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"I AM ABDUL-BAHA, AND NO MORE"
TONIGHT I desire to speak to you on a most important subject, which you must engrave on the tablets of your hearts like unto the engraving of pictures on adamantine rock. to the extent that you may never forget it, and as you travel through life will relate it to the believers of God.
It is this: The Holy, Divine Manifestations are unique and peerless. They are the arch-types of celestial and spiritual virtues in their own age and cycle. They stand on the summit of the Mount of Vision and they foreshadow the perfections of the evolving humanity.
For example: during the dispensation of His Holiness Moses—Peace be upon Him—there was not a single human soul similar or like unto Him. He surpassed all the Holy Souls who came after Him, even the hosts of the Israelitish prophets. In a similar manner all the people who lived during the cycle of His Holiness Christ—May my life he a sacrifice to Him—were under His spiritual authority. They had no will of their own. He was the Sun and the others were the lamps. He was unique and peerless, the center and the focul point of the mighty forces. Everyone else was under His shadow. He was the Orb and the others were the stars. He was also unique and peerless. Everyone caught the rays of Light from Him, and was enkindled through His Fire. In a like manner was the epoch of His Holiness the BAB—May the life of aught else be a ransom to Him—and He was matchless and without a peer. All the rivers received their strength from that great sea.
Finally during the cycle of the Blessed Perfection [BAHA'O'LLAH]—May My life be a sacrifice to His believers—all are beneath His shadow. He is the Unique and Peerless One till the next Manifestation. It is, however, not definite that it will be 1000 years; it may be 2000, or 10,000 or 20,000 years; but it is definite that for the coming 1000 years there will appear no Manifestation: for 1000 years there shall arise no Sun. All the appearances will be beneath the shade of the Most Great Appearance; they Will be as stars of guidance. All of them shall gather around this Fountain of Life; all of them will become illumined with the rays of this Sun; all of them will receive a share and a portion from this great Sea; all of them will become vivified with this soul imparting breeze and all of them will be under the down-pour of this rain. The aim is this: His Holiness the BAB gave the Glad-tidings concerning the Appearance of the Manifestation of God, and His Holiness, the Blessed Perfection, was the "Promised One" of all the nations and religions. The BAB was the "Morning Star," heralding the glorious Dawn of the Sun of Reality. Now all of us are under Its shadow and receive the refulgent Bestowals from It.
I am Abdul-Baha and no more. I am not pleased with whomsoever praises me with any other title. I am the Servant at the Threshold of the Blessed Perfection,
[Page 82]
and I hope that this servitude of mine will become acceptable. Whosoever
mentions any other name save this will not please me at ail. Abdul-Baha, and no
more. No person must praise me except by this name: "Abdul-Baha."
The Blessed Perfection and the BAB are unique and peerless in this Dispensation, and until the next Manifestation. The belief, the opinion and the thoughts of all believers must revolve around this common Center. This oneness of belief must become fully realized so that in the future there may arise no differences. His Holiness the BAB was the "Morn of Guidance." The Blessed Perfection was the "Desired One" of all the religions and nations, and all of us are under the Blessed Shade, non-existent and evanescent. All of us are the servants of this Holy Threshold. All of us are the thralls—meek, humble and lowly. All of us receive the Light from that Sun of Reality. There is no other mention, no other quality, no other appellation for us save this. I am Abdul-Baha. The believers must be satisfied with this explanation so that I may be pleased with them. All of the friends must be united on this matter. Praise be to God! that up to this time, through the Favor and Providence of the Blessed Perfection, no other title or word save "Abdul-Baha" has appeared either from my tongue or pen. I hope that all the believers will walk in my footsteps so that I may become satisfied with all of them. Our highest aspiration must be this: that we may become confirmed to render some slight service in the Path of God. There is no greater station than this.
After the Departure of the Blessed Perfection and till the Appearance of the next Manifestation there is no other station save the Station of Servitude, pure and absolute. Not a servitude liable to interpretation; but an unconditional and unqualified servitude. This is the real fact. Whosoever expresses any other interpretation, I will not be pleased with him. This is my advice to you. This is my counsel to you. This is my desire. This is my good pleasure. This is my last request from all the believers of God! The balsam to my wound is servitude at the Holy Threshold. My Sadrat-el-Montaha is servitude at the Holy Threshold! My highest destination is servitude at the Holy Threshold! My Supreme Paradise is servitude at the Holy Threshold! My Spiritual Temple is servitude at the Holy Threshold! The Most Shining Crown is servitude at the Holy Threshold!
What diadem is more glorious than servitude at the Holy Threshold? I hope that all of us will become assisted in this servitude. I hope each one of us will become confirmed in absolute humility and meekness at the Holy Threshold. This is the Delectable Paradise of the righteous ones! This is the ultimate desire of the believers! This is the Zenith of the hope of the favored ones!
—ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Extract from the Diary of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab January 17, 1914
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 Rahmat 1, 70 (June 24, 1914) No. 6
ABDUL-BAHA'S VISIT TO PHILADELPHIA
JUNE 8-10,1912
A brief description containing various Talks in the order in which they were delivered at the Hotel Rittenhouse; also Talk at the home of Mrs. Revell.
BY MISS EDNA McKINNEY
ON the eighth day of June, nineteen hundred and twelve, Abdul-Baha, Center of the Covenant of BAHA'O'LLAH, quickened the sleeping body of Philadelphia by his presence. Abdul-Baha arrived from New York City at the Broad Street Station at six o'clock in the evening, and was met by a few of the Bahais. He was very tired and asked to go quickly to the hotel, the Rittenhouse, 22nd and Chestnut streets, where he was met by several newspaper reporters to whom he spoke but briefly. Accompanying Abdul-Baha was Mirza Ali Akbar, Dr. Ameen U. Fareed and Mirza Ahmad Sohrab.
Early Sunday morning the friends began to arrive at the hotel, and from ton on till late at night there was spread for all a wonderful feast. Each came and partook according to his desire and capacity, high and low, rich and poor, black and white—there is no distinction at the table of Abdul-Baha. This food brought Everlasting Life to all who feasted. Questions were asked and answered both in regard to personal matters and with regard to the work of the Cause in Philadelphia.
Abdul-Baha asked what was being done in Philadelphia. What meetings were held and how they were conducted. Mrs. Revell answered that meetings were held at the homes of the friends; also one public meeting each week in a hall; that the Nineteen-Day Feast was observed; and that at all meetings the teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH and Abdul-Baha were read in the endeavor to spread the blessed message of unity and love to all inquirers.
Abdul-Baha then said that Philadelphia would be glorified through the Spirit of BAHA'O'LLAH. He said, "Write this down, that on such a day, in such a room* Abdul-Baha told you these things."
* June 9, 1912, in the small parlor of the Rittenhouse, suite 423; Abdul-Baha sat on a sofa in the northwest corner of the room.
He then went on to say:
"I have come to Philadelphia to breathe into you the spirit of BAHA'O'LLAH. My heart led me here.
"You must continue to keep the Nineteen-day Feast. It is very important,—very good. But when you present yourselves in the meetings, before entering them, free yourselves from all that you have in your hearts;—free your thoughts and minds from all else save God and speak from the heart—that all may make this a gathering of love;—make it the cause of illumination;—make it a gathering of attracted hearts; surround it with the lights of the Supreme Concourse. Thus may you be gathered together in the utmost love.
"Turn to God and say: O God! dispel all those elements are the cause of discord, and prepare for us those things which are the cause of unity and agreement! O God! cause to descend upon us Heavenly Fragrance and change this gathering into a gathering of Heaven! Grant to us every benefit and every food.! Prepare for us the food of love! Give to us the food of knowledge! Bestow upon us the food of Heavenly Illumination! In your heart remember these things and then enter the Unity Feast.
"Each one of you must think how to make the other members of your assembly happy and pleased. Each one must consider all those who are present as better and greater than himself. Each one must consider himself less than the rest. Consider their station as high, and think of your own station as low. Should you act and live according to these behests; know verily and of a certainty, that such a Feast is indeed the Heavenly Food; that Supper is indeed the Lord's Supper. I am the servant of that gathering.
"This is the gospel I give to you."
Abdul-Baha then went to his room for a while.
Different ones were continually arriving and joining the little circle of friends for no one seemed willing to go away. In fact when some did start to leave, thinking that they were intruding upon another's opportunity, Abdul-Baha waved them back and said in English, “Be seated!”
Mr. William Remey came in about this time and when Abdul-Baha saw him, he greeted him most warmly.
"Your brother mentioned your name to me. You are greatly blessed by having such a brother. At present you do not know how greatly you are blessed, but you will see this with your own eyes. Your whole family will be glorified; they will be proud that they have such sons as Remey and yourself.
"Consider how the Disciples were treated. While they were alive people would not have anything to do with them, but later on they felt greatly glorified if they had even the remotest relationship with them. They became respected and revered;—even the earth that was touched by their feet. Now the people prostrate themselves before their tombs, but they were persecuted while they lived. At that time people did not like to be known as relatives of these Disciples of Christ.
"While I was traveling in Palestine I came across a stony piece of ground. I saw that a number of people had gathered around one stone, kissing it, weeping and supplicating. I asked one, 'What is this'? He told me that the Apostles of Christ, once upon a time, had passed by this place and sat upon these rocks, but there were so many rocks they did not know on which the Apostles had sat. Therefore they prostrated themselves before all of them that perchance they might come across and kiss the right stone. In their own day the people beat them, put them in prison, ridiculed them, exiled them from their own cities and finally martyred them. They even did not give permission that they might be buried in their own cemeteries. They were not willing to have the body of His Holiness Jesus Christ put in the Jews' cemetery. The Apostles went and bought a piece of land and interred him. Then the laws took their refuse there. Later men came and built a great church over it This was built by the mother of one of the Caesars, after three hundred years. Even up to this time in certain parts it is known as the Church of Refuse. This is really the Tomb of Christ. It was the place where all the refuse of the city was gathered in the day of Christ. For three hundred years it continued in this manner. You can go now and see what wonderful change there is, see what a wonderful church is built, how many jewels and precious stones are collected there. The statue of Christ is bejeweled with all kinds of precious stones, so are the statues of Mary and others. How different the attitude of the people in the days of Manifestations. They persecute, deride and ridicule them, put a crown of thorns upon their heads, beat them in the street, spit in their faces and finally crucify them. But later on they worship their images, kiss the ground upon which they walked, or the stone upon which they sat. This is the attitude of the people."
During this time many people had been coming in and sitting down quietly. One of the ladies brought some flowers. Mrs. Boyle was arranging them in a vase, when Abdul-Baha said: "You are serving too much, Mrs. Boyle, you will get tired." Mrs. Boyle replied that it was a pleasure to be permitted to serve and that she wished Abdul-Baha's guests to see everything beautiful about him. Abdul-Baha said: "The guests are flowers themselves; they are the flowers of the rose-garden of God; they will never wither; they will not disappear; they have perennial beauty and fragrance for evermore." He then turned to Miss Washington and said, "I have come to visit you here, do you accept a guest?"
Dr. Kenneth E. Evans, Pastor of the Unitarian Church at which Abdul-Baha was to speak during the morning, was announced and Abdul-Baha left us for a few moments, telling us to remain seated. When he returned he was smiling. What a pleasure it is to see Abdul-Baha smile! One realized then the true force of happiness and showing to the world a brave, noble exterior expressing the reality of a heart full of love to all humanity. . . .
Abdul-Baha called a little girl to him and patted her hair, saying in English, "She is a very sweet daughter, a very sweet girl. Good daughter, very good, good daughter, good girl!"
After seating some late arrivals Abdul-Baha turned to one of the ladies and said:
"You are extremely welcome. Are you happy? I have come here to make you happy. I have come here to give you the Message of BAHA'O'LLAH; that this Message may become the cause of your happiness.
"Like unto a dove I carry a Message with
me wherever I go. BAHA'O'LLAH has written a letter, a Message; He has put it on my wings; through His power He has made me to soar and I have brought that Message here.
"That letter contains the glad tidings of God; that letter is the call of the Kingdom; that letter is the heavenly signs; that letter brings you the glad-tidings that He, BAHA'O'LLAH has accepted you, elected you from among all His creatures and prepared you for the sake of His Love for the whole human world; so that all may be enlightened with the Light of the Kingdom, sing the verses of Oneness, become the cause of the illumination of the realm of humanity, the source of everlasting happiness, the spreader of the cause of international peace;—so that all may find the Oneness of the world of humanity, promulgate oneness of thought, lay the foundations of unity of religions, establish universal education, announce the idea of racial oneness, proclaim one race from every standpoint, and illuminate the world of man with the Lights of God. This is the Message. This is the letter which BAHA'O'LLAH has put upon my wings, and I give you that Message today. It is assured that if you accept the Message of the Blessed Perfection and live and act accordingly, you may bestow Everlasting Life upon the world of humanity.
"I have brought these flowers from the Orient so that you may perfume the Occident. This is a melody that I have brought from the East so that you may listen to it in the West. It is certain that you will listen to it. This harmony will stir the stones and even the plants; it will give hearing to the deaf, quicken heedless hearts and awaken the dead bodies; for this is the Melody of BAHA'O'LLAH.
Turning to one of the gentlemen, Abdul-Baha said: "How are you? You must speak now."
The gentleman replied that he had heard Abdul-Baha speak in Washington and had come to hear him again in Philadelphia; that he was glad indeed to see the East and the West so affiliated.
Abdul-Baha said: “We have become your relatives. The East and the West have embraced each other. God willing they will become one; the East will become the West and the West will become the East; both of them will become one.
"We desire to wipe this Atlantic away and connect these two continents, so that the sea may not have any effect; it may not become the cause of separation, it may seem as though there was no Atlantic between the two hemispheres; that these two hemispheres be connected with each other; nay rather, they will be as one country. The East must become identical with the West and the West with the East. Do you think it is possible and it is good? It will be the age of the diamond; the diamond!"
Then the gentleman said, "God willing the wireless telegraph and the fast steamers will make this possible."
Abdul-Baha replied: "Don't say, 'God willing,' say 'I hope.' When that wireless telegraphy of the consciousness is established and communication is realized, it will be like the communion between the mind and the heart. Think what wonderful unity is between these two human organisms. It is uninterrupted. The communication between the heart and the mind is continual, uninterrupted, and noiseless. But what a great knowledge it has; although it is voiceless its voice fills the whole world. Wireless telegraphy is good, is perfect, for wireless telegraphy consists of the vibrations of the air, which is the medium of the message from one place to another, but the other wireless telegraphy is realized through the vibrations of the Love of God.
"You have great capability. This is truth that I speak to you. Your sympathies are great, you have rapidity of thought. Therefore it is my hope that you may practice the Teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH and live and act according to those principles. Teachings are revealed for the sake of practice and not for the sake of hearing or listening only. When man listens to certain teachings he must live them. To listen to the teachings is very easy, but it is to bring them into our daily lives.
"It is easy to expound one thousand letters of teachings. It is still easier to listen to them, but it is difficult to put into practice one of them. Teachings are like an image reflected into a mirror. If these images find outward expression, wonderful results will be the outcome, but if they are only images in the mirror they remain valueless.
"His Holiness Jesus Christ brought blessed
Teachings. He was the cause of the illumination
of the world of man. He was the cause
of Everlasting Life. He was the cause of the
agreement of the sects of the world of humanity.
He was the cause of the attainment of
the good pleasure of the Manifest One, but His[Page 86]
teachings were more or less lost in the mirrors.
All the books and libraries seek to bring
these teachings fully into the outward realm of
activity. If the teachings of His Holiness Jesus
Christ had found full expression in the realm
of visibility, this world would have become another
world; it would have become the paradise
of heaven; it would have become the
image of the Kingdom.
"First, souls practice the teachings. These souls become the realization of the heaven of God; they illuminate the realm of man. Now it is my hope that you may become a perfect mirror reflecting the teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH; not only in the mirror, but finding outward expression. Every night, may you think, 'Which one of the teachings of BAHA'O'LLAH shall I put into my daily life tomorrow?' Should you become assisted in the practice of one of the teachings of the Blessed Perfection, thank God for it a thousand times,—that you have become helped and confirmed in that service. This is my hope for you."
The gentleman asked, "Is BAHA'O'LLAH the reincarnation of Jesus Christ?"
Abdul-Baha answered: "The Manifestation of the Essence of God is like unto the sun, which has different risings. The dawning places are different but the sun is always the same. The lamps are different but the light is one.
"Consider with the eye of reality. The aim of life is reality, and reality is one. Reality does not accept multiplicity. This is the essence of the teachings, and an established, self-evident fact. The light is the light no matter from what lamp it shines. The rose is the rose no matter from which rose-garden it comes. The fruit is the fruit no matter upon which tree it is produced. The breeze possesses life no matter from which direction it is wafted. Always think of the breeze and not of the direction. Look upon the flower and not upon the earth which has produced it. Look upon the light and not upon the lamp. Look upon the jewels and pearls, not upon the depths of the sea. Search and find the pearls from whatever sea they may come, whether eastern sea or western sea. Find the pearls, find the jewels from whichever mine they may be; whether it be the mine of the north or mine of the south. Consider the teachings. If they are truth hold fast to them; but if they are untruth throw them away.
"We cannot say that the Manifestations are either greater or lesser. In order to make this distinction we must be greater than they. The only thing that we know is this—they are life. But to say that one is lesser and the other greater; this is beyond the comprehension of our intellects. In order to know that they are greater or lesser, we must surround them. But we are the surrounded, not the surrounder. We see that they bestow light,—that the rest of the world is illumined by them;—that is all. Do you not think that is the truth? We need a great teacher, a great professor to say that this teacher is inferior to the other teacher. We are all pupils. We only know that they are the teachers,—but so far as their degrees are concerned, we cannot comprehend them. If we want to do that we must be greater than they are, so that we may examine them and then find out which one has the greater knowledge. But as we are only pupils the only thing that we can find out and know is that they are teachers,—that they have brought certain teachings for the safety of the realm of the world."
AT THE UNITARIAN CHURCH.
Abdul-Baha with his party arrived at the church at eleven o'clock. The church was crowded and every available seat was taken. It was a most attentive audience which listened to those heavenly and humanitarian truths that morning.* The church seats about six or eight hundred. The pulpit is small and situated very near to the congregation. This was Children's Day and there were many bright young faces.
Dr. Evans introduced Abdul-Baha briefly and then gave over the morning to him. Dr. Fareed acted as interpreter. At the close of the service Abdul-Baha was asked to pronounce a Benediction, after which the people crowded around him and he shook hands with all. The party then returned to the hotel and the various friends went to their homes, only to return to the hotel as early as possible in the afternoon.
AFTERNOON AT THE HOTEL RITTENHOUSE.
On arriving at the hotel later in the day we found about fifty people in the little parlor. Abdul-Baha waved us into the room and bade us be seated. As there were no chairs we sat on the floor, which pleased Abdul-Baha very much. He said, "This is a cause of unity; see! the Occident is sitting on the floor like the Orient and the Orient is sitting on the chairs." He laughed quite heartily, and then proceeded
* See No. 7 issue of the STAR OF THE WEST.
with his discourse, which was in most part directed to a colored believer from Harrisburg, Pa.:—
"You have a good, pleasant country, excellent climate and polite, good mannered people. This is a populous country, and the prosperity of any country is dependent upon its people. One must not look at the house but at the dweller in the house. One must not look at the shell but at the pearl within the shell. One must not look at the garden but at the trees and flowers growing in the garden. If a country be in a state of the utmost prosperity but its people be without progress or perfections, it is valueless. If the dweller in the house be not worthy, no matter how excellent the house may be; if within the shell there be no pearls, of what use is the house, of what value is the delicacy of the shell itself? Now, we must endeavor in order that the delicate shells may contain brilliant pearls; these beautiful gardens produce fruitful trees. These brilliant pearls are the souls who are the lamps of the world of humanity, the fruitful trees of the divine garden, the stars of eternal glory. Strive that such souls may be found in your country.
"I hope that in this city there may arise some who shall be as lights on the Horizon of Reality; jewels in the crown of humanity, foundation stones in the divine temple of Oneness, lanterns of the Love of God. This is my hope, that in time so it shall be. Praise be to God! You have capacity, your intentions are sincere, you are turning to God, you seek for inspiration from the Kingdom, you are receptive and enjoy with spiritual intelligence. I hope that you may be of the 'chosen ones.'
“In Washington, in many gatherings and meetings, we spoke of unity between the white and the colored races, presenting the subject with incontrovertible proofs and evidences. Whether logical proofs or traditional proofs, before God there is no distinction of white or colored. Whosoever has a pure heart, his deeds are better and more acceptable before the threshhold of the Almighty, though he may be red or yellow. It is evident the colored and the white people belong to the same human family. In reality they are of the same human household in which colors, as in all departments of life, are used for adornment.
"If you enter a rose garden and find all the flowers of the same color there is no enjoyment; but when you see white roses, dark roses, red and yellow—many kinds and colors, you will have perfect enjoyment. And why should not the same rule govern and prevail in the human family. For instance, in a flock of doves some are white, some are grey, some may be yellow or even red, but notwithstanding the difference in colors they live together in the utmost love and unity. Among the doves which belong to the animal kingdom, variety of color does not become a subject of discord; they dwell peacefully with each other. Is it then befitting that in the human family that difference of color should become the cause of strife? The dove knows that difference of colors does not harm it. Among horses some are red, some black, some white and some yellow, yet they are in the utmost affinity and accord. Most of the animals of the lower kingdom are of varied colors yet they associate peacefully, kind with kind. Is it befitting that man does not equal the birds? Indeed it is not.
"We said in the Washington addresses that the colored race must be very grateful to the white race and the white race kind and helpful to the colored race. The colored race must be very thankful because the men of the white race sacrificed their lives and became the cause of their freedom. This magnanimity cannot be forgotten. Furthermore, through this the white race became the cause of freedom for the colored race all over the world. The freedom of the colored race in America became the cause of freedom for the colored race in Africa and throughout the world. In Africa the colored race was grossly illtreated. Now they are free. This was because of the freedom enjoyed by the colored race in this country, and the freedom of the colored race in America was accomplished through the white race. The colored race should be grateful to the white; they should never forget this. Therefore we must endeavor so that day by day the love of God may increase in the world of humanity, the laws of man find the common bond strengthened, the virtues of the human world be developed and divine love shed its rays upon the mind of man until humanity becomes the manifestation of the rays of Divine Love.
"Everything which is the cause of the promotion of love must be encouraged, and on the other hand that which is the cause of hatred and enmity must be shunned. God has sent all His messengers and Prophets to establish love amongst humanity. All the Heavenly Books
[Continued on page 89]
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. 6
PERSIAN-AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY
Dr. Moody sends a photograph, which I am enclosing, of three boys who are awaiting the favor of the Society. She writes about them as follows:
"These three boys who need tuition belong in the district of the Branch Tarbiat, and are free scholars at present. The father of center one is ill and poor, but manages to buy pencils and paper. The others live with old grandfather—no parents—very poor. Their brother is in Central Tarbiat on our list. I have advanced money for the pencils, etc., for these two."
We hope that the STAR OF THE WEST in an early edition can publish this photograph, with an appeal for benefactors for these boys. It has been found heretofore that the opportunity of seeing the boys who are in need has usually brought forth a generous response.
(Signed) JOSEPH H. HANNEN,
P. O. Box 192, Washington, D. C.
--PHOTO-- Three boys awaiting favor of Society (Boy standing is paid for by parents)
NEWS FROM TEHERAN, PERSIA IN TEHERAN there are meetings daily in every quarter of the city. There are several spiritual or working assemblies both of men and women separately, and notably among these is the "Mahfel-e Dars-e Akhlagh"—meeting or assembly of moral teachings,—whose work should prove interesting to readers of the STAR OF THE WEST.
This is a band of perhaps fifteen young men between twenty and thirty years of age, which was established about five years ago and from the center here, as business or other affairs called members to other cities, branches were established and carried on—if not by the pioneer himself, by another selected from that particular city. So there are now branches in Mazandaran, Barfarush, Kashan, Kazvin, Esphahan and Hamadan. The latter was established by Agha Seyed Hassen-e Shearkat, who was one of the founders of the central
assembly here, and has worked there so effectually that that branch outnumbers the original one.
Meetings or classes are held here every Friday morning (the national day for religious observance) in five different quarters. The boys vary in age from the very smallest to eighteen years. Each class teacher has an assistant, while two go about supervising and inspecting from district to district. It is rather interesting to note that practically all these teachers are of Musselman origin, whether teaching in the Jewish, Zoroastrian or Mohammedan quarters. The boys collectively number about one hundred and fifty here in Teheran.
Six grades of work have been arranged:
FIRST—15 lessons in Persian, concerning the moral teachings of all the great prophets. The duties of a Bahai, etc.
SECOND—Lessons along the same lines but in Arabic.
THIRD—Hidden Words explained and memorized together with the Tablets of this Manifestation, BAHA'O'LLAH.
FOURTH—The Ighan and Kitab-el-Akdas.
FIFTH—Mofavezat (Mme. Dreyfus-Barney's "Some Answered Questions").
SIXTH—Hadji Sadr's Proofs. (Hadji Sadr is no longer living and this book is still in document form.)
After the noonday meal the teachers gather under the instruction of Mirza Ozeezollah Khan (Mostofi)—Arabic teacher in the Boys' Tarbiat schools and trained at Beyrout.
Later in the evening they consult together as to the matter and method of teaching.
Thus the entire day is given up to the work of the Cause and every effort is made to spread the Teachings. The president or chairman of this assembly, Mirza Neamatollah Khan, joined a football team in order to teach two or three Musselman members.
LILLIAN F. KAPPES.
ABDUL-BAHA'S VISIT TO PHILADELPHIA
[Continued from page 87]
are written for the sake of Love. All the prophets have borne trials and martyrdoms in order that Love may become established in the hearts of the children of God. The wise men and philosophers of every age have suffered and endured so that this Love might become reality. But ignorant, selfish man does not let it become a reality. Every day a veil is created; every day a new darkness is seen. Every day an impenetrable cloud appears so that the rays of the Sun of Truth are not manifest. One must live fortified against passion and desire. We must obey the command of God. We must live according to the Good Pleasure of the Lord. The Good Pleasure of the Lord lies in Love. The Good Pleasure of the Lord is the illumination of the world of humanity, and the illumination of the world of humanity is Love. I hope that all of you may become the manifestors of Divine Love. Like the angels may you become united! May you bloom like the flowers and trees in the garden! May you become fruitful like the trees in the orchard! So may you become Children of the Kingdom!"
After this talk Abdul-Baha went for a walk and the friends gradually disbursed. There were many people present to whom the teachings were new.
AT THE BAPTIST TEMPLE.
At eight Abdul-Baha arrived at the Baptist Temple, Broad and Berks streets. Dr. Conwell went forward and greeted him most cordially, taking both his hands in his own, and seated him with evident pleasure and joy. The collection had just been taken and Abdul-Baha directed Mirza Ahmad Sohrab to place money in the collection plate. This is Abdul-Baha's invariable custom. In every church where he has spoken he has given towards its support, according to the needs of that church.
The talk* that evening was long and complete, going into detail on many points. It was listened to by about 2,500 people. After the service, Abdul-Baha spent some time in Dr. Conwell's study, meeting different ones. Here again, as in the morning, the people crowded around him to feel the touch of his hand or hear a word from him. Such is the power of the Spirit of BAHA'O'LLAH.
The Monday morning newspapers had most favorable items, many of them taking sections of the Sunday talks at the two churches verbatim. The Spirit of BAHA'O'LLAH had already quickened the City of Philadelphia. Although Abdul-Baha's visit to this city covered but
* See No. 7 issue of the STAR OF THE WEST.
thirty-three hours, several thousand people heard him speak and many more read the blessed words in the papers.
AT THE HOME OF MRS. REVELL.
At 9:30 Monday morning, Abdul-Baha went to the home of Mrs. Mary J. Revell, where a meeting had been arranged. There were about fifty people present. Abdul-Baha went into every room of the home and seemed very happy. He sat in a rocker by the front window and spoke these blessed words to all:
"This is a meeting, the members of which are strung together like pearls and all the pearls are brilliant, for all are Bahais. The brilliancy of these pearls is not known for the present; their brilliancy will be known later on. Thank ye God that He has drawn you together through the Blessed Perfection. He has made you fruitful like unto trees. He has made you like unto a rose garden, the freshness of which will be known in the future. When the heat and rays of the Sun of Reality shine in the future, then the freshness and beauty of these flowers will be realized. In brief, render thanks to God, for your spirits are gladdened with the glad-tidings of God. Be forgetful of all other thoughts. Be filled with the Spirit of BAHA'O'LLAH. Your thoughts must be of BAHA'O'LLAH. Your mention must be of BAHA'O'LLAH. Your life must be devoted to BAHA'O'LLAH. Your firmness must be evident in BAHA'O'LLAH, for BAHA'O'LLAH has endured for your sake infinite vicissitudes. All His life He was subject to persecutions. During the nights, He was not at rest. He did not sleep in peace for one night,—not one. Never did He find peace and composure. All His life He was subject to persecution. All His life He was exiled. All His life He was imprisoned. Therefore we must be loyal to Him; turn our faces to Him; praise His mention in this world; expound His teachings; quicken people with His Spirit, so that His Heavenly Image may descend and His Heavenly Power affect the
hearts. Thus every day may we find a new spirit, every day may we make a new resolution, every day may we be confirmed and illumine the world of humanity. We must supplicate day and night, beg assistance and confirmation from His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH that we may become pure mirrors, that the rays of sincerity may perfect them, the virtues of the human world appear, the moralities of the Kingdom be reflected and that we may attain the high station of happiness. This is my advice to you. This is my request for you. This is my hope for you."
All day Monday he gave private interviews. After the meeting in the morning at Mrs. Revell's home he met the friends who wished a personal word. After having seen most of them he slept for a few moments. Between one and two o'clock, two of the Bahais went to the hotel and found Abdul-Baha there alone. He talked to them in English. To one of them he said, "Why were you not at the Bahai home this morning? All the Bahais were there. You should have been at this Bahai home." He was smiling and very happy.
At three o'clock Abdul-Baha and his party took the train back to New York city. Although an indescribable feeling of sadness came over each and every one, still they know the Sun shall never set for Philadelphia again; she will go on and on until all promises are fulfilled, and the true spirit of "brotherly love" be fully realized. For Abdul-Baha has said so and his words give life and are creative.
* * *
And here we wish to urge that all spread the Blessed Message of BAHA'O'LLAH as much as possible, so that many more people may come to the Light of Reality. For it is a wonderful blessing and one that cannot be compared to anything else in all the world. even if one must travel far and under great difficulties to do so. The reward is far in excess of anything the heart or mind can conceive.
[A photograph of Abdul-Baha taken in Philadelphia was published in No. 6 issue, Vol. IV, STAR OF THE WEST]
OUR PERSIAN SECTION this issue contains: (1) Talk by Abdul-Baha, "Nature," at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell, Montreal, Canada; (2) utterances of Abdul-Baha on "Education of Children," given at Akka; (3) The "Crown of Persia"; (4) hardships and the high cost of living in Persia; (5) Tablet to the friends in Kashan, Persia; (6) Tablet to the students of Vehdate Bashor School of that city; (7) glad-tidings from Kashan Assembly; (8) Tablet to the poor (Bowery Mission), New York City; (9) from the Hidden Words; (10) announcement to the subscribers to the STAR OF THE WEST in the Orient.
PAGE 1
VOL V
No. 6
جلد 5 نجم باختر 1329
شماره 6 . جون 24
این جریده بر حسب تاریخ بهائی هر نوزده روز چاپ و توزیع میگردد و در نهایت آزادی در مسائل یگانگی بشر و وحدت ادیان و ترویج صلح عمومی و تربیت اطفال و پیشرفت امر حضرت بهاء الله در اطراف جهان و توضیح حقائق این دین عمومی خواهئ نوشت و مقالات مفید که موافق سبک اداره است قبول و نشر خواهد گردید .
صفحه 1-1
طبیعت
نطق مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء در مسئله طبیعت در حضور جمعی از بزرگان در خانۀ مسس مکسول در مونتریال کندای امریکا شب 3سبتمبر 1912 .
یاعتی پیش جوانی اینجا آمد با او مذاکره کردیم که طبیعت کامل است یا ناقص روشن است یا تاریک آن بحث را میخواهم حالا تکمیل کنم . طبیعت من حیث المجموع یعنی عالم جسمانی چون بدقتّ نظر بعالم طبیعت میکنیم و بعمق اسرارش پی میبریم ملاحظه میشود عالم طبیعت ناقص است ظلمانیست دقت نمائید اگر چنانچه زمینی را ترک کنیم و بحال طبیعت بگذاریم خار زار گردد علفهای بیهوده بیرون آید اگر کوهستان را ترک کنیم اشجار بی ثمر پروراند جنگل است بی ثمر است بی انتظام است پس اسّ اساس عالم طبیعت تاریک است باید آن را روشن کرد روشنائیش بچه چیز است باینکه زمینی که باقتضای طبیعت خار بیرون آورده علفهای بیهوده انبات نموده آن را تخم کنیم و تربیت نمائیم تا گلهای معطرّ بروید و دانه های بابرکت که رزق انسانی است بروید این جنگلهائیکه بحال طبیعی ظلمانی فیض و برکت ندارد تربیت میکنیم درختهای بی ثمر را بارور مینمائیم جنگل بود بوستان میکنیم در هم منتظم مینمائیم اوّل ظلمانی بود چون بوستان شد نورانی گشت و همچنین اگر انسان را بطبیعت ترک کنیم از حیوان بد تر میشود جاهل .
صفحه 2 – 1
و نادان میماند مثل اهالی اواسط افریقا پس این عالم ظلمانی را هر وقت میخواهیم نورانی کنیم تربیت مینمائیم بی ادب با ادب میشود بد اخلاق خوش اخلاق میگردد امّا اگر بحال طبیعت بگذاریم تربیت نکنیم یقین است از حیوان بدترند نوع خود را می کشند میدرند و میخورند پس معلوم شد اگر طبیعت را بحال خود بگذاریم ظلمانیست لهذا باید انسان را تربیت نمائیم تا این انسان ظلمانی نورانی شود و این جاهل دانا گردد بی ادب با ادب شود ناقص کامل گردد بداخلاق خوش اخلاق شود تا این حیوان انسان شود هیچ شبهۀ نیست انسان بدون تربیت از حیوان بدتر است پس معلوم شد عالم طبیعت ناقص است تربیت لازم است تا کامل شود جمیع فلاسفه کورکورانه میگویند عالم طبیعت کامل است ملتفت نیستند که عالم طبیعت ناقص است باید تربیت کرد تا کامل گردد . چرا تلامذه را در مدرسه تربیت میکنند؟ مادام عالم طبیعت کامل است چرا تربیت مینمایند باید جمیع بشر را بگذارند خود تربیت میشوند جمیع این صنایع را از تربیت حاصل و ظاهر کرده اند زیرا این صنایع در عالم طبیعت نبود این اکتشافات از تربیت حاصل شد مثلا این قوّۀ برقیّه تلغراف فونوغراف تلیفون و سائر اکتشافات جدیده جمیع از تربیت ظاهر گشته اگر بشر تربیت نمیشد و بر حالت طبیعت واگذار می شد هیچ این صنایع جلوه نمینمود این مدنیّت این ترقیّات در عالم .
صفحه 1- 2
انسانی نبود فرق میان فیلسوف کامل و شخص جاهل چیست ؟ این است که جاهل بحال طبیعت باقی امّا فیلسوف دانا تربیت شده تا کامل گشته و الا هر دو بشرند خدا انبیا را از برای این فرستاده کتب سماوی بجهت این نازل گشته نفثات روح القدس برای این دمیده ابواب ملکوت را برای این مفتوح نموده الهامات غیبیّه برای این اقرار فرموده قوای عقلیّه برای این داده که نقصهای عالم طبیعت کامل گردد ظلمات رذائل طبیعت زائل شود جهل عالم طبیعت زائل گردد اخلاق مذمومۀ عالم طبیعت زائل شود ظلم عالم طبیعت زائل گردد انبیا جهت این مبعوث شدند تا نفوس بشر را تربیت الهی کنند تا از نواقص عالم طبیعت نجات دهند مثل انبیا مثل باغبان است مثل خلق مثل جنگل و خار زار انبیا که باغبان الهی هستند اشجار انسانی را تربیت میکنند شاخهای کج را راست مینمایند درختهای بی ثمر را با ثمر کنند جنگل بی انتظام را باغ دلگشا نمایند و الا اگر عالم طبیعت روشن بود کامل بود هیچ تربیت لازم نبوده مدارس لازم نبود مکاتب لازم نبود احتیاج باین صنایع نبود چه که کامل بود هیچ محتاج انبیا نبود زیرا عالم طبیعت کامل بود هیچ احتیاج به معلمّ نبود زیرا عالم طبیعت کامل بود احتیاج بمکتب نبود زیرا عالم طبیعت کامل بود هیچ احتیاج بخدا نبود زیرا عالم طبیعت کامل بود همۀ اینها برای اینست که عالم طبیعت ناقص است این قطعه زمین آمریک چه بود جنگل بود زمین خالی نبود و این بمقتضای طبیعت بود پس چه چیز او را آباد کرد عقل انسانی پس ناقص است . عقول انسانی این نقائص را کامل نماید بعد از آنکه زمین بود جنگل بود حال شهرهای آباد شده پیش از آنکه کلمبوس بیاید امریکا چه بود عالم طبیعت بود حالا عالم انسان شده اگر عالم طبیعت کامل بود باید همان طور باشد حال ملاحظه کنید که اوّل تاریک بود حال روشن شده اوّل خراب بود حال آباد شده حنگل بود حالا بوستان شده اوّل خارستان حال گلستان گشته پس ثابت شد که عالم طبیعت ناقص است و ظلمانی اگر طفلی متولدّ شود او را تربیت نکنیم بر حال طبیعی بگذاریم چه میشود ؟
صفحه 2 - 2
شبهۀ نیست بی ادراک و جاهل میماند و حیوان خواهد بود در اواسط افریقا ملاحظه کنید که مثل حیوانات بلکه پست تر از حیوانند پس ملاحظه می کنیم که تربیت الهی در عالم انسانی چه کرده عالم طبیعت عالم حیوان است حیوان بر حال طبیعی باقی ولی حیوانات وحشی نه اهلی در بیابان و جنگل بر حال طبیعی باقی کلّ در عالم طبیعتند تعلیم و تربیتی نیست در عالم حیوان هیچ از عالم روحانی خبری نیست حیوان از خدا خبر ندارد حیوان انسان را نظیر خود تصوّر میکند ابدا امتیازی نمی بیند چرا بجهت اینکه بر حال طبیعی باقیست جمیع حیوانات طبیعی هستند جمیع مادیّون مثل حیوانات احساسات جسمانی دارند احساسات روحانی ندارند منکر خدا هستند هیچ خبری از خدا ندارند هیچ خبری از انبیا ندارند از جنتّ الهی خبر ندارند نیز از تعالیم الهی بی خبرند جمیع حیوانات اسیر محسوساتند فی الحقیقه نظیر فلاسفۀ این زمان حیواناتند چنانکه آنها از خدا از انبیا از احساسات روحانی از فیض روح القدس از ماوراء الطبیعه خبر ندارند هر حیوانی دارای این کمالات بدون زحمت فیلسوف ها بعد از تحصیل بیست سال خدا را انکار میکنند قوای روحانی الهامات الهی را انکار نمایند حیوان بدون زحمت فیلسوف کامل است مثل حضرت گاو از هیچ خبر ندارد از خدا خبر ندارد از احساسات روحانی خبر ندارد جمیع حیوانات از روح بی خبرند این فیلسوف ها نیز جز از محسوسات خبری ندارند نظیر حیوانات با وجود این میگویند ما فیلسوفیم زیرا جز محسوسات نمی دانیم حال آنکه حضرت گاو بدون تحصیل علوم این فضیلت را دارد در کمال تشخصّ این فخر نمیشود فخر این است که انسان از خدا خبر یابد احساسات روحانی داشته باشد از ماوراء الطبیعه خیر گیرد فخر انسان اینست که از نفثات روح القدس بهره یابد فخر انسان اینست که از تعالیم الهی خبر گیرد اینست فخر انسان و الا بی خبری فخر نیست جهل است نادانی جهل است آیا میشود نفوسی که در نهایت جها هستند واقف .
صفحه 1 – 3
کمالات گردند واقف بحقیقت شوند از حضرت مسیح و جمیع مظاهر مقدّسه خبر گیرند و آیا میشود این نفوس ادراکاتشان از آنها عظیم تر باشد حضرت مسیح الهی بود آسمانی بود ملکوتی بود روحانی بود البّته از این فیلسوف ها بهتر می فهمید هم عقل او بیشتر هم ادراکش فرم تر هم قوایش برتر هم شعورش بالاتر بود پس چه طور شد از هر چیزی گذشت ازاین حیات جسمانی گدشت از راحت گذشت از نعمت گذشت جمیع بلایا قبول نمود همه رزایا تحمّل فرمود چرا بجهة اینکه احساسات روحانی داشت قوّۀ روح القدس داشت مشاهدۀ ملکوت می نمود فیوضات الهی داشت قوای معنوی داشت روحانیّت محضو بود و همچنین جمیع مظاهر مقدّسه الهیّه .
تربیت اطفال .
بیانات مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء در خصوص « تربیت اطفال » در شب هفتم محرّم سنه 1328 در مدینۀ مقدّسۀ عکّا در حضور مسافرین .
تربیت اطفال خدمت بزرگی است باید که به تربیت الهی تربیت کرد که هوائی درنیایند اطفال مثل شاخۀ تر میمانند شاخۀ تازه را هر طوری بخواهی تربیت میتوان کرد شاخۀ کج به تربیت راست شود درخت جنگلی به تربیت بوستانی شود گیاه بی ثمر به تربیت با ثمر شود انسان جاهل به تعلیم دانا شود مرغ وحشی طیر دست آموز میشود سباع درنده رام شوند تربیت خیلی تأثیر دارد تأثیر عظیم دارد جمیع انبیاء بجهت تربیت مبعوث شدند خلاصه تربیت سبب حیات است تربیت سبب نجات است تربیت سبب علوّ درجات است انسان وحشی را تربیت انسان کامل می کند مزبله را تربیت کنی گلستان شود خاک را تربیت کنی گلزار شود سنگ را تربیت کنی گلزار شود سنگ را تربیت کنی لعل بدخشان شود اینست که مربّی لازم است بدون مربّی انسان انسان نمیشود انبیاء اوّل مربّی عالمند حضرت موسی علیه السّلام قوم اسرائیل را تربیت جلیل کرد بعد از اینکه ذلیل آل فرعون بودند اسرائیل را اسیر کرد فقیر بودند غنی شده اند جاهل بودند عالم شده اند جبّان بودند شجاع شدند سفیل و سرگردان بودند .
صفحه 2 - 3
سر و سامان یافتند چنان ترقیّ کردند که شهره آفاق شدند حضرت عیسی علیه السّلام امم غرب را تربیت کردند تا آنکه باعلی درجۀ ترقیّات رسیدند حضرت رسول علیه السّلام اعراب بادیّه را تربیت کردند اعراب متوّحشه را تربیت کردند نفوس جاهله را تربیت کردند تا در جمیع مراتب وجود بمنتهی درجۀ ترقیّ رسیدند که مراتب عالیۀ اوروپ فی الحقیقه مبدأ اقتباس از عرب اندلس بود و طوائف برّیّه الشّام و مصر و بغداد که عرب بودند پس واضح و مشهود شد که اوّل مربّی عالم انبیاء هستند مربّی کلّ هستند مربّی عمومی هستند مربّی عالم انسانی هستند و هرکس که به تربیت آنها به تعلیم اطفال پردازد متابعت انبیاء و اولیای الهی کرده است .
ایضا از بیانات مبارک
تاریخ ایران
نوشته اند که میخواهند بعضی از سنگهای تاج ایران بفروشند تاج ایران عدل است نه سنگ اگر بتوانند بر سر این مملکت تاجی از عدل بگذارند درست است تاج سنگ چه ثمری دارد سنگ است پادشاهان قدیم ایران افتخار بعدل میکردند نه به تاج سنگ بجهت اینکه شمس حقیقت از افق ایران طالع شده باید کاری بکنند که اقلیم ایران تاج عالم بشود و آن وحدت عالم انسانی است و اتّحاد و اتّفاق عموم بشر آفتاب بهمه عالم روشنائی میدهد لکن شدّت نفوذش در خطّ استوا است انشاء الله تعالیم الهی شدّت تأثیر ش در ایران باشد ایرانیان باین فیض و فوز بیشتر از دیگران فائز شوند . در مشهدی از مشهدهای هندوستان آقا سیّد مصطفی نوشته است پنجاه شصت نفر یکدفعه مؤمن شده اند امروز مکتوبش رسید ایرانیان باید نوعی ننمایند که دیگران فیض عظیم را از ظهور شمس حقیقت بیشتر برند یعنی تعالیم الهیّه در ممالک سائره بیشتر از ایران تأثیر .
صفحه 1 – 4
کند زیرا مطلع شمس حقیقت است باید از ایران انوار بسائر اقطار منتشر شود . جمیع عالم استعداد دارد فقط مبلغّ لازم است گر عالم استعداد نداشت نفس ظهور نمیشد نفس ظهور دلیل بر استعداد دارد اگر ارض استعداد نداشته باشد آفتاب طلوع نمیکند نفس طلوع آفتاب دلیل بر استعداد است که از طلوع نتائج عظیمه خواهد شد و معادن و و نباتات و حیوانات پرورش خواهد یافت عالم مثل جسم انسانی میماند و امرالله مثل روح میماند تا جسم استعداد نداشته باشد روح جلوه ننماید نفس ظهور دلیل بر استعداش است .
ایضا از بیانات مبارک . سختی و گرانی
از سختی و گرانی ایران ناله و فغان نموده بودید آیا هیچ میدانی که ایرانیان چه کرده اند و هنوز غافلند در اقصی نقاط امریکا نفوس بیدار شده اند و اهل ایران هنوز در خواب غفلت گرفتار سختی و گرانی از گران جانیت و مورث هر بلائی و سبب هر ابتلائی شما دعا کنید که نفوس بیدار گردند و بدرگاه پروردگار راه یابند همۀ این زخمها مرهم یابد و جمیع این دردها درمان جوید .
لوح مبارک . کاشان بواسطۀ جناب ناطق 9 احبّای الهی علیهم بهاء الله الابهی .
ای یاران روحانی عبدالبهاء کاشان در ایّام سابق تفوّق بر جمیع بلاد در کثرت احبّا داشت همیشه خبرهای خوش میرسید از روش و سلوک بعضی از بابیان بی وفا بی پروا رو بانحطاط نهاد و بکلیّ مخمود شد تا آنکه بعون و عنایت جمال مبارک در این ایّام حرکتی نموده و شعلۀ نو زده پس یاران الهی باید در این ایّام به کردار و رفتار و گفتار و مراعات حکمت و شور انجذاب روز بروز کاشان را ترقیّ داده تا آشیان طیور قدس .
صفحه 2 - 4
گردد و شایان الطاف بی پایان شود امید من چنین است حال ملاحظه نمائید چه قدر عزیزید با وجود نقاهت مزاج و حالت تب و بیخوابی شب مشعول بیاد ذکر شما هستم و به تحریر پرداختم تا بدانید که هیچ بلائی و هیج علتّی و هیچ زحمتی عبدالبهاء را از کار باز ندارد شما نیز بعون و عنایت جمال مبارک باید در نهایت انقطاع و انجذاب بخدمت پردازید سه سال است که این عبد سرگشته کوه و صحراست و در جمیع شهرها مشغول بفریاد یا بهاء الابهی در این مدّت حدّ اکثر اوقات علیل بود ولکن شدّت ضعف و قوّت علتّ او را از فریاد و ضجیج و صریخ باز نداشت تا آنکه به اسکندریّه رسید ایّمی چند بزحمت بسر برد حال با وجود نقاهت مزاج بکمال قوّت رو بسجن میرود و نهایت آذر و اینکه بعون و عنایت جمال مبارک و فضل نا متناهی الهی آنچه غایت آمال است حاصل شود و اسباب بلائی جدید فراهم آید شما ای احبّای الهی باید روش نفوس مبارکی که در سابق جانفشانی نمودند و هر یک با علی علییّن عروج کردند بگیرید بکلیّ هر چیزی را فراموش کنید چنانچه حضرت امیر میفرماید : حتیّ اجعل اورادی کلهاورد اواحدا و حالی فی خدمتک سرمذا . اگر چنین نمائید در اندک زمانی علم مبین موج زند و نفحات پروردگار بتمامها انتشار یابد و علیکم البهاء الابهی . عبدالبهاء عبّاس .
ایضا : کاشان بواسطۀ حضرت آواره متعلمّین مدرسه وحدت بشر علیهم بهاء الله الابهی .
هوالله
ای نونهالان گلشن محبّت الله و ای سبز های نو خیز چمن معرفت الله در فصل بهار در طرف گلزار نهال تازه را طراوتی بی اندازه است و سبزۀ نوخیز را نفحۀ مشکبیز شکوفه را لطافت بدیع است و برگ و بار را ترقیّ سریع چون تماشائیّان بساحت گلزار گذرند و بر طلعت ازهار نگرند مشامی معطرّ یابند و دماغی معنبر خاطری شاد جویند و دلی آزاد پس شما که ازهار دوحۀ قدسیّه و اثمار شجرۀ انس یابد در این موسم ربیع و موقع بدیع ترقیّ سریع نمائید و با وجهی لمیع توجّه بساحت ربّ سمیع کنید ای بدیع الالطاف لطفی بدیع نما .
صفحه 1 - 5
و لطافت ربیع بخشا ما نهالانیم بدست مرحمت کشته و با آب و گل مروّتت سرشته محتاج جوی عطای توئیم و شایان ابر سخای تو این کشت امید را بخود مگذار و از باران عنایت دریغ مدار از سحاب جودت ببار تا نهال وجود ببار اید و دلبر مقصود در کنار و البهاء علی اهل البهاء . عبدالبهاء عبّاس .
اخبارات خوش از طرف محفل مکاتبات کاشان . عید سعید رضوان
در ایّام عید مبارک رضوان محافل و مجالس عمومی که در هر یک عدّه عمده ئی از مبتدیها حاضر بودند گرفته شد و نطقهای مفصّل مفید ادا شد و ذکر الواح و قرائت اشعار و تلاوت اطفال دروس اخلاقیّۀ خود را فوق العاده مفید و مهیّج و مؤثرّ بود و چند عکس گروپی هم برداشته شد .
محفل روحانی
و محفل مقدّس روحانی بعد از تجدید انتخاب و انعقاد ثانوی تشکیل محفل مبّلغین را فرموده عدّه ئی را منتخب فرمودند برای مذاکرات امر تبلیغ و تشویق نفوس .
محفل درس اخلاق
اقدام دیگر آنکه محفل درس اخلاق منقسم بدو شعبه شده یک شعبه که عالی ترند و درس تبلیغ هم تحصیل میکنند محوّل بجناب آقا میرزا هاشم خان و آقای ناطق است که عدّه شان بیست نفر است و شهبۀ دیگر که فقط دروس اخلاقیّه و الواح تلاوت و حفظ میکنند محوّل بجناب لقائی و آقا مبرزا محمّد علی است و عدّه آنها به بیست و پنج نفر میرسد .
محافل عمومی
و برای محافل عمومی مقرّر شد که قسمی اقدام شود که بی نتیجه نماند و فقط بصرف چای و همهمه نگذرد و ترتیبی بکوشش اعضای این محفل داده شود که هم تلاوت مناجات و هم صحبت امری و هم تلاوت الواح جمال مبارک جلّ ذکره و تلاوت بیانات حضرت عبدالبهاء روح ماسواه فدا و هم قرائت جرائد و اشعار امریّه بشود .
مدرسه مبارکه وحدت بشر
امورات مدرسه مبارکۀ وحدت نیز مرتبّ و اوّل مدرسۀ کاشان .
صفحه 2 – 5
بشمار میرود و در این اوقات بنای امتحان عمومی است
اماء الرّحمن
اماء الرّحمن نیز در عرض هفته محفل ملاقات جداگانه و محفل تبلیغ جداگانه دارند و در بین نبات نیز اساس درس اخلاق و درس تبلیغ برقرار است .
نجم باختر : لله الحمد چنین اخبارات خوش از جمیع اطراف عالم میرسد جمال مبارک جلّ ذکره و بهائه میفرمایند « ونولکم من افق الابهی و ننصر من قام علی نصرة امری بجنود من الملاء الاعلی و قبیل من الملائکة المقرّبین »
لوح مبارک
نیویورک مستر اندرو مجینسون علیه بهاء الله الابهی . هوالله
ای شخص ربّانی پر همّت نامۀ شما رسید کلامی از برای مجلس فقرا از من خواسته بودید لهذا مختصری مرقوم میشود که در مجلس فقرا از قبل من بخوانید . ای رفقای عزیز من اهل عالم بر دو قسمند قسمی توانگرانند و قسمی مستمندان توانگران افتخار بزخارف عالم ناسوت نمایند و به ثروت عالم خاک تعلقّ دل و جان دارند و حال آنکه مانند سایه هر دم رو بزوال است امّا مستمندان از آلایش و حطام ناسوتی و آرایش و آلایش جهان خاکی فارغند لهذا باید تعلقّ بعالم ملکوت یابند و دل بجهان آسمان بر بندند زیرا نعمت ابدی است و ثروت سرمدی گنج عالم خاک عاقبت سبب رنج گردد و لکن کنز ملکوت روزبروز بیفزاید و سبب آسایش دل و جان گردد حیات ابدیّه بخشد و در افق جهان بالا مانند ستاره روشن و تابان نماید . این است که در کتاب مقدّس می فرماید خوشا بحال فقرا که آنان نصیب آسمانی دارند و غنی گردند خوشا بحال برهنه ها که آنان لباس خلعت یابند خوشا بحال .
صفحه 1 – 6
گرسنگان که آنان از خوان نعمت الهی سیر گردند پس معلوم شد که ما فقرا هرچند از نعمت دنیا بی بهره ایم امّا از خوان نعمت بیزوال بهره و نصیب داریم هرچند در نزد خلق ذلیلیم در پیش خدا عزیزیم هرچند گرسنه ایم از مائده آسمانی بهره و نصیب داریم
هرچند برهنه ایم بخلعت موهبت کبری مفتخریم درختی که از بار و برگ برهنه است از فیض بهاری سبز و خرّم گردد و زمینی که از گیاه خالیست سبزۀ نوخیز برون آرد اگر چنانچه زحمت و مشّقتی در عالم ناسوت داریم لکن راحت و آسایش در جهان لاهوت داریم اگر چنانچه چراغ زمینی در لانه و آشیانه ما خاموش است لکن چراغ آسمانی داریم اگر از لذائذ صوری محرومیم از حلاوت و اذتّ معنوی نصیب موفور داریم جمیع انبیای الهی و مظاهر مقدّسه ربّانی تعلقّ براحت و آسایش و ثروت این جهان فانی نداشتند جمیع حتیّ مسیح تاج فقر بر سر داشتند و بکنز ملکوت دل بسته بودند پس معلوم شد که فقر سبب ذلتّ انسان نیست و ثروت راحت و عزّت عالم انسان نه اگر چنین بود البّته جمیع انبیای الهی غنی بودند حتیّ مسیح اوّل غنی عالم بود و حال آنکه در بیابان بستری از خاک داشت و در شب چراغی از نجوم آسمان و طعامی از گیاه ارض پس واضح شد که فقر سبب ذلتّ نیست البّته آن بزرگوار میتوانست که از برای خود بهر وسیاه ئی باشد نعمت و ثروت مهیّا نماید ولی بجهت نصایح بدیگران و تسّلی قلوب فقرا لباس فقر در بر و تاج فقر بر سر داشت و بظاهر بی سر و سامان بود و حضرت بهاء الله ایّامی در نهایت فقر گذراندند در زمان سجن در طهران روزی یک نان داشت و بس دیگر فقر اعظم از این نمیشود و همچنین اوقات بسیاری بر او گذشت که در نهایت مسرّت بود و حال آنکه مقتدر بر آن بود که اسباب راحت و وسعت معیشت فراهم آرد آنچه ثروتی که دست مردم روی زمین می بینید قطرۀ از عالم خاک است چه معادن عظیمه از ذهب و فضّه در این خاک در بطن ارض موجود چه جوهرهای ثمینه که در زیر خاک مدفون ملاحظه کتید که این خاک ضعیف چه قدر ثروت دارد و عاقبت بی ثمره پس تا توانید آرزوی .
صفحه 2 - 6
کنز ملکوت بنمائید و ثروت لاهوت بطلبید و نعمت ابدیّه بجوئید و در قصر آسمانی منزل و مأوی کنید و از مائده های الهی روحانی بهره و نصیب گیرید شکر کنید خدا را که مورد عنایت حضرت ربّ احدیّتید زیرا حضرت مسیح میفرماید طوبی للفقراء و امیدوارم که از برای شما ها رزق یومی نیز مهیّا گردد و با عبدالبهاء سهیم و شریک در موهبت کبری باشید از خدا خواهم که از هر جهت برای شماها راحت حاصل شود . ای عزیز این بیان از برای آنان بنهایت بلاغت بخوانید و علیک البهاء الابهی عبدالبهاء عبّاس .
از کلمات مکنونه
ای اغنیای ارض : فقرا امانت منند در میان شما پس امانت مرا درست حفظ نمائید و براحت نفس خود تمام نپردازید .
ای مغروران باموال فانیّه : بدانید که غنا سدّیست محکم میان طالب و مطلوب و عاشق و معشوق هرگز غنی بر مقرّ قرب وارد نشود و بمدینه رضا و تسلیم وارد نیاید مگر قلیلی پس نیکو است حال آن غنی که غنا از ملکوت جاودانی منعش ننماید و از دولت ابدی محرومش نگرداند قسم باسم اعظم که نور آن غنی اهل آسمان را روشنی بخشد چنانچه شمس اهل زمین را .
ای پسر کنیز من : در فقر اضطراب نشاید و در غنا اطمینان نباید هر فقری را غنا در پی و هر غنا را فنا از عقب ولکن فقر از ماسوی الله نعمتی است بزرگ حقیر مشمارید زیرا که در غایت آن غنای بالله رخ بگشاید و دراین مقام ( انتم الفقراء ) مستور و کلمۀ مبارکۀ ( والله هو الغنیّ ) چون صبح صادق از افق قلب عاشق ظاهر و باهر و هویدا و آشکار شود و بر عرش فنا متمکنّ گردد و مقرّ یابد .
ای ساذج هوی : حرص را باید گذاشت و به قناعت قانع شد زیرا که لازال حریص محروم بوده و قانع محبوب و مقبول .
ای پسران تراب : اغنیا را ازنالۀ سحرگاهی فقرا اخبار کنید که مبادا از غفلت بهلاکت افتند و از سورۀ دولت بی نصیب مانند الکرم من خصالی فهنیئا لمن تزیّن بخصالی .
اعلان
نجم باختر از مشترکین غرب سالی یک دالر و نیم میگیرد ولی از مشترکین شرق به یک دالر یعنی دوازده قران قانع است بلکه باین واسطه همه ارسال فرمایند . دکتر ضیاء بغدادی .
