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TODAY in Persia there are assemblages held wherein souls who have listened to the teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH, representing Mohammedans, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Buddhists and the various denominations of each, live together with perfect accord and absolute agreement. There is extraordinary brotherhood amongst them. A wonderful love exists amongst them, and all of them are a united force for international peace.
—ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
See address of ABDUL-BAHA on page 193.
--PHOTO--
BAHAI FRIENDS GATHERED AT THE GRAVE OF FRAU SOFIE STAEBLER
Before the above photograph was taken prayers were read and the friends also visited the grave of Frau Rouff, where her Visiting Tablet was read. These services were most spiritual and uplifting.
[See page 202]
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. V Kudrat 1, 70 (November 4, 1914) No. 13
"THROUGH THE TEACHINGS OF BAHA'O'LLAH THE EASTERN HORIZON WAS MADE RADIANT"
Address by Abdul-Baha at the Church of Our Father (Universalist),Washington, D. C.,
Wednesday evening, November 6, 8:15 p. m.
Dr. Ameen U. Fareed, interpreter; stenographic notes by Joseph H. Hannen.
PRAISE be to God! The Standard of Liberty is held aloft in this land. You enjoy political liberty; you enjoy liberty of thought; you enjoy religious liberty; you enjoy racial or sectarian liberty; and you enjoy personal liberty. Surely this is worth thanksgiving.
In this connection, let me comment upon the heartfelt welcome which has been extended to me in my recent travels throughout America.
As to the warm welcome which the Reverend Doctor has extended, I wish to reciprocate fully and completely. His loving susceptibilities especially win my gratitude. Surely men who are leaders of thought must follow such an example as his. Liberalism is what is needed. They must be kind to all the nations. They must not be limited, because God is unlimited. The Love of God is unlimited, and whoever is the servant of the Threshold of God must likewise be free from limitations. The world of existence is an emanation of the Merciful attribute of God. God has shone forth upon phenomena through His Effulgence of Mercy, and he is clement and kind to all of His creation. Therefore the world of humanity must ever be the recipient of the Bounties from His Majesty the Eternal Lord. Even as His Holiness Christ has declared, 'Be ye as your Father who is in Heaven.' For surely His sun shineth upon the just and upon the unjust. Consequently man must learn the lesson of kindness from God Himself. Just as God is kind to all humanity, man must also be kind to his fellow-creatures. If he be kind and loving towards all his fellowmen, towards all creation, then indeed is he worthy of being pronounced the image and likeness of God.
But kindness is of various kinds, and fraternity or brotherhood is different in sorts. At one time brotherhood is of the family type, and kindness is of the kind which prevails in the household. This is limited and is subject to change or corruption. How often it has happened in a family that amity has been changed into enmity. The second kind of fraternity is that which is manifest in patriotism. Man loves his fellowmen because they belong to the same nativity. This also is limited and is subject to change or corruption. How often it has happened that the sons of the same fatherland have met in war, bloodshed, strife and sedition. The third kind of fraternity is that which characterizes racial unity, the oneness of the race. Because of that racial oneness kindness is evidenced amongst a given people. This likewise is limited and liable to change. How often it has happened that amongst the same people, the same race, there have been warfare, battles and bloodshed! Thus it is made evident and manifest that the fraternity, kindness and love appertaining to the family,—the fraternity, kindness and love appertaining to the same race and to the same nativity or fatherland do not suffice, because both are limited and liable to change or corruption.
The fourth kind of brotherhood is that of species or kind—the love of human-kind; for all recognize the fundamental human bond which obtains amongst mankind. Although this is unlimited, it is still subject to change or corruption. Hence even from this the looked-for result does not appear. And what is the looked-for result? Loving-kindness amongst mankind and a firm, unshakable brotherhood; a brotherhood of that type which includes all the significances. Now it has become evident and manifest that through the family, or through the instrumentality of the oneness of kind, or oneness of race, or oneness of nativity, this looked-for or longed-for object
is not attained, because all of these are subject to change or transformation. In the family there is discord and alienation; amongst the sons of a fatherland there is often strife or civil separation. Amongst the people of a given race there may be sedition or contention. They are limited, and subject to corruption for it is possible to alienate a son from his father, and there may be sedition and discord amongst brothers. Between mother and daughter this often happens. Thus we can conclude that unlimited brotherhood of any of these kinds does not suffice.
Therefore the Lord of mankind has caused His Holy Divine Manifestations to come hither. He has caused His Books to be revealed in order to establish Spiritual Brotherhood through the Power of the Holy Spirit perfect fraternity to be realized amongst mankind. And when through the Power of the Holy Spirit fraternity and amity are realized amongst men, this brotherhood and love being spiritual in character, this kindness being heavenly, these bonds divine, a unity appears which is indissoluble, inseparable, unchangeable and never subject to transformation. It is ever the same and will remain the same. For example, consider the foundation of brotherhood laid by His Holiness Christ. Regard how that fraternity was the cause of unity and accord, and how it brought various souls to a level where they are willing to sacrifice their lives for each other. They were willing to forfeit possessions, and most joyously willing to forfeit life. They lived together in the utmost love and good-fellowship, to such a degree that even the famous Greek philosopher Galen, though not a Christian, in his work called "The Progress of the Nations," says that religious beliefs are greatly conducive to the foundation of moral and real civilization. As a proof thereof he cites the example of a group of people of whom he says "a certain number of people contemporaneous with us are known as Christians. These enjoy the superlative degree of moral civilization. Each one of these is as a great philosopher, because they live in the utmost of love and good-fellowship. They sacrifice life for one another. They offer possessions for each other. You can say of the Christian people that the whole people is as one person. There is a bond amongst them indissoluble in character." Hence it becomes evident that the cause of real brotherhood, the cause of cordial co-operation and reciprocity and the cause of real kindness is no other than the Breaths of the Holy Spirit. Without that it is impossible. You can realize some degree of fraternity through other motives but this is a limited brotherhood and subject to change. When brotherhood is founded upon the Holy Spirit, it is eternal, changeless and unlimited.
In brief, in various parts of the Orient—in Persia—there was a time when fraternity, brotherhood, loving-kindness and all the praiseworthy qualities had disappeared as it were from amongst men. There was no patriotic brotherhood, there was no racial brotherhood, there was no religious brotherhood but most bigoted and prejudiced conditions prevailed. Each religion was the enemy of the other. Each religion was blood-thirsty for the other. The war in the Balkans at the present time furnishes a parallel. Consider what blood is shed! What ferocity is shown, what tyranny, what oppression! And all of it is based upon religious prejudice, for all belong to the same nativity, and yet they spill the blood of each other. They are utterly merciless towards each other. Again we return to Persia, and find what deplorable conditions prevailed. Darkness was widespread through the country. There was not even a faint trace of good-fellowship or amity amongst the races. Nay, on the contrary, the worst hatred and enmity existed; gloomy darkness everywhere. At such a time as this, His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH appeared from the Divine Horizon even as the sun at mid-day, and in that gross darkness there appeared a great Light. He founded the oneness of the world of humanity, declaring that all mankind are like sheep, and that God is the real Shepherd. The Shepherd is one, and all the people are His flock. The world of humanity is one and God is kind to all. As God is kind, whence this unkindness? This real Shepherd loves all His sheep. He leads them to green pastures. He nurtures all His sheep. Whence is this enmity and alienation? Whence is this sedition and strife? The cause thereof is no other than superstition, because each religion amongst the religions has forgotten the fundamentals of Divine Religion and certain blind imitations or theological dogmas have been created. As these blind imitations are various, consequently strife, hatred and warfare prevail amongst men. But if we refer to the very foundations of the Divine Religion we shall discover that they are one, absolutely changeless and never subject to transformation. For example, each of the Divine Religions is divisible into two kinds of laws or ordinances.
One division is essential and concerns the world of morality. What is this? It is the Knowledge of God. It consists of the Love of God, the love of humanity, ethical institutions, the virtues of the world of humanity, the attributes of the Kingdom of God, and the new birth or being born out of the kingdom of nature. These constitute one kind of law which is absolutely common to all and never subject to change. From the dawn of the Adamic day until the present day it has remained changeless. This is the foundation of the Divine Religion.
As to the second division—it is accidental, of no importance and comprises laws which provide for human needs and transactions;—with the exigencies of time and place. These are of no importance and should never have been made a bone of contention. For example, during the time of His Holiness Moses—Upon Him be Peace!—according to the exigencies of the time, divorce was permissible. During the cycle of His Holiness Christ, inasmuch as that was out of conformity with the times, therefore His Holiness Jesus Christ abrogated it. During the time of Moses plurality of wives was permissible because the exigencies of the times demanded it, but during the time of His Holiness Christ that exigency did not exist, therefore plurality of wives was abrogated or forbidden. His Holiness Moses lived in the wilderness. He dwelt in the Sahara or wilderness of Terah, hence His ordinances and commandments were in accordance with the time and place. For instance, if a man committed theft in those days to the extent of a dollar, they could cut off his hand. Now such an ordinance as this is in keeping with the desert, but at the present time could a hand be cut off because of the theft of a dollar? Even the theft of a million dollars could not be punished in that manner. Such ordinances constitute the second or non-essential division of the Divine Religions and are not important, for they deal with human transactions and changes according to the requirements or exigencies of time and place. The times change and appear in various aspects.
But let it be known that the foundations of the Divine Religions are one, and so long as the foundations of the Divine Religions are one, why should this enmity and strife exist among them? Why this rancor and sedition? Why this bloodshed and battle? Why this ferocity? Is this permissible? Not at all. God forbid!
The third essential principle of BAHA'O'LLAH was that religion must be the cause of unity and love amongst men. Every religion is the greatest divine effulgence, the cause of life amongst men, the cause of the honor of humanity, and is productive of the life everlasting amongst humankind. Religion is not for enmity or hatred. It is not for tyranny or injustice. If religion be the cause of enmity and rancor, if it should prove the cause of alienating men, assuredly non-religion would be better. For religion and the teachings which appertain to it are as a course of treatment. What is the object of any course of treatment? It is cure and healing. But if the outcome of a course of treatment should be productive of mere diagnosis and discussion of symptoms, the abolition of it is evidently preferable. In this sense, abandoning religion would be some steps toward unity.
Fourthly, religion must conform with reason and accord with the postulates of science. For religion is reality; science is a reality; reason is a reality; and the three being realities must be conformable. A question which is religious in its nature must be sanctioned by science. Science must declare it to be valid and reason must confirm it in order that it may inspire confidence. But if a religious teaching be at variance with science and reason, it is undoubtedly superstition. The Lord of mankind has bestowed upon us reason whereby we are to discern the reality of objects. How then can we accept any proposition which is not in conformity with the principles of reason and the postulates of science? Assuredly such a course can not inspire man with confidence.
The Teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH are numerous. I am giving you a synopsis only. Let me touch upon one more:
The Fifth Principle of BAHA'O'LLAH concerns equality between men and women. He declares that all are created by the One God, and in His image and likeness. In the estimation of God there is no distinction of gender. He who is purer in heart, he whose knowledge is greater, who is kinder to his servants,—the Lord considers him the nearest, be that one male or female. In the animal and vegetable kingdoms we find the distinction of gender. All the plants which you observe are male and female. All the trees that you see are male and female. All the animals are subject to that distinction. But in their own estimation you will find no distinction. They do not set up any distinction among themselves. Nay rather, in
the animal and vegetable kingdoms perfect equality is established. Why then should mankind establish this differentiation which the animal does not regard? Why should man make this estimate when we know that all are of the same kindred, all belong to the same progeny? All are the leaves of one tree; all are the waves of one sea! Wherefore this distinction or differentiation on account of sex? What is the cause? The only reasonable cause is that womankind has not received the same educational facilities as man. For should woman be educated as man, if she receive the same culture, undoubtedly she will reach the same level. There will be no distinction. In the estimation of God there are no differences; both are one, and as regards capacity they possess it equally. Both man and woman are possessed of capacity and aptitude. If women are similarly educated, without doubt, generally speaking, they will receive the same prerogatives as man. When His Holiness Christ departed, the disciples witnessed His crucifixion and it is a fact that they were shaken. Even Peter the head of the disciples denied His Holiness Christ thrice. Consider how shaken he was! It was Mary the Magdalene who confirmed them after she brought them together. She admonished them, saying, "Why are ye doubting, why have ye feared? O thou Peter, why didst thou deny Him? for Christ was not crucified. The Christ Reality is alive, ever living and everlasting! It is eternal! For that Reality there is no beginning, no ending, and therefore there will be no death. At most only the body of Jesus is subject to death." In brief, that woman singly and alone was instrumental in transforming the disciples and making them steadfast. Hence we learn that in womankind there is an extraordinary power and superlative attributes, and that man and woman are absolutely equivalent. The one who is better educated, whose aptitude is greater, whose efforts are higher is most distinguished whether man or woman.
In a word, through the Teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH the Eastern Horizon was made radiant. Souls who hearkened to His Teachings and accepted His Behests, today live together in the utmost of amity; in the utmost of good-fellowship. They even offer life for each other. They forego possessions for one another, each one preferring the other to himself. And this has been due to the declaration of the oneness of the world of humanity. Today in Persia there are assemblages held wherein souls who have listened to the Teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH, representing Mohammedans, Christians, Zoroastrians, Jews, Buddhists and the various denominations of each, live together with perfect accord and absolute agreement. There is extraordinary brotherhood amongst them. A wonderful love exists amongst them, and all of them are a united force for international peace. Over 20,000 Bahais have virtually given their lives for the Cause of God. The Governments of the East arose against them. They wished to exterminate them. They killed them. But day by day have they increased, day after day have they multiplied in strength, day unto day have they become more eloquent. They have multiplied in great ratios through that wonderful power. Consider what is taking place just now in the Balkans! What blood is being shed! Ferocious animals do not commit such acts. The most ferocious wolf kills but one sheep a day, and even that as a prey for his food. But now in the Balkans one man destroys ten fellow-beings. Each general glories in having killed ten thousand men, not for food, nay rather for greed, for fame and for the dust of the earth. They kill for national aggrandizement, notwithstanding this terrestrial globe is a dark world of grossest matter. It is a world of sorrow and grief; a world of disappointment and unhappiness; a world of death. For the earth is after all the everlasting graveyard, the vast cemetery of man. Yet men fight to possess this grave-yard, waging war and battle, killing one another. What an injustice is this! What ignorance! For the earth after all is spacious, and can hold all. It is so allotted that every man can derive his daily sustenance from it. The Lord does not suffer anyone to starve. All can be blessed with the abundant bestowals of God. But on account of pure superstitions, and by reason of old theological dogmas which have nothing to do with the fundamentals of Divine Religion,—for the sake of such limitations, this bloodshed is taking place.
As to the American people, this noble nation, intelligent, thoughtful, meditative,—is quite disinterested, for its territory is insular and geographically separated from the other nations. Here we find a oneness of interest, a oneness of policy. These are indeed United States. Therefore the United States is possessed of the capacity and capability of holding aloft the banner of international peace. May this nation, this noble people, be the cause of unifying humanity! May this noble people spread broadcast the heavenly civilization and illumination! May it be the cause of the diffusion
of the Love of God! May it proclaim the solidarity of mankind! May it be the cause of the guidance of the human race! Therefore I request you to give this all-important question your most serious consideration and efforts. Thus may the world of humanity obtain peace and composure. Thus may this dark world be transformed into a realm of radiance. Thus may the East and the West clasp hands together. Thus may the Oneness of God become reflected and fully revealed or mirrored forth in the hearts of humanity and all mankind prove to be the manifestations of the Favors of God.
Necessarily there will be some who are defective amongst men, but it is our duty to enable the defective, by kind processes of education, to become perfected. There necessarily will be those who are sick, morally sick. They should be treated in order that they may become well. There are those who are childlike. They must be trained and educated so that they may reach maturity. Those who are asleep must be awakened. Those who are indifferent must become mindful. But all this must be accomplished in the spirit of kindness; not by warfare nor in a spirit of hostility; not in bloodshed, for this is contrary to the good pleasure of God. That which is acceptable in the sight of God is Love. Love is surely the first Effulgence of Divinity and the greatest Splendor of God!
Prayer chanted by Abdul-Baha as a "Benediction"
O Thou Tender Lord! Thou who art Generous and Able! We are servants of Thine, sheltered beneath Thy Providence! Cast Thy glance of favor towards us! Give light to the eyes, give hearing to the ears and understanding and love to the heart. Render joyous and happy the souls through Thy Glad Tidings! O Lord! Point to all of us the Pathway of Thy Kingdom and resuscitate all through the Breaths of the Holy Spirit! Vouchsafe to all the Life-Everlasting and confer the Honor never-ending! Unify mankind and illumine the world of humanity! May we all of us follow Thy Pathway and seek Thy Good-Pleasure and pronounce the mysteries of Thy Kingdom! O God! Unite us and connect the hearts with Thy indissoluble bond! Verily Thou art the Giver, Thou art the Kind One and Thou art the Almighty!
TABLETS AND LETTERS FROM GERMANY
Stuttgart, Sept. 25, 1914.
Mr. A. R. Windust, Chicago.
Dear Bahai brother:—
I send you herewith Mr. Remey's letter.
The visit of the dear ones was indeed a great blessing to us, especially at these times. The meetings were all very well attended and many extra afternoon meetings were held. Many new souls were led into the Kingdom and the glad-tidings were received by many. They were wonderful days of spreading the fragrances of the Kingdom of ABHA. The friends never tire in their efforts and so the work keeps on advancing. It is always a great pleasure for me to come to Stuttgart, Esslingen and Zuffenhausen and see the advancement of the new souls and the spiritual growth of the friends. We are very thankful to God that in the last year several cities became blessed through Abdul-Baha's mentioning them. I left Stuttgart last year for Leipzig and visited on my way Gmunt, Gotha and Chemnitz. The glad tidings were given to many and we have now friends in those places. In Gera, two hours' ride from Leipzig, are also active Bahais. In several other places the teachings were given with very good results. I hope in a short time to return again to Leipzig to continue my work there. The friends seem to think it will be a great blessing for this land, and I thank God that He has chosen me for this great work. I ask the friends to pray for us always, that we may become a strong Center. We will endeavor to spread the Bahai teachings to other places also.
Everything is perfectly quiet here—all are busy taking care of the wounded soldiers. The arrangements here are splendid—all are well cared for. The Lazaretts (hospitals) are comfortably arranged and the wounded soldiers are well remembered with flowers, cigars, chocolates and cakes. The prisoners receive the same care, yet a good many of them are mistrustful and believe they will be killed yet. What astonishes me the most is that so little hatred is shown by the Germans, though the German soldiers are almost always brought back in a terrible condition. . . .
Bahai love and greetings to you and all the friends.
Your friend in the Covenant,
(Signed) ALMA S. KNOBLOCH.
Original in German; translated into English by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Ioas, Chicago.
[Continued on page 202]
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: $1.50 per year; 15 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.
Vol. V
No. 13
MESSAGE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM ABDUL-BAHA
(Extract from Address published in this issue of the STAR OF THE WEST)
"GIVE THIS ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION YOUR MOST SERIOUS CONSIDERATION AND EFFORTS"
This terrestrial globe is a dark world of grossest matter. It is a world of sorrow and grief; a world of disappointment and unhappiness; a world of death. For the earth is after all the everlasting graveyard, the vast cemetery of man. Yet men fight to possess this graveyard, waging war and battle, killing one another. What an injustice is this! What ignorance! For the earth after all is spacious, and can hold all. It is so allotted that every man can derive his daily sustenance from it. The Lord does not suffer anyone to starve. All can be blessed with the abundant bestowals of God. But on account of pure superstitions, and by reason of old theological dogmas which have nothing to do with the fundamentals of Divine Religion,—for the sake of such limitations, this bloodshed is taking place.
As to the American people, this noble nation, intelligent, thoughtful, meditative,—it is quite disinterested, for its territory is insular and geographically separated from the other nations. Here we find a oneness of interest, a oneness of policy. These are indeed United States. Therefore the United States is possessed of the capacity and capability of holding aloft the banner of international peace. May this nation, this noble people, be the cause of unifying humanity! May this noble people spread broadcast the heavenly civilization and illumination! May it be the cause of the diffusion of the Love of God! May it proclaim the solidarity of mankind! May it be the cause of the guidance of the human race! Therefore I request you to give this all-important question your most serious consideration and efforts. Thus may the world of humanity obtain peace and composure. Thus may this dark world be transformed into a realm of radiance. Thus may the East and the West clasp hands together. Thus may the Oneness of God become reflected and fully revealed or mirrored forth in the hearts of humanity and all mankind prove to be the manifestations of the Favors of God.
LETTER FROM MR. GEORGE LATIMER
En Route, Alexandria to Naples,
Oct. 25, 1914.
Dear Brother Windust:
After a heavenly stay of two weeks on the Mountain of God, Mount Carmel, Abdul-Baha has sent us back to America to make a tour of the States immediately. He also revealed a Tablet for the American Bahais which I shall
TABLET FOR THE AMERICAN BAHAIS
To the believers of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful in America. Upon them be Baha'o'llah-el-Abha!
HE IS GOD!
O ye believers of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful!
From the Graces of His Holiness Baha'o'llah I beg for you firmness and steadfastness. Today whosoever is a herald of the Covenant is confirmed and assisted. In these days a number of souls, whose deeds are known in America as clear as the sun, have arisen in enmity against the Center of the Covenant. Their's is the vain imagination that they can extinguish the Light of the Candle of the Covenant. Vain indeed is their their thought. The Candle of the Covenant is like unto the Morning Star which never sets.
In short, after a journey through Europe and a visit to the Holy Land, their honors, Mr. Remey and Mr. Latimer, are now returning to America. I send them. I am hopeful that from the Bestowals of His Holiness, Baha'o'llah, they may become confirmed and assisted in the diffusion of the Fragrances of God.
Upon ye be Baha-el-Abha!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
The original is in the handwriting of Abdul-Baha. Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, Bahai Nest, Mt. Carmel, Oct. 19, 1914.
copy below. The original is with us and in
his own hand. This has been an interesting
trip and we shall be glad to get back to a
peaceful country.
It may sound paradoxical to the outside world, but our largest and best meetings, especially on the peace of God with the world, were held in Germany after the commencement of this present war. The friends there are all on fire with the Covenant and there was scarcely a meeting—and we had one nearly every day, often several, for five weeks—at which we did not see new faces. Now is the time for the American friends to show such a zeal, for the condition of the world is demanding and crying out for the Bahai Message.
We shall tour the eastern states first and will
probably reach Chicago after the first of the year. We arrive in Boston, direct from Naples, about Nov. 15th. You can circulate the above Tablet as you think best. Brother Mason joins in heartiest Bahai greetings to you and the “STAR” and all the friends in Chicago. In humble service to the Covenant.
GEORGE LATIMER.
MASHRAK-EL-AZKAR BUILDING FUND
Received previously, $5,560.62; received during October, $557.99.
Total receipts to date, $6,118.61.
TABLETS AND LETTERS FROM GERMANY
[Continued from page 199]
VISITING TABLET FOR FRAU BABBTTE RUOFF
A Visiting Tablet for the Maidservant of God, Frau Babette Ruoff.
Upon her be BAHA-EL-ABHA!
HE IS GOD!
O Almighty!
Endear thou this maidservant of Thy Threshold, Frau Ruoff, in the Kingdom of Thy Holiness, and submerge her in the Ocean of Sight. Overlook her shortcomings; confer upon her Thy Grace! Vouchsafe her Thy Purity in the Court of the Paradise of ABHA! Bestow upon her Eternal Life and suffer her to become the manifestor of infinite bestowals in the meeting of transfiguration. Verily Thou art the Generous! The Pardoner and the Compassionate.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, April 18, 1914, home of Abdul-Baha, Mt. Carmel, Haifa, Syria.
Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 15, 1914.
To Albert R. Windust, Esq., Chicago.
My Dear Albert:—
I send a few lines to you and the friends of Chicago to inform you of the happiness and well-being of the Bahais in this country.
Although there is in this troublesome time no material safety, rest or peace, and all humanity suffers terribly, yet the friends of God are in the greatest activity, in spiritual tranquility and heavenly fragrance. They have meetings every day and their voices are raised in the song of the Covenant and hearts are illumined. The people are firm in the Center of the Covenant—they raise no questions in regard to the divine institutions of Abdul-Baha, hence their meetings are in a growing condition of joy and fragrance. The physical sorrow at present is causing the people in general to turn their thoughts to God and inquire into the reality of spiritual things. One sees new and hopeful faces in every meeting and while the country here is in such a deplorable condition, yet the people of the Covenant work continually in spreading the Message of the Kingdom, and the result of their labor is apparent on all sides. Dr. Habibollah, Mirza Azizollah (the two Persians), Mr. Latimer and myself were called to Acca by Abdul-Baha. We are at present detained in Stuttgart on account of the passes of our two Persian friends, which had to be sent back to Berlin for correction. Just as soon as they come back, we shall start for the Holy Land.
All the friends here join in sending their love and greetings.
Miss Knobloch was kind enough to translate this letter into German because only German letters are allowed to be sent at this time, and they must be open.
Your friend in the Cause of God,
(Signed) CHARLES MASON REMEY.
Original translated into German by Alma S. Knobloch, Stuttgart, Germany; retranslated into English by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Ioas, Chicago.
TABLET TO JULIA STAEBLER
Through Miss Alma Knobloch, to the maidservant of God, Fraulein Julia Staebler:
Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH-EL-ABHA!
HE IS GOD
O thou maidservant of God!
Thy letter was received. I am much occupied, therefore brevity is befitting. Be very grateful to Miss Alma Knobloch and Miss Anna Köstlin, for they became the cause of thy guidance.
Thy beloved mother ascended to the apex of the Kingdom. She is the associate and the companion of the spiritual ones. They witness this world and the inhabitants thereof, for the veil is rent asunder and the covering is taken away from before the insight. Beg of God for them the exaltation of spiritual degrees.
Praise be to God that, on the Day of the Declaration of His Holiness the BAB, you celebrated the Feast with the utmost beauty. The nineteen days' Feast has the utmost importance, that the beloved ones may gather in a meeting, be occupied with the utmost love and fellowship in mentioning the name of God, and speak about the glad tidings of God, deliver the proofs and evidences of the appearance of BAHA’O'LLAH, mention the praiseworthy deeds and the sacrifices endured by the Believers of God in Persia, talk about the severance and the attraction of the martyrs and remember the co-operation and the mutual assistance of the friends. Therefore this nineteen days' Feast is most important.
The believers of God in Persia sacrifice their lives in the path of each other, the rich give to the poor, and the worthies protect and guard the weak ones.
Convey to all the friends the wonderful greeting of ABHA.
Upon you be Baha-el-ABHA.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, Dublin, N. H., August 7, 1912.
OUR PERSIAN SECTION
This issue contains: (1) Talk by Abdul-Baha to Mr. and Mrs. Moser in Paris; (2) talk by Abdul-Baha regarding the war of the world; (3) article on Universal Peace and the terrors of war by M. Abul-Kassim, Golestané, Shirazi; (4) good news from India; (a) Tablet to Mrs. Stannard, (b) article by Mrs. Stannard, in the Sind Gazette, India.
PAGE 1
VOL V
No. 13
نجم باختر 1329 . صفحه اوّل . جلد پنجم
شماره سیزدهم . نوثمبر 4 . سنه 1914 میلادی
این جریده بر حسب تاریخ بهائی هر نوزده روز چاپ و توزیع میگردد و در نهایت آزادی در مسائل یگانگی بشر و و حدت ادیان و ترویج صلح عمومی 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
نطق مبارک : صورت نطق مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء برای مستر و میسس مورز در منزل مبارک در پاریس 31 مارچ سنه 1913
خوش آمدید من وقتی کتاب شما را دیدم بسیار مسرور شدم میخواستم شما را ملاقات و اظهار تشکرّ نمایم که آثار عتیقه را جمع و ضبط نمودید شما از شرق خبر دارید چه قدر افق شرق را ظلمت نادانی احاطه کرده بود ادیان و مذاهب شرق در نهایت عداوت و جدال بودند بدرجه ئی که اسرائیلیان روز باران نمیتوانستند از خانه بیرون بروند چه که سایرین با رطوبت آنها را لمس نمینمودند و ایشان را پاک نمیدانستند ملل شرق خون همدیگر را ریختن مباح میدانستند در همچو زمانی حضرت بهاء الله چون شمس از افق شرق طالع شد اوّل اعلان وحدت عالم انسانی فرمود که جمیع اغنام الهی هستند و خدا شبان حقیقی و بکلّ مهربان است جمیع را رزق میدهد جمیع را می پروراند اگر دوست نمیداشت مهربان نبود آنها را خلق نمیکرد روزی نمیداد . ثانی تعالیم حضرت بهاء الله تحرّی حقیقت است که چون ادیان تحرّی حقیقت نمایند متحدّ شوند زیرا حقیقت یکی است تعدّد قبول ننماید بالعکس چون تقالید مختلف است مادام پیروی تقالید میکنند در اختلاف و نزاعند . ثالث دین باید سبب محبّت و الفت بین بشر باشد اگر دین سبب نزاع و جدال باشد بی دینی بهتر است زیرا دین بمنزلۀ علاج است
صفحه 2 – 1
اگر علاج سبب مرض گردد ترک علاج بهتر است خدا ادیان را برای ارتباط بین قلوب و محبّت و الفت فرستاده نه اختلاف و عداوت رابع دین باید مطابق عقل و علم باشد اگر مسئله ئی از مسائل دینیّه مطابق علم و عقل نباشد وهم است از این قبیل تعالیم بسیار فرمود ولی او را تکفیر نمودند و اموال را نهب و غارت کردند حبس و زجر نمودند آخر از ایران سرگون به بغداد شد و از بغداد به اسلامبول و رومیلی باوجود این دیدند این سراج روشنتر شد و قوّت این امر شدید تر گشت عاقبت حضرت بهاء الله را بسجن عکّا فرستادند ولی بهاء الله در زیر زنجیر امرالله را بلند نمود و تعالیمش را در جمیع ممالک منتشر ساخت با وجود آنکه در حبس بود احکام صلح و سلام را ترویج فرمود پنجاه سال پیش مسئله صلح عمومی را اعلان نمود بسلطان و شاه ایران نوشت که هرچند من در زندانم و مبتلای ظلم و طغیان لکن این سلطنت و عزّت نیز پایدار نماند و مبدّل بزحمت میگردد آن الواح در هند مطبوع شد و الآن موجود است خلاصه از نفوذ این تعالیم در شرق امم مختلفه متحّد شدند نفوس کثیره از یهود و زردشتی و مسیحی و مسلمان الفت تامّه جستند و در نهایت یگانگی و اخوّت با یکدیگر محشورند چنانچه اگر کسی در مجمع آنها وارد شود نمیداند کدام یهود کدام زردشتی کدام مسیحی کدام مسلمان است گویا کلّ برادران و خواهرانند و یک عائله و خاندان .
مستر و مسیس مورز اظهار نمودند که از این امر ما خوب اطّلاع داریم این امر نوری است که از شرق دمیده و سبب صلح خواهد شد .
صفحه 1 - 2
فرمودند بلی بلکه انشاء الله عالم آسوده شود چه قدر بلایا بر نفوس وارد شد چه قدر مادران بی پسر چه قدر پسران بی پدر گشتند همه این جنگ ها و جدالها از تعصّبات است یکی از دوستان من در اینجا ذکر میکرد که در شرق شش قریّه در نهایت عمران و آبادی داشته حال خبر آمده که تمام زیر و زبر شده هیچ اثری از آبادی نمانده . مستر و مسیس مورز عرض کردند چیزی که در این امر خیلی جلب قلب و نظر مینماید آن قوّه ئی است روحانی که سبب صلح و اتحّاد میشود والا ما مجالس بسیاری داشتیم که برای صلح بود ولکن جمیع بی فائده و اثر مانده . فرمودند بلی در عالم انسانی صلح و وحدت یا از ارتباط وطنی است که بواسطۀ هموطنی جمعی بهم مربوط میشوند یا از ارتباط جنسی است یا از ارتباط سیاسی ولی هیچیک کفایت ننماید چه بسیار هموطنان که با یکدیگر در جنگ و جدالند و علاوه هرکس وطن خود را دوست دارد دوستی وطن خود سبب دشمنی با دیگران میشود همینطور ارتباط جنسی و سیاسی سبب اختلاف قومی و اختلاف منافع ممکن نیست سبب صلح و اتحّاد عمومی گردد پس چه باقی ماند قوّۀ الهی لازم است تا سبب چنین صلح و اتحّادی گردد . در باره نفوس بداخلاق سئوال نمودند که با آنها چگونه سلوک شود فرمودند قوّۀ الهیّه اخلاق را تعدیل میکند شخصی از اهل قفقازیّه از قطّاع طریق بود نفوس بسیاری را کشته بود چون بهائی شد بدرجۀ مظلوم گردید که ششلول باو انداختند ولی او دست باز نکرد چنان شخص درنده ئی چنین انسان مظلومی شد پس باید اخلاق را تعدیل نمود تا نفوس متنبّه شوند و این جز بقوّۀ الهیّه ممکن نیست .
سئوال نمودند در چه مملکتی بهائی بیشترند ؟ فرمودند در ایران اهل بها بیشترند و این امر در اینجا تمکنّ یافته در امریکا هم از هر قبیل نفوس هستند .
عرض نمودن الحمدلله در این عصر از هر ملتی نفوس با استعداد یافت میشود که آرزوی صلح عمومی دارند نمیگویند ما یهود یا نصاری یا مسلمان بلکه طالب الفتند امّا از مسائل دینیّه در کنار .
فرمودند بای این قرن قرن حقیقت است از هر جهت در
صفحه 2 – 2
عالم ترقیّ فوق العاده حاصل و مشهود امّا کناره جوئی نفوس از امر ادیان سبب این است که ادیان سابقه از نفوذ و تأثیر باز مانده مانند اشجار بی ثمر با مثل بدون لبّ ملاحظه نمائید که حضرت مسیح فرمود اگر کسی بشما تعدّی کند در عوض خوبی کنید حال امّت صبح شب و روز مشغول حربند و نام آنرا حرب مقدّس نهاده اند ایم چه مناسبت بتعالیم الهیّه دارد با آنکه حضرت مسیح برای خود قبول صلیب فرمود شقاعت قاتلان نمود .
عرض کردند : شما را مسیح چه میدانید ؟
فرمودند چنانچه در انجیل است ما مسیح را کلمة الله میدانیم نهایت آنرا شرح میدهیم و بیان میکنیم ما جمیع انبیاء را قبول داریم حضرت موسی حضرت ابراهیم و حضرت رسول و سایر انبیا را تمام بر حقّ میدانیم میخواهیم جمیع امم را بهم صلح دهیم هزارو سیبصد سال است بین مسیحی و مسلمان جنگ و جدال است بجهت سوء تفاهم اگر این سوء تفاهم از میان برخیزد با یکدیگر برادر شوند .
عرض کردند تعالیم مسیح حرف روحانی بود امّا در اسلام جنگ بود .
فرمودند تفصیل آن این است که حضرت رسول سیزده سال در مکّه بود و همیشه مبتلای زجر و زحمت او را اذیّت میکردند اصحابش فرار کردند بعضی اسیر شدند میخواستند خودش را نیز بکشند لهذا هجرت فرمود ولی مخالفین لشکر کشیدند بر سر حضرت محمّد آمدند تا رجال را بکشند و نساء را اسیر کنند حضرت محمّد امر بدفاع فرمودند این بود اساس حرب اسلام که هرچه مدافعه میکردند آنها را شکست میدادند باز برمیگشتند با حضرت محاربه مینمودند زیرا خونخوار بودند همیشه حرب دائمی در میان داشتند و بحرب و قتل نفوس و نهب اموال و اسارت عیال و اطفال افتخار میکردند و دیگر آنکه حکم مدافعه و مقاتله در اسلام با مشرکین عرب خونخوار بود نه اهل کتاب امّا در بارۀ اهل کتاب و مسیح مذکور است آنچه ابدا در انجیل آنگونه ستایش نیست میفرماید مریم خطیب نداشت بلکه همیشه در قدس الاقداس بود از آسمان برای او مائده نازل میشد و حضرت مسیح بمجرّد تولدّ تکلمّ میفرمود و این نصّ قرآن است که نصاری دوست شما هستند باری شما گوش
صفحه 1 -3
بحرفهای رؤسای روحانی متعصّب ندهید زیرا تقلید آنها سبب فساد شده و الا در قرآن نهایت ستایش مذکور و موجود باری مقصد اینست که حضرت موسی درختی غرس فرمود که ثمر اخلاق مرضیّه و کمالات و ترقیّات عظیمه داد و آن درخت امرالله و شریعت الله بوده ولی چون کهن شد از ثمر باز ماند حضرت مسیح آمد و باز از همان اصل نهالی غرس فرمود که فواکه و ثمرات طیّبه داد و همچنین سایر انبیا ولی اساس ادیان الهیّه ترک شده و حال همه بی ثمر مانده جز تقالید در دست امم نیست لهذا حضرت بهاء الله باز شجری غرس فرموده که ثمرۀ صلح دهد و میوۀ وحدت عالم انسانی ببار آرد عرض کردند این سبب اطمینان است و یکی از آثار اطمینان راحت بودن هنگام مرگ است بسیاری از مسیحیان را دیده ایم که در حال موت نهایت اضطراب داشته اند .
فرمودند بلی انسان روحانی نمیترسد میداند که در عالم وجود فنائی نیست بهائیان زیر شمشیر خندان بودند بلکه به قاتل خود شیرینی میدادند و میگفتند شما سبب سعادت و تقربّ ما شدید و از برای شما مغفرت الهی میطلبیم باری امیدوارم که کتابی ملکوتی تألیف نمایند که آثارش ابدی باشد .
عرض کردن کوشش میکنیم و رجای تأیید و مدد داریم
فرمودند البّته چون لسان بگشائید مؤیّد میشوید حضرت مسیح میفرماید چون لسان میگشائید فکر نکنید که چه بگوئیم روح القدس بشما القا مینماید لهذا امیدوارم خدا شما را تأیید کند ابدا شما را فراموش نمینمایم انشاء الله خادم صادق ملکوت الهی شوید و کتابی هر دو بالاتفاق بنویسید که در جهان الهی الی الابد پاینده بماند . و عدّۀ خواهش از حضور مبارک نمودند که بسویس تشریف ببرند . فرمودند ممکن نیست دو سال و نیم است در سفرم باید زود مراجعت نمایم .
جنگ دنیا
نطق مبارگ حضرت عبدالبهاء در خصوص جنگ دنیا
صفحه 2 – 3
عجب است جمیع مردم مضطربند ده پانزده روز قبل با قونسول آلمان در مسئله جنگ صحبت شد او اصرار در ازدیاد و اکمال قوّۀ حربیّه داشت میگفت هرقدر قوّۀ حربیّه مکمّلتر باشد سبب ترقیّات است بعضی از آلمانیها و سائر نفوس حاضر بودند آنها هم تصدیق میکردند و در این مسئله متفقّ بودند ذکر شد اگر قوّۀ محبّت غالب شود تأثیرات این اعظم از قوّۀ حربیّه است در عالم وجود هیچ قوّۀ مثل قوّۀ محبّت نافذ نیست بقوّۀ حربیّه مردم از روی کره ساکن و ساکت میشوند امّا بقوّه محبّت از روی میل تمکین مینمایند در این وقت دول متصلّ در تدارک حربیّه میکوشند و اگرچه بظاهر حرب نیست ولی فی الحقیقه حرب دائمی مالی است زیرا این بیچاره های فقرا بکدّ یمین و عرق جبین چند دانه جمع میکنند آنوقت جمیع صرف جنگ میشود لهذا حرب مستمرّ است حالا این اصرار و حرصی که در تجهیزات جنگی دارند و این افکاری که در قرب علوم حرب بکار میبرند این سعی و کوشش و این همّت و فکر را اگر در محبّت بین بشر و ارتباط دول و ملل و الفت اقوام صرف کنند آیا بهتر نیست عوض اینکه شمشیر بکشند خون یکدیگر بریزند در فکر آسایش و راحت و ترقیّ یکدیگر باشند آیا خوشتر نیست حضرات این صحبت را قبول نمیکردند مجادله مینمودند گفتم آخر چه ثمری از این خونریزی چه نتیجه ئی از این ظلم چه فائدۀ از این عدوان و از این هجوم از اوّل عالم تا بحال که تاریخ بشر خبر میدهد چه ثمره و چه نتیجه و چه فائده از جنگ گرفته شده برعکس ملاحظه کنید که بقوّۀ محبّت چه اثمار لذیذه ظاهر شده چه فتوحات معنویّه جلوه نموده چه آثار روحانیّه هویدا گشته لهذا چه قدر نیکو و سزاوار است اگر افکار عقلای ارض صرف نشر قوّۀ محبّت شود سبب الفت و التیام است سبب عزّت ابدیّه است سبب آسایش عالم انسانی است . حضرات زیر این بار نمیرفتند ولی سکوت نمودند اعتراف نکردند سکوت اختیار نمودند امروز می بینیم همۀ آلمانیهای اینجا باندازۀ مغموم و محزون هستند که وصف ندارد زیرا می بینند که در خطرند خطر اینکه مبادا آلمان شکست بخورد پس چه لزوم مردم را در این خطر بیندازند
صفحه 1 – 4
و حال آنکه اینها فی الحقیقه جمیع از یک دینند دین حضرت مسیح و از یک جنس و آن جنس آریان که از آسیا در ازمنۀ قدیم باروپا آمدند و از قطعات مختلفه منزل گرفتند بعد از مدّتی جمعی خود را فرانسه جمعی آلمان دسته ئی انگلیس و فرقۀ ایتالیا نامیدند و بعد کم کم از برای خود اسباب اختلاف وضع کردند امّا در اصل یک جنس بودند بعد اوهامات در میان آمد و اختلاف روزبروز زیادتر شد و همچنین چون درست فکر نمائیم ملاحظه میکنیم که اینها در یک قطعۀ زمین ساکنند در اروپا لهذا اگر بگویند که بجهت اختلاف دینند دین واحد دارند اگر بگویند بجهت اختلاف جنس است کلّ از جنس واحدند اگر بگویند بجهت اختلاف وطن است کلّ در قطعۀ واحد منزل دارند و از اینها گذشته جمیع اینها از نوع بشرند از یک دوحه و از یک شجره روئیده شده اند در وقتی که من در اروپا بودم هر ملتیّ میگفت وطن وطن وطن من میگفتم جانم این چه خبر است این همه هیاهو از کجاست این وطنی که شما برای آن داد و فریاد میکنید روی زمین است وطن انسان است هرکس در هرجا ساکن شود وطن اوست خدا این زمین را تقسیم نکرده است . جمیع یک کره است این حدود که شما تعیین کرده اید این حدود وهمی است حقیقت ندارد مثل آن است که در این اطاق یک خطوط حدود وهمی بکشیم و نصف آن را آلمان و نصف دیگری انگلیس و فرانسه بگوئیم حطوط وهمی که ابدا وجود ندارد این حدود وهمیّه مانند تقسیمات و حدود کلیّه است زیرا سکّانی چند در یک میدان ولی میدان را بخطوط و حدود وهمیّه میان خود تقسیم کنند و اگر یکی بخواهد از حدود حدود خود تجاوز کند دیگران بر او حمله نمایند و حال آنکه این خطوط هیچ وجود حقیقی ندارد و از این هم گذشته می بینیم این وطنی که شما میگوئید وای وطن چه چیز است اگر زمین است این واضح است که انسان چند روزی روی زمین زندگی میکند و بعد از آن الی الابد زیر آن میرود قبر ابدی اوست آیا سزاوار است که بجهت این گورستان ابدی انسان جنگ کند خون برادران بریزد بنیان الهی ویران کند زیرا انسان بنیان الهی است آیا این سزاوار است باری مقصد اینست که بر حضرات آلمانیها آن روز این صحبتها خیلی گران آمد ولی امروز دیدم خیلی مکدّرند و مضطرب و پریشان
صفحه 2 - 4
امّا از طرف دیگر چه غیرتی دارند جوانان کارها را ترک کرده اند و عازم هستند و پنجاه نفر بدلخواه خود حاضر سفر شده اند از این ده کوچک و بقدر صد نفر جوان میرود و بکمال سرور و ابدا شکایتی هم ندارند ولی از این خبرهای امروز که روس و فرانسه و انگلیس بر ضدّ آلمان متحدّ شده اند بسیار دلتنگ شده است چه قدر بی انصافی است که انسان یکدیگر را پاره پاره کند مجرّد برای اینکه تو آلمانی من فرانسه ام او انگلیسی است و حال آنکه همه بشرند و در ظلّ یک خداوند زندگی میکنند و فیوضات و الطافات و عنایات الهی شامل کلّ است کلّ اغنام الهی هستند و این شبان حقیقی بجمیع مهربان است . دیگر آنکه این هیجان هیجان طبیعت است این بیچاره ها مثل حیوانات اسیر طبیعتند مغلوب و محکوم طبیعتند حیوان باقتضای طبیعت تجاوز میکند هر یک در هلاک دیگری میکوشد این مطابق حکم و مقتضای طبیعت است در عالم طبیعت درّندگی است ظلم است تنازع بقاء است و جمیع اینها مقتضای طبیعت است همان نوعی که جمیع این حیوانات اسیر طبیعتند همان نوع انسان هم ذلیل و مقهور و اسیر طبیعت است مثلا غضب بر انسان غلبه میکند درّندگی بر او مستولی میشود اسیر شهوات نفسانی میگردد اینها چه چیز است جمیع اینها از مقتضیّات عالم طبیعت است مگر نفوسیکه فی الحقیقه مؤمن بالله و موقن بآیات الله و منجذب بملکوت الله باشند و فی الحقیقه متوجّه الی الله این نفوس از اسیری چنگال طبیعت خلاص شده اند بعد از اینکه محکوم طبیعت بودند حاکم بر طبیعت میشوند بعد از اینکه مغلوب طبیعت بودند غالب طبیعت میگردند طبیعت انسان را دعوت بر هوی و هوس مینماید و محبّت الله انسان را بعوالم تنزیه و تقدیس میکشاند . اعلان صلح عمومی و مضّرات حرب حاضره
صفحه 1 – 5
حضرت بهاء الله جلّ ذکره الاعلی عالم امکان را بانوار جمال بیمثال منوّر فرمودند و پنجاه سال قبل تعلیماتی آسمانی و بیاناتی ملکوتی برای راحت و آسایش و سعادت عالم انسانی انتشار دادند و حضرت عبدالبهاء مسافرت به اروپا و امریکا فرمودند و آن تعالیم روحانی را در مجالس و محافل و کنائس و جوامع و صوامع بگوش ملل و ادیان رسانیدند و بعبارات دلپذیر خطابه ها خواندند و نطقها نمودند و شرح و بسط دادند و اتمام حجّت بر جمیع فرمودند طوائف مختلفه و مذاهب موجوده همه شنیدند و در جرائد و مجلاتّ مهمّه ترجمه و درج کردند و در عالم منتشر ساختند عقلا و علما و فلاسفه و پروفسرها تحسین و تمجید و اعتراف نمودند که این تعالیم روح این عصر و نور این قرن و سبب نجاح و فلاح و اصلاح حال من علی الارض است از جملۀ تعالیم مبارک وحدت عالم انسانی و ترویج صلح عمومی و تأسیس محکمه کبری بین دولی و بین المللی است که جمیع تحسین و تصدیق نمودند و اکثری اظهار همراهی کردند و بعضی اقدام در خدمت و انتشار نمودند . حال فتنۀ عظیمی برخواسته و جمیع اهل شرق و غرب را مبتلا داشته آتش جنگ و جدال و حرب و قتال شعله ور شده و شراره اش باطراف جهان منتشر گشته نائره جان گدازش عالم انسانی محزون و دلخون نموده و آوازۀ فتنه خیزش قلوب هواخواهان نوع بشر را مهموم و مغموم کرده اخبارات و تلگرافات و انتشارات بواسطۀ جرائد نفوس را مشغول داشته تجارت موقوف صناعت و فلاحت متروک راهها مسدود راحت و آسایش مصلوب و جمیع مردمان حیران و سرگردانند رؤسای امور و امرای جمهور هریک بلحنی فریاد خدمت بعالم انسانیّت مینماید و داد ممظلومیّت میزند امپراطور نمسه و مجارستان قصاص قاتلین ولیعهد و زوجه ولیعهد را خواهد و خونخواهی و داد طلبی نماید امپراطور آلمان در خطابه و نشریّات خود را هواخواه دول شرق شمارد و این همه خونریزی را برای حمایت دیگران گوید ملک بلجیک بیطرفی خود را از سابق بتصدیق دول داند و این
صفحه 2 – 5
تعدیّات را ظلم فاحش خلاف قانون اظهار کند .
قیصر روس خود را معاون مظلومان این حرب را حرب مقدّس شمارد و تأییدات الهی را شامل حال خویش داند . ملتّ فرانسه صلح طلبی و سکون خویش را منتشر کند و متعدّی را ظالم و ناهب گوید . ملکه انگلستان معاونت مظلومان و رعایت مقهوران پیشنهاد کند و مداخله در جنگ را محض آزادی و راحت عموم اعلان نماید . هریک خود را محقّ و معاون عموم بشر داند صلح و سلام را خیر و صلاح گوید و جنگ را ناچار و اجبار شمرد و خصم را متعدّی و ظالم اظهار دارد و هرساعت بر قوای حربیّه بیفزاید از این میانه میدان جنگ وسیع و صدای توپ و تفنگ عالم به لرزه درآورده خون جمعی بندگان خدا ریخته شده اموال بهدر رود قحط و سختی عالم را احاطه کند پدر ها و مادر ها بی پسر شدند اولاد ها بی پدر گشتند زنها بی شوهر شئند نفوس بی لانه و آشیانه دربدر گشتند شهرها قریّه ها خانه ها و املا هبآء منش را کشت عمارات عالیه ابنیه قدیمه و قصور بدیعۀ رفیعه ویران و با زمین یکسان شد اموال پایمال گشت بنیان الهی که عالم انسانی است خراب و نابود شد ناله و فغان بآسمان رسید آه مظلومان و بیکسان عالم امکان را تیره و تار کرد ظلمت توحشّ باسم مدنیّت جهان را تاریک نمود اتلاف نفوس و اموال باسم معاونت و محافظت قلوب را گداخت حرص و طمع و خودپسندی من علی الارض را گرفتار سختی و صعوبات کرد معذلک هنوز متنبّه نشده اند و بر استعدادات و مهمّات حربیّه اطمینان دارند و بر خونریزی بیفزایند و خون بیچارگان هدر دهند . عنقریب بیاید روزی که دول متحاربۀ متنازعه و سائر دول و ملل عالم بیقین مبین بدانند که این همه تهیّه و تدارکات حربیّه جمیع بر خطا و بلافائده بوده و سبب اتلاف نفوس و خرابی عالم شده و اصلاح آن موقوف باجرای تعلیمات مبارکه است
صفحه 1 – 6
و تعالیم الهی سبب معارف و راحت و ثروت و عزّت نوع بشر و اصلاح ارض است ولله الحمد با وجود این حرب عمومی که عالم را مشغول نموده باز در کلّ قطعات دنیا حتیّ ممالک متحاربه احبّای الهی بکمال شوق و انجذاب بخدمات امریّه مشغول و وحدت عالم انسانی و محبّت نوع بشر و صلح عمومی و رفع تعصّبات دینی و جنسی و وطنی و سیاسی را نشر و ترویج میدهند و با جمیع طوائف عالم خیرخواه صادق و دوست مهربانند و با احدی بغض وکینه و عداوت و غرض ندارند و در امور سیاسیّه بکلیّ مداخله ننمایند و از ملکوت الهی سائل و آملند که این جنگ و جدال بصلح و سلام مبدّل گردد و نفوس بیدار و آگاه شوند . میرزا ابواقاسم گلستانه شیرازی . بمصر
خبرهای خوش از هند
لوح مبارک برای امة الله المنجدبه مسس استانرد : هوالله
ای منادی ملکوت الله خبرهای خوش از هند میرسد که الحمدلله نفحات الهی در انتشارات وآن محترمه بنهایت همّت بخدمت مشغول چون بموجب تعلیم عبدالبهاء حرکت نمودی و در نهایت توجّه بملکوت ابهی هستی و لسان و زبان به تبلیغ میگشائی یقین است که ربّ الجنود تو را تأیید نموده و خواهد نمود فی الحقیقه هندوستان در ترقیّ است و میدان نفوس مبارکه و مقصدشان وحدت عالم انسانی و ارالۀ تعصّبات دینی و مذهبی و جنسی و سیاسی الحمدلله منطقۀ هند وسیع است و حکومت هند حکومت عادله و ظلم و تعدّی و تعرّض مفقود جمیع ملل در مهد امن و آسایش آرمیده اند کسی تعدّی بدیگری نتواند لهذا خدا تقدیر نمود که تو بآن دیار روی و ندا بملکوت الله نمائی و سبب نورانیّهت هندوستان شوی من مشکل است بجهت کانگرس بتوانم بهند آمد ولی بعضی خطابه ها مرقوم خواهد گشت و ارسال خواهد شد . . . »
مسس استنارد در مسئله امر بهائی صحبت می نماید :
ترجمۀ مقالۀ امری در جریده سیندگازن هندوستان مورّخه 24 دسمبر سنه 1913
یک حرکت جدید دینی شرح تعالیم این دین در شهر کراجی هندوستان
صفحه 2 - 6
دیشب مسس ج استنارد خطابه ئی در نهایت فصاحت در بارۀ امر بهائی در تالار تیاسفی ها در شهر کراجی ادا نمود فصاحت و بلاغت بیشتر از یک ساعت بجهت حضّار صحبت نمود خلاصۀ خطابۀ او از این قرار است :
«اوّلین مؤسّس امر بهائی جوان ایرانی معروف به باب بود که در سنۀ 1844 مسیحی در شهر شیراز پایتخت قدیم ایران اعلاء امر خود کرد در سنّ بیست و چهار سالگی قلب او ملهم بالهامات الهی گردید و بغتتا جمیع امور شخصی را کنار گذارده در نشر این تعالیم جدید کوشش نمود و اگرچه مسلم بود و از عائله محترمۀ حضرت رسول ولکن مانندیوحنّای معمدان اعلان نمود که من این طریق را بجهت شخص دیگری صاف مینمایم ایّام زندگانی او قلیل بود و حکومت ایران در سنۀ 1850 مسیحی او را بدرجۀ شهادت رسانید و دسته ئی قلیل از پیروان او که موسوم به بهائی بودند باقی ماندند ولی حضرت باب نبوّت صریحه نموده بود که در سنۀ نهم بعد از ظهور او شخصی از اعضای عائلۀ نجبای ایران قیام نموده این بشارت جدید را باطراف عالم منتشر خواهد ساخت و چنین شخص عظیمی موسوم به بهاء الله قیام نمود و نفوسی که در ایّام حیات او در حضورش مشرّف شدند شهادت میدهند که حیات جمیل او و تعلیمات مفیدۀ او بجهت روشنائی عالم انسانیّت است و جلال خداوند در نهایت کمال در هیکل این شخص جلیل ظاهر و باهر .
بعد مسس استنارد شرحی بیان نمود که چه نوع این شخص عظیم و هیکل نجیب با عقلی خارق العاده و قلبی ملهم رسائل و کتبی اخلاقی بیان مراتب الوهیّت و فلسفۀ الهی از قلمش جاری گردید و بنوعی این تعالیم افکار دانشمندان ممالک عالم را بحرکت و اهتزاز آورده که از قوّه بیان خارج است با وجود این آثار معجزه آمیز او حکومت عثمانی و حکومت ایران در ایّام استبداد و ظلم با هم مشورت نموده این مظهر حبّ و وفا را در شهری که از قبل گمنام و حال مشهور عالم است حبس نمودند بلکه باین اکتفا ننموده او و پیروان او را در قشلۀ عسکریّه آن مکان حبس نمودند در این قشلۀ کثیف و در این شهر بد هوا پیغمبر جدید ایران چهل سال زندگانی نمود تا اینکه اقتدار و استبداد عبدالحمید درهم شکست . « بقیّه دارد » . دکتر ضیاء بغدادی .
