period there is witnessed an unprecedented measure of development, likewise the world of humanity in this cycle of its completeness and consummation will realize an immeasurable upward progress; and that power of accomplishment whereof each individual human reality is the depository of God,—that outworking universal spirit,—like the intellectual faculty, will reveal itself in infinite degrees of perfection.”
AMERICA’S destiny is Asiaward. As if by some occult law the movement of civilization on our own planet has ever been westward in tendency. The sun mounting majestically in the heavens from east to west, has been a symbol of correspondence to the diurnal occidental urge of civilization.
True, there is no evidence to warrant us in assuming that this phenomenon will continue. But by analogy of the past, supposing the movement of civilization to go on further westward, the strange paradox arises that the only possible next step, from the occidental shores of the New World, would be to ultimate in the East.
Perhaps destiny has in design this completion of the arc, that civilization should thus encircle the globe by returning to its place of origin. This accomplished, civilization would need no longer migrate from land to land, from people to people, but would equably cover the whole earth with its beneficence.
It may indeed be conceived that it will be from America rather than from Europe that Asia will acquire a new and successful impetus toward modern civilization and the arts of living. We have seen in the past that civilization tends like water to flow from high levels down and out to lower-lying levels. The greater the difference of levels, the greater the pressure of flow. Thus there is a natural psychological tendency for American civilization to flow eastward rather than westward, to focus its main urge on Asia rather than on Europe.
This we see to be the case historically. It is from America rather
than from Europe that Japan has derived, and continues to derive, its modern civilization. The same thing applies to China. These two countries of the far East, (impelled partly perhaps by contiguity) have turned to America for instruction in the scientific arts of life. It is from America chiefly that they have manned their newly founded schools and universities. It is to America chiefly that they send their youthful citizens for foreign education. Europe may seek to emulate the material prosperity of America but where in Europe do you find schools and universities manned and directed by Americans, as has been the case in Japan until recently and is still the case in China? The new Nationalistic China, so Special Envoy Wu tells us, has as a majority of its leaders men who have had contact with American education; and out of nine members of the new cabinet, six are graduates of American universities.
Persia, too, has turned from Europe to America for tutelage. First Mr. Shuster, then Mr. Millspaugh, were invited to the ancient land of the Sun and Lion to instruct in the art of national finance. As treasurer-general and director of taxes, Mr. Shuster was given immense power in regulating the internal affairs of Persia. Mr. Millspaugh in his turn has directed the finances of Persia and helped to create a modern system of taxation, of budgeting, of national expenditure.
Turkey has sought American aid for her educational problems in the person of our greatest progressive educator, John Dewey.
No, the flow of American culture,
it is apparent, is not so much eastward as westward across the Pacific. With good reason Asia tends to look to America for help in her movement of renaissance. While her contacts with Europe have been chiefly imperialistic, her contacts with us have been chiefly the opposite. Asia expects of us no territorial designs, she apprehends from us no military pressure; but a virtual cataclysm would have to overturn Asia’s present enforced subjection to Europe before she could willingly and confidently look to Europe for disinterested aid.
Asia has had abundant proof in the past of America’s capacity for distinterested friendship. Her faith and confidence in America, though shaken a bit at times, is on the whole steady; and certainly sufficiently strong to motivate the seeking of our aid. May we keep our international policies free from aggression, that we may hold, as in the past, the undoubting confidence of the world’s largest and most populous continent.
There are those who see in the Pacific a vast new potential basin of civilization, comparable to the Mediterranean basin of antiquity, and to the Atlantic basin of today.
Chester H. Rowell, who has taken a prominent part in the movement for harmonious relations between the Pacific nations, says in the Survey (May 1, 1926),
“The ancient world faced inward, like a Greek house, on the Mediterranean. The modern European world has faced outward, on the Atlantic. America has looked about, on its continental domain. Meantime, half the human race was living across the Pacific, as it were on another
planet. The relative separateness of these two worlds has conditioned all the past; their contact, on a globe shrunk too small to hold them longer apart, is the condition of all the future. Our face henceforward is toward the West, which is the East, and the Pacific coast is become the Front door.”
And the Editor of the “Survey” adds his own impressive message:
“One rim of the Pacific basin shelters the oldest and most stable of living civilizations; the other, the most recent and most progressive. As all forms of intercourse increase, as they must, and as distances dissolve, the Pacific assumes more and more the character of a vortex into which the interests of every race and tribe and nation living on its borders converge.”
Ramsay Traquair, Professor of Archaeology at McGill University Montreal, has a vision of “The Coming Commonwealth of the Pacific.”
“Who can venture to prophesy what may be the result when the deepest philosophies of the Occident and Orient mingle, as they may mingle, into one Pacific culture? The Commonwealth of the Pacific will be the latest of the Ocean Commonwealths, and it may be the richest and greatest of them all.”
It may become, therefore, the destiny of America to transmit with additions from her own racial genius, that industrial civilization which began in Europe to that awakening antique giant, the Orient. Bridging the Atlantic and Pacific, America holds, perhaps, the key position of the planet. Only one other locality can compare with it in strategic value as
regards the Orient–the eastern littoral of the Mediterranean. At that point, coming eventually to focus in the city of Haifa, European culture and commerce will concentrate to flow out across the vast hinterland through which caravan routes as ancient as civilization itself have from time immemorial linked Europe, Asia, and Africa.
But for America, the Pacific! Already this vision is dawning in the consciousness of many leading minds on both sides of the Pacific, and bearing fruit in those remarkable organizations for peaceful interchange of civilizations, the Pan-Pacific Union and the Institute of Pacific Relations, both centered in Honolulu, T. H., both absolutely free from any political significance as both were organized by those who had vision and whose sole purpose was a better understanding of the peoples and nations bordering the Pacific looking forward eventually to the goal of lasting peace. These two organizations have sponsored many Conferences which have been given more or less publicity in the Bahá’í Magazine, notably in the interesting articles by Miss Agnes B. Alexander on “The Institute of Pacific Relations,”* and, “The Cooperative Spirit of the Pan-Pacific Union.”**
Two obstacles, of psychological rather than of material or political nature, stand in the way of a closer approachment between America and Asia. These two obstacles are racial pride and religious prejudice. Americans are sympathetic and kindly, it is true, toward all peoples of the world. But toward those races which happen to vary by even the slightest pigmentation from the skin-of-whiteness,
* VOL. 16, P. 589.
* * VOL. 17. P. 56.
many are apt to conceive a vanity of comparison which is not based on scientific fact. Neither the science of anthropology nor the science of psychology, can succeed in establishing any general evidence of difference of intelligence between the races of pigmented skin and the races of unpigmented skin. What evidence there is bears in the contrary direction, namely, that the different races of the world are practically alike in native endowment of intelligence. Unfounded racial vanity, fostered by the cult of color, is one of the unfortunate barriers to complete hearty accord between the Occident and the Orient.
It is not scientific to take as evidence of racial capacity the comparison of present civilizations. America is in the position of leadership today. But in their prime each of the great races of Asia have held a position of cultural preeminence and influence—China, Persia, India, and the various races of the Near East. If we have at present a higher material civilization than these races, let us share it with them in the spirit of modesty, friendship, brotherhood.
As regards our religious prejudice, that is directed chiefly toward Islam. for the main reason that it is the only active competitor of Christianity. Both these religions are vigorously propagandic, both virile and self-contained, both existing side by side on our planet without making any reciprocal impression. Because the races of Islam are today in a stage of medievalism, bound in tradition, and up to very recently held back from progress by a strict spirit of religious scholasticism, the tendency is to judge unfairly the potentiality of the races composing the Islamic world.
To relegate the Muslim to a grade of low cultural capacity is to show
an utter lack of historical knowledge and perspective. For in the ninth, tenth and eleventh centuries Islamic culture led the world. So far ahead of Europe had the Arabs forged their way in scientific thought and discovery that Arabic became the universal language of science, and all important works of other races were either written in Arabic or translated into it. George Sarton, our most distinguished historian of human progress and science, says in his “Introduction to the History of Science”:
“As the greatest achievements of antiquity were due to the Greek genius, so the greatest achievements of the Middle Ages were due to the Muslim genius. During this period, although important works were composed in Latin, in Greek, in Syriac, in Persian, yet the most valuable of all, the most original, the most pregnant, were written in Arabic. From the second half of the eighth to the end of the eleventh century, Arabic was the scientific, the progressive language of mankind. Muslim culture radiated from a number of centers which were distributed all the way from Spain to Central Asia. In these centers the Arabs accomplished numerous and remarkable investigations in mathematics, astronomy, chemistry, physics, technology, geography, and medicine. How did it come to pass that Muslims were so far ahead of the Christians from the eighth to the eleventh centuries?”
It is not enough, however, to
merely abolish racial and religious prejudice. What is needed is something more constructive than this. We need a sense of actual brotherhood, of amity, of spiritual unity. Many excellent movements of an international kind, of which the Pan-Pacific Union and Institute of Pacific Relationships are outstanding examples, are helping to create and foster such a dynamic unity between the Occident and Orient.
But of all possible agencies for harmonizing and unifying the Occident and Orient, the Bahá’í Movement stands unique. It has clearly demonstrated its power to bring together into loving harmony the most diverse races and religions. The greater the difference of racial cultures and racial viewpoints, the greater the joy of discovering the possibility of brotherhood. Thus a young Persian Muslim recently become a Bahá’í, whose white-banded turban showed he had been studying for the priesthood, upon meeting the writer in Constantinople grasped his hand with the greatest earnestness and friendship and said, “My brother, my brother! Just to think! If I had had to shake hands with you six months ago I would have spat upon the ground, for I would have believed myself defiled. And now, we are brothers!”
Nothing can admit Occidentals into the intimacy of Islamic friendship, and understanding of its peoples, as can the Bahá’í Movement. It is indeed a solvent, the destined bridge, that is to unite East and West in a marvelous new civilization—reciprocal, friendly, confident.
“This age has acquired a glorious capacity for the majestic revelation of the oneness of the world of humanity.”
The following is the opening address at the First Pan-Pacific Women’s Conference held in Honolulu sponsored by the Pan-Pacific Union. The ideals of this Union have strongly appealed to the Bahá’i world for they are in keeping with the laws of the new age, and the Bahá’i Magazine has given quite wide publicity to the conferences, activities and findings of this epoch-making and highly commendable organization, having at various times since the inception of the work, pubilshed reports of its noteworthy services which have always been directed toward progress in understanding international relationships. In the address which follows Mr. Ford characterizes this Women’s Conference as the most important ever held in Honolulu, and certainly Honolulu has been the scene of some of the greatest conferences held in these recent years, for it is at the “cross-roads” of the Pacific and is an ideal setting for demonstrating ideally and practically that great Principle in the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh—“The Oneness of Mankind.” The people of Honolulu seem to have for their slogan, “Prejudice toward none; love for all.”—Editor.
THE gavel has fallen; a new child is born to the Pacific; once more the Pan-Pacific Union is a happy father, and at last a lusty girl child has arrived. An ambition of twenty-one years is attained; the future rulers of the Pacific Empire have assembled.
If our ways are to be the ways of peace, and they must be, then we must follow your lead. We are not Pacifists in the Pacific, we are just naturally peaceful. There is so much to be done and we have never known other than peaceful ways in this hemisphere—as a whole. Our very name means peace. We are peaceful, and peacefully we are discovering those common interests that bind us together more closely. There are so many more important things to do than to slaughter, that we never give that pastime a thought. There are too many things we can agree on to bother much about those on which we cannot. Find for us more of the things in common we can do for our mutual and inter-racial advancements in the Pacific and you will discover that we will seek to do them with all our might. That is what this Pan-Pacific Union is for.
There is enough for each of us and for each group of us to do for centuries
to come in this great area where lives and strives half the population of the globe, to weave the net-work of common interest and mutual understanding that will keep us bound together,–if only for our own preservation. So do not fear to give birth to a new Pan-Pacific organization. We need many children and there should be no birth control in our family of those of better understanding.
The Pan-Pacific Union has given birth to many inter-racial service bodies, all of which are now self-supporting and independent. Educational organizations, Science, Commercial, Press, Research, Conservation, Food, Ethical, and other conference bodies born of the Pan-Pacific Union have become permanent bodies for progress and good understanding among the peoples of the Pacific.
The Pan-Pacific Union is of age. It is twenty-one years old, the very oldest of all organizations in the Pacific that calls together for friendly understanding representatives of the countries about the greatest of oceans, around the shores of which live more than half the population of the globe, and at the center of which, where you gather today, meet and mingle in perfect peace, harmony and
--PHOTO--
Distinguished representatives from all countries bordering the Pacific, attending the First Pan-Pacific Conference of Women at Honolulu. In the center the world-wide humanitarian, Jane Addams.
understanding the oldest and the newest civilizations of the world. pleading for betterment and bringing a better civilization to us.
The Union has striven to create a patriotism of the Pacific, and is succeeding. This is truly “our ocean” as the Mediterranean was the “Mare Nostrum” of the ancients. We are proud to hail from the Pacific and we are peaceful-minded.
The gatherings brought together through the efforts of the Pan-Pacific Union have tried successfully both the group gatherings and the round table council. Hawaii has been used as an experiment station in solving social problems on a small scale, and the results placed before the greater bodies about this “our ocean”. You are to carry these experiments further.
There are precedents established in the formation of these Pan-Pacific Conference bodies that you might well observe. Out of the Pan-Pacific Food Conservation Conference grew several
permanent international organizations that now call their own world or Pan-Pacific Conferences. One sectional group of this Conference became an International Sugar Technologists Association holding now its own bi-annual meetings; another, a Pan-Pacific Fisheries Association with David Starr Jordan at its head; another, a Pan-Pacific Legal Association; and also out of this first Pan-Pacific Food Conservation Congress grew the Pan-Pacific Research Institution.
For four years your five sections on Health, Education, Women in Industry and the Professions, Social Service, and Women in Government, have planned and worked. Should they in time each become a permanent international organization in the Pacific would not the world be better for this? There can not be too many groups working for better understanding and for a better world. You women will make a saner world and the Pacific offers a virgin field for a
beginning, and here where there exists no racial hatreds a firm foundation may be laid.
Japan, Australia, and New Zealand have each sent larger delegations to this Conference than these countries have ever sent to any meeting held in Hawaii. The Pacific is ready for this movement of her daughters to take their place in establishing and advancing the ideals that we in the Pacific should establish and live up to for our own self-protection and for the peace of the world. We welcome you; we look to you to fulfill this mission.
This is your Conference, the Pan-Pacific Union merely calls you together, pays your bills and retires. Should you desire further service, ask and you shall receive. It is the hope of the Pan-Pacific Union that you will appoint twenty or more of your organization as follow-up workers to remain in Honolulu as guests of the Pan-Pacific Research Institution, our International Guest House, until they have prepared for your next meeting. We wish them to remain a month or longer.
We wish you to have every facility and help for permanent organization. Should you need a central office and experienced secretaries to serve you until your next Conference, the Pan-Pacific Union offers you these, the service of its staff and its petty cash account until you are well on your feet.
Should the Pan-Pacific Association in China, Japan or any other country induce you to hold your next meeting under its auspices, the Pan-Pacific Union will, to the limit of its ability, back any such effort. We will be glad to aid in any way that you can suggest. We wish you a permanent organization of women in the Pacific
Perhaps then you may aid us in realizing our dream of the Pan-Pacific Union to erect here at the
ocean’s cross roads a building where such Conferences as this may be housed and its deliberations carried out in a great convention hall, a home for the representatives of all international organizations for good-will in the Pacific. Plans for such a building are getting well under way, and we look to the women of the Pacific for their cooperation.
In such a home inhabited by foremost men and women of all races in the Pacific might be cultivated that civilization that knows no war of destruction but only the ways of permanent peaceful solutions and everlasting justice.
Again let me state that the Pan-Pacific Union is seeking to find only those points of common interest in the Pacific on which we can all agree. The rest will follow.
So to the Motherhood of the Pacific we hand the great responsibility of the welfare of our generations unborn, and even if you have no actual children of your own, mother as children the ideals that will make the world happier because the great Pacific, the store-house of the world’s future food supply, is at peace.
The gavel has fallen, a new phase of life in the Pacific begins. Its womanhood is assuming its share of responsibility for the welfare of half the population of the globe. May the spirit of Christ, Buddha, Confucius, and all great teachers of mankind guide you and keep you. You believe God has created you equal to man. The hope of the world is that He has created you superior. Certainly if you cannot lead us in ideals of peace and understanding, the cause of civilization is lost, but we of the Pacific trust you. The Pacific is yours for peace and racial advancement—we look to you.
Welcome, whether child, friend or competitor of this Pan-Pacific Union!
HONOLULU has been specially honored during the last fort-night by the Women’s Pan-Pacific Conference.
The conference had Miss Jane Addams, international chairman, to preside—a woman whom one delegate said she would like to see President of the United States. In her opening address Miss Addams said that the business of diffusion has been the primary business of the world for the last 100 years, and emphasized the tremendous stimulus when various cultures come together where the tendency is to pool discoveries quickly.
Remedies for abuses were suggested, not specifically so much as from the standpoint of overcoming by sane education and inspiration.
Just why should women travel thousands of miles to get back to the old way of talking face to face was explained by Miss Addams:
“Why do women travel thousands of miles to get back to the old way of talking face to face? We come to work out a technique by which there should be intercourse without mechanism; fresh, with something of the touch of the original stimulus. That can only be produced by people working together in groups and having an earnest purpose.”
No time was wasted in this conference over questions of less importance than those upon which the general character of humanity depends. From child life to universal industrialism, round table discussions followed one another in orderly sequence.
If there has been doubt about the
right of womankind anywhere in the world to take her full part in intellectual, moral, imaginative and spiritual works, as these apply directly to the betterment of mankind, that doubt must disappear in the light of this splendid conference.—Editorial, Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
OUR PEOPLE view with very lively and sympathetic interest the forthcoming Pan-Pacific Conference of Women. It is a pioneer conference. For years the women of every race and nation have found here a pleasant home and we have enjoyed the benefits of visits from distinquished leaders in all walks of life.
This is the first time that an organized and carefully studied effort has been made to bring together leading women of the countries about the Pacific, so that they may discuss problems that are common to all countries and especially give those who are assembled and the people that they represent the benefit of various new points of view.
We of Hawaii have felt that our principle city and the communities within our Territory, furnish a favorable place for the people of the Pacific area to assemble for a conference and exchange of views. Our location is such that we receive at one time or another representatives of nearly every race populating the islands and continents within and bordering on the Pacific ocean. Hawaii being a pleasant place to live, a certain percentage of these representatives have from time to time made their permanent home in the islands. In this way they have
proved their adaptability or otherwise for adjusting themselves to new environment.
Thus we have here a laboratory. In the community life of Hawaii, it is possible to gain an answer to some of the many questions that are asked regarding what people of a certain type will do when they come in contact with certain other types. In the majority of cases there has been freedom from the dire results that are frequently predicted.
The general conclusion has indicated that human nature is pretty much the same all over the world. Achievements in promoting happy conditions are determined by the capacity for tolerance, coupled with initiative, patience, without loss of aggressiveness. When all is said and done we have finally a continuous demonstration of the unfailing value of courtesy.
Possibly the best thing that can come of a conference of this character is the additional happiness that may be brought into the homes of the less fortunate. New ideas proved practical in one part of the world will be made available. to all.—Hon. Wallace R. Farrington, Governor of Hawaii and President, Pan-Pacific Union, in “Mid-Pacific Magazine.”
“OUR CONFERENCE is a child of the Pan-Pacific Union, which has paved the way for us.
“While it is a women’s conference, the views which we will consider should not be confined to those of women. We are endeavoring to approach our discussion with much broader views.
“Out of the conference, I will not be surprised to find a stronger consciousness of the role of women who have played a vital part in the advancement of human welfare.
“Starting from small groups of church work, missionary societies,
women of the world are now actively engaged in various social and international work. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union is the second development after church groups. Then came the Council of International Women.
“The International Association of Women in the Suffrage Movement is still a younger organization. The International Organization of University Women, with its headquarters at London, is one of the most recent international organizations of women.
“Summing up results, we were reminded again and again that no problem in the Pacific can be amicably solved by just one nation alone. The women of Pacific countries must work together.
“Cold scientific inquiry must be instituted for all problems by cooperation of women in different countries of the Pacific. It is encouraging to note that in discussion of all these problems, racial difference was forgotten.”—Jane Addams, President of Conference.
“WE OF CHINA are expecting much from this conference for the advancement of international peace. It is peculiar to note that the word peace in Chinese language is written with two characters: ‘House’ and ‘Woman,’, showing that even according to the Chinese conception women have a great part to play in bringing about the peace of the world.
“We are tremendously interested in bringing about international peace, which we call in China ‘International Happiness’, but we realize that this cannot be brought about unless we have, first of all, our domestic happiness.”
In summing up her observances of the different groups, Dr. Mei Ting, head of the Chinese delegation further said, in part, that she was impressed with:
“The progressiveness and ambitions of Japan.
“The humbleness of the Koreans.
“The thoroughness of the British.
“The innocence of the Samoans.
And last, but not least, she stressed the hospitality of Honolulu, and the honesty of the United States.
She concluded with the remark:
“China, after this conference, is wiser than before she entered into it.”—Honolulu Advertiser.
“WE ARE GOING back to Australia, where civilization is newer than that of other countries, with a deep impression of Honolulu as a home of Pacific nations.
“Nowhere in the world can we find such an impact of races and nationalities, living in a wonderful community spirit. Through this conference, and through our visit here, we are charged with renewed responsibility to shape our own destiny.-Mrs. B. Rischbeith, chairman, Federation
of Women Voters of Australia.
“STRONG FOUNDATION for scientific investigation by the women of the Pacific area has been laid because of this conference. All Japanese women are returning to their home-land with an inspiration from this conference to do their part in bringing about international friendship and peace in the Pacific area.”—Miss Yoshi Shoda, speaking for the delegates from Japan.
“FOR THE FIRST TIME, the industrial question has been given its due place in our international deliberation,” said Miss Mary Anderson, director of Industry, Women’s Bureau, Department of Labor, Washington, speaking for the United States’ delegation. “We can now work together with women of other countries in the solution of various industrial problems of women.”—Honolulu Advertiser.
of race, the antagonisms of faiths and the conflict of opinions in Persia. In this day, however, the fragrance of holiness has produced so complete a fusion of the divers elements in that land that its varied peoples, its opposing sects and hostile races have become even as one soul. Reflect how great is their (Bahá’is) love one for the other, how firm their union, how unified their interests, how close their association and intercourse. Christian, Jew, Zoroastrian and Muslim, having all banished every trace of estrangement and difference from their midst, have all gathered together in perfect harmony and understanding, with all affection, happiness and freedom.
“Ponder in thine heart what the Power of the Most Great Name (Bahá’u’lláh) hath wrought!”
--PHOTO--
Delegates from fort-two countries attending the Twentieth Universal Congress of Esperanto at Antwerp, Belgium, August 3-11, 1928.
THE world no longer disputes that Esperanto is not a Living Language. Several International Congresses in Europe this year have used this international medium as the official language for one and only one translation. For example, if speeches are given in French, English, German, or other tongues, the interpreter gives the talk in Esperanto. So successful has this proved that some of the greatest world congresses next year are to use Esperanto. Among the latter are: Third Biennial Conference of World Federation of Educational Associations which will meet in Geneva, Switzerland, July 26-August 4, 1929. Thousands of delegates are expected. The International Bureau of Education in Geneva states that possibly, too,
there will be a Conference of International School Correspondence in Geneva, three days before this Congress, and this Conference will recognize Esperanto. The New Education Fellowship Conference which is to be held in Copenhagen August 6-16, 1929, will use Esperanto as the official language for translation. It is an interesting fact that all over the world, delegates seeing that Esperanto is to be used, begin to study it so that they will be able to understand. Perhaps the best propaganda for Esperanto is not to talk about it, but to use it!
The International Congresses which so successfully introduced Esperanto this season were: the Inter-religious Congress for Peace, in the Hague, Holland; the World’s
Youth Congress for Peace, in Eerde, Holland; World’s Congress of Religious Socialists, Le Locle, Switzerland; the International Congress for Workers’ Education in Gotenburg.
The Inter-religious Congress for World Peace at The Hague July 30-August 2, was the first of its kind which has ever been held in Europe. It is the mother Conference of scores of others which will be called in Central Europe. Pastors, peace workers, city officials present, who formerly had not known much about Esperanto, were amazed that so many delegates easily understood every word. They bought Esperanto books and returned home to learn this international language which is gaining such favor throughout the world.
Americans who expect to travel in Europe will find Esperanto a passport to all progressive movements. Esperanto is also a language of brotherhood. The Esperantists belong to the new age. Among them are the standard bearers of universal
education, and of the new economic solution; scientists health specialists, broadcasting experts. The man or woman who knows Esperanto may meet the minds, the souls of European culture.
Speaking one day with Dr. Edmond Privat, President of the Universal Esperanto Association, one of the great authorities on this universal tongue, the writer asked him: “How would you answer the Professor or linguist who speaks perhaps twenty languages and without ever having looked into Esperanto to see what it really is, says, ‘Oh, Esperanto is an artificial language.’ Was not every language in its very beginning an artificial language—made through art?” Dr. Privat replied, “In a way, yes, Esperanto is an artificial language, but in another way, no, it is not. The basis of the language was only a very limited Vocabulary of roots already international and a few rules of grammar. Forty years have elapsed and the language has grown,
being enriched by a more and more frequent use. A language is not contained in a book; but in the vast material of living expressions made by the people who use it. The only artificial part is the endings, the formation of new words by combinations of roots, and by adding existing suffixes which give an almost unlimited vocabulary. The power of combination in Esperanto is so much freer that the possibilities of this universal tongue are extraordinary.”
To people who have traveled and met the statesmen and the masses in different lands, it is evident that any national tongue is not only not acceptable as a universal help-language, but it is unsuitable to the international thought content of a new universal cycle.
People who go as representatives from fifty-four countries to the League of Nations in Geneva, for the most part speak French or English or both. All speeches in the Society of Nations sessions are translated into French and English. Some speak in their native tongue and provide their own interpreter and their words are again translated. Much time is tediously lost, much money spent for interpreters and translations and printed matter in several languages. However, the International Labor Bureau in Geneva has quickly seen the advantages of Esperanto and it has issued a separate Bulletin in this language and conducts a newspaper service in Esperanto.
Next door to the Antwerp Universal Congress of Esperanto, Brussels had an International Labor Congress in August where every speech had to be translated three times. Le Locle, Switzerland, was the scene of a wonderful Inter-religious Congress of Socialist Christians, in August, where every delegate was like a flame of spiritual fire burning to help humanity to world peace and to spiritual
brotherhood. Esperanto was used successfully, and the following resolution was adopted for the next Congress which is to be held in 1930: “The International Congress of Religious Socialism having used Esperanto as the only translated language, recommends to all the groups in different countries to begin the study of this language to facilitate the international contact and the next Congress in particular.”
Universal education is not alone for the leisured few who have time and means for higher learning and the mastery of many languages. The task of Twentieth Century educators is equally to equip the working classes of the world with a universal auxiliary language, and Esperanto is a path to international comprehension and expression that the laboring people can follow.
The Twentieth Universal Congress of Esperanto held in Antwerp, Belgium, from August third to eleventh was attended by 1,500 delegates from forty-two countries. A letter of salutation to the delegates from Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Bahá’i Cause was read at the opening session, as follows:
“Haifa, Palestine,
May 4, 1928.
Dear Fellow-workers:
On the occasion of the opening of the Twentieth Universal Congress of Esperanto, I wish to reaflirm, in the name of the Bahá’is of both the East and the West, the sentiments of good-will, fellowship and loving sympathy, that animate the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in their attitude towards the work in which you are so nobly and devotedly engaged.
I can assure you that the members of the world-wide Bahá’i community follow with increasing interest and genuine hope the progress of your labours, and feel that by your high endeavours you are promoting one of
--PHOTO--
Section of the Bahá’i Esperanto Conference, part of the Universal Congress of Esperanto in Antwerp, taken just before the first session. In the front row seated, Miss Lydja Zamenhof in white, who served as honorary President of the Conference, and representatives from England, Persia, Germany, Holland, United States and other countries.
the outstanding principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.
They share with me the fervent hope that in the days to come closer bonds of cooperation and fellowship may bind the Esperantists of the world with our beloved Faith, and that the establishment and maintenance of intimate relationships between Bahá’is and Esperantists may prove conducive to the betterment of mankind.
May the Almighty guide and bless your deliberations, and graciously assist you to bring into closer understanding and communion the divers peoples and nations of a sorely divided world.
Your true brother and well-wisher,
SHOGHI.”
Representatives from governments and more than fifty international associations sent greetings. Hundreds of letters and telegrams were received from national societies. It was announced that one hundred and sixty-seven radio stations now broadcast Esperanto, and there was much discussion about using Esperanto for Moving Pictures and for “Talking Pictures” or “Movietones”.
Two Bahá’i Esperanto sessions were held as part of this great Congress. Miss Lidja Zamenhof, youngest daughter of the late Dr. L. Zamenhof, creator of Esperanto, was the honorary President at both sessions and spoke eloquently at the opening. Dr. Heinrich Nienkamp (author of “Uncrowned Kings”), Bahá’i and well known writer in Europe, had a paper on, “The Bahá’í Movement and Politics”—politics in the sense of the influence upon national and international affairs if the Principles of Bahá’u’lláh were followed. Mr. H. S. Mohammed Ruhani of Resht, Persia, gave an address on, “The Bahá'i Movement and Esperanto in Persia”; Mr. Vuk Echtner of Prague spoke on, “The Spirit of the New Day”; Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford of New York City on, “The Succession of Prophets”; and the writer on, “Universal Education for World Peace”. Distinguished Esperantists from several countries spoke briefly. Miss Julia Culver of Chicago did much to help these two sessions.
The next Universal Congress of Esperanto will be held in Budapest, Hungary, in August, 1929.
This is the seventh chapter in the series of articles on “Healing—Material and Spiritual,” by the author. In this article Dr. Guy outlines the practical steps which should be taken by ailing people in the way of a medical investigation and possible care, but above and beyond all is the need of a spiritual balance to life which constitutes the only permanence of physical equilibrium and well being.—Editor.
“But the principle causes of disease are physical; for the human body is composed of numerous elements, but in the measure of an especial equilibrium. As long as this equilibrium is maintained, man is preserved from disease; but if this essential balance, which is the pivot of the constitution, is disturbed, the constitution is disordered, and disease will supervene.” —’Abdu’l-Bahá.
IN previous chapters I have endeavored to point out the laws and conditions necessary for a sound, healthy, and contented life. I am concerned, however, in reaching those who are not in that desirable category. People who find life arduous and unfruitful; people who are drifting instead of riding the current of human life; people who are sick in mind, soul, and body, and are seeking health and the fulness of life; people who migrate from physician to physician, to healers and quacks, in search of bodily health and find it not—and above all, those individuals who are lost in the morass of conflicting creeds and are bewildered by the claims of rival schools of therapeutic art.
In all cases of physical ill health, search should be instituted and a complete examination by a competent physician made of the organs, tissues, secretions, excretions, and functions of the human organism. Ofttimes such examination will show an infection such as is found in necrosed or impacted teeth, an abscessed gall bladder, an infected appendix, or infection of some other organ.
If the patient is from the South or Tropics, the blood stream may be host to various animal organisms, or the intestinal or urinary tract may harbor one or more species of parasites so prevalent in tropical environments.
Search throughout the body for low chronic infections, impaired functions, for various lesions, such as gastric or intestinal ulcerations, and impaired functions of the kidneys, is always in order. When all this is done, and the whole of the symptomology both objective and subjective obtained, treatment should be applied. If successful, then the patient is relieved of his or her difficulties.
After all these procedures have been accomplished, there still will be found a varying percentage of those who fail to respond and complain of sickness or impaired vitality. Many of these will not show any particular group of symptoms indicating organic disease, but will manifest on the other hand, positive symptoms of ’dysfunction’ in varied degrees. These people are those to whom we need to point the way to a normal state of health by setting into harmonious relationship the different kingdoms and allowing the spiritual to function normally in the every-day affairs of life.
How can this be achieved? These sick and unhappy ones must put themselves unreservedly in the hands of one who knows. One who is cognizant of the spiritual realities. One who is in attune with that spiritual force ever overshadowing, illuminating, and vitalizing physical life. One who has pledged his all to the call
of the Master. One who knows his Lord, one who would walk in His steps, reflect His power, and give forth His love. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” saith the Lord.
The Divine Love that creates, sustains, and carries forward our Universe, is near to each one of us. “It is nearer than hands or feet.” It ever seeks to enter our hearts, ever knocks at the door of human life. “My son, give Me thy heart,” was written of old, yet is ever new. That Love which will not be denied; that Love, unparalleled in human existence, which throughout the ages of bygone days, and even to this day, sends His messengers to mankind. Messengers that show forth His power and glory, true reflectors of His Love, nay, more than that—true vehicles of Himself. They go through torture, exile, imprisonment, and death that we might not suffer; driven from their homes that we might find our Home; imprisoned that we might be set free of self, and attain to life eternal.
Let the knowledge of this all-comprehensive and abiding love sink into the soul and consciousness until the emotions are stirred, the tears fall, the heart rends in anguish, and the feeling of utter worthlessness becomes manifest. Then the soul will become severed from its worldly desires, its fleshly lusts, its sinful greed, its egotistic urgings for greatness and fame.
Yes, give up mortality for immortality, give up all, to that Love which loves so greatly. Then, and only then, will healing come for body and soul. Desires will fade away, and instead of sickness and grief, the afflicted one will find the Most Great Peace. When the soul is free, worldly ambitions die, and warring lusts are stilled, and the heart begins to reflect light and joy, which is given freely and without stint.
Faith is knowledge and the experience of the indubitable eternal verities; therefore, its expression is the shining forth of the divine qualities in human life.
It is told of Fred Douglass, a free negro who worked for freedom in slavery days, that at one time he spoke to a group of his own people in utter discouragement—in his heart all hope was dead. An old colored woman arose and said, “Fred Douglass, is God dead?”
Nay! God is not dead! He is ever present. His Love is always near to us, but if we love Him not, how can His Love reach us? How can His healing rays cure us? How can His spirit awake and restore us, and give us life eternal?
Turn, then, with complete humility to Him whom God has sent, through whom He has revealed His very Presence. His bounty is overflowing abundant Life. Turn to the glory of God, Bahá’u’lláh. He, like Jesus of long ago, has manifested God’s Beauty, and Love, and Power. He, to-day, heals and comforts, and in His touch is life.
Shall we tie God’s hands? This was attempted in the days of the lowly Nazarene. Shall we deny before we try? “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
From age to age, God manifests His Love to us. He comes again and again in human form to man. He opens the Door, leads the Way-through prison, through torture, pain, and sorrow, to glorious victory over sin and death.
We must follow on, walk in those footprints marked with His blood, search until we find Him, then lift up our eyes and open our hearts.
If we do this thing in utter sincerity, His Love as a flood of sunlight will flow through us, His arms encircle us, His Power overshadow us, His Joy comfort and invigorate us. For those who give all, truly, shall
truly receive all; for God, and God alone, is able to know and to give Life and Love and Truth.
Turn to Him in fulness of love, of devotion, and cast your heart at His feet. Surrender this unhappy, futile, sick, and discouraged self to Him, and He will take it and transform it into His Likeness.
It is the old story of the Cross. The Way is ever the same. The same loving hands are waiting to heal and to bless, the same Light is shining through the darkness of sin and disbelief, the same Love is waiting for His errant children, patiently waiting for the prodigal son, tired of the world and starving on the husks of intellectual metaphysics. That Love is ever waiting to welcome Home those who will to come to Him. ’Abdu’l-Bahá said, “There are two ways of healing sickness—material means and spiritual means. The first is by the use of remedies, of medicines; the second consists of praying to God and in turning to Him. Both
means should be used and practiced.
“Illness caused by physical accident should be treated with medical remedies; those which are due to spiritual causes, disappear through spiritual means. Thus, all illness caused by affliction, fear, nervous impressions, will be healed by spiritual rather than by physical treatment. Hence, both kinds of remedies should be considered. Moreover, they are not contradictory, and thou shouldst accept the physical remedies as coming from the mercy and favor of God, Who hath revealed and made manifest medical science so that His servants should profit from this kind of treatment also. Thou shouldst give equal attention to spiritual treatments, for they produce marvelous effects.
“Now, if thou wishest to know the divine remedy which will heal man from all sickness and will give him the health of the divine kingdom, know that it is the precepts and teachings of God. Guard them sacredly.”
The following article by a brilliant Persian-American girl coompleting her education at Leland Stanford University in California, presents a challenge which may well make the modern educator gasp; but can he answer it?
In this writer, whose birth itself is a witness to the unity of the Persian and American world, we find a genius which is a harmonious expression of the cultures of the two races which mingle in her.—Editor.
DISTASTEFUL word—religion. It has come to mean long hard hours on church seats, and endless discussions as to whether transubstantiation or impanation is the correct view. And yet, it is the only thing in life that is worthy of attention. The reason is shiningly simple. God, the First Cause, exists because the world—an effect—is impossible without a cause; the soul exists because our scientists, although
they know exactly what life is made of, cannot create it. There is evidently something in us that is more than material. Immortality exists because science tells us that from the beginning of time we have been passing from one stage to another, and it is therefore highly unreasonable to assume a jumping-off place.
Thus religion is the most vital thing in the world because it deals not only with our present lives, but
also with God, the soul, and immortality; it is a link between the material and the spiritual. According to the Bahá’i teachings, we in this world are acquiring faculties for use in a future stage of existence, just as an unborn child is being equipped for life in this world. Here again the all-importance of religion is demonstrated.
As for education, it is a tool to remodel the world with, to “remake the sorry scheme of things entire.” We all of us need education; we are no more born self-sufficient than a puppy is born house-trained. All learning is worthwhile which does not “begin in mere words and end in mere words,” and is not contrary to progress. If anyone thinks our American educational system is a failure, that does not discredit education.
The scientists who have given their lives toward increasing education are undoubtedly important forces in the world, but there are two kinds of scientists—those who laughed at Columbus, and those who, like Professor Pupin, shocked a class of erudite freshmen physicists by telling them that sound was the voice of God. As a matter of fact, religion is a much more dependable thing than science, because scientific theories change from one decade to another, whereas the basic principles of religion have been the same since history has existed. Each scientist refutes his predecessor, but Muhammad’s teachings upheld the teachings of Christ, just as Christ confirmed the laws of Moses.
Headlines in the daily press show that education without religion often leads merely to moral despair or more scientific murders. This is, at least, the effect of religionless education on thinking minds; there are, of course, people who are not so affected, because they are content to sleep
away their lives and don’t care—they have no desire to rip off bandages. It is imperative that religion should guide education. A purely material education is not only worthless, but will cause the destruction of the human race; an educated European who fights with guns and disease germs is a much more dangerous animal than an untutored African cannibal with a bow and a handful of arrows.
Well, then, someone will say, why not give education an ethical coloring; teach people that doing good is its own reward, that exterminating a fellow-nation is eventually injurious to the exterminator, and all the rest of it. Why harp on religion all the time? The answer is, that a mere, human code of ethics is no better than a body without a heart. People are so constituted that they will never do good because it is reasonable; they will do good only because they want to. Religion touches their hearts and inspires them with a desire to lead praiseworthy lives; and it is absolutely impossible that a mere code of ethics, which would ignore God, the soul, and immortality, and limit everything to this world, should do this. The majority of people, when told that it is reasonable to check the animal in their natures, will always answer, “What’s the use?” At best, the highest type of ethicist will believe, like Diderot, that he can rightfully do whatever will not bring harm to others, and he will totally disregard the vital injury he may be doing his own soul.
America is, materially and ethically speaking, the most civilized country in the world. Her leaders decided that she should stop drinking, and proved that prohibition was a worthy and reasonable institution, but some continue to drink. The Arabs in the desert, over one thousand years ago, were in all respects the dregs of
humanity; Muhammad stood on a camel-saddle and told them to stop drinking—and they did, for centuries. The Arabs gave up wine for the love of God, and some Americans refuse to give it up for reason.
Education is nothing but the medium through which religion must, in every age, supply the needs of that age. The supreme needs of our time prove to be world peace, the abolition of racial and national prejudices, sex equality, universal education, the reconciliation of religion and science and the solution of economic problems. Education, to deserve the name, must satisfy these needs. A person who is unmoved by these needs and uninterested in satisfying them is uneducated, no matter how many facts he has accumulated.
According to the Bahá’i teachings,
education is made up of three components—the material, the intellectual, and the spiritual. A well educated person must be developed along all three lines; a hermit, for instance, who eats and reads in negligible quantities, but prays profusely, is not well-educated; neither is a profound scholar who disregards the spiritual element in life. The direction which education is to follow is pointed out by a Buddha, a Christ, a Muhammad, or in other words, the Divine Messenger in every age. These are the perfect educators, because they alone are qualified to give forth not only material and intellectual but also the spiritual aspects of education. It is their duty to make known and to solve the problems of the time in which they appear.
In pursuance of its adherence to the spiritual principle of universal brotherhood and abolition of racial prejudice, the Bahá’i Community of America has for several years maintained a series of Inter-racial Amity Conferences, the success of which has been extremely significant. Herein is reported the latest Conference held in August at Green Acre, Eliot, Maine, the Bahá’i Summer Colony.—Editor.
GREEN ACRE, center of Bahá’i activity in summer, pursuing in many practical ways its ideal of universal peace, under the direction of the Bahá’i National Committee on Inter-racial Amity, held its second annual conferences August 24 to 26. This event came at the height of the season and was a gain over the congress of last season whose standards were high. It was to some who saw the beginning of this branch of service seven years ago, a reminder of the first Amity Convention held under the direction and guidance of ’Abdu‘l-Bahá. Success was attained through the cooperation of the Green Acre
community and the near-by Bahá’i assemblies of Eliot and Portsmouth, the attraction of friends from a distance, the presentation of a program of unusual value and charm, and above and through all, the Dynamo of the Spirit which meets and removes all hindrances.
“If the question of the colored and the white should not be solved, it will be productive of great dangers in the future for America. Therefore, the Confirmations of the Kingdom of Abha shall constantly reach any person who strives after the conciliation of the colored and the white.”
The above statement found in a Tablet of ’Abdu’l-Bahá to the organizer of the first Amity Convention, is a bed-rock of assurance to those who by their patient labors would erect a palace of peace that is more enduring than bronze in the hearts of their fellow beings. Ancient records show the seventh as the year of jubilee among the chosen of Israel. A similar period in the evolution of amity, although the minimum of human strength and resources is always applied to the maximum among human problems, reveals unbroken victory, increasing in volume with the years. Here in truth is a call to service for each and all, an opening to move in the direction of the Divine Will and perchance an opportunity to discover, through the Favor of God, that Mysterious Power to which the universe bows.
The conferences were opened by Horace Holley, presiding, who reviewed, with clear insight and classic grace of diction, these activities from their inception at Washington and later. He proved the value of inter-racial understanding to this nation and the world, especially urging America, by improving the means of linking all races together, to become the channel for the flow of that Mighty Power, the Holy Spirit of God, which creates the highest culture. He hailed the day of endless perfections and felt that no ancient customs should be allowed to check the growth of true civilization.
Another salient feature was the Community Four of Boston: Ethel Hardy Smith, soprano; Dorothy Richardson, contralto; Eleanor Trent Wallace, reader; Dorothy Wood, accompanist. These devoted friends, popular among the musical fraternity of Greater Boston, bestowed generous portions of their talents at all sessions, enriched minds and hearts by their artistic skill, sweet melodies and spiritual attraction and had great
drawing powers. Their fine interpretation of the great masters of composition was admirable and showed high attainment in an art which combines intellect and emotion. But their incarnation of the genius of the colored race in singing those simple melodies sometimes plaintive, anon humorous, born “in days that are no more,” brought even greater delight. The universal love revealed through song is one of the best teachers of inter-racial harmony. More than most companies of such singers this resembled the original jubilee singers who started out on a tour from Fisk University in 1871 and made this music, then strange, become famous in Europe and America, causing the erection of Jubilee Hall, not unknown to travellers in the sunny South. One of those who here sang, Mrs. Richardson, is related to a member of the original cast.
William H. Randall sounded the note of welcome to the fine audience which taxed the capacity of the hall. He quoted ’Abdu’l-Bahá as saying that if a man finds happiness in a place he returns to that place. If he finds gold, he returns in search of more gold. Green Acre has a gold mine of fellowship. I hope that here you will seek for more gold and take with you the precious spirit which is the soul of Green Acre. We can not unify the world by the power of intellect alone. The spiritual bond is that which is truly effective. The beautiful story of Ruth and Naomi has a larger application today than in times past. Thy people and my people shall be the people of the whole world. This is the hour of universal consciousness and the spirit of good will among all peoples. We have passed from the Mosaic Age with its law of “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” We have also left the Victorian Age in which men fancied that the law of evolution
would, without effort on their part, ultimately bring them perfection. We now realize the marvellous Cycle of Bahá’u’lláh with its new creation of the heart and social consciousness to make us one, striving and abiding as brothers in love.
Mrs. Shirley Graham McCanns of Portland, Oregon, was the next speaker, her subject being “The Message of the Negro Spiritual.” Her contribution was a rich medley of the history and philosophy of what is distinctly Negro music. It was beautifully phrased and illustrated at intervals by vocal or piano strains. The occasion for her, she declared, was one of joy and humility, the one over the wonderful spirit found at Green Acre, the other in the presence of what suggested the highest culture. She described the conditions under which Negro music was born, the agony of soul which made the colored people in days gone by seek refuge in God, thereby evolving out of their mass consciousness such songs as “Steal away to Jesus,” “Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home,” and “Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.” As illustrating the simple faith of the primitive folk in prayer and the justice of God she quoted the lines of a familiar lay:
- “You may talk about me as much
- as you please,
- I will talk about you when I get
- on my knees!"
She journeyed to Africa and described the technique by which messages, serious or humorous, are conveyed by drum-beat from tribe to tribe, playing an adaptation of African music arranged by the noted composer, Nathaniel R. Dett. There is more than rhythm, melody and harmony, as well, in these beautiful themes, she said. The crucible of suffering in the lives of this people in America produced “a love that
was long suffering and kind.” This she unfolded with depth of feeling, also the way in which Bible stories were selected as themes. She defined philosphy as the love of wisdom and interpreted this music as the philosophy of love.
The chairman said that with such demonstrations of power as expressed by the evening’s entertainment he hoped that such a people would never be considered as a weak struggling race, but rather as a race ennobled by divine inspiration and capable of the highest attainment.
Here the chairman, without calling for a speech, introduced Mrs. Agnes S. Parsons, as the one chosen by ’Abdu’l-Bahá to begin the Amity Convention Movement in America. She is now chairman of the National Committee on Inter-racial Amity of the Bahá’is of the United States and Canada, under whose direction these conferences were held. High approval of her work was expressed by the audience.
By the chairman: Prejudices grow out of what each race suggests to the other upon the basis of what is past. In order to have a clear vision we must rise above the past. Not what man has done but what God wills is the foundation upon which we must build a new civilization in which all men are brothers. He read in conclusion an extract from the Montclair address of ’Abdu’l-Bahá:
“The sun is one sun, the light one light which shines upon all phenomenal being. Every creature has a portion thereof, but the pure mirror can reveal the story of its beauty more fully and completely. Therefore we must adore the light of the sun no matter through what mirror it may be revealed. We must not entertain prejudice, for prejudice is an obstacle to realization. In as much as the effulgence is one effulgence,
the human realities must all become recipients of the same light, recognizing in it the compelling force that unites them in its illumination.”
THE SECOND session, a round table, brought a fine audience despite copious rain throughout the day. It was evident from their reception the night before that all were anxious to hear again the Community Four and so it was deemed wise by the chairman, in view of the wish to combine instruction with entertainment, to exchange, in order, one of their selections alternately for a speech. The addresses, introduced by remarks from the chairman, were contributions to a symposium on the oneness of humanity, in which Mabry C. Oglesby, Mesdames Keith Ransom-Kehler and Agnes S. Parsons and Miss Mary Maxwell appeared. The Tablet on the origin of color among human beings, making it so clear that the only race is the human race, a conclusion which eminent thinkers in the realm of biology and the social sciences are reaching; the duty of all races to abandon superstition and bigotry which form the basis of prejudices, the mighty spiritual forces that are released to aid those who labor in the field of better race relations; the far-reaching influence and power of Amity Conventions as indicated by the message of ’Abdu’l-Bahá to the first one; stories in race relations, illustrating the sacrifices of workers in obedience to Divine Law; pleas for the justice, peace and righteousness that exalt and hopes for the glorious future, may in a way of brief mention convey the spirit of this session. Augmenting this was the tea and dainties served by the Eliot Bahá’i Assembly, the aroma of many beautiful ferns and flowers and the cordial friendliness and joyousness of
all, combining to make a scene which those in attendance are not likely to forget. This prophecy of ’Abdu’l-Bahá was read as a benediction:
“This period of time is the Promised Age, the assembling of the human race to the Resurrection Day and now is the great Day of Judgment. Soon the whole world as in springtime, will change its garb. The turning and falling of the autumn leaves is passed; the bleakness of the winter time is done. The New Year hath appeared and the spiritual springtime is at hand. The black earth is becoming a verdant garden; the deserts and mountains are teeming with red flowers; while the birds are singing among the rose branches like the angels of the highest heavens, announcing the glad tidings of that spiritual spring and the sweet music of their voices is causing the real essence of all things to vibrate and quiver.
“O my spiritual friend! Dost thou know from what airs emanate the notes sung by these birds? They are from the melodies of peace and reconciliation, of love and unity, of justice and security, of concord and agreement. In a short time this heavenly singing will intoxicate all humanity. The foundations of enmity will be destroyed; unity and affection will be witnessed in every assembly; and the lovers of the love of God at these great festivals shall behold their splendor.
“Therefore contemplate what a spirit of life God has given that the whole world may attain life everlasting! The Paradise of El Abha will soon spread a pavilion from the pole-star of the world under whose canopy the beloved shall rejoice and pure hearts will repose in peace.”
THE FINAL session came Sunday morning, a time always devoted
at Green Acre to worship and praise. Mrs. May Maxwell of Montreal as chairman read from the sacred writings and expressed the wish that all parts might blend into that perfect whole which signifies the love of God.
On either side of the chairman sat two distinguished clergymen, identified with two races, both of whom were charged with inspiration and radiated the spirit of perpetual youth. In Archbishop Reginald G. Barrow was represented the African Orthodox Church, tracing its descent from the ancient Coptic Church of Egypt, jealously guarding its traditions and ceremonies, its mazes of ritual and dazzling vestments, apotheosizing the Trinity. In Albert Vail one saw a product of the Unitarian Society, traditions of ascetic simplicity, banishing all forms, pleased with the high mental powers of its fraternity wherever found, stressing the Divine Unity. It is remarkable that both should acknowledge that the real, intimate knowledge of the Christ came to them through the Bahá’i teachings; not less so, that trained in schools so different, they should be one in service and purpose and that each through the differing veils and shadows should discern clearly the station of Bahá’u’lláh, the Manifestation of God, and be devoted to His Cause. The meeting and cooperation of two such men was a sign of God.
The address of Archbishop Barrow on “The Practice of the Heavenly Virtues” was a compendium of the teachings found in two Bahá’i
books, the Divine Philosophy and the Wisdom Talks of ’Abdul’l-Bahá, with emphasis laid upon love, harmony, justice and freedom, the most stupendous values of the age, he averred. We the Bahá’is, he said, must work to make all races one race and all nations one nation. If action takes the place of words the whole world will soon become a Paradise.
Mr. Vail followed with an impressive tribute to the colored race in which persecutions had produced such a speaker and such music, saying that he felt as he listened that it was the greatest blessing to be persecuted. Through trials and afflictions the glory of Israel had shone forth and other peoples had attained the heights. “The calamity of God has ever been His Providence!” He praised the virtue of humility which he had found in many of the colored people and expressed the conviction that if each and all would prostrate themselves before the Countenance of God that they would become the lights of America. He then addressed himself to his subject: “The Temple of God: Its Light of Unity,” and with a wealth of imagery he presented the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár with its varied symbolism and architectural beauty, its light of science, its all-inclusiveness and spiritual power to dissolve the differences between races, nations and religions, its fulfillment of Christ’s promises of One Shepherd and One Fold and its marvelous expression of the Splendor of God.
“The foundation of the palace of peace is the consciousness of the oneness of mankind.”
—Bahá'u'lláh.
This story of ’Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit in America is based on material and notes corrected by ’Abdu’l-Bahá Himself, and which He had turned over to Dr. Bagdadi at the time He was leaving this country. The two-fold purpose of this series, which will continue for several months, is, in the words of the author, “First to bring back to the memory of the believers the time of the incomparable days of ’Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to them and to remind them of His words, His instructions and His admonitions; and, secondly, to give a picture of His visit, so that later believers who did not have the blessing of seeing Him, may benefit by reading a brief history.”—Editor.
June 15, 1912. ’Abdu’l-Bahá addressed the Fourth Unitarian Church, at Beverly Road, Flatbush, Brooklyn, N. Y. At noon, He lunched at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard MacNutt. In the evening, He addressed the Central Congregational Church at Hancock Street. In His inspiring addresses He proved the validity of Christ and Muhammad. The attention of the reader is called to this great fact, namely, that in all the history of America, no one has ever tried to prove the validity of Christ in Jewish Synagogues, and the validity of Muhammad in Christian churches. But this ’Abdu’l-Bahá did with pure logic and irrefutible evidence.
Later at a general meeting He said among other things, “No matter how much the world of materialism progresses, still it is in need of the teachings of the Holy Spirit.” He urged the believers to teach and told them just how to teach the Bahá’i Message saying, “You must teach the Cause of God in the utmost humility. Just as I am humble in the presence of all, even the children, so you must be likewise.”
June 17, 1912. Consenting to the repeated requests of the friends, ’Abdu’l-Bahá went to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Mac Nutt to have a moving picture taken. The series of those pictures were as follows: 1. His arrival and alighting from an automobile and how He was welcomed by the friends. 2. His walks
and talks to His secretaries and interpreters, “Consider the power of the Ancient Beauty, and the influence of the Greatest Name—(Bahá’u’lláh)—How He has established such a unity and fellowship between us and the American people! If the powers of the world were brought together, it would not be possible to have the hearts so attracted to each other, and we here are assembled with such love at such a reception and love one another with heart and soul! Behold what the power of Bahá’u’lláh has done and how He made the people of the East and the West, the lovers of each other! Were it not for His power, it would have been impossible to arrange this meeting. Praise be to God! We are all united and agreed in heart and soul.” 3. His walks alone, chanting in Persian, “His wonders are resplendant, His power is perfect. His favors are bestowed. His mercy is abundant.” 4. His sitting with white and colored children, giving His blessings to them while the Persian friends are standing in His service. 5. His bidding farewell to the friends and uttering the following words:—
“Glad-tidings, glad-tidings! The sun of Truth has arisen! Glad-tidings, glad-tidings! The New Jerusalem has descended from heaven! Glad-tidings, Glad-tidings! The divine glad-tidings are revealed! Glad-tidings, glad-tidings! The secrets of the Holy Books are unfolded! Glad-tidings, glad-tidings! The Great Day has become evident! Glad-tidings,
glad-tidings! The banner of the oneness of the world of humanity has been raised! Glad-tidings, glad-tidings! The tent of Universal Peace is set up! Glad-tidings, glad-tidings! The divine lamp is lighted! Glad-tidings, glad-tidings! The merciful breeze is wafting! Glad-tidings, glad-tidings! The promises and prophecies of the Prophets are fulfilled and evident! Glad-tidings, glad-tidings! The Glory of Carmel has become reflected on the horizons! Glad-tidings, glad-tidings! The East and West are embracing each other! Glad-tidings, glad-tidings! Asia and America, like unto two lovers, are holding the hands of each other!”
June 18, 1912. “The Brilliant Proof,” the manuscript of a book written by Mirza Abu’l-Fadl, the most noted Bahá'i writer and historian, was received and highly approved by ’Abdu’l-Bahá Who asked me to give it to Mr. Albert R. Windust of Chicago as a present and with the request that it be published. When someone suggested to Him a visit to the beautifui country for recreation, He refused, saying, “We love the meetings of the faithful ones, not beautiful sight-seeing trips. But first we must be faithful to God, then to His servants. Even if we have in the past seen beautiful places and delightful sceneries, it was either for business and meeting people, or while traveling.”
Then He wrote a wonderful tribute in honor of Agha Riza Quannad, a true and a pioneer servant of the Bahá’i cause, who died at Akká. “Faithfulness,” as defined in this tribute, “means that I should be a wanderer in this mountain and desert! True faithfulness is when I become lost, stripped from names and unconsidered; in the field of sacrifice to be a target for the arrow of unfaithfulness! In short, I have but one request to make of the friends of His
Holiness Bahá’u’lláh, and that is to bow their heads at the Holy Threshold (the Holy Shrines) and ask for ’Abdu’l-Bahá, the cup of martyrdom, so that in servitude to the Threshold of Bahá, He may sweeten His mouth with a drop from the ocean of faithfulness!”
On the following day, at the request of Miss Juliet Thompson, a noted Bahá’i artist, ’Abdu’l-Bahá consented to have His portrait painted by her. Later Mrs. Smith of Philadelphia called and asked for a name, and for advice concerning her health. ’Abdu’l-Bahá gave her a Persian name, “Tabandeh,” meaning “brilliant.” And his advice concerning health was, “You must always be happy and associate with happy and cheerful people and characterize yourself with the characteristics of the Merciful One. For happiness has a connection with health preservation; and from sorrow, diseases are born. The source of permanent happiness is spirituality and merciful conduct which is not followed by sorrow. But physical happiness is subjected to a thousand kinds of changes and transformations. Have you heard the story about the Emperor who while looking into a mirror used to be sad and distressed and would. wail, ‘Oh! What a splendid and youthful body I once had; now how helpless it is! What a beautiful face I had, how homely it has become! What a graceful form I had, how out of shape it has become!’ One by one, he used to recount all the good features of his physical equipment when he was young and then, making comparisons, he would show forth his sadness. This is the end of physical happiness!”
A question concerning calamities. and cataclysms was asked. ’Abdu’l-Bahá replied: “The links of the chain of existing things are connected by a universal law and divine order,
and all created things are linked together. It is impossible for any of the links to break except by its relation to that universal law and order. Whatever happens is from the essential requirements and is based on great wisdom. For it is a divine decree that grass should grow and then wither; every green and verdant plantation eventually to dry up; every united body to become dispersed; and every composition to be followed by decomposition. All these are from the requirements of that universal law and the collective links that are interpreted as divine decree or fate.”
June 20, 1912. Here ’Adbu’l-Bahá rented a house for a few days and on the first evening there, He went out for a walk, accompanied by Mirza Ali Kuli Khan and this servant. Oh! What lessons of wisdom, justice and severance did He teach us that night! Indeed we learned from Him in one hour more than we could have learned in many years from any school or teacher. The following is one of the incidents of His life when He was a very young boy in Baghdad which He related to us that night, and which, indeed, is a clear evidence of His innate and keen wisdom, His justice and fairness, His severance and detachment from material things. “Mirza Hadi Javaheri, a very wealthy Persian Bahá’i died in Baghdád leaving a son, three daughters and a great fortune. The son, Mirza Mussa was also a Bahá’i, but the daughters were fanatical Muhammadans. A fierce fight started among these heirs because they mistrusted each other and could not come to a decision as to how to divide equally among themselves their father’s immense fortune. Finally Mirza Mussa went to Bahá’u’lláh for help and assistance. Bahá’u’lláh said,
‘This is not my work, go to my Greatest Branch (Abdu’l-Bahá)—He will help you.’ Though I was but twelve years old, I at once summoned a reliable real estate man and asked him to divide their estate into four equal parts. I also summoned a furniture dealer and asked him to divide the furniture into four equal parts. Then I summoned an expert jeweler who divided their jewelry into four equal parts. This plan pleased all the heirs. It took only from morning until noon for the three experts to finish their work of dividing everything into four equal parts, and then everybody was happy.
After a day or so, Mirza Mussa came to me and told me confidentially that he had in his possession all his father’s money in gold and nobody else knew anything about it. He wanted me to have all that money for my services. I asked him to show me where the money was. He took me to his room and produced a satchel full of gold. I locked the satchel, sealed it with wax and ordered him to call his sisters in. When they came, I explained to them that it was unnecessary to call an expert to divide the money, that it could easily be divided by themselves. Seeing the satchel sealed with wax, all of them were satisfied and each one received one-fourth of the money. Though at that time I did not have any money, and I had to get along in the cold without an overcoat because I could not afford to buy one, and my old turban needed to be changed, I did not wish to take any of their money.”
Streams of big tears gushed forth from my eyes and in my heart I said “No wonder you are called Master.” Yea the citizens of Baghdád and the inhabitants of Iráq always called Him “Master,” because He was the first one to settle their problems and adjust their affairs.
June 22, 1912. Concerning interference
in politics and meddling in government affairs, ’Abdu’l-Bahá said, “The people of Bahá are forbidden from interfering or meddling in political affairs and in every country, they must obey the government and the law and order of the land.”
June 23, 1912. Concerning material progress in Europe, ’Abdu’l-Bahá said, “The material progress of Europe shall reach a stagnant mark, that is, it will one day reach to the limit, and everything that reaches a natural limit and then stagnates, surely must then decline. We are hopeful that spiritual progress may reach and protect them from this fate. On the other hand all those movements which are in a stage of birth and growth, face a sure progress. In those days when we were leaving Tihrán for Baghdád, there was nothing in appearances to show the strength that was in the Cause, but because the Cause of God was then like a young tree, full of the power of growth and development, it was in reality even then destined to encircle the East and the West; whereas the great and apparent absolute power of Násiru’d-Din Shah was destined to reach its decline and fade and vanish.”
That afternoon, seeing every seat in the house occupied and scarcely any standing room, ’Abdu’l-Bahá said, “We do not look at the place of meeting, nay, rather we look at the radiant faces and hearts of the friends.”
When someone inquired about His health, ’Abdu’l-Bahá replied, “Physical health is of no importance. The importance is in the spiritual health, which has a lasting effect and ecstacy. The more you think of the body, the worse it becomes. Therefore, it is better not to pay so much attention to it. Today I drank a glass of milk. I feel much more comfortable. Why should man go to so
much trouble and hardship for eating?”
June 25, 1912. After lunching at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edsel, ’Abdu’l-Bahá started for New York.
Mrs. Florence Krug stated that her husband, Dr. Krug, was having a change of heart, and that he not only had ceased his opposition, but he was helping and encouraging her to serve the Bahá’i Cause. ’Abdu’l-Bahá said, “When the Muhammadans were beating Chief Mo-Abedan (A Persian fire worshipper) with the whip for drinking wine, (this was the old Muhammadan way of punishing the violators of their prohibition law) he cried, ‘O Arabian Muhammad! What hast thou done! What an influence Thou hast manifested!’ Now it must be said, “O Bahá’ulláh! What hast Thou done! What power is this that has transformed such people into captives of love and united the east and the west’!”
In the afternoon, ’Abdu’l-Bahá paid a short visit to Mrs. Gary at her home; and from there, passing through the military park, He went to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hooper Harris, where a meeting and dinner were arranged for Him.
June 27, 1912. While sitting with a group of friends in the park, ’Abdu’l-Bahá said, “What revolutions have taken place (in the East) and what waves have risen from them until they brought us here, and yet, what other waves are to rise! * * * “My beginning and end is the Holy Threshold (The shrine of Bahá’u’lláh). Whatever we have is from that Threshold and to it we shall return. Were it not for His help and bounty, these souls (the believers) would not be sitting here at your left and right. Where is Persia and where is America!”
(To be continued)
