THE
| PAGE | |
Assemblies in the Occident | 2 |
Discourses by Abdul-Baha — Given at Paris, France | 3 |
The Mashrak-el-Azkar in America | 7 |
Messages to the American Bahais | 8 |
“Preparing the Way" in California—By Ella Goodall Cooper | 12 |
News Notes | 13 |
Tablet from Abdul-Baha | 14 |
ASSEMBLIES IN THE OCCIDENT.
AFRICA.
CAPE TOWN.—Regular meeting held on the 19th of very month at the home of (Mrs.) Agnes Cook, Gad's Hill, Avenue Pretoria, Sea Point.
CANADA.
MONTREAL, QUE.—Weekly meeting held Friday evening at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Maxwell, 716 Pine Avenue.
ENGLAND.
LONDON, ENG.—Regular meeting of Assembly Friday, 8:15 p. m., at 10 Cheniston Gardens; Wright's Lane, Kensington, High Street Bahai Reading Room, 137A High Street, entrance from Wright's Lane.
GERMANY.
STUTTGART, WURTEMBERG.—Regular meeting of Assembly Friday evening. Kanziel strasse 24P. ZUFFENHAUSEN.—At the home of Herrn und Frau F. Schweizer, Karl strasse 26I.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AKRON, OHIO.—Meetings every Thursday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Borst, 109 Bittman Street. Address of Secretary, Russell L. Brooker, 495 Elmwood Court.
BALTIMORE, MD.—Regular weekly meetings Tuesday evening at 629 West North Avenue, and Sunday evening at 516 Broadway. Residence of Secretary, 629 West North Avenue.
BANGOR, MICH.—Meetings are held at alternate homes the first and third Sundays of the month. Address, Mr. Byron S. Lane, R. F. D. 5.
BOSTON, MASS.—Meetings held Friday evening, at 7 :45 p. m., at the Laughton Studios, Room 418, Pierce Building, corner Huntington Avenue and Dartmouth Street.
BUFFALO, N. Y.—Meetings every Sunday and Thursday evening at 494 Elmwood Avenue.
CHICAGO, ILL.—Regular weekly meeting, Sunday, 11 a. m., at Corinthian Hall, 17th floor Masonic Temple, State and Randolph Streets. Address of Assembly, P. O. Box 283. George Lesch, Secretary. Bahais coming to Chicago who wish to be met at the railroad station and be put into communication with the friends in this city, may address Mrs. Charles H. Greenleaf, 4855 Kenmore Avenue. Telephone Ravenswood 3025.
CINCINNATI, OHIO.—Meetings held Wednesday evening at the homes of the friends. Residence of Secretary, Mrs. Annie L. Parmerton, 543 Mitchell Avenue.
CLEVELAND, OHIO.—Regular weekly meeting of the Assembly Friday evenings, at the apartment of Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke,
3606 Prospect Street; also Wednesday evenings at the home of Dr. and Mrs. C. M. Swingle, 2101 Prospect Avenue.
DENVER, COLO.—Regular meetings, Sunday, 3:30 p. m., at 4141 Xavier Street; Monday, 8 p. m., at 1608 Broadway, and group meetings Thursday afternoon at homes of the friends. G. Nathaniel Clark, Secretary, 4141 Xavier Street.
FRUITPORT, MICH.—Regular weekly meetings, Sunday, 2:30 p. m., at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Peterson. Mrs. John Dermo, Secretary.
ITHACA, N. Y.—Regular meeting of Assembly, Friday evening at the residence of Dr. W. E. House, 241 South Cayuga Street.
KENOSHA, WIS.—Regular weekly meeting, Sunday, 10:30 a. m.; Sunday school, 9:30 a. m., at Gronquish Hall, 218 Park Street. Address of Assembly, Mr. Charles Carlson, Secretary, 418 Crate Street. Mrs. Anna Bohanan, Secretary, Women's Assembly.
LOS ANGELES, CAL.—F. B. Beckett, Secretary, R. F. D. 5, Box 225.
MUSKEGON, MICH.—Meetings held Wednesday afternoon at 52 Jackson Street. Mrs. Helene Bagg, Secretary.
NEWARK. N. J.—Regular weekly meeting of the Assembly Thursday evening, at the home of Mrs. F. Carré, 70 Haley Street.
NEW YORK, N. Y.—Regular weekly meeting, Sunday, 11 a. m., at Genealogical Hall, 226 West 58th Street.
OAKLAND, CAL.—Charles R. Lee, Secretary, 1523 Jackson Street, San Francisco. Mrs. Cordie Cline, Corresponding Secretary, 233 Griffith Avenue, San Mateo, Cal.
PHILADELPHIA, PA.—Miss Jessie E. Revell, Secretary, 1429 Mayfield Street.
PORTLAND, ARE.—Regular weekly meeting, Thursday, 7:30 p. m., at 501 Yamhill Street, Street, corner Fifteenth Street. Mrs. Nettie Nash, Secretary, Kenton Station.
SEATTLE, WASH.—Regular weekly meeting held at 2916 Beacon Avenue, South.
SPOKANE, WASH.—Regular weekly meeting held Friday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Killius, 124 Fifth Avenue. Mrs. Isabella M. Campbell, Secretary, 1014 Fairview Avenue.
ST. PAUL, MINN.—Address of Secretary, Mr. Clement Woolson, 233 Arundel Street.
SUMERDUCK, VA.—Meeting on fourth Sunday; address, care Mrs. R. H. Duckett.
WASHINGTON, D. C.—Regular meetings Friday evening at 8:15; Sunday morning at 11:15, at 1219 Connecticut Avenue; Wednesday evening at 8:00, at 1937 Thirteenth Street, N. W. Mail address of Assembly, P. O. Box 192. Residence of Secretary, Mr. Joseph H. Hannen, 1252 Eighth Street, N. W.
Secretaries are requested to see that their Assembly is correctly represented.
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STAR OF THE WEST
VOL. II Chicago (December 31, 1911) Sharaf No. 16
DISCOURSES BY ABDUL-BAHA. GIVEN AT PARIS, FRANCE.
October 17, 1911.
I wish you to study the works of the Blessed Beauty and to live according to His teaching. The basis of the teaching of BAHA'O'LLAH is as follows: “Bear in your heart great love to all races on earth, to the end that unity may be established between them. Take an interest in everyone and find out how you can help them, so that all may see that your love is truly universal. Do the Will of God, do not only speak about it; the elect of God do this. People do much speaking to advance their own glory and to make themselves appear superior to their neighbors. But if you do the Will of God and do not blazon it abroad, then you will change the whole world. They who do most speak least.
Man must ever be thinking of drawing nearer to God.
Look at the Italians, they pretended to love humanity, yet they wished to seize Tripoli for their own advancement, not for the good of humanity.
I hope that you will some day be able to hinder such actions, and thus enable justice to reign everywhere. I hope you will be able to make all hearts pure and tender, all efforts sincere, so that everyone may work for the good of humanity. This is my prayer and desire.
October 18.
The Relation between Thought and Action.—You must not only think thoughts, but do actions. The reality of men is their thoughts and their spirits, not their material bodies. Man and animal with regard to matter are partners. The difference is that man has the power of thought.
Thoughts may be divided into two classes: 1. The world of thought alone. 2. The world of thought which expresses itself in action. For instance, philosophers belong to the first class, for they only think heavenly thoughts and do not do heavenly deeds. Whereas spiritual teachers belong to the second class, for they express their high and noble thoughts in actions as soon as they think them.
Question. If one refuses the Cause of BAHA'O'LLAH during his lifetime, may he hear of it after death?
Yes, he will hear of it in his next life, but through the mercy of God alone, not through his own ability.
Question. Are we not able, through love and faith, to make those on the other side hear of the Cause who had not heard of it while on earth?
Yes, surely sincere prayer always has its effect, and it has a great influence
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in the other world. We are never cut off from those who are there. The real and genuine influence is not in this World but in that other.
Question: In what condition is the soul before entering the body?
In a state of potentiality, possessing no consciousness as we understand it.
Traveling.—Traveling is a very good thing. It opens the eyes and broadens the horizon.
In the East one may behold vast and desert places where once lay peopled towns; this shows the Hand of Almighty God. History shows us how every nation which was against the of God has eventually been quite destroyed; and, accordingly, each nation which has listened to the Voice of God has prospered. When traveling one makes discoveries of strange things, i. e., the Emperors of Rome ruled over many thousands of people and were famous and powerful, but now the Emperors are dead and their power has vanished. Whereas the Christians began by being a small band of eleven disciples following Christ and living after His teaching, now there are many Christians all over the world and Christ's influence shall never die.
October 19.
On Healing.—Healing comes from God. If the heavenly benediction be upon us while we are being healed, then only can we be truly healed. All depends upon God. Medicine is merely an outward form or means by which we obtain heavenly healing; without the Heavenly Benediction it is worth nothing. If man looks at the nature of the world around him, he will see that all created beings are dependent upon something, i. e., man is dependent for his life upon the air which he breathes, likewise the animals which are upon the earth, and each created being is dependent for its life upon some material circumstances. Man, therefore, and all creatures are prisoners of nature. The sun must follow his law, the earth must follow his law of motion, the sea also hers. But, by the spiritual power of God, which, through His Bounty, He has bestowed upon men alone, man is enabled to defy the laws of nature in many and wonderful ways, i. e., it is the law of nature that man should walk upon the earth, but he defies this law, for he sojourns upon the water and also flies, like the bird, through the air.
Through the wonderful spiritual power which God gives to man, man is enabled to reach the Kingdom of Heaven; but behold! man is not grateful and is careless of the great mercy which God has shown him.
October 20.
The sun shines upon the earth, giving light and warmth to all creatures. The Sun of Truth also shines, giving light and warmth to the souls of men. All existing creatures need the sun to shine upon them and develop them that they may grow. The souls of men also need the Sun of Truth to shine upon them, to educate and encourage them. Circumstances that benefit the body do not benefit the soul, and the soul of man is his reality, not his body, i. e., there are some men who are perfected in material things and very backward
in the spiritual. Likewise many, who are at the bottom of the social and material ladder, are very much advanced spiritually.
Galien, a Greek Philosopher who died at the time when the Christian Religion was in its growth—and was not himself a Christian—wrote many books about material civilization and development. He states as his belief that Religion is the basis of all true civilization, that is to say that not only must the brain and gifts of a nation be educated, but also the moral character. The Christians, he points out, are an example to show the truth of this theory, for theirs was the basis upon which the largest and most prosperous civilization of the world had been founded and their morals were very high. They were taught not to fear death, and to love their neighbors as themselves and live only for the good of humanity, and only to think of doing good to mankind. If these principles had been carefully carried out by the followers of Jesus Christ, then there would be no need for the world to be reawakened. But winter fell upon the hearts of men, and God sent His prophets to shine upon them with the Spring of the Sun of righteousness that they may be again awakened and blossom forth and bear fruit. Because mankind has shut its ears to the Voice of God and has neglected His teachings, wars and tumults, unrest and misery have fallen upon them. Let us make every effort to reopen the hearts of men to the Will of God. I pray God to give you power to bring humanity beneath the rays of the Sun of Truth and Peace.
October 23.
When a man has found joy in one place he returns to that same place to find his joy again. When a man has found gold in a mine he will return again to that mine to find more gold; this is a natural law and shows forth the vital and spiritual powers which God has bestowed upon man, and the natural instinct which is born in him. The Great Light of the Spirit has ever arisen in the East, but it has shed forth its radiance into the West. And in the West has it found its greatest force of expansion.
The Christ rose like a star in the horizon of the East, but the Light of His influence has taken root more firmly in the West. This shows us how that the people of the West are very faithful in their hearts and they do not easily forget. The West is like a good plant. When the rain falls gently upon it to give it nourishment and the sun shines upon it to give it warmth, then does it blossom forth and bear good fruit.
It is a long time since the Sun of Righteousness has shed its Radiance upon the West, for the Face of God has been hidden by the sin and forgetfulness of man; but now, thanks be to God! the Sun shines forth in all its glory and the breath of the Holy Spirit is watchful over the nations. Let us pray to God that the light and refreshment may awaken the people and give them new life, that they shall find a second life and there shall be a new creation. Humanity shall put on a new garment and the Mercy of God will be showered upon the people. My earnest desire is that you will work for this
end, that you may be the cause of it. It is certain that the Flag of Divinity has been raised and the Sun of Righteousness of God appears upon the horizon. Be faithful and loving workers that you may be among the blest of God and receive the benefits of the Kingdom of ABHA.
October 25.
I regret that you have been kept waiting so long. Yet, I have waited so many years in prison before I could see you—surely you do not mind waiting a little to see me. Our hearts are always together and the Bounty of the Kingdom of ABHA binds our spirits in one. For have we not one aim, one desire and one prayer? Therefore we are always together.
Last night, when I returned home, I did not sleep. I lay awake thinking and I said to myself: “Here am I in Paris. O my God! what is Paris and who am I?” I never thought from the darkness of my prison that I should come here and be among you, for I was condemned to perpetual imprisonment. When I read the document which told me of my sentence, I said to the officials: “It is impossible!” And they were astonished. Then I said to them: “If Abdul-Hamid were immortal and I myself were immortal, then would it be possible for him to condemn me to be in prison forever, but as we are not immortal, then it is impossible. My spirit is free and that can no man imprison.”
Now you see the powers of God, that I am no longer in prison, but here in Paris, talking with you. I am thankful to meet the spiritual friends and you also must be happy that God has allowed me to come among you. For who indeed would have thought it possible that I should be here talking in Paris?
FAREWELL WORDS TO EUROPE.
December 1.
I bid a loving farewell to the people of France and England. I am very much pleased with them. I counsel them that they may day by day strengthen the bond of love and amity to this end—that they may become the sympathetic embodiment of one nation—that they may extend themselves to a universal Brotherhood to guard and protect the interests and rights of all the nations of the East—that they may unfurl the Divine Banner of justice—that they may realize and treat each nation as a family composed of the individual children of God and may know that before the sight of God the rights of all are equal.
For all of us are the children of one Father. God is at peace with all His children: why should they engage in strife and warfare among themselves? God is showering down kindness; why should the inhabitants of this world exchange unkindness and cruelty?
“Ye are all the leaves of one tree and the fruits of one branch.”
Beware! Beware! Lest ye offend any heart.
Beware! Beware! Lest ye hurt any soul.
Beware! Beware! Lest ye deal unkindly toward any person.
Beware! Beware! Lest ye be the cause of hopelessness to any creature.
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THE MASHREK-EL-AZKAR IN AMERICA.
Through Zia Effendi, Chicago—Upon him be BAHA'O'LLAH!—to Claudia Stuart Coles, Washington, D. C.—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH!
HE IS GOD!
O thou who art enkindled by the fire of the love of God!
Verily, I have perused thy beautiful letter of wonderful composition, which proveth thy firmness, assurance and steadfastness in the faith; and thy singing the verses of holiness to thy Merciful Lord. Blessed art thou from this great gift. Joy be unto thee from this vast providence.
Know thou that the building of the Mashrak-ei-Azkar is the greatest foundation in those regions. God said in the Koran, “It is those who believed in God, and the Last Day, shall build the Temples of God.” It is incumbent upon thee and upon all, to put forth the best effort in these days, in building this glorious Temple; raising the tumult of commemorations therein, during the wing of the night, at dawn, and at eventide. It is incumbent upon ye (men and women) to be united, in this great Cause, so that ye may be confirmed by the Divine Bounty, and Merciful Spirit; become increased with energy and power; gain a recompense, and estimation. I implore God, and supplicate Him to make your feet firm in the straight path, and in the upright way.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
The foregoing Tablet from our beloved Abdul-Baha, reached me in London and I think will be as a glad clarion call to all in regard to the work of the Cause. Over and over in Tablets about the Mashrak-el-Azkar, Abdul-Baha has given to each soul a call to service for the glory of God. It is not Chicago, nor America, nor a group of believers, that are to be glorified by the Mashrak-el-Azkar, but the Living God, and when the Light of the Guidance of God says “it is incumbent upon ye, men and women, to be united in this great Cause," surely every soul who believes that the Day of God is here, will, as one body, arise for “this great service."
Abdul-Baha expects to attend the Convention to be held in Chicago during the coming spring-time. Unquestionably, he will dedicate the site of the Mashrak-el-Azkar at that time.
Through the guidance of God this site has been chosen, and Abdul-Baha's wish that there be room for ample grounds is being obeyed. He has said that “all shall unite.” If those of us who call ourselves believers, for a few short weeks shall lay aside our own ideas of what seems to us best for the Cause and do that which Abdul-Baha says is the most important work at this time; if we can take the step outlined for us by him, believing, seeing, feeling, hearing and trusting in his wisdom; if in selflessness, humility and unity we serve together in earnest effort—his desires will be fulfilled and the site of the Mashrak-el-Azkar (The Dawning Place of the mentioning of God) found ready for his consecration. Every one has deep responsibility; no one human being knows in full the demands upon another soul; no one can judge the work of another—that is God’s work; but each soul can, in humble faith, face squarely the words of Abdul-Baha in regard to what he says is “the most important work,” and, in the measure of seeking, find light and hope and power that will be dynamic in its realization.
Prayerfully studying this Tablet in humility, in reverence, in faith, let us unite to work shoulder to shoulder as inspired atoms of one great tool with which Abdul-Baha can lay the foundation of the cause of Confirmation to the Cause. Then truly “will we become increased with energy and power; gain a recompense and estimation.”
O Lord, make our feet firm in the straight path!
Claudia Stuart Coles.
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STAR OF THE WEST
[Continuing the BAHAI NEWS]
PUBLISHED NINETEEN TIMES A YEAR
By the BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, 515 South Dearborn Street., Chicago, Ill., U.S.A. Entered as second-class matter April 9, 1911, at the post office at Chicago, Illinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879.
Albert R. Windust—EDITORS—Gertrude Buikema Persian Editor.—Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, 509 McLachlen Bldg., 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.
| MONTH | NAME | FIRST DAYS |
| 1st | Baha' (Splendor) | Mar. 21 |
| 2nd | Jalal (Glory) | Apr. 9 |
| 3rd | Jamal (Beauty) | Apr. 28 |
| 4th | Azamat (Grandeur) | May 17 |
| 5th | Nur (Light) | June 5 |
| 6th | Rahmat (Mercy) | June 24 |
| 7th | Kalamat (Words) | July 13 |
| 8th | Asma (Names) | Aug. 1 |
| 9th | Kamal (Perfection) | Aug. 20 |
| 10th | Eizzat (Might) | Sept. 8 |
| 11th | Masheyat (Will) | Sept. 27 |
| 12th | Elm (Knowledge) | Oct. 16 |
| 13th | Kudrat (Power) | Nov. 4 |
| 14th | Kowl (Speech) | Nov. 23 |
| 15th | Massa'ulk (Questions) | Dec. 12 |
| 16th | Sharaf (Honor) | Dec. 31 |
| 17th | Sultan (Sovereignty) | Jan. 19 |
| 18th | Mulk (Dominion) | Feb. 7 |
| Four Intercalary days. | ||
| 19th | Ola (Loftiness) | Mar. 2 |
| (Month of fasting.) | ||
| Vol. II | Chicago, (December 31, 1911) Sharaf | No. 16 |
TO THE FRIENDS OF GOD AND THE MAIDSERVANTS OF THE MERCIFUL IN AMERICA:
HE IS GOD!
O ye friends of God and the beloved maidservants of the True One!
Abdul-Baha has the utmost longing to meet you, but now he is obliged to return to the East, for he has promised many friends and they having traveled a long way, will be disappointed if the meeting is not brought about. Therefore, he has returned to Egypt, and hopes that during the next spring no obstacle may arise, so that with infinite joy and fragrance he may hasten to America to meet the friends, to unfurl the banner of rejoicing, to spread the Glad-Tidings of the Kingdom of ABHA, to illumine the meetings and gatherings with the Rays of the Sun of Truth, to perfume the nostrils with the Fragrances of Holiness, to impart gladness and delight to the hearts, to attract the souls to the Realms of Might, to grant the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—so that in this nether world the congregation of the Righteous Ones may be firmly established.
Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! The bounties of the Most Great Name are descending. Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! The Lights of the Kingdom of ABHA are shining. Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! The Doors of Heaven are opened and the call of the Kingdom is raised.
Upon you be Bahá El-ABHA!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Translated by M. Ahmad Sohrab, New York, December 16, 1911.
TO THE AMERICAN BAHAIS:
It was on the 7th of December that I left Abdul-Baha in Marseilles. My last request of him was to assist and confirm all the American Bahais in the accomplishment of great services. He said: “The American friends will be assisted and helped.” For a moment he was silent. Then he raised his head and continued, saying: “All those who have unselfish motives, whose hearts are devoid of any personal interests, will be assisted in this Cause. They will be confirmed by the heavenly cohorts—rest thou assured.”
Abdul-Baha was very much pleased with the result of his work in London and Paris. While leaving Europe physically, his spiritual presence will be the cause of great benediction for countless ages to come. During my stay in Paris, having been permitted to live in the same apartment with him, I daily witnessed the marvelous power of his love and active interest in all those who are concerned in the uplifting of the human race. His great power in imparting happiness to all those who are depressed or are passing through a period of trials and tests, cannot be measured by human criterion. This one power alone distinguishes him above all men, for, notwithstanding the complexity of problems that he must solve daily and the thousand and one details that he must attend to for them, yet he is always beaming and imparting happiness to all those who come in touch with him.
We are looking forward with great anticipation to his visit to America, which will be some time in the early part of the spring. It is now the opportune time for all the friends in America to arise with one purpose and with one aim to prepare the way in a practical manner.
The Persian-American Educational Society has taken definite steps for the arrangement of his visit to America and will deem it it pleasure and a privilege to assist the friends all over the country with practical suggestions. His presence in America will be one of the most significant events of the twentieth century and the effect of his words will be far reaching. He does not come to visit any sect or religion or nationality, but he comes to meet ninety million Americans whose open mindedness for truth and whose open heartedness for the highest ideals of life are well known all over the world. In Abdul-Baha we will see a representation of divine virtues and human perfections. He will come to us with the noblest thoughts of peace and brotherhood which have been crystallizing for ages in the Orient. He will represent to us the longings and the hopes of many million Bahais in the East. May we all be ready to stand firm in his presence. May we all be assisted to accomplish our duties. May we all be inspired to prepare the way for him. The time is short, the opportunities are many and it lies in our power to take part in this great spiritual work. The standard of truth will be raised, the signs of the Kingdom of ABHA will be spread, the wintry season of dogmas and superstitions will be changed into the balmy spring time, the highway of righteousness will be paved and men of all races and nations will walk therein,
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singing the songs of the Kingdom and raising the voice of glorification toward the Supreme Concourse. Army of the Kingdom of ABHA, be prepared for review by the Supreme Commander! Mirza Ahmad Sohrab.
TO THE BAHAI ASSEMBLIES OF AMERICA:
Dear Friends: According to all the information available at the present time and the personal knowledge of one of our members who has made a pilgrimage to Paris, Abdul-Baha's visit to America will be sometime in the early part of Spring. During the past few months, he has received many invitations from the prominent Peace Societies and National Organizations to address them while in America, and he has accepted the invitations—showing that his visit has a deep and great significance. It is suggested that the Bahai Assemblies of America send delegations to New York to greet Abdul-Baha. It is also suggested that the Assemblies need not officially designate any delegate or delegates, but as many of the friends of Abdul-Baha from each Assembly as desire to volunteer to pay this respect to him, may avail themselves of this opportunity and privilege. All such friends will be considered as the delegates from each Assembly. It is hoped that those who desire to take part in this delegation will announce their intention to the Persian-American Educational Society, McLachlen Building, 10th and G Sts., Washington, D. C., so that a list of their names might be available. These delegations should be ready, so that when the definite date of his departure from Egypt and arrival in York is cabled to us, we may let them know at once, in order that they may start on their journey from different parts of the country and arrive at the appointed time in New York.
Hoping that this will be approved by the friends throughout America and will be carried out in the spirit of love of unity, we are
Your sincere servants in the Cause,
Persian-American Educational Society.
TO THE BAHAI ASSEMBLIES OF AMERICA:
Owing to the importance of the coming convention of Bahai Temple Unity because of the anticipated presence of Abdul-Baha, all assemblies are requested to make early preparations for sending delegates so that when the call is sent forth in February, at which time the place and date will be given, the least amount of time will be consumed in arranging for the care and comfort of the friends.
The Executive Board of Bahai Temple Unity, Bernard M. Jacobsen, Secretary.
YE ARE ALL LEAVES OF ONE TREE!
In speaking of Abdul-Baha's contemplated visit to America, Mirza Ahmad Sohrab says; “He does not come to visit any sect or religion or nationality, but he comes to meet ninety million Americans whose open-mindedness for
truth and whose open-heartedness for the highest ideals of life are well known all over the world.”
In this connection, the news notes from London and Boston, published in this issue, sound forth suggestions that should be considered by the Bahais—especially throughout America—in these days of “preparing the way” for the coming of Abdul-Baha. In a word: The friends should avoid all appearance of being a new religious sect by separating themselves from others in work or worship, for the cause has seemingly, yet unintentionally, developed in the West a condition* akin to a sect—that which the Bahai Reformation does not represent.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The consideration of the foregoing leads us to the announcement of our plans for the forthcoming Volume III of the STAR OF THE WEST—for it has been accused of being decidedly sectarian, and therefore not representative of the Bahai movement.
The criticism is well taken. In justice, however, it should be remembered that it began with little means but plenty of faith and much good will. This infant—if the simile is granted—came forth from non-existence into the court of existence naked but pure; it had to be nurtured; its cry was weak; its helplessness apparent to all. In the nature of things it was beloved by the “family” of friends, and apparently sectarian.
Notwithstanding this, Abdul-Baha—the Servant of God—has smiled upon its weakness, uttered words of encouragement for it, and admonished the friends to make it an object of their attention—words that sound with clarion tones to those who have ears to hear the call: “O thou STAR OF THE WEST! Be thou happy! Be thou happy! Shouldst thou continue to remain firm and eternal, ere long, thou shalt become the Star of the East and shalt spread in every country and clime. Thou art the first paper of the Bahais which is organized in the country of America. Although for the present thy subscribers are limited, thy form is small and thy voice weak, yet shouldst thou stand unshakable, become the object of the attention of the friends and the center of the generosity of the leaders of the faith who are firm in the Covenant, in the future thy subscribers will become hosts after hosts like unto 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!”
In order to more fully represent the Bahai movement, and attract and hold the attention of all those interested in the brotherhood of man and the
- NOTE.—This can be explained and excused because of the embryonic condition of the Cause in the Occident, from 1893 A. D. to the present time (nineteen years)—a condition parallel to the Babi period of the Bahai Dispensation in the Orient, i. e., from 1844 to 1863 A. D.
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Fatherhood of God—whatever or wherever their religions ethical, educational or humanitarian affiliations may be—it is our purpose to departmentize the contents of the STAR OF THE WEST, and present these lines of thought from a universal aspect in the light of the New Dispensation.
It is our purpose to make its pages regular magazine size, 7 x 10 inches; to increase the number of pages, to add more illustrations, and to clothe it with a suitable cover.
To do this it will be necessary to increase its subscription list from hundreds to thousands, as it will entail expense beyond our present means. We look to all friends to co-operate with us in this endeavor. The Editors.
"PREPARING THE WAY" IN CALIFORNIA.
BY ELLA GOODALL COOPER.
The friends in San Francisco and vicinity are still rejoicing over the continued good work done by Mrs. Getsinger and Dr. Fareed. New avenues are opening, more and more men are hearing the Message of Peace—men of every degree and character.
A glance at some of the different places in which they have spoken will give an idea of the universality of their work:
Dr. Fareed, after appearing before the Commonwealth Club (a body of business and professional men interested in good government), was asked to meet the Knights Templar in a body and to give them the Message. This led to his being made an honorary member of the Union League Club (a representative social club) and to several more meetings with the Knights Templar. Upon one of these occasions there were over eight hundred present. The same evening he was invited to dine with the Young Men's Christian Association.
At the Unitarian Church in Alameda, under the auspices of the Unitarian Club, both Dr. Fareed and Mrs. Getsinger spoke.
In San Francisco they were given a reception at the Sequoia Club. This club is composed mainly of literary and professional men and women interested in the arts. A few days later they were entertained at the Century Club (all women) and asked to speak on the subject of Persian poetry. The next week Mrs. Getsinger spoke before the Auxiliary of the Juvenile Court on the subject of “The Women of the East.” She referred to the Bahai Movement and much interest was aroused.
The talk before the Jewish Women's Council was quite unique. Mrs. Getsinger proposed to entertain them with a “Persian Tea Party.” A number of the friends took part representing the different Eastern types who met together in love and harmony under the influence of the Bahai Teachings. Dr. Fareed was introduced as the story teller called in to entertain the ladies while they sipped their tea (made in a samovar) and thus he had the opportunity of telling the wonderful story of the Movement to the audience which numbered nearly nine hundred. The ladies of the Council and their friends were delighted with this method of presenting it, and became very enthusiastic.
Across the bay, both appeared at the Oakland Club (a representative woman's club). Dr. Fareed spent one evening with a large group of intelligent and deeply interested Japanese, and another with the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, which was most satisfactory.
In Berkeley, both spoke to the Short Story Club, an interesting group of writers,
at the home of one of the friends, and Dr. Fareed has also come in contact with the president and several of the faculty of the State University.
At Santa Rosa a large meeting was arranged by the Saturday Morning Club, where many school teachers and a few clergymen listened to the Glad-Tidings.
At Mill Valley, the club house was secured and notices sent to all the residents in the village. This meeting was well attended and will, undoubtedly, lead to others.
Two days were spent at San Mateo with the Federation of Women's Clubs. Both Dr. Fareed and Mrs. Getsinger spoke to large audiences. They also made a trip across the bay to San Quentin, the State's prison. There they investigated prison conditions and talked with a number of the prisoners. Mrs. Getsinger is following it up in a practical way by interesting people in one or two cases who should justly come out on parole. Here seems to be a great field for work, especially as the attention of thinking men and women is turned nowadays to the subject of prison reform.
A series of nine lectures was given in San Francisco at the California Club on Sunday evenings, presenting the Bahai Reformation in detail, each evening being devoted to one phase of its history or teachings. These were well attended by a thoughtful, earnest representative audience. The same series is being repeated at the Bellevue Hotel on Thursday afternoons for the benefit of those who cannot attend the evening talks.
On Monday evenings, Mrs. Getsinger meets with a group at the home of one of the friends—from twenty to fifty persons attending.
Recently, an interesting visit was made to San Jose, and negotiations are pending for lectures to be given there. While on this trip they met an influential woman who resides at Palo Alto and a big meeting was quickly arranged for there—many students and members of the faculty of Stanford University attending.
Notwithstanding all this arduous work, both of these servants devoted themselves untiringly to the friends, serving them spiritually and physically, besides meeting many small groups in an informal, yet effective, way, and attending all the regular meetings on both sides of the bay.
Although Dr. Fareed has just been called to Egypt, Mrs. Getsinger will remain to continue the work so well begun.
We feel that California has been greatly blest by the presence of these two servants. Doors long closed are now opening in every direction and the members of both Assemblies have arisen with zeal to help in this spiritual “preparation” for the coming of Abdul-Baha.
NEWS ITEMS.
BOSTON. MASS.—Meetings are held on Friday evening, at 7:45 o'clock, at the Laughton Studios, Room 418, Pierce Building, corner Huntington Ave. and Dartmouth St.
Miss Ethel Clement, who was the Corresponding Secretary of the Boston Bahai Assembly, but who is now on her way to California, wrote as follows to the STAR OF THE WEST: “As you see, we have changed our time and place for weekly meetings. We felt that in having our main Assembly on Sunday mornings we were excluding all church-going people, of whatever religion or sect, from attending our meetings and receiving therein the inspiration of our message, and of losing their co-operation with us in spreading the Cause. We also wished to avoid all appearance of being a new religious sect, separating ourselves from others in worship. Constantly the message comes to us from Abdul-Baha to universalize our efforts—it was in our first Tablet from him—and we feel that this is a step in that direction.”
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LONDON, ENG.—The Spirit poured out through Abdul-Baha during his recent visit has been percolating through different groups and time is required before the great results, which are surely on the way, will become apparent. The difference that his visit seems to have made is the increased freedom that one feels for mixing with the people and cooperating with them in whatever efforts one finds them making, for any good purpose—not to trouble them about a new name nor disturb them in the position where they are, but rather to encourage and inspire them to greater humanitarian efforts; not to make a new sect and add to sectarian strife, but to leven and raise the spirituality of all religious bodies and assisting all whom we find to be doing this. Is not this most truly the Bahai Mission of Unity?
Mr. Honore Jaxon, Miss Yandle and the writer have lately been much occupied in a movement started by us and some East Indians to bring the people of the East and West into closer social contact—especially, the some two thousand Indian students in London. The purpose is to improve their social position here, to create popular bonds of knowledge and friendship between them. Abdul-Baha, when here, pressed the greatest love and concern for the Indians sojourning among us and wanted us to do what we could for them. Arthur Cuthbert.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen of Washington, D. C., have issued a booklet of children's prayers in Persian, with the compliments and greetings of their little son Roshan. Dr. Susan I. Moody, of Teheran, Persia, writes that on the Feast Day of Abdul-Baha, Nov. 26, 1911, she attended a meeting of 100 women and children and had the pleasure of distributing the first consignment sent by the little donor to the children of Persia. She says: “It is delighting the hearts of the children who have never before had a booklet of their own, and as it contains a facsimile prayer revealed for Roshan it is very precious to them.”
The spirit manifested by the New York City Assembly in the fair which was held there on December 9th, for the benefit of the Mashrak-el-Azkar, was but another evidence of the unity of the friends in this undertaking. To the untiring efforts of Miss Nellie Hope Lloyd, Treasurer of the New York Assembly, combined with the hearty co-operation of the friends, was its success due. The proceeds amounted to $175.00.
Dr. Ameen U. Fareed, on his way from California to Egypt, arrived in Chicago Dec. 24th and during his sojourn there was the guest of Rev. and Mrs. Joseph A. Milburn. On Thursday evening, Dec. 28th, he delivered an address on the Revelation of BAHA'O'LLAH before an appreciative audience at the Plymouth Congregational Church.
Tayereh Khanom passed to the Supreme Concourse on the evening of Dec. 15th, at Teheran, Persia. She had suffered much, but at the last was restful and perfectly conscious of the change.
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA.
HE IS GOD!
O servant of the True One!
What thou hadst written was known. It was a clear evidence of thy thoughtfulness and mindfulness in the Cause of the most Merciful One. I supplicate God that thou mayest at every moment advance in the grades of
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divine love and devotion, spiritual attraction and merciful sentiments; and be benevolent and a comfort to both friends and strangers.
It is mentioned in the Gospel that a man called His Holiness, Christ, “Good Master.” His Holiness said unto him, “Why callest thou Me good? None is good save One, that is God.” So Abdul-Baha wishes a sin covering eye and conceals the people's faults as far as possible; for he considers himself incapable and deficient in the Servitude of the Lord. Therefore, being engaged in his own short-comings, he does not care about the sins of others, but always asks remission and forgiveness for them, and seeks bounty and grace in their behalf.
If a fault is committed by someone and I treat him with kindness, this is not on account of my negligence; but as I acknowledge my own short-comings and am cognizant of my own state, I do not show any opposition to others.
It is recorded in the Gospel that an adulteress was brought to the presence of Jesus Christ and confessed her sin. Those present asked Him why He did not command her to be stoned. He said, he who does not deserve a legal punishment, that is to say, “he that is without sin,” may get up and stone the adulteress. All of them looking upon themselves found themselves sinful, and “went out one by one.”
Now it is this condition which must always be had under consideration, otherwise the matter will be difficult. It is said in the Koran, “Hadst thou been severe and hard-hearted, they had surely separated themselves from about Thee.” But the people must be just. If, notwithstanding their injustice, they receive favors, this will make them mindful and admonished. As to my short-comings in case of other persons who are firm, devoted and steadfast: I always acknowledge and confess my weakness and my failure and the beloved of God will certainly excuse. When a letter is received from them, I have done my best possible to send them an answer. Moreover writing letters has nothing to do with that pure, spiritual and divine love. Many persons in the blessed days (i. e., in the time of the Blessed Perfection) were recipients of favors and had numerous long Tablets, but in this day wavered in such a manner that they did not hearken to or obey the divine commandments, and overlooked even the commands revealed in their own Tablets. Yet there are some other souls who have in this day been addressed in the Day of the Blessed Perfection. This is from the Bounty of God; He grants to whomsoever He willeth. God is the possessor of Great Bounty.
The essential thing and the real nearness to God, is to be steadfast in the Religion of God, to serve His Cause and to be in Servitude at the Threshold of Unity. This is necessary.
Upon thee be greeting and praise! (Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Translated by Dr. Zia. M. Bagdadi, September 23, 1911.
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PRICE LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
OF THE BAHAI REVELATION
Hidden Words $ .15 Seven Valleys .25 Book of Ighan 1.00 Postage 10 cents
Tarazat and Other Tablets In Press Tablet of Ishrakat .25 Surat-ul-Hykl .25 Tablets of Abdul-Baha (Vol. I) 1.50 Postage 15 cents Mysterious Forces of Civilization 1.50 Postage 10 cents
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Some Answered Questions 1.50 Postage 15 cents
School of the Prophets 1.25 Postage 10 cents
Unity Through Love .10 In Galilee .35 A Year with Baha'is of India and Burma .25 Story of Bahai Movement .05 Bahai Hymns .10
Revelation of Baha'o'llah $ .10 Dawn of Knowledge .15 Martyrdoms in Persia .10 10 Days in Lt. of Acca .25 Table Talks with Abdul-Baha .10 Daily Lessons Received at Acca .20 My Visit to Acca .10 Flowers from the Rose Garden of Acca .10 Portfolio of Views of Holy Land 1.00
PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED BY THE BAHAI PUBLISHING SOCIETY Address all Orders to MISS MARY LESCH, 5205 Jefferson Avenue CHICAGO
"MY VISIT TO ABBAS EFFENDI IN 1899" . . . . . Price 15c
is the title of an interesting account of the visit to Acca of Mrs. Margaret B. Peeke, and of her subsequent investigation of the teachings of the Revelation of BAHA'O'LLAH, which has recently been published in booklet form by her daughter-in-law, Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke, of Cleveland, Ohio, who donated the edition to the Mashrak-el-Azkar fund.
Address orders to MISS MARY LESCH, 5205 Jefferson Avenue, CHICAGO.
BAHAI WALL CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . Price $1.00
The selling price of this calendar is $1.00 postpaid to any address. The members are taking this way of making money for the Mashrak-el-Azkar fund. We earnestly hope that you will send us as large an order and at as early a date as possible.
The committee having the calendar in charge, expects to revise and send for an edition for 1913, which it is hoped will be better than this its first effort. During the year any suggestions and corrections or additions will be cheerfully received and the committee invites correspondence upon the same. Please send letters and orders to
HONOLULU BAHAI ASSEMBLY, P. O. Box 761, HONOLULU, TER. HAWAII.
PORTRAITS OF ABDUL-BAHA for framing, printed from the plate used in No. 14 issue of the STAR OF THE WEST, on cameo plate paper, size 9x12 in.—25 cents per copy, postpaid. Send postoffice money order, made payable to BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
