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[Page 217]

Vol. IV

Chicago, November 4, 1913

No. 13

STAR OF THE WEST

**CONTENTS**
	PAGE
Address by Abdul-Baha delivered at Denver	219
Persian-American Educational Society	221
"It is hoped a Radiant Palace may be prepared for thee!"	223
Bahais of Germany observe ninth of month—Writings of Baha'o'llah attributed to someone else	224
First anniversary of the passing of Thornton Chase	225
Persian Section	227-232

[Page 218]

PRICE LIST OF PUBLICATIONS OF THE BAHAI REVELATION

WORDS OF BAHA'O'LLAH
The Book of Ighan (Certainty).
190 pages, bound in cloth	$1.00
Postage 10c additional.
The Tarazat and other Tablets.
92 pages bound in paper	$ .50
Surat-ul-Hykl.
(The discourse on the Temple.)
63 pages, bound in paper	$ .25
The Tablet of Ishrakat.
45 pages, bound in paper	$ .25
The Seven Valleys.
56 pages, bound in paper	$ .25
Same bound in leather, gilt edges	1.00
The Hidden Words.
102 pages, bound in paper	$ .15
Same bound in leather, gilt edges	1.00
ADDRESSES OF ABDUL-BAHA
Some Answered Questions.
By Laura Clifford Barney.
356 pages, bound in cloth	$1.50
Postage 15c additional.
Tablets of Abdul-Baha—Vol. 1.
238 pages, bound in cloth	$1.00
Postage 15c additional.
Abdul-Baha's Addresses in Paris.
Bound in paper	$ .75
Postage 5c additional.
Abdul-Baha's Addresses in London.
Bound in paper	$ .40
Postage 5c additional.
WRITINGS BY ORIENTAL AND OCCIDENTAL BAHAIS
School of the Prophets.
By Mirza Assad'ullah.
190 pages, bound in cloth	$1.25
Postage 10c additional.
The Universal Religion.
By M. Hippolyte Dreyfus.
175 pages, bound in paper	$1.00
Postage 10c additional.
The Bahai Revelation.
By Thornton Chase.
187 pages, bound in paper	$ .50
Postage 10c additional.
The Bahai Movement.
By Chas. Mason Remey.
Bound in cloth	$ .50
Postage 10c additional.
A Year with the Bahais of India and Burma.
By Sydney Sprague.
53 pages, bound in paper	$ .25
The Brilliant Proof.
By Mirza Abul Fazl Gulpaygan.
Bound in paper	$ .15
Dawn of Knowledge and the Most Great Peace.
By Paul Kingston Dealy.
48 pages, bound in paper	$ .15
The Revelation of Baha'o'llah.
By Mrs. Isabel D. Brittingham.
32 pages, bound in paper	$ .10
Martyrdoms in Persia in 1903.
By Hadji Mirza Hayder Ali.
32 pages, bound in paper	$ .10
Story of the Bahai Movement.
By Sydney Sprague.
20 pages, bound in paper	$ .05
ACCOUNTS OF VISITS TO ACCA
The Oriental Rose.
By Mary Hanford Ford.
Bound in cloth	$ .60
In Galilee.
By Thornton Chase.
84 pages, bound in paper, illustrated	$ .25
Ten Days in the Light of Acca.
By Mrs. Julia M. Grundy.
111 pages, bound in paper	$ .25
Daily Lessons Received at Acca.
By Mrs. Goodall and Mrs. Cooper.
80 pages, bound in paper	$ .20
My Visit to Abbas Effendi (Abdul-Baha) in 1899.
By Mrs. Margaret B. Peeke.
Bound in paper	$ .15
Unity Through Love.
By Howard MacNutt.
32 pages, bound in paper	$ .10
Table Talks with Abdul-Baha.
By Mr. and Mrs. George T. Winterburn.
32 pages, bound in paper	$ .10
My Visit to Acca.
By Mrs. Mary L. Lucas.
42 pages, bound in paper	$ .10
Flowers from the Rose Garden of Acca.
By Mrs. Finch and Misses Knobloch.
40 pages, bound in paper	$ .10
MISCELLANEOUS
Portfolio of Views of The Holy Land.
In the vicinity of Mt. Carmel and Acca.
18 colored sheets, heavy paper cover	$1.00
With portrait of Abdul-Baha, cloth cover	1.25
Songs of Prayer and Praise.
A compilation of hymns, including the best known Bahai compositions of Mrs. Louise R. Waite, for use in Assembly meetings.
Strongly bound	$ .10

DISTRIBUTED BY THE BAHAI PUBLISHING SOCIETY

Address all Orders to

MISS MARY LESCH, 5205 Jefferson Avenue	CHICAGO

[Page 219]

STAR OF THE WEST

"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 (November 4, 1913) Kudrat

No. 13

ADDRESS BY ABDUL-BAHA DELIVERED AT DENVER.

September 24, 1912, 8 p. m., at the home of Mrs. Roberts.

Abdul-Baha and party arrived in Denver at 1:10 p.m., taking apartments at the Shirley hotel.

HOW are all; are you all happy? I have come to visit you from far away lands. Consider how much I have longed to see you, for I have crossed the great Atlantic ocean and traversed long distances to come hither. In a condition of frail body incapable of enduring even one day's journey, this long distance was endured for this visit. Praise be to God! at last we have reached Denver, and here we visit you all.

What a good gathering this is, worthy of thanksgiving; for a meeting of this kind is peerless. Every gathering is brought about through some material interest; it is either based upon political motives or commercial interests, or the dissemination of education, or the execution of some order or system; but this gathering of ours is for no other purpose save the Kingdom of God—hence it is matchless and peerless. The hearts have turned to God; the spirits are exalted through the glad-tidings of God; the attentions are directed to God. What better meeting could be imagined than this?

Such a gathering is fundamentally most important. But we must arise to discharge our duties for this purpose, for this is an assemblage the attention of which is directed toward the Kingdom of God. Therefore, all the individual members thereof must be in the utmost of love and fellowship, the utmost of humility and submissiveness, and the utmost state of attentiveness toward the Kingdom of God—thus may our meeting be an example of the meetings in the Supreme Kingdom.

In brief, here is my statement to you: Praise be to God! We are living in a century of light. Praise be to God! We are contemporaneous with the Day of the Divine Effulgence. Praise be to God! We are alive in this day of the Manifestation of Love (Baha). Praise be to God, that we are alive in the day of the out-pouring of Divine Bounty. Praise be to God! We are living in a day of innate joy and motion. Praise be to God! We are living in a day wherein the lights have upraised progress throughout the East and West. How many holy souls there were in past times who longed to be present in this century, passing through nights and days of lamentation, yearning to be here, longing to the utmost; but ours is the good gift from the Lord. Out of His good mercy and absolute virtue has He given it to us; even as His Holiness, Christ, has declared: "Verily, many are they who are called, but few are they who are chosen."

Verily, many are they who are called, but few are they who are chosen! God has chosen you for His love; God has chosen you for His knowledge; God has chosen you for the worthy service of unifying mankind; God has chosen you for the purpose of investigating the reality; God has chosen you for the purpose of promulgating international peace; God has chosen you for the progress and development of mankind; God has chosen you for the dissemination and praise of true education; God has chosen you for the expression of love towards all mankind; God has chosen you for the removal of prejudice; God has chosen you to bind together all hearts; God has chosen you to be the cause of giving light to the world of humanity. In a word, the doors of His grace are open to us, wide, wide open, but we must try; we must be attentive towards God; we must be occupied with the service of the world of humanity; we must be more alert and mindful; we must appreciate the bestowals of God, and we must conform to this ever.

You observe how darkness is overspread in the world today. In every corner of the earth there is warfare of some kind, and in some parts there is actual rapine present, mankind[Page 220] being submerged in the sea of materialism, and all occupied with the world. They entertain no thought save that of the possession of this earth, having no desire save this fleeting mortal world. Man's utmost desire seems to be to obtain for himself a livelihood, comfort of mortal type and to be content with simply the physical enjoyments which constitute the happiness of the world of the animals, and not the happiness of the human world.

The honor of man is dependent upon another type; the happiness of man is of another kind; the benediction of man is of another type; the joy of man is through the glad-tidings of God. The honor of man is through the attainment of the knowledge of God, the happiness of man is through the Love of God, and man's greatness is dependent upon his servitude to God. The utmost development of man is in being ushered into the Kingdom; and the result of human existence is the quintessence of eternal existence. If man becomes bereft of these Divine bestowals, and if his joy and happiness be confined to the material kind, then what distinction or difference is there between the animal and man, for the animal happiness is greater in magnitude, as its means of livelihood are more feasible! Man must strive in order to acquire natural livelihood, and in order that he may be comfortable; but man's need is in the acquisition of the Bounties of God. If, from the bounties of God, spiritual susceptibilities, and spiritual glad-tidings, man becomes bereft, his life in this world has not yielded any worthy fruitage; but, together with the physical life, he should be possessed of the spiritual life; together with the physical comforts he should enjoy spiritual comfort; with the bodily pleasures he should enjoy Divine pleasures; then man may be worthy of the title man, then will man be the kind of man of whom it was said, "He is after our own image and likeness"—because the image of the Merciful consists of the attributes of the Kingdom. If in his soul there be no fruits of the Kingdom, then man is not after the image and likeness of God; but if there are, he should be the recipient of the ideal bestowals, and should acquire the fire of the Love of God. If his morals be spiritual in character and if his efforts be heavenly in type, and if his conduct be that of the Kingdom, then is man after the image and likeness of God; otherwise he is the image and likeness of satan. Therefore, His Holiness, Christ, said: "Ye shall know them by their fruits."

What are the fruits of the human world? They are the fruits of man. If man be bereft of those fruits, he is precisely like a tree, fruitless, and the man whose effort is lofty, who has self-reliance, will not be content with suffering his life to be entirely animal in type. He will seek to be one of the Kingdom, he will long to be in heaven, though he might be walking on earth; though his outward visage be earthly in form, he will endeavor to have his real, innate visage that of heaven. Until this station be attained by man, his life will be utterly devoid of results. The span of life will pass away, in eating, drinking and sleeping, and then this life will be left with no results, no fruits, no traces, no illumination, no potency, no spirituality, no life everlasting, and no arrival at the plane of the utmost attainments of the human world! Hence you must thank God that your efforts are great, that your endeavors are worthy, that your attention is towards the Kingdom of God, and that your utmost intention, or desire, is the acquisition of the efforts of the human world.

Therefore, you must act in accordance with these requisites. Man may be a Bahai, but he may be Bahai in name only; but if he is in reality a Bahai, he will arise to achieve deeds which are proofs decisive concerning the validity of his being a Bahai. And what are they? They are as follows:.

Love to all mankind; sincerity towards all humanity; the spreading of the principles concerning the oneness of the world of humanity; philanthropic life for all mankind; and that consists in being set aglow with the fire of the Love of God, which consists in the attainment to the Knowledge of God, and that which is towards the general welfare.

This evening we were speaking of the Persian friends and their utmost fellowship towards each other. They manifest such love that they can be called lovers. For example, if one of the friends of God were to arrive in this city, all his friends would be joyous about it, and they would assemble together in a meeting with him. If he were ill, they would care for him; if he were sad, they would comfort him. From every standpoint they would care for him to such a degree as to give one to understand that there is a relationship amongst them. All other nations are astounded at this relationship. They inquire as to the character

[Continued on page 226]

[Page 221]

PERSIAN-AMERICAN
EDUCATIONAL
SOCIETY.

DR. S. I. MOODY, the representative of the Society in Teheran, has recently sent in the yearly averages of the scholars in the Tarbiat schools, which are appended. She reports that a very earnest effort is being made to establish higher grades. Two societies have offered to assist materially. Mahfil Morateb offer one hundred tomans per month (about $100.00) for four months, and Hahfil Fashdigh offer seven tomans per month for one year. Dr. Moody has subscribed fifty tomans and also pays one toman per month on rent of the girls' school. During the last year she has also paid forty tomans rent for Dabestan Dooshezigan Vatan School. Thus the wide-awake condition and earnestness at that end of the line is proven.

The young men of Persia who need advanced work should also be cared for in our own school. It is earnestly hoped that a highly qualified man be sent out soon.

It appears that the information given in the report published recently about the examinations at the University, was based upon a misapprehension. The correct figures were 21 boys of Tarbiat School received diplomas; 59 boys from all other schools.

SCHOLARSHIP LIST, P. A. E. S.
YEARLY AVER.	AMER. NO.	PERSIAN NO.	SCHOLARSHIP	NAME OF SCHOLAR
89	1	1	William Remey	Ezatollah
91	2	2	Miss Nellie Hope Lloyd	Aga Ezatollah
..	3	3	Mrs. M. Lesley O'Keeffe	Nasrollah Khan, (ill, passed by teachers without exam.)
75	4	28	Mrs. J. C. deLagnel	Rahmatollah
84	5	4	Cincinnati Assembly	Ayn ed Din Khan
85	6	29	Mrs. May Maxwell	Mirza Enayatollah
86	7	5	Miss Flora Raymond	Nosratollah
88	8	6	Miss Charlotte Segler	Aga Enayatullah
89	9	7	Mrs. Jacox	Habibollah
90	10	8	Mrs. C. S. Coles Mr. L. G. Gregory	Abol Gasem
86	11	11	Mme. Dreyfus-Barney	Aga Habib
82	12	9	Mr. Joseph Stauss	Aga Nasrollah
83	13	12	Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Goodale	Mirza Azizollah
87	14	13	"Zorah"	Godratollah
87	15	14	Abdul Aziz	Abdul Peiman
90	16	15	Mrs. Mary Pomeroy	Nourillah
87	17	16	Mrs. J. F. Roberts	Aga Aziz
86	18	17	Cincinnati Assembly	Hussein Aga
..	19	18	Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Killius
76	20	19	Mr. Daniel Jenkyn	Zabieollah

[Page 222]

YEARLY AVER.	AMER. NO.	PERSIAN NO.	SCHOLARSHIP	NAME OF SCHOLAR
88	21	20	Miss Lillian James Mr. O'Connell Mr. Coyne	Aga Jalal
90	22	21	Denver Assembly	Aga Mahmoud
87	23	22	Miss G. Buikema Miss P. Casselberry Mrs. E. W. Russell	Masha'allah
84	24	23	Mrs. E. Olsen Mrs. C. Harrison	Aga Azizollah
82	25	24	Mr. Louis Keller	Abdullah Kan
82	26	25	Baltimore Assembly	Mirza Ruhollah
86	27	27	Miss B. R. Smith	Mirza Vajieollah
80	28	30	Mrs. Jennie Bonds	Javad Aga
89	29	33	Miss Josephine Nelson Mrs. Ida Brush Mrs. Mary Grayson	Mehdi Khan
92	30	45	Mr. J. W. Latimer	Hossein Khan
86	31	31	Portland Assembly	Masha'allah
89	32	32	Philadelphia Assembly	Mahmoud Khan
88	33	10	Mrs. Agnes S. Parsons	Mirza Foad
87	34	34	Seattle Assembly	Mirza Abdul Hossein
94	35	70	Mrs. Helen S. Goodall	Shams ol Molluk
89	36	36	Seattle Assembly	Aga Sadra
84	37	37	Mrs. Wolfstill	Hak Verdi
93	38	26	Portland Assembly	Mirza Nureddin
new	39	39	Mrs. E. R. Boyle	Hadji Ismail (3 months in school—no examination)
84	40	40	Miss M. Billet	Aziz Aga
84	41	41	Mrs. Gannett	Farajullah Khan
85	42	42	Mr. J. D. Bosch	Abbas Aga
93	43	43	Mr. George Latimer	Rahman Khan
84	44	44	Mr. Arthur James	Abdul Mesak
92	45	56	Miss Dorothy Hoar	Sabetha Khanoum
79	46	46	Mr. C. B. Nourse	Ezatollah
94	47	67	Miss K. E. Nourse	Malakootieh Khanom
83	48	48	Mr. P. H. Nourse	Mehdi Gholi Khan
94	49	49	Mrs. Agnes S. Parsons	Shokat Khanom
70	50	50	Mrs. Leo P. Perron [Arna True]	Bedhjat Khanom
70	51	58	Mrs. W. H. Hoar	Moneera Khanom
88	52	52	Mr. W. H. Hoar	Nosratullah
81	53	53	Madame Cheron	Aga Kamal
94	54	54	Honolulu Assembly	Ahmed Aga
new	55	55	Mrs. E. R. Boyle	Fatimeh Khanom (3 months)
87	56	59	Kenosha Woman's Assembly	Javad Khan
90	57	57	Pasadena Assembly	Roghia Khanom
92	58	61	Hashmatullah N. R. Vakil	Levon Thadeossian
91	59	51	Mr. Mountfort Mills	Mirza Abdul Raheem
85	60	60	Los Angeles Assembly	Ali Akbar Khan
89	61	38	Mr. and Mrs. Killius	Ali Reza Khan
82	62	47	Mr. Frank D. Clark	Ibrahim
87	63	62	Mrs. Frank D. Clark	Ali Mohammed

[Page 223]

YEARLY AVER.	AMER. NO.	PERSIAN NO.	SCHOLARSHIP	NAME OF SCHOLAR
93	64	64	Spokane Assembly	Monireh Khanom
90	65	65	Miss Helen Hoar	Jabaroutieh Khanom
92	66	66	Woman's Bahai Unity, N. Y.	Khanom Khanoma
94	67	63	Tropico Assembly	Mirza Raheem Khan
84	68	68	Mr. J. H. Behrens	Mirza Hassan
70	69	69	Mrs. Rice-Wray	Maliheh Khanom*
89	70	71	Cincinnati Assembly	Nasriyeh Khanom
85	71	72	Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Hannen	Toobah Khanom
86	72	35	Miss E. Stewart	Mirza Hadietullah
88	73	73	Mrs. E. B. Rabb Mrs. A. G. Stewart Mrs. A. L. Libby	Shahzadeh Baghum
60	74	74	Mrs. E. B. Rabb	Mohtaram Khanom
new	75	75	Mr. Lars Johnson	Fatollah**
new	76	76	Mme. Vheron	Hadjieh***
new	77	77	Mrs. Evangeline E. Dunlop	Farochlagha
new	78	78	Montreal Assembly	Baghieh****

*Rouhangese Khanom, married; Malieh substituted by request.

**Fatollah was ill and had no books for some weeks.

***Hadjieh—3 months, 90.

****Baghieh—selected June, 1913,—3 months. Average, 91.

The Society is approved by Abdul-Baha, who has repeatedly urged its importance—particularly in the matter of keeping up the scholarships. The eyes of the Orient are upon us, he says, to the end that America may keep its promises in this respect.

Every cent of the $18.00 annual scholarship payments goes to Persia.

Most faithfully yours,

Joseph H. Hannen,

Executive Secretary.

――――― "IT IS HOPED A RADIANT PALACE MAY BE PREPARED FOR THEE!"

Recent Tablet from Abdul-Baha to a Christian Minister at Washington, D. C.

HE IS GOD!

O respected personage, thou seeker of Reality!

Thy letter was received. It was not a letter but a mirror in which was reflected the images of Reality. Therefore, through its reading and perusal the happiness of the heart was obtained. If the earthly house is destroyed, be thou not sad—may the palace of the Kingdom be upraised!

O thou bird of Reality! If thy terrestial nest is ruined, be thou not unhappy—the heavenly nest is destined for thee. His Holiness, the Christ, the Holy Manifestations and the apostles possessed no nest whatsoever in this mortal world but in the universe of God, a glorious palace. It is hoped that through the Divine Bestowal, in a lofty station, in the universe of God, a radiant palace may become prepared for thee.

Consider that the palaces of former kings, from the day of Adam to the present time, are destroyed and ravaged by the relentless hand of time, but the towering palace of the believers of God are eternally built and never subject to destruction. Reflect carefully and thou shalt observe that all the foundations are uprooted but the foundation of the apostles of Jesus, which is becoming firmer and loftier day by day.

It is my hope that thou shalt likewise lay the basis of such a lofty palace. The foundation of this palace is to summon the people to the Call of the Kingdom of God; its galleries are the Principles of BAHA'O'LLAH and its decorations the writings of the world of humanity; its radiant lamps are the lights of the Divine Kingdom.

Therefore, strive as much as thou canst to quicken the dead souls, to guide the erring ones, to cause to drink those who are thirsty and invite those who are hungry to sit around the heavenly table and partake of the Divine Food.

Upon thee be BAHA-EL-ABHA!

(Signed) ABDUL BAHA ABBAS.

Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, Sept. 13, 1913, Ramleh, Egypt.[Page 224]

STAR OF THE WEST

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.

TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA. HE IS GOD!

O thou Star of the West!

Be thou happy! Be thou happy! Shouldst thou continue to remain firm and eternal, ere long, thou shalt become the Star of the East and shalt spread in every country and clime. Thou art the first paper of the Bahais which is organized in the country of America. Although for the present thy subscribers are limited, thy form is small and thy voice weak, yet shouldst thou stand unshakable, become the object of the attention of the friends and the center of the generosity of the leaders of the faith who are firm in the Covenant, in the future thy subscribers will become hosts after hosts like unto the waves of the sea; thy volume will increase, thy arena will become vast and spacious and thy voice and fame will be raised and become world-wide—and at last thou shalt become the first paper of the world of humanity. Yet all these depend upon firmness, firmness, firmness!

(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.

style="width: 100%;"
Vol. IV	Chicago (November 4, 1913) Kudrat	No. 13

THE MASHRAK-EL-AZKAR IN AMERICA: BAHAIS OF GERMANY OBSERVE THE NINTH OF THE MONTH.

The following communication has been received by Mrs. Corinne True, Chicago, from the Bahais in the vicinity of Stuttgart, Germany:

"To our beloved Bahai sister and all the friends in Chicago: Bahai love and greetings from this meeting at Zuffenhausen, which is held on the ninth of every month, that we may be united with all the believers in supplication for the Mashrak-el-Azkar."

C. Wiedemann	Chlorshiel Nur	Gustav Eger
M. Wiedemann	Julie Staebler	A. Mueller
Max Bender	Anna Koestlin	Mrs. A. Mueller
Marie Schmid	Christiane Wannke	Amalie Fingerle
Maria Schweizer	F. Schweizer	P. Scheuermann

――――― AUTHORSHIP OF WRITINGS OF BAHA'O'LLAH ATTRIBUTED TO SOMEONE ELSE.

IN A LETTER just received from Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, Ramleh, Egypt, he writes as follows:

"Enclosed you will find Mr. August J. Stenstrand's pamphlet, Call to Behaists, No. 3,* which, as you know, is full of mistakes and unqualified falsehood, the author in such a shameless manner attributing the "Ighan," "Tajalleyat," "Seven Valleys," "Hidden Words," etc., to Ezal. This booklet was brought to the attention of Abdul-Baha and he

*NOTE—Pamphlet entitled, "Key to the Heaven of the Beyan or a Third Call of Attention to the Behaists or Babists of America."

told me to write to America that an emphatic answer be given to this man and published in the STAR OF THE WEST. I believe this is the third time that this man has published this booklet and has scattered it among the friends. It is now high time to stop it. All those who are familiar with the writings of Ezal know that his composition was most childish, and today there are many volumes of such of his writings in the National Museum of London, which are being transcribed by the friends. These writings are a jumbled, confused, meaningless composition. When a man comes out so shamelessly and pretends that the indisputable Tablets and Books of BAHA'O'LLAH belong[Page 225] to someone else it is time for the believers to refute such falsehoods."

While an emphatic answer is being written to this pamphlet, we refer anyone who may be confused, to "The Brilliant Proof," written by Mirza Abul Fazl, and published by Abdul-Baha during his sojourn in America, which is an answer to the criticisms of an ill-wisher of BAHA'O'LLAH and Abdul-Baha. It is distributed by the Bahai Publishing Society, 5205 Jefferson Avenue, Chicago. Price, 15 cents.

The Editors.

――――― FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF THORNTON CHASE. Los Angeles Bahais hold services in their Assembly Hall and at the grave.

IN loving compliance with the request of Abdul-Baha, the friends in Los Angeles and vicinity celebrated the first anniversary of the passing of our brother, Thornton Chase. A party of ten went to the grave on the afternoon of September 30th, decorated the grave with flowers and spent an hour in prayer and communion.

The following Sunday a memorial service was held at the hall in Los Angeles, reading the Tablets and Utterances revealed by Abdul-Baha for our brother, and recounting his services in the Cause.

On Sunday, October 19th, being the anniversary of the visit of Abdul-Baha to the grave of Mr. Chase, a service was held at the hall, the talks of Abdul-Baha delivered in Los Angeles a year ago being read. Then we went to Inglewood Cemetery and laid our loving tributes upon the grave of the departed, also a wreath of immortelles from the Chicago Assembly, after which a half hour was spent in prayer and reading of the Hidden Words he loved so well.

As we entered the cemetery the sun, a ball of fire just above the horizon, shed a radiance over the landscape impossible to describe. So quiet and peaceful, so beautiful is that spot, it seems more like heaven than earth. As we came out, the sun had set, but the golden glow of the western sky flooded the distant hills and the lawn-like stretches of low lands at our feet. As we turned to gaze behind us at the beautiful cemetery we had left, that wonderful glow was over all. Indeed, we felt, as we boarded the car, that we were going back into the busy world of activity from the portals of heaven. All felt the benediction of that Presence in those two visits, that we had been baptized anew with the Spirit, and went forth resolving to emulate the virtues of our brother who had so gloriously attained and served the Cause so well.

We give you below extracts from two hitherto unpublished talks of Abdul-Baha, while in Los Angeles, in regard to our brother. The first is from his talk given on Saturday night, October 19, 1912, the evening of the day of the visit of Abdul-Baha to this sacred spot, and the second is the closing words of his final talk on Sunday, October 20, 1912.

H. C. W.

WORDS OF ABDUL-BAHA.

I came from San Francisco to see you and to visit Mr. Chase's grave. Truly, Mr. Chase was a glorious personage, having no desire save the good pleasure of God. His attention was directed to the Kingdom of God. He served during his lifetime. He was not at all wanting in service. He compiled certain books proving the validity of the Movement. As much as he could, he endeavored to guide the people. You will never forget him, may you ever pray for him, be ever respectful to his family, and be a source of comfort to them. As many times as possible—at least once a year—you should make it a point to visit his tomb, for his spirit will be exhilarated through the loyalty of the friends, and in the world of God will it be happy. The friends of God must be kind to one another, whether it be in life or after death.

* * *

The deceased, his honor Mr. Chase, was a blessed soul; he was a holy reality. His station in this life was not known. Yesterday I took a special trip and visited his tomb. At the time of visiting his tomb I found wonderful spirituality. You must celebrate yearly, annually, the day of his departure from this life, and all of you, on my behalf, may go and visit his blessed tomb; and if possible spread a feast for the poor and give charity to those who are deprived on that occasion* Mention the services he has rendered, read passages from his words, and

*NOTE—It would seem from this statement that Abdul-Baha desires either or both of the days to be remembered: (1) The day of the departure of Thornton Chase, September 30, 1912; (2) the day of the visit of Abdul-Baha to the grave, October 19, 1912.— The Editors.[Page 226]

explain the history of his life. This is my wish. I have arranged that there may be placed a tombstone on his resting place, and have written a sentence that may be engraved on that stone. For I loved Mr. Chase very much indeed. His heart was pure. He had no other aim except service to the Cause; he had no other thought except the thought of the Kingdom. Therefore he was very near to me, and at the threshold of BAHA'O'LLAH he was accepted. The Blessed Perfection has invited him to His Kingdom. At this very moment he is submerged in the Sea of His Bounty.

Now, I say good-bye to all of you. At five o'clock I leave the hotel. But I will never forget you. You will ever be in my memory. I will ever pray for you and beg assistance and confirmation for you.

――――― ADDRESS BY ABDUL-BAHA DELIVERED AT DENVER. [Continued from page 220]

of this love. What love exists among the Bahais! What unity obtains among these Bahais! What agreement there is among these Bahais! And what a well-wishing spirit is there among them! All envy it, and all long that such love may be witnessed elsewhere, and that such a bond may be established everywhere. Therefore, to you my first admonition will be this: Associate most kindly with all. Be as one family. All of you should pursue this same pathway. Let your intentions be one, that your love may affect and permeate other nations, so that other nations may all love one another, and all shall attain to this oneness.

The world of humanity is quite dark—you are the ones to be radiant candles. The world of humanity is very poor—you must be the treasury of the Kingdom. The world of humanity is exceedingly debased—you must be the cause of its exoneration. The world of humanity is quite bereft—you must endeavor to give it an impetus and progress in advancement, and according to the teachings of Baha, each individual member of humanity must ye love and be kind to, as well as yourselves.

The first sign of faith is Love. The purpose of the Holy Divine manifestations of the prophets is Love; the creation of phenomena is based upon love; the life of phenomena is due to love; the radiance of the world is due to love; the well-being of humanity is based upon love; the happiness of mankind is based upon love. Therefore, I admonish you, strive within the human world that the Light of Love may be diffused. All the people of the world are thinking of warfare, you must be peace makers; all the nations of the world are engaged with themselves, are egoists, you should be thoughtful of others. All the nations of the world are neglectful, you must be mindful; all people are asleep, you should be awake and alert. Thus may each one of you, like unto a star, sparkle from the Eternal Horizon of Glory. This is my wish for you. This is my happiness, and therein lies my utmost comfort and well being; and for the attainment of these purposes I have come long distances; and praise be to God! I have attended this meeting.

* * *

[Dr. Fareed interprets.—"He is very much pleased with this meeting, and says it is very good, very good, for this meeting was meant to be for the commemoration of God, and the desire of all is good. Praise be to God! Praise be to God!"]

――――― EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM RANGOON, INDIA.

The expected visit of Abdul-Baha to our soil has stirred the believers and all anxiously await any communication that might be received direct from him concerning it at any time. A recent Tablet announces the advent to India and Burma of two American Bahai ladies and an American Bahai doctor whom we welcome most sincerely; indeed an Oriental mind, so sentimental in its nature, feels inclined to regard these American friends as forerunners of Abdul-Baha. We congratulate our American brothers and sisters for the recognition their meritorious services to the Cause of El-Baha have been receiving at the Supreme Threshold.

(Signed) SYED JANAB RI,

Sec'y Bahai Assembly of Rangoon.

―――――

OUR PERSIAN SECTION this issue contains: (1) Talk by Abdul-Baha on "The Glad-Tidings of the Blessed Perfection" given at Mrs. Philips' Studio, New York city; (2) Talk by Abdul-Baha delivered before the Congress of Unitarians, convened at Boston; (3) Tablet in answer to congratulations for Abdul-Baha's return to the Orient; (4) Announcement of printing and distribution of the "Seven Valleys" in India, by Jiwa; (5) Tablet revealed for Jiwa; (6) Poem by Bassar.

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