THE
| PAGE | |
The Vanishing of the Veil—Article reprinted from The Christian Commonwealth, issue of Sept. 20th | 2 |
Abdul-Baha in London—By Mr. Arthur Cuthbert | 3 |
Abdul-Baha in Bristol—By W. Tudor-Pole | 7 |
Abdul-Baha at Bristol—Article reprinted from The Christian Cammonwealth, issue of Sept. 27th | 8 |
Letter from Mr. Charles Mason Remey | 9 |
[Reprinted from The Christian Commonwealth, London, Eng., issue of Sept. 20, 1911.]
THE VANISHING OF THE VEIL.
Abdul-Baha at St. John’s Westminster.
Eighteen months ago Archdeacon Wilberforce, who had been watching the Bahai movement for some time with interest, sent a message to Abdul Baha. “We are all one,” he said, “there, behind the veil.” And Abdul Bahá replied from his home in Akka, “Tell him the veil is very thin, and that it will vanish quite.”
All who were present in St. John's Westminster, last Sunday evening, could not fail to realise that the veil was vanishing. Archdeacon Wilberforce's beautiful intercessory service was a means to that end. He asked that each one in the vast congregation should at that time put away all selfish thought and use all energy in prayer for those in trouble. “Will you bear upon your heart,” he said, “a mother ill in India.” Then followed a graphic description of the circumstances, until each felt the loneliness of the sick woman and the keen anxiety of the daughter hastening to her side. So the spirit of unity was spread abroad.
Then Dr. Wilberforce told of the teacher—“Master” he called him—who had come to London to emphasize unity, and who was present that evening at St. John's to proclaim the meaning of it. “Whatever our views,” the Archdeacon said, “we shall, I am sure, unite in welcoming a man who has been for forty years a prisoner for the cause of brotherhood and love. Abdul Bahá is not an orator or even a preacher, but, in view of all he stands for, we are keenly interested in everything he has to say.”
Full of expectation, the congregation waited when the Archdeacon for a brief moment left the church. Divested of his white surplice, he returned with Abdul Baha. All eyes were fixed on the leader of the Bahai movement. In his customary Eastern robe and head-dress, walking hand in hand with a leader of the West, it did indeed seem that the veil was vanishing.
Down the aisle they passed to the bishop's chair, which had been placed in front of the altar for Abdul Baha. Standing at the lectern, Archdeacon Wilberforce introduced the “wonderful” visitor. He told of his life in prison, of his sufferings and bravery, of his self-sacrifice, of his clear and shining faith. He voiced his own belief that religion is one, as God is love.
Then Abdul Bahá rose. Speaking very clearly, with wonderful intonations in his voice and using his hands freely, it seemed to those who listened almost as if they grasped his meaning, though he spoke in Persian. When he had finished, Archdeacon Wilberforce read the translation of his address.
His theme was the Character of the Manifestations of God. He said that God the Infinite could not be comprehended of man; that whatever man understands of God is born of his imagination. For illustration he pointed to the mineral, which does not comprehend the vegetable, as the vegetable cannot understand the animal. So the animal cannot reach the intelligence of humanity. Neither, he said, is it possible for man, a created being, to understand the Almighty Creator. Nevertheless, the perfection and qualifications of God are seen in every created being and in the most perfect beings in the most perfect manner. In the manifestations of God, Abdul Bahá likened these qualities to the rays of the sun focussed in a mirror. If we claim that the sun is seen in the mirror, we do not mean that the whole sun has descended from the holy heights of heaven and entered into the mirror, that is impossible. The Eternal Nature is seen in the manifestations, and its light and splendour are visible in extreme glory. Therefore men have always been taught and led by the prophets
(CONTINUED ON PAGE TWELVE)
[Page 3]
Vol. II Chicago (October 16, 1911) Elm No. 12
[Special to the STAR OF THE WEST]
ABDUL-BAHA IN LONDON.
On the Wednesday following Abdul-Baha's arrival in London, Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper gave an “At Home” to the believers and between fifty and sixty were present to meet him. One of the friends, a Mrs. Drakoules, who founded The Humanitarian League over twenty years ago, brought with her a leaflet pertaining to the work of the League, which was handed to Abdul-Baha. Upon learning that kindness was its purpose, he highly commended her, and made it the theme of his discourse. He then said:
“You are all one family; you have grown out of one root. Each of you is like a branch, a flower, a fruit. You must look on no one as a stranger. You should try to show the greatest love to all men and to every creature. I have come to you as to my own people—brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. My bond is with all mankind; so should yours be. Try to follow the teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH then each one will shine like a star. Since the time of Adam there has been no other teaching; until the end of time there will be no other.”
On Friday morning, the 8th of September, Abdul-Baha received a small party of earnest spiritual souls, in Lady Blomfield's drawing room: He walked in smiling and said, “Good morning,” in English, then taking a seat, he enquired through the interpreter, Tammadon-ul-Molk, “How are you? Are you all happy? You are welcome.”
I replied, “Yes, we are all very well. We thank you. It is a great privilege to meet you.”
He said: “I have by sea and land for the pleasure of seeing you all. I needed a change, but my desire was to know you all. Praise be to God, that I have seen the luminous faces and the heavenly hearts of the friends in London. People are turning their faces toward God. They are seeking the Divine Bounty. Therefore they will receive a heavenly blessing which I pray may be bestowed upon all. May you love all and serve all, because serving mankind is serving God. Everyone should be kind. Everyone should strive for unity and endeavor to serve mankind. All nations should become as one nation and each should serve all.
“Do not make personal distinctions. All are God's servants. All are under His protection.”
Mons. Dreyfus then presented Madam Olga de Novosky, one of the party, as one “who is serving the Cause in Paris and wherever she may be.”
Abdul-Baha said: “There is no difference between Paris and London. All these limitations, all these divisions into various nationalities are due to the weakness of man. If man's mind were broad enough,” he said, tapping his brow, “if it were strong enough, these divisions would vanish. The earth is God's earth and all the peoples of the world are under His grace and favour.”
The portrait of Dr. Platon Drakoules, of Athens, a leading Greek reformer, was shown to him. He objected to the use of the term “leader” but blessed his work and also that of the “active people” of the “Unity Church,” four of whom were present, and sent salutations to all its members, saying. “You are striving to please God. Today all distinctions between man and man fall away; there only remains the degree of striving to serve. He who serves most is nearest to God. The satisfaction of mankind is the satisfaction of God.”
Again looking at the picture of Dr. Drakoules, he said to Mrs. Drakoules: “From this portrait I gather the goodness and spirituality of your husband.” Then he said, rising from his chair. “I pray for God to bless you and help you all.
On the 12th of September, Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper gave her second “At Home” to the friends of Abdul-Baha. There were about forty-five present. Abdul-Baha gave the following discourse:
“Thanks be to God, this is a good meeting. It is very enlightened; it is spiritual; it is heavenly. As has been said by a Persian poet, the celestial globe is in such a form that the under part is, as it were, a reflection of the upper part. That is to say, whatever exists in heaven is reflected in this world. Now, praise be to God that this meeting of ours is a reflection from the Heavenly Concourse. It is as though we had taken a mirror and gazed into it. This reflection from the Heavenly Concourse is love. As harmony and love exists in the Supreme Concourse, so it is reflected here. In the Supreme Concourse the desire for God exists and thank God it is here also. Therefore, if we say that this meeting is heavenly, it is true. Because we have no other desire except for that which comes from God. We have no other object save the mentioning of God.
“Some of the people of the earth desire conquest over others; some of them are longing for rest and ease; others desire a high position; some of them desire to become famous; thank God that our desire is for spirituality and for union with God.
“Now that we are gathered here our desire is to hoist the Standard of the Unity of God, to spread the Light of God and to make the hearts of the people heavenly. Therefore I thank God that He is causing us to do this great work.
[Page 5]
“I pray for all of you, that all of you may become heavenly soldiers and that you may everywhere spread the news of the Unity of God and may enlighten the East and the West and give to all hearts the love of God. This is my utmost desire and I pray God that your desire may be the same.
“I am very much pleased with you all. I am pleased with the English king and government and with the people. You may thank God that you are free. You do not know what lack of freedom there is in the East; but when anyone comes to this country he is very content. I wish God's protection for you.”
On Friday, the 22nd of September, Miss Jack and Miss Herrick invited friends to meet Abdul-Baha at 137A. High Street, Kensington, and about eighty accepted their invitation.
It was a decidedly cold day after the hot weather, and the air felt raw. When Abdul-Baha had taken his seat, he asked: “Are you all well? Are you all happy?” He places great significance in these two questions which he always asks, thereby impressing us that true Bahais must be well in spirit and ought to be correspondingly well in body, and always happy, whatever the circumstances. Then he said:
“Although the day is cold for me to go out, yet I have come to see you. For the lover there are no difficulties; all is easy. For love I have journeyed to London. I see that all present are in harmony and love and with longing turning their faces towards God. All are attracted to the Kingdom. I give thanks that they are looking towards God, their only desire being to seek the world of the Kingdom, to see the Light of God and to partake of the Heavenly bounty.”
“The East and the West are becoming one and showing the signs of Unity and Love. The hopes of BAHA'O'LLAH are that there be no more separation or discord, for ye are all the waves of one sea, the birds in one heaven and mirrors of the same Bounty. Your civilization has grown under the banner of Jesus Christ, you have the light of reason, and just government has been established in the West.”
“The Sun of Truth arises in the Orient and shines from the East to the West. Then civilization and education appear in the Occident and spread from West to East; but the Light of the Kingdom shines from East to West. This is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the spring time of heaven, when the heavenly civilization is being bestowed upon the people.”
“It has come now when they were not shining with this Light, nor caring for it. I hope that the Western people will now receive this New Light and become illuminated by it, and that the East may have improved civilization from the West.”
Abdul-Baha visit here has aroused great interest and enthusiasm among the friends in Persia, various communities there having sent us telegrams of
[Page 6]
congratulation. Abdul-Baha said the result would be a very close drawing together of the Bahais of Persia and England.
How is one impressed by meeting Abdul-Baha? To see, hear, or meet him can never, it seems to me, be a shock, a startling surprise, or an overwhelming impression. It is a perfectly natural and simple experience, and may even, at first seem rather disappointing; but Abdul-Baha, will ever grow upon you, even if the meeting is only once. Gradually, you will realize, more and more, what it is you have been in the presence of and made contact with. Not a personality, nor a dazzling individual, but so wonderful a state of perfect detachment and consecration have you encountered that it seems as if you are being lovingly addressed by the Holy Spirit Itself. It is a great lesson to us of a man's perfect attainment. We see before our eyes the attitude towards God each one of us ought to assume, so that each one in his place may be fully enabled to love all mankind abundantly, and act with the greatest wisdom, always shedding round him joy and happiness.
Coming into Abdul-Baha's presence, we may forget everything, cease to believe anything, and may say he is but an Oriental man after all. We may question whether we are even a believer. We may desire to revise everything, that we may have only the truth and nothing but the truth. Then, Lo and behold. Truth stands out boldly! We still believe, but this belief which formerly floated high upon the surface of the sea—where it was rocked and tossed by every wind—now floats more deeply, being well ballasted, so that outer things henceforth can little affect it.
When we look at Abdul-Baha with the eye of insight, meditating upon the words of love and wisdom emanating from him, remembering the hosts of people so deeply affected by them, and realizing that only a very few careless or mistaken directions from him could immediately and probably would sacrifice over a million human lives, than do we grasp some little idea of the wonderful Guidance given him in the midst of the difficulties with which he has ever been surrounded. In the light of this, the personality first encountered, disappears; it is sunk, it is resolved in his perfect consecration, in his absolute abandonment to the Spirit. As you look, a veil seems to come over his eyes, and you wonder where he is gazing. He, the individual person, seems as if eclipsed by the very divine Spirit of God. Abdul-Baha is there, but only as the material focal-point perfectly serving the Light, as an existing object upon which the invisible Radiance impinges, and which thus becomes manifested unto us in all manner of wise, loving and fruitful ways. So doth the Reality of Abdul-Baha impress the soul as it advances.
Sept. 25, 1911. Arthur Cuthbert.
Abdul-Baha and suite, together with a fairly large party, left England for France, on the third of October.
[Page 7]
[Special to the STAR OF THE WEST.]
ABDUL-BAHA AT BRISTOL, ENG.
Abdul-Baha arrived here from London mid-day on Saturday, Sept. 23d, and was much pleased with the glorious Clifton views from the Guest House windows and balcony, and with the splendid air. After a short rest carriages were ordered and an extensive drive was taken through some of the world-renowned beauty spots around Bristol and neighbourhood. Abdul-Baha. was much pleased with everything and indeed has been radiating joy and happiness among us all. At the evening meal nineteen sat down with the Master and he spoke of the great joy he found in freedom and in the growing interest now being taken in the Cause of Unity and Peace throughout this country. He told us that this supper was a great and holy occasion and would be recorded in history. The meal itself, partaken of in love and harmony, was indeed a sacrament and a mark of unity and fellowship that would bring the blessing of BAHA'ULLAH upon all gathered round the board.
After the meal Abdul-Baha addressed a gathering of about 80 friends in the Guest House Salon and Tammadon-ul Molk translated. The meeting was a most remarkable one and a wonderful spirit of unity pervaded the whole assembly. The Master spoke vigorously and with great fire, especially in reference to the New Age now dawning and our individual responsibilities in both East and West [see The Christian Commonwealth issue of the 27th, following]. He then blessed the whole assembly in the name of BAHA'ULLAH and shook hands with everyone. On Sunday, 24th, the Master rose early, as is his custom, and from 5 a. m. to 8 a. m. dictated letters and cablegrams. He then breakfasted with us all and said what great joy it afforded him to be among so many good friends. Another country drive followed and then he gave several private interviews to friends who had just arrived from London, Edinburgh and elsewhere.
After lunch the Master went all over the Guest House blessing and dedicating each room to the service of BAHA'ULLAH and promising that the house would become a centre of peace and rest for pilgrims from East and West. He also blessed the Oratory and all the workers in the house, calling them all into his presence and telling them of the dignity of labour and true service. Again we sat down nineteen to supper, and again the Master blessed the gathering and showed great joy and animation. After the smoke and noise of London, Abdul-Baha greatly enjoyed the pure Clifton air and evidently benefited by it. He slept well and spent several hours on Monday morning in short discourses and in silent prayer.
About mid-day the Master returned to London after expressing the intention of returning again some day. He wrote a beautiful prayer and blessing in the Visitors' book, and his presence here will make the Guest House a centre of peace and unity for all comers.
Sept. 25. Wellesley Tudor-Pole.
[Page 8]
[Reprinted from The Christian Commonwealth, issue of Sept. 27, 1911.]
ABDUL-BAHA AT BRISTOL.
Last Saturday afternoon Abdul Bahá arrived from London with a few friends to spend the week-end at the Clifton Guest House. After a rest he expressed the wish to see the country around Bristol. What impressed him most was the fresh green of the woods and fields, the spaciousness of the open downs, and the absence of smoke.
He was present at the evening meal and warmly greeted those who had gathered together to welcome him. After commenting upon the peacefulness of the house he contrasted the costliness of material feasts with the pure simplicity of this meal, where the all-pervading spirit was that of love and friendship between East and West. There were nineteen at table and on hearing it Abdul Bahá remarked that nineteen was a good number (held sacred by the Bahais) and that this meal would go down to posterity as a matter of history. It was afterwards proposed to send to the believers at Teheran a message of united gratitude for the presence of Abdul Baha, in response to the generous greeting that they had sent on their part to the followers in England. The same evening about eighty friends assembled to listen to the words of the great Persian teacher. Mr. Tudor Pole took the chair and introduced him by a few words on the Bahai movement. Abdul Bahá then rose and spoke with impressive dignity, Tamaddon-ul-Molk translating:—
The master says that he has come from very far to see you, and that you are very welcome. He praises God that after forty-two years of imprisonment for the faith he is able to come to you. Abdul Bahá then continued: “These people are very spiritual, with hearts looking towards God, waiting for the glad tidings. They have come through the power of the Holy Spirit, therefore we thank God. May he send you straightforwardness to guide you to your holy mountains and blessed planes; the Truth has come, let its holy springs water you. It is evident that day follows night, and after dawn the sunset. Just as the sun sets and rises and sets again, so Jesus Christ appeared on the horizon of this world like a sun of Truth, bringing light and joy to the whole world. But the people now are not in such close touch with his spirit; their religion and faith are not so strong. The people are searching after material things instead of looking forward to the kingdom. Again God has sent light and truth into the world. The heavenly star has appeared in Persia; a new spiritual illumination is now penetrating throughout the world (the result of Baha'u'llah's teaching). The great light shall spread through all lands.” Abdul Bahá said that our hearts should become as mirrors and be ready prepared for the glad tidings of the dawning of a new age. Jesus Christ said that we should be born again through the spiritual fire and love of God and be baptized by the water of life and the Holy Spirit, that we may obtain everlasting life. Abdul Bahá went on to say: “Be very kind and serve every one; become lovers of justice and pray for the whole of mankind; help the poor and the children; heal the sick; shelter the refugees; and be known by your lives as the children God; so may that sun become the light of the world, casting its radiance upon East and West. May the world become a new world; may war and slaughtering cease and the most Great Peace come. God help you to spread this Divine teaching, and to establish everywhere the characteristics of Jesus.” He then prayed as follows: “O God, these people are your servants; they turn their faces to you to receive the manifestations of your bounty. Brighten all these hearts and bless their souls. Give them new life to follow your teachings. Let them enter into your kingdom, and bestow on them the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Open their eyes to the light and help them to serve mankind. Thou art a powerful giver and merciful. God bless you all."
After asking the people if they were happy he left the room. Tamaddon-ul-Molk
(CONTINUED ON PAGE ELEVEN)
[Page 9]
[Continuing the BAHAI NEWS]
PUBLISHED NINETEEN TIMES A YEAR
By the BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, 515 South Dearborn Street., Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.
Albert R. Windust—EDITORS—Gertrude Buikema Persian Editor.—Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, 1800 Belmont Road, Washington, D. C., U.S.A. Associate Editor.—Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, Chicago.
TERMS: $1.00 per year; 10 cents per copy.
Note—Until further notice, distribution in the Orient is through Agents. Make Money Orders payable to BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.
Address all communications to BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA.
O thou Star of the West! HE IS GOD!
Be thou happy! Be thou happy! Shouldst thou continue to remain firm and eternal, ere long, thou shalt become the Star of the East and shalt spread in every country and clime. Thou art the first paper of the Bahais which is organized in the country of America. Although for the present thy subscribers are limited, thy form is small and thy voice weak, yet shouldst thou stand unshakable, become the object of the attention of the friends and the center of the generosity of the leaders of the faith who are firm in the Covenant, in the future thy subscribers will become hosts after hosts like unto waves of the sea; thy volume will increase, thy arena will become vast and spacious and thy voice and fame will be raised and become world-wide—and at last thou shalt become the first paper of the world of humanity. Yet all these depend upon firmness, firmness, firmness!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
| Vol. II | Chicago, (October 16, 1911) Elm | No. 12 |
Circumstances beyond our control have delayed the making of the plates for our Persian section, and we send this issue forth without it.
Extracts from a recent letter written by Mr. Charles Mason Remey:
WASHINGTON, D. C., Sept. 21, 1911.
To the Bahai Friends:
Last night I arrived in Washington from my recent visit to Abdul-Baha, having been away from the city but seventeen days. On the 19th of August a cablegram was received from Abdul-Baha, then in Marseilles, France, consisting of but the one word: “Come." This was followed a day or two later by another, sent from Switzerland, saying, “Await letter.” The letter, or Tablet, came some days later and contained the following words: “I am today leaving Egypt for Europe. I am very anxious to meet you. Without fail, upon receipt of this Tablet, leave America for Europe.”
On September 3rd, a few days after receiving this Tablet, I left Washington, sailing the same day from New York for Liverpool, where I landed five days later. Anticipating meeting Abdul-Baha on the Lake of Geneva in Switzerland, where he had been spending some days, I planned to stop only a few hours in London, long enough to see one or two of the believers. You can imagine my joy upon reaching London to find that my journey was at its end, for Abdul-Baha was there!
It has been some years since the Bahai teaching was first given in London and a center established. Since that time much faithful work has been done by the friends there, but it has only been comparatively recently that the Bahai Movement has attracted the general attention of London's spiritual thinkers. Undoubtedly one great factor in this present state of affairs has been the recent Universal Races Congress (held in London during this past summer) in which the Bahais took a prominent part. The members of this Congress were much interested in the Bahai Cause because of the inter-racial understanding and unity which it is bringing about. Therefore, it is not surprising that those Londoners having inter-racial matters at heart should heartily welcome Abdul-Baha to their city.
The night after my arrival (Sunday), Abdul-Baha occupied the pulpit of the Reverend R. J. Campbell in “The People's Temple.” It was an occasion of great moment, being the first time that Abdul-Baha had ever addressed an audience. The Temple was packed from floor to gallery. There must have been 3,000 persons present. At the end of a short address, Dr. Campbell, in a most beautiful way, introduced Abdul-Baha to the audience. Then Abdul-Baha arose and in the Persian language addressed the people. No one would have imagined it to have been Abdul-Baha's first public oration. He was supremely the master of the situation.
He spoke for several minutes with an increasing forcefulness. At first the people were attentive, then just a bit restless before all seemed to catch the spirit of what he was saying. Hardly any understood Persian. Then a stillness and a quietness fell over the assemblage and as Abdul-Baha raised his hands in prayer and benediction, we were all conscious of the Omnipresent Spirit of God, for every soul seemed to vibrate in unison with the soul of Abdul-Baha, who is God's servant here upon earth today.
A translation of Abdul-Baha's address was then read by Mr. Tudor-Pole. When the people dispersed a crowd gathered about the door, remaining there until Abdul-Baha left the building. As he crossed the pavement, many hands were extended toward him, some to clasp his hands, others to touch his robe as he passed. Later on in the evening, Abdul-Baha said that BAHA'O'LLAH had told him many years before that he would proclaim the coming of the Kingdom in those parts.
With Abdul-Baha were several of the Oriental Bahais, Mirza. Assad 'Ullah, of Haifa, Mohammed Bagher Khan, of Shiraz, Tammodan-ul-Molk (secretary and interpreter) and Abdul-Baha's attendant, Khosroe. These, with Mons. Dreyfus, of Paris, who was acting as interpreter, comprised the immediate suite.
Before Abdul-Baha reached London, Lady Blomfield, one of the Bahais, extended her hospitality to him. This he accepted. Her apartment in Cadogan Gardens was thrown open to all. It seemed quite like Abdul-Baha's own home. The believers and truth-seekers would begin coming at a very early hour of the morning, continuing their visits until night, Abdul-Baha receiving them collectively in the drawing-room, and individually in his own room, he now and then taking a moment in which to write some Tablets to the friends in foreign parts.
Abdul-Baha's visit to London is a very busy one indeed. When I handed him some letters from the American Bahais he said, “Tell the friends of God in America that I am now very busy and have but little opportunity for writing to them. Nevertheless, they are always in my heart and remembered in my prayers. At present I will not be able to continue my travels to America, but later on, at another time, I will visit the United States and meet the believers there.”
In speaking of the Unity of the Races, Abdul-Baha said that the American Bahais should strive to bring about harmony and understanding between the white and colored peoples. There should be the uttermost love and oneness of spirit between the colored and white believers. No distinctions should be made between them. In this way the Bahais will eventually become the cause of the Unity of the Races and this great evil of racial warfare which now troubles the world, will be dissolved and the people of all races will become as one people. The believers should meet these racial conditions with steadfastness and firmness, and through the love of God they will be enabled to overcome all opposition and the Kingdom of God will then become established in the world of humanity.
Abdul-Baha seemed greatly pleased with London. Everything interested him. One afternoon Mrs. Thornberg-Cropper took Abdul-Baha, and several of us believers, out in her motor for a run through Richmond Park. On reaching the Common, Abdul-Baha alighted for a few minutes walk and became deeply interested in an aeroplane which we could discern above the horizon away in the distance.
As the ride continued, Abdul-Baha praised the advancement of the English women, and remarked that a few days before he had seen a man and a woman racing on bicycles and that the woman had kept ahead of the man. His pleasure and amusement at this outcome was very evident.
Later on Abdul-Baha said that despite the advancement of England, that the Cause there would in time be bitterly denounced and condemned by some of the most learned people. He said that one scholar in particular would write a book against the Bahai teaching. Then smilingly he gave us to understand that as light has nothing to fear from darkness, neither have the people of God's Truth anything to fear from those who oppose their Cause.
Since this recent visit, Abdul-Baha stands out more than ever in my mind as a respector of principles rather than a respector of personalities. He is independent of all persons and because he is independent of all, he is able to help all. His methods of teaching are positive in the extreme without the slightest suggestion of negation.
In meeting people of all manner of thought from orthodoxy to atheism, his one object is to strike a positive sympathetic chord with the individual. Through accentuating and dwelling upon the ground of common thought, spiritual chords of Unity are extended from him to many souls, and through ignoring the differences, those destructive, negative forces, finding nothing to set them in vibration, are as non-existent.
From this we can learn a valuable lesson in teaching. It is not only unnecessary but also very harmful for one to attempt to dislodge religious beliefs from the mind of a truth-seeker by any other method than that employed by Abdul-Baha when he positively and fearlessly gives forth The Truth as revealed by BAHA'O'LLAH. We Bahais have been told to go forth and give the pure teaching, allowing the Spirit to quicken the souls of the people, thus producing that change by virtue of which the darkness of false teaching and superstition is annihilated and the soul is made free to live and grow in the life of the Spirit.
As each soul meets Abdul-Baha it receives from him the unspoken spiritual message which it most needs at that particular time. This was that message which I received recently from Abdul-Baha; for when I saw the freedom from negation and the positiveness of spirit with which he met and conversed with all people, I realized in a degree, as I never had before, that the Bahai work is one of seed sowing, not of harrowing, of building, not of destroying, but of seeking points of union with all men and of ignoring the differences, and of planting within all souls the positive assurance and enlightenment which the teaching gives, being assured that through the penetrative power of the Spirit all obstacles will be overcome and that in His own time, God will accomplish all things.
Regarding BAHA'O'LLAH and himself, Abdul-Baha said: "BAHA'O'LLAH is the root, I am the Branch. The root of a tree does not bear fruit. The fruit is found upon the branches."
After having remained near Abdul-Baha for three days and having my cup filled to overflowing so that it could contain no more, I was very glad to leave London and return to America, where I trust to be enabled to live those principles so freely given by Abdul-Baha who is God's Servant here among men.
Faithfully your fellow-servant in El-Baha, Charles Mason Remey.
ABDUL BAHA AT BRISTOL.
then gave a short account of the Bahais and the terrible sufferings they had undergone for their faith. He spoke of some of the martyrdoms which he had himself witnessed. Mr. Tudor Pole also spoke of the great Persian lady, a poetess, Quarratul-'Ain, of whom an account appeared in The Christian Commonwealth of September 13. After a few questions were asked the gathering closed. Abdul Bahá stood in the doorway and shook hands with everyone, wishing them Godspeed.
Sunday being a glorious day, Abdul Bahá went driving both morning and afternoon; he walked on the downs, and spoke with many of the little children whom he met. Later he gathered together the servants of the house, spoke to them of the dignity of labour, and thanked them for their work. He then went over the Clifton Guest House, and blessed it as a centre for pilgrims from East and West, saying that it would become truly both a guest house and a rest house indeed.
Abdul Baha, returned to London on Monday, and Bristol is the only provincial city that he has visited during his present stay in this country. He leaves England early next week.
THE VANISHING OF THE VEIL. (CONTINUED FROM PAGE TWO)
of God. The prophets of God are the mediators of God. All the prophets and messengers have come from one Holy Spirit and bear the message of God, suited to the age in which they appear.
It is the One Light in them, and they are one with each other. But the eternal does not become phenomenal, neither can the phenomenal become eternal. St. Paul, the great apostle, said, “We all, with open face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of God, are changed into the same image from glory to glory.”
Then, raising his hands, Abdul Baha, prayed: "O God, the Forgiver! O Heavenly Educator. This assembly is adorned with the mention of thy holy name. Thy children turn their face towards thy kingdom. Hearts are made happy and souls are comforted. Merciful God! Cause us to repent of our shortcomings! Accept us in thy heavenly kingdom and give unto us an abode where there shall be no error. Give us peace. Give us knowledge, and open unto us the gates of thy heaven.
“Thou art the Giver of all! Thou art the Forgiver! Thou art the Merciful!"
The final note of a real chord of harmony was struck when Archdeacon Wilberforce asked that Abdul Bahá would pronounce the Benediction. “I think we should take it kneeling,” he said.
Who shall say that the veil is not vanishing? Peggy Scott.
[Extract from a letter from Kent, England.]
I do not know if you have heard about our beloved Master's coming to Archdeacon Wilberforce's church, St. John's, Westminster, last Sunday evening, so in case you have not, I will tell you about it. How wonderful it all was! To begin with, I have never heard a service conducted as Archdeacon Wilberforce conducted this one. His intercessions were real intercessions and reminded one of our healing prayers rather than one of the usual formal church prayers. One felt the Spirit in our midst. Then, after he had given a short address he said that Abdul-Baha, the great Persian teacher, was coming to address us tonight, and went to fetch him from the vestry. He conducted the dear one up the chancel steps to where a chair was placed for him in full view, and when he was seated, said: “Rudyard Kipling has said, ‘East is East and West is West and they twain never shall meet,’—but I say they can and do meet on the common ground of Love and here is the proof. Look at our wonderful guest of tonight who has suffered forty years imprisonment for the sake of humanity. Look at those hands which have felt the chains, those feet which have endured the gyves, because of his Message of Love and Unity to all peoples, and now he is free and has come to us from the East to bring that Message. Oh! pray that God's blessing may descend upon him; send out vibrations of love to meet this Spirit of God who is in our midst.” You will know how we sent out all our love to meet him, and I do not think there were many dry eyes. How glorious he looked! all the lines of pain and weariness were gone from that beloved face; truly he shone with a beauty not of earth; one felt that he was able to unveil because of the heavenly atmosphere surrounding him. I had prayed to see his divinity—and now I saw it and was almost afraid. Then he spoke and prayed for us, after which the Archdeacon read the translation, saying, “I would I could reproduce the musical inflections of the Master's voice"—and when he had finished, the Master chanted a benediction. I had so longed to hear him chant. I little thought I should do so here in a church! Thank God that at least two of Christ's churches have been found worthy to receive him. Then the Archdeacon took him reverently by the hand and conducted him down the aisle, saying as he did so: “We do not speak his language, nor he ours, but for the angels of God there is no Babel.” It was a scene which none of us will ever forget.
Dorothy Hodgson.
