| ←Issue 2 | Star of the West Volume 5 - Issue 3 |
Issue 4→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
We are working hard to have proofread and nicely formatted text for you to read. Here is our progress on this section:
|
PRAISE be to Thee, O GOD of Names and Creator of Heaven! Praise be to Thee, for Thou hast made known unto Thy servants Thy Day, wherein the River of Life streamed forth from the finger of Thy Generosity, and the Fountain of Revelation and Unity became manifest by Thy Manifestation, to all who are in Thy earth and Heaven.
O GOD! This is a Day, the Light of which Thou hast sanctified above the sun and its effulgence. . . . Thou hast called it "The Day of God!" Nothing is to be seen therein but Thy Supreme Self, and naught is to be remembered save Thy sweetest Name. Wherefore, when He appeared, the foundations of nations trembled, the learned were bewildered and the wise men were confounded, save those who came near unto Thee, took from the hand of Favor the pure wine of Thy Inspiration, and drank in Thy Name, saying:— "Praise be unto Thee. O Desire of the nations! Praise be to Thee, O Beloved of the hearts of the yearning!"
—BAHA'O'LLAH.
[Page 34]
--PHOTO--
"Then the Orb of the Covenant dawned . . . the glorious 'Branch extended from the Ancient Root' arose to promote the Word of the King of the Day of Judgment"
Jewish, Zoroastrian and Mohammedan pilgrims in the Presence of ABDUL-BAHA in front of his house at Haifa, Syria. This is the second group picture of ABDUL-BAHA taken in the Holy Land.
[Page 35]
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; those fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come."—BAHA'O'LLAH.
Vol. V Jamal 1, 70 (April 28, 1914) No. 3
"For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and His Glory shall be seen upon thee"—Isaiah 60:2
THE "GLOOMY NIGHT" AND THE "DAY OF GOD" A BRIEF PRESENTATION OF THE BAHAI MESSAGE.
FROM The Bahai Proofs, by Mirza Abdul-Fazl.
O PEOPLE! when ye carefully consider the world, ye will perceive that all the nations of the ancient world have been totally incrusted by false worship of paganism and Sabeanism; the darkness of imaginations and fictitious ideas has prevailed in every region, and entangling beliefs and evil customs accumulated in every clime. Inasmuch as the above-mentioned nations were ignorant of the meanings and original purposes of the texts revealed in the Heavenly Books, such as “ascent” and “descent,” “return” and “restitution,” “heaven” and “earth,” “sun,” “moon” and “stars,” “resurrection,” “death” and “life,” and many similar words which were upon the lips of the prophets since the ancient days, and were uttered by the Tongues of God from the foundation of the world; and as they understood such words according to their literal sense; therefore these nations fell into the gulf of the fictitious beliefs of paganism. Among these pagan notions were transmigration of souls, transformation of embodiments, worship of stars, animals and trees, services of genii, controlling spirits and other ruinous practices and pernicious beliefs,—which facts are evident to every informed historian, and to every student and archaeologist.
As the gloom of fictitious and superstitious beliefs prevailed in all parts of the world; as the clouds of ruinous practices, the dusk of pernicious actions, densely enwrapped all regions, and veils of suspicion hung upon every side; and as the earth was entirely covered by darkness upon darkness therefore the prophets—Peace be upon them!—have interpreted that long duration as the “gloomy night,” and the time of its disappearance as the “bright morning,” “the day when it shineth.”
MOSES
The Great Lord Moses the “Interlocutor,” was the first one who arose in that dark and gloomy period and announced to the lsraelitish people the coming termination of that long night. He proclaimed the advent of the glorious “Day of God.” He taught them the Unity of God; made known to them the way of worshipping God; implanted in their hearts the expectation of the arrival of the “Day of God,” and explained to them the signs, symbols, tokens and wonders thereof. So also in the past days, Abraham, who was entitled, Zoroaster, appeared in Persian regions and taught the Parsee nation the worship of the merciful God, abolishing idolatry from among them, announcing the coming of the “Hour,” reminding them of the future Resurrection, explaining the signs and tokens thereof, and unveiling the appointed time. Moreover, he clearly stated to them that, verily, the Sun of the promised Beauty should dawn from the horizon of the East, and that the blessed Sadrat would spring forth from a well-rooted tree of Persia. But, as at that time the hours of gloomy night were still far from the dawning-place of Manifestation, the false imaginary beliefs and pernicious worship of paganism prevailed even among the Hebraic and Persian nations; thus the worship of God was mingled with fire-worship, and the kings of Judea and Ephraim associated with nations rooted in paganism, such as the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Assyrians, Chaldeans and Greeks, because the latter had assumed dominion over the lands of Palestine and the inhabitants thereof. On this account the Hebrews were compelled to live under the laws of these governments, to obey their kings, adore their demons and worship their idols. Yet, among them, the Israelitish prophets, such as David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Zechariah and others—Peace be upon them!—during fifteen hundred years, reminding the
people of the coming of the “Day of God,” and reviving hopes in their hearts of the “Manifestation of God.” So these prophets were, in their cycles, as beaming stars which shone forth from the uttermost horizon of heaven; as lamps enkindled and aflame in the gloomy and obscure night.
CHRIST
In that way many generations passed, until the glorious Saviour arose and the brilliant star dawned from the horizon of Galilee. Then the planet of the Son shone from among the posterity of Abraham, the melodies of the Gospels pealed forth and the descent of calamities upon the children of Israel drew nigh. Our Lord Christ—Upon him is Glory and Grandeur!—arose and cried with loudest voice:—
“Repent ye, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!”
“Awaken and be mindful! The Hour of the Coming of the Kingdom of God approacheth!”
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!”
““Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God!”
Likewise, during His lifetime, He was continually reminding them of the approach of the “promised Day,” renewing and establishing the Signs of the Appearance of the Beauty of the Adored One, which had been prophesied by the prophets of Israel.
Christ declared that in “that Day” He will sit upon the right hand of His (the Father's) Throne; will be authorized to make His commands effective; will be established upon the Seat of His Glory, and become the Shepherd of His sheep, through His Permission. He—Exalted is He!—heralded the approach of the Great “Hour,” the Mighty Day of Resurrection, until He ascended to the Supreme Friend. Then Apostles arose to spread His Cause and promote His Word, until all the European regions were illuminated by the lights of His Command, and became purified from the filth of paganism.
MOHAMMED
Six centuries elapsed after the departure of Christ, until the Beams of Dawn appeared from Arabian horizons and the shining of the Morning Light was transmitted from the direction of Hedjas. The greatest signs of the “Hour” appeared and the mightiest tokens of the “Day of Judgment” became manifest. Mohammed arose, crying out with the loudest call:—“The Sentence of God will surely come (to be executed); wherefore do not hasten it!” This voice was heard from heaven:—“The time of their accounts hath drawn nigh unto the people, while they are turning away therefrom!” He clearly stated that the “gloomy night” had expired and the dawning of the Sun of Truth from the Supreme Horizon was at hand. Through the light of His word and the power of His prophethood He illumined great nations and multitudes, from the remotest parts of Africa to the distant East; peoples who knew nothing concerning Unity and had tasted no drop from the fountain of Oneness; those who had denied the Prophets and falsely accused the Chosen Ones. The Word of Mohammed and His prophetic testimony drove them out of the darkness of paganism toward the Light of the Worship of God. Thus they were turned from denial of Prophets to belief in the line of holy messengers from Adam to Jesus, the Spirit of God.
Mohammed announced to them the coming of the “Day of God,” and made with them a covenant to expect the descent of the Spirit (Christ) from the Heaven of the command of God. But He also clearly stated that the Precursor, who shall arise before His descent, to prepare the way before that “coming,” will come forth from His (Mohammed's) posterity; that through the Spirit (Christ) God will fill the earth with equity after it had been filled with injustice, and illuminate all regions with justice after they had been darkened by tyranny. Then He established books of traditions and prophecies, and filled pages with signs and tokens.
THE BAB
The earth of enlightenment rolled around its axis for 1260 years, until the “Hour” drew nigh and the appointed time arrived. Then the Star of Guidance dawned, the Planet of Purity shone forth, the Fountains of Knowledge gushed out in one of the best lands of the Orient, and the Tree of Grace was ignited in the city of Shiraz, the chief town of the province of Fars. The Most Great BAB (Gate) arose, preaching to the multitudes and peoples, heralding again the expiration of the “gloomy night,” foreshadowing and clearly declaring the coming of the great and dreadful “Day of God.” He raised this call betwixt
the Heaven and earth:—"Rejoice! Rejoice! The Morn of Guidance hath indeed appeared, the ‘gloomy night’ hath cleared away, and the Dawning of the Beauty of God, EL-ABHA, is at hand.’ The spring-time of the Return of the Realities of Regeneration hath come!” All regions trembled with this most sweet call and the Resurrection appeared through the supreme Message.
BAHA'O'LLAH
Then dawned the Sun of the Beauty of the Promised One; then rose and beamed the Orb of the Face of the Adored One. The “Hour” arrived, the Resurrection came, the trumpet sounded and the dawn of the Manifestation shone forth. BAHA'O'LLAH-EL-ABHA (The Glory of God the Most Glorious) arose; the Beauty of the Supreme God appeared and called out with a Voice that filled all regions, causing the “seven strata of the earth” to tremble:—
“Now the Promised God hath indeed come, the Beauty of the Adored One hath appeared, the appointed ‘Day of God’ hath dawned and His irrefutable and glorious Command hath arisen! The LORD hath descended in the shadow of clouds; the earth is shining with the Light of the Face of its LORD, the Bestower; the Bridge is extended, the Book is appointed, the curtain is lifted and the veil is removed! Showers of Verses have fallen, branches of Knowledge have put forth leaves and become flourishing in all directions! The ‘dead have arisen and the lifeless are resurrected!’”
The rivers of Knowledge and Enlightenment have flowed from His Supreme Pen and He hath broken the seal of the “Sealed Wine” with His Generous Fingers. He hath explained in His Holy Tablets the realities of the Words of the Prophets, and hath disclosed in His precious Writings the meanings of the symbols of the Elect, until all the seals of the Prophets have been opened and the aims of the Messengers became unveiled to the possessors of pure hearts. He instituted new laws which are destined to unite all nations and multitudes; issued a glorious Command which will bring together all religions and creeds, enjoined His Saints to love all nations and exhorted them to serve all the people of the world. During His last days He wrote the Kitab-el-Ah'd (The Book of the Covenant, Testament or Will) with His blessed Fingers, in which He clearly stated and appointed the “Center of the Covenant,” directing peoples to the Orb of the Universe.
The torrent of His Verses and the shower of His Graces abundantly poured down, until the time of Disappearance drew nigh, and the Sun of Truth was concealed in the veil of Absence. The LORD ascended to the Supreme Court of His Might, and His blessed Identity was hidden in His invisible furthermost Essence. This calamitous event and lamentable disaster happened on the 2nd of the month Zulka'da, 1309 A. H., which corresponds to the 28th of May, 1892 A. D.
ABDUL-BAHA
When the Sun of Guidance was set and the rustle of the Sadrat-el-Muntaha* hushed, then the Orb of the Covenant dawned and the “Moon” of the Testament appeared with the utmost brilliancy and effulgence. The glorious “Branch extended from the Ancient Root,” His Holiness Abdul-Baha, arose to promote the Word of the KING of the Day of Judgment, and now He is crying and heralding throughout all regions:
“The Judgment of God hath come; respond ye, respond ye unto the call of God!”
“Hearken ye, hearken ye to the Melodies of God! Inhale ye the Fragrances of God!”
“Be illumined, be illumined with the lights of the Face of BAHA'O'LLAH!
The promises of the Prophets have already been fulfilled, the prophecies of the Messengers realized; the Day of Judgment hath come, and mankind hath stood before the LORD of the creatures!”
- * *
For this Day is no other than “the end of the ages;” no other than the illumination of the horizons of earth, both East and West, with the Lights of the Forgiving LORD; no other than the changing of darkness into light, and of sorrow into joy and gladness; whereby hearts are cheered, souls are tranquilized, eyes are consoled and breasts are dilated.
This is the Day of GOD!
- A tree planted by the Arabs at the end of the road to guide the traveler. Here it refers to the Manifestation of God.
[From Jam-e-Jamsied, Calcutta, March 28, 1914]
A MESSAGE TO THE SONS OF MAZDA
NEW LIGHT IN THE WORLD
By Prof. E. C. Getsinger, Ph. D. (Professor of Original Research and Physics), U. S. A.
AMERICA is considered to be the melting pot where all discoveries, theories, philosophies, religions and claims of any special sort, are put into the crucible of investigation and finally given their true value by the individual; for the American nation is composed of a people of independent thought,—the result of their splendid educational system.
Consequently, when an American student comes to these shores, it is a rather strange sensation for him to find that the educated classes—Parsees, Hindus and Mohammedans—are settled in a state of satisfaction, non-seeking, non-searching, except in some prescribed channels, and aim at maintaining sacred traditions. Any new light must pass a prescribed test founded upon old views. With an American new light stands upon its own merits regardless of preconceived ideas, and therein lies their success in getting at things.
It is rather strange, then, from an American viewpoint, that the Parsees, excepting a few, are entirely ignorant of a Persian movement, which is of such vast moment to the Parsee community, and that in America they have accepted the Bahäi faith by hundreds, and that it is the Americans who are spreading this Faith in all parts of the world.
And even those few Parsees who have heard or looked into the matter were oblivious to the possibilities of a spiritual force that lies underneath the outward momentum.
When the Americans heard of this Bahäi Movement in 1898, they sent several delegations, one from New York, one from Chicago, and one from San Francisco, composed of from six to fourteen persons each, to visit the prison city of Acca (Syria) and investigate the truth of the matter from the lips of the prisoner himself, Abdul-Bahä. All reported favorably and the Bahäi Faith has since spread in America by leaps and bounds, the numbers being beyond computation.
In Persia, the Bahäis are numbered by the thousands and represent Mohammedans, both Sunnites and Shiites—Parsees, Jews and Christians. Religious hatred is dissolved by pure love, and each respects the religion of the other; so that whole cities in Persia are of the Bahäi Faith, and all this has happened by easy stages, without the sword of religious coercion, but by toleration and brotherly love.
That the Bahäi Faith is of the greatest moment to the Parsee community can well be seen, for as soon as just one more step in Persia is made by this Movement, then the Parsee can remove his Sacred Fire back to its native home again, and worship in peace and safety, for religious toleration is one of the greatest Bahäi Laws, and I am saying this as an American Bahäi, who has intimately observed and known this faith for the past sixteen years. Liberty and fairplay is dear to every American. even if the drama of injustice is played in foreign lands; but at the same time we also expect that those mostly interested (Parsees) in the establishment of righteousness in Persia, should bestir themselves a little.
About a year ago, a delegation. or party, of Parsees went to Persia to observe the trend of safety for investment, etc., and not to study Bahäi influences. But upon returning they reported unfavourably on all points, except, that the only hope for Persia lies in the Bahäi Faith and its spread among the Persians. One of the party repeated this to me about two months ago. And yet, if this is the Parsee's only hope, then why not lend more than a mere silent sympathy to that hope? The Persian Mohammedans have laid down thousands of lives—this is common historical knowledge—in order that their country be redeemed, and by these sacrifices the Parsees also are benefited.
Why have not the Parsees also sent a delegation to Palestine to investigate the matter at its fountain head? When the Americans did so it was only for truth's sake, and not because they have any other interests in the Parsee motherland. The American Bahäis have established schools in Persia, have sent American teachers to those schools and to them are admitted the children of every religion.
Some of the greatest scholars, writers, statesmen, travelers and humanitarians of our day have written most favourably of the Bahäi Movement and Faith, and volumes sufficient
to fill a library are already extant from the pens of those men and women, most of them, while not pronounced Bahäis, are able to see the great influence of Bahäism upon the entire social and economic problems of this age.
When Prof. Edward G. Browne, of Cambridge, visited BAHA'O'LLAH (the founder) in the prison city, Acca, in 1892, this scholar in his own subsequent book on Bahäism, admits that the spiritual force that emanated from BAHA'O'LLAH (Splendor of God), caused him to fall to his knees in His Presence, when BAHA'O'LLAH spoke the words that have since rung around the earth:
“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 difference of races be annulled. So it shall be. These fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away and the ‘Most Great Peace’ shall come; and for this are we a prisoner and an exile.”
Thus did the “Prisoner of Acca” speak on the fortieth year of his exile and imprisonment; and is there any hopeless tone in that speech after forty years of oppression and tyranny?
Among the vast number of authors and writers on Bahäism, I will mention just a few, whose books lie before me:
Horace Holley, London, author of “The Modern Social Religion.” In that book, page 8, he says:
“Originating in Persia only a generation ago, the Movement has already penetrated far to the East and West, its followers numbering millions of men and women, who represent every religion, philosophy, race, class and color. It is the Bahäi teaching which extends religion so as to include modern science, economic conditions and morality . . . . in terms of our social evolution.”
This book and others are on sale in Bombay book shops.
The venerable Professor Vambery, one of the greatest scholars of modern times, honored by Kings and Emperors, just a few weeks before his death wrote to Abdul-Baha (the present leader), a long letter of sympathy and love, from which I give brief excerpts:
“I forward this humble petition to the sanctified and holy presence of Abdul-Baha, who is famous throughout the world and beloved by all mankind. Although I have traveled through many countries and cities of Islam, yet have I never met so lofty a character and so exalted a personage as your Excellency, and I can bear witness that it is not possible to find such another . . . . I am hoping that the ideals and accomplishments of your Excellency may be crowned with success. Considering these results, every person is forced by necessity to enlist himself on the side of your Excellency and accept with joy the prospect of a fundamental basis for a Universal Religion of God . . . . and if God the Most High, confers long life, I will be able to serve you under all conditions.
“(Signed) VAMBERY.”
Professor Cheyne, of Oxford, England, wrote to Abdul-Baha in these endearing terms:
October 23, 1913.
My Beloved Friend and Guide:—I cannot forget your tender embrace when you were with me in my study. It has been a constant source of strength in memory and I fully believe it was the will of God. You help me constantly. With reverential love in El-ABHA, in which my dear wife joins, I am, beloved friend and guide,
(Signed) F. K. CHEYNE.
(Published in the STAR OF THE WEST, Chicago, U. S. A.)
Bernard Temple, (now Editor of The Sind Gazette, Karachi) read a paper before the Royal Society of Arts, London, “Persia and the Regeneration,” which was published in that Society's Journal, saying:
“Sometimes the world has had cause to regret its inattention. Europe, at the present time (1910), is not showing itself regardful of the rise of the new religious movement, 'Bahäism' of Persia. . . . . Shiah and Sunhi Mohammedans in large numbers have been converted. In European Turkey, and more notably in Asiatic Turkey, they are increasing yearly. I conversed with some in Bagdad. In Egypt they are becoming numerous; also Morroco, Algeria, Tunis and Tripoli and the Northern Provinces of India. I have met Bahäis in Bombay, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Delhi and Lucknow. Converts from among the Sikhs of Amritsar, and the Brahmans of Benares; among the Buddists of Ceylon, Burmah and Siam; amongst the Taoists of China and Shintoists of Japan.
“Many Persian Jews in Teheran have become Bahäis and I have attended some of their meetings. In Hamadan, one of the oldest Jewish settlements in the world, at least a third of the Jewish community has openly gone over to the Movement. No Christian missionary to the Jews in any part of the world can boast a triumph equal to this. . . . . A more intellectual form of Bahäism has expanded into Europe, in Russia, Germany, France and England. In Baku I found a large number; in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Glasgow an appreciable number. The United States of America promises to become a great western stronghold of Bahäism; also Quebec, Montreal and Toronto, in Canada.
“Before going further perhaps I ought to state that I am not a Bahäi.
“All this world-wide spreading while the founders were behind prison walls!
“The followers of BAHA'O'LLAH already include members of the ruling family of Persia—Viziers, Deputies, Governors of Provinces and several Mullahs!”
[Continued on page 41]
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. 3
THE BREAKING DOWN OF CASTE [From The Christian Commonwealth]
AMONG the Bahäi pilgrims now at Haifa are a group of Indians—among whom is a young Hindu of high caste—who by crossing the sea and living in the pilgrim house with Zoroastrians, Jews, and Mohammedans have crossed the rubicon and broken down the wall of caste which presents such an impenetrable barrier to the Christian missionary.
It is extraordinarily interesting to these Indians and get an insight into their minds. One, a lawyer by profession, explained to me that they avoid as much as possible all reference to religion, lest discussion should open a door to the investigation of Christianity, so that the faith of his forefathers was to him a mere form. Yet he said there is in the Hindu scriptures a prophecy that whenever irreligion prevails on earth, a new prophet will arise to re-establish religion. Another of the pilgrims here is a master of the upper form in a Government school in India, in which 75 per cent of the pupils are Mohammedans. It is inevitable that the liberal spirit of this man, filled with high ideals of brotherhood and internationalism, should permeate the minds of his pupils, even though he does not teach them religion, and thus these future citizens of our Indian Empire may be saved from the dangers of so-called “nationalism” and freed from the hide-bound prejudice of creed. Thus the Bahäi spirit is today everywhere leavening the minds of men and ushering in the new era of peace and goodwill.
Abdul-Baha is now visiting Acca and living in the house of BAHA'O'LLAH, close to the prison where he was brought as a child with his saintly father, and the seventy Persian exiles who were banished with their leader to the Turkish penal settlement forty-six years ago.
It is wonderful to see the venerable figure of the revered Bahäi leader passing through the narrow streets of this ancient town, where he lived for forty years as a political prisoner, and to note the deep respect with which he is saluted by the Turkish officials and the officers of the garrison from the Governor downward, who visit him constantly and listen with the deepest attention to his words. “The Master” does not teach in Syria as he did in the West, but he goes about doing good, and Mohammedans and Christians alike share his benefactions. From sunrise often till midnight he works, in spite of broken health, never sparing himself if there is a wrong to be righted or a suffering to be relieved. To Christians who regard Abdul-Baha with impartial and sympathetic eyes, this wonderful selfless life cannot fail to recall that life whose tragic termination on Calvary the whole Christian world recalls today. M. HOLBACH.
Acca, Good Friday.
LEST WE FORGET
TODAY the nations of the world are self-engaged—occupied with mortal and transitory accomplishments—consumed by the fires of passion and self. Self is dominant; enmity and animosity prevail. Nations and peoples are thinking only of their worldly interests and outcomes. The clash of war and din of strife is heard among them.
But the Friends of the Blessed Perfection (BAHA'O'LLAH) have no thoughts save the thoughts of heaven and the Love of God. Therefore, you must without delay employ your powers in spreading the effulgent glow of the Love of God and so order your lives that you may be known and seen as examples of its radiance. You must deal with all in loving kindness in order that this precious seed (of the Teachings of the Blessed Perfection) entrusted to your planting may continue to grow and bring forth its perfect fruit.
The Love and Mercy of God will accomplish this through you if you have love in your own heart.
Extract from Address delivered by —ABDUL-BAHA
A MESSAGE TO THE SONS OF MAZDA [Continued from page 39]
The observations of Bernard Temple are first hand. He is a renowned orientalist and traveler. No comments are necessary on his words.
S. A. Kapadia, Editor of The Wisdom of the East Series, in “The Splendor of God,” says on page 2:
"Wherever Bahäis meet they meet on common ground, throwing aside all antagonisms of the Past, they rejoice in the glad communion of the present . . . . Brotherhood among them is not merely a ‘maybe,’ it is a visible fact. Buddists and Mohammedans, Hindus and Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians, sit at one board in amity, eat of one dish, and offer united thanksgiving to one Giver—the result of the light of ‘The Glory of the God’ (BAHA'O'LLAH).
“Illumined by this light, men are no longer blinded by fear of one another, fear is utterly cast out by this light towards which Bahäism bids all men to turn.
“Visitors to Abdul-Baha at his home in Acca, are of many tongues and many nations. . . . . Many opposing people and professions eat at the table together and he himself waits upon his guests in sacred service to his fellowmen. . . . . A light that cannot fail to rend asunder the veil of separation and enable man to see and love man regardless of nation, origin, color, caste or creed. This light of love shows man to man as he is."
This is a word for Bahäism by the Editors of a religious series, that prove them to be experts in discernment of the inner life of the individual religions, ancient and modern.
In a recent article in The Christian Commonwealth, London, and reprinted in the February number of The New Reformer, Madras, Mr. George. G. Andre, F. G. S., writes:
“No religious Movement has touched the spiritual life of the modern world so closely as that which is
associated with the Bab, BAHA'O'LLAH, and his son Abdul-Baha. Persian, and its origin in the nineteenth century, in seventy years has spread all over the world. It stands out among other Movements as the form of the renovating force in the spiritual life of the world. We have in the Bahäi teaching a regenerative force which may change the form of human society in a way and in a degree of which we can have in the present confused state of things, no adequate conception.”
“The Bahäi Revelation may be rightly described as the greatest religious Movement of recent times. A Movement which reckons its martyrs by tens of thousand and the numbers of its adherents by millions. The first impression made on one is that its name is 'Bahäi,' is a suggestion of a purified form of Mohemmedanism. But though associated in its origin with the faith of Islam, as Christianity was with Judaism, yet it is a distinct and independent Movement—the answer to religious and social necessity. That part which the Bahäi Movement is destined to play in the spiritual life of the world, is to be a saviour of the Great Religions. . . . . A crisis has been reached in the religions of the world and men's hearts are failing them in fear.
BAHA'O'LLAH did not profess to found a new religion in the ordinary acceptance of the word, that is, an organized religious system adapted to the needs of a particular race of people, but to broaden the basis of each man's faith and to strengthen it.
“‘The essence of all religions is the love of God, and to discover the way to the Kingdom one must travel upon it. The people of Bahá must teach by their lives and manifest the light of God in their deeds.’ says Abdul-Baha.”
The Christian Commonwealth is circulated in all parts of the world and has over a half-million readers. Thus showing the wide circle of sympathy that is manifested from many sources for the Bahäi Movement and its aims. The foregoing from the pens of eminent men, and recognized as peers in their fields of labor, testifies that the Bahäi Movement is practically a “world renovating” fact; that it is actually a “Millenium period” already on the ascendant; that it is a "Resurrection" of spirituality already on the wing; that it is a “day of Righteousness and Judgment” already at hand.
Nothing with even a semblance to these principles has arisen nor gone forth out of Persia during 2500 years, which in the least bears traces of Zoroastrian prophetic fulfillment as does the Bahäi Revelation—already an established fact throughout the world, and acknowledged as such by the most distinguished men of affairs in all countries, regardless of their religious convictions.
In the face of these facts, is it not presumptuous on my part to call the attention of the Parsee community to an event, already history, which possibly might be “the long desired Millennium" of Shah Bahram and Soshans?
It is true that the Parsee community is small and for its own self-preservation and protection, the Parsees must set about their community a certain conservatism, and look askance at new cults and philosophies. But it must also remember that when we shut others out, we likewise shut ourselves in; and besides Bahäism is no cult, philosophy, nor new religion. It is the religion of the prophets of Iran—as promised since ancient times and has come in our day to all who can believe these glad-tidings.
Neither American nor English Bahäis have any interest in the advancement of Persia toward a habitable country, aside from humanity. But the Parsees have an interest that has slumbered for centuries in their hearts, and a hope that has never waned. And now since the Persian Bahäis (statement of the delegation) have cleared away the lurking danger, and given the Parsees a light on the path, a new hope almost realized, is it then too much to ask you, my fellowmen in Mazda, to also form a delegation to investigate Bahäism and see what relationship it has to your own expectations of the “Resurrection of Righteousness?”
I have met some of your learned men—in fact, too learned—who have heard, have read, have formed opinions about it, but only from exterior sources, have judged a world Movement by the air bubbles churned by the struggle.
Consequently, should my humble suggestion of an investigating delegation be followed, then please do not make the same "topheavy"; but look to the spirit in men's souls. That is, those who can discern things wrought of God and His Spirit.
E. C. Getsinger.
THE TALKS OF ABDUL-BAHA given in Paris have been published in German under the title, "Evangelium der Liebe und des Friedens für unsere Zeit"—von Abdul-Baha Abbas. Price 1 mark, 20 pfennings (29c); cloth bound, 2 marks (48c). Postage 6c additional. Order from Wilhelm Herrigel, Hoellderlin str. 35, Stuttgart, Germany.
OUR PERSIAN SECTION this issue contains: (1) Talk by Abdul-Baha before the Atheists' Club in San Francisco, Cal.; (2) Poem by Mirza Mahmood.
[Page 43]
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. Isabella 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 Harper Avenue . . . CHICAGO
PAGE 1 Vol V No: 3
نجم باختر 1329
جلد پنجم . شماره سوم . 28 ماه آوریل
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 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 حضرت عبدالبهاء در مجلس کلوب لامذهبیان شهر سانفرانسیسکو کالیفورنیا امریکا دهم اکتوب سنه 1912 .
امشب مریض بودم احوالم خوب نبود لکن محض محبّتی که بشما دارم با وجود علیلی مزاج آمدم هم علیل بودم و هم خسته ولی شنیده ام که شما مجمعی دارید و تحرّی حقیقت میکنید و از تقالید آزادید و میخواهید بحقیقت مسائل پی برید همّتتان بلند است بتقالید قدیمه تشبّث ندارید لهذا مناسب دانستم که بیان فلسفه شرق و غرب بنمایم و تفاوت میان این دو فلسفه را عرضه دارم . میزان ادراک در نزد فلاسفۀ غرب حسّ است رأیشان این است که هر شئ محسوس حقیقت است یعنی در محسوس شکّ و شبهه نیست مثلا این قندیل را قندیل می بینیم این مکان را مکان میبینیم این آفتاب را آفتاب میبینیم این صحرا را میبینیم این است ادراک حقیقت هر چیزی را که بقوای حسّاسّه ادراک میکنیم در آن ابدا شبهۀ نیست بلکه حقیقت ثابته راسخه است امّا در نزد فلاسفۀ شرق علی الخصوص فلاسفۀ یونان و ایران میزان ادراک عقل بوده است و برهانشان این است که حسّ خطا .
صفحه 2 - 1
میکند و چون خطا میکند نمیتوان گفت میزان تام است اعظم قوای حسّاسه قوّۀ باصره است این قوّۀ باصره سراب را آب میبیند و ابدا در آن شبهه ندارد و حال آنکه وجود ندارد قوّۀ باصره صور مرئیّه در آئینه را موجود می بیند ولکن عقل میگوید وجود ندارد قوّه باصره آفتاب را متحرّک میبیند و جمیع این نجوم نامتناهی را طائف حول ارض میبیند و حال آنکه آفتاب مرکز است و کرۀ ارض حول خویش میگردد قوّۀ باصره ارض را مسطح می بیند ولی قوّه عقلیّه کشف میکند که کره است قوّۀ باصره این اجسام عظیمه در فضای نامتناهی را جسم صغیر میبیند ولکن عقل حکم میکند که اینها اجسام کبیره اند قوّۀ باصره نقطۀ جوّاله را دائره میبیند و حال آنکه دائره وجود ندارد قوّه باصره ساحل را متحرّک میبیند و حال آنکه کشتی در حرکت است خلاصه دلائل کثیره آورده اند که نمیتوان گفت شئ محسوس محققّ است پس خطای قوّه باصره ثابت شد با وجود این خطا چگونه میتوانیم بگوئیم که حسّ صحیح است پس معلوم شد که میزان حسّ ناقص و میزان عقل کامل است باید حقیقت هر شئ را بمیزان عقل موازنه کنیم زیرا میزان عقل میزان تامّ است و هر شئ معقول حقیقت دارد لهذا آنان جمیع مسائل را بمیزان عقل موازنه میکنند و میگویند که حسّ معاونت عقل را میکند حسّ آلتی است از برای عقل که بواسطۀ آن تحرّی حقائق اشیاء را میکند ولی میزان عقل است .
صفحه 1 - 2
فلاسفۀ غرب میگویند انسان حیوان است ولیکن فلاسفۀ شرق نظیر ارسطو و افلاطون و فلاسفۀ ایران میگویند کلیّۀ عالم وجود به دو عالم منحل میشود یعنی دو عالم عظیم عوالم دیگر مثال جماد و نبات اهمیّت ندارد و این دو عالم یکی عالم حیوان که عالم طبیعت است و دیگری عالم انسان است که عالم عقل است انسان ممتاز از حیوان است بعقل و همچنین ادراکات انسان به دو قسم است محسوس و معقول امّا احساسات حیوان یکی است محسوس زیرا محققّ است که حیوان جز امر محسوس ادراک نمیکند امّا انسان دو ادراک دارد یکی ادراک محسوس مثل اینکه قندیل را قندیل میبیند ادراک معقول مثل مسائل ریاضیّه مثل کرویّت ارض این امر معقول است مثل مرکزیّت شمس این امر معقول است مثل خود عقل این حقیقت معقوله است نه محسوسه جمیع صفات معنویّه حقائق معقوله است محسوس نیست مثلا این انسان عالم است نفس حقیقت معقوله است و چون علم حقیقت معقوله است هر قدر در جسد و دماغ آن شخض عاقل را بگردید علم را نمییابید پس ادراکات انسان دو نوع است حقائق معقوله و حقائق محسوسه امّا حیوان جز محسوس چیز دیگر ادراک نمیکند مثلا عالم حیوان ممکن نیست که کرویّت ارض را ادراک کند ممکن نیست در اروپا کشف امریکا نماید ممکن نیست حقائق خفیّه را از عالم غیب بعالم شهود آورد مثل این قوّه الکتریک این واضح است که عالم حیوان نمیتواند این اختراعات را کشف کند عالم حیوان نمیتواند این علوم و فنون را بعرصۀ شهود بیاورد عالم حیوان نمیتواند باسرار کائنات پی برد عالم حیوان نمیتواند مادّه ایثربه را پیدا کند عالم حیوان نمیتواند قوّۀ مغناطیسیّه را کشف کند زیرا قوای عقلیّه در حیوان نیست حیوان بتمامه اسیر محسوسات است و ماعدای محسوسات را منکر است یعنی قادر بر این نیست که تصوّر معقولات را بکند لهذا اسیر محسوسات است امّا کمال برای انسان است که هم ادراک محسوسات را دارد و هم ادراک .
صفحه 2 - 2
معقولات مثلا ملاحظه کنید که این اکتشافات سماویّه را بقوّۀ حسّاسه نکرده این را بقوّۀ معقوله کرده این صنایع را بقوّۀ حسّاسه اختراع نکرده بل بواسطۀ قوّۀ عقلیّه این علوم موجوده را انسان بقوّۀ حسّاسه کشف ننموده جمیع این علوم را بواسطۀ قوّۀ عقلیّه ظاهر و باهر نموده خلاصه آثار عقل از انسان ظاهر و باهر و انسان انسان است بواسطۀ این قوّۀ عقلیّه پس عالم حیوانی غیر از عالم انسانی است و لکن فلاسفۀ غرب استدلال کرده اند که انسان از عالم حیوان آمده است و اوّل حیوانات سابحه بوده است در دریا بوده اند بعد از عالم آب بعالم خارج آمده است حیوان شده است بعد دست و پا پیدا کرده است اوّل چهارپا شده است بعد آمده حیوان دو پا شده است و آن حیوان دو پا انسان است و تا باین شکل و سیمای انسانی آمده است از صورتی بصورتی انتقال یافته است و میگویند این مسئله خلقت مانند حلقات زنجیری است که بیکدیگر مربوط است امّا بین انسان و بین بوزینه یک حلقه مفقود شد و آنچه پروفسور های عظیم و فلاسفه کبیر تحرّی کرده اند و بعصیها جمیع عمر خود را صرف تحقیق این مسئله نموده اند الی الآن آن حلقه مفقود شده را نتوانسته اند پیدا کنند و حال آنکه برهان عظیمشان این است که اعضای اشاری موجود است اعضای اشاری در بعضی حیوانات است که بواسطۀ قرون و دهور نشو نماید حالا آن اعضا مفقود شده است مثلا مار یک عضو اشاری دارد که معلوم است و دلیل بر آن است که دست و پا داشته امّا چون در سوراخ مأوی گرفته و در زیر زمین محتاج به دست و پا نیست نهایت کم کم آن عضو تحلیل رفته و تنها عضو اشاری موجود است و این دلالت بر آن میکند که یکوقتی دست و پا داشته و همچنین در انسان عضو اشاری است که اوّل شکل دیگر داشته حالا شکل آن تغییر کرده حتیّ در جسم انسان در زاویۀ تحتانی یک عضوی است که اشاره بر آن است که یکوقتی دم داشته و بعد بر پا ایستاده و کم کم آن دم محو شده باین وضع فلسفۀ
صفحه 1 - 3
غرب بغتته بدم بوزینه منتهی شد و حیران و سرگردان عقب حلقۀ مفقود میگردد ولی در شرق میگویند که اگر این هیکل انسان در اصل باین ترکیب نبوده بلکه انتقال از صورتی بصورتی کرده تا این صورت را پیدا کرده فرضمیکنیم یکوقتی سباع بوده و وقتی رباب بوده باز انسان بوده و نوعیّتش محفوظ برهان اینکه نطفۀ انسان اوّل بشکل کرم است بعد دست و پا پیدا میکند بعد نصف تحتانیش از هم جدا میشود و از هیئتی بهیئتی انتقال مینماید و از صورتی بصورتی انتقال میکند تا باین شکل و سیما تولدّ میشود
ولی در همان وقتی که در رحم در صورت کرمی است نوع انسان است مثل نطفۀ سایر حیوانات نیست صورت کرم بود ولی از آن صورت باین صورت پر جمال آمده انتقال کرده از صورتی به صورتی پس ظاهر شد که نوعیّت محفوظ است در صورتیکه تصدیق بکنیم یکوقتی از حیوانات سابعه بوده یکوقتی چهار دست و پا بوده بر فرض این تصدیق نمیتوانیم بگوئیم که حیوان بوده است برهان اینکه انسان در حالت نطفه کرم است بعد از صورتی بصورتی انتقال میکند تا باین صورت میآید ولی در حالتی که کرم بود باز انسان بوده نوعیّت محفوظ مانده است همین حلقه که میگویند مفقود است برهان بر آن است که انسان هیچ وقت حیوان نبوده چطور میشود که همه این حلقات موجوده و یک حلقه مفقود باشد و این عمر گرانمایه را صرف پیدا کردن این حلقه مینماید مسلمّ است که هیچوقت پیدا نخواهد کرد . مقصود اینجاست که فلاسفۀ شرق عالم انسانی را ممتاز از حیوان دانسته اند ببرهان اینکه حیوانات اسیر طبیعتند جمیع کائنات اسیر طبیعت است آفتاب باین عظمت اسیر طبیعت است این نجوم نامتناهی اسیر طبیعت است عالم نبات اسیر طبیعت است عالم جماد و عالم حیوان اسیر طبیعت است و جمیع اینها از قانون طبیعت بقدر سر سوزن تجاوز نمیکند و در پنجۀ طبیعت اسیرند آفتاب باین بزرگی نمیتواند ذرّه ئی از قانون طبیعت تجاوز کند امّا انسان قوانین طبیعت را .
صفحه 2 – 3
میشکند مثلا انسان ذیروح خاکی است و آن قانون طبیعت را میشکند در هوا پرواز میکند قانون طبیعت را میشکند بر روی دریا میتازد قوّۀ الکتریک که قوّۀ عاصیه است و کوه را دو قسمت میکند انسان آن را در تحت قدرت خود درآورده و در شیشه حبس میکند این خرق قانون طبیعت است بحسب قانون طبیعت انسان نهایتش میتواند هزار قدم مخابره کند ولی این قانون طبیعت را خرق نموده و در یک دقیقه با شرق و غرب مخابره میکند . این صوت بقانون طبیعت آزاد است ولی در یک آلت حبس مینماید بقانون طبیعت صوت انسان صد قدم میرود امّا انسان یک آلتی ایجاد میکند تا صد فرسنگ مخابره مینماید خلاصه جمع این صنایع موجوده جمیع این اکتشافات موجوده جمیع این اختراعات موجوده اینها جمیع اسرار طبیعت است و به قانون طبیعت باید مکتوم و مسرور باشد و این قوّه عاقلۀ انسان قانون طبیعت را میشکند اکتشافات همه این صنایع را میکند این اسرار طبیعت را از حیّز پنهانی بعرصۀ شهود می آورد و این مخالف قانون طبیعت است انسان از دست طبیعت شمشیر گرفته و بر فرق طبیعت میزند این قوّه در انسان مافوق طبیعت است و اگر این قوّه مافوق طبیعت نبود نمیتوانست قوانین طبیعت را بشکند ملاحظه میکنیم که طبیعت شعور ندارد انسان شعور دارد طبیعت قوّۀ مدرکه ندارد انسان قوّۀ مدرکه دارد طبیعت اراده ندارد انسان اداره دارد پس واضح شد کمالاتی در انسان هست که در طبیعت نیست و اگر بگوئیم که حقیقت عقلیّۀ انسان از عالم طبیعت است مثل آن است که بگوئیم جزء کمالاتی را داراست که کلّ محروم از آن است آیا ممکن است که قطره کمالاتی داشته باشد که دریا نداشته باشد ممکن است که برگ کمالاتی داشته باشد که درخت نداشته باشد پس واضح و مشهود شد که عقل انسانی قوّۀ دیگر است مسئله دیگر است عالم دیگر است نظیر قوای حیوانی نیست ولکن استقراب در این است که با وجود آنکه در انسان
صفحه 1- 4
همچنین قوّه عظیمه هست که کاشف حقائق اشیاء است حقائق معقوله را کشف میکند مثل اینکه علم را کشف میکند با وجود اینکه حقیقت محسوسه نیست این واضح است که حقیقت معقوله است نفس عقل حقیقت معقوله است با وجود این بعضی از پروفسورها و فلاسفه میگویند که ما بنهایت درجه دانائی و فضل رسیده ایم ما تحصیل علوم و فنون کرده ایم ما بمنتهای درجه کمالات عالم انسانی رسیده ایم ما بحقیقت الحقائق پی برده ایم ما باسرار وجود پی برده ایم ما ماهیّت جمیع اشیاء کونیّه را فهمیده ایم چیز دیگر غیر از محسوس هیچ چیزی نیست همین محسوس حقیقت است و آنچه غیر محسوس است مجاز است وهم است و لائق فکر و ذکر نه عجب است که انسان بیست سال زحمت میکشد در مدارس تحصیل میکند تا باین مقام میرسد که منکر غیر محسوسات میگردد ولی حیوان بدون زحمت گاو بدون تحصیل منکر جمیع معقولات است بل گاو فیلسوف طبیعت است زیرا هیچ چیز غیر از محسوسات نمیداند و اعظم فیلسوف است لهذا خوب است چنین فلاسفۀ طبیعی بروند نزد حضرت گاو و فلسفۀ محسوسات از گاو یاد گیرید و از مدرسۀ او فارغ التحصیل شوید .
قصیدۀ غراء
از نظم جناب فاضل آقا میرزا محمود زرقانی در تهنیّت ورود مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء به ساحت اقدس :
مژده کز مصر وفا خسرو خوبان آمد . یوسف ماء لقا باز بکنعان آمد . سوی کنعان بها طلعت پیمان آمد . یار پیمان ز عطا شاد و خرامان آمد . ساغر احزاب جفا کوری اخوان حسود . مهر و ماهش ز سما نغمۀ تبریک سرود .
صفحه 2 - 4
شد بپا در حرم قدس بها جشن و سرود . با دوصد مژده سرافیل و میدان در صور . قدسیان پر وله و هلهله در عالم نور . نوریان در شعف از جلوه آن روی جهور . همه با غلغله تبریک ورودش گویند . همه با شور و نوا نعت ورودش گویند . شه میثاق جمال قدم آمد ز سفر . ارض اقدس بگرفت عشرت و شادی از سر . کرد گیتی ز عطا خلعت عزّت در بر . نخل امیّد احبّا همه آمد به ثمر . عشرت و عید احبّای بها میمون است . فیض این عشرت و الطاف زحدّ افزون است . مژده کز فضل و عطا شمس لقا باز دمید . طلعت عهد بها باز ز رخ پرده کشید . گشت روز طرب اهل بها روز جدید . روح قدسی نفس تازه در عالم بد مید . جنتّ در مرکز حقّ هیکل میثاق قرار . ز رخش باز شد افلاک بقا پر انوار . آنکه بر صفحۀ امکان رغم فضل نگاشت . در اقالیم جهان رایت یزدان افراشت . خیمۀ صلح عمومی همه جا برپا داشت . جبهه بر خاک در مالک افلاک گذاشت . کرد با مهر وفا عرج سدی تربت پاک . باز در درگه ذات قدم افتاد بخاک . در حریم شه جان سرّ بها فرع قویم . کرد زاری و مناجات چه با قلب سلیم . پاسخش داد جمال قدم از عرش عظیم . کی مهیمن غصن بقا ای چه میثاق قدیم . الحق اسرار الهی زتو افشا گردید . عالمی از نفس پاک تو احیا گردید
صفحه 1 - 5
ز قیامت همه آیات قیام اعلا شد . ز خطابات تو اعلام هدی برپا شد . عالم قدس ز الهام تو پر آوا شد . نغمۀ بندگیت از دل و جان اصغا شد . شاد باش ای رخ نورانی و ای سرّ قویم . شاد باش ای فم رحمانی و ای فرع کریم . آفرین بر کلمات فم دانشور تو . لوحش الله ز نفوذ واثر محضر تو . بارک الله ز کمالات روان پر در تو . بود در هر نفسی جان بها یا در تو . جاهدی از خامۀ مشکین توشد آب حیات . بذل کردی تو حیات ابدی زین ظلمات . گشت دلها زبیانات تو پر جذبه و شور . اوفتاد از تو در اقطار جهان حشر و نشور منفصل شد ز قیام قد تو ظلمت و نور . رستخیزی تو بپا ساختی از صور ظهور . ز ظهورم بجهان شور و فغان افکندی . غلغله اندر همه کون و مکان افکندی . از عبودیّت خود قلب بها کردی شاد . سوی حقّ جهان را تو نمودی ارشاد . بندگی را زوفا سخت نهادی بنیاد . ساختی بیت عبودیّت حقّ را آباد . در هدایت تو اساس ابدی بنهادی . ارتباط ملل مشرق و مغرب را دادی . روشن از نور بها عالم امکان کردی سرّ آثار مرا ظاهر و اعلان کردی . مشکلات ملل وحی تو آسان کردی . فیلسوفان جهان خاضع برهان کردی .
صفحه 2 – 5
یاورت نصرت و عون افق ابهی شد . حایت جیش و جنود ملاء اعلی شد . در عبودیّت من واله و شیدا گشتی . چون نسیم سحری بادیه پیما گشتی . روز و شب سالک هر وادی و صحرا گشتی . بهر ایقاظ امم در همه دنیا گشتی . راحت خویش فدای ره من بنمودی . تا جبین بر در ابهی حرم من سودی . ای خوش آن گو که بجان ثابت پیمان تو شد . راسخ عهد تو و تابع فرقان تو شد . نشر آثار تو بنمود و ثناخوان تو شد . جان نثار ره تو آمد و قربان تو شد . زانکه دانست که فرقان تو فرمان بها ست . ساجد درگه تو ساجد درگاه خداست . ای احبّای بها جمله بصد شوکت و فرّ . عید مولود بها را همه گیرد از سر . که در این عید شه عهد بیامد ز سفر . ز سفر آمده با کوکبۀ فتح و ظفر . با جنود و ظفر و با علم فرّ و فتوح . وارد ارض مقدّس ز سفر شد شه روح . روی یاران از افق کرمل حقّ رخشانست . ارض اقدس چه رخ یار قدم خندان است . نیّر فضل و کرم بر دو جهان تابان است . روز فیض قدمو بخشش بی پایان است . عالمی روشن از انوار مه عهد بهاست . زنده جانها ز عنایات شه عهد بهاست . باید اکنون پی شکرانه این فوز و فلاح . بهمه خلق نمائیم ده صلح و صلاح . که تعالیم بها عین فلاح است و نجاح . این بود گنج نهان دو جهان را مفتاح . دکتر ضیاء بغدادی .
