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HE IS GOD!
O thou herald of the Kingdom of God!
Thy detailed letter was received. Its contents indicated that thou didst travel in the cities of America and visited the friends of God until thou didst reach the general Convention held in Chicago for the building of the Mashrak-el-Azkar. In thy letter thou hast written in praise and commendation of the illumination of that Convention. Truly, I say, the Convention of the Bahai delegates in Chicago was a heavenly gathering and confirmed by Divine Assistance. The Splendor of the Kingdom of ABHA shone forth and the soul-refreshing Breeze wafted from the direction of Providence. It was an Effulgence from the Rays of the Sun of Truth that the friends of God gathered in that illumined Assembly with the utmost love, unity and concord. The intentions of everyone were reinforced by Divine Confirmation, the aim of everyone was service in the Cause of God, servitude in the Threshold of the Almighty and the erection of the Mashrak-el-Azkar.
The results of that Convention in the future will be far-reaching and most important, and evident signs shall become manifest. As it was the first general Bahai Convention in America, it displayed wonderful influence. The gathering of that illumined Assembly in such a short space of time would have been impossible without the Power of the Divine Covenant and Testament. But The Covenant has such a great sway that it astonishes the minds. In every region the sign of the Power of the Covenant is apparent and manifest.
For instance: In Persia the fire of revolution blazed in such wise that all communities, government and nation became afflicted with the most severe trials; but the Power of the Covenant protected the Bahai friends to such a degree that in this turbulent storm no dust fell upon them, except in one locality, which became the cause of the spreading of the Religion of God and the diffusion of the Word of God. Now all the parties in Persia are wondering how the people of Bahá were guarded and protected.
Praise be to God! that in Teheran, and all the provinces of Persia, the Call of God has been raised, the Ensign of the Covenant has been unfurled, the cry of "Ya-Baha-el-ABHA!" has been heard and the melody of the Kingdom of ABHA has been promulgated among the people of intelligence.
—ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Extract from a Tablet to Mr. Howard MacNutt, translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, August 14, 1909.
[Page 50]
--PHOTO--
THE FIRST GENERAL BAHAI CONVENTION IN AMERICA: CORINTHIAN HALL, MASONIC TEMPLE, CHICAGO, MARCH 21, 1909.
(Inscribed words on photo:) First Bahai Temple Unity Convention Chicago U.S.A., March 21, 1909 --PERSIAN TEXT--
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 Azamat 1, 70 (May 17, 1914) No. 4
[FIRST ARTICLE]
SIXTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF BAHAI TEMPLE UNITY
CHICAGO, APRIL 25-28, 1914
By ALFRED E. LUNT
"Verily, the founding of the Mashrak-el-Azkar will mark the inception of the Kingdom of God on earth. It is the evident standard waving in the center of that great continent of America. Its gates will be flung wide to mankind; prejudice towards none, love for all."
—ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
EAST and west, Atlantic and Pacific, north and south met in loving union when the Bahai delegates, hastening from all parts of the Occident, assembled in Chicago, Saturday, April 25th, 1914, for the Sixth Annual Convention of Bahai Temple Unity. Seattle and Spokane shook hands with Boston and New York, likewise Montreal with Washington and Cincinnati, while the representatives of the more central cities sat down together in family counsel. Far away London sent its greetings in the much enjoyed presence of Miss Jack, and the beloved Egyptian village of Ramleh, dear to the heart of every Bahai, was brought near by the presence of Mrs. Isabel Frazer, a pilgrim recently returned from that favored spot.
But these Conventions, unique and peerless in the assemblies of mankind, possess a quality more significant than the mere gathering of a few score of people from all parts of America. For the invisible but potent threads of love—the susceptibilities of the hearts of thousands—are carried by each delegate, each, as it were, a winged messenger harnessed to a hundred shimmering threads streaming out from the Assembly at home, until as the delegates meet in the Convention city the spiritual eye sees a vast network stretching far and wide in every direction; threads which are woven into the "robe of love," concerning which His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH has counselled the believers to "sew." And these threads are vibrant with life without which the Convention would be as nothing, for the life of the Convention is the life of the hearts of all, those hearts which in turn are pulsating with the Divine Life pouring forth from the Dayspring of Mercy, the Sun of Truth and Reality. Therefore these Conventions have neither latitude nor longitude, nor are they limited geographically, but in them the Oneness of God, and the oneness of humanity must be realized—for in reality this network of love, which is here spoken of, has no termination in the Occidental Assemblies, but rather girdles the earth, entering all the continents and countries and finding its center in that Holy Threshold which is also its source.
* * *
The Chicago Committee, with characteristic hospitality, engaged headquarters at the Great Northern Hotel throughout Saturday for the convenience of arriving delegates and friends. At 12 o'clock noon, Mrs. Corinne True welcomed active and honorary members of the Unity at her home, 5338 Kenmore Avenue, where a delightful luncheon was served, followed by a business session of the Executive Board, until at 4 o'clock Mrs. True opened her doors wide for the stream of delegates, visiting friends and the many members of the Chicago Assembly who attended the reception announced for that hour. Here passed more than two hours of renewing interrupted friendships, the exchange of the news of the Cause in various regions, and a right happy time. Refreshments and music added to the good cheer, and happy, shining faces furnished proof that the Glad-tidings, which were the real cause of this meeting, were in each heart.
At the corner of Michigan Avenue and Twelfth Street, far down town, on the second floor of a large building is the "Noontide Club." At this spot, at 8 o'clock p. m., a large company of the friends sat down at long tables to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Feast of El-Rizwan. This gathering was in charge of the Chicago Assembly, and was presided over by Mr. Albert R. Windust, whom all know and love as one of the editors of the
[Page 52]
STAR OF THE WEST. The room was large and
brightly lighted, and the repast bounteous and
palatable. Chairman Windust opened with the
Words of the Center of the Covenant—"O
People, the doors of the Kingdom are opened"—then
appropriately and warmly welcomed the
visiting delegates, and the following responded,
in the order named, to the invitation of the
Chairman: Mrs. Geary of Seattle, Wash.,
Miss Edna McKinney of Malden, Mass., Mrs.
Nellie Phillips of Los Angeles, Mr. William H.
Hoar of Jersey City, N. J., Mrs. Lincoln of
Brooklyn, Mr. Alfred E. Lunt of Boston, Mr.
Louis G. Gregory of Washington, D. C., Mrs.
Christ Olsen of Racine, Wis., Mrs. Nels Peterson
of Fruitport, Mich., Mrs. Kate Ives of
Salem, Mass., Mr. Edward B. Kinney of New
York, Mrs. Annie L. Parmerton of Cincinnati,
Miss Marion E. Jack of London, England, Miss
Elsie Pomeroy of Montreal, Mrs. West of Spokane,
Wash., Mrs. George L. Drum of Baltimore,
Mrs. Frank Spink of Muskegon, Mich.,
Miss Cora E. Gray of Urbana, Ill., and Mr.
Albert H. Hall of Minneapolis. In all, nineteen
contributed a few words direct from their
hearts, in most cases bringing the loving
greetings from each Assembly to Chicago, giving
a brief account of the conditions in the
Cause in each place and adding some special
thought of joy, exhortation and love to this
feast of good things, thus preparing the hearts
for the meetings to follow.
Sunday morning at 11 o'clock was the scheduled time for the gathering of the people on the Mashrak-el-Azkar grounds in Wilmette. As the groups assembled from their different locations, thoughts and memories turned backward two years to that occasion (whose meaning will ever wax greater) when His Holiness Abdul-Baha lifted up his blessed voice at the dedication of these grounds, saying: "The Power which has gathered you here is truly a colossal Power. It is the extraordinary Power; it is a Divine Power which gathers you hither. It is the Divine Favor of BAHA'O'LLAH which gathered you together." Never did the air seem balmier, or the sunlight more brilliant—while just over the rise incomparable Lake Michigan shone and gleamed, sending forth its unrivalled coloring, and all in motion with the light breezes. Is it too much to say that as the years pass, and generations march on, even this beautiful picture will gradually fade in the memory and will no more be known—while ever increasing in power and significance, furnishing the real motive and reason for all these anniversaries that are to come, will stand the figure of Him whose love has brought us together, who came "out of the East"—"out of prison"—to this far country, setting up here His Banner of Divine Love which is the true sovereignty, and on this spot words of dedication concerning that great symbol of the oneness of humanity—the Mashrak-el-Azkar?
There was no formal service on this occasion. The worship was of an inner rather than an outer nature. Presently, Mr. Albert H. Hall, Chairman of the Temple Unity, called the friends together near the spot designated as the center of the Edifice, and after a few words of explanation, read most impressively a portion from the Surat-ul-Hykl. Perhaps never did the meaning of that most profound discourse penetrate the understanding more than on this occasion. Itself a discourse of the Temple, the depth and profundity of the thought seemed to clear, and as the expressions of the Surat addressed to: "O Temple of Holiness" (pp. 41, 42); "O Heart of this Temple" (p. 43); "O thou Foot of this Temple: We have created Thee from the iron—be straightforward in the way of thy Lord that through Thee will he straightened the feet of the devotees in the Path of Thy Lord the Precious, the Wise" (p. 39) were read, the mind seemed to grasp more definitely than before something of the meaning of the words of His Holiness when he said that "The Mashrak-el-Azkar represents the Body of the Manifestation."
At 3 p. m. the first public meeting was held in Sts. John Hall, Masonic Temple. This took the form of a sacred service, with Mr. Charles H. Greenleaf presiding. The hall was full and contained many seekers, and also many of the Chicago Assembly who had not previously appeared at the earlier gatherings. All were happy. The opening was a piano number entitled "Peace, Sweet Peace," by Miss Lillian James, following which the congregation sang "Great Day of God." Chairman Greenleaf then read from the Hidden Words the beautiful paragraphs beginning—"O Son of Spirit, I have created thee rich: why dost thou make thyself poor? Noble have I made thee: why dost thou degrade thyself?" etc. "O Son of Man Thou art My Possession, and My Possession shall never be destroyed: why art thou in fear of thy destruction? Thou art Light and My Light shall never become extinct: why dost thou dread extinction? Thou art My Glory (BAHA) and My Glory shall not be veiled: Thou art My Garment and My Garment shall never be outworn. Therefore abide in thy
love to Me, that thou mayest find Me in the Highest Horizon."
Also from the Words of Wisdom, and the stirring prayer "The Day of God," closing with the words—"Praise be unto Thee, O Desire of the nations. Praise be to Thee, O Beloved of the hearts of the yearning." After this followed silent prayer and the playing of the "Benediction" softly.
Mme. Ragna Linné then sweetly sang "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Mr. Greenleaf then launched into his opening address, beginning with these impressive words—"Just a word to those who may not be familiar with the Revelation of BAHA'O'LLAH, the LORD of mankind, who has come again in this age in fulfillment of promise and prophecy.” He then alluded to the fact that in the Bahai gatherings the word "stranger" has no place, for in this day all are friends (referring to the new faces present). "This meeting today is certainly significant, for gathered here today are delegates and representatives from many Assemblies all over this broad land, from Honolulu, from Canada, from England. They are assembled here in Convention to accomplish a certain definite purpose and that purpose is to promote and further the building of a great Temple, a great Mashrak-el-Azkar which in its symbolism, in its nine sides, points to Unity, the unity of the entire human race. The invitation is extended to all without regard to race, color or creed, to enter its portals and there worship God in the silence after the dictates of the conscience and heart. This is the universal aim of this wonderful Revelation. In the hospice, the hospitals, the schools and various other institutions included in this Edifice are exemplified and set forth the great fact that he who would climb the heights to God, who would ascend to that for which he was created, must apply in deeds and actions the strength and inspiration he receives as he journeys in the Land of the Spirit. Why therefore is this not worthy of your investigation, of your prayerful attention? Now we want to hear from these friends from the different parts and I only regret that I cannot call upon them all, because, dear friends, this is the day when heart speaks to heart, and I know all of these delegates have a message for you from the depths of their experiences and their hearts."
The congregation then joined in singing "Tell the Wondrous Story," after which the Chairman called upon Mr. Alfred E. Lunt of Boston.
Mr. Lunt began by saying—"It is surely a wonderful privilege to be here and bring to you the message of love, of fellowship and of co-operation from Boston." He referred to the faithful labors of the Chicago Assembly in the advancement of the Cause for so many years, as the Assembly which first heard the Call in this country, and to the days when he had the privilege of attending the meeting in Chicago [in 1909] when "our dearly loved and lamented brother Chase was here and sat before you as your presiding officer—the great love that he brought. I am sure he is very happy today. . . . From Boston I would bring you the greetings of the hearts. . . . The work there began back in 1906, but I think only within the last few years, has the Assembly been really founded in steadfastness. When Abdul-Baha came to Boston in the spring of 1912 he brought with him that wonderful cup of love and severance, that pure blessing which has quickened every Assembly in this country and from that moment Boston began to flourish as a rose in the desert. He said to us: 'I pray God that you may become as a rose-garden'—and we have prayed that this might be made possible, and we have realized in the months that have gone by since he said farewell that he has recreated the Boston Assembly, for from that moment the hearts of the believers began to pulsate as one heart, the lives began to be lived as one life, to walk with the same feet, living in 'one land.' Thus is coming the realization of the sweet Word—'This handful of dust the world is one home.' This is the nucleus of one great family, and as that love and unity became concentrated in the hearts of the people great results appeared, for the attraction of the hearts began to draw those souls who were ready to hear the Message, and from all parts they came. . . . With this priceless gift of Unity, let us look to its source. Abdul-Baha is the great Heart of the world today, the center of God's Covenant. From him is streaming the spiritual Life-force which is comparable to the circulation of the blood in man. Therefore, until we unite and permit the Life-blood of the Center of the Covenant to reach into our lives, to complete the circulation, we are retarding the wonderful fulfillment he has promised, we are withholding the bounties of God from the people, we are hindering the fulfillment and completion of this great Edifice, the Mashrak-el-Azkar. Therefore he has placed a great and solemn duty upon every one of us to show forth such unity and love, to do away with
diverse opinions, to the degree that health-bestowing Life-force shall pulsate in every one of our hearts, and accomplish its divine purpose."
Mrs. Annie L. Parmerton, of Cincinnati, next called upon, gave loving greetings, then asked to be excused, having spoken the previous evening.
Mr. William H. Hoar, representing Jersey City, then spoke, and beautifully referred to his early experiences in Bahai work in Chicago, saying: "Chicago is to me the house of my father. My thought today is, in the words of the Holy One, 'O son, give Me thy heart.' For man has only his heart to give. All else God has for Himself, for He is the ruler over all the earth 'and all that therein is.' Nevertheless through the freedom of the will which He has bestowed upon man, man possesses power to withhold his heart from God. This is a tremendous fact, yet how sad a thing it can become. So, as we came penniless and naked into the world, our hearts our only possession, controlling only this rarest of treasures, the free-will, let us now render up the only thing we can—give our hearts, to God; and if this be done rest assured that this country will be swept from East to West by the power of the Holy Spirit." . . .
Mrs. Mariam Haney of Washington, D. C., followed with a rare collection of passages from the Holy Writings of BAHA'O'LLAH and Abdul-Baha. Speaking of the outer separation of the friends in the different cities she said: "Bahais have a conscious realization of spiritual union, and we are happy that God mercifully permits us to feel and acknowledge the spiritual relationship. . . . What then gives a Bahai the courage to crystallize words into deeds? A Bahai takes the Word of God revealed today by BAHA'O'LLAH and Abdul-Baha and feeds his soul upon it. That Word has in it a creative power which resurrects, recreates, transforms. Through the power of the Life-giving utterances, they are possessed of courage and long to put into practice the Commands and Exhortations of the Living LORD. Listen to this Word of BAHA'O'LLAH: 'Hear the Voice of God and do not compare this Day with any other Day, neither the wonderful sweet Words of God with any other words; look to the apparent matters with thine own eye, and do not follow anyone in knowing the Greatest and Brilliant Orb.' And again, this wonderful Word of Abdul-Baha: 'We must regard the blood of man as sacred. We must not shed the holy blood of man for the paltry earth. We must all agree upon one fundamental principle. That principle is the oneness of the kingdom of humanity. In this age BAHA'O'LLAH has breathed the Holy Spirit into the dead body of the world. Consequently every weak soul is strengthened by these fresh, Divine Out-breathings. Every poor man will become rich, every darkened soul will become illumined, every ignorant one will become wise because the confirmations of the Holy Spirit are descending like unto torrents. A new era of Divine Consciousness is upon us. The world of humanity is going through a process of transformation. A new race is being developed. The thoughts of human brotherhood are permeating all regions. New ideals are stirring the depths of hearts, and a new spirit of Universal Consciousness is being profoundly felt by all men.'" . . .
Mrs. Haney closed with a striking account of Abdul-Baha's closing words before leaving America, when after speaking of the events in the Balkans and the absence in the hearts of the people there of the spirit of brotherly love, he turned to the Bahais present and said—"But what excuse will you have to offer before God, for you are informed of the Mysteries?"
Our colored brother, Mr. Louis G. Gregory of Washington, D. C., gladdened all present by a few words spoken in his always impressive manner. He said in part: "I can only testify to the renewed inspiration, and the high privilege I feel in being in this presence. The illumined faces here, souls who have made sacrifices in the Path of God, in whose lives are reflected the virtues of the Supreme One in this Day, give me greater courage than ever. I shall take from here and carry to my humble duties fresh inspiration. The only successful soul in this Day of Wonder is he who treads in the Path of God. We are commanded by BAHA'O'LLAH and Abdul-Baha to that which, viewed from the human standpoint, is impossible. But the light of genius comes to him who accepts the Divine strength and power. Then nothing the world gives can deter or discourage us. Those who follow God shall partake of God-like attributes." . . .
As delegate from New York City, Mr. Edward B. Kinney responded by saying: "It seems as if my better self had already spoken through the lips of those who have preceded. Here soul speaks to soul and all are as one family and speak with the same tongue. So, they have spoken my thought. In all the Assemblies we find this power of unity growing. We find the translation of this glory into the
life itself. Each of us feels uplifted by what is being accomplished by you and by every Assembly." Mr. Kinney then told most feelingly of the little, sweet-natured old man in one of the cities who first turned his back on the churches and became a "mere nebulous believer" in the God of imagination, who dwelt beyond the stars—then was attracted to the Cause, but losing heart after this until Abdul-Baha revived him and told him to go back to the church, and how through this there came a voluntary reaching out from this church to the Bahais, and a community of common purpose established. And the speaker pointed the lesson this taught by showing that in all this time the head of the church had been watching the Bahais to note their lives, and their purity, and that he had become satisfied that here was something far beyond mere pretension. So, concluded Mr. Kinney, "we are being watched. Let us be worthy of this attention."
Now followed Mrs. Kate Ives of Salem, Mass., who spoke of the contribution to the Cause which that old colonial city and its neighbor, Beverly, had already furnished, giving the names of those reared there who had arisen in service, and asking the prayers of all that by another Convention, Salem, “the old witch city,” might be able to send to the 1915 Convention a report of great work accomplished.
Mme. Linné sweetly and powerfully sang "The New Jerusalem," and the Chairman called upon Mrs. Claudia S. Coles of Washington, D. C. Mrs. Coles read a prayer of Abdul-Baha, then presented a paper emphasizing the message and realization that comes to us from a study of the Bible, we who come from the Christian root: "then find the message in the Jewish root from which Christianity budded." This she exemplified by quotations from the apostles, in the Gospel, and from the Hebrew prophets, showing references among others to the "Branch of God." Mrs. Coles then spoke of the "prepared soul" as the keen and shining chisel, differing from other perhaps equally good instruments by the fact that this prepared one was quickened to its fullest usefulness by having fitted itself, through the Great Bestowal, to the notch (of service) and, in addition, put itself into entire subjection to the "compressed air" (the Divine Power) which guided it.
Mrs. Geary of Seattle, Wash., although her words were few, brought the fragrances of the great garden of the west, which has welcomed the Bahai spirit with such happiness. She told us that the friends of the west send their love, and ask the prayers of all for their advancement.
The closing speaker was Mr. Albert H. Hall of Minneapolis. He began by saying: "We are all spirit this afternoon. How quickly we respond to spirit. . . . Do we realize that all are our brothers without preference or choice? It's going to be hard to lift up that standard in this country. For in Congress it is regarded as Holy Writ that the white man is supreme. No greater blasphemy was ever current. Conceive the insult we give to God whom it is claimed is a God of preference." Mr. Hall then in his inimitable, convincing way gave a really remarkable interpretation of the Biblical story of Jonah, pointing out with logic and accuracy the lesson taught by this ancient account. Particularly he laid stress upon how the Divine Love reaches out to the lowly and the uncultured among His people, by quoting from the Book of Jonah how God spoke to the Prophet concerning His Favor upon those inhabitants of Nineveh, "men and women who know not right hand from left, and many cattle." and that He had spared that city because of these lowly ones. "If He prefers any, He prefers those who are at the bottom, those who have not the temporal but have sacrificed this to the eternal. Not pride but humility is the lesson of the perfect social state." . . .
The meeting closed with the congregation joining in "The Benediction" with Prelude, by Mme. Linné.
* * *
Of the details of the Convention itself, held in Corinthian Hall, Masonic Temple, mornings and afternoons of Monday and Tuesday, the readers of the STAR OF THE WEST will be informed in a forthcoming issue. In all the gatherings, whether business sessions or social and public meetings, the spirit of oneness held sway, and at times the power which these Conventions know so well—that rare thrill of the life of the Kingdom, so indescribable, so pure and holy—poured down upon all. To many, the most powerful moments were those when the delegates arose to tell the simple yet wonderful tale of the spread of the Cause in a distant city, or how the Fire of Divine Love was uniting the hearts of the friends, and especially when the dearly beloved ones from Racine, Fruitport, Kenosha and nearby points, their
[Continued on page 58]
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
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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. 4
THE MASHRAK-EL-AZKAR IN AMERICA: A CALL
CAN we of today comprehend or realize the miracles that are taking place in the Bahai world? One of the greatest of miracles was witnessed at the Mashrak-el-Azkar Convention when delegates from so many parts of the world gathered to celebrate the Fiftieth or Golden Anniversary of the Declaration of BAHA'O'LLAH to the world.
Minds are unable to grasp the tremendous transpositions that have occurred in the Bahai Cause during that half-century. Fifty years ago, BAHA'O'LLAH, in exile and banishment, called to the kings and rulers of the earth to obey God. His Epistles of warning were not heeded and many of them lost their crowns because they did not listen to God's Mouthpiece, as He had foretold.
Today, if we go to Europe, we will find the Cause of this Exiled Prisoner growing and spreading. Likewise, in Asia, in Africa, and in America—the “new world” to the peoples of the other continents—in every state of the United States, from coast to coast, has His Teaching been heard and in the great metropolis of Chicago His followers gathered during this Feast of El-Rizwan on a beautiful tract of land purchased the loving offerings of men and women from all parts of the globe, upon which is to be erected a Supreme House of Worship.
Truly, the Power of God alone could cause this great miracle. But more is to be accomplished through this same Creative Power, and that is: the erection of the Building. The followers of BAHA'O'LLAH should not pause a moment in the great endeavor to complete the Mashrak-el-Azkar. Abdul-Baha says, "the most important thing in this day is the SPEEDY ERECTION of the Edifice. Its mystery is great and cannot be unveiled as yet. In the future it will be made plain."
A promise has come direct from Abdul-Baha that he will return to America. He told Zeenat Khanum, when leaving his presence, not to feel sad, that he would see her in America. Shall we sit idly by and allow the golden moments to be wasted on non-essential matters? Will we be found unprepared, when the Orb of the Covenant returns to America?
A stated amount as a building fund has been named. Is not this in itself a call to the Bahais, singly and collectively, to make every effort possible to raise the fund? It is a call to activity. Work, work, work!—so that the "Greatest Branch" of God may dedicate the foundation and lay the corner-stone of this Edifice and pronounce a blessing upon it that will give it a superlative degree of importance throughout countless ages.
May the Fiftieth year of the Declaration of BAHA'O'LLAH be fitly commemorated by deeds according to His wish and Command.
In order to make our present financial system more business-like and safe, all remittances should be made payable to Bahai Temple Unity.
Respectfully submitted,
CORINNE TRUE, Financial Secretary of Bahai Temple Unity, 5338 Kenmore Avenue, Chicago.
"O ye believers of God! We are sending to America, the maid-servant of God, Zeenat Khanum, with Mrs. Wise. She is on her way to Chicago. Unquestionably, all the friends of God will exercise the utmost consideration to Zeenat Khanum." ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
--PHOTO-- (with Persian script)
Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi and his bride, Zeenat Khanum
Photo by Sykes Chicago
ZEENAT KHANUM
ZEENAT KHANUM arrived in Montreal, Canada, April 29, 1914, where Dr. Bagdadi was awaiting her. It was the wish of Abdul-Baha that they should be married in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell of that city. The minister who officiated at the ceremony astonished all by reading from the Bahai Writings, and the couple repeated the holy verse from Kitab-el-Akdas, pertaining to the Law of the Bahai marriage: "Verily, in God we all are pleased." Then Dr. Bagdadi, his bride and Mrs. Wise took the train for Chicago, the latter stopping in Detroit.
When the couple arrived in Chicago they were received by a number of the Bahais and some of the delegates to the Convention, and welcomed with the Bahai greeting, "Allaho' Abha!" The spirit of joy was manifest in the faces of all the friends.
On the following Sunday evening a reception in their honor was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Lesch. All the friends were present; communes were read and a Persian dinner was served. The chanting of the bride was a delightful feature of the occasion, which was in accord with Abdul-Baha's wish that she should chant in all the gatherings of the Bahais.
Zeenat Khanum is the daughter of Hossein Aga, who was the personal attendant of Abdul-Baha. His father's name was Haji Ali Asghar, and he was one of the prominent merchants of Tabriz and an old, earnest Bahai. He and his family migrated to Adrianople and were most happy to live near the Blessed Perfection [BAHA'O'LLAH].
When the question of BAHA'O'LLAH's exile to another distant point was rumored abroad, Haji Ali Asghar went to BAHA'O'LLAH and supplicated that he and his family be included in the company. When the exiled party reached the pestilential town of Acca, the authorities lodged them in the military barracks. Hossein Aga at this time was a young man, and was detailed by the Blessed Perfection to the personal service of Abdul-Baha. When Abdul-Baha received guests—as he was wont to do at all times—Hossein Aga was there to serve refreshments.
At that time there lived in Acca a Bahai by the name of Mohammed Ibrahim Ameer—a Bahai veteran who took an active part in the famous events of Nayreez and whose history alone makes a book. Years before he had left Persia and migrated to Bagdad to look in the face of BAHA'O'LLAH and from that time on he never left Him. In the household of BAHA'O'LLAH there lived a lovely girl, and after leaving the military barracks she was selected as the future wife of Mohammed Ibrahim Ameer. Quietly they were married, and years rolled on, each year adding its quota of happiness. From this marriage a girl was born, she was given the fascinating name of Badi-eh Khanum, and under the protecting wing of the Blessed Perfection she grew up.
Thus during all these years Hossein Aga and this girl, Badi-eh Khanum, had been developing and advancing toward one common destiny. They became engaged, and in due time were married. They lived together most happily, the husband continuing his services at the court of Abdul-Baha. In the course of time God blessed them with six fine children, three boys and three girls. They are all living. The names of the boys are Mohammed, Ahmad and Ata, and the girls' names are Fatemah Khanum, Zeenat Khanum and Habour Khanum. The eldest daughter, Fatemah Khanum, on the feast of Naurooz, March 21st. was married to Mirza Ali Akbar, who was with Abdul-Baha in America and whom all know and love very much. The next daughter, Zeenat Khanum, is the subject of this article, and the youngest of all, Habour Khanum, is attending the College in Beirut.
Zeenat Khanum is a beautiful and charming young woman. There is no doubt that her arrival in America and her stay among the Bahais will be an added impetus toward the unity of the East and the West. Brought up in the calm, infinitely delicate atmosphere of the Holy Family, imbued with the spiritual beauty of the divine life of Abdul-Baha, filled with the dreams and silence of the magic East, she will make many hearts happy. The inner life of a spiritual-hearted Eastern woman is a garden of imperishable flowers. It is deep, calm and balanced. Her gentle ideals and thoughts are "of a delicacy of perception so fine and subtle that language itself is too coarse to express their miraculous shadings and discriminations." It is a rose the "fragrant loveliness" of which perfumes all the nostrils. "It is a revelation of indefinable things—of a beauty and strength in repose, of an irridescent mistiness which subdues and softens the form and color of all things seen, of a silence that is not cold and empty, but faintly musical and tinted, of a sound beyond all hearing and a vision beyond all sight."
Abdul-Baha says: "I have trained Zeenat Khanum, and having confidence in her, therefore, I sent her to America; also because the daughters of Hossein Aga are my daughters. Moreover, after this I have hopes in her that, God willing, she will become the 'Zeenat' (adornment) of America."
* * *
On behalf of all the Bahais in America and throughout the Bahai world, the STAR OF THE WEST extends congratulations to its fellow-worker, Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi and greetings and love to his bride, Zeenat Khanum.
—The Editors.
SIXTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF BAHAI TEMPLE UNITY
[Continued from page 55]
faces shining, added their treasure, crystal clear, to the testimony in His Love. Though the words of their mouths were not eloquent as eloquence is judged in the halls of learning, the love and severance in those hearts was so great that the Fragrances of the Kingdom were enabled to reach that place and all were made happy.
[NOTE—To be continued in No. 5 issue]
OUR PERSIAN SECTION this issue contains: (1) Talk by Abdul-Baha pertaining to the Oneness of Divinity; (2) Mirza Mahmoud Zargam; (3) the School of Tarbiat; (4) progress of the Cause in America; (5) translation of Article concerning the Cause which appeared in a Buda-Pest, Hungary, newspaper; (6) article from another Hungarian newspaper; (7) news from the Holy Land.
PAGE 1 Vol V No: 3
نجم باختر 1329 جلد پنجم . شماره چهارم . می 17
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 حقایق این دین عمومی خواهد نوشت و مقالات مفید که موافق سبک اداره است قبول و نشر خواهد گرد ید .
صفحه 1- 1
وحدانیّت الهیّه : نطق مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء در کلیسیای موحدّین در مونت کلیر امریکا 12 ماه می سنه 1912
در این جمع محترم میخواهم ذکری از وحدانیـّت الهیّه کنم این صحبت که حقیقت حادثه نمیتواند ادراک حقیقت قدیمه نماید . چون ملاحظه در کائنات میکنیم می بینیم تفاوت مراتب مانع از ادراک مقامات است مثلا عالم جماد هرچند ترقیّ کند خبری از عالم نبات ندارد عالم نبات هر قدر نشو و نما نماید از عالم حیوان خبر نگیرد حیوان هرچه ترقیّ کند تصوّر ادراک سمع و بصر نتواند زیرا از حوصلۀ او خارج است هرچند وجود دارد ولی از عالم انسان بیخبر چه که عالم انسانی مافوق اوست لهذا هرچه ترقیّ کند ادراک حقیقت انسانیّه نتواند تفاوت مراتب مانع از ادراک است پی هر رتبه مادونی رتبۀ مافوق را ادراک نکند حال آنکه جمیع در حیّز خلقند چه جماد و چه نبات و چه حیوان و چه انسان لکن تفاوت مراتب مانع از ادراک مثلا وجود این نبات موجود و ما از او مطلعّ چرا که مافوق او هستیم لکن این نبات از ما خبر ندارد و هر قدر ترقیّ کند ممکن نیست از سمع .
صفحه 2- 1
و بصر اطّلاعی حاصل نماید مادام در عالم خلق که عالم حدوث است تفاوت مراتب مانع از ادراک است پس چگونه حقیقت انسانیّه که مخلوق و حادث میتواند ادراک حقیقت الهیّه کند این ممکن نیست چرا که حقیقت الهیّه مقدّس از ادراک است از این گذشته آنچه بتصورّ آید محاط است ( و حقیقت الهیّه محیط)آیا ممکن است محاط ادراک محیط نماید این ممکن نیست که حقیقت انسانیّه محیط و حقیقت الهیّه محاط باشد حال آنکه انسان محاط و حقیقت الهیّه محیط است پس آنچه به تصوّر انسان آید آن الوهیّت نیست زیرا حقیقت الوهیّت بتصوّر نمی آید لهذا رحمت کلیّۀ الهیّه مظاهر مقدّسه را مبعوث میفرماید و تجلیّات نامتناهیّه بر آن مظاهر الهیّه اشراق مینماید و آنها را واسطۀ فیض مینماید . این مظاهر مقدّسه که انبیا هستند مانند مرآتند و حقیقت الوهیّت مانند آفتاب که در اشدّ اشراق بر آنها میتابد و مرایا استفاضه از آن شمس حقیقت مینماید لکن آفتاب از علوّ خود نزول ننموده و در مرایا دخول نکرده نهایت مرایا در نهایت صفا و قابلیّت و استعداد است مرایا از عالم ارض است و حقیقت الوهیّت از روح تقدیس است هرچه حرارت آفتاب میتابد و مرایا از آن .
صفحه 1 - 2
از آن استفاضه مینمایند و کلّ از او حاکی لکن شمس از علوّ تقدیس خود نزول ننماید و حلول نکند و شمس حقیقت بر مرایای متعدّده اشراق نماید و حلول نکند و شمس حقیقت بر مرایای متعدّده اشراق نماید هرچند مرایا متعدّدند ولی شمس یکی است فیوضات الهیّه یکی است حقیقت یکی است نور واحد است که بر مرایا اشراق نموده حال بعضی عاشق آفتابند تجلیّات او را در هر آئینه میبینند تقیّدی بمرایا ندارند تقیّد بآفتاب دارند در هر آئینه که باشد آفتاب را میپرستند . امّا آنهائیکه آئینه را می بینند از مشاهدۀ آفتاب در آیئینۀ دیگر محرومند مثلا آنهائیکه مرآت موسوی را دیدند و مؤمن بودند چون آفتاب در مرآت مسیحی اشراق نمود مقیّد بمرآت موسوی شدند عاشق آفتاب نبودند انوار حقیقت را در مرآت عیسوی ندیدند لهذا محروم ماندند و حال آنکه شمس حقیقت در مرآت عیسوی در اشدّ اشراق بود و انوارش ظاهر تر با وجود این هنوز یهود متمسّک بمرآت موسویند و محروم از مشاهدۀ آفتاب حقیقت خلاصه شمس شمس واحد است و نور نور واحد بر جمیع ممکنات یکسان اشراق مینماید و هر کائنی از او نصیبی پس ما باید انوار را بپرستیم از هر آئینه ئی که باشد تعصّبی نداشته باشیم زیرا تعصّب مانع حقیقت است چون اشراق واحد است لهذا باید حقایق انسانیّه مستفیض از نور واحد گردند و از اشراق واحد قوّۀ جامعه ایست که جمیع را جمع نماید این قرن چون انوار است شمس حقیقت جمیع بشر را روشن نموده چشمها را بینا کرده گوشها را شنوا نموده نفوس را زنده فرموده ما هم باید در نهایت الفت باشیم چه که کلّ مستفیض از یک شمس هستیم و انوار یک شمس بر کلّ تابیده . بلکه این نزاع شش هزار ساله زائل شود این خونریزیها تمام گرددد این تعدیّات برطرف شود این عداوتها از میان برداشته شود نور محبّت الله بتابد کلّ با هم مرتبط گردیم تا در ظلّ خیمۀ وحدت عالم انسانی راحت باشیم و در سایۀ علم .
صفحه 2-2
صلح اکبر مأوی جوئیم و بجمیع بشر مهربان شویم .
مناجات
خداوند مهربانا کریما رحیما ما بندگان آستان توئیم و جمیع در ظلّ وحدانیّت تو آفتاب رحمتت بر کلّ مشرق و ابر عنایتت بر کلّ میبارد الطافت شامل کلّ است و فضلت رازق کلّ جمیع محافظه فرمائی و کلّ را بنظر مکرمت منظور داری ای پروردگار الطاف بی پایان شامل کن نور هدایت برافروز چشمها را روشن کن دلها را سرور ابدی بخش نفوس را روح تازه ده و حیات ابدیّه احسان فرما ابواب عرفان بگشا نور ایمان تابان نما در ظلّ عنایت کلّ را متحدّ کن و جمیع را متفقّ فرما تا جمیع انوار یک شمس شوند امواج یک دریا گردند از یک چشمه نوشند از یک نسیم باهتزاز آیند از یک انوار اقتباس نمایند توئی دهنده و بخشنده و توانا .
نجم باختر : این خطاب مبارک در قلوب موّحدین بسیار مؤثرّ واقع شده علی الخصوص رئیس محترمشان دست مبارک گرفته و با نهایت التماس معروض داشته که در خانه شان تشریف ببرند و یک ساعتی استراحت فرمایند اینست که با هم تشریف بردند و در آنجا رئیس کتابی تقدیم حضور نمود که دعائی بدست اطهر حضرت عبدالبهاء مرقوم شود فورا این مناجات از قلم مقدّس نازل شد .
هو
پروردگارا پاک یزدانا شکر ترا که کوه و صحرا پیموده گشت و محیط اعظم دریا قطع شد تا آنکه باین اقلیم رسیدیم و در این کشور نام و نشان تو بر زبان راندیم حتیّ در این کلیسیا مانند ایلیاء نداء بملکوت تو نمودیم خداوندا اهل این کلیسا را منجذب جمال خویش فرما و در پناه خود محفوظ و مصون بدار و مبارک فرما . ع ع
صفحه 1 - 3
میرزا محمود زرقانی
خبری رسیده است که جناب آقا میرزا محمود زرقانی حسب امر مبارک از ساحت اقدس مرخصّ شدند که به هندوستان مراجعت نمایند و کمالسّابق به نشر نفحات الله قیام فرمایند . نجم باختر حضرت مشار الیه را تهنیت مینماید که الحمدلله در این یوم الایّام به خدمت آستان مبارک چه در شرق و چه در غرب موفقّ شدند و مصدر عنایات لاتحصی گشتند و در این مقام بقیّۀ قصیده شان که در شمارۀ سوم چاپ شده است درج میگردد :
صلح بین ملل و وحدت نوع انسان . ز تعالیم و نوامیس بها گردد عیان . کرد باید چه شد عهد بها سیر و سلوک . تا که اندر ره آسایش مملوک و ملوک . قطع سازیم بن مخمصه و شوک شکوک . فیض بخشیم بهر کشور و اقلیم و بلوک . همچو آهوی فتن در همه اقطار و دیار . نفحۀ نافۀ اسرار نمائیم ایثار . تا که عالم همه را جنتّ اسرار کنیم . وحدت اهل بها راسرو سردار کنیم . علم و عرفان عمل عسکر جرّار کنیم . لشکر جهل در انظار جهان خوار کنیم . نصرت و عون و عطا از شه پیمان یابیم . با تضرّع ز درش قدرت یزدان یابیم . ای مبارک ثمر سدرۀ سینای بها . نظری باز نما سوی احبّای بها .
صفحه 2 - 3
ساز سوز و دلشان ساز و نی نای بها . تا کنند عالمیان را همه شیدای بها . زآتش عشق تو هر ستر و حجابی سوزند . دل ز غیر از تو ستانند و بیادت دوزند . دست و دل از همه جز حبّ لغایت شویند . در پی طاعت و در راه وفایت پویند . نعمت موهبت و خلد رضایت جویند . ز شعف هر نفسی نعت و ثنایت گویند . شاکر فضل تو کردند ز جان با تقدیس . که شد الطاف درت شاما هر نفس نفیس . فیض یزدانی از انوار رخت حاصل شد . ظلمت جهل و جفا از کرمت زائل شد . نعمت سرمدی از جوددرت کامل شد . روح تأیید ز لوح قلمت نازل شد . گشت از خامۀ تو قلزم اسرار پدید . شد ز یمن نفست انفس و آفاق جدید . در صف عشق لقای تو می عهد الست . کرد عشّاق رخت را همگی سرخوش و مست . ساخت دلها ز شعف شیفت و باده پرست . همه از بهر نثارت سر و جان بر کف دست . جمله شیدائی عشق لب ورد می تو شدند . همه سودائی آن طرّۀ موی تو شدند . شکر کاخر دل دیوانه پریشان تو شد . سر سودا زده چون گوی بمیدان تو شد . تن محمود ایاز در احسان تو شد . از ره لطف و کرم چاکر و در بان تو شد . با وصال رخ تو همدم و دمساز آمد . در ثنای در تو شاد و سرافراز آمد .
نجم باختر . باز از قبل احبّای امریکا از خدا خواهد که امثال این خادم حقیقی ربّ الجنود زیاد فرماید « والله یوفقّ من یشاء علی مایشاء » .
صفحه 1 - 4
مدرسۀ مبارکۀ تربیت
ضرورت امر تعلیم و تربیت و اهمیّت اکمال قوای علمی امری نیست که امروز بر احدی مجهول باشد تا در این رشته و موضوع بسیط بیان و جلب اذهان حاجت افتد و بنابراین در لزوم و وجوب این امر مهمّ هرچه گفته شود از قبیل اظهار بدیهیّات خواهد بود و البّته بر ضمائر اولی البصائر پوشیده نیست که مدرسۀ مبارکۀ تربیت از بدو افتتاح تا کنون باثر تفضّلات و تأییدات الهیّه طوری بر مدارج کمال افزوده که آوازه شهرتش گوشزد عموم و ورد زبانها شده و این مسئله نیز چندان بوضوح پیوسته که توضیح آن تطویل بیحاصل است و اندکی دقتّ و توجّه بیش از هزار صفحه کتابت حقیقت این معنی را ظاهر می سازد اینک همینقدر بنحو اختصار خاطر مبارک معارف پروران دانش دوست را متذکرّ می شویم که پارسال هیئت مدیره این مدرسه علاوه بر شش کلاس ابتدائی شروع به تشکیل کلاسهای متوسّطه علمی کرده و با وجود حصول همه قسم موانع دو سال آن را بطور ناقص تأسیس نمود و امسال حسب اللزوم در صدد آن برآمده که نواقص آن دو کلاس را تکمیل کرده و بعلاوه باجازه و تصویب وزارت جلیله معارف دو کلاس دیگر نیز برآن بیفزاید و معلوم است که در صورت عدم قدرت مجبور خواهد بود که بکلیّ از کلاسهای متوسّطه صرفنظر کرده بهمان طبقات ابتدائی اکتفا نمایند و با جزئی دقتّ واضح میشود که هرقدر تشکیل این چند کلاس برای مدرسه تربیت مورث استحکام استحکام اساس است انحلال آن بهمان اندازه مایۀ فتور خواهد بود بنا بر تخمین عادلانه عجالتا علاوه بر کسر بودجه کلاسهای ابتدائی که محتاج ماصلاح است اقلا ماهی یکصد تومان برای انجام این مقصود بر مخارج سابق مدرسه اضافه میشود و بدیهی است که موفقیّت بچنین امر جلیل بدون تعاون و معاضدت ارباب نوایای عالیه صورت نپذیرد علیهذا هیئت مدیرۀ مدرسۀ مبارکۀ تربیت برای اینکه اهمال .
صفحه 2 - 4
در اجراء وظیفۀ مفروضه خود نکرده باشد قبوض امانه ترتیب داده و با نهایت احترام از هواخواهان تربیت دامت تأییداتهم تقاضا می نماید که ولو باعانت مبلغی قلیل خود را سهیم این خیر کثیر فرموده و مزید توفیقات الهیّه را در تقویت این نیّت جالب شوند این مسئله را نیز برای تذکرّ عرض می نمائیم که مدرسه مبارکۀ تربیت صورتی از دخل و خرج مدرسه برای مزید اطّلاع اطمینان در آخر هر سال طبع نموده منتشر خواهد ساخت در خاتمۀ قول از حضرت احدیّت جلتّ عظمته شمول توفیقات غیبیّه را در ازدیاد اتّحاد و استحکام روابط قلوب بزبان و جان و دل مسئلت می نمائیم .
نجم باختر . امیدوار هستیم که مدرسۀ مبارکۀ تربیت فوق العاده ترقیّ کند ولی از برای امور ظاهره اسباب ظاهره لازم است لهذا مساعدت به هیئت مدیرۀ این مدرسه بر همه واجب است والله لایضیع اجرالمحسنین .
ترقیّ امرالله در امریکا
علاوه بر اینکه احبّای الهی شب و روز به تبلیغ امرالله مشغولند اغیار هم بی اختیار از تعالیم حضرت بهاء الله و بیانات حضرت عبدالبهاء منجذب شدند و در مجلات علمیّه و ادبیّه و جرائد یومیّه خودشان هرچه بدستشان میرسد از مقالاتی است که رجوع باین امر عظیم دارد به کمال ممنونیّت چاپ و منتشر می نمایند و هذا من معجزات هذالظهور الجدید و لوحی مبارکی در این خصوص این ایّام بافتخار امّة الله مسس ویت (شهناز) نازل شده است . قوله الاحلی :
9
شیکاغو امّة الله شهناز مسس ویت علیها بهاء الله الابهی .
صفحه 1 - 5
هوالله
ای شهناز خوش آواز نامه و جریده رسید حال جرائد عالم از هر ملتیّ خطابهای احبّاء الله را غنیمت میدانند و در جرائد خویش نشر میکنند ملاحظه کن قوّۀ امرالله را که بیگانگان مثل دوستان ترویج امرالله مینمایند و افتخار میکنند و حال آنکه بهائی نیستند و در عصر هیچ یک از مظاهر مقدّسه امرالله بقوّت روز بهاء الله نبوده و این اختصاص بحضرت بهاء الله دارد که یار و اغیار به ستایش امر او پرداخته اند و مؤمن و غیر مؤمن معترف بعظمت این امر هستند و هذا من فضل ربّی و علیک البهاء الابهی . عبدالبهاء عبّاس
صدای روزنامه
ترجمه روزنامۀ پستر لاید بداپست هنگاری مجرستان بزبان آلمانی طبع شده نمرۀ 75 سال 6
رئیس امر بهائی که در شرق برای تعدیل افکار و اخلاق ظاهر شده شب جمعه خطابه ئی در تالار قدیم پارلمان ادا خواهند فرمود بلسان فارسی که بواسطۀ پروفسر جرمانوس ترجمه خواهد شد این دین جدید تقلید یا ملاپرستی نیست هرچند رسومات دینیّه ندارد و تعالیمش ساده است ولی عمل بآن سهل و ممتنع است پیروان آن بسیار و هنوز عدّه شان را معیّن نمیتوان کرد یکی از تعالیم این امر وحدت عالم انسانی است و دیگر اتّحاد ادیان و مؤسّس این امر والد ایشان حضرت بهاء الله از بزرگان ایران بوده اند و پیش از ایشان باب در سنه 1844 در 23 ماه می ظاهر شد هزاران پیروان این شهید و مقتول شد ولی بالعکس این شهادت سبب تقویّت این امر شد و بواسطۀ حضرت بهاء الله این امر در سایر بلاد نیز منتشر شد امّا برای نشر این تعالیم حضرت بهاء الله بلیّات و صدمات شدیده دیدند و بحبس عکّا افتادند و در سنه 1892 صعود فرمودند و حضرت .
صفحه 2 - 5
عبدالبهاء مبیّن و جانشین ایشان گشتند و در انقلاب مشروطۀ ترکی عبدالبهاء آزاد شدند و این امر انتشار عظیم یافت ملل مختلفه از ممالک متعدّده امریک و انگلند ترکستان عربستان مسلمان یهود مجوس و نصاری در ظلّ این شخص جلیل مجتمع شدند ایشان اظهار معجزه یا شفای امراض نمیکنند ولی بواسطۀ بیانات روحانی عقول و نفوس را صحّت و ترقیّ میدهند علی الخصوص از قوّۀ جذابیّتی که در ایشان است هر شخصی منقلب میشود امراض ضغینه و بغضای ملل را شفا میدهد و امّا عظمت این امر در اتحاد عمومی است که نفوس از طرق مختلفه در این شاهراه روحانی وارد میشوند و ترک خودپرستی و غرور میکنند حضرت عبدالبهاء سرور روحانی تعلیم میدهند و اینکه باید جمیع خدمت نوع بشر نمایند و در خیرخواهی نوع انسان بکوشند همچنین باید ترک تقالید و اوهام دینیّه نمایند و قلب را از آلایش عداوت بیگانگی پاک کنند تا شرق و غرب مانند دو دلبران در آغوش شوند خیمۀ صلح عمومی علم افرازد در این امر رهبانیّت نیست باید بواسطۀ اعمال خیریّه انسان ممتازباشد بدرجه ئیکه اگر یکی از شماها وارد شهری شود باید در خیرخواهی و صلح و سلام از کلّ ممتاز باشد تا جمیع شهادت دهند که این شخص فی الحقیقه بهائی است باعمال ثابت نمایند که بهائی حقیقی است بجهت نشر این تعالیم حضرت عبدالبهاء به بداپست تشریف آوردند و انجمن بهائی در جمیع بلاد منعقد است و این تعالیم را بالسن مختلفه ترجمه و طبع و نشر مینمایند ما باید قدر دانیم که این شخص جلیل با این کبر سنّ پس از مسافرت امریکا کالیفورنیا و بلاد دیگر وارد بداپست شدند با چهار نفر خدّام که یکی از آنها میرزا احمد سهراب مترجم است و بعد از ورود دکتور گبس واین و مستر اگناس کونس رئیس دارالفنون و پروفسور جرمانس و ملا احمد خوش آمد در ورود مبارک که تشریف حاصل نمودند .
صفحه 1 - 6
ایضا . ترجمۀ روزنامۀ نیوز پستر جرنال بداپست 12 اپریل سنه 1913 . عبدالبهاء عبّاس .
حضرت عبدالبهاء عبّاس رئیس امر بهائیان دیشب در تالار پارلمان هنگاری خطابه ئی ادا فرمودند در آن محفل جلیل که مخصوص ایشان مهیّا شده بود ورود حضرت عبدالبهاء حکایت الف لیلة و لیله را در انظار مجسمّ مینمود ایشان تشریف فرمای این شهر شده اند تا تعلیم اتّحاد و محبّت را بین انسان ترویج نمایند رؤسای شهر و زنان و مردان محترم همه با لباسهای فاخر برای استماع خطابۀ ایشان حاضر شده بودند عجب تر این بود که اشخاصی از صاحبمنصبان حربیّه مفتون مسائل صلح بودند و جمعی از عقلای کاردان این مملکت نیز حضور داشتند در صحنۀ خطابۀ حضرت عبدالبهاء با محاسن و عمّامۀ سفید و لباسهای بلند شرقی ایستاده نطق میفرمودند هیمنۀ شرقی ایشان بر همه نمایان بود و جمعی از پروفسور ها و اعیان در صحنه اطراف ایشان نشسته بودند و صوتشان و بیاناتشان بسیار سلیس و ملیح و چنین معلوم می شد که از خاندانی هستند که قرون ماضیّه دارای متانت و کیاست بوده اند و عائلۀ نجیبۀ جلیلۀ ایران و از جملۀ تعالیمی که بیان فرمودند صلح عمومی و تساوی حقوق رجال و نساء بود و اینکه اختلاف مایۀ ممات و محبّت و اتّحاد علتّ حیات و در انسان قوّۀ روحانیّه باید غالب بر قوّۀ حیوانی باشد زیرا درّندگی شأن حیوان است گرگ تا آنکه برای قوت می درد و می خورد اگر ما او را بیابیم میکشیم امّا اگر شخصی هزار انسان را در ساعتی غرق خون نماید او را شجاع گوئیم این جای اسف است ما آنکه باید در صلح و صلاح کوشیم و سبب راحت و سعادت .
صفحه 2- 6
عالم انسانی شویم . مردم آنقدر از خطابۀ ایشان شادمان شدند که بسیار دست زدند و اظهار سرور نمودند مستر الکسندر وایسمن که شخصی از کشیش های محترم کاتولیکها ست بعباراتی شیرین این مهمان محترم را معرّفی نمود و آخر مجلس باز از جانب خود و حضّار اظهار تشکرّ و ممنونیّت صمیمی از تعالیم عالیۀ صادرۀ از فم این معلمّ جلیل شرقی نمود .
از ارض مقدّسه . بقلم جناب آقا میرزا علی اکبر نخجوانی علیه سلام الله .
الحمدلله هیکل انور اطهر حضرت مولی الوری روحی لفردانیّته الفداء کمال سلامتی را دارند و تقریبا یک هفته است تشریف بردند به طبریّه . مسافرین هر روز دسته دسته وارد میشوند یک قیامتی است آنانکه تازه وارد میشوند با وجد و سروری بی پایان آنانی که مرخصّند با چشم گریان میروند و همچنین تلامذه مدرسۀ کلبۀ بیروت آمدند و بکمال روح و ریحان مشرّف شدند ناقضین که مرده بودند از این عبور مسافرین دیگر نفس از ایشان قطع شده است .
نجم باختر . از احبّای الهی که مشرّف هستند التماس دعا دارد چشم همه روشن و آنانکه مرخصّند انشاء الله سبب بیداری غافلان میشوند و امّا اهل النقض « الذیّ نقض العهد یلعته الملک و الملکوت » . دکتر ضیاء بغدادی .
