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Vol. III February 7, 1913 No. 18
| Page | |
Portrait: Abdul-Baha | 2 |
Farewell Address of Abdul-Baha to the American Friends delivered on SS. "Celtic" | 3 |
Talks given by Abdul-Baha at Dublin, New Hampshire | 4 |
Abdul-Baha at the "Salvation Army" Shelter, London | 8 |
Abdul-Baha at the Cedar Club, London | 9 |
Persian Section | 11-16 |
The Servant of BAHA'O'LLAH
and The Center of His Covenant
"We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; that all nations shall become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men shall be strengthened; that diversity of religion shall cease and differences of race be annulled. So it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come."—Baha'o'llah.
Vol. III Chicago (February 7, 1913) Mulk No. 18
FAREWELL ADDRESS OF ABDUL-BAHA TO THE AMERICAN FRIENDS[edit]
on the morning of December 5, 1912.
Taken stenographically by Mariam Haney from interpretation of Ish'te'a'l Ebn-Kalanter.This is my last interview with you, and now I am on this ship to sail away. This is my last exhortation which I am going to give unto you. My last exhortation to you is this:
I have repeatedly spoken to you, and I have invited you to the Unity of the world of humanity. I have told you that all mankind are servants of the same God; that God is the Creator of all; He is the Provider of all; He is the Life-giver of all; He is affectionate to all; that before God all are as servants of one God; and God is compassionate towards them all. Therefore, we must act in the utmost kindness and affection towards all the nations of the world. We must set aside all fanaticism and religious prejudices. We must forget all national prejudices. We must forget all native prejudices.
This earth is one sphere, one nativity, one home, and all mankind are the descendants of one Father. All are created by God, and God is compassionate unto all. Therefore, if any one offends another, he offends God. God wishes that all the hearts be rejoiced; that all mankind be in the utmost happiness; that every individual member of human society shall live in the utmost felicity and joy. But that which prevents mankind from being happy together is racial prejudice, sectional and sectarian prejudice, the struggle for existence, and unkindness towards one another.
As to you who are present here: Your eyes have been illumined; your ears have been made hearing; your hearts are knowing. You must be free from every kind of prejudice and fanaticism; you must see no difference among the races; you must see no difference among the religions. You must look to God. For God is the real Shepherd, and all men are His sheep. This Shepherd is One, and He is affectionate towards all the sheep. While the Ideal Shepherd is kind unto all, is it allowable that these sheep should quarrel among themselves? Hence all these sheep must arise in great gratitude and thankfulness, for God, the Shepherd, is very kind unto them; and the best way to thank God is that all mankind shall love one another and show great kindness and affection towards each other.
In a word: Beware lest ye offend any heart! Beware lest ye speak against any one in his absence! Beware lest ye estrange yourselves from the servants of God! You must consider all the servants of God as your own kith and kin! Let your whole effort be directed towards rejoicing every offended one, towards feeding every one who is hungry, clothing every one who is without clothing, glorifying every one who is humbled. Be a helper to every helpless one and be kind unto all. This is to gain the good will of God. This is that which is conducive to eternal felicity for you. This is conducive to the illumination of the world of humanity. As I seek from God eternal glory in your behalf, I therefore am giving you this exhortation.
You all see what is happening in the Balkans! How human blood is being shed! How little children are torn into pieces! How men's properties are pillaged! How cities and towns are sacked! It is a world-enkindling fire that is astir in the Balkans! God has created them as men to love one another; but they bleed each other! God has created them in order that they may co-operate with each other; but they pillage each other's property and shed each other's blood. God has created them to be the cause of felicity and peace to one another; but they are causing trials and hardships unto each other.
As to you: Your efforts must be made
lofty. Exert yourselves with your heart and
soul, so that perchance through your efforts
the Light of Universal Peace may shine, and[Page 4]
this darkness of estrangement and enmity
may be dispelled from amongst men; so that
all men may become as one family and be
kind unto one another; that the East may
assist the West; that the West may aid the
East,—for all are the denizens of the one
planet, and all are peoples of the one nativity,
and all are the flocks of the one Shepherd.
Consider how the Prophets who have been sent, and the great souls who have appeared from amongst men, and the sages who have arisen in the world,—have all given exhortations unto men. They have all taught love and affection to humanity. They have all guided human souls towards union and harmony. These great Prophets and saints and seers and philosophers have all sacrificed their lives in order to establish these teachings amongst men. Consider how heedless the world is,—for notwithstanding all the pains taken by these Prophets of God in their time, the people are still fighting one another! Notwithstanding all the Heavenly Commandments to love one another, they are shedding each other's blood! How heedless are these people! How ignorant are these people! How in darkness are these people! They have such a compassionate God who is so kind towards all men, and yet they act against His good pleasure! And yet they live in opposition to His behests! God is kind towards all men, and yet they show the utmost enmity each towards the other! God gives life unto them all, yet they destroy each other's lives! God blesses and builds their houses; they raze and sack each other's homes! Consider how heedless are such people! Consider how ignorant are such people!
As to you: Your duty is of another kind, for you are informed concerning, the mysteries of GOD. Your eyes are illumined! Your ears are made hearing! You must therefore look towards each other, and then towards all mankind, with the utmost love and kindness; for you have no excuse to bring before GOD if you do not live this way, for you are informed of that which constitutes the good pleasure of God. You have heard His Commandments. You have hearkened unto His Words of Advice. You must, therefore, be kind to all men; you must even be kind to your enemies as your friends. You must even consider your evil-wishers as your well-wishers. You must consider as agreeable, those who are not agreeable towards you;—so that, perchance, this darkness of conflict may disappear from amongst men and the Light of the Divine may shine forth; so that the Orient may be illumined; that the Occident may be filled with fragrance; nay, the East and the West may embrace each other in love and deal with one another in the utmost affection! Until man reaches this high station, the world of humanity shall not find rest and the eternal felicity shall not be attained by men! But if man lives up to these Divine Commandments, this world of earth shall be transformed into the world of heaven, and this material sphere shall be converted into a Paradise of Glory. It is my hope that you shall be rendered successful therein, so that you may cast light upon the world of humanity like unto lamps, and quicken and stir the body of existence like unto a spirit. This is Eternal Glory! This is Everlasting Felicity! This is Immortal Life! This is Heavenly Loftiness! This is being created in the image and likeness of GOD, and unto this I call you, and I pray to God to strengthen and bless you!
TALKS GIVEN BY ABDUL-BAHA AT DUBLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE[edit]
Talk given by Abdul-Baha at Dublin Inn, Dublin, N. H., August 5, 1912.*
The people of Christianity have clung to literal interpretation of the statement in the Gospel that Christ came from heaven. The Jews likewise at the time of His Manifestation held to outward and visible expectation of the fulfilment of the prophecies. They said, "Messiah shall appear from heaven. This man came from Nazareth; we know his house;
*Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab; notes by Mr. Howard MacNutt.
we know his parents and people; it is only hearsay that he descended from heaven. This cannot be proved."
The text of the Gospel states that He came from heaven although outwardly from the matrix of the mother. The meaning is that the Divine Reality of Christ was from heaven, but the body was born of Mary.
Therefore He came according to the prophecies
of the Holy Book and likewise according
to natural law; His Reality from heaven; His
body earthly. As He came before, so must
He come this time in the same way. But some[Page 5]
arise with objections, saying, "We must have
literal proof of this through the senses."
The Reality of Christ was always in heaven and will always be. This is the intention of the text of the Gospel. For while His Holiness Jesus Christ walked upon the earth, He said, "The Son of Man is in heaven." Therefore holding to literal interpretation and visible fulfilment of the text of the Holy Books is simply imitation of ancestral forms and beliefs. For when we perceive the Reality of Christ these texts and statements become clear and perfectly reconcilable with each other. Unless we perceive the Reality we cannot understand the meanings of the Holy Books, for these meanings are symbolical and spiritual, such as, for instance, the raising of Lazarus which has spiritual interpretation.
We must first establish the fact that the Power of God is infinite, unlimited and that it is within that Power to accomplish anything.
Secondly, we must understand the interpretation of Christ's words concerning "the dead." A certain disciple came to His Holiness and asked permission to go and bury his father. His Holiness answered, "Let the dead bury their dead." Therefore Christ designated as "dead" some who were still living; that is, let the living "dead," the spiritually "dead," bury your father. They were dead because they were not believers in Christ. Although physically alive, they were dead spiritually. This is the meaning of Christ's words, "That which is born of flesh is flesh; that which is born of spirit is spirit." He meant that those who were simply born of the human body were dead spiritually, while those quickened by the breaths of the Holy Spirit were living, eternally alive. These are the interpretations of Christ Himself. Reflect upon them and the meanings of the Holy Books will become clear as the sun at mid-day.
The Holy Books have their special terminologies which must be known and understood. Physicians have their own peculiar terms, architects, philosophers have their characteristic expressions; poets have their phrases, and scientists their terminologies. In the Scripture we read that Zion is dancing. It is evident that this has other than literal interpretation. The meaning is that the people of Zion through great joy shall rejoice. The Jews said, Christ was not Messiah but Anti-Christ, because one of the signs of the Messiah's coming was the dancing of Mount Zion, which had not yet come to pass. In reality, when His Holiness appeared, not only Mount Zion but all Palestine danced and rejoiced. Again in the Scriptures it is said, "The trees shall clap their hands." This is symbolical. There are terms and expressions of usage in every language which cannot be taken literally. For instance, in Oriental countries it is customary to say, "When my friend entered the house, the doors and walls began to sing and dance." In Persia they say, "Get at the head," meaning engage in the matter according to its own terms and usages. All these have other and inner meanings.
You have asked concerning approval of Christian Science treatment and healing. Spirit has influence; prayer has spiritual effect. Therefore we pray, "O God! heal this sick one!" Perchance God will answer. Does it matter who prays? God will answer the prayer of every servant if that prayer is urgent. His Mercy is vast, illimitable. He answers the prayers of all His servants. He answers the prayer of this plant. The plant prays potentially, "O God! Send me rain!" God answers this prayer and the plant grows. God will answer any one. He answers prayers potentially. Before we were born into this world did we not pray, "O God! Give me a mother; give me two fountains of bright milk; purify the air for my breathing; grant me rest and comfort; prepare food for my sustenance and living!" Did we not pray potentially for these needed blessings before we were created? When we came into this world did we not find our prayers answered? Did we not find mother, father, food, light, home and every other necessity and blessing, although we did not actually ask for them? Therefore it is natural that God will give to us when we ask Him. His Mercy is all-encircling.
But we ask for things which the Divine Wisdom docs not desire for us, and there is no answer to our prayer. His Wisdom does not sanction what we wish. We pray, "O God! make me wealthy!" If this prayer were universally answered human affairs would be at a standstill. There would be none left to work in the streets, none to till the soil, none to build, none to run the trains. Therefore it is evident that it would not be well for us if all prayers were answered. The affairs of the world would be interfered with, energies crippled and progress hindered. But whatever we ask for, which is in accord with Divine Wisdom, God will answer. Assuredly!
For instance, a very feeble patient may ask
the doctor to give him food which would be[Page 6]
positively dangerous to his life and condition.
He may beg for roast meat. The doctor is
kind and wise. He knows it would be dangerous
to his patient, so he refuses to allow
it. The doctor is merciful, the patient ignorant.
Through the doctor's kindness the patient recovers;
his life is saved. Yet the patient may
cry out that the doctor is unkind, not good,
because he refuses to answer my pleading.
God is merciful. In His Mercy He answers the prayers of all His servants when according to His Supreme Wisdom it is necessary.
Talk given by Abdul-Baha at Residence of Mrs. A. J. Parsons, Dublin, N. H., August 6, 1912.*[edit]
Today we are enjoying temperate weather. As there are many strangers present we will answer questions.
Question: "Are not all Christians Bahais? Is there any difference?"
Answer: When Christians act according to the teachings of Christ, they are called Bahais. For the foundations of Christianity and the Religion of Baha'o'llah are one. The foundations of all the Divine Prophets and Holy Books are one. The difference among them is one of terminology only. Each springtime is identical with the former springtime. The distinction between them is only one of the calendar—1911, 1912 and so on. The difference between a Christian and a Bahai therefore is this; there was a former Springtime and there is a Springtime now. No other difference exists because the foundations are the same. Whoever acts completely in accordance with the teachings of Christ is a Bahai. The purpose is the essential meaning of "Christian," not the mere word. The purpose is the Sun Itself and not its Dawning Points. For though the Sun is One Sun, its Dawning Points are many. We must not adore the Dawning Points but worship the Sun. We must adore the Reality of Religion and not blindly cling to the appellation "Christianity." The Sun of Reality must be worshipped and followed. We must seek the fragrance of the rose from whatever bush it is blooming; whether Oriental or Western. Be seekers of Light, no matter from which lantern it shines forth. Be not lovers of the lantern. At one time the Light has shone from a lantern in the East, now in the West. If it comes from North, South, from whatever direction it proceeds, follow the
*Translated by Dr. Ameen U. Fareed; notes by Mr. Howard MacNutt.
Light. Let me illustrate further. A certain person bestowed a coin upon five beggars. They resolved to spend it for food. The Englishman said, "Buy grapes." The Turk wanted "uzum," the Arab "aneb," the Greek "Stafelea," the Persian "angur." Not understanding each other's language they quarreled and fought. A stranger came along. He was familiar with all five languages. He said, "Give me the coin; I will buy what you wish." When he brought them grapes they were all satisfied. They wanted the same thing, but differed in the term only.
Briefly: When the Reality dawns in the midst of the Religions, all will be unified and reconciled.
Question: "Does Abdul-Baha find Christianity is not lived up to and carried out in America?"
Answer: My meaning is that it should be completely carried out and lived up to. Man needs eyes, ears, arms, a head, feet and various other members. When he possesses all and all work together there is symmetry and perfection in him. So Christ said, "Be ye perfect, even as your Heavenly Father is perfect," meaning that perfection is the requirement of Christianity. Be the image and likeness of God. This is not easy. It necessitates the focalization of all heavenly virtues. It requires that we become recipients of all the perfections of God. Then we become His image and likeness. For in the Bible it is stated, "Let us create man in our own image and likeness." The attainment of this is most difficult.
When Christ appeared with those marvelous
breaths of the Holy Spirit, the children of
Israel said, "We are quite independent of
Him; we can do without Him and follow
Moses; we have a Book and in it are found
the teachings of God; what need therefore
have we of this man?" Christ said to them,
"The Book sufficeth you not." It is possible
for a man to hold to a book of medicine and
say, "I have no need of a doctor; I will act
according to the book; in it every disease is
named, all symptoms are explained, the diagnosis
of each ailment is completely written
out and a prescription for each malady is
furnished; therefore why do I need a doctor?"
This is sheer ignorance. A physician is needed
to prescribe. Through his skill, the principles
of the book are correctly and effectively applied
until the patient is restored to health.
Christ was a Heavenly Physician. He brought
spiritual health and healing into the world.
Baha'o'llah is likewise a Divine Physician.[Page 7]
He has revealed prescriptions for removing
disease from the body politic and has remedied
human conditions by spiritual power.
Therefore mere knowledge is not sufficient for complete human attainment. The teachings of the Holy Books need a Heavenly Power and Divine Potency to carry them out. A house is not builded by mere acquaintance with the plans. Money must be forthcoming, volition is necessary to construct it, a carpenter must be employed in its erection. It is not enough to say, "The plan and purpose of this house is very good; I will live in it." There are no walls of protection, there is no roof of shelter in this mere statement; the house must be actually built before we can live in it.
Briefly, the teachings of the Holy Books need a Divine Potency to complete their accomplishment in human hearts. In Persia, His Holiness Baha'o'llah reared and taught souls, established a bond of affiliation among various peoples and united divergent religious beliefs to such an extent that twenty thousand devoted ones sacrificed themselves for the Cause of God in the glorious unity of martyrdom. No differences whatever remained among these blessed souls; Christians, Jews, Mohammedans, Zoroastrians, all blended, unified and agreed through the potency of His Heavenly Power, not by mere words, not by merely saying, "Unity is good and love is praiseworthy."
His Holiness Baha'o'llah not only proclaimed this unity and love; He established it. As a Heavenly Physician He not only gave prescriptions for these ailments of discord and hatred, but accomplished the actual healing. We may read in a medical book that a certain form of illness requires such and such a remedy. While this may be absolutely true, the remedy is useless unless there be volition and executive force to apply it. Every man in the king's army can give a command, but when the king speaks, it is carried out. This one, that one, may say, "Go conquer a country," but when the king says, "Go," the army advances. Therefore it is evident that the confirmation of the Holy Spirit and impelling influence of a Heavenly Power is needed to accomplish the Divine Purpose in human hearts and conditions. His Holiness Jesus Christ, single, solitary and alone accomplished what all the kings of the earth could not have carried out. If all the kingdoms and nations of the world had combined to effect it they would have failed.
It is therefore evident and proved that an effort must be put forward to carry out the purpose and plan of the teachings of God in order that in this Great Day of Days the world may be reformed, souls resuscitated, a new spirit of life found, hearts become illumined, mankind rescued from the bondage of nature, saved from the baseness of materialism and attain spirituality and radiance in attraction toward the Divine Kingdom. This is necessary; this is needful. Mere reading of the Holy Books and Texts will not suffice.
Many years ago in Baghdad I saw a certain officer sitting upon the ground. Before him a large paper was placed into which he was sticking needles tipped with small red and white flags. First he would stick them into the paper, then thoughtfully pull them out and change their position. I watched him with curious interest for a long time, then asked, "What are you doing?" He replied, "I have in mind something which is historically related of Napoleon I during his war against Austria. One day, it is said, his secretary found him sitting upon the ground, as I am now doing, sticking needles into a paper before him. His secretary inquired what he was doing. Napoleon answered, 'I am on the battle-field, figuring out my next victory. You see, Italy and Austria are defeated and France is triumphant.' In the great campaign which followed, everything came out just as he said. His army carried his plans to a complete success. Now, I am doing the same as Napoleon, figuring out a great campaign of military conquest." I said, "Where is your army? Napoleon had an army already equipped when he figured out his victory. You have no army. Your forces exist only on paper. You have no power to conquer countries. First get ready your army, then sit upon the ground with your needles."
We need an army to attain victory in the spiritual world; mere plans are not sufficient; ideas and principles are helpless without a Divine Power to put them into effect.
Aside from all this, there is need of the stimulus of the joy of glad-tidings in human hearts. Certain spiritual attraction is requisite in order that hearts may willingly take the step forward in the Divine Cause. We must become attracted to God. The breaths of the Holy Spirit must take effect. Unless this is so it is impossible for the teachings of God to accomplish in us. An Ideal Power is necessary. The people of America have remarkably quick perception, intelligence and understanding.
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Entered as second-class matter April 9, 1911, at the post office at Chicago, Illinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879.
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Vol. III Chicago (February 7, 1913) Mulk No. 18
THE MASHRAK-EL-AZKAR IN AMERICA: PAYMENT DUE MARCH 1st
The Bahai Temple Unity desires to inform the friends that a payment on the land will be due March 1st. It will therefore be appreciated if contributions are sent in promptly.
CORINNE TRUE, Financial Secretary.
ABDUL-BAHA AT THE "SALVATION ARMY" SHELTER[edit]
ON Christmas night Abdul-Baha visited the poor of the Salvation Army Shelter, Westminster, where each year a Christmas dinner is provided for those who have no homes and no friends, and but for the shelter would have no lodgings. There were about 1,000 present on this occasion. It was a most impressive scene—the dinner for the homeless and the Master from the East delivering Christ's message to the poor. As a true test of attention, many of the hungry men forgot to eat and listened intently.
With that wonderful tact Abdul-Baha displays on all occasions, his message to the homeless was simple, direct and short. He said:
"I feel tonight great joy and happiness to be in this place, because my meetings and callings have ever been mostly with the poor, and I call myself one of them. My lot has ever been with those who have not the goods of this world. When we look at the poor of humanity, we behold a world of brothers. All are the sheep of God; God is the real shepherd. The poor have ever been the cause of the freedom of the world of humanity; the poor have ever been the cause of the upbuilding of the country; the poor have ever labored for the world's production; the morals of the poor have ever been above those of the rich; the poor are ever nearer to the threshold of God; the humanitarianism of the poor has ever been more acceptable at the threshold of God.
"Consider his Holiness Christ: He appeared in the world as one of the poor. He was born of a lowly family; all the apostles of Christ were of humble birth and His followers were of the very poorest of the community. This is what Christ states in the Gospels. 'It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.' This testimony of Christ of the exaltation of the poor ones in the sight of God is sufficient. It is easy for the poor, very easy for them to enter into the Kingdom of God. In another place Christ speaks of the charity of the poor ones of the world as praiseworthy. The poor ones have capacity. They were favored at the threshold of God. If wealth were a necessity, Christ would have wished it for himself. He lived a simple life, and one of the titles of Baha'o'llah was 'the poor one.' In Persian His title was 'darvish' and that means one who has not a slave.
"All the prophets of God were poor, His
Holiness Moses was a mere shepherd. This
will show you that in the estimation of God,
poverty is greater than the accumulation of
wealth—that the poor are more acceptable than
the lazy rich. A rich man who spends his
wealth for the poor is praiseworthy. Consider
that the poor are not born in a state of
solvency: they are not tyrannous. All the
tyranny and injustice in this world comes
from accumulation. The poor have ever been [Page 9]
humble and lowly; their hearts are tender.
The rich are not so.
"Sorrow not, grieve not. Be not unhappy because you are not wealthy. You are the brothers of Jesus Christ. Christ was poor; Baha'o'llah was poor. For forty years he was imprisoned in poverty. The great ones of the world have come from a lowly station. Be ever happy; be not sad! Trust in God and if in this world you undergo dire vicissitudes I hope that in the Kingdom of God you will have the utmost happiness!"
At the close of his talk, Abdul-Baha made a practical demonstration of his tactful love for the poor. In generous conformity with Baha'o'llah's teachings that "our words should not exceed our deeds," he left twenty golden sovereigns and many handfuls of silver with Colonel Spencer of the Army, so that the poor might enjoy a similar dinner New Year's night. Colonel Spencer told the men that they were to have this New Year's dinner in Abdul-Baha's honor. The Master was just leaving the hall when this announcement was made. With one accord the men jumped up and waving their knives and forks gave a rousing farewell cheer.
Before leaving Abdul-Baha was shown all over the shelter and at the outer door he said to the attendant officer in charge, "May God prosper you. May you all be under the protection of the Almighty!"
ABDUL-BAHA AT THE CEDAR CLUB, LONDON[edit]
THROUGH an insistent rain and blustering wind, the motor bore us across the Albert Bridge to the borough of Battersea. We turned from one of the important highways into a dark, narrow, drizzling street, to stop before an inviting open door. The Cedar Club House is maintained by the Women's Service League, a noble institution of devoted workers, who provide sustaining food to toiling mothers and see to it that their children receive the best nourishment during the first year of their lives. A similar stratum of this poverty is unknown to American communities. In London and other great cities of the Old World a pall of hopelessness seems almost to overshadow human effort that offers alleviation, for there are generations of pauperism with its deep-rooted evils. The fine courage of these benefactors and their zeal in preserving life despite the ever-hovering discouragement, mark their influence as a spiritual reality.
Here it was that Abdul-Baha chose to spend the remaining hours of an afternoon. We entered a large assembly room, radiant and warm with the spirit of Christmas cheer. Masses of green and red decoration repeated, as it were, the season's welcome. At two great tables, spread the length of the long walls, were seated nearly sixty women with over a hundred little folk. There were evidences of a substantial high tea, the major part of the feasting being over.
A platform, near the door through which we passed, held the usual paraphernalia for speakers. Abdul-Baha was expected to deliver an address from this formal elevation, but as the real friend of the poor, he walked straight among them, into the body of the room. This, at once established the charm of comradeship. With light characteristic step, he walked up and down the center aisle, his eyes and smile beamed happiness. As he mingled with them, his words were translated: "I am very glad to be among you, who are blessed in God's name with children. They are the true signs of his spiritual love. The most divine gifts of God. These little ones will grow to be fruitful trees. We must look to them for the founders of many beautiful families. Let their education be directed in the ways of purity and useful service. Here are the seeds of the future race and upon them may be granted God's blessing."
Abdul-Baha stopped at the end of one table,
patted the head of a wan little child in its
mother's arms. A tiny hand stretched out and
the Master gently closed it over a bright new
shilling. Down the long rows of women and
children he passed from one to another, pausing
a few moments to bless each little upturned
face, and bestow a silver coin. The remarkably
tender hands caressed a baby's cheek
or chin. One could hear him pronounce distinct
words of comfort to the tiniest members
of the audience. In the arms of one mother
were twin children almost completely detached
in sleep from the ceremonies of the
moment. The Master bent over them, placing
two pieces of money under the rosy chins—two
pairs of deep blue eyes opened wide in
the spell of wonder.[Page 10]
The absence of tears from the many wee souls, who are not given to complacently accepting strange faces, singularly illustrates the infinite sincerity of the very young, who respond to the same quality that is ever present in matured spiritual character. One noticed, too, the thoughtful gaze of the women as they watched the distinguished visitor in white turban and brown burnous, moving in their midst. It is often too true that the very poor are keenly suspicious of foreigners, especially if their mission is a religious one, but Abdul-Baha brings into every environment a profound truth and sympathy that seems to crush the barriers, raised by isolated imaginations.
The expression of tolerant, grateful, understanding was in the very faces of these people. No one could have desired a more cordial co-operation than was tendered to the Master by the assembled members of Cedar Club. A vote of thanks, followed by a volume of accordant cheers, marked the departure of Abdul-Baha.
As we drove away he said, "I am truly happy when among the gatherings of the poor. It brings full joy to my heart. I come in contact with those in high stations of life, and those rich in worldly possessions, but my joy is in being with those who are in material poverty, for their sufferings draw them nearer to God in spiritual gain."
TALKS GIVEN BY ABDUL-BAHA AT DUBLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE[edit]
Their thoughts are free and not fettered by the yoke of governmental tyranny. They should investigate the Reality and not be occupied with ancestral forms and imitations. Consider what Christ accomplished. He caused souls to attain a station where with complete willingness and joy they laid down their lives. What a power! Thousands of human souls in the utmost joy because of their spiritual susceptibilities, were so attracted to God that they were dispossessed of volition, deprived of will in His path. If they had been told simply that sacrifice in the path of God was good and praiseworthy, this would never have happened. They would not have acted. Christ attracted them, wrested the reins of control from them, and they went forth in ecstacy to sacrifice themselves.
Kurrata l'Ayn was a Persian woman without fame and importance; unknown, like all other Persian women. When she saw His Holiness Baha'o'llah she changed completely, visibly, and looked within another world. The reins of volition were taken out of her hands by heavenly attraction. She was so overcome that physical susceptibilities ceased. Her husband, her sons, and her family arose in the greatest hostility against Baha'o'llah. She became so attracted to the Divine Threshold that she forsook everything and went forth to the plain of Badasht, no fear in her heart, dauntless, intrepid, openly proclaiming the Message of Light which had come to her. The Persian government stood against her. They made every effort to quiet her, imprisoned her in the governor's house, but she continued to speak. Then she was taken and killed. To her very last breath she spoke with fervid eloquence and so became famous for her complete attraction in the path of God. If she had not seen Baha'o'llah, no such effect would have been produced. She had read and heard the teachings of Scriptures all her life, but the action and enkindlement were missing. All women in Persia are enveloped in veils in public. So completely covered are they that even the hand is not visible. This rigid veiling is unspeakable. Kurrata l'Ayn tore off her veils and went forth fearlessly. She was like a lioness. Her action caused a great turmoil throughout the land of Persia. So excessive and compulsory is the requirement for veiling in the East that the people in the West have no idea of the excitement and indignation produced by the appearance of an unveiled woman. Kurrata l'Ayn lost all thought of herself and was unconscious of fear in her attraction to God.
Question: "Do the Bahai women go without veils in the East?"
Answer: It is not possible for them to do so universally yet, but the conditions are not nearly so restrictive as they were. The Bahai men and women meet together. This is the beginning of woman's emancipation from the thraldom of centuries. Kurrata l'Ayn was really the liberator of all Persian women.
OUR PERSIAN SECTION contains: 1. Talk by Abdul-Baha,"Physical and Spiritual Life." 2. Abdul-Baha's Message to all Bahais throughout the world, published in "The Christian Commonwealth." 3. The Cause of God in America. 4. Abdul-Baha introduces Mirza Wargha to the New York friends. 5. Letter from London. 6. Star of the West desires news from Persia. 7. Cablegram from Abdul-Baha at Paris. 8. Tablet to one of the maid-servants in America. 9. Announcement of "The Brilliant Proof."
نجم باختر شماره 18 . 29 صفر المظفرّ سنه 1321
فهرست مندرجات
1 . خطابۀ مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء در مسئله حیات جسمانی و روحانی .
2 . لوح مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء که در جریدۀ « کامن ولث » چاپ شده است .
3 . امرالله در امریکا .
4 . نطق مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء در معرّفی آقا میرزا ولی الله خان ورقا .
5 . مکتوب از لندن .
6 . نجم باختر .
7 . تلغراف مبارک از پاریس .
8 . لوح مبارک از برای یکی از اماء الرحمن در امریکا .
9 . برهان لامع .
آدرس . نجم باختر صندوق پستی 283 . شیکاگو ایلی نوی ایالات متحدۀ امریکا
Address: Najme Bakhtar, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill. U.S.A.
Page 1 Vol. III No 18
نجم باختر . 1329 . جلد سوم شماره 18 قیمت اشتراک سالی دوازده قران .
فبروئری 1912 ماه سلطان سنه 69
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 انتشار علوم و فنون این قرن و تربیت اطفال و پیشرفت امر حضرت بهاء الله در اطراف جهان و توضیح حقایق این دین عمومی خواهد نوشت و مقالات مفید که موافق سبک اداره است قبول و نشر خواهد گردید .
صفحه 1 - 1
حیات جسمانی و روحانی
خطابۀ مبارک در مسئله « حیات جسمانی و روحانی در بیت مبارک در کوچه 78 نمره 309 در شهر نیویورک در شب یکشنبه 7 جولای سنه 1912 ساعت هشت و نیم که در حضور جمعی از یار و اغیار بیان فرمودند :
خوش آمدید خوش آمدید انسان دو حیات دارد یک حیات جسمانی یک حیات روحانی حیات جسمانی انسان حیات حیوانی است ملاحظه می کنید که حیات جسمانی انسان عبارت از خوردن و خوابیدن و پوشیدن و راحت کردن و گردیدن و اشیاء محسوسه را نظیر کائنات سائره از ستاره و آفتاب و ماه و جبال و درّه ها و دریاها و چشمه ها و جنگل ها دیدن این حیات حیات حیوانی است مشهود و واضح است که حیوان با انسان در معیشت جسمانی مشترک است یک چیز دیگر هست و آن این است که حیوان در معیشت جسمانی خود راحت است ولی انسان در معیشت جسمانی خود در تعب ملاحظه کنید که جمیع حیوانات که در این صحرا هستند در کوهها هستند در دریا ها
صفحه 2 - 1
هستند اینها بسهولت معیشت جسمانی خود را بدون مشقّت و تعبی بدست می آورند . این مرغها در این صحرا نه کسبی نه صنعتی نه تجارتی نه فلاحتی بهیچ وجه من الوجوه زحمتی ندارند هوای بسیار لطیفی استنشاق می کنند و بر اعلا شاخه های درختان سبز و خرّم لانه و اشیانه می نمایند و از این دانه هایی که موجود است در این صحرا تناول می کنند جمیع این خرمنها ثروت آنها است بمجرّد اینکه گرسنه می شوند دانه حاضر بعد از خوردن دانه ها بر اعلا شاخه های درخت در نهایت راحت و آسایش بدون زحمت و مشقتّ راحت و آسایش مینمایند و همچنین سائر حیوانات لکن انسان بجهت معیشت جسمانی خود باید تحملّ مشقّات عظیمه کند شب و روز آرام نگیرد یا فلاحت کند یا صناعت نماید یا به تجارت مشغول گردد یا در این معدن شب و روز کار کند یا در نهایت زحمت و مشقّت به اینطرف و آنطرف سفر کند و زیر زمین و روی زمین کار نماید تا آنکه معیشت جسمانی او میسّر گردد ولی حیوان این زحمات را ندارد و با انسان در معیشت جسمانی مشترک است
صفحه 1 - 2
و با وجود این راحت نتیجه ئی از این معیشت جسمانی آنها نیست و اگر صد سال زندگانی کند از حیات جسمانی عاقبت ابدا نتیجۀ نیست فکر کنید به بینید آیا هیچ نتیجه در حیات جسمانی هست اینهمه ملیون ها نفوس که از این عالم رفتند آیا هیچ دیدید که از حیات جسمانی خود نتیجۀ گیرند جمیع حیاتشان هدر رفت زحماتشان هدر رفت مشقّاتشان هدر رفت صناعتشان هدر رفت تجارتشان هدر رفت و وقت رفتن از این عالم در کف چیزی نداشتند نتیجۀ نگرفتند . امّا حیات روحانی انسان حیات است ! حیاتی است که عالم انسانی بآن روشن حیاتی است که انسان از حیوان ممتاز شود حیاتی است که ابدی است سرمدی است پرتو فیض الهی است ! حیات روحانی انسان سبب حصول عزّت ابدی است حیات روحانی انسان سبب تقرّب الی الله است حیات روحانی انسان سبب دخول در ملکوت الله است حیات روحانی انسان سبب حصول فضائل کلیّه است حیات روحانی انسان سبب روشنائی عالم بشر است ملاحظه کنید نفوسی را که حیات روحانیشان مکمّل بود از برای آنها فنائی نبود اضمحلالی نبود و از زندگانی نتائجی گرفتند و ثمرۀ بردند آن ثمره چه چیز است آن تربیت الهیّه است آن حیات ابدیّه است آن نورانیّت سرمدیّه است آن حیات بقا است آن حیات ثبات است آن حیات روشنائی است و سائر کمالات انسانی حتّی چون در نقطۀ تراب ملاحظه کنیم نفوسی که حیاتشان جسمانی بود و از حیات روحانی نصیبی نگرفتند آثارشان به کلیّ محو شد نه ذکری نه اثری نه ثمری نه صیتی حتّی در
صفحه 2 - 2
نقطۀ تراب نه قبری نه اثری نهایت ایّامی چند قبرشان معمور بود بعد مطمور شد و رفت لکن نفوسی که حیات روحانی داشتند اینها در ملکوت الهی الی الابد مانند ستاره درخشیدند عزّت ابدیّه دارنددر محفل تجلیّ الهی هستند از مائده آسمانی مرزوقند از مشاهدۀ جمال الهی مستفیضند عزّت ابدیّه از برای آنهاست در جمیع مراتب الهی حتّی در عالم ناسوت ملاحظه کنید می بینید آثار اینها باقی است ذکر اینها باقی است اخلاف اینها باقی است مثلا سه هزار سال یا دو هزار سال پیش نفسی بوده و منسوب به عتبۀ الهیّه بوده مؤمن بوده و مستقیم بر امرالله بوده الی الآن آثار آنها باقی است الی الآن بذکر آنها خیرات و مبرّات می شود الی الآن بنام آنها مدارس تشکیل می گردد و معابد تأسیس می شود الی الآن بنام آنها شفاخانه هائی ترتیب می شود مثلا حواریّون حضرت مسیح حیات جسمانی بطرس حیات ماهیگیری بود دیگر حیات یک ماهیگیری معلوم است چه چیز میشود امّا حیات روحانیش بنفثات مسیح در نهایت روشنائی که حتّی در نقطۀ تراب آثار او باقی است و امپراطور رومان مبرور بآن عظمت نه اثری و نه ثمری نه بروزی و نه ذکری و نه ظهوری پس معلوم شد که اصل حیات انسانی حیات روحانی است این حیات روحانی انسان نتیجه دارد این حیات روحانی انسان باقی است این حیات روحانی انسان ابدی است این حیات روحانی انسان سرمدی است !
الحمدلله به عنایت حضرت بهاء الله از برای شما این حیات روحانی میسّر است این موهبت کبری جلوه نمود این شمع روشن افروخته شد
صفحه 1 - 3
جمیع نفوسی که ملاحظه می کنید در روی زمین از ملوک گرفته تا مملوک حیات آنانرا نتیجۀ نه ثمری نه اثری نه !
عنقریب ملاحظه می کنید که بکلیّ محو شده اند و از این عالم رفته اند نهایتش پنجاه سال زندگی نمایند ولی از این حیات نه اثری نه ثمری نه نتیجۀ مرتبّ لکن شما الحمدلله به عنایت حضرت بهاء الله حیات روحانی یافتید و به نورانیّت ملکوت روشنید و از فیض ابدی استفاضه مینمائید لهذا شما ابدی هستید سرمدی هستید باقی هستید روشن هستید و از حیات شما نتائج عظیمه حاصل حتّی در نقطۀ تراب آثار شما باقی و برقرار فراموش نخواهید شد و در عوالم الهی مثل آفتاب روشن دارید نورانیّت شما واضح و مشهود است در محفل تجلیّ الهی الی الابد حاضرید و در انوار کمال و جمال مستغرق خواهید بود شکر کنید .
لوح مبارک
لوح مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء که در جریدۀ کریستن کامن ولث به تاریخ 1 جانوئری چاپ شده است :
قارئین محترم جریده کریستن کامن ولث :
هوالله
خداوند عالمیان عالم انسانی را جنّت عدن خلق فرموده اگر صلح و سلام و محبّت و وفا چنانکه باید و شاید یابد جنّت اندر جنّت گردد و جمیع نعمای الهی فراوان و سرور و طرب بی پایان شود و فضائل عالم انسانی آشکار و عیان و پرتو شمس حقیقت از هر سو نمایان گردد
صفحه 2 - 3
سو نمایان گردد ملاحظه کنید که حضرت آدم و سائرین در جنّت بودند بمجرّد آنکه در جنّت عدن در میان حضرت آدم و شیطان نزاعی حاصل گشت جمیع از جنّت خارج شدند تا آنکه نوع انسان عبرت گیرد و آگاه شود که نزاع و جدال سبب حرمان است حتّی با شیطان لهذا در این عصر نورانی بموجب تعالیم الهی حتّی با شیطان نزاع و جدال جائز نه سبحان الله با ظهور این برهان چگونه انسان عاقل است باز می بینی عالم انسان از کران تا بکران جنگ و نزاع است جنگ است بین ادیان جنگ است بین اقوام جنگ است بین اوطان جنگ است بین سروران چو خوش بود اگر این ابرهای سیاه از افق عالم متلاشی میشد و نور حقیقت میدرخشید غبار حرب و قتال می نشست و نسیم عنایت از جهت صلح و سلام میوزید جهان جهان دیگر میشد و روی زمین استفاضه از نور مبین میگردد اگر امیدی هست از الطاف ربّ مجید است که عون و عنایت برسد و جنگ و ستیز و تلخی تیغ خونریز مبدّل به شهد دوستی و آشتی و راستی و درستی گردد کامها شهد انگیز گردد و مشامها مشکبیز شود و این سنۀ میلاد را میعاد صلح جدید فرماید و این انجمن محترم را بر صلحی عادلانه و عهد و پیمانی منصفانه موفقّ و مؤیّد فرماید تا الی الابد مبارک باشد . (امضاء) عبدالبهاء عبّاس .
امرالله در امریکا
امسال سال بسیار عجیبی است برکت آسمانی من کلّ الوجوه امریکا را احاطه نموده حضرت مرکز میثاق
صفحه 1 - 4
عبدالبهاء تشریف آوردند و دلها را زنده فرمودند احبّای الهی عددشان زیاد شد و امرالله روز بروز در ترقیّ است حتّی هوای امریکا خیلی بهتر شده است .
ورقا و ابر ورقا
نطق مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء در بیت مبارک در نیورک روز جمعه 31 ماه می سنه 1912 در معرّفی جناب آقا میرزا ولی الله خان ورقا در حضور نفوس کثیره از یار و اغیار :
امروز میخواهم آقا میرزا ولی الله خان را بشما معرّفی کنم این جوان پسر آقا میرزا ورقاء است میرزا ورقاء پسر حاجی ملا مهدی است حاجی ملا مهدی در یزد مؤمن شد صدمات شدیده قبول کرد اذیّت ها دید چوبها خورد تا اینکه مجبور بر این شد که از وطن خود خارج شود آمد رو به عکّا در این راه بسیار طولانی که تقریبا چند مقابل از اینجا تا شیکاغو است به تعب و بلایا گرفتار شد بعضی
راه را پیاده و بعضی راه سواره رو به عکّا آمد و توی راه وقتی که پیاده می آمد رو به عکّا همه را مناجات می خواند گریه و زاری میکرد و بر مظلومیّت جمال مبارک ناله و حنون مینمود تا اینکه به مزرعه رسید نزدیک عکا در آنجا وفات نمود در نهایت انقطاع در نهایت انجذاب در نهایت توجّه در نهایت اشتعال قبر او را من به دست خود ساختم و الآن در مزرعه است پسرش آقا میرزا ورقاء از بدایت جوانی بلکه از سنّ طفولیّت در این امر داخل شد موفقّ و مؤیّد بود توجّه به ملکوت ابهی داشت و در نهایت فصاحت و بلاغت بود زبان او قاطع بود و دلیلش واضح هیچکس نمی توانست مقاومت کند با هرکس صحبت مینمود غالب می شد و در شعر و انشاء وحید ایران بود مشهور این عصر
صفحه 2 - 4
بود حتّی ظلّ السلطان که قاتل احبّاء بود نزد من شهادت داد که میرزا ورقاء اوّل شخص ایران بود و در نهایت کامل بعد از این میرزا ورقا به عکّا آمد با برادرش میرزا حسینعلی از راههای دور پیاده آمده اند تا وارد شهر عکّا شدند و به شرف لقای مبارک مشرّف شد این سفر اوّل بود بعد جمال مبارک امر فرمودند که برای تبلیغ سفر به ایران کند و در جمیع شهرها اعلاء کلمة الله را بنمود بعد صعود واقع شد بعد از صعود با دو پسرش میرزا عزیز الله و میرزا روح الله به عکّا آمد و مدّتی پیش من بودند و بعد از عکا من امر کردم که به ایران بروند و به تبلیغ مشغول گردند لهذا رفتند و در آنجا باعلاء کلمة الله و نشر نفحات الله ایّام را میگذرانیدند تا آنکه به زنجان رسیدند در زنجان او با پسرش روح الله که دوازده ساله بود گرفتند و در زیر زنجیر درآورده در حبس انداختند و با زنجیر به طهران آوردند حبس کردند بعد در حبس خانۀ طهران آن دو نفس محترم را باشدّ عقوبات شهید کردند این روح الله مادامی که در زیر زنجیر بود زنجیر را بلند می کرد و میبوسید و می گفت خدایا تو را شکر می کنم در سبیل تو این زنجیر را بر سر من گذاشتند خدایا توئی قادر و مهربان هرچند طفلم مرا ثابت و مستقیم بر امرت نما باری آن نفوس محترمه را در حبس شهید کردند و حضرت روح الله در وقت شهادت فریاد میکرد « یا بهاء الله » ! حالا آن نفوس محترم دو یادگار برای ما گذاشتند یکی میرزا عزیزالله خان یکی هم این آقا میرزا ولی الله خان آن میرزا ورقاء نفسی بود که مثل
صفحه 1 - 5
و نظیری نداشت جوهر محبّت الله بود در ساحت اقدس مقبول بود لهذا شما ذکر انقطاع و انجذاب آنها بنمائید علی الخصوص انقطاع آن طفل بچه نوع پر از محبّت الله بود بچه سرور و شعف روحانی جانفشانی کرد و بشهادت کبری فائز شد !
مکتوب از لندن
بتاریخ 15 شهر جانوئری 1913 : بحمدالله هیکل مقدّس حضرت محبوب جوهر کینونتی لتراب اقدام اطهره الفداء در نهایت خوشی و صحّت است و محافل عدیده هر روز منعقد میشود مردم فوج فوج به زیارت هیکل مقدّس می آیند و جمعی هم از احبّای ایران مشرّف هستند . چند یوم قبل به ادن برغ اسکاتلند تشریف فرما گشته در منزل رئیس کشیشها منزل فرمودند پنج یوم در آنجا توقفّ فرمودند و شب و روز در مجالس عظما بیانات مقدّسه را مردم از هر طبقه استماع کردند و بی نهایت طالب شدند که بموجب تعالیم مبارکه عمل نمایند حتّی بحضور مبارک مقدّس مشرّف گشته استفسار می نمودند که ما باید چه بکنیم که بهائی محسوب شویم بنازم به بازوی عبدالبهاء که علم یا بهاء الابهی را در اعلا قلل آفاق برافراشت و خیمۀ وحدت عالم انسانی را بلند فرمودند عنقریب جمیع ملل و ادیان مانند یک روح و جان در ظلّ آن خیمۀ مقدّسه درآیند و در نهایت محبّت و صفا با یکدیگر محشور شوند
( امضاء ) ولی الله ورقا
نجم باختر همیشه منتظر است که بشارات اعلاء کلمة الله و اخبار سرور احبّاء از شرق به غرب برسد .
صفحه 2 - 5
تلغراف
به تاریخ 4 این ماه ( فبروئری) بشارت وصول حضرت مولی العالم عبدالبهاء به پاریس تلغرافیا به اینجانب رسیده است .
لوح مبارک
لوح مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء از برای یکی از اماء الرحمن در امریکا :
هوالله
ای امّة الله عالم خاک به کوکب افلاک روشن گردد ولکن جان و دل انسان به پرتو نیّر اعظم نورانی شود فیضی از عالم ابدی باین جهان فانی رسید نفوس مقدّسه را منجذب ملکوت ابهی کرد تشنگان را سلسبیل حیات بخشید طالبان را به مطلوب حقیقی رساند عاشقان را به لقای معشوق الهی فائز کرد حمد کن خدا را که تو نیز مفتون آن دلبر آسمانی هستی و علیک البهاء الابهی . عبدالبهاء عبّاس .
برهان لامع
تألیف حضرت آقا میرزا ابوالفضل در لسان فارسی و انگلیسی از ادارۀ این جریده بطلبید قیمت 6 عدد یک دالر .
