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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 Azamat 1, 72 (May 17, 1916) No. 4
Tablet to India
From Abdul-Baha to Mr. Bannerjee, the founder of the Devalaya Society in Calcutta, India
O thou wooer of Reality!
His Highness the Merciful One hath caused the appearance of the splendors of love and affinity in the world of humanity, so that the individuals of mankind might be perfectly united and the rays of unity be revealed amongst the children of man. Hence he sent forth the holy Manifestations, inspired their hearts with the contexts of the heavenly books and instituted divine religions, in order that these sanctified personages, these revealed books, these religions of God might become the means of unity and accord, love and good fellowship in the human world.
Should we study the divine religions with the perception of truth, we would then conclude that their underlying principle is the One Reality. All the religions of God are the reality. Reality does not accept multiplicity and division. But alas! that the fundamental reality is laid aside and forgotten and a catalogue of creeds, dogmas and rites have taken its place which are the basis of difference, the cause of hatred and prejudice and the establishment of the religion of God is totally forgotten and quite neglected.
When this impenetrable gloom—that is, the gloom of the traditions of forefathers and ancestors—surrounded the world and the pristine, primal light of the divine religions was changed into the darkness of the ideas of men, then the true morn dawned and the Sun of Reality (BAHA'O'LLAH) arose from the horizon of Persia, reflecting in the mirror of the world of humanity the effulgence of the heavenly unity. Thus he destroyed the foundations of the structure of blind dogmas, and man-made creeds and rituals which are the results of ignorant prejudices. It is owing to this fact that this light is spreading with the greatest rapidity in all the countries of the world. The influence of these divine teachings in the heart of the world is like the influence of the spirit over the bodies.
Consequently, through the breaths of this divine spirit, the followers of the different religions in Persia have rent asunder the veil of superstitions, are freed from the effect of unenlightened doctrines and have attained to the Beloved of Reality. These antagonistic faiths are united with the bond of perfect love and amity. For this reason great meetings are organized, in which are represented Mohammedans, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Turks, Arabs, Parsees, Persians, Kurds, English, French and Americans, who associate and mingle with each other as brothers. Like the sheep of God they are grazing in the meadow of truth under the protecting
staff of the heavenly Shepherd.
Shouldst thou reflect with the insight of reality, thou wilt observe that these antiquated and superannuated dogmas have ever been the cause of massacre and carnage amongst the nations and peoples.
As this cycle is the cycle of sciences, there must needs be new teachings, a new revelation is required and a new life is wanted. The minds and hearts refute the veracity of ancient opinions. New ideals are called for and new principles are urgently demanded which may fill the requirements of this age, be as the spirit of this century and as the light of this period.
Search, labor, investigate, work and show extraordinary effort, so that the center of the light of Reality, like unto the witness of love, may become revealed in the assemblages of mankind. Arise thou with such heavenly power and such divine confirmation as to move and stir that great continent of India.
Upon thee be greeting and praise!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Copied from Mirza Ahmad Sohrab's Diary Letter of July 7, 1914.
Extracts from Diary of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab
Dear friends: We have an old Bahai by the name of "El Yahou." His former religion had been Jewish, and his devotion to the beloved is unquestioned. The other day he went to the house wherein Abdul-Baha lives and started to weep and cry near the door. The members of the blessed family heard the crying and weeping of the man and informed Abdul-Baha of it. He called him in and consoled him, and told him that in this day no one must cry for any reason, nay rather we must be very happy and contented with our lot, and know of a certainty that the Lord of Hosts is with us, ready to restore our health and alleviate our burden. We must not let anything disturb the balance of our minds. Under all circumstances we must control our feeling, and curb our inclinations. We must fulfill our duty, attain to the highest station of perfection, and close our eyes to all imperfections. Then Abdul-Baha took pen and paper and wrote for him the following holy tablet:
"O thou my kind friend! It is my hope that through the bestowals of the Blessed Perfection thou mayest ever become assisted and confirmed, happy and joyous; that thou mayest not cry and lament, nay rather thou mayest sing and chant. It is said that the son of the glorious Friend had a wonderful melody and a sweet voice. The Psalms of David are famous and not lamentation and mourning or crying by day and night. Therefore be thou happy and let the songs and anthems of joy be on thy lips."
Our El Yahou was back in the possession of a new happiness, a new inspiration, a new serenity. We all felt his joyful vibrations and watched delightedly his calm face. Then he drew his book of poetry from his pocket and sang a stirring Bahai song with the energy and zest of a youthful singer.
October 1, 1913.
Words of Abdul-Baha:
"The greatest proof of BAHA'O'LLAH—may my life be a ransom to him—consists in the fact that he was always manifest and evident under all conditions and circumstances. He was never concealed nor was he disguised for one day. In Persia, in Bagdad, in Constantinople, in Adrianople and in the most great prison, BAHA'O'LLAH ever withstood the persecutions of the enemies and kept his own ground in the face of all the world. He never attempted to
protect or shield himself for one second. Before all nations and all religions he proclaimed his cause and declared his teachings. The foes were resisting the spread of the cause with the greatest hostility and his blessed breast was the target for an hundred thousand arrows, It is revealed in the Visiting Tablet: 'Verily I bear testimony that the eye of creation has not witnessed a wronged one like unto thee. Once thou wert surrounded by the armies of hardships, again thou wert under chains and fetters and then thou wert beneath the sword of the enemies.' Continually he was threatened with the darts and javelins of the adversaries. He cried out: 'We have burned away the veil and the shroud and are enkindled with the fire of love. Like the candle we are set aglow and like the beloved we are ever present in the gathering of the lovers.' It is well-nigh beyond belief that notwithstanding all these dangers, BAHA'O'LLAH was protected. The condition was like that of a deer: although surrounded by a hundred thousand hounds, attacking it from every side, yet protected by an invisible power."
March 7, 1914.
Words spoken by Abdul-Baha to some pilgrims who had just returned from a trip to the place of sacrifice of Elijah:
"The altar of sacrifice is the living heart of man, and not a few pieces of dead stones. The fire that came down from heaven was no other than the fire of the love of God descending from the heaven of the divine will; the bullocks are human and carnal desires and appetites which are entirely burned away by this ideal fire, leaving the spiritual altar cleansed and pure, and then celestial qualifications and attributes will take the place of former blameworthy qualities. The killing of the priests of Baal means that the enemies of truth were so filled with wrath against the triumph of the cause of righteousness that they perished by their own defeat."
". . . The Bible and the Gospel are most honored in the estimation of all the Bahais. One of the spiritual utterances of his holiness Christ in his sermon on the mount is to me preferable to all the writings of the philosophers. It is the religious duty of every Bahai to read and comprehend the meanings of the Old and New Testaments."
". . . Whosoever desires to know the history of this cause and its tenets must come to us and not go to those who are prejudiced and biased. For if the seeker for information goes to the latter people he will surely deprive himself of the real facts."
Words of Abdul-Baha to two young college men from the orient as they started west to "promote the glad tidings of the kingdom of good-will and peace":
"You are the angels of the kingdom of Abha; guide the people. You are the rays of the Sun of Reality; bestow upon them light. You are the trees of the orchard of God; produce loving fruits, You are the water of eternal life; allay the thirst of mankind. You are the guides of the royal path of the kingdom; lead the wandering ones back to the fold. On this trip, through the assistance and providence of God, you must perform miracles. Your speeches must be delivered with the utmost spirituality. . . . Speak in public meetings. God will support you. Deliver talks on universal love, the greatness of the cause of BAHA'O'LLAH, the penetration of the Word of God, and the general principles of the Revelation of BAHA'O'LLAH. I hope you will fill the minds with the tumult and acclamation of the kingdom, set aglow the hearts with the fire of reality and spread far and wide the good news of the King of eternal life. . . ."
July 19, 1914.
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. 4
News from Abdul-Baha
Contents of a postal card received by Mr. Joseph H. Hannen, from Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, dated Haifa, Feb. 26, 1916:
"I hope you and all the members of your family are well and in good health. A number of days ago I wrote you a post card from Acca with the translation of Abdul-Baha's tablet. On our return to Haifa, he has so far dictated tablets to the following: Mrs. Ella Cooper, Mrs. Magee, Mrs. Dodge and three sons, Mrs. Parsons, Miss M. Barnitz, Mrs. L. Kirchner and her associates of the Inquirers' Library. The originals of these tablets are kept here, and their translations are not signed for obvious reasons. Including Mirza Ali Kuli Khan's and Mrs. Parsons' messages in my recent letters to them, as well as Mrs. Goodall, Mr. and Mrs. Ralston, Mr. and Mrs. Latimer and son, I have mailed so far eleven tablets and two long messages. Two days ago six more tablets were dictated, to the following friends: Mrs. F. Krug, of N. Y.; Miss Nellie Raney, of Spokane; Miss Margaret Green, of Juneau, Alaska; Mr. and Mrs. Frankland, Tropico; Miss Edna McKinney, of Boston, and H. H. Topakyan, of New York. These last six will be forwarded in the course of this week, thus bringing the number of tablets up to seventeen. Is not this splendid that at last you have direct word from the source of light? Now that the door is open, I hope it may not be closed in the future. Except the number of the STAR OF THE WEST that you mailed with your last letter, I have received no other. One day Abdul-Baha asked me whether the STAR OF THE WEST was continuing its good work, or had stopped its publication. He was glad to know that its rays were not dimmed and the sphere of its activity was expanding. He hopes that in the course of future years it may become of great influence in the shaping of public opinion, its services to the world of humanity become manifold, its light penetrating, its pages mirroring forth the ideals of the kingdom, and its articles portraying the majestic progress of the Cause of God."
In Memoriam
Mrs. Lua Moore Getsinger
A CABLEGRAM from Cairo, Egypt brings sad news, it states that, "Lua Geteinger died of heart failure May first and was buried at Cairo."
Mrs. Getsinger was one of the first persons in America who realized that a Great Light was shining again from the horizon of the Holy Land. And for many years she has been a brilliant voice to proclaim the Glad Tidings.
She was married to Dr. Getsinger in 1896 and they were members of the first party from America who visited Abdul-Baha in Acca. Dr. Getsinger tells of how, on this memorable visit. Abdul-Baha seeing, with his spiritual vision, Lua Getsinger's capacity, stepped up to her and put something in her mouth. A little later he said to her: "I have given you the power to speak and loosened your tongue. 'Lua' in Persian means 'Flag' and you must be my flag and wave it in the East and the West." Then the glorious servant of God gave an exhortation, as Dr. Getsinger says: "into which he put such spiritual force and emphasis that it seemed as though the very walls trembled and we were hardly able to stand on our feet. Abdul-Baha was declaring that the millennium had come and the Kingdom of God was to be established on earth. He wanted Lua thus to proclaim it everywhere in a loud voice."
This was the first of many visits she made to the home of light at Acca. Long and carefully did Abdul-Baha in his great loving kindness tell her how to teach the Most Great Cause. She travelled far and wide in her teaching. She was often ill. In referring to one of these illnesses her husband tells how Abdul-Baha said: "I told the angel of death to stay away."
Abdul-Baha entrusted to her many missions of trust and responsibility. For instance, when "Mozaffar-ed-Din Shah, of Persia, visited Paris, Abdul-Baha sent her with a petition asking the Shah to stop the martyrdoms of Bahais in his kingdom,—which he promised to do." Her last great mission was to India.
To further quote Dr. Getsinger: "When Abdul-Baha desired further to acquaint the Maharajah of Jalowar with the Bahai teachings he sent Lua from Bombay to this enlightened personage who received her most graciously. He had invited Abdul-Baha to breakfast with him in London and is a staunch friend of the Bahai cause. The Maharajah continued to exchange letters with Lua. In all these journeys" as her husband says, "she never spared herself. Time and time again I have seen her in a state of utter exhaustion yet she would pull herself together by sheer will power in order to keep her appointments. To this perhaps many friends can testify who have had occasion to entertain her during the past ten years. She knew but little rest for Abdul-Baha had said: 'Day and night thou must engage in spreading the message. Nothing else will avail thee.' She never lost sight of her Master's business. When once a complaint was made of Lua to Abdul-Baha he turned to the person who had made it and with a benign smile, said: 'But she loves her Lord.' She was generous to a fault, depriving herself often that others might have. She had a rare vitalizing power in serving others. She spoke with ease and brilliance and feared no one in debate. Her gift from Abdul-Baha made her confident and victorious."
She returned from her mission to India in January, 1915, spent seven months with Abdul-Baha's family at Haifa and there sailed in trying times on an American warship to Cairo. But much of the
time in Cairo she was ill with that illness that at last permitted her to ascend into the "city of light."
Thus passed a brilliant maid-servant of God from the service of the earth world to that of the unseen Kingdom.
The Editors.
Mrs. Fannie Dunn
ON March 9, 1916, Mrs. Fannie Dunn, wife of Hyde Dunn, passed on.
With the passing of Mrs. Dunn the San Francisco Assembly registered its first "In Memoriam,"—an occasion of quickened human sadness, but a season of great spiritual illumination.
In Bahai experience the San Francisco Assembly has indeed had its days of beginning, days of feebleness, when in very truth but two or three would gather together. But, whether in those days or these of greater fullness, none has woven more closely the bonds of love and steadfastness than Hyde Dunn. Of him, it was conceded that he was kind and served with love.
To his good wife, the object of his yearning and devotion, for a long time the "tales of the past" were the words of leading; for her, the Hidden Words were still a sealed book.
The sign of love is patience.
Then came the days of the end: The pilgrimage in "the valley of the shadow" was long, painful, overburdened. Bahai arms upheld the stricken one; Bahai love whispered "Be strong!"
Praise be to God, as the journey shortened, the Light became clearer, brighter, purer, and in the finality the dominance of the Spirit heralded a triumph which despoiled death of its prowess and the grave of its victory!
The end was glorious: It was Bahai. To the Assembly, this consecration of the first fruits was a wonderful teaching, a conviction that "freedom from the riches of self" is the wealth that transforms "My Calamity into My Providence," whereby the Children of the Spirit become " the Stars of My Omnipresence forever."
"Herein there is no death, no trouble, no burden."
BAHAI ASSEMBLY,
San Francisco, April 18, 1916.
Letter from India
Received by Miss Martha L. Root
Bahai Assembly, Mandalay,
Nov. 27, 1915.
Miss M. L. Root,
Pittsburgh, Pa.
My dear spiritual sister in his supreme Covenant of love and servitude: With utmost pleasure and heartfelt thanks, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed favor so kindly and affectionately sent after your return home, acknowledging the receipt of my registered letter with its enclosure—the tablet from Abdul-Baha.
It was read in the assembly. A copy of it was sent to Rangoon friends, and also a translation of same to Kungyangon Bahais. All expressed their pleasure and thanks exceedingly, which they asked me to convey to you. Really, we are missing you in all our assemblies, and remember you for your pure love, affection and most high qualities. In the letter of sister Agnes Alexander from Japan with your group photograph, which she so kindly sent to us, we had the good news of your excellent
[Page 31]
health, your high services in the holy
cause, and your movement towards your
home, for which we have expressed our
due thanks to her. Really, I have no
words at my command to express my
heartfelt love and thanks to you for your
kindly mentioning this humble servant's
name and address to so many Bahai
friends of every country visited by you.
I know I am not worthy to be mentioned
in the exalted presence of holy souls, nor
am I deserving of such kindness bestowed
by you and the spiritual friends.
I have no such good qualities, nor do I
possess any knowledge. I am in need
of your prayers so that, please God, I
may become a useful servant to the
world of humanity and be enabled to
abolish the differences of nationality, of
race, dogma and creed. These prejudices
are the chief cause for preventing
mankind from uniting and harmonizing
with each other. Nay rather it is a destructive
power, creating malice, hatred
and animosity toward his own kind and
brother. This is the world-wide disease
of the present day, and a great sickness
of the world of humanity—for the remedy
of which so many holy and divine
doctors have already come and are still
coming. But this extraordinary creature,
man, abuses the remedy and treatment;
contradicts, laughs, scorns and rejects
the medicine. We cannot heal
these various chronic diseases, except
through divine confirmation and assistance.
Indeed, I am most grateful to you for sending me the prayer from Mirza Ahmad Sohrab's Diary, and to the dear friends of God, who have also so kindly sent me the Bahai hymns, which are more than sufficient for the present; also some papers on Esperanto—the future probable language of mankind—and the exalted Bahai News, the STAR OF THE WEST. . . . I am sorry to say that although my dear brother, Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, has sent me many copies of the STAR OF THE WEST before and after my arrival from the Holy Land, yet I am unable to procure more subscribers for the paper owing to the war and not traveling anywhere at present. I am exceedingly glad to express my utmost thanks to him and to the Bahai News Service.
I am sorry to inform you of the loss of our good and beautiful friend Agha-Syed-Ismail-Shirazi of Rangoon. He ascended to the Supreme Concourse with the wings of faith and spiritual deeds on the forenoon of the 14th of August, 1915. This was a great blow to the friends and relatives. May God bless his soul and may he rest and repose at the threshold of the gate of His Holy Throne. His father was unconscious for many days, owing to old age, and as they summoned me to Rangoon immediately after his last breath, I went at once, and arranged everything in order, and consoled the survivors. Now all of them are in the utmost tranquillity and rest.
All are conveying to your good self and to the brothers and sisters in your region, their best love, Bahai affection and greetings.
Please accept and convey my Bahai love and affection, also excellent greetings and thanks to all friends of God.
Owing to the present difficulties in the western world—upon which all our assemblies are praying the descent of divine mercy and peace—I cannot communicate to all addresses, so kindly sent me by you. I tender my apology and ask forgiveness.
With pure spiritual love and affection for you, my dear sister in Abha's Covenant,
Ever yours affectionately,
Syed Mustafa.
Baha'o'llah in Chains in Teheran
Extracts from a talk given by Abdul-Baha at Los Angeles, Saturday evening, October 19, 1912
THE Blessed Beauty (BAHA'O'LLAH) appeared in Persia, in Teheran. He was in the utmost of ease and affluence. He was most influential and surrounded with luxury. All the pleasures of the transitory world were provided for him, and all the grandees of Persia longed to enjoy the influence and affluence, the things of wealth and position of BAHA'O'LLAH. But consider that he suffered all these things to be separated from him. He sacrificed his honor, his fame and his station amongst men, sacrificing all, even his life. Ever was he subjected to the sword, and many were the ordeals which he endured, and many were the indignities to which he was subjected. How many nights he passed beneath chains, how many days in dark dungeons!
When I visited the dungeon in Teheran, as a child, in order to see BAHA'O'LLAH—when the door was opened there were some steps leading down into the place. They took me as far as midway. I peered through the darkness; I could not find anyone; it was exceedingly gloomy. Then I heard the blessed voice saying, "Take him away." When I heard his voice I tried to see the Blessed Beauty, but because of the great darkness I could not. Then I was taken out; they seated me. They said it was customary about midday to take the prisoners out for their meals; so there I sat. About noon the jailers were all ready and the prisoners were taken out. I saw BAHA'O'LLAH'S neck in chains, and another, both chained to the same links, a link about his neck and another about the person who was chained with him. The weight of the chain was so excessive that his neck was bent; he walked with great difficulty, and he was in a very sad condition. His clothes were tattered and battered; even the hat on his head was torn. He was in the most severe ordeal and his health was quite visibly failing. They brought me and seated me, and they took him to the place where there was a pond, in order that he might wash his face. After that they took him back to the dungeon and, although I was a child, I was so overcome I was unconscious. And then BAHA'O'LLAH said, "Take the child to the house," therefore I was taken away.
This shows one of the ordeals of his life, and you can judge of the others accordingly. During fifty years, many were his vicissitudes. He suffered all these catastrophes for us, that we may turn to God; that we may attain to faith; that we may attain to certainty; that we may act in accordance with his teachings that we may be the cause of the illumination of the world; that we may be the means of guiding the people. And now I wish that you in the light of these sufferings of the Blessed Beauty for our guidance, for our illumination—likewise may be self-sacrificing. We must not forget his favors; we must not forget his troubles; we must not forget his catastrophes. We must ever remember them, striving that perchance, in thanksgiving for these favors, we may offer worthy service; we may be the cause of guiding the people; we may act in accordance with his instructions; we may live in accordance with his behests; we may forget ourselves; and that, like those holy souls who have sacrificed their lives, we may sacrifice our lives; we may be the cause of the heavenly peace; be the cause of the spreading of his fragrances; be the cause of the spread of his teachings. His teachings are the cause of the life of humanity; his teachings unify mankind; his teachings render eternal honor to man; his teachings are the cause of the sublimity of human nature; his teachings cause man to attain to progress and prosperity. His teachings are conducive to man's entrance into the Kingdom of Salvation.
