THE
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
Persian-American Educational Society | 2 |
The Convention at Chicago | 3 |
Tablet to America from Abdul-Baha | 6 |
Record of the Third Annual Convention of Bahai Temple Unity | 7 |
Impressions of the Convention | 16 |
Persian Section | 18-24 |
- This Society, which is the first of its kind organized and incorporated in America, will hold the Annual Conference, provided by its Constitution, at Washington, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 16, 17 and 18, 1911.
- The object of the organization is to bring these two countries together in ties of mutual interests: commercial, educational, moral and intellectual.
- It is hoped that the Conference will be attended by people of affairs and public-spirited citizens. You are cordially invited to be present or represented, and correspondence with the Secretary is suggested, concerning any of the following
- I. By attending the session of this Conference, to learn of the objects, methods and plans of the Society.
- II. All who will attend, or be represented, should notify the Secretary of their intention by June 10.
- III. Delegates and representatives from other associations, commercial, educational and industrial institutions and bodies will be heartily welcomed, and if the response justifies such action a special session will be arranged for the expression of their opinions.
- IV. At the conference, the aims and objects of the Persian American Educational Society will be discussed by various speakers.
- V. Means for the establishment of closer relations between Persia and America will be developed.
- VI. A new and broader Constitution, framed by a Special Committee, will be presented for adoption.
- VII. Reports of work done during the past year will be submitted and a program for the activities of the coming year will be outlined.
- VIII. As Persia has just engaged the services of five American financial advisers to organize the fiscal system of that Empire, this makes it apparent that in the near future these two countries will be brought much closer together from every practical standpoint.
- The usefulness of this Society in the establishment of commercial and industrial relations can scarcely be measured at this important juncture.
- IX. With the establishment of a strong Constitutional Government in Persia, the enactment of just and beneficial laws by the National Parliament, the encouragement of friendly relations and the undertaking of various industrial and commercial projects, there is a vast and limitless field for American capitalists and manufacturers, as well as boundless opportunities for educational propaganda, and this Society will be able to assist materially all interested inquirers.
- The foregoing, together with the fact that this is the first Conference of its kind ever held, indicates the great importance of the gathering, and your attendance or representation is again urged. WILLIAM HOAR, President;
- MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB, TREASURER;JOS. H. HANNEN, SECRETARY.
- General offices, 1800 Belmont Road, Washington, D. C.
- Since the last printed report, $300 has been sent to Persia for scholarships, thus making the total $1,000; also the following scholarships in the P. A. E. S. have been renewed for another year. The officers feel particularly gratified in noting that practically all of the scholarships of the first year have been renewed, thus indicating that the movement has already assumed permanence as an instrumentality of good:
- No. 8, Miss Charlotte Segler, New York City.
- No. 18, Miss Mary Lesch, Chicago, Ill.
- No. 21, Mr. L. W. Foster and Miss L. James, Chicago, Ill.
- No. 20, Mr. Lars Johnson, Chicago, Ill.
- No. 23, Miss Gertrude Buikema, Miss P. Casselberry and Mrs. Eva Webster Russell, of Chicago, Ill.
- No. 24, Mrs. Cecilia Harrison, Mrs. Emily Olsen and Mr. J. W. Woodworth, of Chicago, Ill.
- No. 26, Mrs. S. Scheffler and Mr. Charles Scheffler, of Chicago, Ill.
- No. 29, Mr. J. Nelson, Mrs. Ida Brush and Mrs. B. Grayson, of Chicago, Ill.
- No. 40, Miss M. Billet, of New York City.
- No. 28, Mrs. Jessie Bonds, of Chicago, Ill.
- No. 42, Mr. John D. Bosch, of Geyserville, Cal.
- No. 30, Mr. J. E. Latimer, of Portland, Ore.
- No. 31, Portland Bahai Assembly, of Portland, Ore.
- A new scholarship is reported, that of the Bahai Assembly of Spokane, Wash., which is No. 64.
| Vol. II | Chicago (May 17, 1911) Azamat | No. 4 |
- The Temple Unity Convention of 1911 was most auspiciously inaugurated by a Unity Feast, given by the Chicago Assembly Saturday evening, April 29th, at 125 N. Wabash Avenue. Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Kirchner and Mrs. Bara were the Committee in charge of the arrangements for the Feast, and Mr. Charles H. Greenleaf presided over the exercises. About 135 were present.
- The foregoing is a brief summary of the facts concerning a most wonderful meeting, in which the spirit of unity was so strongly manifested that, as from a great spiritual dynamo, all who were so fortunate as to be able to participate received a double portion of the Bounty of the Almighty! Entering a spacious and perfectly arranged dining hail, the guest beheld a scene of beauty which was a fitting introduction to the good things to follow, Two long tables, one on either side of the room, with smaller ones placed in a third row between them, were gracefully decorated with growing plants and cut flowers. All remarked upon the newness of the hall, which in fact had just been opened, thus providing for the Bahais a fresh and beautiful environment, typical of the effect of the Teachings upon the hearts of the believers. One instinctively went back to the days of the Master, nineteen centuries ago, when His disciples were sent out to claim for their Lord the steed upon which no man had ridden before; or to the parable of the new wine and the new bottles. Truly, in this day “Old things have passed away, and all things have become new.” This thoughtfully-provided environment was enjoyed by all. However, the spirit of Baha' would have glorified any scene! As the visitors from all parts of America assembled, it was a perfect joy to see them embrace and greet each other like members of a family who had been separated for a long time. It mattered not that most of them had met but once or twice before, while others had never seen the face of the loved friend. The unity of the Cause was a tie closer than that of blood. In the words of a brother in India, it was apparent that we had always known each other, but had just had the opportunity to become acquainted. Joyous laughter resounded, and sometimes the eyes showed the moisture which betrays the highest ecstacy. Could there have been another such meeting in Chicago? Surely not. O, that all the ends might have participated; but the absent ones were in our thoughts and prayers.
- Mr. Greenleaf called the meeting to order with a few well-chosen words of welcome. Then followed a program: Miss Mary Lesch read from the Words of BAHA'O'LLAH; Miss Ellerman sang very effectively “The Holy City;” Mrs. Grace Foster read more of the Holy Utterances; Mr. Percy Woodcock presented some of the Teachings imparted to him by Abdul-Baha upon the occasion of his recent visit to Ramleh; Mr. Hetherington, of Montreal, read a Tablet; Miss Ellerman again sang, her selection being happy and contributing materially to the harmony of the evening; Mr. Hannen read a Tablet* just revealed by Abdul-Baha to the believers in America, and which had been translated to be presented at this gathering; Mr. Currier read more of the Words of Life, and Mr. Edgar F. Waite sang the “Benediction”, composed by Mrs. Waite, the friends joining in the chorus. This closed the formal portion of the evening, and ushered in the material Feast. The ladies were quite busy for awhile, and tables and plates were soon laden with viands. Sandwiches, olives, pickles, coffee, ice cream and cake were bountifully provided and heartily enjoyed. During this portion of the evening a number of the visiting delegates presented greetings and spoke in a happy vein. First, a message from Honolulu was read; then the following were called upon by the Chairman, and responded with a greeting, a Tablet, or a brief teaching: Mr. Eardley, who presented the salutations of the Baltimore Assembly; Mr Roy C. Wilhelm, brief but very mach to the point, as always, telling of his recent trip throughout the country; Miss Robarts, of the Boston Assembly, with an eloquent word; Mr. Albert H. Hall, of Minneapolis, who stirred the hearts of the listeners with the power of his earnest appeal for unity; Mrs. Finch, of Seattle, who spoke for the Pacific Coast; Mr. Remey, of Washington, responding with a Tablet; Mrs. Parmerton, of Cincinnati, with a well-chosen and inspiring talk. Mirza
- See page 6.
Basheer, of Valparaiso, Ind., presented an epitome of the Bahai Principles in the three words, Love, Peace, Unity. Mrs. Cooper, of Fruitport, Mich., Mr. Mountfort Mills, of New York City, Mrs. Ditmars, of Spokane, Washington, and Mr. Bernard M. Jacobsen, of Kenosha, Wis., typified the unity of those far removed in point of distance, and each brought a cheery message to refresh the souls of the listeners. Mrs. Coles; of Washington, thrilled with ringing utterances; Mr. Pary, of New York Mills, Minn., expressed his joy in being again present; Mr. Woodcock, of New York, shared more of his experiences in the recent visit with Abdul-Baha, described aptly as “Six Weeks in Heaven”. Mr. Hannen, of Washington, D. C., Mr. Arthur Dealy, of Fair Hope, Ala., and Mrs. Bagg, of Muskegon, Mich., closed the list of speakers, each bringing a fragrant greeting of love. As the friends dispersed to their homes, reluctantly leaving the happy scene, the delegates were presented with flowers, the wonderful sweetness of trailing arbutus coming from Fruitport, Mich., and blossoms from dear Mrs. Dealy, of Fair Hope, Ala., bringing their own assurances of loving thoughtfulness on behalf of absent ones.
- Surer there were no more joyous merrymakers on the street cars than the believers, whose beaming faces were in striking contrast with those returning from the futile pursuit of pleasure in material ways, or the chase of the elusive gold. Many must have wished for the joy of the Bahais.
- The Sunday morning meeting, held in Corinthian Hall, Masonic Temple, was another wonderful and blessed gathering. The spacious hail was crowded. It seemed that the spirit of the Unity Feast was present, as the friends gathered again and greeted each other like the members of a family. Mrs. Holmes opened the exercises with a selection on the organ; Mr. Windust, the Musical Director, announced that upon this occasion the audience was to be the choir, and soon the strains of a Bahai hymn were resounding. Mr. Mountfort Mills presided and read a Tablet and Prayer. Another song was followed by a reading by Mrs. Parmerton. Then Mr. Remey presented briefly a report of his trip around the world with Mr. Howard Struven. In a most interesting manner he outlined the four months spent between Chicago and the Pacific coast, visiting the various Assemblies; then from San Francisco to Honolulu, where several meetings were held; to Tokyo, Japan, where, under the direction of Professor M. Barakatullah, a large audience was addressed at the Y. M. C. A.; thence to Shanghai, China, to Rangoon and Kunjangoon, Burma; to Baroda, India, where the assemblage addressed was called together by the Maharajah; to Bombay, India, where numerous meetings were held; to Haifa, where time was spent with Abdul-Baha and representatives of five of the great religions of the world were present, i. e., Jews, Zoroastrians, Christians, Moslems and Buddhists. From Haifa they returned to America. A song composed by Mrs. E. Emma Holmes, and now sung for the first time, was ably rendered by Mr. Mills. Words of Abdul-Baha were next read by Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke, of Cleveland, Ohio. Then Mr. Percy F. Woodcock, of New York, shared the spiritual wealth of his wonderful experiences, dwelling particularly upon the teachings imparted on the recent visit to Abdul-Baha at Ramleh. He was given, this time, a message of joy and peace to the believers. The particular thought which he developed was Maturity. A wonderful teaching, given by a great Oriental Bahai, was presented, outlining the seven props which man needs on his spiritual journey from savagery, polytheism and idolatry to monotheism and the worship of God in Spirit and in Truth. These props are then to be discarded and man is to find the several offices filled from within. They are: 1. The Priest. 2. The Lawgiver. 3. The Prophet. 4. The Savior. 5. The Sacrifice. 6. The Divine Incarnation. 7. Heaven. Hidden Words were read in support of the presence of each of these within. Mr. Woodcock closed with two Oriental stories; one told by Abdul-Baha is particularly impressive. It concerns a rivalry between Greek and Japanese artists, at some period of history. This competition became so keen that an opportunity was given to these artists to compare their skill. A gallery was provided and the rivals were to decorate opposite sides. A sliding scaffolding concealed the work of one party from the other. Finally, the day of the test came. The king and his party inspected first the work of the Japanese, who had most wonderfully depicted figures, scenes and objects on their side of the wall, in a manner which seemed superlatively great. When the other side was unveiled it developed that the Greeks had devoted their time to polishing their side, and it was so perfectly done that the pictures from the opposite side were mirrored therein and depicted even more exquisitely. So we are to polish our mirrors in this great Day. The singing of the Temple Song, by the entire audience, closed a memorable occasion.
- In the afternoon nearly fifty of the friends visited the Mashrak-el-Azkar grounds, despite the uncertainty of the weather. The evening brought large numbers together again, at the hospitable home of Mr. and Mrs. George Loeding, in Perry Street, where the 19-day Tea of the Woman's Assembly of Teaching was given. This proved to be a most delightful opportunity for further social intercourse, binding the hearts together with new ties. A day more full of joy it would be hard to realize, and one can better imagine the condition
of heaven with such an example of Unity, Peace and Love as was afforded us by the Chicago friends and typified by the visiting delegates.
- The closing and public session of the Bahai Temple Unity Convention of 1911 was held in the Drill Hall, 17th floor, Masonic Temple Building, Tuesday evening, May 2. The spacious assembly room was well filled with delegates, friends and visitors. There were quite a number of the latter, who listened with every indication of great interest to the presentation of the history, aims and some of the practical workings of the Bahai Movement.
- Mr. Albert H. Hall presided and tersely or eloquently, as the occasion suggested, epitomized the talks, linking together the various presentations.
- After an address of welcome Mrs. Claudia S. Coles, of Washington, D. C., was introduced with the statement that she would give “The Message”. Mr. Wilhelm, of New York City, was then presented to the audience as a practical business man. He followed this line with the timely interpolation of two poems.
- Miss Grace Robarts, the delegate of the Boston Assembly, gave a greeting and an outlook of the Cause, gained from recent traveling. Particularly interesting was her recountal of the exchange of messages recently occurring between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Abdul-Baha. The former, a friend of Miss Buckton, of London, sent this message: Take him my loving greeting and say that we are all one and the same behind the veil.” To which Abdul-Baha replied: “Take my loving greeting to the Arch-bishop and say, yes, and the veil is very thin and it will vanish quite.”
- Mr. Hetherington, the Montreal delegate, gave a most interesting account of his connection with the Bahai Movement. Although introduced as a typical Englishman, he displayed great warmth and said that, although this was his first visit to Chicago, he felt perfectly at home and wanted to stay here always.
- Mr. Mountfort Mills sang again, by request, the song composed by Mrs. Holmes, entitled “The Comforter”.
- Mr. Edwin Woodcock, the newly appointed Chairman of the Commission on Publication, was next introduced to present the claims of his Commission. He tersely and effectively outlined the necessity of everyone working aid inspired all present to follow his example and find our best field of action, as the best means of expressing our belief and enthusiasm.
- Mr. Joseph H. Hannen, one of the Washington delegates, presented a teaching, showing by the scriptures and the Hidden Words, the Holy Utterances of this Revelation to be the Water of Life which the Christ promised to His disciples that He would drink anew with them in the Kingdom of the Father.
- Mr. Albert R. Windust sang “The Earth is the Lord's.”
- Mrs. Ida Finch, of Seattle introduced as the “Mother” of the Cause in her section, gave a little talk, outlining the activities of the Assembly on “Beacon Hill,” and its far reaching ramifications.
- Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke, of Cleveland O., after a few words of appreciation, read one of the Holy Utterances, a Prayer.
- Mr. Percy Woodcock was introduced as the closing speaker. He shared more of the treasures of the Kingdom, obtained so recently. This time his theme was our responsibility; that the joys of the Revelation are ours only to the extent that we earn them, and, on the other hand, the Truth will sear our very souls if we fail to measure up to our responsibilities.
- With a note of harmony in song, the Third Annual Convention of the Bahai Temple Unity was declared adjourned.
- On May 3d it was the pleasure of the Kenosha Wis., Assembly to have a number of the delegates from the Chicago Convention visit them. Among those who came were: Mr. Joseph H. Hannen, Washington, D. C.; Mr. E. H. Eardley, Baltimore; Mrs. Annie L. Parmerton, Cincinnati; Mrs. Ida A. Finch, Seattle; Mrs. Cora Ditmars, Spokane; Mrs. Claudia S. Coles, Washington, D. C., and Mrs. Luella Kirchner, Chicago; also some of the friends from Racine and Mrs. Charlotte Morton, of Milwaukee. The evening was spent in listening to addresses from the various visitors, interspersed with musical selections rendered by the children's orchestra. Afterward the Bahai Sunday school children recited their lessons, which proved to be an event of the evening, the delegates expressing their pleasure at their work. Refreshments were served and, altogether, it was a gathering long to be remembered by those present.
- Translate this Tablet in great haste, and with its original, print and spread.
- When the deposed Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Abdul Hamid, arose in tyranny and oppression, Abdul-Baha was incarcerated in the prison of Acca and was surrounded with the utmost surveillance of police, detectives and men of the Secret Service. The door of communication was entirely closed and the means of correspondence was prevented. If any soul approached the house he was searched; nay, rather, threatened with dire persecution. The affairs reached to such a degree that, not being satisfied with these restrictions, the Sultan sent an oppressive investigating Commission, so that with all kinds of wiles, simulations, slander and fabrication of false stories they might fasten some guilt upon Abdul-Baha in order that he might crucify Him, or cast Him into the sea, or banish Him into the heart of the distant and unknown Sahara of Feyzan (Africa). That oppressive investigating Commission exercised its rights with tyranny and passed the sentence that Abdul-Baha merited all kinds of persecution. Finally they decided to send Him to Feyzan, and when they cabled this decision to the palace of Abdul Hamid, an answer was received that the matter of Feyzan was approved by the Imperial Order. Then that unjust investigating Commission returned to Constantinople. They were in the midst of the sea when the cannon of God boomed forth before the palace of Abdul Hamid, a charge of dynamite was exploded, a number of people were killed, Abdul Hamid fled into the interior of his residence, difficulties and trials surrounded him, and incidents and events developed rapidly. Therefore he did not find the opportunity to oppress Abdul-Baha; public revolution was started, which ended in his deposition, and the Hand of Divine Power released the neck of Abdul-Baha from the chains of the prison of Joseph and the fetters and manacles were placed around the unblessed neck of Abdul Hamid. Be ye admonished, O ye people of insight! Now Abdul-Baha, with the greatest power, has hastened to the country of Egypt from the land of prison. Praise be to God, that through the Bounty and Providence of the Blessed Perfection, no sooner did he land in Alexandria than the Word of God was promoted and the melody of the Kingdom of ABHA was heard. All the newspapers wrote innumerable articles. Some gave the utmost praise; others raised a great cry, saying: “The arrival of this personage in this land will shake the pillars of Religion and will shatter to pieces ancient customs and conventions. He attracts every one he meets and when he loosens his tongue in any meeting, it creates faith in the hearts of the deniers.” The papers are still writing detailed articles and will continue to do so.
- Now the friends and the maid-servants in America have written innumerable letters and all of them are pleading that Abdul-Baha make a trip to that country. Their supplications and entreaties are insistent. In view of the differences among the friends and the lack of unity among the maid-servants of the Merciful, how can Abdul-Baha hasten to those parts? Is this possible? No, by God!
- If the friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful long for the visit of Abdul-Baha, they must immediately remove from their midst differences of opinion and be engaged in the practice of infinite love and unity. No Bahai must open his lips in blaming another one, he must regard backbiting as the greatest sin of humanity, for it is clearly revealed in all the Tablets of BAHA'O'LLAH that backbiting and faultfinding are the fiendish instruments and suggestions of Satan and the destroyers of the foundation of man. A believer will not blame any soul among the strangers, how much less against the friends. Faultfinding and backbiting are the characteristics of the weak minds and not the friends. Self exaltation is the attribute of the stranger and not of the Beloved. It is our hope that the believers and the maid-servants of the Merciful in America may become the cause of the union of the East and the West, and unfurl the Standard of the Oneness of the Realm of Humanity. Now, we observe that strangeness, lack of unity and the utmost difference exists among the friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful. Under such a condition, how can they arise to guide the people of the world and establish union and harmony between the nations of the earth? His Highness Christ, addressing His disciples, said: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt hath lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted?”
- O ye friends and maid-servants of the Merciful! If ye are yearning for my meeting, and if in reality ye are seeking my visit, ye must close the doors of difference and open the gates of affection, love and friendship. Ye must pulsate as one heart, and throb as one spirit. You must be like the waves, though they are innumerable they constitute the all-encircling sea.
- O ye friends and maid-servants of the Merciful! Praise be to God, ye are the fish of one ocean, the birds of one rose-garden, the trees of one orchard and the flowers of one paradise. Then why this difference? Why this lack of harmony? Wherefore this condition?
- Verily, verily, I say unto you, were it not for this difference amongst you, the inhabitants of America in all those regions would have, by now, been attracted to the Kingdom of God, and would have constituted themselves your helpers and assisters. Is it meet that you sacrifice this most glorious Bounty for worthless imaginations? No, by God! Should you reflect for one moment, you shall become enabled to destroy instantly the foundation of this difference by absolutely refraining from backbiting aad faultfinding amongst yourselves. Adorn with infinite love and concord the assemblage of beatitude, bring about the meeting of happiness, establish the banquet of the oneness of the realm of humanity, loosen your tongues in praising each other, and then anticipate the presence of Abdul-Baha in your midst.
- Aside from all these considerations, some of the nakazeens have come secretly amongst you and are expressing their firmness in the Covenant and with all kinds of intrigues and strategies are creating disorder and calamities, so that ye might be deprived of the Lights of the Divine Testament and subjected to the darkness of violation.
- Is it worthy of you to be engaged with differences amongst you and thereby enabling the nakazeens to spread a noose and chase such firm believers as you are?
- I beg of God to confirm you in union and concord that you may become the cause of the oneness of the kingdom of humanity. Live and act in accord with the Divine Teachings, be abstracted from all the attachments of the human world, characterized with merciful characteristics, release yourselves from the nether world, become heavenly souls, spiritual beings and the angels of Paradise.
- Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, April 28th, 1911.
- The Convention was opened by Mr. Mountfort Mills, President of Bahai Temple Unity, who extended greetings and said:
- “As the years go by we realize more and more the greatness of this work and the greatness of the power that is behind it. Let us unite a few moments in silent prayer in gratitude to God, that we are privileged to come here to take part, each of us, in this, the greatest work of the ages. Let us unite in silent prayer in gratitude and supplication that we may be guided by the Spirit of Truth in our endeavors to further the work of God.”
- The commune of silence was followed by Mr. Mills reading the following Tablet, revealed by Abdul-Baha:
- O my God! O my God! We are servants who have sincerely turned our faces into Thy Grand Face; severed ourselves from all else save thee in this Great Day and are assembled together in this glorious meeting of one accord and desire, and unanimous in thought to promulgate Thy Word amid Thy creatures.
- O my Lord! O my Lord! Suffer us to be signs of guidance, standards of Thy Manifest Religion throughout the world, servants of Thy Great Covenant—O our Exalted Lord appearances of Thy Oneness in Thy Kingdom, the El-ABHA, and stars which dawn forth unto all regions.
- O Lord, make us as seas rolling with the waves of Thy Great Abundance, rivers flowing from the mountains of Thy Glorious Kingdom, pure fruits on the Tree of Thy illustrious Cause, plants refreshed and moved by the Breeze of Thy Gift in Thy wonderful vineyard.
- O Lord, cause our souls to depend upon the signs of Thy Oneness, our hearts to be dilated with the Bounties of Thy Singleness, so that we may become united as are ripples on a waving sea; become harmonized as are the rays which shine forth from a
brilliant light; so that our thoughts, opinions and feelings become as one reality from which the spirit of accord may be diffused throughout all regions.
- Verily, Thou art the Beneficent, the Bestower! Verily, Thou art the Giver, the Mighty, the Loving, the Merciful!
- Mr. Mills announced the first business to come before the Convention was the election of a Chairman.
- On the nomination of Miss Robarts, seconded by Mr. Hannen, Mr. Albert H. Hall, of Minneapolis, was elected Chairman of the Convention. Assuming the chair, among other things, he said:
- “By God's guidance, we have come to this Convention from many different parts. What we are to do, we do not yet know. I cannot outline to you its mission. But we all realize that the Unity has outgrown its swaddling clothes. We must henceforth devote ourselves seriously, unreservedly to the business divine entrusted to us, that we may allow nothing to divert us from the task originally undertaken by us, and that we take aright our every step. Not the guidance of our worldly wisdom do we seek; that may only be our aid. Our guidance and leadership we seek from God. Clear and unmistakable has been that guidance to us. Out of shadow and confusion we have been led into light, unity and peace. In the great account our results will be found. God knew our resources and has been putting us for a sojourn in the 'wilderness' to prepare us for His work. As regularly as of old came the providence of manna, so about $5,000.00 every six months has come into our treasury to meet our accruing needs, as if measured down to us by the decimals of the Infinite. Our obligations have been promptly met, our credit is good, our faith is assured. We must now prepare for the larger tasks before us, for the work in our hands will grow. It is not ours; it is His.”
- On nomination of Mr. Hannen, seconded by Mr. Mills and unanimously carried, Mr. Bernard M. Jacobsen was elected secretary of the Convention.
- On motion of Mrs. Parmerton, seconded by Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke, Miss Gertrude Buikema was elected assistant secretary of the Convention.
- Mr. Mountfort Mills presented the greetings and regrets of Miss Annie T. Boylan, delegate from the New York Assembly, who was unable to be present. Also, those of Mrs. Charles L. Lincoln, of the Brooklyn Assembly, and the greetings aad salutations of the Unity to these delegates were ordered extended to them.
- The secretary was directed to call the roll of the Assemblies, which the delegates present responded with greetings and reported for each Assembly. The following Assemblies and delegates responded upon such roll call:
| New York City and Borough of Manhattan | Mr. Mountfort Mills. |
| Mr. Percy F. Woodcock. | |
| Montreal, Canada | Mr. Walter F. Hetherington. |
| Boston, Mass. | (Alternate) Miss Grace Robarts. |
| Philadelphia and Pittsburg, Penn. | (Alternate) Miss Elizabeth Stewart. |
| Washington, D. C. | Mr. Joseph H. Hannen. |
| Miss Mary E. Little. | |
| (Alternate) Mrs. Claudia, Stuart Coles. | |
| (Alternate) Mr. Charles Mason Remey. | |
| Milwaukee, Wis. | Mrs. Charlotte Morton. |
| Spokane, Wash. | Mrs. Cora Ditmars. |
| Cleveland, Ohio | Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke. |
| Muskegon Mich. | Mrs. Helen Bagg. |
| Fruitport, Mich. | Mrs. Eva Cooper. |
| (Friend) Mr. John Dermo. | |
| (Friend) Mrs. Lucy Van Dyke. | |
| Fairhope, Ala. | Mr. Arthur Dealy. |
| Baltimore, Md. | Mr. E. H. Eardley. |
| New York Mills, Minn. | Mr. Olaf Pary. |
| Chicago, Ill. | Mr. Arthur S. Agnew. |
| Mrs. Corinne True. | |
| Ithaca, N. Y. | (Alternate) Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm. |
| Seattle, Wash. | Mrs. Ida A. Finch. |
| Minneapolis, Minn. | Mr. Albert H. Hall. |
| (Alternate) Dr. Homer S. Harper. | |
| Genoa Junction, Wis. | Mrs. Emma Hargis. |
| Cincinnati, Ohio | Mrs. Annie L. Parmerton. |
| Anaconda, Mont. | Mrs. L. Ellsworth Jones. |
| Rockford, Ill. | Mr. Willard H. Ashton. |
| Kenosha, Wis. | Mr. Bernard M. Jacobsen. |
- The following delegates were absent:
| New York City and Borough of Manhattan, N. Y. | Miss Annie T. Boylan. |
| (Alternate) Mrs. Charles L. Lincoln. | |
| Boston, Mass. | Mr. Alfred E. Lunt. |
| (Alternate) Miss Julia Culver. | |
| Johnstown, N. Y. | (Alternate) Mrs. Harriet Ruport. |
| Pittsburg, Penn. | Mr. Hilbert E. Dahl. |
| Buffalo, N. Y. | Mrs. Emily C. Woodworth. |
| (Alternate) Dr. F. S. Blood. | |
| Racine, Wis. | Mr. Christ Olson. |
| Jersey City and North Hudson, N. J. | Mr. William H. Hoar. |
| Baltimore, Md. | (Alternate) Mr. Howard C. Struven. |
| Ithaca, N. Y. | Mrs. W. E. House. |
| Bangor and Lawrence, Mich. | Mr. John F. Hay. |
| Portland, Ore. | Miss Anna Wold. |
| (Alternate) Mrs. Hattie Latimer. |
- Mrs. Cora Ditmars, in responding for Spokane reported the serious illness of Mrs. L. A. Lehmann.
- The Chairman directed Mr. Hannen to read and the Convention followed in the prayer for healing for Mrs. Lehmann and the secretary and Mrs. Ditmars were requested to also extend to Mr. Lehmann the sympathy and greetings of the friends.
- The letter of greeting from Mrs. A. P. Sanford, of Muskegon, Mich. was read.
- The letter of greeting of Mr. William H. Hoar, delegate of Fanwood, N. J., Assembly, who was unable to attend on account of illness, was read.
- The secretary was instructed to extend the greetings of the Unity to the Newark and Hoboken Assemblies, through Mr. Hoar.
- In responding for the Washington, D. C. Assembly, Mr. Joseph H. Hannen said: “In this place, one feels like the two disciples at the time of the Transfiguration that ‘It is good to be here’ One is also inclined to suggest, as did they: ‘Let us build tents and stay here’ But like those disciples we must go out presently and carry with us the impetus of the spirit inbreathed here, that for our being here we may be able in all future time to do better work.”
- In responding for The Chicago Assembly, Mrs. Corinne True said: “When Abdul-Baha was asked what would best promote the Cause and bind together the friends, he replied: ‘First, the character of the teachers, and, second, the work for the Mashrak-el-Azkar. The teachers must so live that their deeds will teach the people, even if they do not teach by word of mouth. The teachers are of the first importance; their lives must be examples.’”
- Oakland, Cal., Assembly sent its love and greetings to the friends, and its regret at not having a delegate present, but hoped to be represented next year.
- Responding for Seattle Assembly, Mrs. Ida A. Finch read a tablet from Abdul-Baha, from which the following is a quotation:
- “Through the boundless Favor, I hope that in Seattle by the endeavor of the beloved of God, certain souls may arise who may prove a radiant lamp to the world of humanity and merciful spirit to the phenomenal body; that they may be the cause of the purification of souls and the means of sanctification of hearts; that they may know this mortal world as fleeting shadow and call the rest and repose, the pleasure and blessing, the wealth and sovereignty of the earth, the waves of the sea of imagination; that they may arise in such wise to live by the Divine Teachings and Exhortations of the Blessed Beauty as to sparkle even like the morning star from the horizon of holiness.”
- She also quoted from a letter from one of the friends in Seattle, the following:
- “I take this way of talking to you as you speed your way over the vast unbroken waste on your trip to an oasis of spiritual life. You will be nearer to us in spirit by the necessary strain of our imagination to keep in touch with you. Drink deeply of the cup of life for us and we will try to be emptied of all else ere you return, to be refilled.”
- Delegates who had recently visited the Portland Assembly made report of the good work and of the unity prevailing there.
- The secretary was directed to send to that Assembly the greetings of the Unity.
- Announcement was made of the serious illness of Mrs. L. W. Foster. The Convention united in the prayer for healing for her.
- The Convention adjourned for noon recess.
- Mr. Bernard M. Jacobsen, secretary of Bahai Temple Unity, presented a report covering in detail the work of the Executive Board and the accomplishment of the Temple Unity during the year. A brief summary thereof only is here inserted:
- “During the year all conveyances and legal steps have been consummated by which the streets ard alleys embraced in the Temple site have been vacated and title vested in the Temple Unity. The direction line of Sheridan Road has been changed, the boundary lines of the site enlarged and made more symmetrical, and the pending negotiations between the Unity and the Village Board of Wilmette and the Drainage Board of the Sanitary District of Cook County have been carried forward to favorable conclusions. The order of the Village Board for a sidewalk about the site, which would have required a thousand dollars to construct, has been considerably postponed after a conference with the Village Board. This will save the waste and inconvenience of constructing permanent sidewalk before grading and other work upon the site is further advanced. We acknowledge most considerate and fair treatment from the officers of the Village Board.
- “The appeal to the friends for funds has brought generous response, so that all of our obligations have been met and our immediate needs supplied. In anticipation that we might not have sufficient money to meet the maturing payment upon the site, Mrs. Goodall generously advanced $2,000.00, but when the payment fell due our treasury was prepared to meet the payment and it was not necessary to use the generous loan from Mrs. Goodall.
- “She has generously replaced that money in the treasury to be used in acquiring additional land as soon as we may do so upon fair terms.
- “A fisherman who moved a hut upon our site, and whose presence occasioned some solicitude, lest his purpose was to acquire squatter's rights, has disavowed such purpose and has been allowed to remain as our tenant by agreement of lease.
- “It is desirable that we obtain ownership or control of the lots lying to the east of Sheridan Road and between the site and the lake shore. We are not yet in sufficient funds to warrant undertaking the purchase of these lots and the price has thus far been excessive. We hope to be able to acquire these lots, simply to control the outlook, at reasonable terms, during the coming year. If this cannot be done we hope to interest the officers of the Village of Wilmette in the project of acquiring these lots for public use and for park purposes. Our only purpose in acquiring them would be to devote them wholly to public use without restriction, and if the price set upon them by the owners prohibits us from doing this work we shall gladly unite with public officers seeking to serve the public welfare by acquiring the lands for the same public use.
- “Our attorney Mr. I. T. Greenacre, has rendered much painstaking work for the Unity during the past year. The title to our site and all legal matters in connection with it have had his constant care. The year has been one of preparation; harmony and the fullest co-operation have existed in all the work. With new zeal we must now complete the purchase by the prompt payment of all the remaining debt on the site, protect our present site against obstruction at the East and begin the gathering of funds for the early commencement of work upon the Temple Building.”
- Mrs. True, financial secretary, presented the following report:
- “Total amount received from beginning of the fiscal year to April 29, 1911, $10,401.59. This amount was received from ninety-nine different cities.* Last year contributions were received from sixty different cities.
- “When Mr. Remey and Mr. Struven reached Acca in their trip around the world, Abdul-Baha gave Mr. Remey a sum of money in gold pieces to spend for his comfort in traveling from Acca to America. Upon his arrival in this country Mr. Remey, who had carefully guarded Abdul-Baha's gift, sent the gold pieces to Chicago for the Mashrak-el-Azkar. The friends throughout the country, desiring to possess the coins, purchased them at five dollars apiece, thus retaining them as souvenirs and netting the fund $100.00.”
- Alabama: Fairhope. California: Bakersfield, Glendale, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pasadena, San Francisco, Tropico. Colorado: Denver. Connecticut: Mansfield Center, New Haven. District ot Columbia: Washington. Florida: Fernandina, Quay. Idaho: Lewiston, Tahoe. Illinois: Chicago, Clyde, Dixon, Hartland, Harvard, Moline, Rockford, Western Springs. Kansas: Enterprise. Maine: Kittery. Maryland: Baltimore, Silver Springs. {{Massachusetts}: Boston, Malden, North Adams, Westfield. Michigan: Bangor, Fruitport, Goblesviile, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Provemont. Minnesota: Minneapolis, New York Mills, St. Paul. Mississippi: Waveland. Missouri: St. Louis. Montana: Anaconda. New Jersey: Atlantic City, Bayonne, Dumont, East Orange, Englewood, Fanwood, Jersey City, Montclair, Newark. New York: Brooklyn, Buffalo, Clinton, Cortland, Hudson, Ithaca, Johnstown, New York City, North Hudson, Oswego, Pavilion, Utica. Ohio: Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland. Oregon: Portland. Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Pittsburg. Utah: Salt Lake City. Vermont: Newport. Virginia: Hanover, Sumerduck. Washington: Clarkston, Omak, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Turk, Walla Walla. Wisconsin: Geneva Lake, Genoa Junction, Kenosha Milwaukee, Racine, Thorpe. Hawaiian Islands: Honolulu. Canada: Montreal, Winnipeg. England: Brighton (Sussex), Cornwall. France: Dinan (Brittany) Paris. Germany: Berlin, Stuttgart. Persia: Teheran. {{Syria: Haifa.
- Mr. Arthur S. Agnew, treasurer, made his annual report as follows:
| Receipts. | ||
| Balance on hand, convention 1910 | $5,709.46 | |
| Received since convention—contributions | 10,401.59 | |
| Received in interest | $57.00 | |
| Less exchange | 5.00 | |
| 52.00 | ||
| $16,163.05 | ||
| Disbursements. | ||
| Paid on land | $10,000.00 | |
| Interest | 1,200.00 | |
| Assessments—paving Linden Ave | 256.20 | |
| Printing reports, etc. | 63.17 | |
| Rent for convention 1910 | 70.00 | |
| Plowing ground | 50.00 | |
| Map of new street location | 10.00 | |
| Fencing alley | 5.00 | |
| Secretary's incidental expenses | 35.00 | |
| Guaranty policy, escrow contract and filng account charging position Sheridan Drive and vacating alley | 329.40 | |
| 12,458.37 | ||
| Balance on hand | $3,704.68 | |
| Comparative Statement. | ||
| Received at time of convention 1909 from Bahai Temple Fund—land | $2,000.00 | |
| Cash | 3,666.44 | |
| $5,666.44 | ||
| Received 1909-1910 from East | $7,092.85 | |
| Received 1909-1910 from America | 7,638.66 | |
| $14.731.51 | ||
| Received 1910-1911 from East | $1,190.83 | |
| Received 1910-1911 from America | 9,262.76 | |
| 10,453.59 | ||
| $30,851.54 | ||
| Disbursements 1909-1910 | $14,688.49 | |
| Disbursements 1910-1911 | 12,458.37 | |
| 27,146,86 | ||
| $3,704.68 | ||
| Special Fund | $2,000.00 | |
| Building Fund | 113.50 | |
| General Fund | 1,591.18 | |
| $3,704.68 |
- On motion of Mr. Hannen, and unanimously carried, these reports were accepted and the treasurer's and financial secretary's reports were passed to an auditing committee. The Chairman appointed the following Auditing Committee: Mr. Ashton, Mr. Hetherington and Miss Robarts.
- Mr. Percy F. Woodcock addressed the Convention and said that during his recent visit at Ramleh, Egypt, Abdul-Baha told him when they were speaking of the Mashrak-el-Azkar, that there was a thousand dollars in Port Said for the Building Fund. That the friends in the Orient, having contributed toward the purchase of the land, were holding this money for the building. He read the following from Mirza Mulk:
- “The organization of worshipping places is not simply for drawing near to God, but it is to concentrate the Word or Spirit of God and cause the power of unity and oneness among the people. The Mashrak-el-Azkar is the symbol of the real church, which church is the Reality of the Christ. It is for this purpose that we should consider that
as the outward edifice can gather men of different nations in one place, likewise, the Reality of Christ has united the great races of the world together.”
- The Chairman called the attention of the Convention to the necessity of some action with respect to Bahai publication work.
- On motion of Mr. Jacobsen, seconded by Mr. Mills, and unanimously carried, the Chairman was authorized to appoint a committee to ascertain and report the condition and needs of the Bahai Publishing Society, and to report its recommendation for Bahai publication work to the Convention at its session on Tuesday.
- The Chairman appointed the following Committee: Mr. Mountfort Mills, Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, Mr. Charles Mason Remey, Mrs. Ida A. Finch and Mr. Edwin Woodcock.
- Mr. Hall addressed the Convention on the propriety and importance of giving an impetus to the publication work and as an aid and agency in promoting the Cause and in carrying forward the work of this Unity.
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- On motion, adjournment was taken until 10 a. m. Tuesday, May 2nd.
- The Convention adjourned by following in prayer Mr. Greenleaf, who read the following:
- O Compassionate God! Thanks be unto Thee, for Thou hast awakened me and made me conscious. Thou hast given me seeing eye, and favored me with a hearing ear; hast led me to Thy Kingdom and guided me to Thy path.
- Thou hast showed me the right way and caused me to enter the Ark of Deliverance.
- O God, keep me steadfast and make me firm and staunch.
- Protect me from violent tests and preserve and shelter me in the strongly fortified Fortress of Thy Covenant and Testament.
- Thou art the Seeing! Thou art the Hearing!
- O Thou Compassionate God, bestow upon me a heart, which, like a glass, may be illumined with the Light of Thy Love; and confer upon me a thought which may change the world into a rose-garden, through the Spiritual Bounty.
- Thou art the Compassionate, the Merciful. Thou art God of Great Beneficence!
- The Unity sang the hymn by Mrs. Waite, “His Glorious Sun has Risen.”
- The Chairman led the Convention in the following prayer:
- “O my God! O my God! Unite the hearts of Thy servants and reveal to them Thy Great Purpose. May they follow Thy Commandments and abide in Thy law. Help them, O God, in their endeavor, and grant them strength to serve Thee. O God, leave them not to themselves, but guide their steps by the light of Knowledge and cheer their hearts by Thy Love. Verily Thou art their Helper and their Lord!
- Report from. Committee on Publications:
- “The Committee advises that this Convention recommend to the incoming Executive Board, if ways and means become available, that they establish an office or distributing place in Chicago in charge of an efficient assistant, or assistants, to both recording and
—PHOTO—
financial secretaries of the unity, who, in connection with assisting such secretaries, shall, at the same time conduct a sales and distributing agency for Bahai literature.
- “That the Executive Board in such work incur no other obligation or liability but that of gathering, distributing, selling and accounting for such literature; that, after defraying the necessary expenses of such agency, the profits, if any, shall go to the Temple treasury.”
- On motion duly seconded, the report and recommendation was unanimously adopted.
- Mr. Hall offered the following resolution:
- Resolved, That the Bahai friends in this Convention recognize the immediate necessity of laying a foundation for the due and fitting publication of Bahai Teachings in America under the fostering aid of a General Bahai Publishing Board. We hereby address to the Bahai Friends assembled, and those throughout America, the appeal that they proceed forthwith to form a Publication Unity to affiliate and co-operate in this work with this Temple Unity. That such Publication Unity make its especial work the accumulation of a sufficient fund and the assembling and direction of agencies for translating, revising,
editing, printing and publishing Bahai Teachings in the English language. That it include in the scope of its work, the organization and maintenance of a Board, or Boards of Translation, Revision and Edition. While we recognize such work as essentially a part of the work of this Unity, nevertheless, the prosecution of such an enterprise involves incurring liabilities from which we should safeguard the funds contributed to the treasury of this Unity.
- Therefore, we make the appeal for the formation of an affiliated Publication Unity, with which and in which, we will freely co-operate.
- On motion duly seconded, the resolution was unanimously adopted.
- On motion duly adopted, the Chairman was authorized to, and thereupon appointed the following Committee on Publications: Mr. Edwin Woodcock, Mr. Chares Mason Remey, Mr. Mountfort Mills, Mr. Albert R. Windust, Mr. Arthur S. Agnew.
- The committee appointed to investigate the purchase of additional grounds, made the following report:
- “The question before us for recommendation is, as we understand it, shall a special effort be made to curtail, on the date of the next interest payment June 24, 1911, by as large an amount as possible, the balance due on the Mashrrak-el-Azkar site, for the purpose of saving interest; or, shall a portion of the funds now on hand be utilized for the purpose of acquiring additional land on the east water-front?
- “We are confronted by these facts: Ground bordering on the water-front, on the east side, is necessary in order to give us the desired outlook; there are about six lots which can now be-secured at, approximately, $2,000 each; the price of land is advancing, so that a year hence the purchase price of that desired will, in all probability, be several hundred dollars more; of the cash now on hand, $2,000 represents the special donation of Mrs. Goodall, who specified it as her wish that this amount be used for the purchase of additional ground; the mortgage is not due until June 24, 1912; by paying this $2,000 now on the mortgage, about $120 in interest would be saved, and finally, there is a question of policy involved; due to the instructions of Abdul-Baha that the erection of even temporary buildings shall not be undertaken until the debt on the land is paid.
- “This added ground is a part of the Temple site, but is an accessory holding. This view of the matter might justify your body in taking on the additional indebtedness of about $10,000 which would be entailed upon the present purchase, with the use of the $2,000 as a cash payment on a part at least of the needed land.
- “A method which would obviate any technicalities, so far as the present object is concerned, is recommended for your consideration. It is this: As Mrs. Goodall has so kindly given the $2,000 to enable us to perfect our plans by the acquirement of this needed ground, she, or some other Bahai would undoubtedly be willing to lend her name and co-operation further. In that event, the purchase of, say, six lots might be made by the Trustees, with a payment of $500 cash on each, and the lands thus acquired be transferred in escrow, or in trust, to Mrs. Goodall, or whoever would avail themselves of this blessed privilege, to hold them for the Bahai Temple Unity. In this way, the Temple Unity would have taken on no additional indebtedness, and when we were ready to take over the land, the balance could be paid. This would involve the necessity of the holder's taking care of assessments, etc., as they become due, but this could quite properly be a charge upon Temple funds in hand, if you so direct.
- “It is further suggested that the financial situation involved by this arrangement be outlined to the Bahais of America immediately and their co-operation asked in lifting this additional burden. Enough additional funds should now be diverted toward this land to secure all the necessary lots on a cash payment of say, $500 each.
- “With the proposed arrangements, the Treasurer would know what to depend on as a payment on the mortgage and could give proper notice, or take such other action as he and the others constituting the Board of Trustees, might deem best toward the application of other funds on hand or expected June 24, 1911.
- On motion of Mrs. Parmerton, duly seconded, this report was unanimously adopted.
- On motion of Mrs. Coles, duly seconded and unanimously adopted, the Executive Board was authorized to proceed in accordance with the recommendations in the report.
- Miss Robarts read letters of greeting from the London, England, Assembly and the Boston Assembly, in which they suggest that a Book of Common Praise be compiled, combining the best in the old with the best in the new, voicing the message of Unity, Brotherhood and Love. This matter was referred to be Publication Commission for their guidance and action, and they were directed to send greetings to the London Assembly.
- On motion, the Convention adjourned until 2 p. m.
- Hymns: “Tell The Wondrous Story,” also, “This is The Day of Certainty.”
- Mr. Hall presented the report of the Committee on Publication:
- “The Committee reports and recommends the appointment of the following Publication Commission, to whom shall be referred the entire publication subject embraced in the resolution adopted by this Convention, and it is recommended that this Publication Commission shall meet before this Convention adjourns and at once proceed to effect an organization to take up such publication work and to affiliate and co-operate with this Temple Unity Publication Commission:
- Mr. Edwin Woodcock, Chairman, Mrs. Claudia Stuart Coles, Mrs. Ida Finch, Mr. Albert H. Hall, Mr. Mountfort Mills, Mr. Charles Mason Remey, Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, Mr. Albert R. Windust and Miss Gertrude Buikema.
- On motion of Mr. Hannen, duly seconded and unanimously adopted, the report of the Committee was accepted and adopted and the names recommended were elected as the Publication Commission.
- Mr. Remey and Mr. Hannen addressed the Convention and presented an outline of the work of the Orient-Occident Unity.
- The Auditing Committee reported as follows:
| “The Auditing Committee having examined the books of the Financial Secretary, Mrs. Corinne True, find the sum total of receipts of Bahai Temple Unity from April 25, 1910, to April 29, 1911, to be | $10,401.59 |
| Interest | 52.00 |
| $10,453.59 |
- This report was duly accepted and placed on file.
- The Chairman announced and ruled that the Convention now proceed to the election of an Executive Board for the ensuing year by an informal ballot, each delegate voting for nine members of the Executive Board.
- The Chairman appointed as tellers Mr. Wilhelm and Mr. Eardley. The ballot was thus taken and duly counted and canvassed.
- On motion by Miss Little, duly seconded and unanimously adopted, the informal ballot taken was made the formal ballot of the Convention and the nine friends receiving the highest number and plurality of votes by the ballot were declared the nine members of the Executive Board of Temple Unity, duly elected for the ensuing year.
- The Executive Board thus elected was as follows:
| Mrs. Corinne True, | Mr. Arthur S. Agnew, |
| Mr. Albert H. Hall, | Mr. Charles Mason Remey, |
| Mr. Bernard M. Jacobsen, | Mr. Percy Woodcock, |
| Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, | Mrs. Annie L. Parmerton. |
| Mr. Mountfort Mills, |
- On motion by Mr. Mills, duly seconded by Mrs. Parmerton, and unanimously adopted, the Chairman was requested to appoint a committee of three, of which the Chairman would be one, to formulate greetings from the United Bahai Assemblies of America to the first Universal Races Congress, to be held at London, England, July 26-29, 1911. That the result of the committee's action be entrusted to Mr. Hall to be by him carried or sent to the Congress at his discretion.
- The Chairman appointed as such committee Mr. Mills, Mr. Edwin Woodcock and Mrs. Coles.
- On motion, the Chairman appointed the following committee, Mr. Remey, Mr. Hannen and Mrs. Coles, to draft and present greetings from this Convention to the Peace Congress to be held in Baltimore, Maryland, and to be addressed by Mr. Remey on Saturday afternoon, May 6, 1911.
- On motion of Mr. Percy F. Woodcock, and unanimously adopted, a cablegram of greetings and love from this Unity and the Bahais in the west was directed to be sent to Abdul-Baha.
- The Chairman appointed Mr. Percy F. Woodcock to send such greetings.
- After the singing of the Temple Song, the Convention closed by all the delegates and friends joining hands in a great circle, while Mr. Rail read the following prayer:
- O God! O God! Thou dost look upon us from Thine unseen Kingdom of Oneness (beholding) that we have assembled in this Spiritual meeting, believing in Thee, confident in Thy signs, firm in Thy Covenant and Testament, attracted unto Thee, set aglow with the fire of Thy love, sincere in Thy Cause, servants in Thy vineyard, spreaders of Thy religion, worshippers of Thy Countenance, humble to Thy beloved, submissive at Thy door and imploring Thee to confirm us in the service of Thy chosen ones. Support us with Thine unseen hosts, strengthen our loins in Thy servitude and make us submissive and worshipping servants, communing with Thee.
- O our Lord! We are weak, and Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful! We are mortals and Thou art the Great Life-giving Spirit! We are needy and Thou art the Powerful and Sustainer!
- O our Lord! Turn our faces unto Thy Divine Face; feed us from Thy heavenly table by Thy Godly grace; help us through the hosts of Thy supreme angels and confirm us by the holy ones of the Kingdom of ABHA.
- Verily, Thou art the Generous, the Merciful! Thou art the Possessor of great bounty and verily Thou art the Clement and Gracious!
- The Convention of 1911 will always be remembered. There the realization was attained of the promise that “where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.”
- Joy in service left no room for “votes of thanks.” For in every heart was stirred a new consciousness that “thanks” belong alone to God.
- The universality of the Mashrak-el-Azkar (the dawning point of prayer) is making its deep impress upon the world. From Orient and Occident those who do not call themselves “Bahais,” as well as those who do, are contributing in tangible form to this universal idea; thus we find an English Interpreter of Classical Drama devoting some of the proceeds of her art to this object.
- It is impossible now to estimate the results of the Temple Unity Convention, for they are woven into the very fibre of life.
- When the Assemblies grasp the tremendousness of that which is coming into being through these annual meetings, even the smallest of them will be represented. For here is building into the great heart of humanity the “Temple of the living God;” the outer expression of which will be the Mashrak-el-Azkar in Chicago which includes every form of human service.
- The phrase “Sea of Oneness” is tiled with new meaning to those who have been privileged to attend the recent Convention. May that “Oneness” reach out in loving service to the uttermost parts of the earth, thus fulfilling the prophetic words, “There shall be one fold and one Shepherd, one God and His Name one.”
| Chicago, May 4, 1911. | GRACE ROBARTS. |
- Our Persian section this issue contains: (1) Tablet revealed by Abdul-Baha for the Persian friends about three years ago, immediately after the declaration of the Constitution in Turkey and Persia; (2) progress of the Cause in California, written by Dr. Fareed; (3) photograph of Dr. Fareed, Mirza Faragullah Khan and Mrs. Getsinger; (4) article pertaining to Public Education, as the foundation of the progress of every nation; (5) suggestion that the Persian Government appoint a commission to go to Europe, America and Japan to study their systems of public education and establish a system in Persia; (6) announcement of the marriage of Miss Laura C. Barney and Mons Hippolyte Dreyfus; (7) photograph of Miss Barney; (8) report of the Third National Convention of Bahais at Chicago; (9) photograph of Mr. Joseph H. Hannen, one of the Washingtqn, D. C., delegates to the above Convention; (10) Third National Peace Conference in Baltimore and Arbitration Treaty between America and England, and Mr. Chas. Mason Remey's address on the Bahai Movement before the said Congress; (11) Tablet from Abdul-Baha regarding his coming to America; (12) news from Alexandria, Egypt.
STAR OF THE WEST
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA.
- 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!
| 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, (May 17, 1911) Azamat | No. 4 |
- We are pleased to present the following extract from a recent letter by Mr. Louis G. Gregory, of Washington, D. C. who is visiting Abdul-Baha in Egypt, not only because it contains news from that center, but for the timely suggestion it contains:
- RAMLEH, EGYPT, April 15, 1911.
- Have been here nearly a week and seen much of Abdul-Baha. The friends here show great devotion to the Cause, and many, not believers, show great reverence aad love for Abdul-Baha, some coming long distances to see him. He exercises the utmost kindness toward all.
- Yesterday he called my attention to a Tablet revealed to friends in Persia, saying it was being sent to thirty believers. Sometimes, he said, one Tablet was sent to a hundred Persians, while many individual Tablets were sent to Americans. I answered that we were indeed highly favored. Later in the day he said be wanted me to go to Persia after a time, and see how beautiful were the lives of the friends, as they have been refined and purified by much suffering and they show forth great love and spirituality. I have observed that the secretaries of Abdul-Baha have no little difficulty deciphering proper names in letters sent here from America and suggest that these be written plainly; also, in view of the great amount of work, that supplication be made as brief as possible. In fact, I think it would be well if many Americans, as do the Persians, unite in one supplication. Thus, Abdul-Baha would have more time to give to others in need of Light, for in his presence is Light, Joy and Peace.
- Tomorrow a party of pilgrims leave for the Holy City.
نجم باختر 1329
جلد دوّم شماره چهارم . 18 جمادی الاوّل 1329
فهرست مندرجات
1 . لوح حضرت عبدالبهاء پس از اعلان مشروطه دولت ایران و عثمانی .
2 . انتشار امرالله در کالیفرنیا به قلم حضرت دکتر امین الله فرید .
3 . عکس امّة الله مسس گننگز . جناب آقا میرزا فرج الله خان و آقایدکتر امین الله فرید .
4 . تربیت عمومی اساس ترقیّ ملت .
5 . فرستادن کمیسیون معرفتی از ایران به اروپ و امریک و ژاپون .
6 . ازدواج مستر دریفوس و مس بارنی .
7 . عکس مس بارنی .
8 . سوّم انجمن عمومی بهائیان امریک در خصوص مشرق الاذکار .
عکس مستر هنن نمایندۀ مجلس بهائی و واشنگتن در انجمن عمومی شیکاغو .
10 . سوّم انجمن ملیّ صلح امریکا .
11 . لوح حضرت عبدالبهاء در باب سفر به امریک .
12 . اخبارات خوش از اسکندریّه
Persian Editorial Office: NAJME BAKHTAR, 1800 Belmont Road, Washington, D. C., U.S.A.
نجم باختر 1329 . ماه عظمت سنه 68 . سالی دوازده قران .
جلد دوّم . شمارۀ 4 . 17 ماه می 1911
این جریده بر حسب تاریخ بهائی هر نوزده روز چاپ و توزیع میگردد و در نهایت آزادی در مسائل یگانگی بشر و وحدت ادیان و ترقیّات عصر و انتشار علوم و فنون این قرن جدید و تربیت اطفال و پیشرفت امر حضرت بهاء الله در اطراف جهان و توضیح حقائق این دین عمومی خواهد کوشید و مقالات مفید که موافق سبک اداره است قبول و نشر خواهد گردید .
صفحه 1 - 1
لوح حضرت عبدالبهاء پس از اعلان مشروطه دولت ایران و عثمانی
چون در این ایّام بعضی از روزنامه های شرق خواستند که این امر مبارک ابهی را در انظار دول و ملل به دوستداری استبداد و ظلم جلوه دهند لهذا ما در این مقام لوح مبارکی که سه سال قبل از قلم حضرت عبدالبهاء پس از اعلان مشروطه ایران و عثمانی صادر گشته در این مقام درج نموده تا حقائق اصلیّه و آثار معنویّه بر صاحبان بصر و بصارت واضح و مشهود گردد .
ای یاران مهربان عبدالبهاء چندی بود که سبیل مسدود و طریق مقطوع و قاصدان ممنوع و عوانان محظوظ و ستمکاران مسرور دست تطاول دراز و جاسوس و مراقب همدم و دمساز مسجون را در زندان زندانی کبر و مظلوم را هر دم اذیّت و جفائی بد تر مهذیلات متتابع و تضییقات مترادف هر مأموری فرعونی و هر والی نمرودی تلغراف از مرکز ولایت مخابره سرّی مینمود و تعرّض جهری میگشت قلوب محزون بود نفوس دلخون و مغموم یاران در اطراف مضطرب و دوستان در اقالیم منتظر بسیاری مأیوس جمعی بدرد و غم مأنوس چون جمیع ابواب بسته شد دلها خسته گشت بغتته سروش غیب صیحۀ شدید زد جنود ملکوت ابهی هجوم نمود جیوش ملاء اعلی نزول فرمود ارکان استبداد به زلزله آمد بنیاد استقلال مضطرب شد صاعقه غیرت سقوط یافت بنیان ظلم و جور هبوط نمود ابواب مفتوح شد مراتب مرفوع گشت قاصدان به بقعۀ نوراء شتافتند محرومان بشرف زیارت عتبۀ رحمانی فائز شدند سحاب ظلمانی متلاشی گشت و کوکب ظلم نامتناهی متواری شد بزم سرور برپا گشت جشن حبور مهیّا شد رایت حقّ سر برافراخت آیت نصرت دلها بنواخت حال یاران در گلشن رحمانی همدم خود درود و سرودند .
صفحه 2 - 1
و به نغمۀ مزامیر آل داود مشغول از هر طرف بشارتی و هر دم از ملکوت ابهی اشارتی عبدالبهاء به تراب تربت مقدّسه مشرّف و مسجون را در بقعۀ مبارکه مشام معطرّ . پس ای یاران ، این موهبت حضرت یزدان غنیمت دانید و وقت یوم فرصت ملاحظه نمائید که در مدّتی قلیله در ایران و ممالک ترکان چه موج و هیجان عیان و در دو اقلیم چگونه آثار قدرت نمایان این وقایع در قرون اولی سبقت نیافته امیدوارم که سبب انتباه نفوس گردد و قلت تیقظ قلوب شود خفتگان بیدار شوند غافلان هوشیار گردند آهنگ ملاء اعلی بلند شود و گلبانگ طیور گلشن ابهی مسموع گردد یاران به تبلیغ پردازند نادانان بر لبغ بلیغ خوانند بیخردان دانش آموزند . آزردگان آسایش یابند کوران بینش جویند تا بسیط غبرا جنّت ابهی گردد و گلخن ترابی گلشن رحمانی شود کشور ممات حیات یابد اقالیم غیر ذی زرع انبات شود بقعۀ افسرده افروخته گردد کنز ملکوت ابهی اندوخته شود جهان جهانی دیگر شود امکان قمیص جدید پوشد طیور شکور به نغمه آیند و نفوس مشکور ترتیل آیات توحید کنند . و هذا من فضل ربّی الاعلی و هذا من مواهب جمال مولائی الابهی و علیکم التحیّه و الثناء فی الاولی و الاخری ع ع .
انتشار امرالله در کلیفورنیا از ایالات امریکای متّحده بقلم آقای محترم دکتور امین الله فرید
ایالت کالیفورنیا از بابت مساحت دوّم بزرگترین ایالات متّحده است و در جهت غربی این اقلیم عظیم واقع است . از اسکلۀ بزرگ دریای اتلانتیک نیویورک تا بندر معمورۀ محیط پاسیفیک سه هزار و دویست و سی میل است که مسافر با راه آهن سریع الحرکه در پنج شبانه روز طیّ مینماید و در بین راه از وسط تمام ایالات
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صفحه 1 - 2
عبور نموده و از دریچه ترن بلدان و عمران و حسن زراعت و فلاحت و فابریقه ها و کوه ها و بیابان های این مملکت را سیر میکند و آثار و اثمار مدنیّت این ملتّ متمدّن را تماشا مینماید . مساحت این ایالت 155980 میل مربّع است و جمعیّت آن تقریبا پنج کرور در معادن و فابریقه ها و ماهیگیری و زراعت و مدارس بسیار غنی است چنانچه در سنه 1890 ماحصل فابریقه های تنهایش به دویست و سیزده ملیون دولار رسید . این ایالت را بجهات مذکوره ایالت طلائین نام نهاده اند زیرا معادن های طلایش بسیاری مردمان فقیر را ملیونر نموده است . سال این قطعه زمین به دو فصل تقسیم شد یکی فصل باران و دیگری فصل ربیع برف به ندرت نازل میگردد گل و لاله در جمیع فصول مشام را معطرّ مینماید . از زیادی رقتّ و لطافت آب و هوا و حسن موقع و منظر اصغاو کثرت انهار و اشجار و جنگلها و فواکه گوناگون و ریاحین رنگارنگ در میان اهالی امریک به باغ دنیا معروف شده و گویا مثل و مانندش در کمی از ممالک جهان پیدا شود و فی الواقع اسم بارسم است زیرا این ایالت پر خرافت مانند عروسی دلبر همیشه جوان و روزبروز بر جوانیش افزوده میگردد بواسطۀ موقع جغرافی آن اهالی چین و ژاپون در هر شهری بسیار و فراوانند بقسمی که محله و بلده علیحدّه برای خود ساخته اند و منحصر بخودشان است . در سنۀ 1898 میلادی یعنی سیزده سال قبل یکی از قدماء بهائیان و اماء موقنه رحمن« مسس لواگنسنگر» محض تبلیغ بشارات ابهی از « نیویورک» به شهر« سنفرنسیسکو» می آید و در بلدۀ « اوکلند» مسکن و مأوی اختیار نموده مشغول به تعلیم تعالیم الهیّه میگردد و در اندک زمانی چند نفسی را دلالت به ملکوت الله مینماید و به شریعت الله وارد نموده نار عشقی برافروخت و سراج ایمان و ایقان را در قلوب این بندگان روشن ساخت و به نفحات محبّت الله چنان مشام این مؤمنین را معطرّ فرمود که جمیع مشتاق دیدار جمال رحمن و طالب اصغاء نغمات بلبل معنوی شدند و این نفوس منوّره متحّدا مجتمعا از کالیفورنیا حرکت نموده بجانب مدینۀ عکا توجّه کردند و دوازده هزار میل را برّا و بحرا طیّ نموده تا بکوی جانان رسیدند و بشرف زیارت روضۀ مطهّرۀ جمال ابهی مفتخر گشتند و بحضور مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء روحی لعباده الفداء مشرّف شدند بچشم خود جمال بیمثال را زیارت کردند و بگوش سر و سرّ نغمات بدیع ذوالجلال را شنیدند و این نفوس اوّلین دستۀ زائرین امریک بودند که به ارض مقصود آمدند .
صفحه 2 - 2
چون موعد شرفیابی حضور بانتهی رسید همگی رجعت بوطن مألوف نموده و به نشر نفحات الله و بثّ تعالیم الهی اشتغال و اشتعال یافتند و این نفوس قلیله در اندک زمانی چنان موفقّ شدند و بنوعی بر ایقاظ قلوب قیام نمودند که امروز در هر یک از شهرهای کلیفورنیا بل در هر بلدۀ و قصبۀ از قصبات احباب را مجلس معظمّی و محفل مرتبّی است و یوما فیوما در این صفحات رو به ازدیا د هستند و مجمله شهر هائی که مرکزیّت یافته و محافل مقرّری دارد شهرهای ذیل است : سنفرنسیسکو ، برکلی ، اوکلند ، لوس انجلس ، پاسادنا ، و بیکرزفیلد . سیزده سال قبل امّة الله المنجذبه مسس لوا کستنکر در اوّل سفر خود به عکّا هنگام شرفیابی از فم مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء این بشارت عظمی و نبوّت اسمی را استماع نمود خطابا باو فرمودند : « این بذری که تو در کلیفورنیا کشتی خواهد روئید و بارور خواهد گشت و نفوس کثیر هدایت خواهند شد و تو خواهی دید » امّة الله المذکوره بعد از مراجعت از عکا در نیویورک و جهات شرقی امریک بخدمت مشغول شد و به کلیفورنیا نیامد حال که بامر مبارک ما با ایشان باین سامان آمدیم مکرّر بر مکرّر در محافل روحانی مصداق بیان مبارک را مشاهده نموده و نبوّت و بشارت میثاق را یاد آورده مذکور داشت حمدا له و شکراله یفعل مایشاء و یحکم ما یرید و هو العلیم الحکیم .
از یوم ورود به کلیفورنیا الی الآن مجالس عمومی فوق العاده بسیار انعقاد یافته و جرائد و روزنامه جات محلّ و موقع و میعاد موضوع را اعلام کرده اند و خلق را بدان محافل دعوت نموده اند بناء عظیم گوش دهند و به صراط مستقیم هدایت گردند و داخل ملکوت وحدت عالم انسانی شوند و از کأس ظهور «همه بار یک دارید و برگ یک شاخسار» بنوشند
صفحه 1 - 3
ولی تعریف و توصیف این مجالس از حدود این مختصر مقاله خارج و زاید است لهذا شرح آنرا حواله به مستقبل و مقالۀ دیگر مینماید
تربیت عمومی اساس ترقیّ ملتّ
امروز ملل متمدّن غرب جمیع ترقیّات و اختراعات و ثروت خود را از پرتو تربیت عمومی پیدا کرده اند و اگر ملتّ ایران عاشق دخول در حوضۀ دول غربیّه است باید بزودی هرچه تمامتر تدبیری وافی برای پسران و دختران مملکت بنماید زیرا چون فردا ما بمیریم این جوانان جای ما گیرند و اگر وجودشان باکلیل علم و معرفت مزیّن نشده باشد کار از حال خرابتر گردد و یأس و حرمان ئکلیّ روی دهد شب تار و تاریک احاطه نماید و خفّاشهای کثیف و نعیق به پرواز آیند . تربیت و تعلیم اطفال وطن یکی از تکالیف مهمّۀ دولت مشروطه است نه افراد ملتّ و این مطلبی است که معانی لطیفۀ آن هنوز بر معارف پروران ایران گویا کشف نگشته است . نه آنکه افراد ملتّ آزاد نیستند که مدارس افتتاح نمایند بل هر قدر حضرات سعی و کوشش کنند و مدارس خصوصی باز نمایند باز ثمرات آن عمومی و ملیّ و بطور دلخواه نیست و درجۀ تربیت نوع به مقام اعلی و رتبۀ اسمی صعود نخواهد کرد . ملاحظه بفرمائید که جمیع دول اروپا و امریک مسئله بناء مدارس تربیت کتب تدریس و تعلیم اطفال را بکلیّ بعهده گرفته و مالیات جزئی از افراد ملتّ برای نگهداری این دبستانها و مواجب معلمین میگیرند و ملتّ در نهایت شعف و سرور چون میداند این پول بمحلّ خود خرج میشود این مالیات را اداء میکند در ایالات متحّدۀ امریک رسم تربیت عمومی به نقطۀ کمال رسیده و دولت در هر ده و قریّه و شهر مدارس ابتدائی مجّانی باز نموده است . پسران و دختران از سنّ چهار یا پنج سالگی در مدرسه داخل شده و تا ده سال در این مدارس مشغول تحصیل اند و حتّی کتاب و کاغذ و مداد را دولت مهیّا میکند و پدر و مادر فقط لباس و خوراک اولاد خود را میدهند . پس از آنکه از ابتدائیّات فارغ التحصیل شد در مدارس رشدیّه دولتی داخل میشوند اگرچه در اینجا باید کتب خود را بخرند ولی باز تحصیلات مدرسه مجّانی است و بهترین معلمین موجود چون چهار سال در مدارس رشدیّه تحصیل نمود در این وقت 18 سال دارد که چهارده سال آنرا در مدرسه مشغول به کسب معارف بوده در این نقطه اگر میل دارد در کلیّه یا دارالفنون داخل میگردد و در علوم عالیه تحصیل مینماید و الا بکار و کسب مشغول میگردد و کلیّات یا دارالفنون سالی مبلغی معیّن از محصلین میگیرند و حضرات
صفحه 2 - 3
باید جمیع اخراجات خود را از جیب خود بدهند لهذا چون پسری یا دختری در سنّ 22 ساگی از دارالفنون بیرون آید هیجده سال تحصیل کرده و وجودش به هیئت ملتّ بسیار مفید مقامش رفیع و در آن شعبۀ که تحصیلات خود را نموده بدون اشکال کار پیدا خواهد کرد و ترقیّات تحیّر آمیز و پیشرفتهای روح انگیز دولت ژاپون از وقتی شروع گردید که تربیت و تعلیم را عمومی نمود و بناء مدارس ابتدائی مجّانی از خزینه دولت کرد . پس ما دولت ایران را عموما و ادارۀ معارف را خصوصا یادآوری میکنیم که امروز اهمّ جمیع امور تربیت اطفال ملتّ است از خزینۀ دولت و اگر فی الحقیقه دولت ایران شائق انجام این امر مهمّ است و طالب نشر معارف بین عموم باید کمیسیونی که مرکبّ از چندین نفر ترقیّ خواهان و وطن پرستان و معارف پروران باشد گسیل به ممالک اروپ و امریک و ژاپون نماید و این کمیسیون در هر یکی از ممالک دو سه ماهی مانده سر در مدارس زده طرز و رسم تعلیم اطفال هر مملکتی را بدست آورده کتب لازمۀ مفیده را بدست آورده و پس از رجعت به ایران یک دائره تربیت عمومی مثل مملکت امریکا تشکیل دهند و در هر دهکده و قریّه و شهر از جانب دولت مدارس ابتدائی مجّانی باز شود و کتب تحصیل این مدارس جمیع یک نوع و قسم باشد و معلمین از روی یک قانون معیّنی درس دهند و مثلا شاگردهای مدارس سدۀ غلام خاص یا جهرم یا فاران یا تبریز و اصفهان و شیراز همان کتبی را بخوانند که در مدارس طهران درس میدهند و ما را امید چنان است که که دولت مشروطه ایران چشم از شخصیّات پوشیده و این موقع را غنیمت شمرده و این کمیسیون معرفتی را بزودی معیّن خواهد فرمود تا بدون اتلاف وقت به انجام تکالیف خود مشغول گردند مسئله دیگر فرستادن جوانان ایرانی به مدارس امریک است تا هر یک در شعبۀ از علوم و فنون مخصوصه مانند الکتریک ، مکانیک ، راه آهن سازی ، دندان سازی ، معماری ، مالیه ، زراعت و غیره تحصیلات کامل نموده و پس از رجعت بخدمات وطن و ترقیّ ملتّ قیام نمایند . امروز دقتّ جمیع دول دنیا بجانب ما اهالی ایران جذب شده و هرکدام از دور تماشا می کنند که به بینند آیا بر حسب مقتضیّات این زمان قادر استقلال هستیم یا نه زیرا امروز هیچ ملتّی نمیتواند استقلال نوعی خود را حفظ کند مگر بواسطۀ تربیت عمومی و گذاردن اساسی تربیت عمومی محال است مگر بواسطۀ مراقبت و دلسوزی دولت مشروطه و دولت مشروطه از انجام این تکلیف
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صفحه 1 - 4
بر نخواهد آمد مگر بواسطۀ فرستادن کمیسون معرفتی به اروپ و آمریک و ژاپون دولت مشروطه بدون تربیت عمومی اسم بی مسمّی است دولت مشروطه یعنی شهنشاهی ملتّ و اگر ملتّ دانا نباشد با خرد نباشد با علم و معرفت نباشد چگونه شهنشاهی خواهد نمود امروز اگر حضرت نیابت عظمی که سراسر ترقیّ خواه است باین خدمت بزرگ یعنی گذاردن بناء تعلیم عمومی و گسیل کمیسون معرّفی به غرب و ژاپون قیام فرمایند نه آنکه جمیع روشن ضمیران و انجمن ها و افراد ملتّ ایران او را الی الابد ثنا خوان خواهند بود بل دول غرب لسان به تمجید و سپاس آن وجود مکرّم و امید همۀ ایرانیان خواهند گشود .
یکی از معارف پروران میگوید : تربیت عمومی سررشتۀ حیات عالم انسانی است جوی آب زلالی است که صحراها را سبز و خرّم مینماید و ستارۀ روشن است که قلوب را غبطۀ شمس و قمر میفرماید کشتی نوح است که مردمان را بساحل نجات میرساند و دریای عظیم است که جواهر و مرواریدهای ثمین در بر دارد شجر لطیف و پرصفائی است که اثمارش گرسنگان بادیۀ حسرت و حرمان را سیر مینماید و خیمه و خرگاه شهنشاهی است که مسافرین خسته را راحت و سرور قلب می بخشد جنّت نعیم است و بهشت برین و هر ملتّی که از این نعائم سماوی چشید و هر نفسی که از این شراب ظهور نوشید بحیات ابدی و فیض سرمدی فائز گردید .
عروسی مستر دریفوس و مس بارنی
در این ایّام خبر میمنت مسعود عروسی مستر دریفوس و امّة البهاء لورا کلیفورد بارنی از پاریس به ادارۀ نجم باختر رسید و سبب سرور و بهجت قلوب بهائیان گردید و فی الحقیقه عروسی این دو خادم امرالله و وصلت این دو ثابتین بر میثاق از هر جهت پر معنی و قابل ملاحظه است جناب مستر دریفوس یکی از وکلاء و دانشوران مملکت متمدّن فرانسه و متعلقّ به عائله نجیبی است . از چند سال قبل که ایمان باین امر مبارک آورد دائما در خدمات مهمّه کوشیده و آوازۀ دین الله را بگوش دور و نزدیک رسانیده است مقالات و کتبی که در اثبات و ادلال این امر الهی نوشته اند در مجلدّات و جرائد چاپ گشته و سبب انتباه و تزکیه نفوس زکیّه شده و گویا دو یا سه سفر بحضور حضرت عبدالبهاء مشرّف گشته است و مخصوص نشر امرالله سفر به هندوستان نموده و دو سه سال قبل با مس بارنی و مادام شنی سفر مهمّی به ایران کرده و دوستان آن جهات را ملاقات نمودند
صفحه 2 - 4
و پس از رجعت پاریس به ممالک آمریک آمده و در حضور مجامع بهائیان خطابه های غرّا اداء نموده و در خصوص نفوذ و رسوخ امرالله در شرق بیاناتی بس دلپذیر اظهار داشتند . امّة البهاء میس بارنی از قدمای بهائیان ثابت امریکی است و اسم او در عالم بهائی شرق و غرب عزیز و محبوب و خدمات نیکو و جانفشانیهای بیحدّ او در امرالله نه یک نه صد هزارها باید در شرح آن دفاتری نوشت انجمن بهائیان واشنگتن خلاصۀ زحمات ایشان و چند نفوس محترمه است . بیشتر از یک سال در حضور مبارک به تحصیل لسان فارسی و تعالیم این امر در عکّا اقامت جست و کتاب « فدیّه النّور الابهی فی مفاوضات عبدالبهاء » ثمر آن اقامت است و حضرت عبدالبهاء در الواح کثیره دقتّ احبّای الهی را به تحصیل آن دیباجۀ منوّره جذب فرموده اند و آن کتاب در اغلب مجالس امریکا در طبقات متفرّقه تحصیل میگردد . سفر ایشان به ایران مورث انجذاب و اشتعال یاران الهی گردید و خدماتشان در آن سفر بر ایادی امرالله مشهود و واضح است و در این ایّام « کتاب درّ آثای شجاعان خدا» که در شرح حیات قرّة العین است به قلم نورانی این جواهر ملکوت
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صفحه 1 - 5
ابهی چاپ و انتشار یافته و نظر علمای اروپ و امریک را به تجسّس و تفحصّ این امر معطوف داشته است . لهذا در این موقع میمون اعضاء ادارۀ نجم باختر از صمیم قلب تهنیت و اشواق بهائی حضور مستر و میس دریفوس اظهار میدارند و امیدوارند که در جمیع عوالم بخدمات امرالله که یگانگی نوع بشر و صلح عمومی است مشغول باشند و انشاء الله این اتّحا د و ارتباط حقیقی سبب نومانیّت عالم انسانی و مورث وجد و طرب قلوب بهائیان شرق و غرب گردد .
سوم انجمن عمومی بهائیان امریکا
از آنجائی که امروز مسئله ساختن مشرق الاذکار شیکاغو اهمّ امور امریّه شناخته میشود و نظر بهائیان عالم متوجّه اکمال این بنیان الهی است لهذا بجهت تشجیع و تحریص یاران و شور و مشاورت در این ماه دوباره سوم انجمن بهائیان امریک در شیکاغو منعقد گردید و نمایندگان مجالس از هر سمتی توجّه بسوی آن شهر نموده علم نصرت و فتح امرالله را بلند کردند و مدّت پنج روز در جلسه های متفرّقه با هم مشاورت کرده نطق های مؤثرّ نموده و مؤانست و مؤالفت جستند . امّا ثمرات این اجتماع الهی عمومی زیاده از حدّ و تمجید و ثنای آن خارج از قوّۀ بشر است جلسۀ اوّل در شب 21 آوریل منعقد گردید و جمعیّت زیادی از دوستان شیکاغو و نمایندگان سایر شهرها در نهایت روح و ریحان در آن مجلس حاضر شدند . در تالار بزرگی سه میز بسیار بلند مهیّا نموده و روی آنها را بانواع و اقسام گل و ریاحین مزیّن داشته بودند و صفا و روحانیّت آن محلّ سبب سرور قلوب و ابتهاج افئده گردید و چنان روح اخوّت و یگانگی در وجوه هویدا بود که گویا آن همه جمعیّت زن و مرد اعضاء یک عائله بودند مدّتی از هم جدا شده و حال ید قدرت و قضا آنها را دوباره متحدّ کرده است همه یک روح و یک جان و بیک آواز و بیک شهناز با هم صحبت و مکالمه مینمودند و چنان بنظر می آمد که کلّ برادران و خواهران حقیقی روح و جسد هستند .
سپس مستر گرینلیف مجلس را رسما افتتاح نموده و به عبارات دلنشین نمایندگان را خوش آمد ی گفت مس ماری لش
صفحه 2 - 5
از کلمات روحانی حضرت عبدالبهاء قرائت نمود . مس الرمن باد آن شیرین آهنگ شهر مقدّس را بسرود . مستر ودکاک شرحی از سفر اخیر خود و تعالیم حضرت مولی الوری بیان نمود . مستر هنن لوح اخیری که بافتخار مجامع بهائیان امریک نازل شده بود مؤثرانه قرائت کرد و چند نفر دیگر از یاران الهی در خواندن الواح و اظهار مطالب مفیده شرکت نمودند و بعد از این ضیافت روحانی انواع و اقسام خوراکیها که احبای شیکاغو برای این مهمانی حاضر کرده بودند بمیان آوردند . و در این بین دستۀ از نمایندگان هر یک از ترقیّات امرالله در اطراف امریک و در شهرهای خود ذکر کردند . در جلسه های دیگر هم احبّاء در نهایت الفت و دوستی همدیگر را به کلمات آبدار و نصائح شیرین در خدمات امرالله و نشر نفحات الله تشجیع و تحریص مینمودند . از راپورت خزینه دار چنان معلوم شد که در سنۀ ماضیه دو هزار و چهارصد و یک دلار و پنجاه سنت اعانه جمع شده و تقریبا پانزده هزار دلار دیگر باقی مانده است که قرض زمین حالیه اداء شود و همچنین کلّ وجوهاتی که تابحال رسیده سی هزارو هشتصد و پنجاه دلار و پنجاه و چهار سنت است و چنین قرار شد که یک قطعۀ زمین دیگر که نزدیک اراضی مشرق الاذکار است ابتیاع نمایند و مستر ودکاک چنین
جناب مستر هنن یکی از نماینده های مجلس واشنگتن در سوّم انجمن عمومی بهائیان امریکا در شیکاغو
صفحه 1 - 6
اظهار داشت که میل حضرت عبدالبهاء بر این است که طرح مشرق الاذکار مانند تاج محال هندوستان باشد . در روز آخر اعضاء کمیتۀ اجرائیّه که برای سال آینده انتخاب شده اند از این قرار است : مستر میلز ، مستر پرسی ودکاک ، مستر هال ، مستر اگنو ، مستر جاکسن ، مستر ریمی ، مسترویلهلم ، مسس ترد و مس پاررتن . و قبل از آنکه جلسۀ آخری بانتهی برسد هیئت اجتماع تلگرافی بحضور حضرت عبدالبهاء فرستادند و هریک از نمایندگان با قلبی مسرور و روحی پرشور بمحافل خود رجعت نموده اخبارات خوش و وقائع روحانی این انجمن سماوی را بهر طرف نشر ساخته و خواهند ساخت .
سوّم انجمن ملیّ صلح امریکا
مسئله صلح بین المللی و کنارگذاردن آلات حرب و جنگ دقتّ عموم دول غرب را بسیار جذب نموده چنانچه در این هفته سوم کنگرۀ ملیّ صلح امریکا که متضمّن جمیع انجمن های صلح ایالات متحّده است یک هفته در شهر بالتیمور منعقد گردید و در هر جلسه هزاران نفر زن و مرد حاضر بود جناب شوکتمآب پرزیدان تفت و مستر کارنگی ملیونر و اعضاء پارلمان و پروفسرهای دارالفنون ها و سائر بزرگان ملتّ در هر جلسه خطابه های غرّاء بر ضدّ جنگ و نگاهداری قوای بحری و حربی اداء نمودند و در یکی از این جلسه ها مستر ریمی خطابه در باب امر حضرت بهاء الله و نوامیس این امر برای صلح بین المللی و منع از حرب و قتل ادا نموده و خوب مؤثرّ واقع شد و احمد سهراب شرحی از ترقیّات ایران و استقرار حکومت مشروطه اظهار داشت . یکی از اعظم ترین مقاصد این انجمن عظیم آنکه یک عقد معاهده دائمی مابین انگلیس و امریکا به بندند که در آینده جمیع اختلافت و منازعات ارضی و استقلالی و شرف و منافع اصلی خود را در قضاوتخانۀ بین المللی لاهی محاکمه و فیصل دهند و اگر چنین معاهدۀ مابین این دو بزرگترین دولت دنیا بسته شود شکّی نیست که امر صلح طلبان بیحدّ و قیاس رونق گرفته و بتدریج سائر دول چون آلمان و فرانسه و ایتالیا در طریق حضرات مشی خواهند نمود و آلات آدم کشی را دور انداخته و نوامیس حضرت بهاء الله را پیروی خواهند کرد
صفحه 2 - 6
حضرت عبدالبهاء در لوح مبارک به یکی از اطفال بهائی امریکائی وعدۀ سفر باینجهات میفرمایند قوله تعالی :
ای دختر نورانی نامۀ تو رسید در حقّ تو دعا نمایم که اخلاقت ربّانی گردد و رفتارت ملکوتی گردد تا همسران تو ترا دوست دارند و اگر عبدالبهاء به امریک رسد البّته با جمیع شماها ملاقات کند و امیدوارم که معلمّۀ ماهر گردی و دکتر حاذق شوی آن کلمات مکنونه که دوست داری بسیار بدیع و ملیح است امیدوارم که در امتحانات ثابت و مستقیم مانی و دختری ملکوتی گردی . و علیک البهاء الابهی ع ع .
اخبارات خوش از اسکندریّه
وقایع نگار اداره مینویسد : یا حبیب قلبی رقیمه مورّخه 29 مارس واصل و از مژده صحّت و سلامتی دوستان آن صفحات فرح و سرور ونشاط حاصل در این ایّام بقسمی اوقات مبارک اکسیر شده که از حدّ و وصف خارج است نزول الواح مثل باران پی در پی از سماء فضل نازل و روز بروز در ازدیاد است معاشرت با دوستان و مسافرین و مجاورین و اغیار از حد خارج بمرحمت و شفقتی ظاهر که از وصف خارج است چندی قبل « روزنامۀ وادی نیل » که عکس مبارک در آن طبع شده بود ارسال گردید و حال هم کتابچۀ طوبع الملوک با پست ارسال میشود ذکر حضرت مولی الوری در آن است خوانده و مسرور شده و قلوب دوستان را از این بشارت مسرور دارند در هفته قبل سه نفر از . . . . یکی مصدّق و دیگری محبّ خالص از جانب . . . . مسافرت به ایران جهت اطلاع در امور داخله نموده بودند به اسکندریّه آمدند و بشرف لقای محبوب عالم فائز بقسمی مجذوب شدند که از حدّ و وصف خارج است از شور و وله و جذب میخواستند پرواز نمایند لوح مبارک باطراف بایشان عنایت شد و باغلب شهرها سفارش بیحدّ به دوستان فرمودند و آن لوح مبارک فارسی صرف در حضورشان نازل و جناب آقا میرزا نورالدّین سواد نمودند . سه روز قبل هم جناب لوئیز گریگوری ساکن واشنگتن وارد اسکندریّه شدند و خودم با ایشان رفتیم مشرّف شدیم شرفیابی قریب دو ساعت طول کشید و الآن مشرّف هستند بقسمی اظهار عنایت فرمودند که سبب حیرت شد
