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[Page 65]
"THIS MASHRAK-EL-AZKAR IS THE FIRST DIVINE INSTITUTE
IN AMERICA"
Through Dr. Fareed, to the Secretaries of the Convention of Delegates for the Mashrak-el-Azkar, Charles Ioas and Gertrude Buikema, Chicago.
HE IS GOD!
O ye two candles of the Meeting of the Friends!
The secretary in the meeting of the spiritual ones must be shining as a candle, for he is the medium for communicating thoughts and the explanation of Mysteries.
Praise be to God that the Convention of the delegates for the Mashrak-el-Azkar was held in perfect order and that the members assembled in that spiritual meeting with radiant faces, heavenly hearts, merciful spirits and the glad-tidings of the Kingdom, and consulted and deliberated respecting the founding of the Mashrak-el-Azkar.
Although hereafter thousands of Mashrak-el-Azkars will be founded, yet as this Mashrak-el-Azkar is the first Divine Institute in America, therefore it is very important and its results and fruits are endless. Soon will some of its results become known and evident.
In brief: The delegates who congregated in that lordly Assemblage and engaged in the service of the Divine Kingdom must give thanks night and day, for they were thus aided and confirmed and left a "footprint" (trace) of which eternality is an inherent quality.
Although the importance of this Divine Institute is not very evident now, yet in the future it will be clear and plain as the sun.
Upon ye be BAHA-EL-ABHA!
--ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Translated by Dr. Ameen U. Fareed, Haifa, Syria, July 20, 1909.
--PHOTO--
--PERSIAN TEXT--
Delegates and friends attending Sixth Annual Convention of Bahai Temple Unity gathered on the site of the first Mashrak-el-Azkar to be erected in America.
[Page 67]
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 Nur 1, 70 (June 5, 1914) No. 5
[From The North Shore Review, May 16, 1914.]
THE BAHAI TEMPLE AT WILMETTE* TO BE BUILT WITH MONEY FROM EVERY RACE, CLIME AND RELIGION UNDER THE SUN.
By ISABEL FRASER
"The Bahai Movement is not an organization. You can never organize the Bahai Cause. THE BAHAI MOVEMENT IS THE SPIRIT OF THIS AGE. It is the essence of all the highest ideals of this century. The Bahai Cause is an INCLUSIVE MOVEMENT: The teachings of all the religions and societies are found here; the Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Mohammedans, Zoroastrians, Theosophists, Freemasons, Spiritualists, et. al., find their highest aims in this Cause. Even the Socialists and philosophers find their theories fully developed in this Movement."
—ABDUL-BAHA.
"OPEN ye the gates of the Temple to all mankind," is the command of the Bahai leader, Abdul-Baha Abbas, whose teachings are today drawing together all nations, races and creeds. The Temple soon to be erected at Wilmette typifies the first visible fruits of this teaching in America. It is called the Mashrak-el-Azkar, which means "The Dawning-place of praises," and these praises are to be sounded through the medium of worship plus activity, for the inner temple, or house of worship, is to be surrounded by such practical accessories as a hospital, hospice for travelers, school for the study of higher sciences, orphanage, etc.
It is to be a new departure architecturally, for it is to be built on the plan of nine. Abdul-Baha on his recent journey to America gave a graphic word picture of the structure as follows: "The Mashrak-el-Azkar will be like a beautiful bouquet. The central lofty edifice will have nine sides surrounded by nine avenues interlacing nine gardens where nine fountains will play. There will be nine gateways and columns and the nine will also be carried out in the galleries and dome. The mystery of this edifice is great, and cannot be unveiled yet, but its erection is the most important undertaking of this day.
"The Chicago Temple is the mother Mashrak-el-Azkar of America, and in coming centuries many Mashrak-el-Azkars in other cities will be the offspring. Think not that this Temple will be like the hundred thousand gigantic temples you see about you. The more the world aspires to a perfect civilization the more the matter of co-operation and mutual assistance becomes manifest. More and more is it evident that the continuance of humanity depends upon this inter-relationship. The Mashrak-el-Azkar, which is the greatest of the divine foundations on this earth, will be the means for mutual help under all conditions whether in the degrees of truth and significance or in the stations of the material world, for the doors of these places are to be open for all sects—no differentiation. Because, with one thought and one aim ye are engaging yourselves in the building of this temple, O ye servants and maidservants of the Merciful, know verily that this great project will be conducive to the union and affinity of all the children of man. Know ye that when this Temple of God shall be built in Chicago, it will be to the spiritual body of the world what the inrush of the spirit is to the physical body of man, quickening it to its utmost parts and infusing a new light and power."
WORLD-UNITING EFFORT.
The following supplication, couched in the beautiful oriental imagery that distinguishes the Bahai Revelation, shows in no uncertain way the deep spiritual love that Abdul-Baha, though in far-away Acca in the Holy Land, is
* Wilmette is a suburb to the north of Chicago, which in the course of a few years will, undoubtedly, become a part of the metropolis. The building to be erected is known as the Chicago Temple.—The Editors.
directing toward this gigantic world-uniting which is to bud into fruition in the center of America on the shores of our inland lakes:
"O Lord, make these holy souls who have arisen to build this Temple the dawning points of light and the manifestors of Thy signs. Make each a leading cornerstone in this great edifice, a pillar of its pillars, for Thou art the Helper, the Supporter, the Rewarder! These souls have arisen to serve Thee well, and have begun their servitude. Confirm, aid and encourage each by the promise of Thy divine favors and make them of the elect. Verily, Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful, the Able, the Giver, the Shining, the Hearer and the Seer!
"O God! O God! I implore Thee with throbbing heart and streaming tears, to aid each one who endeavors for the erection of the House of the LORD, the building wherein Thy Name is mentioned every morn and eve. Send down Thy benediction on whomsoever endeavors for the uprising of this Edifice among the sects and religions, and confirm him in every good deed of mankind; open the doors of riches and wealth unto him and make him an inheritor of the treasures of the kingdom which perishes not; make him the sign of giving among the peoples and reinforce him by the sea of Thy generosity and bounty, which is surging with the waves of grace and favor. Verily, Thou art the Generous, the Merciful and the Bountiful!"
It is interesting to note in passing, Mr. Carnegie's recent munificent gift of several millions for promoting religious unity throughout the world and especially for the purpose of bringing about a more complete understanding between the religions of the East and West, a subject in which Mr. Carnegie is vitally interested.
A recent communication from Mr. M. M. Holbach, an extensive traveler throughout the East, who is now visiting Abdul-Baha in Palestine, bears on the temple subject. He writes of the Bahai temple at Eskabad, which is the first of its kind in the world's history. He says:
SIGN OF THE TIMES.
"The Mashrak-el-Azkar, or Bahai temple, at Eskabad, is indeed a sign of the times. That Russia should have permitted its erection is little short of a miracle. That the first church in the world erected not for the worship of sect or community, but for the members of all churches and all sects to meet in union, should be in a country we have always associated with religious intolerance, gives food for thought.
"Thirty-three years ago the first Bahai teacher went to Eskabad. The now populous city had not then come into existence. Eskabad was merely a camp of 60,000 soldiers in the wilderness.
"Aza Mohammed Riza, the present guardian of the temple, was the teacher who carried the Bahai gospel of peace and brotherhood to military Eskabad. He was a mason by trade, and in company with a fellow workman, also from Persia, who shared the new faith, he worked with his hands at building the new town, but at the same time he built even better than he knew, for from this small beginning has sprung the thriving Bahai community, which is roughly estimated at 1,000 persons, who, stimulated by a donation of 2,000 rubles from Abdul-Baha himself, have given so liberally of their worldly goods that Eskabad can claim forever the proud distinction of having erected the first Temple of Peace in the world.
"At first the Russian government refused permission for the erection of the temple, and a special petition was sent by the Bahais direct to the Czar, who had the matter inquired into, and, finding that so far from there being anything political in the background, the followers of BAHA'O'LLAH are enjoined never to take up arms or join in any revolutionary movement against the state, gave the required permission. The Russian government sealed its approval when the Governor of Eskabad—Koropatkan, who afterward distinguished himself as general in the Russian-Japanese war—came in state to lay the foundation stone and deposited a silver box containing papers descriptive of the circumstances relating to the building. At this same ceremony the highest representatives of the different religious bodies in Eskabad—Christians, Mohammedans, Jews and Armenians—were present by invitation.
"Speaking of this the other day, Abdul-Baha said: 'Praise be to God! that BAHA'O'LLAH has broken the barriers of religious prejudice. He has commanded all the Bahais to consort with "those of other religions and nationality with the utmost love and kindness and fellowship. They are all the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch. * * * We must make religion the cause of love and affiliation, and not the means of controversy and strife. Praise be to God! that we are all the children of the Kingdom.'"
[SECOND ARTICLE]
SIXTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF BAHAI TEMPLE UNITY
CHICAGO, APRIL 25-23, 1914
By ALFRED E. LUNT
FROM the opening of the Convention at 10 o'clock Monday to its close, Tuesday afternoon, there was life and result. Chairman Hall, in his opening address, was especially happy in his presentation of the special problems of the year. His address was replete with epigrams, among them this: "The necessity of consultation is ever present. This is the glorification of the democracy of the common mind when that mind is unified by God;" and "vibrations don't amount to a fig unless you transform them into muscular action."
All felt the seriousness and new responsibilities of this Convention, now that the land is free and clear, and the way open for the building itself. Last year, the endeavor of the New York Convention was largely towards formulating and adopting a practical program which should suggest, and also provide the much needed machinery for more systematized and regular giving for those freely desiring to give to this Edifice. This year, the splendid report of Financial Secretary, Corinne True, showed that this plan has been fruitful, and held great promise for the future. But the Convention this year realized that the plan and method, although essential, was wholly dependent upon the degree of severance attained by the whole body of believers. The call today is for severance and purification to a degree not yet known. That the Mashrak-el-Azkar is not to be built by concentrating on money, but on that detachment which is commanded: "Walk in the Path of thy Lord; then eat of every fruit." The supreme thought of the Convention, perhaps more felt than expressed, was that the real attraction, the real victory in the building of the Temple was to be ushered in with that moment when the souls emerge from the prison of the self, put on the Robe of Life, and through that victory become worthy to receive from the real Treasury every necessary means. As the Mashrak-el-Azkar is the type of the real man, of utmost purity and clearness, those only who have attained to that station of severance are really worthy to arise to its service—and if through Mercy we are permitted, though falling far short of this attainment, to serve this Edifice, there can be but one way to render adequate thanksgiving and that is by an ever increasing purification,—thus may we become fitted to enter the Holy of Holies of that Temple. In the language of the Hidden Words: "O My Friend! Thou art the sun of the heaven of My Holiness; defile not thyself with the eclipse of the world. Tear asunder the veil of negligence, that thou mayst emerge from behind the veil, become uncovered from the cloud and array all beings with the robe of Life."
This Convention had the distinction of meeting in the 50th year of the Declaration of BAHA'O'LLAH in the Garden of Rizwan, and the 70th year since the Bab's clear Call was raised. Although you are to have the details in another issue, it may not be amiss to speak of several noteworthy moments in the proceedings of the two days business sessions. As always, the call of the Assemblies, and the response of delegates opened a happy current, and once again the various members of this great big family gave evidences of their real fraternity. Then, following the happy precedent of other years, though needing no precedent, was the cablegram to His Holiness Abdul-Baha, as follows: "Bahai Unity Convention Chicago sends heavenly greetings, supplicating and longing for guidance towards perfect servitude to Holy Threshold of Center of Covenant." This was one of the really rare moments. It exemplified the spirit of the Convention, and marked the entrance of the work into that hoped-for Path.
All were impressed with the reading of a letter from a priest of the Old Catholic Church, residing in Europe. It seemed indeed like an answer to that powerful Tablet of BAHA'O'LLAH'S to the Christian clergy, the Lawh-el-Akdas.
Yet another stirring moment was when the telegram to the President of the United States was sent. This word, wholly severed from any trace of political thought, or hint, aroused the Convention by its significant quotations from the Creative Word of BAHA'O'LLAH saying: "Be the cause of comfort and the promotion of humanity. This handful of dust, the world, is one home: let it be in unity. Let not man glory in this that he loves his country: let him rather glory in this that he loves his kind." And again, "In our hearts is the certainty
that only through this realization of the essential oneness of humanity is that Universal Peace toward which you strive, attainable."
Nor did the Convention forget its much missed and dearly beloved Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi and his new bride, sending a wire to them: "ABHA greetings from Convention to Zeenat and Zia." Messrs. Remey and Latimer, from Paris, and San Francisco and Denver Assemblies likewise sent telegrams of greeting, among others to the Convention. Miss Marion E. Jack gave a progressive account of the work in London and England.
* * *
At 8 p. m. on Monday evening, the 27th, the second public meeting was held in Assembly Hall in the Northwestern University Building in Lake Street. The large and attractive hall was well filled when Chairman Hall opened the proceedings with a most powerful and convincing discourse on the Oneness of the World of Humanity.
Mrs. Mariam Haney was then called upon and gave a beautiful paper, replete with penetrating quotations from the Words of Abdul-Baha. "Can you paint upon the page of the world the ideal pictures of the Supreme Concourse? The pictures which are in the ideal world are eternal. I desire you to become such an artist. Man can paint these ideal pictures upon the Tablet of Existence with the brush of deeds. The Holy, Divine Manifestations are all Heavenly Artists. Upon the canvas of creation, with the brush of their deeds and lives and actions they paint immortal pictures which cannot be found in any art museum of Europe and America; but you find the masterpieces of these Spiritual Artists in the hearts." With reference to this Mrs. Haney said: "The Bahais have a single purpose. That purpose is to spread the Light of Truth in this dark world by word and by deed for they are striving to walk in the path paved by the One through whom is coming to the world today all there is of real Life, real Light, and Love—the Center of the Covenant of God—and this Divine Educator gives forth the law first and then He lives it Himself first, thus travelling the path and paving the way for humanity."
The next speaker was Mr. Edward B. Kinney of New York. His address was full of sweetness and force. He spoke of the Divine, universal picture, prepared of God throughout the centuries, which, until the Day of Unfoldment came, seemed almost as a jumble of harmonies to the unseeing eye—when suddenly with a single touch of the Divine Artist in this Day a perfect and exquisite picture appears from out all these elements, all of which were necessary to the final unfoldment. Then of the First Point the Bab, of BAHA'O'LLAH, and of the Center of the Covenant who is on earth today, and must be reckoned with; of how their power and sweetness changes the lives of all who turn to them; of the three types of humanity and the way each approaches this Call; finally closing with a stirring invitation to the many present to investigate and consider carefully the proofs of the Cause. During the meeting, Mr. Kinney favored the audience with a chant, accompanying himself on the piano, and reciting from the Hidden Words. This was one of several occasions during the sessions when the congregations were delighted by his beautiful chanting.
Mr. Louis G. Gregory then spoke of the object of the Bahai Movement as divine unity of man with God, and the manifestation of this unity in brotherhood, confirming all that is good and true in every religion. That the differences between men, in the final analysis, is a difference of vision, while the difference between the savage and civilized man, in regard to what we call civilization, is entirely a difference of degree. He referred to the great contribution of the state of Illinois to the life of the race, in Abraham Lincoln; how Illinois was to the front of spiritual and practical ideals in granting the franchise to women, one of the Bahai foundations; then read from the Hidden Words, "O Children of Men! Do ye know why we have created ye from one clay? That none should glorify himself over the other," etc.
* * *
The final session of the Convention was the public meeting, the third of the series, held at the Assembly Hall, Northwestern University Building, on Tuesday evening. This gathering was more largely attended than any that had preceded it, and was a most impressive and fitting close for the Convention. Chairman Hall presiding, first called upon Mrs. Haney for a reading from the Tablets, and the Principles of the Bahai Revelation. Then Mr. Hall recounted the experiences in his own life with reference to the stages of development, then touchingly referred to the life of his father and of his strong faith in the things of the spirit, and of his passing away at the age of 81 on the 21st of March, in serene faith.
Then Mrs. W. Bryant Guy, alternate
delegate from Boston, spoke. Mrs. Guy, in an impressive talk, vibrant with life, testified to the results being accomplished in the world about us by the great humanitarian movements of the day, referring to Christian Science, Socialism, Woman's Suffrage, and others. "All these great and good movements will be merged into one glorious, refulgent light. They are in fact rays of the glorious Sun of Truth which is shining upon the world today through the Revelation of BAHA'O'LLAH, and we all feel tonight here with us the wonderful Life and Spirit of Him to whom all in the world are turning, Abdul-Baha the Center of the Covenant of God, whose Spirit is blessing us."
After a chant by Mr. Kinney, from the Hidden Words, again reiterating the thought of purification and renunciation: "Make firm Thy Love in our hearts, and then we can bear all the swords of the earth. . . . Were it not for trials in Thy Path we should not have appreciated Thy Love. O our Lord strengthen us to remain firm and to uphold the hands of Thy Cause, to serve Thee among Thy people. Thou art Loving, Thou art Bountiful."
The final speaker of the meeting, and the sessions, was Rev. Albert R. Vail, of Urbana, Ill., and in many respects his discourse was unique in penetrating power and beauty of utterance among all the eloquent addresses of the Convention. Certainly none better fitted to sum up the power and significance of the Bahai Movement could have been selected. At an early stage of the address, Chairman Hall possessed himself of the speaker's watch which he had used to keep his talk within limits, and by refusing to give it up accurately signified the strong desire of the audience to listen to Mr. Vail’s beautiful exposition without imposing any limit of time. Unfortunately this talk was not taken down in detail. It was constructive and unusual in its constant drawing the thought of the audience to the unmistakable reappearance in the world today of the Signs of the Divine Authority that was in Christ. With telling phrase, and great beauty of imagery, the speaker traced the proofs of Manifestation, showing the unity of these proofs in every age. In the unexampled martyrdoms of the nineteenth century in Persia, he pointed the lesson that only through a Divine Power, declared to them by Him whom they loved and followed could such events be possible. He emphasized the need of man for that Divine Authority and that in no other way could the great human problems reach solution. Throughout the address was the theme of the wonderful lives of the Bab, BAHA'O'LLAH and Abdul-Baha, their complete sacrifice, the life in prison, the chains, the victory, the Divine Love, and the Creative Power of their Words and Deeds in human hearts.
Full of the beautiful spirit of this discourse, the audience dispersed after singing "The Benediction"; and thus came to a close this Sixth Convention in America for the building of the Mashrak-el-Azkar. One could not better render in a few words the supreme lesson of this Convention, a lesson not confined to the ranks of the delegates but felt in every Bahai community in the West, than in the following stirring Prayer given by Abdul-Baha in a Tablet read at the first Convention held in America, in which He referred to those arising to serve the Cause of God:
"O my Lord, Make them Thy refulgent dawns which shine and gleam upon the Temple of Unity so that they may be resuscitated from the tombs of negligence, unfurl the standard of virtue and chant the verses of self-abnegation and renunciation while hastening toward the altar of sacrifice. Verily Thou are especializing to Thy Mercy whomsoever Thou willest and verily Thou are powerful in all things."
EXTRACT FROM MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB'S DIARY, JANUARY 13, 1914.
Mr. and Mrs. Holbach had several questions to ask about the Mashrak-el-Azkar and its accessories. In answer Abdul-Baha said:
"When these institutions, college, hospital, hospice and establishments for the incurables, university for the study of higher sciences and giving post-graduate courses, and other philanthropic buildings, are built, its doors will be open to all the nations and all religions. There will be drawn absolutely no line of demarcation. Its charities will be dispensed irrespective of color and race. Its gates will be flung wide to mankind; prejudice toward none, love for all. The central building will be devoted to the purposes of prayer and worship. Thus for the first time religion will become harmonized with science and science will be the hand-maid of religion, both showering their material and spiritual gifts on all humanity. In this way the people will be lifted out of the quagmires of slothfulness and bigotry."
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. 5
TO REITERATE: A few weeks before the recent Convention, the Executive Board of Bahai Temple Unity, sent forth a Call to the Assemblies throughout America. It is reiterated herewith in substance, "lest we forget".
A large and beautiful site on the shores of Lake Michigan has been completely paid for, on which is to stand the first Mashrak-el-Azkar (in the western world) and a sum is already in hand toward the construction fund.
Marvelous and unique response of humanity to the Father's call!
Let there be no feeling of exultation, however. The speedy completion of this great work now makes its appeal to all lovers of God and man. If anyone who calls himself a Bahai, or one to whom this Word has come, calling all people and religions to Unity, who has not contributed to this Cause systematically, the privilege is now extended to participate in the construction of this foundation of spiritual Unity—a work which in the cycle of Adam has not been equalled.
Abdul-Baha has said, "If it be built in the days of the Covenant, it will be more joyful and more heart rejoicing, but this is difficult. Now be engaged in collecting contributions."
Let the privilege to give to this object be extended and the offerings enlarged, that no soul, old or young, may be denied the opportunity until the fund necessary for beginning building operations—not less than $200,000.00 to $300,000.00—may be in hand within a single year.
A soul's giving to the Mashrak-el-Azkar, which Abdul-Baha has said "is the most important work in America today," is no favor to God; it is the highest privilege of our day. They of other ages had not this high opportunity. The days are speeding fast; the work is great. You are presented with the opportunity of bestowing your substance upon an Eternal and Divine Object.
Who has watched the newspapers of the day, wherein is mirrored the condition of the world in these perilous times, and not caught a glimpse of the necessity for the erection of such an Edifice as the Mashrak-el-Azkar—with its doors ever open to all, no matter of what race, color, sect or religion? In this crucial hour are not the hearts crying out for such a Door of Hope and Place of Refuge? To the discerning mind, such a Building stands for more than a sentiment; more than an ensign of a new era; it stands for the oneness of the world of humanity and the salvation of humankind. Therefore, it behooves every discerning one to assist to the limit of his ability.
—The Editors.
BAHAI STUDENTS OF BEIRUT VISIT ABDUL-BAHA
Syrian Protestant College, Beirut, Syria, May 2, 1914.
Editors of STAR OF THE WEST:—Our Spiritual Assembly of Beirut decided to begin to contribute to your honorable STAR OF THE WEST. This idea has been suggested by some prominent Baha'is who thought and were persuaded that by contributing to your paper we can benefit the readers and subscribers and widen the sphere of their information regarding this part of the world.
Our visit to the holy mountain offers an interesting subject as our first contribution; therefore one of the students, Mr. Bushrui, consented to write an article about our latest visit to Haifa. Therein he gives a glimpse of the first day of our visit. . . . . Hoping that it will be in accordance with your desire,
The Bahai Assembly of Beirut.
BEFORE the beginning of the Easter Vacation the Bahai students of the Syrian Protestant College at Beirut, felt that the best way to refresh the body and mind from the daily routine of life was to see the charming face of Abdul-Baha, the Center of the Covenant.
O GOD! O God! I implore Thee with throbbing heart and streaming tears, to aid each one who endeavors for the erection of the House of the LORD (Mashrak-el-Azkar), the Building wherein Thy Name is mentioned every mom and eve. Send down Thy benediction on whomsoever endeavors for the uprising of this Edifice among the sects and religions, and confirm him in every good deed of mankind; open the doors of riches and wealth unto him and make him an inheritor of the treasures of the Kingdom which perish not; make him the sign of giving among the peoples and reinforce him by the sea of Thy generosity and bounty, which is surging with the waves of grace and favor.
Verily, Thou art the Generous, the Merciful and the Bountiful!
—ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
With this end in view, his permission for a visit to Haifa was solicited. The number of the Bahai students in the College is twenty-seven and the duration of the Easter vacation was sixteen clays.
On account of the large number of pilgrims in Haifa coming from different parts of the world, wisdom demanded that we should form four parties, each of which could stay at Haifa for four days at least. This arrangement was convenient and during the sixteen days of vacation all the students had the great blessing of seeing the Beloved Abdul-Baha. The four parties were in the process of going and coming beginning from April 6th to April 22nd, which marks the resuming of the academic work for the remainder of the year.
We have a Persian saying the purport of
which is that you can never compare that which
you have seen with what you have heard. This
saying is especially true when one is blessed
by seeing Abdul-Baha. It is almost impossible
to utter what one sees. You are in a
spiritual environment, surrounded by it, feel it,
and yet unable to express it. This is naturally
expected, for how can the inward feelings and
emotions be expressed in words? The environment
in which Abdul-Baha is found is spiritual[Page 74]
and those who desire to appreciate it must appreciate
it spiritually. Therefore, it is very hard
to describe what one observes in the presence of
Abdul-Baha and even if one tries to express it
he will find that there are many things left unsaid.
But we must bear in mind that that which
cannot be comprehended wholly must not be
neglected wholly; we must persistently and
earnestly do our best to see into it and understand
as much as we can.
Let me describe what impressed me during my stay at Haifa: Imagine yourself on board a steamer. It is an April afternoon, the sun is just beginning to set; the beautiful rays of light shooting like arrows towards the East and being reflected from far off villages in the mountains enhanced by the beauty of the green meadows of the plain of Esdraeleon, The boat anchors and you go ashore. You see a group of people, most of whom you do not know by face, but no sooner do you set your foot on land than you find yourself embraced by them, each bidding you welcome as lovingly as a father or mother or brother. You are so much impressed by this sight that you not only lose yourself but you do not know what becomes of your baggage. One thing you observe, and that is the willingness of each individual to serve you as much as he can. Thus you start towards the house of the Abdul-Baha situated at the foot of Mt. Carmel. As you advance you remember the word of the Hebrew Prophets that in "the Day of the LORD" nations will clasp the hands of one another and march towards Zion.
You enter a house full of different kinds of flowers—nature is indeed full of joy; birds are singing and humming bees, flying from one flower to another, prepare to go to their hives for rest. Twilight advances and all things are at peace. Should man, the noblest of all creatures, remain worried and in confusion? No; God has glorified us with the presence of Abdul-Baha. We seek his face and he is our Shepherd. His rod and staff comforts us.
Suddenly, a voice is heard. A general hush comes over the pilgrims and "the Master" enters. He welcomes all and bids them take their seats. He begins to talk and all are eyes and ears. His words strike the right note in each man's life and this you can easily see from the expression of their faces. After an hour or so they are dismissed and the meeting is adjourned. The pilgrims start for the pilgrim's house on the top of Mount Carmel.
Here is an interesting scene: the Hindu, the Zoroastrian, the Jew, the Moslem and the atheist start singing songs of joy, praising BAHA'O'LLAH that, through His Grace, they were enabled to meet on the common-ground of Unity.
As I said before you can never express what you have observed—you can only touch a part.
I spent sixteen glorious days in Haifa. These days have made a deep impression on my mind and I shall never forget them. These days greatly stimulated the students of this College. We feel that there is a wide world open before us wherein we can serve the Cause and so we strain every nerve and sinew to become worthy servants of Abdul-Baha, to sacrifice our souls in his footsteps. For the realization of this hope we eagerly beg our Bahai brothers and sisters to pray that we may be confirmed and strengthened; that we may know that after all the Great University where we can really become efficient contributors to social welfare is the wonderful Institution of His Holiness, BAHA'O'LLAH, wherein Abdul-Baha, at present, is the Great Professor. BADI BUSHRUI.
NEWS FROM TEHERAN
We have established twelve centres for teaching girls the foundation principles of the Bahai Revelation—the teachers met on Saturday last. Such dear, sweet young people. How I wish all could know them personally. They talk over difficulties and receive impetus for work. In about a month we will hold a large meeting for examining the various centers. The boys have had similar classes for three years and their examination this year was a great success. It was held two weeks ago in a large and beautiful garden outside the city walls. There were between three and four hundred boys present. The visitors were much interested and before leaving subscribed about 300 tomans for the Tarbiat School. Prizes were given, and each child received a small bag of nokle; tea and ice cream were also served. During the afternoon a young man came who had just returned from Acca. He was surrounded, embraced and questioned as with glowing face he was welcomed and greeted by all.
SUSAN I. MOODY.
Teheran, May 11, 1914.
OUR PERSIAN SECTION this issue contains: (1) Talk by Abdul-Baha delivered in the Unitarian Church, Montreal, Canada; (2) "Obedience and Actions (or Deeds)" Mirza Hedayet-Allah Esphahani; (3) Article from the Bahai students of Beirut College; (4) Commune for Doctors M. Saleh, Zia M. Bagdadi and Riaz Effendi; (5) Utterances of BAHA'O'LLAH regarding Mount Carmel; (6) Sixth Annual Bahai Convention in America; (7) Convention of the American women.
PAGE 1
VOL V
No. 5
نجم باختر . 1329 . جلد پنجم شماره پنجم . پنجم جون
این جریده بر حسب تاریخ بهائی هر نوزده روز چاپ و توزیع میگردد و در نهایتّ 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 . نطق مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء در کلیسیای موحدّین مونترال کندا امریکا ماه سپتمبر سنۀ 1912 .
خداوند عالم جمیع را از تراب خلق فرموده جمیع را از یک عناصر خلق کرده کلّ را از یک سلاله خلق نموده جمیع را در یک زمین خلق کرده و در ظلّ یک آسمان خلق نموده و در جمیع احساسات مشترک خلق فرموده هیچ تفاوتی نگذاشته جمیع را یکسان خلق کرده جمیع را رزق میدهد جمیع را می پروراند و جمیع را حفظ می فرماید بجمیع مهربانست در هیچ فضلی و رحمتی تفاوتی بین بشر نگذاشته انبیا را مبعوث فرموده تعالیم الهی فرستاده و آن تعالیم الهی سبب الفت بین بشر است سبب محبّت بین قلوب است . اعلان وحدت عالم انسانی فرموده آنچه را موانع اتحّاد است مذمتّ میفرماید و هرچه سبب اتّفاق و اتحاد است مدح می نماید جمیع بشر را بر اتحّاد در جمیع مراتب تشویق میفرماید جمیع انبیای الهی بجهت محبّت بین بشر مبعوث شدند جمیع کتب الهی بجهت اتّحاد عالم انسانی نازل شده جمیع انبیا خادم حقیقت بودند و تعالیمشان جمیع حقیقت و حقیقت یکی است تعدّد قبول نکند لهذا اساس ادیان الهی جمیعا یکی است لکت با وجود این نهایت اسف است .
صفحه 2 – 1
که تقالیدی بمیان آمده که ابدا دخلی باساس تعالیم انبیا ندارد چون این تقالید مختلف است لهذا سبب اختلاف شده و بین بشر نزاع و جدال حاصل گشته و حرب و قتال بمیان آمده که بنیان الهی را خراب می کنند مانند حیوانات درنده یکدیگر را می کشند خانمان یکدیگر را خراب می نمایند مملکت یکدیگر را ویران می کنند خدا انسان را بجهت محبّت خلق فرموده بعالم انسانی تجلیّ محبّت نموده سبب اتحّاد کائنات محبّت بوده جمیع انبیا مروّج محبّت بوده اند حالا انسان مقاومت رضای الهی می کند بآنچه مخالف رضای الهی است عمل می نماید لهذا از بدایت تاریخ تا بحال عالم راحت ننموده همیشه حرب و قتال بوده و همیشه قلوب از همدیگر متنفرّ بوده و بآنچه مخالف رضای الهیست عاملند هر محارباتی که واقع و خونریزیهائی که شده یا منبعث از تعصبّ دینی بوده یا منبعث از تعصبّ جنسی بوده یا منبعث از تعصّب دینی بوده یا منبعث از تعصبّ جنسی بوده یا منبعث از تعصبّ وطنی بوده یا منبعث از تعصبّ سیاسی لهذا عالم انسانی همیشه در عذاب است در شرق تعصبّ بسیار بود زیرا آزادی نبود چنان تعصبّ بود که بهیچ وجه آرامی نداشت ظلمت تقالید احاطه کرده بود جمیع طوائف و ادیان و اجناس در نهایت عداوت و نزاع بودند در همچو وقتی حضرت بهاء الله ظاهر شد . ( اوّلا) اعلان وحدت عالم انسانی فرمود که جمیع خلق بندگان خداوندند و جمیع ادیان در ظلّ رحمت یزدان خدا بجمیع مهربان است جمیع را دوست میدارد جمیع انبیا در نهایت .
صفحه 1 - 2
الفت بودند کتب آسمانی تأیید یکدیگر مینمایند با وجود این چرا باید بین بشر نزاع و جدال باشد مادام جمیع بشر خلق یک خداوندند و جمیع اغنام در ظلّ یک چوپان یک چوپان کلّ را اداره می کند پس باید گوسفندان الهی بایکدیگر در کمال الفت باشند اگر یکی جدا شود او را بیاورند و همراه نمایند نهایت اینست بعض نادانند باید دانا نمود ناقص است باید کامل نمود علیل است باید شفا داد کور است باید بینا کرد .
( ثانیا) . حضرت بهاء الله اعلان فرمود که دین باید سبب الفت و محبّت باشد اگر دین سبب عداوت شود نتیجه ندارد بی دینی بهتر است زیرا سبب عداوت و بغضاء بین بشر است و هرچه سبب عداوت است مبغوض خداوند است و آنچه سبب الفت و محبّت است مقبول و ممدوح اگر دین سبب قتال در زندگی شود آن دین نیست بی دینی بهتر از آنست زیرا دین بمنزلۀ علاج است اگر علاج سبب مرض شود البّته بی علاجی بهتر است لهذا اگر دین سبب حرب و قتال شود البّته بی دینی بهتر است .
(ثالثا ) . دین باید مطابق علم و عقل باشد اگر مطابق علم و عقل نباشد اوهامست زیرا خداوند عقل بانسان داده تا ادراک حقایق اشیاء کند حقیقت بپرستد اگر دین مخالف علم و عقل باشد ممکن نیست سبب اطمینان قلب شود چون سبب اطمینان نیست اوهام است آن را دین نمیگویند لهذا باید مسائل دینیّه را با عقل و علم تطبیق نمود تا قلب اطمینان یابد و سبب سرور انسان شود .
رابعا تعصبّ دینی تعصبّ مذهبی تعصبّ وطنی و تعصبّ سیاسی هادم بنیان انسانی است اوّلا دین یکی است زیرا ادیان الهی حقیقت است حضرت ابراهیم ندا بحقیقت کرد حضرت موسی اعلان حقیقت نمود حضرت مسیح تأسیس حقیقت فرمود حضرت رسول ترویج حقیقت نمود جمیع انبیاء خادم حقیقت بودند جمیه مؤسّس حقیقت بودند جمیع مروّج حقیقت بودند پس تعصّب باطل است زیرا این تعصبّات مخالف حقیقت است . اما تعصبّ جنسی جمیع بشر از یک عائله اند بندگان یک خداوندند از یک جنسند .
صفحه 2 - 2
تعدّد اجناس نیست مادام همه اولاد آدمند دیگر تعدّد نه اجناس اوهام است نزد خدا انگلیزی نیست فرنساوی نیست فارسی نیست جمیع نزد خدا یکسانند جمیع یک جنسند این تقسیمات خدا نکرده بشر کرده مخالف حقیقت است و باطل است هر یک دو چشم دارد دو گوش یک سر دارد دو پا در میان حیوانات تعصّب جنسی نیست در میان کبوتران این تعصبّ نیست کبوتر شرق با کبوتر غرب آمیزش کند گوسفندان با همه یک جنس اند هیچ گوسفندی بدیگری نمیگوید تو گوسفند شرقی هستی من غربی هر جا باشند آمیزش نمایند کبوتر شرق اگر بغرب بیاید با کبوتر غرب در نهایت آمیزش است به کبوتر غرب نمیگوید تو غربی هستی من شرقی پس چیزی که حیوان قبول نمیکند آیا جائز است انسان قبول نماید و امّا تعصّب وطنی همه روی زمین یک کره است یک ارض است یک وطن است خدا تقسیمی نکرده همه را یکسان خلق کرده پیش او فرقی نیست تقسیمی را که خدا نکرده چه طور انسان میکند اینها اوهام است اروپا یک قطعه است ما آمده ایم خطوط وهمی مهیّن کرده ایم و نهری را حدّ قرار داده ایم که این طرف فرنسا و آن طرف آمانیا و حال آنکه نهر برای طرفین است این چه اوهامیست این چه غفلتی است چیزی را که خدا خلق نکرده ما گمان میکنیم و سبب نزاع و قتال قرار میدهیم پس همۀ این تعصّبات باطل است و در نزد خدا مبغوض خدا ایجاد محبّت و مودتّ نموده و از بندگانش الفت و محبّت خواسته عداوت نزد او مردود است و اتّحاد و الفت مقبول .
خامسا از جملۀ تعالیم بهاء الله این است که جمیع عالم باید تحصیل معارف کنند تا سوء تفاهم از میان برخیزد و جمیع بشر متحدّ شوند و ازالۀ سوء تفاهم به نشر معارف است لهذا بر هر پدری لازم که اولاد را تربیت نماید اگر پدری عاجز باشد هیئت اجتماعیّه باید اعانت نماید تا معارف تعمیر یابد و سوء تفاهم بین بشر زائل گردد .
سادسا آنکه نساء اسیر بودند حضرت بهاء الله .
صفحه 1 -3
اعلان وحدت حقوق رجال و نساء فرمود که مرد و زن هر دو بشرند و بندگان یک خداوندند نزد خدا ذکور و اناث نیست هرکس قلبش پاکیزه و اعمالش بهتر در نزد خدا مقرّب تر خواه مرد باشد خواه زن این تفاوتی که الآن مشهود است از تفاوت تربیت است زیرا که نساء مثل رجال تربیت نمیشوند اگر مثل رجال تربیت شوند در جمیع مراتب متساوی شوند زیرا هر دو بشرند و در جمیع مراتب مشترک خداوند تفاوتی نگذاشته .
سابعا . وحدت لسان لازم است که لسانی ایجاد نمایند که جمیع بشر تحصیل آن لسان مایند پس هر نفسی محتاج دو لسان است یکی خصوصی یکی عمومی تا جمیع بشر زبان یکدیگر بدانند و باین سبب سوء تفاهم بین ملل زائل شود زیرا جمیع یک خدا را میپرستند کلّ بندگان یک خداوندند سوء تفاهم سبب این اختلافات است چون زبان یکدیگر را بدانند سوء تفاهم نماند جمیع با هم الفت و محبّت نمایند شرق و غرب اتحاد کند .
ثامنا . عالم محتاج صلح عمومی است تا صلح عمومی اعلان نشود عالم راحت نیابد لابد دول و ملل باید محکمۀ کبری تشکیل نمایند تا اختلافات در آن محکمۀ کبری راجع کنند و آن محکمۀ کبری فصل نماید تا مجالی برای قتال نماند .
حضرت بهاء الله پنجاه سال پیش بجمیع ملوک نوشت جمیع این تعالیم در الواح ملوک و الواح سائره مندرج و چهل سال پیش در هند طبع و نشر شد تا تعصّب را از میان بشر محو گرداند کسانیکه متابعت بهاء الله نموده اند باهم در نهایت الفت و اتحّادند در مجلس وارد میشوی مسیحی یهودی زردشتی و مسلمان همه در نهایت الفت و محبّتند جمیع مذاکرۀ ایشان در باره رفع سوء تفاهم است .
باری من چون بامریکا آمدم می بینم مردمانش خیلی محترم حکومت عادل و ملتّ در نهیت نجابت است از خدا میخواهم که این دولت عادله و ملتّ محترمه سبب شوند که اعلان صلح عمومی و وحدت عالم انسانی شود اسباب الفت ملل شوند چراغی روشن نمایند که عالم را .
صفحه 2 – 3
روشنی بخشد و آن وحدت عالم انسانی و اتّحاد عمومی است امیوارم شما ها سبب شوید که علم صلح عمومی در اینجا بلند گردد یعنی دولت و ملتّ امریکا سبب شوند تا عالم انسانی راحت شود رضای الهی را حاصل نمایند و الطاف الهی شرق و غرب را احاطه کند .
مناجات
پروردگارا مهربانا این جمع بتو توجّه دارند مناجات بسوی تو نمایند در نهایت تضرّع بملکوت تو تبتلّ کنند و طلب عفو و غفران نمایند خدایا این جمع را محرم کن این نفوس را مقدّس نما انوار هدایت تابان کن قلوب را منوّر فرما نفوس را مستبشر کن جمیع را در ملکوت خود داخل فرما و در دو جهان کامران نما خدایا ما ذلیلیم عزیز فرما عاجزیم قدرت عنایت فرما فقیریم از کنز ملکوت غنی نما علیلیم شفا عنایت کن خدایا برضای خود دلالت فرما و از شئون نفس و هوی مقدّس دار خدایا ما را بر محبّت خود باعث نما و بر جمیع خلق مهربان فرما موفقّ بر خدمت عالم انسانی کن تا بجمیع بندگانت خدمت نمائیم جمیع خلق را دوست داریم و بجمیع بشر مهربان باشیم خدایا توئی مقتدر توئی رحیم توئی غفور و توئی بزرگوار .
اطاعت و عمل . بقلم حضرت فاضل آقا میرزا هدایت الله اصفهانی .
امورات اداری بحمدالله در طهران بسیار خوب است در هفته اقلا 40 محفل ملاقات و تبلیغ و غیره منعقد میگردد احبّادر نهایت جدیّت ساعی در خدمت هستند و فی الواقع بایستی هم همین قسم باشد زیرا که ید قدرت الهی میدان وسیعی فراهم نموده و منتظر جولائی احبّای الهی است . در کلمات مکنونه مذکور است « دوای جمیع علتّهای تو ذکر من است فراموش منما » وقتی که خوب در این کلمات مبارکه تفکرّ کنیم مشهود شود که امروز جمیع خرابیها جنگها .
صفحه 1 - 4
و نزاعها که میان اهل عالم است یا مابین دول و ملل است فقط بواسطه اطاعت ننمودن فرمایشات الهی است و ممکن نیست که صلح و اتّحاد مابین ملل حاصل شود جز بواسطۀ اطاعت نمودن آن زیرا که دوای هر درد بی درمانی اطاعت اوست و علاج و شفای هر مرض ناعلاجی ذکر اوست بدون این راه پناهگاهی نیست و جز اطاعت او ملجاء و داوری نیست در کلمات مکنونه عربی مذکور « یا ابن الانسان وجّه بوجهی فاعرض من غیری لانّ سلطانی یاتی لایزول ابدا و ملکی دائم لایحول ابدا و ان قطب سوائی لن تجد لو تفحصّ فی الوجود سرمدا ازلا قدیما» امروز جمیع احبّای الهی بایست رفتار و حرکات و اعمال حضرت مولی الوری ارواحنا فداه را سرمشق قرار داده و همواره از روی آن عمل نمایند اگرچه ما موران ضعیفیم و او سلیمان پر حشمت ولی نبایستی از درگاه فضل و موهبت او ناامید شویم حتیّ المقدور امورات را و لو بظاهر جزئی باشد بایست صورت دهیم زیرا که سعادت و خوشبختی تا آنوقت که موفقّ بخدمت باشیم اوامر الهی را اطاعت نموده از نواهی آن احتراز نمائیم در کلمات مکنونه مذکور است « ای پسران آدم کلمۀ طیّبه و اعمال طاهرۀ مقدّسه بسماء عزّ احدیّه صعود نماید جهد کنید تا اعمال از غبار ریا و کدورت نفس و هوی پاک شود و بساحت عزّ قبول در آید چه که عنقریب صرّافان وجود در پیشگاه حضور معبود جز تقوای خالص نپذیرند و غیر از عمل پاک قبول ننمایند اینست آفتاب حکمت و معانی که از افق فم مشیّت ربّانی اشراق فرمود طوبی للمقبلین . انسان را خداوند مختار خلق فرموده و بهر کار و امری که اراده او قرار گرفت عا قبت او را انجام خواهد داد اگر احبّای الهی کمر خدمت بربندند البّته موفقّ خواهند بود امروز آنها بایستی روح و روان هزاران نفوس مقدّسه که جان و مال خود را در راه معبود یکتا دادند شاد و خرّم نمایند آن نفوس اشجار حدیقۀ احدیّت را بدماء خود سیراب نمودند حال وقت آن است که ما از خدمات حنود روح آن نفوس مبارکه را مسرور سازیم . الیوم عنایا ت از هر طرف مفتوح و بر .
صفحه 2- 4
جمیع خداوند نعمت را تمام فرموده همچنانکه در کلمات مکنونه ( حضرت بهاء الله ) میفرماید عروس معانی بدیعه که ورای پرده های بیان مستور و پنهان بود بعنایات الهی و الطاف ربّانی چون شعاعمنیر جمال دوست ظاهر و هویدا شد شهادت میدهم ای دوستان که نعمت تمام و حجّت کامل و برهان ظاهر و دلیل ثابت آمد دیگر تا همّت شما از انقطاع چه ظاهر نماید « کذلک تمتّ النعمةعلیکم و علی من فی السموات و الارضین والحمدلله ربّ العالمین » . حال ای عاشقان یوسف الهی و ای الهان آن دلبر ربّانی وقت آن است که همّت بر آن گماشته که گوی مسابقت را ربوده و چوگان سعادت و افتخار ربوده زیرا که چنین وقتی دیگر نیابیم و همچو اوقاتی دیگر بدست نیاوریم از حضرت مولی الوری موفقیّت کلّ را خواهان بوده و هستم . « مددی نما که من خود . پی بندگان بگیرم . که مرا بدرگه تو . نبود جز این رجائی »
از طرف تلامذه بهائی بیروت
قبل از آنکه تعطیل عید « ایستر » شروع شود تلامذه بهائی دارالفنون امریکائی در بیروت دیدند بهترین وسیله از برای تفریح و رفع خستگی جسمانی و روحانی بعد از زحمات دروس ایّام سال زیارت جمال اقدس نیّر آفاق مرکز میثاق روح الوجود له الفدا ست لهذا استدعای اعطاء اجازه گردید که کلّ تلامذه که عدّه آنها به بیست و هشت میرسد در این عید که امتدادش شانزده روز است بنعمت لقا مرزوق شوند بنا بر کثرت و جمعیّت زائرین که از جنس و ملتّ و وطن های مختلف در حیفا بر سر خوان نعمت مجتمع حکمت و ملاحظه چنان اقتضا نمود که تلامذه به چهار قسمت منقسم شده بطوری که هر قسمت چهار روز بشرف و نعمت لقا مفتخر و متنعمّ باشد ترتیب و تقدیر مبارکی بود چنانچه مأمول گردید موهوب شدیم و دیده جان را بزیارت جمال اقدسش روشن نمودیم در افواه ناس مثلی است مشهور « شنیدن کی بود مانند دیدن » حقیقت این مثل در تشرّف و زیارت جمال اقدس مشهود است .
صفحه 1 – 5
محال است کیفیّتی را که انسان محسوس دارد بتوان بواسطۀ الفاظ جلوه داد انسان محاط روحانیّات میشود احساس روحانیّت می نماید معهذا عاجز از وصف و بیان آن حالت و عوالم روحانیّه است اقتضاء طبیعی آن این است زیرا چگونه ممکن است عوالم و کیفیّاتی را که منزّه از لفظ و مجاز است در کسوت الفاظ در آورد محیطی که حضرت عبدالبهاء در آن مقیم است روحانی است رحمانی هرکس هم بخواهد آن محیط و عالم رادرک نماید و بآن تقربّ جوید باید جنسیّت آن عالم را بهم رساند مقصود از این عرایض تأکید این عقیدت است که تبیین محسوسات وجدانی که در حضور اقدسش از برای شخص حاصل میشود خیلی مشکل است هرچه هم انسان بگوید آخرالامر می بیند بسا چیزهاست نگفته است فعلا چیزی را که بیشتر در زمان اقامت در حیفا بما ها مؤثرّ بود معروض میداریم . فرض کنید بر سطح جهازی ایستاده اید طرف عصر روزی از ماه آپریل است آفتاب در کار غروب است و اشعۀ آفتاب از قراء بعیده بر کوههای اطراف منعکس گردیده مایۀ مزید جلوه و خضارت و لطافت صحرای وسیع پر گل با جلگه حیفا و عکّاست جهاز لنگی می اندازد از جهاز بساحل پیاده میشوید در حینیکه بساحل میرسید گروهی از خلق می بینید که برحسب ظاهر هیچ آنها را نمی شناسید امّا همینکه پای شما باین ساحل رسید می بینید در آغوش محبّت آنها رفتید هرکس به لسانی تهنیت ورود و خوش آمد میگوید گرم تر از پدر مادر و برادر از این پیش آمد و پذیرائی چنان متأثرّ میشوید و رقتّ حال پیدا میکنید که بکلیّ خود را فراوش می نمائید و غفلت از اسباب سفر و مایتعلقّ بخود می کنید فقط یک چیز محسوس می بینید و آن این است که هر فردی از آنها را در نهایت خلوص و میل خاطر حاضر از برای خدمت خود مشاهده می نمائید با این حال بسمت بیت مبارک محبوب و مولای خود حضرت عبدالبهاء که در دامنه کوه کرمل مقدّس واقع است حرکت می نمائید همینکه پیش میروید ثبوت و پیش گوئی انبیاء بنی اسرائیل را بخاطر می آورید که در یوم الربّ و مجی خداوند ملل مختلفه عالم دست در دست یکدیگر بسمت صهیون حرکت می نمایند داخل خانه می شوید که غرق گلهای ملوّن است طبیعت بتمامها مست سرور است پرنده ها در تغنیّند پروانه ها از گل بگلی دیگر می پرند عطر و آذوقه خود را جمع کرده به لانه و آشیانه خود می پرند شب می رسد و هر ذیحیاتی بسمت راحت و آسایش با خاطری قانع مایل میشود در اینحال آیا میشود انسان که خلقتش مفتخر .
صفحه 2 - 5
و متباهی با شرفیّت به خلقت هر دیحیاتی است غم و غصّه و اضطراب بخود راه دهد و با این نعماتی که در آن محاط است قانع نباشد و جز رضای محبوبش چیزی بخواهد نه والله خداوند به نعمت وجود اقدس و حضور و لقای حضرت مولی الوری عبدالبهاء روح الوجود له الفداء بر ما منتّ بزرگ گذاشته ما عاشق جمال مبارک اوئیم و اوست شبان مهربان ما شده مولای او نیز بما مولی اوست عصای شبانیش مایۀ تسلیت ماست از گرگ مهاجم نفس و هوی . باری در این ساعت اوّل شب یکدفعه سکوت مخصوص همه را فرا میگیرد یکمرتبه شمس جمالش تجلیّ میکند بهرکس عنایتی و بروز ملاطفتی اذن جلوس میدهد شروع به نطق و بیان می فرماید در این وقت همه اعضاء حضّار مبدّل بچشم و گوش میشود کلماتش چنان تأثیر و تصرّف در قلوب و حیات مستمعین می نماید که اثرش از چهرۀ کلّ ظاهر است بعد از یک ساعت یا قدری کم و بیش با کمال مهر و محبّت مرخصّ میفرمایند و مجلس ختم می شود زائرین بمسافرخانه بالای جبل مقدّس کرمل میروند اینجا نیز منظر دلچسبی است هندی و زردشتی کلیمی مسیحی و مسلمان بمقصود مشترک واحد خود رسیده دست در دست محبّت یکدیگر با هم از دامنه جبل بالا میروند باهم با تغنیّ اشعار سرورانگیز روحانی مشغول صوت تهلیل و تمجید و تسبیح و تکبیر بدرگاه حضرت بهاء الله بلند است که آنها را در این یوم عظیم در این سرزمین وحدت مجتمع فرمود و در ظلّ مبارک مرکز عظیمش مأوی داد . در این ایّام که محصّل در این مدرسه هستیم وظیفه و طریقۀ حیات را مشخصّ می بینیم زیرا میدان وسیعی از برای خدمت بامرالله و عبدیّت آستان مقدّس طاف حوله الاسماء مرکز عهد و پیمان ربّنا الابهی در پیش است لهذا با جمیع قوی میکوشیم که تحصیلات خود را تمام کرده بلکه بدستگیری او به عبودیّتش موفقّ گردیم قربانی بندگانش شویم . برای حصول این آرزو و وصول باین مقصد عظیم محتاج بادعیّۀ مؤثرّه برادران و خواهران بهائی خود هستیم که از اثر برکت انفاس قدسیّۀ آنان بخدمت نوع بشر که موجب نهایت خاطر مبارک است موفقّ گردیم در ساحت قدسش محو و نابود شده خودی نه بینیم .
مترجم . عزیزالله بهادر
صفحه 1 - 6
نجم باختر : ما مدرسۀ کلیّۀ بیروت مثل خانۀ خود می شناسیم و جمیع تلامذه بهائی آنجا برادران حقیقی میدانیم در جمیع اوقات بیاد ایشان مشغول هستیم و ایّام گذشته را هرگز فراموش نمیکنیم از صمیم فؤاد برای ایشان نهایت ترقیّ سائل و آملیم و در حقّ همه این مناجات را می خوانیم .
هوالله : جناب صالح افندی و ضیاء افندی و ریاض افندی ملاحظه نمایند .
هوالله : ربّی ربّی هولاء عبیدک الارفاء اجتبینهم لحبّک وااثتحنیزهم لعرفانک وارقضیت لهم الوفاء علی عهدک و میثاقک و ادخلتهم فی زمرة احبّائک وسقیتهم کأس الانجذاب الطافحة بصهباء محبتک و قدرت لهم مقعد صدق فی ملکوتک ای ربّ افتح علی وجوههم ابواب العلوم و اماء قلوبهم من حقائق الفنون و اجعل خوانم و مروسهم فواتح ا لنجاح و الفلاح حتی ینالوا کلّ سرور انشراح و یزداد یوما فیوما ایمانا و ایقانا و سکینة و اطمینانا و بخدموا عبادک فی ارضک و یعبد واعتبة قدسک انکّ انت المعطی المقتدر الکریم الرؤف ع ع 23 آگست سنه 1909
و نهایت آرزوی ما اینست که جمیع عالم از انوار شمس حقیقت که از افق آن ارض مقدّسه و جبل الربّ مشرق محروم نشوند لان الله قد بارک فی تلک الحقه النوراء و جعلها اوقفا لمظاهر اسمه العلیّ الاعلی و کما قال حضرت بهاء الله .
بسم الذیّ تصوعت نفحات الرّحمن فی الامکان
حبّذا هذا الیوم المبارک الذی لاتعادله القرون والاعصار حبّذا هذا الیوم اد توجّه وجه القدم الی مقامه اذانادت الاشیاء و عن ورائها الملاء الاعلی یاکرمل انزلی بما اقبل الیک وجه الله مالک ملکوت الاسماء و فاط السّماء اذا اخذها اهتزاز السّرور و تاوت باعلی النداء نفسی لاقبالک الفداء و لعنایتک الفداء و لتوجّهک الفداء فداهلکنی یا مطلع الحیوة فراتک واحرقنی حجرک لک الحمد بما اسمعتنی تذلک و شرّفتنی بقدومک واحیتنی من نفحات آیاتک و صریر قلمک الذّی جعلته صورا بین عبادک فلمّا جاء امرک المبرم نفخت فیه اذاقامت القیامةالکبری و ظهرت الاسرار المکنونة فی خزائن مالک الاشیاء فلمّا بلغ تدائها الذالک للمقام الاعلی قلنا یا کرمل احمدی ربّک قد کنت محترقة بنارالفراق اذا ماج بحر الوصال امام وجهک بذلک قرّت عینک و عین الوجود وابتسم ثغر الغیب والشهد طوبی لک بما جعلک الله فی هذا الیوم مقرّ عرشه و مطلع آیاته و مشرق بنیانه طوبی لعبید طاف حولک و ذکر ظهورک و بروزک و مافزت به من فضل ادلّه .
صفحه 2 - 6
ربّک تعدّی کأس البقا باسم ربّک الابهی ثمّ اشکر به بما بدّل خرقک بالسّرور وهمک بالفرج الاکبر رحمة من عنده انّه یحبّ المقام الذیّ استقرّ فیه عرشه و تشرّف بقدومه و فاز بلقائه و فیه ارتفع ندائه و صعدت زفراته با کرمل بشرّی صهیون قولی انی المکنون بسلطان قلب العالم و بنور ساطع به اشرقت الارض و من علبها ایّاک ان تکونی متوّقفه فی مقامک اسرعی ثمّ طوفی مدینة الله التی نزلت من السّماء و کعبة الله التی کانت مطاف المقرّبین و المخلصین و الملائکة العالین و احبّ ان ابشر کلّ بقعة من بقاع الارض و کلّ مدینة من مدائنها بهذا الظهور الذیّ به انجذب فؤاد الطور ونادت السدرة الملک و الملکوت لله ربّ الارباب هذا یوم فیه بشرّ البحر واخبر بما یظهر من بعد من عنایات الله المکنونة و المستورة عن العقول و الابصار سوف تجری سفینة الله علیک و یظهر اهل البهاء الذیّن ذکرهم فی کتاب الاسماء تبارک مولی الوری الذ ّی بذکره انجدبت الذرّات و نطق لسان العظمة بما کان مکنونا فی علمه و محزونا فی کنز قدرته انه هو المهیمن علی من فی الارض و السّماء باسمه المقتدر العزیز المنیع .
انعقاد ششم انجمن عمومی بهائی :
کانوانشان سال ششم مشرق الاذکار که مطابق بایّام عید سعید رضوان بود و در شهر عظیم شیکاغو انعقاد گردید و عددی عظیمی از نمایندگان از مملکت امریکا و انگلستان و کندا و جزائر بحر و غیره حاضر شدند و سه شبانه روز مجالس روحانی و قلوب به ملکوت ابهی منجذب یاران از استماع آیات الهیّه نهایت سرور را داشتند و اغیار از حلاوت تعالیم حضرت بهاء الله مست و مدهوش گردیدند الحمدلله که زمین مشرق الاذکار از قیود دیون بیرون آمده و اعانات از جمیع جهات پیاپی میرسد امیدواریم که بزودی به ساختن این بناء مقدّس شروع شود و کلّ اخ .
کانوانشان نساء امریک
بتاریخ 9 ماه جون الی 19 سه هزار زن از جمیع ولایات متحّده به شیکاغو آمدند و تقریبا هفت هزار از افاضل نساء شیکاغو حاضر شدند و مجلس عظیمی منعقد کردند و مقصدشان طلب حقوق و مساوات نساء و رجال است و اسماء نساء مهمّه این عصر را بقلم درشت نوشته و بر دیوار ساحت اجتماع آوزین کرده بودند از جمله اسم « قرّة العین » بخطّ فارسی و انگلیسی که این روح پاک از برای حریّت نساء شرق در قزوین شهید شده است . « ولا تحسبنّ الذین قتلوا فی سبیل الله اموات بل احیاء عندهم یرزقون
دکتر ضیاء بغدادی
