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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. VII Sultan 1, 72 (January 19, 1917) No. 17
Recent Tablets from Abdul-Baha
"Should Abdul-Baha soar from this mortal prison to the immortal rose-garden, none of you must be disturbed"
Haifa, Syria, Oct 9, 1916.
Mrs. Georgia Ralston, New York City.
My dear sister in the Cause of God:
A few months ago I wrote you a letter which I hope you have received by this time and its contents have become known to you.
Now, after spending nearly forty days with Abdul-Baha in Tiberias, we returned last week to Haifa, finding the friends in good health and everything going along smoothly.
In the outside world there are many changes daily, many new ideals inter-playing their forces, many important problems to occupy one's mind and thought, but here the page of our lives is blank; one day succeeds the other quiet, peaceful. Our life in this corner of the world is the life of the valley and the lowland—not the life of the highland and the mountain where the strong winds are blowing from all directions, the whirlwinds requiring iron constitutions and strong muscles.
It gives me great pleasure to give you here the translation of Abdul-Baha's tablet to you:
To the maid-servant of God, Mrs. Georgia Ralston.
O thou spiritual daughter of the Kingdom!
The letter that thou hast written to Mirza Ahmad Sohrab was perused. It imparted exceeding joy, joy to the heart, for it contained very good news, that, praise be to God, the friends of God, notwithstanding the interruption of the means of correspondence, are in the state of the utmost joy and fragrance. This must indeed be the condition of those souls who have entered the Kingdom. They must not be discouraged by any obstacles, nay, rather, they must, day by day, increase their attraction and enkindlement, for confirmations are descending upon them from the heavenly Spirit. You must be firm and steadfast to such a degree that not only the interruption of the means of communication, but should Abdul-Baha hasten from this world to another world and soar from this mortal prison to the immortal rose-garden, none of you must be shaken or disturbed; nay, rather, moment after moment the strength of heart be augmented and firmness and steadfastness be increased. For when the lamp of the love of God is ignited in the heart, its flame must become purer and whiter day by day—thus from head to foot he may become a torch of flaming fire. When his holiness the Bab and his holiness Baha'o'llah ascended to the Supreme Concourse, the intensity of the fire of the service of the friends of God became an hundred fold and in the assemblages of humanity they shone out with the utmost sanctity and purity. I hope you will likewise attain to such a station.
Convey longing greetings, on my
behalf, to each and all the friends. Should we enjoy life after this war, we shall correspond with all the believers.
Upon thee be greeting and praise!
We hope and pray that this sad and dreadful war will soon come to an end and the doors of life and a new order of mutual relations appear. Please give my sincere greetings to all.
Ever sincerely yours,
Ahmad.
Haifa, Syria, October 11, 1916.
Miss A. Boylan, New York City.
My dear Bahai sister:
A tablet has been revealed by Abdul-Baha in your name, the translation of which is as follows:
To the maid-servant of God, Miss A. Boylan—Upon her be greeting and praise!
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Although it is a long time that I have not written a letter to that steadfast one in the Testament, still thou art ever before the sight and never forgotten. Now and then letters are being received from those friends that, praise be to God, they are engaged in service and are holding in their hands the candle of guidance, dispelling the darkness of superstitions and doubts. Convey to the dear daughter, Mrs. Krug, my respectful greeting. Some time ago I wrote her a brief note. It is hoped that her illumined meeting is still continued and the maid-servants of the Merciful gather in that assembly and are occupied in the commemoration of His Highness, the Almighty, are engaged in the establishment of unity and concord. Those days that meetings were held in her home and I used to present myself there and talk with the friends of God shall never be forgotten.
Upon thee and upon her be greeting and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Forty days I had the privilege to spend with Abdul-Baha in Tiberias. I wish there was space to relate for your benefit at least a little of our holy and spiritual experiences, but this pleasure must be given up for the present. Enough to say that I had a most wonderful time and now that we have returned, Abdul-Baha's health is quite improved. This was our second trip to Tiberias; you have the description of the first one and you shall have the second one, only this time there was an added interest to our journey because instead of traveling by railroad we drove in carriage, stopped two nights in Nazareth and saw that blessed and holy town. All along that heavenly journey Abdul-Baha spoke and I have faithfully treasured his etherial words of love and peace. Please convey my faithful greeting to the friends and tell them their thoughts and prayers are much appreciated. Our only joy in these days is to think about their faith and services.
Ever your sincere brother,
Ahmad.
Haifa, Syria, October 12, 1916.
Dr. Pauline Barton-Peeke,
Cleveland, Ohio.
My dear sister in the Cause of God:
Some time ago your kind and spiritual letter was received and its inspiring contents read with great pleasure and happiness. Abdul-Baha was most glad to know that the friends in Cleveland are enkindled with the fire of the love of God and firm in the Covenant of the Merciful. Abdul-Baha hopes that your home may ever be the nest for the birds of sanctity, that from it,
glorious songs of praise may be raised to the Supreme Kingdom, that the friends of God may become the guides of erring humanity, and that their lives and deeds may bear eloquent testimonies to their faith and knowledge. He dictated the following tablet:
To the maid-servant of God, Doctor Pauline Barton-Peeke.—Upon her be greetings and praise!
O thou the inheritor of the great, respected Mrs. Peeke!
Although that beloved maid-servant of God ascended from this mortal world to the world of immortality, praise be to God, she left thee behind as a token of herself. All the dwellers of the Kingdom and myself are pleased with thy services to the Kingdom of God. Truly I say the believers of God and thyself are displaying every effort in the promotion of the teachings of God in Cleveland. The evidence demonstrating this fact is that you have not forgotten us, nay rather with the utmost exertion and endeavor you are engaged in the service of Truth. Thank ye God that ye are confirmed therein. Ere long ye shall observe most important results and ye will behold the doors of the everlasting glory open before your faces. I am ever expecting to receive good news from you and the Cleveland believers, and in your behalf I supplicate and entreat toward the Kingdom of God, that every one of you may become ignited with the fire of the love of God and bestow the light of guidance upon that region and continent.
Upon ye be greeting and praise!
Abdul-Baha's health is quite well. We stayed for about two months in Tiberias and the dry weather imparted to him invigoration. Now again he is living with his blessed family waiting patiently and quietly for the end of this world-wide war and praying for the protection of the friends. His thanks and prayers are for them.
Ever your faithful brother,
Ahmad.
Haifa, Syria, July 11th, 1916.
To Mr. and Mrs. Harlan F. Ober.
O ye two firm ones in the Covenant!
Although we are living in the holy land and you are dwelling in the United States, yet the spiritual relations and the communication of the hearts are firm and steadfast because the unity of the Divine Essence has bonded us together. In this material world we are cemented together and, God willing, in the Universe of God, the world of the Kingdom, we will be the associates and intimates of each other. Truly I say Mr. Ober rendered a great service to the Kingdom of God and undertook a long and arduous trip to India, and during our stay in America, Mrs. Ober served with heart and soul. Both of them are encircled with the Divine Favors and are firm and steadfast in the lordly Covenant.
Upon ye be greeting and praise!
(Original received by Mr. Joseph H. Hannen, Washington, D. C., September 25, 1916.)
To Mr. Fred Mortensen, Minneapolis, Minn.—Upon him be Baha'o'llah-el-Abha.
O thou illumined youth !
Thy letter was received. Its perusal produced the utmost joy; for its contents indicated faith and its significances were proofs of firmness in the Covenant. That trip of thine from Minneapolis to Green Acre will never be
forgotten.* Its mention will be recorded eternally in books and works of history. Therefore, be thou happy that, praise be to God, thou hast an illumined heart, a living spirit and art vivified with a merciful breath. Convey my greeting, longing and respect to the Editor of Labor Review and say: "This paper of yours in the future ages will become superior to all the newspapers of the world, because you have published in its columns the proclamation of the kingdom of Abha. I hope thou wilt become assisted to promote the teachings of Baha'o'llah. Then thou wilt observe that this paper has become a luminous star and the cause of the illumination of the hearts of humanity."
Upon thee be greeting and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, September 12, 1913, Ramleh, Egypt.)
* Refers to his riding on the bumpers between railway baggage cars and on freight trains from Minneapolis, Minn., to Green Acre, Maine, in order to see Abdul-Baha.
"We are ourselves the means of our degradation and exaltation"
Extract from the diary of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, January 23, 1914
A YOUNG man by the name of Mirza Lotfullah, who has been here (Haifa) for a month, was about to leave this afternoon for Aleppo, so Abdul-Baha addressed him, saying:
"Now that thou hast decided to live in Aleppo, thou must act, speak and conduct thyself with such holiness, sanctity, purity and chastity as to attract to the Cause everyone who comes in contact with thee, that everyone may testify that here lives in our midst an upright and virtuous man, that he has turned his face toward God, that he is spiritual, celestial and divine. A person through his own actions and deeds makes himself loved or disliked by the people; or through his own unselfish conduct and behavior, refined morality and selfless intention, trustworthiness and rectitude he suffers himself to become favored and beloved at the threshhold of God.
There is a young man of Jewish origin in the college of Beirut by the name of Mirza Habbibollah Khodabaksh, who has fulfilled these requirements. Formerly he was not known, but now everyone knows him through his sanctity, purity of life, sincerity of aim and the beauty of his holiness, and he is favored and near the court of the Almighty, and loved and respected by all. From whomsoever you inquire of him the utmost satisfaction and pleasure is expressed concerning him.
Therefore, it is now proven that we are ourselves the means of our degradation and exaltation; that people are attracted to us or repelled by us according to the attributes and deeds emanating from us. In short, I hope that thou mayst live in such wise in Aleppo that all the inhabitants may exclaim: "This man is not a Bahai in a nominal way, but in a real manner; he is a Bahai in deed and not in words alone.' For this reason his holiness Baha'o'llah hath said: 'My sorrow is not occasioned by my enemies, but by those souls who attribute themselves to me but whose deeds and actions are conducive to the degradation of the Cause.'"
"While Abdul-Baha was walking in the rose-garden he passed by Haji Mullah Abou Taleb, the very old man with stooped shoulders and long beard. He
looked at him, then at others, and smiled.
"Haji Mullah Abou Taleb is my friend," he said. "He looked just as old forty years ago when he came to this blessed spot for the first time. Now he has come never to leave. Are you well and happy? How can you descend and ascend the mountain every day?"
Then he came very near to him and looked at his thin and probably soiled overcoat.
"Hast thou not received thy new overcoat? I have brought one for thee. I will send it up for thee. Man must keep his clothes always clean and spotless."
He answered: "I am not particular about my outward clothes, but the robe of the virtue of God is necessary for us." Immediately Abdul-Baha's face lighted up:
"Thou art right, the believers of God must ever strive to clothe their spiritual bodies with the garment of the virtue of God, the robe of the fear of God, and the vesture of the love of God. These robes will never become threadbare. They will never be out of fashion. Their market values do not fluctuate. They are always negotiable and ever on demand. They are the means of the adornment of the temple of man and woman.
"But the outward raiment, must be also clean and immaculate, so that the outer may be a faint expression of the inner. Cleanliness is one of the fundamental laws of this religion."
Masarak-El-Azkar Contribution from Cairo
Cairo, Egypt, November 30, 1916.
Mr. Alfred E. Lunt.
Dear Bahai Brother:
Sometime ago I received a letter from you in regard to the Mashrak-El-Azkar work. You were then Secretary of the Bahai Temple Unity Executive Board, now I believe you are President.
It gives me great pleasure to enclose a check for $75.00 for the Mashrek-El-Azkar in America. This amount is from the Egyptian Bahais of Cairo and Alexandria, in which two cities I do my Bahai work, as I usually pass the summers in Alexandria. The majority of the Bahais are poor and could not give, but those who have contributed have done so very joyfully. It is sent with Bahai love and greetings from all here to all the Bahai friends in the West. Mr. Mohamed Said helped me in collecting this money. Several years ago a contribution was sent by the older Bahais here.
List of contributors to the Mashrak-El-Azkar in America, from the Bahais of Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt:
- Mr. Mohamed Taki Esphahani.
- Mr. Abdul Galeel Saad.
- Mr. Ahmed Safwat.
- Mr. Mohamed Said.
- Mr. Zein El Abeein.
- Mr. Abul Futouh.
- Mr. Mahmoud Rakie.
- Mr. Mahmoud Fahmy.
- Mr. Hafiz Nadim.
- Mr. Haji Niaz.
- Mrs. Edith de Bous.
- Miss Morassa Yazdi.
- Miss Elinor Hiscox.
Collected and sent (Nov. 30, 1916) by Miss Elinor Hiscox, assisted by Mr. Mohamed Said.
In His Name and Service, faithfully yours in El-Abha.
Elinor Hiscox.
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.
Terms: $1.50 per year; 10 cents per copy
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. VII
No. 17
The Teaching Campaign—News from the South
"Fifteen thousand were reached directly"
Extract from a letter by Louis G. Gregory
Washington, D. C.,
December 17, 1916.
The veils are everywhere being lifted and the Sun of Truth is shining with a radiance that will soon penetrate the ends of the earth.
I arrived here Friday morning and am very happy over the journey, which gave wonderful opportunities and privileges for service. Since I last wrote you, Jackson and Nashville, Tenn., Louisville, Lincoln and Lexington, Ky., and Charleston, W. Va., were visited, in all of which addresses were made and hearty responses found in receptive hearts. The Ministers' Alliance at Louisville passed a vote of thanks. In the entire journey probably more than fifteen thousand were reached directly, most of them students, representing many sections and communities. Less than half a dozen persons in all raised the voice of opposition. Almost without exception in the places visited there were souls ready to receive all that could be told them about Baha'o'llah and Abdul-Baha. Am returning to Charleston, S. C., to deliver the Emancipation Day address, January 1. This will be an opportunity to tell them of real freedom.
I hope, God willing, that in the future my affairs can be so arranged as to give more time to service of this kind (the opportunities seem limitless). The number of institutions in the south that cannot be reached must be very small.
May God render you victorious, O my brother, in every effort! This is my prayer. Ever yours,
Louis G. Gregory.
"Hast thou Love?"
Extract from the Diary of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, June 9, 1914
"When our American visitors left the house a Christian minister called on Abdul-Baha. . . . Then the minister asked about the mission of Christ. Without pause Abdul-Baha continued, "His holiness Christ came for the promulgation of the law of love; all the prophets were sent, all the books were revealed, so that the law of love might be promoted. But a few self-seeking people subverted the original aims of the religion of God, changed its pure current and made it an instrument of hatred and rancor and quarrel and sedition. Why should we hate the members of other religions? Why should we not love each other? Why should we be tattlers and busy-bodies and gossip-mongers? Why are we not looking at our own shortcomings? Why do we not let people alone? Why do we not search after our own faults? 'And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? O, how wilt thou say to the brother, let me pull the mote out of thine eye and behold, a beam is in thine own eye! Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam that is in thine own eye and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.' Let us have love and more love, a love that melts all opposition, a love that conquers all foes, a love that sweeps away all barriers, a love that aboundeth in charity, large-heartedness, tolerance, and noble-striving, a love that triumphs over all obstacles, a boundless, resistless, sweeping love. Ah, me! Each one must be a sign of love, a sea of love, a center of love, a sun of love, a star of love, a haven of love, a pearl of love, a palace of love, a mountain of love, a world of love, a universe of love. Hast thou love? Then thy power is irresistible. Hast thou sympathy? Then all the stars will sing thy praise!"
Coronation Hall, St. Lawrence Street, Montreal, Canada. From
the Montreal Star (Daily), Sept., 1912"Earth should be a Paradise," said Abdul-Baha.
There are certain species of life that seemingly can live solitary and alone. Certain trees, certain animals and even herds wander far from their kind. But man is necessarily ever in need of cooperation and mutual help.
"In reality all mankind represents one family. God desires that each individual member of the body politic should live in the utmost well being and comfort.
"If all do not so enjoy life there is a lack of symmetry in the body politic. 'Let us look after ourselves,' the selfish say, 'Let others die; so long as I am comfortable, all is going well!' Such a callous attitude is due to a lack of control and a lack of working law!"
Abdul-Baha then outlined a scheme which had been formulated by Baha'o'llah, the great Bahai Prophet, for ensuring the economic happiness of the people. In this scheme farmers were first to be dealt with for the agricultural industry is the most important and the most useful in the national life. It provides that every village community have a general storehouse to which a number of revenues would come. This income from the communal fund would
include tithes, a certain percentage from the number of animals and one-third from mines and minerals.
Should anyone die without an heir, all his wealth would revert to the general storehouse and any treasure trove that was picked up would become public property.
The scheme further advocates that tithes be collected from the farmers on a graded scale. If a man's (necessary) expenditure equaled his income he would pay nothing. If one had an expenditure of one thousand dollars and an income of two thousand, he would pay one-tenth; from one having an income of ten thousand dollars and expense of one thousand, two-tenths would be exacted. If one had an income of twenty thousand and his expense were two thousand, the taxes would amount to one-fourth. If the income were two hundred thousand dollars and the expense ten thousand, then the community would exact one-half.
From this general storehouse the less fortunate members or the commonwealth would draw to secure their share of the common welfare.
There would be no poverty in the community. Orphans, cripples, the poor, the blind, the deaf, the aged, the helpless, would be looked after. The people themselves would elect trustees for the administration of the public trust.
Whatever surplus there might be after all were provided for would go to the national exchequer. For the big cities such a scheme would be carried out on a much more extended scale.
"Under this system," said Abdul-Baha, "every member of the community would live in comfort, without fear, and without being under obligations to anyone.
"Degrees or grades would not be abolished. These would be necessary, as in an army it is necessary to have marshals, generals, colonels, sergeants and foot-soldiers. But notwithstanding grades, all would have the right to share in the general well being,
"The earth can be made a Paradise. Let all the servants of God ever strive that such a great happiness may accrue to the world of humanity."
(Prolonged applause greeted Abdul-Baha at the close of his address.)
The Heavenly Tables
To three pilgrims to Acca, September 5, 1901, at supper, Abdul-Baha said:
"We should remember these meetings when we return to our homes. When we go to Paris, London and America we must remember these nights and these gatherings and must show the same spirit of love that is manifested here,
"The meal is divided into two parts, material and spiritual. We hope that this is both. The tables mentioned in the Bible are the spiritual tables. The effect of the material table lasts for twelve hours but that which is divine is everlasting and eternal.
For example,—'Revelation' is one of the heavenly tables. As an illustration, think of the knowledge revealed two thousand year ago; we feel the effect of it now and that effect will remain forever.
"Some of the heavenly tables are the divine teachings and their power and effect will be everlasting. Another of the godly tables is His love, which is the cause of Eternal Life. Others of these tables are unity and harmony amongst the believers, like as we are gathered here tonight, the effect of which will remain forever and ever."
Divine Teachings
Words of Abdul-Baha, reprinted from The International Psychic Gazette, July, 1914
There are two general and principal classes of divine teachings. One is spiritual, and pertains to the moralities. This is the fundamental basis of the divine law, unchangeable and unalterable, which has been reiterated and renewed in the cycle of every prophet. Its commands refer to justice, truthfulness, compassion, faith, love of God, self-devotion, self-sacrifice, steadfastness, including all divine and merciful attributes. This is the unchanging and unmoving law of God.
The second class of divine teachings is material and deals with behaviour, such as divorce, the commandments, the way of worshipping. All these conditions have changed in the cycle of every prophet. The character of divine sovereignty has no change or transformation, but the organization and administration change continually. This is why Jesus Christ said: "I came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it." At the same time there are conditions that are changeable.
Tablet from Abdul-Baha to the Bahais of Germany
Extract from a letter by Azizollah to Mrs. Alice Schwarz, dated June 30, 1916
Three days ago when we were all in Abdul-Baha's holy presence, I delivered to him the translations of your letters, as well as those of Mr. Herrigel and Miss Knobloch. He read them with a ringing loud voice and closed with a happy facial expression making a few remarks about the dear father (Consul Schwarz) and praising him highly.
After a few minutes of rest he said:
"The religion of God has now been proclaimed in Germany. When the divine seed takes root in the soil, they will automatically spread and other roots appear and extend into the depth of the hearts.
"Now the cause of Almighty God has taken root in Germany and its roots are going to radiate like trees in full bloom. In the same manner that pernicious and destructive types of men have a contagious influence, so the spiritual and divine type exerts an influence that is of a far-reaching and permeating nature.
"It is well known, that when once a blessed soul of any nation steps into the religion of God, it is capable of saving the whole community from the darkness of the world, from materialism and animalism. He brings to them divine qualities and frees them from indifference towards God, from prejudices which are founded on ignorance, from animal instincts, and from the attachment to the material world and the surrender of self to it—by attachment to the material world, I do not mean social intercourse and economic relations upon which the progress of the world depends, but I mean the ascendency of the lower life over the higher ideals of human society. Now, God be praised, shining and divine realities have penetrated into Germany."
After uttering these words, Abdul-Baha gave us permission to leave saying: "Now you are to enjoy yourselves upon this mountain of the Lord (Mt. Carmel) on which the Prophets of God used to dwell or often lingered while on earth—rest and recreate after the arduous tasks and exhaustion of the year's study."
For Germany: To the friends of God—Upon them be greeting and praise!
O ye true friends and ye who are firm in the love of God!
Although it has been a long time since I have written you a letter of any kind, the heart and soul were nevertheless in
constant communication, and I supplicated to the Kingdom of Abha that you might be protected and preserved.
Although the unrests of the world are limitless and boundless, my hope is nevertheless that they may end and the dark clouds disappear from the horizon of the universe and that the sun of peace and unity may shine above all horizons.
We must under no circumstances be prevented from praying and the mentioning of God. We must always be enraptured with the fire of the love of God, be attracted by His Knowledge and be heralds of His Words, so that His invisible confirmations like unto the breeze of dawn, become the cause of spiritual life.
Pray then, that the universe may become a new universe and this dark world a world of light.
Convey my greatest love and affection, greetings and praise to all the friends.
Upon ye all be greetings and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Revealed to Mrs. Alice Schwarz, Stuttgart; translated by Mirza Azizollah Khan S. Bahadur, July 6, 1916.)
Progress of the Cause in Bournemouth, England
It was suggested that when, in compliance with your request, we forwarded to you particulars of the Bahai Assembly in Bournemouth, we should also give you some cheering news of the "majestic progress of the Cause of God" in this beautiful seaside town.
The origin and growth of the Movement here is mainly associated with Dr. J. E. Esslemont of Southbourne, who, after intimate investigation of the Truth as embodied in the Bahai Revelation, started, some eighteen months ago, to deliver a series of addresses and lectures at various Adult Schools, Brotherhood Associations, and the local Theosophical Society. His clear and closely-reasoned expositions of the teachings resulted in sufficient interest being aroused for a special public meeting to be held, at which Mrs. F. George of Chelsea was also a speaker.
The Cause then continued to develop by means of regular weekly gatherings for study and discussion, prefaced by a friendly cup of tea. And to some of us these little meetings will ever remain a hallowed and joyful memory.
During the summer of 1915 Mrs. George paid us a lengthy visit; a series of private talks and addresses were given; earnestly and patiently the sowing of the seed went on.
In the autumn a small room was rented at Cromwell Hall, Southbourne and public Sunday evening services began. It seemed a bold step to take. The nights were dark and stormy and the severe lighting restrictions made traveling difficult. The congregation varied considerably, now swelling to as many as fifteen, anon dwindling to a faithful two. But "this is a Day wherein the gems of steadfastness must appear from the mine of man"—so we persevered. Week by week the Glad Tidings were proclaimed; over and over again the story of the Great Coming had to be recounted; slowly our attendance, with our faith and understanding increased.
About the same time a Sunday School was formed with the happy nucleus of three. Today the scholars number five times three. Bahai hymns are sung, some of the prayers chanted and the Message finds glad response in child hearts.
The following summer again brought us Mrs. George, whose beautiful and convincing presentation of the Truth has been used to attract many a seeking soul and has proved a source of inspiration and strength to us all.
After a while we found it necessary to remove into more spacious quarters. And we rejoice to realize that our assemblies
have always maintained that warm spirit of brotherly love whereby the humblest member has felt himself of value to the rest and spiritually at home.
Then Mr. W. Tudor Pole came from Bristol, at considerable personal inconvenience, and delivered a vital message in his lecture on "The Things That Matter," bidding us seek for unity with the source of all life within our own consciousness.
We have also had the privilege of the presence and assistance of Mirza Lotfullah S. Hakim.
It seemed a fitting close to the year's work and to a season which has been so richly blessed, that we should have had, on October 1st, the joy of welcoming to our midst Mrs. J. Stannard of India, whose glowing words in her address on "The Ideals of East and West in Religion," thrilled our hearts and illumined our minds, unfolding to us deeper mysteries of the Divine Manifestations and of the underlying realities of a spiritual universe.
This brief resumé would scarcely be complete without reference being made to the Esperanto classes and study circles conducted by Dr. Esslemont throughout last winter and spring, and also to the much appreciated visit of Mrs. Paul Blaise, who is so well-known in the Esperanto world. It is indeed good to see the linking-up of the universal language with the universal religion.
A small lending library has been formed and we find the books and pamphlets very useful in stimulating interest and deepening knowledge.
We are glad to hear of the new effort being put forth by the STAR OF THE WEST, and earnestly pray that it will serve to hasten the coming of the Kingdom of El-Abha.
Cromwell Hall having now been commandeered by the military, we are holding our meetings in various private houses, particulars of which will gladly be supplied on application to the Secretary, care Dr. J. E. Esslemont, Home Sanatorium, Southbourne, Nr. Bournemouth, England.
The Earth and the Heavenly Civilization*
Words of Abdul-Baha to Bishop Birch of New York City, at the Hotel Ansonia:
"Praise be to God, that stupendous material developments are obtained in this country; but material civilization alone does not safeguard the progress of a nation, because through material civilization dynamite, Krupp guns, projectiles and Mauser rifles are invented: thus the infernal instruments of human fratricide are multiplied and constantly perfected. Therefore, natural civilization fosters both good and evil.
"All the wolfish bloodshed, all this feverish multiplication of military armaments are the results of material civilization.
"When material civilization joins hands with spiritual civilization, then it will be perfect. In former times a wooden box may have protected your possessions from the thief, but now the safes with their complicated keys and combinations do not daunt the robber.
"Consequently, just as 'good' is advancing through material civilization, 'evil' takes the same pace, unless the earthly civilization become the handmaid of heavenly civilization. Natural civilization is like unto the body of man. If the body is animated by the spirit it is alive; otherwise it is a vile corpse which in the long run will become putrid and decayed."
The Bishop expressed his pleasure and
*This interview took place six days after Abdul-Baha's arrival in the United States, 1912.
delight to hear the above words of light. Abdul-Baha answered:
"I am likewise very grateful to you. Praise be to God, that your churches are free from prejudices. They are not so creed-bound as not to be able to breathe. Many Christian churches in Europe are yet extremely dogmatic. But I have already spoken in churches belonging to your denomination. The congregations consisted of most intelligent people. This is a great distinction. Hence I love you with all my heart and soul. My chief aim is to remove the present misunderstanding between the nations of the East and West, so that we may express cordial love toward each other and promote the essentials of the heavenly civilization. I hope that such a confirmation may be vouchsafed us, so that we may become united."
The Bishop said: "Up to this time no one has come from the East to the West with such power, such lucid teachings and such an exalted aim. Therefore I am very grateful to you and most pleased to have met you."
"We must prepare ourselves for the reception of spiritual favors"
Letter from Mirza Ahmad Sohrab.
Haifa, Syria, March 5, 1916.
My dear sister in Truth:
Your very kind note of Dec. 21st, 1915, enclosing a brief petition for Abdul-Baha, received and its contents presented to him. He assured me that at the Divine Threshold, he will pray for . . . . so that heavenly benediction may descend upon him and the spirit of assurance may encircle him.
The bounties of the Lord of Hosts are limitless but there must also be a willingness to receive and a capacity to absorb those bounties. The rain descends upon the tilled and the untilled soil alike; out of the first useful grains grow, while the second may be covered with thorns and bushes. We must plough the ground of our hearts, not with the old tools of the time of Noah, but with modern agricultural implements, scatter the seeds and wait for the rain. But if we are living far from the ocean and do not receive enough rain, like the many Western States, we must be up and doing, dig canals, construct dams and bring the water within our door, to irrigate our lands and produce an abundance of crops. Under any circumstances a great deal depends upon our own exertion; we hunger and thirst after the bread and water of God's blessings; we can attract God's benediction upon ourselves by our sincere strivings. Many years ago in Egypt there was hardly any rainfall, the government ordered the farmers to plant a whole lot of trees all over the country, those trees brought atmospheric changes and now its annual rainfall is quite high. Similarly, God has given us the power and strength to attract His blessings and change the desert of our hearts into rose-gardens.
The remarkable growth of Spokane is another example—Fifteen years ago Spokane was a city with about thirty-six thousand inhabitants. In 1910 the population reached to nearly one hundred and five thousand. What has brought this stupendous growth? Of course you and others who live there and enjoy its beautiful scenery know the reasons better than I. My object, however, is this; we must prepare ourselves for the reception of spiritual favors, we must strive and work and be always cheerful and never get discouraged and ever be hopeful, joy-giver, hope-bringer. Soon we shall reach the height—the height of vision and beauty.
Ever your faithful brother,
Ahmad Sohrab.
