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The nations of Europe are at war with each other as we go to press. This issue of the STAR OF THE WEST has been compiled with that calamity in mind. THE EDITORS
"THE 'MOST GREAT PEACE' SHALL COME"
PRAISE be to God that thou hast attained! . . . Thou hast come to see a prisoner and an exile . . . We desire but the good of the world and happiness of the nations; yet they deem us a stirrer up of strife and sedition worthy of bondage and banishment. . . . That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened: that the diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annuled—what harm is there in this? Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come. . . . Do not you in Europe need this also? Is not this that which Christ foretold? . . . Yet do we see your kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the destruction of the human race than on that which would conduce to the happiness of mankind. . . . These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family. . . . Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind.
—BAHA'O'LLAH
Words spoken at Akka to Prof. E. G. Browne in 1890.
THE PALACE OF PEACE AT THE HAGUE.
This noble building is not a pathetic futility, but the symbol of a great and growing idea, peace on earth, good will between men.
Amid the clash of arms the very existence of the Palace of Peace is forgotten, but it still stands at the Dutch seaport, a prophecy and portent of the time that, distant though it now seems, is surely coming, when men shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning-hooks, and the nations shall learn war no more.
From The Christian Commonwealth
London, England
TIME TO ABOLISH WAR—THE BEGINNINGS OF WORLD UNITY
From the Chicago Daily News
While the present war is undoubtedly to be a great step preparatory to the downfall of imperialism and the end of the present system of world government, where each nation presumes to keep up an armed force wherewith to settle its disputes, the beginnings of real world government by law are taking place.
The two significant factors in laying the foundations of an intelligent parliament of man are Holland and the United States of America.
Since the Jay treaty of 1794, which introduced arbitration into the modern practice of nations, the United States has been a leader in the peaceful settlement of international differences.
Since the meeting of the first peace conference at The Hague in 1899 Holland has been the center of international development.
By virtue of its position and its tradition the Dutch city of The Hague has become the unofficial capital of the new world order.
That new world order is that nations shall no more appeal to arms in dealings one with another, but shall bring their case into law and settle it by reason.
The necessary corollary of this although out of respect for the high-mightiness the nations it is not mentioned, is that nations shall cease the practice of keeping up each a huge army and navy.
It is the presence, the existence, of large armaments that was the cause of the European outbreak. The unwillingness of nations to abandon militarism and to agree upon legal arbitration is costing them untold lives and treasure.
Pride, medievalism, autocracy and militarism are not mere picturesque stupidity; they contain in themselves the seeds of the destruction of the world.
Through the efforts of Mr. Bryan twenty-one countries (July 24, 1914) have entered into treaties indorsing the peace plan.
While these treaties differ in minor details, they are all similar to the agreement between the United States and Holland.
The main thing in all the treaties mentioned is that the two nations in the Compact agree "that all disputes between them, of every nature whatsoever," shall be "referred for investigation an report to a permanent international commission."
They agree not to begin hostilities until this commission has made its report.
That is the gist of the matter. No treaty is worth the paper it is written on unless all disputes are to be arbitrated. So long as there is a loophole for questions of honor just so long will nations have an excuse to continue the abhorrent practice of militarism.
Rulers of the world, you must get together and lay down your arms or you will perish by your own obstinacy!
A United States of the World is as necessary as a United States of America.
Only so will the intolerable burden of military preparedness be lifted from the backs of the world's workers.
Only so will the menace of Armageddon, brought on by chauvinistic madness, be removed.
No permanent peace is possible by preponderance of arms.
And quietly but surely the United States of America is laying the foundation of the new programme, The Federation of the World.
This brings up another point: What is the present European war all about?
You know the alleged cause—that Austria declares Servia should be punished for fostering the movement to dismember Austria-Hungary.
A deeper cause is the ancient race hate between German and Slav. War is collective hate.
A reason still deeper and more real is the fact that millions of men are kept under arms, drilled, impregnated with notions of military glory, and hence welcoming any war as an outlet for their enthusiasm and an opportunity for advancement.
The greatest cause for war is military preparedness. When a nation spends millions of dollars for fireworks sooner or later they want to see them fired off. When 500,000 young have been practicing with guns for years, by and by they want to shoot somebody.
That is about all there is to it. Europe's method of keeping the peace—by maintaining enormous armaments—is the most towering folly that the minds of crazy men can conceive.
The plain, simple, sensible thing for Europe to do is to federate—to form a union somewhat on the order of the United States of America. Then each nation might attend its own affairs and international disputes could be adjusted by a European tribunal. At the disposal of this tribunal, to enforce its decrees should be one army and one navy.
War between one European state and another, as between Austria and Servia, should be as impossible as war between Ohio and Indiana.
The old theory of entire national independence has broken down. Nations are mutually dependent. What injures one injures the other. One's loss is no more the other's gain.
A general European war would mean inconceivable ruin. It would destroy the works of man that have been slowly perfecting for years. It would be to Europe what the earthquake and fire were to San Francisco. It would be pure destruction.
Perhaps it will take a hideous universal conflict for the nations to see this. When they have wasted their substance and decimated their population and stand bleeding, bankrupt and beggared, then they may be restored to their right minds.
Perhaps then they may see that national vanity and touchiness, truculency and war preparedness are as terribly destructive and idiotic in a state as vanity, bullying and boasting are vicious in a boy. . . .
Possibly when they have had their fight out and are prostrate from their insane anger they may be willing to look across the sea to these mighty states bounding forward in that prosperity that is the fruit of co-operation.
Nations learn slowly and oftentimes at a dear price. And it may take the incalculable horror of a vast European cataclysm to teach the states of the old world how vain and how unworkable is the wornout idea of rival empires safeguarded by armed forces, and how practical is the idea of federation secured by law.
And it may be that in mysterious mind of destiny this dread havoc is designed to be the means of bringing about the United States of Europe.
FRANK CRANE.
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 Asma 1, 70 (August 1, 1914) No. 8
UNIVERSAL PEACE
Questions asked of and answers given by Abdul-Baha Abbas
From the Diary of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, May 11-14, 1914.
QUESTION: "What is the greatest need of the world of humanity?"
Answer: "Today in the world of humanity the most important matter is the question of Universal Peace. The realization of this principle is the crying need of the time. People have become restive and discontented. The political world of every civilized nation has become a vast arena for the exhibition of militarism and the display of martial spirit. The minds of the statesmen and Cabinet Ministers of every government are chiefly occupied with the question of war, and the council chambers are resounding with the call to war. Self-interest is at the bottom of every war. Greed, commerce, exploitation, the pushing further of the boundaries of the kingdom, colonization, the preservation of the treaty rights, the safeguarding of the lives and interests of the citizens, are a few of the pretexts of going into war. And it has been proven by experience that the results of war are ruinous, both to the conquerors and the conquered. Countries are laid waste, public property trampled under foot, commerce is paralyzed, fields crimsoned with innocent blood, and the progress of the world retarded. How can a person rectify a wrong by committing a greater wrong—shedding the blood of his brothers? The major part of the revenue of every country is expended over military preparations, infernal engines, the filling of arsenals with powder and shot, the construction of rapid-firing guns, the building of fortifications and soldiers' barracks and the annual maintenance of the army and navy. From the peasants upward every class of society is heavily taxed to feed this insatiable monster of war. The poor people have wrested from them all that they make with the sweat of their brows and the labor of their hands.
"In reality war is continuous. The moral effect of the expenditures of these colossal sums of money for military purposes is just as deteriorating as the actual war and its train of dreadful carnage and horrors. The ideal and floral forces of the contending parties become barbaric and bestial, the spiritual powers are stunted and the laws of divine civilization are disregarded. Such a financial drain ossifies the veins and muscles of the body-politic, and congeals the delicate sensibilities of the spirit.
"There is not the least doubt that the nation or the government which puts forward an extraordinary effort in the promotion of Universal Peace, will be encircled with Divine Confirmations, and will be the object of honor and respect among all the inhabitants of the earth. Such an action will become conducive to the prosperity and well-being of mankind. Concerning this question of Universal Peace, fifty years ago His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH wrote to all the Sovereigns and Monarchs of the world, explaining in detail the benefits of peace and the evils of bloodshed. Among other things He hath said: 'Originally mankind was one family, united and compact; later the members of this happy family were divided and subdivided through ignorance and prejudice. Now the time has come again for their final unification. Universal Peace will bring about this long-wished-for consummation.'
"Once the Parliament of Man is established and its constituent parts organized, the governments of the world having entered into a covenant of eternal friendship will have no need of keeping large standing armies and navies. A few battalions to preserve internal order, and an International Police to keep the highways of the seas clear, are all that will be necessary. Then these huge sums will be diverted to other more useful channels, pauperism will disappear, knowledge will increase, the victories of Peace will be sung by poets
and bards, knowledge will improve the conditions and mankind will be rocked in the cradle of felicity and bliss. Then, whether a government is constitutional or republican, hereditary monarchy or democratic, the rulers will devote their time to the prosperity of their nations, the legislation of just and sane laws and the fostering of closer and more amicable relations with their neighbors—thus will the world of humanity become a mirror reflecting the virtues and attributes of the Kingdom of God."
Question: "What is your opinion concerning disarmament?"
Answer: "By a general agreement all the governments of the world must disarm simultaneously and at the same time. It will not do if one lays down the arms and the other refuses to do so. The nations of the world must concur with each other concerning this supremely important subject, thus they may abandon together the deadly weapons of human slaughter. As long as one nation increases her military and naval budget, another nation will be forced into this crazed competition through her natural and supposed interests. For example, Germany has unceasingly added to a vast sum for the maintenance of her army; this alarms the French statesmen and volatile patriots, and the calm and steady nerves of the Britishers across the channel. Immediately there will be rumors of war; German aggression, German ambition, the yellow journals write scaring editorials, jingoism becomes the topic of the capitals and the air will be filled with suspicions. Someone will see, for the purpose of expediency, a German dirigible flying over French fortifications or English forts, making observations, whereupon a hue and a cry will he raised from every quarter of the country, and thus there will be a corresponding increase in the estimates of the Minister of War for the defense of our homes and our hearths, our women and our sweethearts, from the attacks of strangers!' The same argument is resorted to when the French nation adds one or two years to her military conscription, and the English Imperialists emphasize in public meetings the doctrine of the 'double standard power.' Now as long as Germany continues in her own military perfection, the French will walk in her footsteps, trying at every turn to increase their own war ammunition, to be prepared for any national crisis or sudden attack. Hence, it seems, the only solution lies in the fact of universal disarmament on the part of the nations.
"When we speak of Universal Peace, we mean that all the governments must change their fleets of battleships and dreadnaughts to a mighty fleet of merchant marine, plying the oceans of the world, uniting the distant shores and interweaving the commercial, intellectual and moral forces of mankind. But should England alone transform the character of her warships, she would he at the mercy of her enemies and would remain powerless and defenseless. The British Isles would unquestionably be threatened by a powerful invading, well-disciplined host. Hence, aside from any national prowess, the English people would be pushed into this weltering whirlpool of military and naval expenditures, and would be struggling to keep their heads above the seething water all around them, which, unless calmed down, would drown all of them, irrespective of any nationality.
"Once a person met his friend in the street, and after the exchange of courtesies, gave him a hard blow in the face. 'Why dost thou do this?' 'Hast thou not read in the Gospel wherein Christ says—Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also!—Now according to this admonition, let me smite thee on thy left cheek also.' The man submitted to the second blow quite willingly, and they parted. Next day, they met each other again, and the man received two more blows on his cheeks without any evident murmur. They met the third day, and he was going to inflict upon him the same blows. 'Wait a minute, my friend. I am not the only person in the world to live according to the Teaching of Christ. Thou also art one. I have obeyed Him two days, and the next two days will be thy turn.' 'With these words, he smote the man on his cheek, and asked him to 'turn the other also.'
"Now the question of disarmament must be put into practice by all the nations and not only by one or two. Consequently the advocates of Peace must strive day and night, so that the individuals of every country may become peace-loving, public opinion may gain a strong and permanent footing, and day by day the army of International Peace be increased, complete disarmament be realized and the Flag of Universal Conciliation be waving on the summit of the mountains of the earth."
Question:. "How can Universal Peace be realized?"
Answer: "The ideals of Peace must be nurtured and spread among the inhabitants of the world; they must be instructed in the
school of Peace and the evils of war. First: The financiers and bankers must desist from lending money to any government contemplating to wage an unjust war upon an innocent nation. Second: The presidents and managers of the railroads and steamship companies must refrain from transporting war ammunition, infernal engines, guns, cannons and powder from one country into another. Third: The soldiers must petition, through their representatives, the Ministers of War, the politicians, the Congressmen and the generals to put forth in a clear, intelligible language the reasons and the causes which have brought them to the brink of such a national calamity. The soldiers must demand this as one of the prerogatives. 'Demonstrate to us,' they must say, 'that this is a just war, and we will then enter into the battlefield otherwise we will not take one step. O ye kings and rulers, politicians and war-mongers; ye who spend your lives in most exquisite palaces of Italian architecture; ye who sleep in airy, well-ventilated apartments; ye who decorate your reception and dining halls with lovely pictures, sculptures, hangings and frescoes; ye who walk in perfect elysiums, wreathed in orange and myrtle groves, the air redolent with delicious perfumes and vocal with the sweet songs of a thousand birds, the earth like a luxuriant carpet of emerald grass, bright flowers dotting the meadows and trees clothed in verdure; ye who are dressed in costly silk and finely-woven textures; ye who lie down on soft, feathery couches; ye who partake of the most delicious and savoury dishes; ye who enjoy the utmost ease and comfort in your wondrous mansions; ye who attend rare musical concerts whenever you feel a little disconcerted and sad; ye who adorn your large halls with green festoons and cut flowers, fresh garlands and verdant wreaths, illumining them with thousands of electric lights, while the exquisite fragrance of the flowers, the soft, ravishing music, the fairy-like illumination, lends enchantment; ye who are in such environment: Come forth from your hiding-places, enter into the battlefield if you like to attack each other and tear each other to pieces if you desire to air your so-called contentions. The discord and feud are between you; why do you make us, innocent people, a party to it? If fighting and bloodshed are good things, then lead us into the fray by your presence!'
"In short, every means that produces war must be checked and the causes that prevent the occurrence of war be advanced;—so that physical conflict may become an impossibility. On the other hand, every country must be properly delimited, its exact frontiers marked, its national integrity secured, its permanent independence protected, and its vital interests honored by the family of nations. These services ought to be rendered by an impartial, international Commission. In this manner all causes of friction and differences will be removed. And in case there should arise some disputes between them, they could arbitrate before the Parliament of Man, the representatives of which should be chosen from among the wisest and most judicious men of all the nations of the world."
OTHER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WHAT is the objective point of the Bahais?"
Abdul-Baha answered: "In the world of humanity, every person is stimulated by a certain objective point. The objective point of a soul is the acquirement of wealth. He concentrates all his ambition around the actualization of this cherished hope. The objective point of another soul is to attain the highest official position. He strives day and night to gain the confidence of the public and the administrative authorities, so that they may promote him, through his merit, to the position of honor and fame among his fellow-men. The objective point of a third person is the acquisition of science and art. He spends all his energy and force in this direction. The objective point of a fourth soul is to satisfy his selfish appetites and lust. He thinks of no other things save those elements which might contribute to the gratification of his animal propensities. But the objective point of the Bahais is to promote the Principles of BAHA'O'LLAH, to unfurl the Flag of Divine Brotherhood, to serve the cause of Universal Peace, to spiritualize mankind through the Breaths of the Holy Spirit, and to establish the kingdom of justice, love and mercy in the hearts of the people of the world. This is the objective point of the Bahais. Dost thou think it is worthy of emulation? In comparison to this, all the other objective points are trivial and unworthy of one's devotion. We must live in such a manner as to merit the attainment of this Most Great Bestowal! This is our glory! This is our comfort! This is the sublimity of our effort!
This is our highest desire! Supposing that we might become the real Kings of this world, and all our hopes and wishes be realized, but not be confirmed in the spreading of the Cause—great regret would be facing us. And though we might be enabled to enjoy the rare delicacies of wealth and the refined privileges of education, and be not assisted in the service of the Holy Threshold, then manifest loss would stare into our eyes, everlasting remorse would encircle us, spiritual deprivation would be our share and harrowing grief would follow us. But if we arise in the diffusion of the Fragrances of the Paradise of ABHA, and lack all the means of material comfort, eternal benediction will be vouchsafed, heavenly exaltation will be granted and divine beatitude will be bestowed."
"Does material pursuit prevent spiritual progress?"
"Abdul-Baha said: "Material are of two kinds. The first kind are those concerns that have no direct relation to life. They contribute toward luxury, effeminacy, indolence and voluptuousness. Indulgence in these things makes one negligent of God and stifles all traces of spirituality. The other kind are those which contribute toward the maintenance of livelihood, adding to the comfort, happiness and progress of the human family. Spiritual powers come always to the assistance of such affairs, they increase the moral insight and responsibility of man and add to his awareness and mindfulness."
"What does Abdul-Baha expect us to do?"
Abdul-Baha answered: "I hope that whosoever hears your words, sees your deeds and beholds your manners and behaviour, may declare that these people are real Bahais—the incarnations of love and amity. I have traveled far and wide, visited many countries, accepted many hardships and foreborne many difficulties, in order that the souls may rise in service and dedicate their rest, their possessions, their wealth and their lives to the Cause of God. I desire that they may be drawn near unto God, and this is made possible only through the promulgation of the Religion of God. The Blessed Perfection sacrificed His country, His household, His wealth, His glory, His affluence and even His Life for the progress of the Cause of God. If He so renounced everything, so that the heaven of the divine Faith be upheld, then the duty of the believers is plain. I will pray in their behalf and supplicate for them the Confirmations of BAHA'O'LLAH; thus just as the rays of the sun pour upon all the contingent beings, likewise the Effulgences of the Sun of Reality may so interpenetrate every fiber of their beings that each one of them may become like unto a fruitful tree. Now is the dawn of the morn of Truth. Those who live in the depths of the dark ravines and deep valleys do not see the first glimpses of the rising, glorious sun. Hence they cry out: We do not see the sunshine; we do not feel its warmth. But when the sun ascends to the zenith of the heavens, and stands at the meridian, then the valleys and ravines will be flooded with sunshine and even the blind will feel its heat."
"What is the condition of faith?"
The Beloved One answered: "The condition of Faith requires that man ascend to and abide in the station of sacrifice. Without this attainment, ones faith is not perfect. The believers must soar toward the summit of self-sacrifice. Peruse the history of past Dispensations. All those sanctified souls who attained to the station of renunciation and reached the highest station of glory, are those who gave up their material joy, physical pleasures, comfort, rest and even life for the sake of Truth. These conditions of Faith the believers of Persia embodied in their lives. They were subjected to the utmost ignominy, oppression, imprisonment, their possessions were pillaged and many of them were martyred. Their faith was so firm that none of these tragic vicissitudes moved them. With the utmost ecstasy they renounced their possessions and sacrificed their lives. Nothing dismayed them. This is the condition of faith. When man has attained to this supreme station, then indeed his faith will be like the splendor of the Sun of Reality; it will be an emanation of the spirit of Divinity, and an effulgence of the luminary of Deity. You pray and I will pray also, so that we may all attain to this sublime height of faith—thus universal results may issue therefrom."
OUR PERSIAN SECTION this issue contains: (1) The great danger of the future; (2) the necessity of firmness during the tests; (3) the duties of women; (4) Tablet from Paris; (5) Renewal of Religion is natural, therefore in accord with Divine wisdom; (6) letter from the friends; (7) utterances regarding the education of children; (8) letter from the Spiritual Assembly of Barfaroush; (9) announcement regarding the printing of the blessed writing; (10) the war of the world; (11) the remedy for this disease.
"WORK FOR THE SAKE OF GOD AND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF HUMANITY"
Words of Abdul-Baha to Wm. Jennings Bryan in 1912
From the Diary of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, May 13, 1914.
WHILE Abdul-Baha was journeying toward California in 1912, he stopped one day at Lincoln, Nebraska, and called at the home of William J. Bryan, situated just outside of that town. Mr. Bryan was at the time campaigning in some part of the States, but Abdul-Baha was graciously received by his charming wife and talented daughter. In the light of recent events, a translation of Abdul-Baha's talk (informal), which I took down while he spoke, may have more than an historical interest to his friends and to our friends:—
"I have come especially to Lincoln to repay the visit you made to me during your trip around the world. At that time I was much grieved because on your second visit to Acca you were prevented from coming to see me by the surveillance of the guards. Those were difficult and troublesome days indeed! As it was impossible then to meet you, I was longing and praying for a greater opportunity and a better chance.
Consider the power of His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH! I was a prisoner, and no one would ever have thought that I would be allowed to leave, for one moment, the fortified town of Acca! But God took the chain from my neck and put it around the neck of Abdul Hamid. He is now surrounded with far worse sufferings than those with which he surrounded me. I did not feel the pain of his fiendish persecutions, because I possessed the glad-tidings of the Kingdom, but he is afflicted with the pangs of regret and remorse as the result of his evil days. These dark days have come upon him as the consequence of his darker days of tyranny and oppression.
"No one then could ever predict that a day would come when I would travel throughout the United States, and more particularly visit in your hospitable home. From the day that I landed in America I have been anticipating meeting Mr. Bryan and you. I am very sorry that he is not here, but, praise be to God, you are his noble and worthy representative.
"I love this country with an exceeding love, for its inhabitants are a noble people and its government is fair and just. Its citizens are enjoying the greatest amount of political and civic freedom. In reality every soul is a real sovereign and delights in the fruit of his hard-won liberty. No one is harassed by secret fears, and expresses his thoughts freely and with no compunction. The sphere of the minds is made radiant with dazzling ideals, and the circle for the discussion of progressive and advanced problems of the age is as large as heaven. Consequently I hope that this illustrious democracy may become confirmed in the establishment of Universal Peace, and Mr. Bryan may become the standard-bearer of the invulnerable army of International Arbitration. I am very hopeful that he may fulfill my expectation, because the greatest principle of His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH is Universal Peace. He wrote about it in wonderful epistles to the governments of the world, urging them to come forward and lay the foundation of International Conciliation among the religions, nations and races.
"America has demonstrated great organizing capacity in this direction, and I trust Mr. Bryan will exert his utmost influence, so that the basis of the palace of Universal Peace may be firmly secured, and that through his wise and deliberate effort this sun may dawn from the horizon of the United States.
"In short, convey to your respected husband my love and warm greeting, and say to him on my behalf: 'I called at your home and received a hearty welcome from your noble wife and daughter. I hope that before my return to the East I may have the pleasure of meeting you. However, under all circumstances I shall never forget our meeting in Acca, and ever pray that you may become assisted in the accomplishment of such service as to cause you to shine like a brilliant star from the horizon of everlasting glory forever and ever. Your aims and intentions are honorable, and their full realization conducive to the public weal. In all your undertakings you have been aided by God in the past, and will be similarly reinforced in the future. If the wide scope of their results are not quite manifest now, they will become evident afterward. Work for the sake of God and for the improvement of humanity without any expectation of praise and reward. His Holiness Christ was not appreciated in His lifetime. The magnitude of His character and the sublimity of His teachings were duly recognized long after [Continued on page 122]
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. 8
TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA
[Revealed in 1913]
To the Editor of THE CHRISTIAN COMMONWEALTH, London, England.
HE IS GOD!
O thou esteemed and kind friend!
After journeying throughout the United States of America, and the great capitals and metropolis of Europe, I have returned to the East. With the results of this journey I am most pleased and well satisfied—because I met noble people and associated with worthy souls, who are in reality the cause of honour and glory to the world of humanity. They were learned and wise, well-informed of the realities of events and the well-wishers of the human world, especially the advocates of universal peace.
In these days the world of humanity is afflicted with a chronic disease. It is one of bloodshed, the destruction of the divine edifice, the demolition of cities and villages, the slaughter of the noble youths of the world of humanity, children becoming orphans and women homeless and shelterless. What calamity is greater than this? What crime is more heinous than this? What disease is more dangerous than this? What folly is more direful than this?
Consider that in former days there were only religious wars, but now there are racial and political wars fought at staggering expense and sacrifice. A thousand times alas for this ignorance, this bloodthirstiness and ferocity! I became pleased with and grateful to the societies which are organized in the West for the promotion of universal peace, and with whose presidents, officers and members I frequently conversed. I hope that the sphere of the activities of these societies may become from day to day enlarged; so that the lights of the higher ideals may illumine all regions, the oneness of the world of humanity be proclaimed in the East and in the West, and the world of humanity may attain to composure and well-being. These revered souls who are the servants of the world of humanity and the promoters of the cause of universal peace shall ere long shine like brilliant stars from the horizon of mankind, flooding the regions with their glorious lights.
In the past century freedom was proclaimed, and the foundation of liberty was laid in all the western countries. Praise be to God that the sun of justice shone forth and the darkness of despotism and tyranny disappeared.
Now in this radiant century in which the world of humanity is being matured it is assured that the Flag of Universal Peace shall become unfurled and shall wave over all regions of the globe. This is the most great principle of Baha'o'llah, for the promotion of which all the Bahais are ready to sacrifice their possessions and their lives.
Notwithstanding my bodily weakness and infirmity, I have traveled East and West for the last three years. In every temple I cried out and before every audience I raised my voice for the enlistment of their sympathy. I
declared the evils of war, and explained the benefits of Universal Peace. I elucidated the causes which lead to the honor and glory of the world of humanity, and told them of the ferocity and bloodthirstiness of the animal kingdom. I showed the defects of the world of nature and made an exposition of the means whereby the illumination of the world of humanity is fully realized. I unfolded and caused the appearance of the foundation of the divine religions, and proclaimed the teachings of His Holiness BAHA'O'LLAH. I demonstrated the existence of God by irrefutable, rational
WAR SPEAKS
From the Atchison, Kan., Globe
It was quiet after the rush of the day, a day devoted to marshaling bulletins from many places into a somewhat coherent story of the preliminaries of the world’s greatest war—if it happens. And then the quiet is broken by stern tones, and there arose the great figure of grim visaged War and said:
"I am War; to me men look for glory and lasting fame, and it is given. Mine are the most thrilling parts of history, and song and verse and story pay tribute to my awful grandeur. Around the world the parks and plazas are marked by monuments and statues of the men I have given their share of fame. But still other monuments are mine; my way is marked by dead men's bones, by shattered hopes and broken homes and devastated fields and fallen cities and wasted vineyards. Where I walk the green grass is trampled and silver rills run red until rivers are also crimson. I am the Moloch which men worship, although I feed upon their bravest and fairest. Men are my mainstay, young men in the flower of strength preferred, and of the many offered I claim vast numbers for my own, and give back others as maimed and broken creatures, old and helpless before their time. But men alone are not enough; for them are the cold steel, the hurtling shells and shrapnel, the buzzing bullets. But their women and children, even to babes unborn, must help bear the burden that I bring. For these tender ones I spread want and disease and famine, and add the dull despair born of suspense and anxiety for dear ones gone, perhaps forever. And yet I am but a ghost, existing merely because men think I must, and not because man needs me in working out his cherished plan."
A dream, of course, for war is no single creature to arise and tell the truth of himself, but the monstrous work of many men turned savage to make a mockery of the civilization and justice of which we boast.
proofs, and proved the validity of all the prophets of God. I gave utterance to my inmost conviction that the reality of the religion of God is the cause of the life of the world of humanity; it is divine civilization and pure enlightenment.
By the explanation of all these principles my object has been no other than the promotion of Universal Peace. Praise be to God that I found hearing ears, observed seeing eyes, and discovered informed hearts. Therefore, I am well pleased with this journey.
But on the other hand the well-wishers of the world of humanity and the advocates of universal peace must make an extraordinary forward movement, organize important international congresses, and invite as delegates most progressive and influential souls from all parts of the world; so that through their wise counsels and deliberations this ideal of Universal Peace may leap out of the world of words into the arena of actuality and practical demonstration. It is true that this question is of paramount importance, and will not be realized easily. However, we must take hold of every means until the desired result is obtained.
Fifty years ago whosoever talked about Universal Peace was not only ridiculed but called a visionary and utopian. Now—praise be to God!—that at this time it has assumed such importance that everyone acknowledges that this question of Universal Peace is the light and spirit of this age. But they state that the pathway to this much desired goal is obstructed by a number of not clearly defined stumbling blocks, which, however, can be removed by intelligently and persistently educating public opinion.
I hope the noble leaders of the world of humanity who are the divine bestowals among the people, and the means of pacification among the nations, will arise with the utmost of effort and whole-hearted resolution to extinguish this world-raging conflagration, especially now that the blood of innocent people is freely shed in the Balkan States, the lamentations and moanings of the orphans are reaching to the very gate of heaven, and the disconsolate cries and harrowing agonies of the mothers penetrate our souls with the irresistible force of human tragedy. Thus through the endeavors of these guardians of the rights of mankind the world of creation may enjoy the repose of conciliation, the banner of Universal Peace be unfurled, the tabernacle of the oneness
of the world of humanity be pitched, all mankind be gathered under its protecting shade, and the shining star of the eternal felicity and happiness of the world of humanity may dawn with the utmost of brilliancy from the horizon of international comity, and the luminous orb of the spiritual brotherhood of all races and tongues may illumine that united gathering of humanity with the ineffable lights of God throughout countless ages and cycles.
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, July 19, 1913, Port Said, Egypt.
"WORK FOR THE SAKE OF GOD AND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF HUMANITY"
[Continued from page 119]
His crucifixion. The present is always unimportant, but we must make our present so filled with mighty, altruistic deeds as to assume significant weight and momentous importance in the future. A shallow present will surely be followed by a superficial future. Christopher Columbus and his idea, before the discovery of America, were ridiculed and scoffed at, and he spent the last days of his eventful life in poverty, shame and prison. But now in whatever city I enter I see the houses, the parks, the streets and public buildings adorned with his picture and statue. All the prophets, philosophers, benefactors of the human race, leaders of great reforms, scientists, inventors and discoverers were not duly appreciated in their own days; nay, rather, they were persecuted, maligned, thrown into prison and if possible put to death. The fact is they should have honored and adored them but the people are not, as a whole, worthy to worship the reality; they apotheosize the phantasm—a supposed image formed by their minds.'"
TALK WITH A JEWISH RABBI
From the Diary of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, May 19, 1914.
THIS morning, Abdul-Baha went down stairs, and for nearly an hour he was walking in front of the hotel, watching the crowds of Jews who were selling cucumbers. Then a Jewish Rabbi, noted for his learning, called on him, and he invited him to come up and sit on the veranda. After a few preliminary questions about his own health and that of his relatives, Abdul-Baha asked him point-blank: "How long are you Jews going to wait for the coming of the Messiah? Day and night you are praying in your Synagogues to hasten His coming. Is He deaf that He does not hear your invocations? Do you imagine that His hands are tied? He came two thousand years ago, but you were then sound asleep and are yet afflicted with the same disease. Why do ye not open your eyes?"
The Rabbi replied: "The Christians claim that Jesus was the Son of God. Now if that was really so, would we have crucified Him?"
Then Abdul-Baha answered: "The title of sonship is first claimed by the Israelites. There are many references in the Old Testament as to their being the sons of God. In the Psalms the title of the Son is given to David. Nay, rather, if you read Exodus, Chapter 4, v. 16, Chapter 32, v. 1-23, Chapter 7, v. 1, you will realize that the appellation of 'God' is given to persons and things. In the Book of Job you will read also that 'there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord.' Now you who claim to be the sons of God and the first-born of Israel rose first in rebellion against God, Moses and Aaron. For we read in Numbers, Chapter 14, v. 2: 'And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron; and the whole congregation said unto them: Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God that we had died in this wilderness! and Wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land. . . . ." Chapter 11, v. 4 and 5: 'And the children of Israel also wept again, and said: Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt; the cucumbers and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions and the garlick.' And when Moses and Aaron tried to remonstrate with you: 'All the congregation bade stone them with stones.' Moreover you cut to pieces Isaiah the prophet, and beheaded John the son of Zechariah. All these facts go far to show that you must not consider it an impossible thing for the Jews to crucify the Son of God." Then with warmth and eloquence be presented to him the irrefutable proofs concerning the validity of Christ, as he did in the Synagogues of America, and how divine education is essential for the progress of any nation. The Rabbi was dumbfounded, and could not say a word to contradict the arguments of Abdul-Baha.
PAGE 1
VOL V
No. 8
نجم باختر 1329 اوگست 1 . ماه اسماء سنه 70
جلد پنجم شماره هشتم
این جریده بر حسب تاریخ بهائی هر نوزده روز چاپ و توزیع میگردد و در نهایت آزادی در مسائل یگانگی بشر و وحدت ایان 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
خطر عظیم در استقبال حالا رسیده است .
عشق آباد جناب آقا اسدالله باقراف یزدی اخوی زاده استاد علی اکبر علیه بهاء الله الابهی . هوالله
ای بندۀ آستان مقدّس
شکایت از کسادی تجارت نموده بودید در این سنه آفات و صدمات کسادی و فساد جمیع آفاق را احاطه نموده زیرا بر کلّ حجّت بالغ شده عبدالبهاء در کنائس و محافل اروپ و امریک در اکثر مدن نعره زنان اعلان امر حضرت بهاء الله نمود و ندا بملکوت ابهی کرد و براهین لامعه اقامه نمود و دلائل ظاهره و عجّت باهره اظهار کرد ابدا از برای نفسی عذری نماند بلکه بسیاری از خطابه ها در روزنامه ها اعلان بآفاق شد با وجود این هنوز ناس در خواب غفلت گرفتار متمسّک بمجاز و از حقیقت بیزار هنوز ناس در شهوات نفسانیّه منهمک بدرجه ئی که صوراسرافیل بیدار ننماید البّته این غفلت و کفران نعمت و عدم انتباه سبب حسرت و مشقتّ و جنگ و جدال وحصول خسران روبالیست و اگر اهل عالم توجّه باسم اعظم ننمایند .
خطر عطیم در استقبال :
ولی در حقّ یاران امیدم چنانست که آثار لطف الهی ظاهر گردد امورشان از جمهور استثنا یابد و علیک البهاء الابهی عبدالبهاء عبّاس .
صفحه 2 – 1
ثبوت در امتحان باید .
جناب آقا میرزا نصرالله جهرمی . علیه بهاء الله . (هوالله)
ای یار قدیم نامه ئی که بواسطۀ آقا میرزا حیدر علی ارسال نموده بودی رسید از مضمون نهایت فرح و انبساط حصول یافت که الحمدلله آن بندۀ دیرین جمال مبارک بر حبّ قدیم ثابت و در مورد افتتان و امتحان راسخ بوده اید امروز اعظم امور استقامت بر امرالله است که یاران نازنین باید که آهنین رزین و رحین باشند و مرکز امرالله را حصن حصین کردند زیرا هر روز امتحانی علی الخصوص در مستقبل انسان شدید است این است که در حدیث میفرماید : « الناسّ کلهمّ هالکون الا المؤمنون و المؤمنون هالکون الا الممتحنون و الممتحنون هالکون الا المخلصون و المخلصون فی خطر عظیم » باری تا توانید ثابت و مستقیم مانید و علیک البهاء الابهی . عبدالبهاء عبّاس .
نجم باختر . این دو لوح مبارک سال گذشته نازل شده در وقتی که ابرهای سیاه جنگ در آسمان اروپ ظاهر نبوده لوح اوّل اسرار امروزه را کشف نموده .
صفحه 1 – 2
واجبات نساء در ترویج صلح عمومی و رفع جنگ و جدال
نطق مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء در حضور جمعی از افاضل نساء امریک در منزل جناب اشتعال بن کلانتر 23 آپریا سنه 1913 .
الحمدلله قرون تاریک گذشت قرن نورانی آمد عقول و نفوس در ترقیّ است ادراکات در تزاید است هرکس تحرّی حقیقت میکند هر انسانی میخواهد بآنچه صحیح است و سبب ترقیّ است پی برد در عالم نساء هیجان عظیم است نهایت آمال و آرزوی ترقیّ است و خدمت بعالم انسانی شبهه نیست در این عصر ترقیّ مینمایند و میکوشند تا با رجال همحنان گردند این نیّت بزرگی است اگر جمعیّت نساء ترقیّ و اقتدار پیدا نمایند بسیاری از اموری را که حال از عهده بر نمیآیند جاری و مجری خواهند داشت .
امروز اعظم مصائب عالم حرب است
عالم انسانی راحت نیست . و حرب دائمی است زیرا جمیع دول مستمرّا در تهیّه حربند جمیع اموال صرف حرب میشود این بیچاره زارع بکدّ یمین و عرق جبین روز و شب میکوشد تا چند دانه بدست آید و خرمنی اندوخته گردد ولی چه فائده زیرا حاصلات تجهیز حرب میشود و خرج توپ و تفنگ و قورخانه و کشتی های جنگ میگردد و این حرب مالی دائمی است دیگر ملاحظۀ اتلاف نفوس نمائید که در میدان حرب چگونه پایمال میشوند هرچند حرب جانی یعنی اتلاف نفوس محدود و مخصوص است امّا حرب مالی دائمی است و عمومی و ضرر آن راجع بعموم بلکه عالم انسانی از آن متضرّر . حال چون زنانی در این قرن بحرکت درآمده اند باید این را در مدّ نظر داشته باشند تا امر صلح عمومی ترویج شود وحدت عالم انسانی ظاهر گردد فضائل بشرجلوه نماید قلوب ملل بهم ارتباط جوید تعصّب دینی و مذهبی بر طرف شود تعصّب جنسی زائل گردد تعصّب سیاسی نماند و تعصّب وطنی .
صفحه 2 - 2
از میان برخیزند زیرا جمعیّت بشر یک عائله اند و جمیع اولاد آدم همه فرزندان خدا هستند جمیع ممالک یک کره و یک وطن است
و جمیع امم بندگان یک خداوند جمیع را خدا خلق کرد جمیع را خدا حفظ میکند ( رزق) و روزی میدهد می پروراند الطافش شامل کلّ است و رحمتش بر همه نازل مادام او عادل و مهربان است ما چرا ظلم و طغیان نمائیم آیا ما بهتر میدانیم و داناتر از خدا هستیم استغفرالله خدا عادل و مهربان است چرا ما نامهربان باشیم شما که جمعیّت نساء هستید بکوشید تا قلوب ارتباط دیگر حاصل نماید جمیع دست بهم داده در خیر عالم انسانی بکوشید تا شرف عالم انسانی جلوه نماید ملاحظه کنید اگر اهل یک خانه با هم الفت نمایند چه قدر فائده دارد و اگر اهل شهری با یکدیگر متحدّ و متفقّ باشند چه قدر سبب تعاضد و تعاون است و سبب نتائج کلیّه و حصول عزّت و ثروت عمومیّه و همچنین اهل اقلیمی اگر اتحاد نمایند چه قدر ترقیّات بیشتر و عزّت و سعادتشان زیادتر گردد ملتّ امریک چون متفقّ شدند چه قدر سبب سعادت و ترقیّ و مدنیّت ایشان گردید اگر این اتحّاد و اتفاق در میان ولایات متحّده نبود این ترقیّ و علوم و صنایع و علویّت حاصل نمیشد دیگر از این میزان بگیرید که اگر جمیع ملل اتحّاد و اتّفاق نمایند چگونه خواهد شد یقین است این عالم جنّت ابهی شود کمال آسایش دست دهد فلاح عظیم حاصل گردد جمیع مذاهب وحدت و یگانگی و اخوّت یابند شرقو غرب دست در آغوش شود و جنوب و شمال مصافحه و معانقه نماید علم وحدت عالم انسانی موج زند خیمۀ صلح عمومی بلند گردد آهنگ تحسین و تمجید از مقرّ اعلی بگوش رسد لهذا شما که خانمهای محترمه اید و دانا و خیر خواه باید شب و روز بکوشید تا این علم وحدت و اتحّاد در امریکا بلند شود و سرایت بسائر جهات نماید .
صفحه 1 – 3
تا جهان جهان دیگر شود و کمال دیگر جلوه نماید .
از پاریس لوح مبارک به قارئین محترم جریدۀ اسپک تلیز پتسبرگ امریکا . هوالله :
ای قارئین جریده اسپک تلیز عبدالبهاء هزاران فرسنگ طیّ نمود و در محیط اعظم سیر کرد تا باقلیم آزادگان کشور امریک رسید و در جمیع شهرها نداء بملکوت ابهی نمود و بیان وحدت عالم انسانی کرد و نعره بصلح عمومی زد و بشارت بطلوع شمس حقیقت داد فی الحقیقه مملکتی معمور یافت و ملتیّ پر هوش و جوش و خروش و دولتی عادل و مهربان آن ملتّ استعداد اکتساب هر منقبتی دارد زیرا تشنۀ حقیقت است و بجهت ترقیّ میدان وسیعی دارد لهذا امیدوارم که علم صلح عمومی بدایت در آن مملکت موج زند و باطراف جهان سرایت کند در این قرن نورانی صبح موهبت انسانی طلوع نموده و شمس حقیقت بر آفاق پرتو انداخته باید ملل عالم مانند آئینه گردند تا انوار ساطعه در نهایت قوّت جلوه نماید قرون ظلمانی گذشت امیدوارم که از شدّت حرارت نیّر اعظم تعصّبات دینیّه و تعصّبات جنسیّه و تعصّبات وطنیّه و تعصّبات سیاسیّه مانند برف آب گردد و چون حقیقت در نهایت سبزی و خرّمی طراوت و لطافت یابد تا جهان غبظۀ جنان گردد عالم ناسوت جلوه گاه مواهب لاهوت شود شرق و غرب دست در آغوش گردد و شمال و جنوب حبیب و محبوب شود نوع انسانی امواج یک دریا گردد و گلهای یک گلستان شود و درختان یک بوستان گردد ظلمت بیگانگی زائل شود و نورانیّت یگانگی جلوه نماید سیاسیّون ربّانیّون شوند و فیلسوفان سراجهای ملکوت گردند سروران سلطنت ابدیّه تأسیس نمایند و جهانیان مانند ستارۀ آسمان .
صفحه 2- 3
بدرخشند این است نهایت آرزوی عبدالبهاء جانتان خوش باد شادمان و کامران باشید . عبدالبهاء عبّاس .
دیانت بالطبع تجدید میشود یا حکمت الهی مقتضی تجدید دیانت است .
بر هر نافذ بصیری مکشوف است که هر امری در عالم حاوی چهار رتبه است اوّل درجۀ نطفه دویّم حال رضاع سیّم حدّ بلوغ چهارم رتبۀ هرم و کلیّۀ اوضاع عالم خالی از این چهار رتبه نبوده و نیست و چون در هیکل انسان نگریم دریابیم که این وجود وقتی نطفه بوده روزی ولادت یافته و حال صباوت بهم رسانیده پس بحدّ بلوغ رسیده و بالأخره درجۀ انحطاط یافته و رخوت و سستی بهم رسانیده و ضعف پیری او را فرا گرفته و از کار بازمانده و چون بکلیّ قدرت از او مسلوب گرد کوکبش غروب نماید ارکانش از هم بپاشد ترکیبش را تحلیل حاصل آید و ناچار موجد و مبدأ کلّ که عالم را تهی از این جنس نخواسته نطفۀ انعقاد دهد و ترتیب اوّلیّه را پیشنهاد فرماید و همچنین چون بحالت اشجار سیر نمائیم مشاهده شود که این شجره وقتی دانه بوده و در رحم زمین پنهان گشته بعد از آن از خاک سر بر زده و از جنین ارض تولدّ یافته و نهالی باطراوت گشته پس بدرجۀ رشد رسیده و شجر با ثمر گردیده و مدّتی ثمر داده و عاقبت رو بقدم و کهنه گی گذاشته و از نشو و نما باز مانده و حطب یابس شده و چوب بی ثمر گشته و چون باغبان باغ خود را خالی از اشجار نه پسندد ناچار دانۀ دیگر در زمین پنهان کند و مراتب اوّلیّه را در مادّۀ این دانه بکار برد تا شجر باثمر گردد و باغ را بوجود خود بیاراید و هکذا .
صفحه 1 – 4
در فصول و مراسم ملاحظه شود که وقتی باد بهار وزد و نسیم مشکبار در هبوب آید و اشجار حامله گردد و تولید ازهار نماید بعد از آن حرارت صیف پدید آید و ازهار را تربیت نموده بحدّ بلوغ رساند پس اعتدال خریفی چهره گشاید و ثمرات لطیفۀ اشجار را نمودار کند عاقبت فصل شتا در رسد و اشجار از عطایا باز ماند سردی وی بروز کند و برف و باران پدیدار شود . واعیان عالم را جمودت فرا گیرد و چون مبدع جهان و مبدأ اکوان عالم را بدین حالت مداوم نخواهد تجدید دوره فرماید و ثانیا ارض را بحرکت آرد و جمال بهار را پرده از رخسار برگیرد و دورۀ اولی را از سر گیرد فنعم ماقال المولوی فی المثنوی :
« گفت لاتاسمواعلی فانکمّ . ان اتی السرّحان ارونی شاتکم » لیک هرچه آن فوت شد غمگین مشو . زآنکه گر شد کهنه آید باز نو .
(بقیّه دارد ) 313 از طرف محفل تهذیب اصفهان .
مکتوب از برای احبّاء : هوالمحبوب
پس از حمد و سپاس محبوب آفاق و مرکز میثاق ارواحنا و ارواح العالمین فداه بحضور مبارک خواهران عزیز مقدّس محترم مشتعل بنار محبّت الله شرق و غرب را با قلبی مملو از فرح و سرور بشارت میدهیم در این ایّام که پرتو شمس حقیقت عالمگیر گشته و ذرّات عالم را بنور خود مزیّن و منوّر نموده و از دریای رحمت بی پایانش باران رحمتی بر عموم بندگان باریده و از فضل و کرم بی انتهایش افسر اتّحاد و اتفاقّ بر سر کلّ نوع بشر گذاشته و از فیض و عطای رحمانیش کلّ اجساد دارای یک روح گشته و اوامر مقدّسه آسمانیش افراد انسان را بر پرستش یکدیگر واداشته . ما طائفه نسوان که دیرگاهی بواسطۀ تطاول معاندان .
صفحه 2 - 4
و تغافل مربیّان در پس پردۀ جهل و نادانی در کمال خفّت و ذلتّ از خود بیخبر و از خدا بیخبر روزگاری ببطالت میگذراندیم حمد خدا را که بواسطۀ استشمام نسائم رحمانی و اریاح نفحات سبحانی قدری از خواب غفلت و نادانی بهوش آمده و خود را در امواج بحر بی پایان جهل و نادانی و طوفان ضعف و ناتوانی و گردباد خفّت و ذلتّ گرفتار دیده از هر سو راه نجاتی جسته جز طریق هدی و راه خدا ملجاء و پناهی نیافته مجنون وار دست بدامان فیّاض بی نیاز دراز کرده با قلبی بریان و چشمی گریان استخلاص از این گرداب عظیم را رجا نمودیم و عریضۀ بحضور انور اعضاء مقدّس محفل روحانی عرضه داشته و برای نجات اولاد های عزیز و جگر گوشه گان نورس خود تمنّای افتتاح مدرسۀ اناثیّه که باعث ترقیّ ملکی و ملکوتی و ثروت هر ملتّ و مملکت است کردیم .
الحمدلله القادر المتعال که آن برادران عزیز مقدّس محترم دعوت ما مظلومان را استجابت فرموده و انجام خیال این ذلیلان را فوری بموقع اجرا گذاشته پس از هشت روز یک باب مدرسه از برای سلسلۀ اناثیّه مفتوح فرمودند و صبایای جناب آقا میرزا غلامحسین تاجر بارفروش با صبیّه متصاعد الی الله حضرت آقا سیّد محمّد رضا روحی لخدماتهم الفداء کمر همّت بر میان بسته و از برای پیشرفت این مقصد عظمی و شکرانۀ این نعمت کبری متحدا حاضر شدند که مدّت سه ماه مجانا خواهران عزیز نورس خود را تدریس نمایند زبان و قلم از شرح تشکرات قلبی از این اتحّاد و اتفّاق و مهر و محبّت عاجز و قاصر است بموجب این ورقه بعموم خواهران عزیز شرق و غرب فرح و سرور و وجد و طرب قلبی خود را از قبول و انجام این امر عظیم بشارت میدهیم و امیدواریم که بتأییدات حضرت احدیّت من بعد بر خلاف سابق روزگار .
صفحه 1 - 5
جدیدی را سیر نمائیم و آخر را بلوح مبارک ختم نمائیم و تأیید از او جوئیم . قوله عزّبیانه . در خصوص تربیت اطفال اوّل تکلیف یاران و اماء رحمان آنست که بأی وجه کان در تربیت و تعلیم اطفال از ذکور و اناث کوشند و دختران مانند پسرانند ابدا فرقی نیست جهل هردو مذموم و نادانی هر دو نوع مبغوض اگر بدیدۀ حقیقت نظر گردد تربیت و تعلیم دختران لازم تر از پسران است زیرا این بنات وقتی آید که مادر گردند و اولاد پرور شوند و اوّل مربّی طفل مادر است زیرا طفل مانند شاخۀ سبزو تر هر طور تربیت شود نشو و نما نماید اگر تربیت راست گردد راست شود و اگر کج کج شود تا نهایت عمر برآن منهج سلوک نماید پس ثابت و مبرهن شد که دختر بی تعلیم و تربیت چون مادر گردد سبب محرومی و جهل و نادانی و عدم تربیت اطفال کثیر گردد . محفل اناثیّه بارفروش .
از طرف محفل روحانی بارفروش
بدیهی است که همیشه منشاء ترقیّ و مبدأآسایش نوع انسانی تعالیم الهیّه بوده چنانچه ملاحظه شده هر طایفه و ملتیّ که باعلی ترقیّ فلاح و نجاح باوج سعادت و عزّت رسیده اند همانا بواسطۀ اتبّاع و پیروی اوامر مقدّسه الهیّه بود ه و چون انحراف جستند و ترقیّ به تدنیّ عزّت به ذلتّ و ثروتشان به فقر تبدیل شده پس باید دانست که تعالیم الهیّه از هر جهت سبب آسایش بشری است . از جله اوامر مقدّسه این ظهور اعظم اتحّاد و اتفاق و یگانگی است که اسّ اساس شریعت الهیّه است لهذا سزاوار آنکه ما ملتّ بهائی متعدّا و متفّقا صغیرا و کبیرا با یکدیگر هم همد شده در این یوم بدیع به مختصر همّتی که اقدامش بخوبی ممکن است اساسی بنهیم که آسایش نوع در آن باشد معلوم است که ترقیّ هر ملتیّ منوط بقوّۀ .
صفحه 2 - 5
مالیّه و ثروت است برای نیل باین مقصد عظمی نیکو آزاد است که ما افراد ملتّ بهائی در هر شهر بقدر قوّه و توانائی خود در هر ماهی برای ثروت ملیّ شهریّه بدهیم و قبض بمهر محفل مقدّس روحانی آن بلد دریافت داریم که بنظارت و دستور العمل محفل در محلیّ جمع گردد و ابدا از اصل این وجه مصرف نشود و از منافع آن ببعضی امورات مهمّه لارمه که امروزه از عدم ثروت بعهدۀ تأخیر مانده مبادرت نمائیم پس از چندی که این امر مهمّ عظیم بین ما ملتّ جاری گردد و من بعد فقی نبینیم ناله یتیمی نشنویم و فریاد درماندۀ را استماع ننمائیم و نفسی از علم و دانش بی بهره نماند .
نجم باختر : البّته بر همه واضح است که در آینده بهائیان شرق و غرب و شمال و جنوب مدارس عظیمه تأسیس خواهند نمود ولی اصل در این ایّام است نه در مستقبل آنچه که در اوّل ظهور ظاهر میشود و آن اساسی است محکم و ابدی است و فخرش سرمدی است پس خوشا بحال آن نفوسی که در همچو وقتی اقدام فرمایند و قدر خدمات این ایّام را بدانند ولکن الله یوفقّ من یشاء علی مایشاء .
چاپ آثار مبارک
کتاب مستطاب هفت وادی و چهار وادی که از آیات باهرۀ این ظهور اعظم با کلمات مکنونه فارسی و مثنوی مبارک را جناب مستطاب حاجی شیخ حسین کردستانی که از اجلّه احبّاء ثابتین است از حضور مبارک حضرت مولی الوری ارواحنا لبدایع عنایاته الفداء رجای اذن طبع و نشر نمودند و بنهایت دقتّ در تصحیح و خوبی ورق و حروف موفقّ بر طبع گشتند و در یک مجلدّ قرار دادند
صفحه 1 – 6
و ورق آنها دو رقم است قسمی ورق خوب عادّی مصر و قسم دیگر ورق ممتاز لهذا محض اطلاع یاران اعلان میشود که هرکس از هرجا طالب باشند از جناب مستطاب آقا محمّد نقی صاحب تاجر اصفهانی مقیم مصر طلب نمایند کذلک جلد اوّل و دوم مکاتیب و فرائد هم نزد جناب ایشان موجود است و آدرس ایشان از این قرار است : القاهره . مصر شاعر المرجوش . محمّد تقی افندی اصفهانی تاجر النیّله .
جنگ دنیا
نجم باختر : امروز هفده مایون نفوس در اروپا زیر سلاحند بعضی از این نفوس جوانند و بعضی پیر هستند همه اینها میتوانستند در نهایت محبّت و یگانگی و صلح و سلام زندگانی نمایند ولی افسوس که الآن جمیع افکارشان منحصر در قتل یکدیگرند و بس . در بحر کشتیهای جنگی و در خشکی توب و تفنگ و در هوا مرکب هوائیّه جمیع آتش شدند و آتش میبارند . جمیع اهالی اروپ حتیّ مسافرین در نهایت خطر و اضطرابند . حال از آن ممالک متحاربه جز اخبار خرابی و سفک دما و تخریب مدن و حرق قری خبری نیست . و محبّت و شفقت و رحمت و انسانیّت را بکلیّ فراموش کردنده . دو هزارسال است که میخوانند « حبّ فربیّک کنفسک » ولی بالعکس عمل مینمایند در قول همه ادّعای تدیّن و مدنیّت میکنند و در فعل شمشیر را گرفته در سر مدنیّت و دین میزنند . هر شخصی بخواهد از برای احیاء نفوس بکوشد اورا مردود و مذموم میدانند و
صفحه 2 – 6
لکن هر قاتلی را مقبول و ممدوح می شمارند آلمان و اطریش « نمسه» از یکطرف و فرانسه و بلجیک و روس و انگلیس و صرب و جبل الاسود از طرف دیگر می جنگند . سائر دول هم در استعداد و تدارکند خلاصه تجارت و ثروت و صناعت و زراعت از ترقیّ و تقدّم افتاده است و راحت و آسایش این همه خلق مفقود گردیده است تجّار و اهل صنعت و اهل کسب بدون استثنا از کسادی فریاد میکنند و فقرا و ضعفا از گرانی و ناچیزی آه و ناله مینمایند . ضرر های این جنگ مهّول نه در اروپا فقط منحصر شده بلکه عالمرا احاطه نموده از برای چه؟ محض طمع و نادانی و تعصّب و تمسّک به تقالید قدیمه و اتبّاع عوائد مستقیمه و حبّ الذاتّ و طلب شهرت و تعلقّ بمادیّات و اعرا ض از روحانیّات و اعجاب از انوار ساطعۀ شمس حقیقت که در این قرن عظیم از وجه جمال مبارک حضرت بهاء الله بر جمیع مؤمنین تابیده و اکنون آن انوار از افق هیکل مقدّس مرکز میثاق حضرت عبدالبهاء بر قلوب عموم ثابتین باشدّ اشراق روشن و باهر است .
دوای جنگ دنیا
نجم باختر : ما اهل بها اعتقاد میکنیم که دوای شافی این مرض مهلک جنگ دنیا همان تعالیم حضرت بهاء الله و بیانات و نصائح حضرت عبدالبهاء و این را حقیقت میدانیم نه تجربه زیرا واضح است که ملل مختلفه مثل مسلم و مسیحی و موسوی و زردشتی شرقی و غربی که این تعالیم و نصائح را قبول کردند جمیع مانند یک عائله شدند و در نهایت محبّت و الفتند . دکتر ضیاء بغدادی .
