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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. VIII Ola 1, 73 (March 2, 1918) No. 19
"This is the conduct and manners of the people of Baha'."
Words of Abdul-Baha: Compiled from the Tablets of Abdul-Baha, pages indicated.
O YE sanctified souls! It is the time of firmness and steadfastness and the period of arising in the service of the Word of God, for the Blessed City (Acca) is environed from all directions with the tempestuous waves of tests and trials and the sweeping hurricanes of persecutions and hardships are blowing and roaring high. The joy and happiness of the heart of Abdul-Baha depends upon the stability and constancy of the believers. For they must live and act in accord with the divine advices and exhortations and show forth to each other the power of the perfection of love with infinite accord and unity, so that they may become the embodiment of one existence, the waves of one sea, the myrtles of one rose-garden, the rays of one sun, the stars of one horizon, the fruits of one tree and the birds of one meadow.
Likewise, they must treat with and behave toward all the governments, nations, communities, kings and subjects with the utmost sincerity, trustworthiness, straightforwardness, love and kindness. Even they must make hopeful a bloodthirsty enemy, show sympathy with the utmost faithfulness and honor to the perfidious unjust, know the ill-wisher as the well-wisher and torment not the sinner with reproaches. Should they become the targets of a thousand arrows of persecution, they must challenge it with love and friendship and treat every one with purity of purpose and kindness.
O ye friends of God! Show ye an endeavor that all the nations and communities of the world, even the enemies, put their trust, assurance and hope in you; that if a person falls into errors for a hundred-thousand times he may yet turn his face to you, hopeful that you will forgive his sins; for he must not become hopeless, neither grieved nor despondent. This is the conduct and the manners of the people of Baha'. This is the foundation of the most high pathway! Ye should conform your conduct and manners with the advices of Abdul-Baha. (pp. 435, 436.)
If any one of you enters a city he must become the center of attraction because of the sincerity, faithfulness, love, honesty, fidelity, truthfulness and loving-kindness of his disposition and nature toward all the inhabitants of the world, that the people of the city may all cry out: "This person is unquestionably a Bahai; for his manners, his behavior, his conduct, his morals, his nature and his disposition are of the attributes of the Bahais." Until you do attain to this station, you have not fulfilled the Covenant and the Testament of God. For according to the irrefutable texts, he has taken from us a firm covenant that we may live and act in accord with
the divine exhortations, commands and lordly teachings. (p. 42.)
Arise with every power to assist the Covenant of God and serve in his vineyard. Be confident that a confirmation will be granted unto you and a success on his part is given unto you. Verily, he shall support you by the angels of his holiness and reinforce you with the breaths of the spirit that ye may enter the Ark of Safety, set forth the evident signs, impart the spirit of life, declare the essence of his commands and precepts, guide the sheep who are straying from the fold in all directions, and give the blessings. Ye have to use every effort in your power and strive earnestly and wisely in this new century. By God, verily the Lord of Hosts is your support, the angels of heaven your assistance, the Holy Spirit your companion and the Center of the Covenant your helper. Be not idle, but active and fear not. . . . . Ye are now in a great station and noble rank and ye shall find yourselves in evident success and prosperity, the like of which the eye of existence never saw in former ages. El-Baha and salutations be upon every one who is firm in the Covenant, free from dissension, sanctified from deceits and steadfast in the path. (p. 162.)
Habits of Prayer in the Orient
From Diary of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, October 3, 1913.
HERE in the East everybody arises very early so that between five and six o'clock we are all out of our beds with the words, "Allah-o-Abha," on our lips, greeting each other. There are four customs that have impressed me deeply and are significant signs of the religious nature of these people.
First: Their uniform early rising. Although in the West it is taught, "Early to bed and early to rise," it is seldom practiced.
Second: No sooner do they open their eyes than the holy name of God is upon their lips, thanking him for all his past graces and future bestowals.
Third: Their quiet, solitary prayer and concentration lasting from ten to thirty minutes according to the religious spirit of the individual.
Fourth: As soon as they have finished their individual prayer and before taking their breakfast they assemble in the reception room and pray to God, read communes or chant tablets. They will then, refreshed by the spiritual food, gather around the table to partake of the material breakfast.
The Divine Art of Living
A COMPILATION BY MRS. MARY M. RABB
(Chapter I appeared in issue No. 16; Chapter II in No. 18, Vol. VII—Chapter III appeared in issue No. 2; Chapter IV in No. 4; Chapter V in No. 6; Chapter VI in No. 8; first portion of Chapter VII in No. 10, continued in No. 11; Chapter VIII in No. 18; first portion of Chapter IX in No. 18, Vol. VIII.)
CHAPTER IX—Continued
Tests
AS TO trials (tests in the path of God), verily, they are necessary. Hast thou not heard and read how there appeared trials from God in the day of Jesus, and thereafter, and how the whirlwind of tests became severe? Even the glorious Peter was not rescued from the flame of trials, and wavered. Then he repented and mourned the mourning of a bereaved one and his lamentations raised unto the Supreme Concourse. Is it, then, possible to be saved from the trials of
God? No, verily. There is a great wisdom therein of which no one is aware save the wise and knowing. Were it not for tests, genuine gold could not be distinguished from the counterfeit. Were it not for tests, the courageous could not be known from the coward. Were it not for tests, the people of faithfulness could not be known from those of selfishness. Were it not for tests, the intellects and faculties of the scholars in the great colleges would not be developed. Were it not for tests, the sparkling gems could not be known from worthless pebbles. Were it not for tests, the fisherman could not be distinguished from Annas and Caiaphas who were amid glory (worldly dignity).
Were it not for tests the face of Mary, the Magdalene, would not glisten with the light of firmness and certainty unto all the horizons. These are some of the mysteries of tests which we have unfolded unto thee that thou mayest become cognizant of the mysteries of God in every cycle. Verily, I pray God to illumine the faces as pure gold in the fire of tests.
(Abdul-Baha: From Tablet to an American believer, December 23, 1902.)
Verily, I read thy latest letter, and my great love welled forth unto thee on account of its wonderful contents. Verily, it showed thy firmness in the Cause of God and that thou wilt resist great tests in the future. . . .
As to thee, make firm the footsteps of the believers of God on this right path, and say, verily, the test has a great power and when its storms wax fierce they uproot everything, even large and well-rooted trees and they wreck great ships on the ocean.
But whosoever among the maid-servants of God firmly resists a great test, her face shall gleam and her brow shall glitter in the Supreme Concourse. This is what we inform thee, so that when the test appears thou mayest be heedful thereof, and mayst remind the maid-servants of God that the tests have also occurred in former dispensations, even at the time of Christ.
Christ said, "Fast, so that you may not fall into temptation." Verily, tests withheld a great apostle (Judas) from the mercy of God and made him take part in the shedding of the blood of Jesus. Tests made Peter, the apostle, deny Jesus Christ. Tests made the brothers of Jesus deny him. Many a just, faithful and assured soul did not endure the power of tests but turned backward, until they reached the lowest of the low.
(Abdul-Baha: Daily Lessons; pp. 97, 98.)
Be thou resolute and steadfast. When the tree is firmly rooted it will bear fruit, therefore it is not permitted to be agitated by any test. Be thou not disheartened! Be thou not discouraged! The trials of God are many, but if man remains firm and steadfast the test itself is a stepping-stone for the progress of humanity.
(Abdul-Baha.)
The rain does not stop. I have been intending every day to go up the mountain, but I have been detained on account of the rain. This is the rainy season. If the rain does not pour down, if the wind does not blow, if the storm and tempest do not rage, the soul-refreshing springtime will not appear. If the clouds do not weep the meadows will not laugh. The hurricane and tornado, the cyclone and the blast are the harbingers of the spring.
Likewise, were there no tests and trials, no hardships and afflictions the attraction of the hearts could not be realized, the spiritual fragrances could not be obtained, nor could merciful happiness be acquired and the beauties of the celestial springtime would not have been disclosed.
(Abdul-Baha: From Diary of Mirza Sohrab, January 10, 1914.)
STAR OF THE WEST
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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. VIII
No. 19
If thy daily living become difficult, soon thy Lord will bestow upon thee that which shall satisfy thee. Be patient in the time of affliction and trial, endure every difficulty and hardship with a dilated heart, attracted spirit and eloquent tongue in remembrance of the Merciful. Verily, this is the life of satisfaction, of spiritual existence, heavenly repose, divine benediction and of the celestial table. Soon thy Lord will extenuate thy straightened circumstances even in this world.
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha; p. 98.)
Thou hast manifested joy at the freedom of Abdul-Baha. This happiness came from thy great love. There is no doubt that the friends have become joyful on account of the liberation of Abdul-Baha. But I was thankful for this prison in the path of God and the lack of liberty was very pleasing to me, for those days were passed in the path of the love of God with the utmost difficulty and trials, bearing fruits and results. Unless one accept suffering, undergo trials and endure vicissitudes he will reap no reward nor will he attain success and prosperity. Therefore, thou must likewise endure great tests so that the infinite divine outpourings may encircle thee and that thou mayest be assisted in spreading the fragrances of God. Behold the apostles of His Highness, Christ! They accepted all trials and persecutions and received all kinds of oppression and trouble until they became assisted by great bestowals and confirmed in the guidance of the people.
(Abdul-Baha: From a Tablet.)
My happiness was complete in those dark days of imprisonment and vicissitude. I was happier than now, because I had no will of my own. I was perfectly resigned. The life of this world is only a few days. Whether happy or unhappy, in freedom or in bonds, healthy or ill, in comfort or in poverty,—they will pass away. The one who is established on the throne and the one sitting on the mat—both will cease to exist here.
(Abdul-Baha: From Diary of Mirza Sohrab, April 1, 1914.)
It is for the weak ones to endure the tests but for souls like you, it is very easy. It is my hope that during the time of tests thou mayest remain in the utmost firmness and steadfastness, so that like unto a lamp thou mayest be protected within the glass, and be not extinguished by the blowing of winds.
(Abdul-Baha: From Tablet to an American believer; translated August 4, 1911.)
The higher our station is, the nearer we are to God and the more severe do our tests become; when we have received great blessings, we are apt to become self-confident and think that we are secure from falling, and then is our danger great.
(Abdul-Baha: Notes of Miss E. J. Rosenberg, Acca, 1901.)
Rest assured in the protection of God. He will preserve his own children under all circumstances. Be ye not afraid nor be ye agitated. He holds the scepter of power in his hand, and like unto a hen he gathereth his chickens under his wings. "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the sun. A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to keep silent and a time to speak." Now, friends, this is the time of assurance and faith and not fear and dread.
(Abdul-Baha: From Diary of Mirza Sohrab, June 5, 1914.)
These people who called on us today were in a state of fright. They are expecting daily the bombardment of Haifa by the foreign warships. As soon as they see a little moving speck in the horizon of the sea, they look through their glasses, anxiously scanning to see whether these are the expected cruisers. Their hearts are in a state of anxiety. They are terror-stricken. They have no peace of mind. This is one of the signs of absence of faith. It is stated in the Koran: "They imagine every cry raised is an enemy unto them." For example, when a thief enters a house, the least noise causes his flight. He trembles and quakes.
But the hearts of the people of faith are assured. If they are surrounded by a thousand enemies they stand firm on their ground. The greatest divine bounty is a confident heart. When the heart is confident, all the trials of the world will be as child's play. Should they throw him into prison, should they cast him into a black well, should they heap upon him all manner of afflictions, still his heart is content, peaceful and assured.
(Abdul-Baha: From Diary of Mirza Sohrab, October 18, 1914.)
To enter the Kingdom is easy, but to remain firm and constant is difficult. The planting of trees is easy but their cultivation and training to strengthen their roots and to make them firm is difficult. Now, as thou art a firm tree, thou shalt certainly grow and send out branches, leaves and blossoms and bear fruits. These branches, leaves, blossoms and fruits are the souls who may be guided, through the providence of God, by thee.
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha, p. 105.)
Man must seek to gain the acceptance of God and not that of the different classes of men. If one is praised and chosen by God, the accusation of all the creatures will cause no loss to him; and if a man is not accepted at the Threshold of God the praise and admiration of all men will be of no use to him.
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha; p. 158.)
Thou hast written concerning the tests that have come upon thee. To the sincere ones, tests are as a gift from God, the Exalted, for a heroic person hasteneth, with the utmost joy and gladness, to the tests of a violent battlefield, but the coward is afraid and trembles and utters moaning and lamentation. Likewise, an expert student prepareth and memorizeth his lessons and exercises with the utmost effort, and in the day of examination he appeareth with infinite joy before the master. Likewise the pure gold shineth radiantly in the fire of test.
Consequently, it is made clear that for holy souls, trials are as the gift of God, the Exalted; but for weak souls they are an unexpected calamity. This test is just as thou hast written: it removeth the rust of egotism from the mirror of the heart until the Sun of Truth may shine therein. For, no veil is greater than egotism and no matter how thin that covering may be, yet it will finally veil man entirely and prevent him from receiving a portion of the eternal bounty.
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha; p. 722.)
Be not sorrowful on account of the affliction of Abdul-Baha, for calamity is a light whereby his face glistens among the Supreme Concourse; affliction is healing to his breast, joy to his heart, happiness to his soul; nay, rather, a most honored garment upon his temple, best gown upon his body, and dearest crown on his head. This is his utmost desire.
(Abdul-Baha: Tablet to Johnstown Bahai Assembly; translated June 24, 1902.)
Ye have expressed words of solicitude and anxiety over the troubles and persecutions which have fallen upon this imprisoned one. Do not be at all sad, be ye not affected. Do not worry, for incarceration to this prisoner is a feast of bliss and a perpetual paradise. Persecutions and adversities are the merciful gifts. If these persecutions and sufferings did not exist in the path of God, how could Abdul-Baha obtain happiness and peace? Through the appearance of tests, my heart is consoled, and through the experiencing of dire afflictions my soul is calmed.
(Abdul-Baha: From Tablet to Oakland Assembly; translated July 17, 1908.)
Haji Kamaleddin was one of God's own servants, severed from aught else save him, enkindled, trusting in God and free from every tie. Before accepting this Cause, he was much respected and honored in Narag. When he embraced this Cause, they pursued him with such dogged perseverance and enmity that he was finally obliged to leave his native land and come to Bagdad. Having arrived, he found himself in most difficult circumstances. and in great need of his daily bread. Being a man of letters, he had never essayed any work; but putting aside his pride, he opened—with a small capital given to him—a little grocery shop at the entrance to the curious boat-shaped bridge of the Euphrates, where multitudes of people cross and recross daily. Not for one moment did he think of his noble connections nor brood over his former position of leisure, ease and worldly honor. He never bothered his mind over what his many countrymen might think who passed yearly by his store to visit the Holy Shrine of the Imams in Najaf and Karbala; nay, rather, he sat there serene and with the happiness of the Kingdom and the joy of heaven in his heart. The spiritual station of that household will become evident in the future. Whenever he would hear that the Blessed Perfection had gone to Kazemain, although the distance was several miles and the weather hot, he would immediately shut his store and start for that town afoot. Although at that time one could hire a donkey for five cents yet he could not very well afford this lavish expenditure. Nevertheless you never saw him cross or bad-tempered. He was a source of delight and happiness to all. Such souls are the bright gems in the crown of existence.
(Abdul-Baha: From Diary of Mirza Sohrab, June 21, 1914.)
Grieve not at the divine trials. Be not troubled because of hardships and ordeals; turn unto God, bowing in humbleness
and praying to him, while bearing every ordeal, contented under all conditions and thankful in every difficulty. Verily, thy Lord loveth his maid-servants who are patient, believing and firm. He draws them nigh to him through these ordeals and trials.
Be not sorrowful on account of the departure of thy good son. He hath indeed departed from this narrow and gloomy world which is darkened by unlimited sorrow, unto the Kingdom which is spacious, illumined, joyous and beautiful. God delivered him from this dark well and promoted him unto the Supreme Height! He gave him wings whereby he soared to the heaven of happiness. Verily, this is the great mercy from him who is precious and forgiving.
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha; page 51.)
We are living in a day when so many people rely wholly or solely upon matter. They imagine that the size of a great ship, that the perfection of the machinery or the skill of a captain will ensure the safety of a vessel. These things (referring to the recent sinking of the magnificent steamship, the Titanic, through the collision with an iceberg) take place sometimes that men may know that there is a Protector and that is God. If God protects man, if it be his will, a little ship sometimes escapes death, but if he shall rely solely on a ship, though it be the greatest, biggest ship, though it may be well built, though the captain be the best captain, yet in a danger such as was present on the ocean it may not survive or escape, so that the people of the world may know that they must turn to the One who is the Protector. So that souls may rely upon the preservation of God and that they may know that he is the real Keeper. These events do sometimes occur for such reasons as those stated. They take place in order that man's faith may increase. . . . .
But let no one imagine that these words should lead men to think that they must not be thorough in their undertakings. God has endowed man with intelligence, so that he may use his intelligence. Therefore, he must supply himself with all that science can offer. He must be most deliberate and most careful. He must be ever thorough in his undertakings. He must build a thing well, build the best ship that his ingenuity can lead him to, and employ the most skilled captain, but with all that let him rely upon God. Let him consider God as the One Keeper.
(Abdul-Baha: Star of the West; Vol. 3, No. 3, p. 15.)
"I have heard thy cries and am conscious of thy tears. Remember at all times and in all places that God is faithful and do not doubt this. Be patient even though great calamities may come upon thee. Yet fear not! Be firm in the path of thy Lord; as a mountain unmoved, unchanging in thy steadfastness."
These words were written by Baha'o'llah to Mirza Haider Ali to strengthen him during great persecutions. In his early days Mirza Haider Ali traveled from city to city in Persia proclaiming with great wisdom and love the glad tidings of the new and divine day which was dawning upon the earth. But the fanatical religious leaders to whom the vision of universal brotherhood and peace was too bright to be endured soon persecuted him with terrible bitterness. At one time he was beaten and driven through the streets of a city by a wild and howling mob. During this experience he cried out, "This is my triumphal procession." Again he was transported from one prison to another in a very cruel fashion. His hands and feet were tied and he was put in a bag, head downward, and flung across the back of a donkey. Another Bahai was put in a bag on the donkey's other side. The head of each of the prisoners dragged
on the sand as the donkey was driven the long journey over the desert. Mirza Haider Ali sang gaily as they went along. The guard whipped him unmercifully, saying, "Now, will you sing?" Mirza Haider Ali replied, "I will sing more gladly than ever because you have given me the pleasure of enduring something for the sake of God."
For twelve years Mirza Haider Ali was a prisoner in Khartoum, Egypt. The dungeon-room in which he was confined had a tiny window through which the sun shone but one hour a day. For one precious hour every day Mirza Haider Ali read with glowing heart the Tablets of Baha'o'llah. The rest of the day he was in the twilight. But he concentrated his spirit upon the glory of God so perfectly that each day he grew more saintly.
When, in later years, he was asked by Miss Stevens why the Bahais all looked so happy (she was thinking especially of the radiant joy in his face), he replied, "Sometimes we have surface troubles, but that cannot touch our happiness. The hearts of those who belong to the Kingdom are like the sea. When the wind is rough it troubles the surface of the water; but two meters down there is perfect calmness."
(Fortnightly Review, June 1911.)
Mrs. Lua Getsinger was one day in Acca. A western woman was there also and she was telling Abdul-Baha, all about her troubles. This was a strange thing to do for usually people when they enter the presence of Abdul-Baha are so filled with the contagion of his radiant love that they think only of their blessings. Abdul-Baha with great kindness listened for a half hour to the western woman's troubles; they were really not very big troubles. At last he arose, and said he had another engagement and must be going. "But there," he said, pointing out of the window, "goes a man whom I will bring in to see you. His name is Mirza Haider Ali. We call him the 'Angel of Mount Carmel.' He walks on earth but he lives in heaven. He has had many troubles and he will tell you about them." Abdul-Baha went out, but quickly returned with Mirza Haider Ali whom he presented to the woman, and then departed.
The "Angel of Mount Carmel" with great humility and sweetness of manner began to talk with the woman of the luminous century in which we live and the divine age that is to be. She listened for a while, impatiently, and at last broke in with, "But Abdul-Baha said you would tell me about your troubles." Mirza Haider Ali looked up in amazement.
"Troubles?" he replied, "why madam, I never had any troubles. I don't know what troubles are."
O ye beloved of God! When the winds blow severely, rains fall fiercely, the lightning flashes, the thunder roars, the bolts descend and storms of trial become severe, grieve not; for after this storm, verily, the divine spring will arrive, the hills and fields will become verdant, the expanses of grain will joyfully wave, the earth will become covered with blossoms, the trees will be clothed with green garments and adorned with blossoms and fruits. Thus blessings become manifest in all countries. These favors are results of those storms and hurricanes.
The discerning man rejoiceth at the day of trials, his breast becometh dilated at the time of severe storms, his eyes become brightened when seeing the showers of rain and gusts of wind whereby trees are uprooted; because he foreseeth the result and the end,—the leaves, blossoms and fruits; while the ignorant person becometh troubled when he seeth a storm, is saddened when it raineth severely, is terrified by the thunder and trembleth at the surging of the waves which storm the shore.
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha, p. 13.)
End of Volume VIII
