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Vol. IV
Chicago, October 16, 1913
No. 12
| PAGE | |
Illustration: Abdul-Baha talking to four students | 202 |
Abdul-Baha at the Nineteen Day Feast, Oct. 12, 1912, at the home of Mrs. Goodall | 203 |
Visit to Mr. Tinsley—"One of the Meanings of Sacrifice" | 205 |
Interview between Abdul-Baha and a San Franciso Newspaper Reporter | 206 |
"The Lofty Summit of Unchanging Purpose" | 208 |
"I am Summoning You to the World of The Kingdom" | 210 |
Persian Section | 211-216 |
ABDUL-BAHA talking to four students from India attending the University of California at Berkeley—Mirza Mahmood interpreting.
From right to left—Dr. Ameen U. Fareed; Mirza Ali Akbar; Mirza Mahmood; Mirza Ahmad Sohrab; ABDUL-BAHA; students.
Photograph taken at Oakland, California, October 12, 1912.
"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. IV | Chicago (October 16, 1913) Elm | No. 12 |
Held October 16, 1912, at the home of Mrs. Helen S. Goodall, Oakland, California.
Dr. Ameen U. Fareed, interpreter; stenographic notes by Miss Bijou Straun.PRAISE be to God! you are the guests of Mrs. Goodall. With the utmost love has she prepared this feast, and every kind of food is before you. The effulgence of the mercy of BAHA'O'LLAH is resplendent. The hearts are attracted to the love of God. The eyes are turning toward the Kingdom of ABHA.
This is a heavenly feast, an excellent meeting. Surely this is praiseworthy. The Supreme Concourse now is beholding this assemblage, proclaiming aloud: "Blessed are ye! Blessed are ye! Blessed are ye who are the servants of BAHA'O'LLAH! Blessed are ye who are the manifestors of faith! Blessed are ye who have such radiant countenances! Blessed are ye whose hearts are like unto rose gardens!"
Consider what a great bounty has been bestowed upon you, what a favor has been revealed unto you, that Abdul-Baha is now walking about amongst you commemorating BAHA'O'LLAH! In the utmost of love am I walking about and greeting each and all of you.
Man is possessed of two types of susceptibilities. One is physical, the other spiritual, in character.
Physical susceptibilities have certain avenues of expression, and spiritual susceptibilities likewise have their avenues. The physical, or material susceptibilities have their channels of expression in the physical realm. Earthly fraternity is due either to a family relationship, or to a commercial bond, or to a bond of love based upon policy or politics, or to a racial bond which supplies that affection, or to a bond patriotic in foundation. These are physical susceptibilities and ordinary outward love. But spiritual susceptibilities, namely, real love and heavenly fraternity, emanate through divine
*At this feast there were present about one hundred and twenty-five friends from the Bay cities, Portland, Seattle and Spokane. When all were seated at the tables, Abdul-Baha, radiant with joy, passed through the spacious rooms fragrant with flowers, speaking as he walked about.
channels. They emanate from faith, or they emanate from knowledge, or they emanate from the bounty of the Holy Spirit, or they emanate from the effulgence of the Sun of Reality.
Praise be to God! you are imbued with spiritual susceptibilities, for verily you have been gathered together in this meeting through the love of God. It is the bounty of the Kingdom which has summoned you here. It is the Most Great Guidance which has called you here. It is the power of attraction which has drawn you together here, and it is the bestowal of the Kingdom of ABHA which has invited you to this feast. These are spiritual susceptibilities, and these are emanations of the conscience. Because of these susceptibilities, this radiant youth is seated here, and in the utmost of love I am patting him on the shoulder.
I am happy to see you gathered here in love. Please continue eating while I talk.
His Holiness Christ, on a certain eve, invited His disciples to His table, and while seated at that table He gave certain admonitions and precepts unto them. As a result of the benediction and admonitions, the supper was called the "Lord's Supper." Inasmuch as there was present the material bread, and likewise the heavenly manna which was descending upon them, it was verily the Lord's Supper.
Now this evening you have gathered in this assemblage and are seated at this bounteous table. Praise be to God! the material food is prepared for you. The heavenly manna also is present for you, and that consists of the love of God and the knowledge of God. You are turned toward the Kingdom of God, and you are overshadowed beneath His providence. The eternal bounty encompasses you all; and the light everlasting is all-surrounding.
This table, likewise, is heavenly in character.[Page 204]
This food is manna from heaven. I hope
earnestly that the results of the Lord's Supper—that
supper which was in the utmost of
love and fellowship and severance from all
else save God—may be realized at this supper
also. Thus may you associate one with the
other in perfect fellowship and friendship, and
may all of you rejoice in many such feasts.
Thus may the hearts be exhilarated and the
faces be turned to the Kingdom of ABHA.
Then will you be instrumental in reconciling
all the religions and all the races, and in creating a bond that will unite all the nations of the world. Thus, in the center of the world, shall be pitched the tent of the oneness of humanity, and the standard of universal peace shall be unfurled and wave throughout the world. Then in the future there will be no doubt as to this supper being the Lord's supper, for it is productive of love and fellowship, and will become the cause of the illumination of the world. Every supper that is productive of love and unity, the cause of radiance throughout the world, of international peace and of the solidarity of man, is undoubtedly the Lord's supper.
In a word, His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH shone forth from the Horizon of the Orient, even as the sun, casting a radiance over the world. During His lifetime He did not rest a moment, nor did He repose comfortably one night. He suffered many trials. He was a prisoner. He was enchained. He was exiled. All these ordeals did He endure in order that perfect fellowship and love should blend the hearts together.
Praise be to God! the labors of BAHA'O'LLAH
have not been in vain, for among your hearts love has been created. All of you are together in the utmost of love. I hope that you will be the cause of transforming the whole world of man into a feast like unto this, wherein the hearts of all shall be welded together, the lives of all shall be glad-tidings. The world of humanity then will become as a tree, and all men as its branches, twigs, blossoms and fruits. This is my wish and desire.
In the utmost of joy partake of this feast.
[After the feast, Abdul-Baha stood on the
San Francisco, California, October 10, 1912.
[Mr. Tinsley (colored) was recovering from an accident]ABDUL-BAHA:—How are you? I am very glad to see you.
Mr. Tinsley:—I am well excepting this broken leg which has kept me in bed a long time. I am impatient to be up and out to work for the Cause.
ABDUL-BAHA:—You must not be sad. This affliction will make you spiritually stronger. Do not be sad. Cheer up! Praise be to God, you are dear to me. I will tell you a story:—
A certain ruler wished to appoint one of his subjects to a high office; so, in order to train him, the ruler cast him into prison and caused him to suffer much. The man was surprised at this, for he expected great favors. The ruler had him taken from prison and beaten with sticks. This greatly astonished the man, for he thought the ruler loved him. After this he was hanged on the gallows until he was nearly dead. After he recovered he asked the ruler, "If you love me, why did you do these things?" The ruler replied: "I wish to make you prime minister. By having gone through these ordeals you are better fitted for that office. I wish you to know how it is yourself. When you are obliged to punish, you will know how it feels to endure these things. I love you so I wish you to become perfect."
[To Mr. Tinsley] Even so with you. After this ordeal you will reach maturity. God sometimes causes us to suffer much and to have many misfortunes that we may become strong in His Cause.
You will soon recover and be spiritually stronger than ever before. You will work for God and carry the Message to many of your people.
GOD will assist you. One of the great prophets of the Orient, one of the worthies of the East, called Ali, says, that whosoever seeks after anything and is serious about it, will find it. Seek and ye shall find. Whosoever knocks at any door and is persistent about it, there is no doubt that the door will be opened unto him.
Now, as long as you are interested in the Movement, and interested seriously, and you are investigating reality, you are the lover of reality, there is no doubt that you will attain.
When man dedicates his life to a cause, he must dedicate entirely, then he is really dedicated. It is not through word, but through deed. One must dedicate his life completely, fully, in reality, just as the dead branch sacrifices its life to the fire, and just as the oil sacrifices its life to give light. This is the great station—the station of sacrifice. There is no greater station than this.
In Oriental language, there is the expression, "May my life be a sacrifice to you," and a man writing a hundred letters a day might use these words a hundred times and yet he would not sacrifice anything for his friend. But this is a custom—a usage. Everybody who writes a letter to his friend says "May my life be a sacrifice to you," and perhaps he does not realize the meaning at all.
The station of sacrifice is the great foundation. When you read the Old and New Testament, you will find that constantly the word "sacrifice" is mentioned. It is recorded that the Israelites sacrificed sheep so that their sins might be forgiven. In the time of Adam, Cain made sacrifice of sheaves of wheat and Abel made sacrifice of sheep. Now this is a symbol, and this word extended after the time of Christ.
What is the symbol? Just as the sheep sacrificed its life, likewise this natural state of man, which is the animalistic state, must be sacrificed. How should it be sacrificed? The vices of the animalistic state of man must be entirely annihilated, and he must be characterized with divine virtues. It was a symbol and before His Holiness Christ appeared, all the Israelitish prophets made sacrifice of animals. This was a mystery of that higher sacrifice and when Christ came he said, I will sacrifice myself for the sake of the salvation of all. What did He mean? He meant to change their characters, and in this way make them heavenly, in this way make them God-like, spiritual and divine.
This is one of the meanings of sacrifice.[Page 206]
NEWSPAPER REPORTER.
To a correspondent of The Examiner, October 3, 1912. This interview was published next day in a form almost unrecognizable.
From the Diary of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab.CORRESPONDENT: Are you pleased with the United States?
ABDUL-BAHA: The continent of America is most progressive. The means of instructions are prepared; the educational institutions are thoroughly equipped and the pupils are being systematically trained and educated. The wealth is on an upward tendency. Its government is democratic. Its advancement is unceasing. Its nation is hospitable. Its people are loyal, energetic and noble. Its inhabitants are free and the lovers of liberty. Its men are civilized and its women are cultured, refined and idealistic. On the other hand, all these advantages are on the material plane, and I observe the majority of the people are submerged in the sea of materialism and agnosticism. The natural civilization is well-nigh perfect; but it is in need of the civilization of heaven—Divine civilization.
Correspondent: What do you mean by "Divine civilization"?
ABDUL-BAHA: Divine civilization is the light. Material civilization is the lamp. Material civilization is the body; in itself it is not sufficient, and humanity from every standpoint stands in sore need of divine civilization. Natural civilization insures material welfare and prosperity; Divine civilization vouchsafes to man ideal virtues. Material civilization serves the physical world; divine civilization serves the world of morality. Divine civilization is a symposium of the perfections of the world of humanity. Divine civilization is the improvement of the ethical life of a nation. Divine civilization is the discovery of the reality of phenomena. Divine civilization is the spiritual philosophy. Divine civilization is the knowledge of God with rational and intellectual evidences. Divine civilization is Eternal Life. Divine civilization is the immortality of the soul. Divine civilization is the Breath of the Holy Spirit. Divine civilization is heavenly wisdom. Divine civilization is the reality of all the Teachings of the ancient prophets. Divine civilization is Universal Peace and the oneness of the world of humanity. The Holy manifestations of God have been the founders of Divine civilization, the first Teachers of mankind, and the spreaders of the fragrances of holiness and sanctity amongst the children of men.
Correspondent: Are you satisfied with the American people?
ABDUL-BAHA: The American people are a stranger-loving people. All nations are welcomed in their midst. They give to everyone the right of living and the pursuit of happiness. Here no one feels a foreigner, I am satisfied with all of them.
Correspondent: I have heard that you advocate the complete equality of men and women. This radical teaching coming from an Oriental thinker is of great interest and supreme significance. Just at this juncture the California women are clamoring for the right to vote for all the national and state officials, and your opinion on this important question will be greatly appreciated by the people.
ABDUL-BAHA: The question of equality between
men and women has made greater advancement
in America than elsewhere, and day
by day it is assuming greater importance and
becoming nearer to realization. However, as
long as complete equality does not exist between
male and female, the world of humanity
will not make extraordinary progress. The
woman is an important column, and there is
another equally important. If we aim to have
a durable building, the foundations of both
columns must be laid very deep. The women
are the first teachers and instructors of the
small children. They teach them and inculcate
morality in their minds and hearts. Later they
go to universities for higher education and
specialization. Now if the teacher or instructor
is deficient, how can the scholar be properly
trained? Therefore, it is proven that the culture
and refinement of the men are intensified
and will bloom and attain to perfect fruition
when the women are equally educated and given
the same educational facilities. Consequently
the women must enjoy all the learning they
are able to assimilate, in order that they may
reach to the same level as men. The same
privileges and opportunities must be conferred
upon women;—so that just as they share together
life and its responsibilities, they may
also share with him the same virtues of the
world of humanity. Undoubtedly partnership
in education and culture presupposes equality
in rights. The world of humanity has two
wings, one wing male, the other wing female.[Page 207]
Both wings must become strong, so that mankind
may soar to the empyrean realms of its
destined perfection. But if one wing is left
weak and the other strong, its upward flight
will be slow. God hath created both human.
They share together and in common all the
faculties. No one is endowed with special
privileges. How can we make a distinction
which is unknown in the sight of God? We
must follow the policy of God.
Moreover, there is male and female in the vegetable kingdom. They are on an equal footing. Inherently they enjoy suffrage and there is no distinction between them. Likewise in the animal kingdom the right of suffrage and equality is enjoyed without any feeling of superiority of privilege. Therefore, it is well known that there is no distinction of gender in the vegetable and animal kingdoms, although they are deprived of the faculty of reasoning, and they have not the power of distinguishing. How can we, who are confirmed with the bestowal of reason, and enjoy all the facilities with which man is distinguished from the animal, act in this manner and build these false barriers? Many women have appeared who have won for themselves fame and name, for the versatility of their intellects and the brilliancy of their thoughts. Amongst the Bahai women many have shown remarkable capability in literature, sciences and arts, and have rendered distinguished service in every department of life.
In history many capable women appear who have displayed special genius in government and political administration, such as Semiramis; Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, and Queen Victoria, of England. In the religious world,—the Israelites wandered for forty years in the wilderness and could not conquer the Holy Land. Finally a woman achieved the signal victory. During the Christian dispensation the apostles became agitated after the Crucifixion of Jesus; even Peter denied Him thrice, but Mary Magdalene became the cause of their becoming firm and steadfast. In the Religion of BAHA'O'LLAH, Kurat-el-Ayn and many other Persian women demonstrated their knowledge and wisdom to such an extent that even the men were astonished, and listened to their advices and lectures.
Correspondent: What is your object in coming to America?
ABDUL-BAHA: I have come to America to promote the ideal of Universal Peace and the solidarity of the human race. I have not come for pleasure or as a tourist.
Correspondent: What do you think about women's fashions?
ABDUL-BAHA: We do not look upon the dresses of women, whether or not they are of the latest mode. We are not the judge of fashions. We rather judge the wearer of dresses. If she be chaste, if she be cultured, if she be characterized with heavenly morality, and if she be favored at the Threshold of God, she is honored and respected by us, no matter what manner of dress she wears. We have nothing to do with the ever-changing world of modes.
Correspondent: What is the greatest thing you have seen in America?
ABDUL-BAHA: The greatest thing I have seen in America is its freedom. In reality this is a free nation and a democratic government.
Correspondent: What is your opinion about Turkey and the Balkan War?
ABDUL-BAHA: We have nothing to do with war. We are advocates of peace. Speak to us about the condition of peace. Go to diplomatists and militarists and ask their opinion about this war. But as regards peace: In the world of humanity there is no more important affair, no weightier cause. It is conducive to the well-being of the world of creation; the means of the prosperity of the nations; the reason of eternal friendship between the people; the cause of solidarity between the East and the West; the promoter of real freedom, and the Most Eminent Favor of His Highness the Almighty. We must all strive to upraise the flag of international peace, the oneness of the world of humanity and the spiritual brotherhood of mankind.
[The correspondent tried to ask a few more questions, but Abdul-Baha interrupted him by this final statement while putting his hand on his shoulder and kissing his face:]
Consider how much I love thee, and to what extent I respect Mr. Hearst, that notwithstanding the fatigue coming over me as the result of a very busy day, I have answered all thy questions.
OUR PERSIAN SECTION this Issue contains:
(1) Address by Abdul-Baha on the "Oneness of
Divinity," delivered at the First Unitarian
Church, Philadelphia, Pa. ; (2) Tablet regarding
"Divine Guidance"; (3) Tablet regarding a
gathering of Jewish and Mohammedan women;
(4) Tablet pertaining to "Calamities in the Path
of God;" (5) Tablet to the Parsee friends; (6)
Tablet regarding teaching; (7) glad-tidings from
Ramleh, Egypt.[Page 208]
PUBLISHED NINETEEN TIMES A YEAR
By the BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, 515 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
Entered as second-class matter April 9, 1911, at the post office at Chicago, Illinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879.
Editorial Staff: ALBERT R. WINDUST — GERTRUDE BUIKEMA — DR. ZIA M. BAGDADI
Honorary Member: MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB
Terms: $1.00 per year; 10 cents per copy.
Note—Until further notice, distribution in the Orient is through Agents.
Make Money Orders payable to BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
To personal checks please add sufficient to cover the bank exchange.
Address all communications to BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.
| Vol. IV | Chicago (October 16, 1913) Elm | No. 12 |
THE financial secretary is glad to announce that there is on hand $1,665.99, with a promise of $1,000 from a friend, making $2,665.99 toward the final payment of $6,000.
A cement sidewalk is now under construction in Linden Avenue, in compliance with instructions received from the Village of Wilmette. The cost will be about $300.
The following is an extract from a Tablet to Mrs. Maxwell, of Montreal, translated June 18, 1913:
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
As to the matter of the building of the Mashrek-el-Azkar, that is, the matter of beginning the building thereof: An important (or considerable) sum of money must decidedly be prepared in order that work may be begun; that is, at least two or three hundred thousand dollars must be ready. And, most assuredly, if it be built in the Days of the Covenant, it will be more joyful and more heart-rejoicing; but this is difficult.
Now be ye engaged in collecting contributions.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
[The above is an extract from a Tablet written in Abdul-Baha's own hand and translated and received by Ali Kuli Khan on June 18, 1913.]
- CORINNE TRUE, Financial Secretary,
Words of Abdul-Baha to Lua Getsinger, Ramleh, Egypt, August 19, 1913.
From the Diary of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab.THOU must be firm and unshakable in thy purpose, and never, never let any outward circumstances worry thee. I am sending thee to India to accomplish certain definite results. Thou must enter that country with a never-failing spirituality, a radiant faith, an eternal enthusiasm, an inextinguishable fire, a solid conviction, in order that thou mayest achieve those services for which I am sending thee. Let not thy heart be troubled. If thou goest away with this unchanging condition of invariability of inner state, thou shall see the doors of confirmation open before thy face, thy life will be a crown of heavenly roses, and thou shalt find thyself in the highest station of triumph.
Strive day and night to attain to this exalted state. Look at me! Thou dost not know a thousandth part of the difficulties and seemingly unsurmountable passes that rise daily before my eyes. I do not heed them; I am walking in my chosen highway; I know the destination. Hundreds of storms and tempests may rage furiously around my head; hundreds of Titanics may sink to the bottom of the sea, the mad waves may rise to the roof of heaven; all these will not change my purpose, will not disturb me in the least; I will not look either to the right or to the left; I am looking ahead, far, far. Piercing through the impenetrable darkness of the night, the howling winds, the raging storms, I see the glorious Light beckoning me forward, forward. The balmy weather is coming, and the voyager shall land safely.
Kurat-el-Ayn had attained to this supreme state. When they brought her the terrible news of the martyrdom of the Bahais, she did not waver; it did not make any difference to her; she also had chosen her path, she knew her goal, and when they imparted to her the news of her impending death, no one could on
balcony of the stairway and, raising his hands in blessing, pronounced a benediction.]
O kind Lord, verily this assemblage is longing for Thee and loving Thy beauty. Verily, these friends are set aglow with the fire of Thy love and are joyful because of Thy presence. They have turned to Thy kingdom, seeking naught but Thy good pleasure, desiring naught but to pursue Thy pathway, and seeking
naught save Thy good will. Not a day passes but they are occupied with Thy commemoration and are ever ready to serve Thee.
O God, illumine these hearts. O God, make joyous these lives. O Lord, suffer these souls to attain to the superlative degree of spirituality in the world of humanity. O Lord, suffer these souls to become truly distinguished, and make them the manifestors of Thy favor and the recipients of Thy good gifts. Shine upon them with Thy radiant splendor, waft over them the breeze of Thy providence, and pour upon them the rain of bestowals from the clouds of Thy generosity. Thus these souls, like the flowers of the rose garden, shall grow in verdure and freshness, and among all mankind shall they be redolent of delightful fragrance.
O Lord, confirm them all in Thy service, and aid them in guiding others to Thee.
Brighten the eyes through witnessing Thy great signs; fill the ears with harmonies through Thy melodies; and refresh the nostrils through the fragrances of Thy Kingdom. Confer upon these souls the life everlasting, gathering them all together beneath the tabernacle of the oneness of the world of humanity.
Verily, Thou art the Almighty! Verily, Thou art the Powerful! Verily, Thou art the Giver of good gifts!
A SILVER VASE in commemoration of the
visit of Abdul-Baha to America, is to be placed
in the Holy Tomb of BAHA'O'LLAH. By the earnest
solicitation of Mr. Edward Kinney and about
thirty of the New York Bahais, the gracious permission
of the Centre of the Covenant, Abdul-Baha,
was given this project after he had declined
personal gifts. All who desire may contribute any
sum to this sacred purpose. It is preferred that
the contributions be sent through the Treasurer
of the various Bahai centres of America. When
this is not possible, it can be sent direct to Mrs.
Edward Kinney, 276 West 86th street, or to Mr.
James F. Brittingham, 894 Prospect avenue, New
York City, who is acting as the Treasurer of the
fund.[Page 210]
see any trace of sorrow in her face; she was rather happier.
Although she never cared for dress, that day she wore her best white silk dress and jewelry and perfumed herself with the most fragrant attar of roses. She hailed the chamber of death as a happy bride entering the nuptial bower of the bridegroom.
To this lofty summit of unchanging purpose thou must attain; like Kurat-el-Ayn, nothing must shake thy firm faith.
A GREAT steamship has been lost at sea. Today newspaper accounts of the Titanic* are reflecting the sorrow and mourning of the whole world, all the power of man, all his pride and the skill of human invention were helpless against the power of the sea. Men of great wealth, men of prominence and celebrity, likewise men who were unimportant and unknown in the eye of the world,—all have found the same tomb under the waves. If this fate marked the end of human accomplishment, if this death was oblivion to human hopes and possibilities, the whole world might mourn. Unless the soul of man is quickened by the breaths of the Holy Spirit and he becomes vivified by the life of the Supreme Kingdom, all his powers, efforts and accomplishments are in vain. Look about you as we ride in this automobile. Shall any of these things you are now looking upon remain or endure? If you possessed all you could wish for,—these great buildings, wealth, luxury, the pleasures of life in this world, would any of these things increase your eternal happiness or insure you everlasting existence? I am summoning you to the world of the Kingdom. I am calling you away from this world. Nothing you can ever think of here will remain. You, yourself, will pass away as the roses wither at the touch of winter's breath. I wish for you heavenly happiness. I am praying that the confirmations of God may descend upon you, that you may become His servant, that you may go forth to save mankind from the bondage of this mortal
*The Titanic was the largest steamship ever built. She was 882 feet long, 96 feet wide, displacing 45,000 tons. Her luxurious appointments included a theatre seating 1,200, a church somewhat smaller, a ballroom accommodating 500 couples, beautiful salons, palm courts, gymnasium, bowling alley, tennis court and a swimming pool. She could accommodate nearly 4,000 passengers and carried a crew of 860. She set forth on her first and fatal voyage from Southampton, England, April 10, 1912, the pride of her builders and an admiring world. At 11:40 p. m., Sunday, April 14, she grazed a mammoth iceberg, tore open her hull, and in two and one-half hours sank in 2,000 fathoms, taking over 1,500 souls to a watery grave.—The Editors.
world. I wish you to escape from this hell of materialism. Be not occupied with material things. Have no anxiety about your affairs. You are under the protection of BAHA'O'LLAH,—in His service. Live in the spiritual world as I do. Think of nothing else.
Look out upon this great city through which we are passing. Then think of the wealthy men entombed in the ocean's depths. The powers of man in material civilization are wonderful, but all his accomplishments are as nothing,—he, himself, is as non-existent unless he upbuilds in himself the civilization spiritual. Abdul-Baha has no other thought than this. This is his heart, his soul, his station, his service,—to quicken mankind with Divine breaths and walk in the pathway of the Heavenly Kingdom.
When I was a young man I was devoted to music. So charmed and delighted was I with it that even an Arab clapping two sticks together in rude rhythm gave me great pleasure. Now my love for these things has gone completely. On the steamship crossing the sea a great modern orchestra played each night. The passengers listened to it with the deepest interest and enjoyment. But although the music was the very finest, the orchestra modern and most excellent, I found it occupied and disturbed my thoughts to such an extent that I retired to quiet reflection upon spiritual things.
I wish you to live in the world of the
Spirit—to see the Divine Reality in everything,—to
behold the illumination of the
world of the Kingdom beyond and within the
gloomy mask of this mortal existence. For
the world of the Kingdom is a world of
Lights, a world of happiness, a world of accomplishment,
the real and eternal world.
[After a long pause,—looking reflectively out
the window] I was asked to sail upon the
Titanic, but my heart did not prompt me to
do so.[Page 211]
نجم باختر 1329 ماه ذی القعده
جلد 04 . شماره 12 از شیکاغو امریکا
فهرست مندرجات
1 . خطابۀ مبارک در مسئلۀ وحدت الوهیّت در اوّل کلیسیای متّحدین در شهر فیلادلفیا .
2 . لوح مقدّس در مسئلۀ « هدایت الهی » برای بعضی از یاران در ایران .
3 . لوح مبارک به یکی از مبّلغه های ایران در مسئلۀ « اجتماع اماء کلیمی و فرقانی » .
4 . لوح مبارک در مسئلۀ « بلایا در سبیل الهی » .
5 . لوح مقدّس برای یاران فارسیان .
6 . لوح مقدّس در مسئلۀ « تبلیغ امرالله » .
7 . بشارت عظمی از رملۀ اسکندریّۀ مصر
آدرس نجم باختر . صندوق پستی 283 شیکاگو ایلینوی . ایالات متّحدۀ امریکا .
Address: Najme Bakhtar, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
PAGE 1 VOL. IV No 12
جلد 04 . شماره 12 نجم باختر1329 ماه علم سنه 70 ماه اوکتوبر 16
قیمت اشتراک 1 دالر سالی دوازده قران
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 حقائق این دین عمومی خواهد نوشت و مقالات مفید که موافق سبک اداره است قبول و نشر خواهد گردید .
صفحه 1 - 1
وحدت قلوب
خطابۀ مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء ، در اوّل کلیسیای متّحدین در شهر فیلادلفیا امریکا صبح یکشنبه 9 جون سنه 1912 ساعت 11 جلوی هشتصد نفر نفوس مرد و زن که کلّ منجذب گشتند .
من از ممالک بعیدۀ شرق می آیم مملکت که همیشه نور آسمان در آن طلوع نموده مملکت که مظاهر مقدّسه از آن ظاهر شده که محلّ ظهور قدرت الهیّه بوده و مراد و مقصدم این است که بلکه انشاء الله ارتباطی مابین شرق و غرب حاصل شود محبّت الهیّه جهتین را احاطه کند نورانیّت الهیّه هر دو اقلیم را روشن نماید نفحات روح القدس جمیع را زنده کند لهذا تضرّع به درگاه الهی می کنم که این شرق و غرب را یک اقلیم فرماید و این ادیان را یک دین نماید این نفوس را یک نفس کند جمیع به منزلۀ انوار یک شمس و امواج یک دریا گردند جمیع در جهان یک بوستان شوند و کلّ اوراق و ازهار یک گلستان گردند .
حقیقت الوهیّت وحدت محض است و مقدّس و منزّه از ادراک کائنات زیرا ادراک کائنات محدود و حقیقت الوهیّت نامحدود چگونه محدود میتواند احاطۀ
صفحه 2 - 1
به غیر محدود نماید ما فقر محضیم و حقیقت الوهیّت غناء صرف فقر بحت چگونه احاطه به غناء مطلق کند ما عجز صرفیم و حقیقت الوهیّت قدرت محض عجز صرف چگونه تواند بقدرت محض پی برد . کائناتی که مرکبّ از عناصرند و همیشه در انقلاب و انتقال از حالی بحالی چگونه میتوانند که تصوّر حقیقت را بکنند که حیّ قیّوم و قدیم است یقین است که عاجزند زیرا چون در کائنات نظر می کنیم می بینیم که تفاوت مراتب مانع از ادراک است هر رتبه مادون ادراک رتبه مافوق نتواند مثلا جماد هرقدر صعود کند ادذراک عالم نبات نکند و نبات هرچند ترقیّ کند حقیقت حیوان را ادراک نکند و از عالم سمع و بصر خبر نگیرد حقیقت حیوان هرقدر ترقیّ کند از حقیقت انسان خبر نگیرد قوّۀ عقلیّه انسان را درک نتواند پس معلوم شد که تفاوت مراتب مانع از ادراک است و هر رتبۀ مادون ادراک رتبۀ مافوق را نتواند دقتّ نمائید که این گل هرچند ظریف است لطیف است معطرّ است در عالم نبات به درجۀ کمال است امّا ادراک حقیقت انسان را نمی کند سمع و بصر عالم انسان را تصوّرنتواند عقل و ادراک انسان را تحقّق ننماید از عالم انسان خبر ندارد و حال آنکه هردو حادث ولی تفاوت مراتب سبب عدم ادراک است زیرا رتبۀ انسان بلند و رتبۀ نبات پست است پس چگونه میتواند حقیقت بشریّه ادراک حقیقت
صفحه 1 - 2
الوهیّت نماید چگونه میتواند انسان محدود ربّ غیر محدود را ادراک کند شبهه نیست که نتواند به تصوّر انسان نیاید زیرا آنچه بتصوّر انسان آید آن محدود است و حقیقت الهیّه نامحدود ولی حقیقت الوهیّت افاضه وجود بر کائنات فرموده مواهب او در عالم انسانی ظاهر انوار او در عالم وجود مانند انوار آفتاب منتشر چون آفتاب را ملاحظه می کنید انوار و حرارتش بر جمیع اشیاء تابیده همین طور انوار شمس حقیقت بر کلّ تابیده نورش یکی است حرارتش یکی است فیضش یکی است و بر جمیع کائنات تابیده ولکن مراتب کائنات متعدّد است استعدادشان متفاوت است هریک بقدر استعداد خویش از آفتاب استفاضه دارد سنگ سیاه پرتوی از آفتاب دارد اشجار پرتوی از آفتاب دارد حیوانات پرتوی از آفتاب دارد و به حرارت آفتاب تربیت شده آفتاب یکی است فیض یکی است ولی نفوس کاملۀ بشریّه مثل آئینه که شمس به تمام قوّت دراو اشراق نموده و کمالات آفتاب در آن ظاهر و آشکار می شود حرارت و ضیاء آفتاب در آن هویداست بتمامه حکایت از آفتاب میکند این مرایاء مظاهر مقدّسه هستند که از حقیقت الوهیّت حکایت می کنند مانند آفتاب که در مرآت ظاهر است و صورت و مثال آفتاب آسمانی در مرایاء ظاهر همین طور صورت و مثال شمس حقیقت در مرآت حقیقی مظاهر مقدّسه ظاهر و آشکار این است که حضرت مسیح می گوید « الاب فی الأبن » مراد این است که آن آفتاب حقیقت در این مرآت ظاهر و آشکار است امّا مقصد این نیست که آفتاب از آسمان تنزّل کرده و آمده در این آئینه جای گرفته زیرا حقیقت را صعود و نزولی نیست دخول و خروجی نیست مقدّس و منزّه از زمان و مکان است همیشه در مرکز تقدیس است زیرا تغییر و تبدیلی از برای حقیقت الوهیّت نیست تغییر و تبدیل و انتقال از حالی بحالی از خصائص حقیقت حادثه است .
دروقتی که در بلاد شرق اختلاف شدید بود و نزاع و جدال عظیم مذاهب و ملل با یکدیگر جنگ و جدال داشتند
صفحه 2 - 2
اجناس مختلفه با یکدیگر در جنگ و نزاع بودند در همچو وقتی حضرت بهاء الله از افق شرق ظاهر گشت و اعلان وحدت فیوضات الهیّه و وحدت انسانیّه فرمود که جمیع بشر بندگان یک خداوندند و جمیع از فیض ایجاد الهی وجود یافته خداوند به جمیع مهربان است و جمیع را می پرورد بهر جنسی بهر نوعی بهر ملتّی مهربان است جمیع را رزق میدهد جمیع را می پروراند جمیع را حفظ می کند و با جمیع با الطاف معامله می نماید مادام که خدا بکلّ مهربان است ما چرا نامهربان باشیم مادام خدا با کلّ باوفا است ما چرا بی وفا باشیم مدان خدا با کلّ برحمت معامله میکند ما چرا بقهر و غضب معامله کنیم این است سیاست الهیّه البّته اعظم از سیاست بشریّه است زیرا بشر هرقدر عاقل باشد ممکن نیست که سیاست او اعظم از سیاست الهی باشد . پس ما باید متابعت سیاست الهیّه کنیم جمیع ملل و خلق را دوست داشته باشیم بجمیع مهربان باشیم و جمیع را برگ و شکوفه و ثمر یک درخت دانیم زیرا جمیع از سلالۀ یک خاندان و جمیع از اولاد یک آدم امواج یک دریا جمیع سبزۀ یک چمن جمیع در پناه یک خدا نهایت این است که یکی علیل است باید معالجه نمود جاهل است باید تعلیم کرد در خواب است باید بیدار کرد بیهوش است باید هوشیار نمود وحدت عالم انسانی را اعلام کرد . وهمچنین وحدت ادیان را زیرا جمیع ادیان الهیّه اساسش حقیقت است و حقیقت تعدّد قبول نکند حقیت یکی است اساس جمیع انبیای الهی حقیقت است اگر حقیقت نباشد باطل است و چون اساس حقیت است لهذا بنیان ادیان الهی یکی است نهایت این است که تقالیدی بمیان آمده آداب و رسوم و زوائدی پیدا شده این تقالید از انبیاء نیست این حادث است بدعت است و چون این تقالید مختلف است سبب اختلاف ادیان شده امّا اگر ما این تقالید را دور بیندازیم و حقیقت ادیان الهی را تحرّی کنیم یقین است که متّحد می شویم .
صفحه 1 - 3
و همچنین وحدت نوع را اعلام نمود که نساء و رجال کلّ در حقوق مساوی بهیچ وجه امتیازی در میان نیست زیرا جمیع انسانند فقط احتیاج به تربیت دارنداگر نساء مانند رجال تربیت شوند هیچ شبهۀ نیست که امتیازی نخواهد ماند زیرا عالم انسانی مانند طیور محتاج به دو جناح است یکی اناث و یکی ذکور مرغ با یک بال پرواز نتواند نقص یک بال سبب وبال بال دیگر است عالم بشر عبارت از دو دست است چون دستی ناقص ماند دست کامل هم از وظیفۀ خویش باز ماند خدا جمیع بشر را خلق کرده جمیع را عقل و دانش عنایت فرموده جمیع را دو چشم و دو گوش داده دو دست و دو پا عطا کرده در میان امتیازی نگذارده است لهذا چرا باید نساء از رجال پست باشند عدالت الهی قبول نمی کند عدل الهی کلّ را مساوی خلق فرموده در نزد خدا ذکور و اناثی نیست هرکس قلبش پاک تر عملش بهتر در نزد خدا مقبول تر خواه مرد باشد خواه زن چه بسیار زنان پیدا شده اند که فخر رجال بوده اند مثل حضرت مریم که فخر رجال بود و مریم مجدلیّه غبطۀ رجال بود مریم امّ یعقوب قدوۀ رجال بود آسیه دختر فرعون فخر رجال بود سارا زن ابراهیم فخر رجال بود و همچنین امثال آنها بسیار است حضرت فاطمه شمع انجمن نساء بود حضرت قرّة العین کوکب روشن کرد و در این عصر الیوم در ایران زنانی هستند که فخر رجال اند عالمند شاعرند واقفند و در نهایت شجاعت هستند و تربیت نساء اعظم و اهمّ از تربیت رجال است زیرا این دختران روزی مادران شوند و اطفال را مادر تربیت میکند اوّل معلمّ اطفال مادرانند لهذا باید در نهایت کمال و علم و فضل باشند تا بتوانند پسران را تربیت کنند و اگر مادران ناقص باشند اطفال نادان و جاهل گردند . همین طور حضرت بهاء الله وحدت تربیت را اعلان نموده که بجهت اتّحاد عالم انسانی لازم است که جمیع بشر یک تربیت شوند رجال و نساء دختر و پسر تربیت واحد گردند
صفحه 2 - 3
و چون تربیت در جمیع مدارس یک نوع گردد ارتباط تامّ بین بشر حاصل شود و چون نوع بشر یک نوع تعلیم یابد وحدت رجال و نساء اعلان گردد و بنیان جنگ و جدال برافتد و بدون تحققّ این مسائل ممکن نیست زیرا اختلاف تربیت مورث جنگ و نزاع مساوات حقوق بین ذکور و اناث مانع حرب و قتال است زیرا نسوان راضی بجنگ و جدال نشوند این جوانان در نزد ماران خیلی عزیزند هرگز راضی نمیشوند که آنها در میدان قتال رفته و خون خود را بریزند جوانی را که بیست سال مادر درنهایت زحمت و مشّقت تربیت نموده آیا راضی خواهد شد که در میان حرب پاره پاره گردد هیچ مادری راضی نمیشود ولو هر اوهاماتی بعنوان محبّت وطن و وحدت سیاسی وحدت جنس وحدت نژاد و وحدت مملکت اظهار دارند و بگویند این جوانان باید بروند و برای این اوهامات کشته شوند لهذا وقتی که اعلان مساوات بین زن و مرد شد یقین است که حرب از میان بشر برداشته خواهد شد و هیچ اطفال انسانی فدای اوهام نخواهند کرد . و از جمله تعالیمی که حضرت بهاء الله اعلان کرد این بود که باید دین مطابق علم و عقل باشد علم تصدیق دین نماید و دین تصدیق علم و هردو بیکدیگر ارتباط تامّه یابند این اصل حقیقت است و امّا اگر مسئلۀ از مسائل دینی مخالف عقل باشد مخالف علم باشد آن وهم محض است چه قدر از این دریاهای اوهام در قرون ماضیه موج زد اوهامات ملتّ رومان را ملاحظه کنید که اساس دین آنها بود اوهامات ملتّ یونان را ملاحظه کنید که اساس دین آنها بود اوهامات مصریّون را ملاحظه کنید که اساس دین آنها بود و اینها جمیع مخالف عقل مخالف علم لهذا حال واضح و آشکار گردید که اوهام بود ولی در زمانشان در نهایت تمسّک بودند مثلا مصریان قدیم چون در نزد آنها ذکر صنمی از اصنام آنها می شد در پیش چشمشان معجزۀ مجسّم و حال آنک یک پارچه سنگ بود
صفحه 1 - 4
پس ما باید از از اوهامات بگذریم تحرّی حقیقت کنیم آنچه را که دیدیم مطابق حقیقت است قبول نمائیم و آنچه را علم تصدیق نمکند عقل قبول نمیکند حقیقت نیست تقالید است این تقالید را باید دور بیندازیم و تمسّک به حقیقت نمائیم و دینی را که مطابق عقل و علم است قبول کنیم و چون چنین شود بکلیّ اختلاف نماند و جمیع عائلۀ واحده ملتّ واحده جنس واحد وطن واحد سیاست واحده احساسات واحده و تربیت واحده گردیم .
مناجات
پروردگارا آمرزگارا این بندگان را پناه توئی واقف اسرار و آگاه توئی جمیع ما عاجزیم و تو مقتدر و توانا جمیع ما گنهکاریم و توئی غافرالذنوب و رحیم و رحمن پروردگارا نظر به قصور ما منما به فضل و موهبت خویش معامله کن خطاء ما بسیار است ولی بحر رحمت تو بی پایان عجز ما بسیار است ولکن تأیید و توفیق تو آشکار پس تأیید ده توفیق بخش و ما را بر آنچه سزاوار درگاه تو است موفقّ نما دلها را روشن کن و چشمها را بینا نما و گوشها را شنوا کن مردگان را زنده فرما و مریضان را شفا بخش فقیران را غنی نما و خائفان را امنیّت بخش و ما را در ملکوت خویش قبول نما و به نور هدایت روشن کن توئی مقتدر توئی توانا توئی کریم توئی رحمن و توئی مهربان .
هدایت الهی
لوح مقدّس در مسئلۀ « هدایت الهی »
هوالله
ای نفوس مبارکه در عالم وجود هیچ موهبتی باقی و برقرار نه و هیچ نعمتی پایدار نیست مگر هدایت الهی اینست موهبت ابدی الحمدلله یاران فائز شدید اگر هزاران سال زندگی نمائید و هزاران زبان بگشائید و به شکرانۀ این
صفحه 2 - 4
موهبت عظیمه پردازید البّته از عهدۀ شکر بر نیائید زیرا شکر پایان دارد و این موهبت بی پایان است چه بسیار نفوس آرزوی این یوم موعود را داشتند ولی نیافتند و چه هزاران نفوس که نهایت ریاضت کشیدند و در یوم موعود محروم ماندند ملاحظه کنید که چه عنایتی خدا در حقّ شما نمود بدون تعب بمقصد رسیدید بدون قطع صحرا از دریای عذب فرات نوشیدید بدون ریاضت از چشمه هدایت چشیدید این موهبتی است عظیم اگر انسان قدر آن بداند والا در نزد بیخردان چه هدایت چه ضلالت هردو یکسان است کسی که تشنگی ندارد حلاوت عذب فرات ندارد و همچنین خاک شوره زار را از فیض بهاری چه بهره ئی و شجرۀ یابسه را از باران نیسانی چه نصیبی حمد کنید خدا را که شما بهره یافتید و محرم ملکوت اسرار گشتید و علیکم البهاء الابهی ع ع .
اجتماع اماء کلیمی و فرقانی
لوح مبارک بیکی از مبلغّه های ایرانی در مسئله اجتماع اماء کلیمی و فرقانی
هوالله
ای دختر ملکوتی نامۀ شما رسید فی الحقیقه صدف لئالی معانی بود نهایت تبتّل و تضرّع از مضامین واضح بسیار سبب سرور گردید که الحمدلله آن سرگشته سودائی و آن مفتون و شیدائی در نهایت انجذاب مشغول به تبلیغ و نشر نفحات است علی الخصوص فقره ئی که دلالت بر اجتماع اماء کلیمی و اماء فرقانی در محفل واحد و ترتیل آیات توحید و تسبیح و تهلیل ربّ مجید داشت عبدالبهاء بهر زبانی تحسین آن انجمن نورانی می نماید که ورقات مومنات در محلیّ اجتماع و با یکدیگر در نهایت محبّت الفت می نمایند امیدم چنان است که اماء
صفحه 1 - 5
رحمن در آن مظهر چنان جلوه ئی نمایند که جمیع نفوس زبان به ستایش بگشایند و نیز امیدم چنان است که آن ورقه منجذبه وقتی به زیارت عتبۀ مقدّسه فائز گردد امّا حال بخدمت و تبلیغ پرداز . . . . و علیک البهاء الابهی ع ع
بلایا در سبیل الهی
لوح مبارک در مسئلۀ « بلایا در سبیل الهی »
هوالله
ای دو حمامه همدم و همراز الحمدلله در گلشن الهی پرواز نمودید و به ملکوت راز پی بردید و مظهر الطاف حضرت بی نیاز گشتید امّا شماتت و ملامت بدخواهان شنیدید و اذیّت زیاد کشیدید و ستمهای ستمکار چشیدید ولی چون در سبیل ربّ جلیل بود این زهر شهد بود و این درد درمان نظر به پایان حال نمائید این بلایا را نتیجه عطایای الهی است و این ملامت و شماتت را ستایش و نیایش و پرستش در پی عاقبت واضح و آشکار گردد . . . و علیکما البهاء الابهی ع ع
یاران فارسیان
لوح مقدس برای یاران فارسیان
هوالله
ای یاران مهربان عبدالبهاء هزار و سیصد سال بود که اختر هستی فارسیان در مغرب نیستی متواری گشته بود از انظار بکلیّ افتاده بودند پریشان و بی سر و سامان و اسیر دست تطاول
صفحه 2 - 5
ستمکاران زندگی می کردند تا آنکه آفتاب جهان افروز حقیقت از افق ایران طلوع نموده پرتو عنایت بر پارسیان انداخت آن گروه پژمرده زنده و تر و تازه شدند و آن قوم حقیر عزّت امیر یافتند و روز بروز در ترقیّ بودند و ابواب فلاح و نجاج از جمیع جهات باز ولی حال بعضی کفران نعمت نمودند و از الطاف جمال مبارک غافل گشتند این ترقیّ و عزّت را از حسن تدبیر خویش شمردند لهذا این ایّام تزلزل عظیمی بر ارکان پارسیان در طهران افتاد کار برعکس گشت امیدوارم باز بیدار شوند تا دوباره پرتو عنایات بدرخشد و الطاف بی پایان شامل گردد و الا کار پست است . . . . عبدالبهاء عبّاس
تبلیغ امرالله
لوح مقدّس در مسئله « تبلیغ امرالله »
هوالله
ای ثابت بر پیمان در نهایت وجد و سرور باش و بشکرانه ربّ غفور پرداز که الحمدلله مظفرّی و منصور و ناطق به ستایش حضرت ربّ غفور و در تبلیغ ممدوح و مشکور و بدان که که امروز برلیغ بلیغ از ملکوت ابهی بنام اهل تبلیغ صادر امید چنان است که موفقّ بشوی و سبب هدایت جمّ غفیری گردی این است موهبت الهی این است عزّت ابدی این است حیات سرمدی طوبی لک ثم طوبی . . . . و علیک البهاء الابهی ع ع
بشارت عظمی از رمله
از تأییدات ملکوت ابهی سرور و صحّت هیکل مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء هر روزی بهتر و برتر است و از این بشارت اهل بها در فرح و بهجت عظمی و مجامع اهل وفا مایۀ سرور ملاء اعلی
دکتر ضیاء بغدادی
