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STAR OF THE WEST
O ye children of the Kingdom!
IT is New Year; that is to say, the rounding of the cycle of the year. A year is the expression of a cycle (of the sun); but now is the beginning of a cycle of Realty, a New Cycle, a New Age, a New Century, a New Time and a New Year. Therefore, it is very blessed.
I wish this blessing to appear and become manifest in the faces and characteristics of the believers, so that they, too, may become a new people, and having found new life and been baptized with fire and spirit, may make the world a new world, to the end that the old earth may disappear and the new earth appear; old ideas depart and new thoughts come; old garments be cast aside and new garments put on; ancient politics whose foundation is war be discarded
CMR
and modern politics founded on peace raise the standard of victory; the new star shine and gleam and the new sun illumine and radiate; new flowers bloom; the new spring become known; the new breeze blow; the new bounty descend; the new tree give forth new fruit; the new voice become raised and this new sound reach the ears, that the new may follow the new, and all the old furnishings and adornments be cast aside and new decorations put in their places.
I desire for you all that you may have this great assistance and partake of this great bounty, and that in spirit and heart you may strive and endeavor until the world of war become the world of peace; the world of darkness the world of light; satanic conduct be turned into heavenly behavior; the ruined places become built up; the sword be turned into the olive branch; the flash of hatred become the flame of the love of God and the noise of the gun the voice of the Kingdom; the soldiers of death the soldiers of life; all the nations of the world one nation; all races as one race; and all national anthems harmonized into one melody.
Then this material realm will be paradise, the earth heaven, and the world of satan become the world of angels.
ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(This Tablet was revealed for the American believers in 1906, who had sent Abdul-Baha, a New Year's greeting. From Tablets of Abdul-Baha, p. 38.)
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. IX Baha 1, 74 (March 21, 1918) No. 1
The Bahai Movement
BY JEAN MASSON
HISTORICALLY, the Bahai Movement is the most dramatic movement of the age. Spiritually, it is the most dynamic. It compels attention as the effective, permanent solution—the only solution—of the horrific problems with which the world grapples in its hour of unspeakable tragedy. It is the movement that makes for internationalism, universal peace, social reorganization.
Three figures, brilliant, impressive, stand forth in the movement, against the dark background of the world: The Bab, Baha'o'llah, Abdul-Baha*.
In 1844, the Báb proclaimed the coming of the Universal Teacher of men. For his courage and his unconquerable faith he was martyred in 1850.
Baha'o'llah we recognize as he whose coming the Báb heralded; as be anticipated by all the prophetic books; as the revelator of a Message, powerful enough to penetrate every country in the world; so sublimely universal in its concept as to include all nations, all races—all humanity.
Abdul-Baha is the interpreter for the world of the Message of Baha'o'llah—the "Center of His Covenant," the "Greatest Branch."
A hostile world greeted the Message of Baha'o'llah. For forty years, from 1852 until his death, in 1892, he dwelt in exile and, finally, imprisonment, in the Turkish penal colony of Acca, Syria.
A proclamation of human liberty and justice and internationalism seemed, to the nineteenth century, visionary, fanatical, seditious, revolutionary. Today, by countless multitudes, Baha'o'llah is acclaimed, around whom is evolving—is revolving—a, new dispensation, a new cycle, a new order of civic righteousness, a new world, glorified through love.
And the Message of Baha'o'llah?
Baha'o'llah taught the actual oneness of the religions of the world; the oneness of all humanity; the universal brotherhood of man, universal peace; the perfect harmony of religion and science. He enjoined men to search diligently for truth and to abolish all prejudices, religious, national, racial, social. He proclaimed the equality of the sexes, commanding equal educational advantages for both, besides vast equitable social readjustments, the equalization of the means of livelihood, and the complete establishment of justice among men. Also,
- *The Bab, Arabic for the Gate or Door.
- Baha'o'llah, Arabic for the Glory of God.
- Abdul-Baha, Arabic for the Servant of Baha.
he proclaimed the urgency of a universal language to bring men into closer fellowship and mutual understanding. He emphasized the incumbency of a Parliament of Man—a universal tribunal of justice or arbitration for the adjustment of international affairs. And, unequivocally, he taught the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of humanity.
Here we have the basic principles of the Revelation of Baha'o'llah, the substructure of an edifice of marvelous beauty and perfection—the embodiment of the great new world civilization.
"The essence of the teachings of His Holiness, Baha'o'llah, is universal love, which comprehendeth all the virtues of the world of humanity, is the cause of eternal life and of the progress of all the individuals of the human race."*
For the promulgation of such exalted sentiments, Baha'o'llah was officially condemned, officially persecuted. It is a bewildering world that stones its prophets, crucifies its saviors.
Now, the essential feature of the Bahai Revelation is what is known among Bahais as the "Most Great Characteristic"—the station of Abdul-Baha, the leader of the movement today, the "Center of the Covenant" of Baha'o'llah, to whom all Bahais, the world over, turn for inspiration, for guidance and instruction. For he alone is the interpreter of the great Message.
"Behold the man whose name is The Branch!"†
Abdul-Baha was born in 1844 on the day of the Bab's proclamation. At the age of eight he accompanied his father into exile. In 1908, at the age of sixty-four, he emerged from prison, white-haired, bearing the eloquent traces of the long years of persecution.
Where, in all history, in all literature, will you find such a record of faith, yes, of divinity, as the record of the lives of Baha'o'llah and Abdul-Baha?
Great souls, so intellectually endowed, they might have held high governmental positions, yet they chose the path of complete deprivation and renunciation. Travellers were they in the "White Path and the Red Support."‡
The Bahai Movement, supremely exemplified by the transcendent lives of its great leaders, signifies the practical application of the Christ teachings in conformity with the requirements of the times.
And, today, despite the human carnage, perhaps, because of it, the Movement goes forward, a mighty undercurrent in the affairs of men, which nothing can resist. For "it is the spirit of the age."
In every country in the world are Bahais, who believe implicitly in the divine mission of Baha'o'llah and Abdul-Baha and the creative power of their utterances to transform the hearts.
America has many working assemblies for the propagation of the Movement. Near Chicago will be erected the first universal Temple of Worship of the occident, the Mashrak-el-Azkar, under the great dome of which shall come together, in worship of the one God, all nations and all races.
The Bahai Movement is creative of universal love, of universal peace.
* Abdul-Baha. † Zech. 6:12, 13. ‡Baha'o'llah.
"Baha'o'llah is the Promised One expected by all nations"
A COMPILATION BY MRS. MARY M. RABB
From the Words of Baha'o'llah and Abdul-Baha, in Books and Tablets indicated.
THE promised one of all the nations of the world has become apparent and manifest. Each community and religion expects the coming of their promised one, and his highness, Baha'o'llah, is the promised one of all. Therefore, the Cause of Baha'o'llah is conducive to harmony, raises the canopy of the oneness of the kingdom of humanity upon the apex of the contingent beings, and unfurls the ensign of universal brotherhood and ideal commonwealth upon the summit of the hills and mountains.
(Words of Abdul-Baha: Extract from Tablet revealed for an American Bahai; translated by Mirza Sohrab, December 14, 1908).
Praise be to God, he hath appeared with a luminous countenance. Verily, the promised one is his highness, Baha'o'llah, who hath dawned from the eastern horizons like unto a glorious sun and hath diffused the rays of the most great guidance (i. e., the heavenly teachings), in all the countries of the world.
(Words of Abdul-Baha: Extract from Tablet to Los Angeles assembly of Bahais; translated July 10, 1913.)
All the prophets, during their appearance, announced to the people the coming of another prophet and recorded a sign for the subsequent manifestation, as stated in the books.
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Book of Ighan, p. 9.)
Regarding the appearance of Christ, there were many prophecies in the Bible which foretold his coming. . . . . The teachings of Moses were like a seed, but when the seed grew into a plant and bore blossom, then fruit—the fruit signified Christ, who was the result of all the teachings of Moses. . . . As to the Manifestation (Baha'o'llah) all the religious books in the world bear witness to him. The Magis have resisted the Mohammedans for nearly 1400 years, refusing to accept Mohammedanism, and suffered great persecutions. They accept and believe in the Manifestation (Baha'o'llah), because of the prophecies of their books. The Jews would not accept Christ, but, because they see their Bible prophecies literally fulfilled, they are becoming believers in great numbers. All of the Koran bears witness to the coming of God. It is said: "O people, you will meet God in the flesh; you will visit him."
(Words of Abdul-Baha: From notes of Mrs. Sarah Herron, 1900).
O thou who art looking for the Kingdom of God! Thy letter was considered. Glad tidings be unto thee for thy supreme wish became manifest in the assemblage of the world. The spacious Kingdom was newly adorned, and like unto paradise, manifested beautiful scenes. The King of the Kingdom established his canopy in the center of the universe. The Sun of Truth dawned and the light of God appeared. The banner of holiness was lifted up and the Holy Spirit began its work of confirming. The fragrance of God emanated and his divine Spirit conferred life. Turn absolutely to that Kingdom, and thou wilt see, at every moment, new manifestations.
(Words of Abdul-Baha: Extract from Tablet to American believer, dated February 12, 1904).
All nations were promised by a sure promise and were awaiting with anxiety and longing the coming of the promised one.
(Words of Abdul-Baha: From Tablet to American believer, dated June 9, 1903.)
The Lord of the day of the manifestation is his highness, Baha'o'llah.
(Words of Abdul-Baha: From Tablet, dated July 20, 1911.)
What is meant in the prophecies by the Lord of hosts, the promised Christ, is the Blessed Perfection (Baha'o'llah) and his highness, the Supreme (Bab).
(Words of Abdul-Baha: From Tablet revealed for New York Assembly of Bahais; translated by Mirza Sohrab, January 1, 1907.)
The Cause of Baha'o'llah is in fulfillment of all the prophecies in all the books of the religions of the world.
(Words of Abdul-Baha: From Diary of Mirza Sohrab, July 13, 1914.)
"What art thou reading?" "A lecture of the coming world teacher, by Mrs. Besant." "The great world teacher has already come," Abdul-Baha said.
(From Diary of Sohrab, dated July 26, 1914.)
The "One who is to come" is he who was promised in the books of God and his epistles; that is, this Manifestation.
(Words of Abdul-Baha: From Tablet dated March 13, 1903.)
The Manifestation (Baha'o'llah) had all the qualities of the Sun of Truth manifested in him. All of the learned and wise men confessed that the teachings of the Manifestation were complete and perfect. The glory of the Manifestation was acknowledged by people of all nations of the earth, but they did not believe in his divinity. People of all nations composed poetry in praise of the Manifestation. The explanations of the Manifestation were all revelations, and there is not a single learned man on the earth who can produce the like of them. During fifty years the Manifestation withstood all nations of the earth. Though all nations were against him and contradicted him, they were always submissive and humble before him. As the miracles and the extraordinary signs of the Manifestation will not be proof for the centuries to come after this, we have not mentioned them. The miracles are only proof for those who are present, not for those who are to come, for the idolators have also recorded miracles, on the part of their gods, in their books.
(Words of Abdul-Baha: From notes of Mrs. Herron, 1900.)
The Zoroastrians, who were very numerous throughout Persia, notwithstanding all the calamities and sufferings inflicted upon them by the Mohammedans, would not accept the teachings of Mohammed, but they say that their books plainly indicate the coming of the Manifestation in this time and many of them have accepted this religion because of this fact. . . . . All the Old Testament prophecies foretold the coming of Christ. The Gospel of Christ shadowed forth the coming of the Manifestation (Baha'o'llah). There is a sect in Persia of the Parsee faith, who would not read the Koran or the Bible, but who have now organized an assembly under the laws of the British and Persian governments, and day before yesterday (December 3, 1900) Abdul-Baha received a letter from the chief acknowledging Baha'o'llah to be the divine Manifestation of God.
(Words of Abdul-Baha: From notes of Mrs. Sarah Herron, 1900.)
Let us consider the prophecies announcing the coming of God or the Manifestation: The coming of the Kingdom of God is foretold in all the holy books, and these sayings are not confined to a small number, but the books are full of them—especially Daniel and Isaiah. It is plainly stated in the Bible that, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth." This refers to the Manifestation. Christians have always believed that this refers to the Holy Spirit. How can this be? The Holy Spirit (Christ) was already in the world. He came in Jesus when he was born. . . . . The Koran says, "There is a day in which the Lord shall come." and again, "Know ye that ye shall meet him." . . . . The prophecies in the books of Zoroaster plainly foretold the coming of the Báb and the Manifestation.
There are no prophecies to foretell the coming of Moses, but for the coming of Jesus we find them, and in the Bible the coming of Mohammed was mentioned in the Gospels as the Advocate; but regarding the coming of the Bab and the Manifestation, all the religious Books foretell of them—the Bible, the Gospels, the Koran, the holy traditions of Ali, and the Zoroastrian Writings; all are quite plain on this point. No one can contradict them.
(Words of Abdul-Baha: From notes of Mrs. Herron, 1900.)
The world of humanity has ever been in a state of anticipation of the coming of the divine Manifestations. Each religion expected the coming of a promised one. They longingly prayed for the dawn of the Sun of Reality. A thousand times alas, when he appeared they remained heedless and did not turn their faces toward him! Pitiful indeed is this condition. They were praying for the glorious dawn of the Sun of Reality, but when it appeared from the eastern horizon they exclaimed: "Where is the sun? We do not see it." For instance, the Israelitish nation expected the coming of a Messiah. . . . . They were hoping for the arrival of their promised one, but when his holiness, Christ, appeared they turned away from him. . . . .
This century is the century of the Sun of Reality. This century is the century of the establishment of the Kingdom of God upon the earth.
(Words of Abdul-Baha: Extracts from address to Theosophists, February 13, 1913.)
But now after the lapse of many centuries, his highness, the Almighty, has again looked upon them with the glance of mercifulness, and the cup-bearer of celestial bestowals became manifest in the land of Persia. The Sun of Reality shone forth, casting the effulgences of his graces upon that country. He proclaimed the heavenly teachings and instituted the religion of the clement Lord. . . . .
But alas, alas! still the majority of the inhabitants of Persia are in sound sleep and have not heard, neither are they informed of the most eminent bestowal. The owner of the house has come to the door, but the dwellers in the house have shut the door and do not desire to let him in. They have treated the friend as though he were the stranger, and the known as though he were unknown. They seem to say: "We are satisfied with this degradation. We are comfortable amidst all these distractions, dissipations, groveling in dirt and uncleanness. We do not want the owner of the house. We are not seeking his faith. We loathe him and are holding aloof from his favor and grace. This is not the kind Father but a foreigner. Even though he may be the beloved one of all the nations of the world, his renown world-conquering, the fame of his grandeur reaching the ears of the rich and poor alike, others from different
(Continued on page 10)
STAR OF THE WEST
PUBLISHED NINETEEN TIMES A YEAR
By the BAHAI NEWS SERVICE, 515 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill., U. S. A.
Entered as second-class matter April 9, 1911, at the post office at Chicago, Illinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879.
Editorial Staff: ALBERT R. WINDUST — GERTRUDE BUIKEMA — DR. ZIA M. BAGDADI
Honorary Member: MIRZA AHMAD SOHRAB
Terms: $1.50 per year; 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. IX
No. 1
The Feast of Naurooz (New Day)
Talk by Abdul-Baha on the Feast of Naurooz, March 21st, 1912, at Victoria Hotel, Alexandria, Egypt. Eighty-five believers were then eating dinner at his table.
ACCORDING to the ancient customs every one of the nations have general holidays when all the people become happy and enjoy themselves. That is, they choose the day of the year wherein a great event or a glorious matter occurred. On that day, they manifest great joy and happiness. They visit one another. If there are any feelings of bitterness among them they become reconciled on that day, hard hearted feelings pass away and they unite and love each other. As great events occurred on the day of Naurooz for the Persians, therefore, that nation made it a national feast and considered it as a holiday.
This is indeed a blessed day because it is the beginning of the temperate season and the commencement of springtime in the northern hemisphere. All earthly things whether trees, animals or human become refreshed; they receive power from the life-giving breeze and obtain a new life; a resurrection takes place, and because it is the season of springtime there is a general marvelous activity in all contingent beings.
There was a time when the Persian dynasty became extinct and no trace remained thereof. On such a day (Naurooz) it became renewed. Jamsheed ascended the throne.* Persia became happily settled. Its power, which had been dissipated, once more returned. The hearts and souls became possessed with wonderful susceptibilities, to such a degree that Persia became more advanced than it was in former days, under the sovereignty of Kayomrth and Hoshang. The glory and greatness of the government and nation of Persia took a higher station. Likewise, a great many events occurred upon the day of Naurooz that brought honor and glory to Persia and to the Persians. Therefore, the Persian nation, for the last five or six thousand years, has always considered the Feast of Naurooz as a day of national happiness and until now it is sanctified and recognized as a blessed day.
Briefly, every nation has a day known as a holiday which they celebrate with
* About 3000 B. C.
joy. In the sacred laws of God, in every cycle and dispensation, there are blessed feasts, holidays and workless days. On such days all kinds of occupations, commerce, industry, agriculture etc., are not allowed. Every work is unlawful. All must enjoy a good time, gather together, hold general meetings, become as one assembly, so that the national oneness, unity and harmony may become personified in all eyes. As it is a blessed day it should not be neglected or without results by making it a day limited to the fruits of mere pleasure. During such blessed days institutions should be founded that may be of permanent benefit and value to the people so that in current conversation and in history it may become widely known that such a good work was inaugurated on such a feast day. Therefore, the intelligent must search and investigate reality to find out what important affair, what philanthropic institutions are most needed and what foundations should be laid for the community on that particular day, so that they may be established. For example, if they find that the community needs morality, then they may lay down the foundation of good morals on that day. If the community be in need of spreading sciences and widening the circle of knowledge, on that day they should proceed in that direction, that is to say, direct the thoughts of all the people to that philanthropic cause. If, however, the community is in need of widening the circle of commerce or industry or agriculture they should start the means so that the desired aim may be attained. If the community needs protection, proper support and care of orphans, they should act upon the welfare of the orphans, etc. Such undertakings that are beneficial to the poor, the weak and the helpless should be persued in order that, on that day, through the unity of all and through great meetings, results may be obtained, the glory and blessings of that day may be declared and manifest.
Likewise in this wonderful dispensation this day (Naurooz) is a blessed day. The friends of God should be confirmed in service and servitude. With one another they must be in the utmost harmony, love and oneness, clasping hands, engaged in the commemoration of the Blessed Beauty and thinking of the great results that may be obtained on such a blessed day.
Today, there is no result or fruit greater than guiding the people, because these helpless creatures, especially the Persians, have remained without a share of all the bestowals of God. Undoubtedly, the friends of God, upon such a day, must leave tangible, philanthropic or ideal traces that should reach all mankind and not only pertain to the Bahais.
In all the cycles of the prophets the philanthropic affairs were confined to their respective peoples only—with the exception of small matters, such as charity, which was permissible to extend to others. But in this wonderful dispensation, philanthropic affairs are for all humanity, without any exception, because it is the manifestation of the mercifulness of God. Therefore, every universal matter—that is, one that belongs to all the world of humanity—is divine; and every matter that is sectarian and special is not universal in character—that is, it is limited. Therefore, my hope is that the friends of God, every one of them, may become as the mercy of God to all mankind.
(Translated by Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, Chicago.)
Naurooz Greeting:
The STAR OF THE WEST enters upon its ninth year with this issue. We rejoice that it was founded on the blessed day of Naurooz. May it become an institution of permanent benefit, universal in scope and divine in character. Allah'o'Abha!
The Editors.
"Baha'o'llah is the Promised One expected by all nations"
(Continued from page 7)
parts of the world entering under the shade of his sacred tree by cohort and cohort, accepting his teachings, and receiving a share from the table of his sustenance."
(Words of Abdul-Baha: Extract from Diary of Mirza Sohrab, October 13, 1914.
Thousands of souls, including the great divines and Pharisees among the Jews, were awaiting the Manifestation of Christ, lamenting and weeping and supplicating that the Messiah should soon appear. But when his holiness, Christ, came with a beautiful face and sweet utterance and dawned from the dayspring of the contingent world like unto the shining sun, all those souls who awaited him rejected him, became afflicted with the sleep of heedlessness, did not wake up by the voice of Christ nor did they gain consciousness. Now again the same is the case in the Manifestation of Baha'o'llah.
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha, p. 688.)
The various religious systems are coming closer together. Baha'o'llah stands at the meeting of their ways to God. In him the Mohammedans are going forward to meet their promised Imam Mahdi, the Christians to meet Christ, the Jews their Messiah, and so on. When they meet Baha'o'llah they meet each other as at the top of a mountain. There they find unity because there they find him. There is the widest view, the heavenly horizon. No one but a Manifestation of God can unify the religious systems of the world. No law, no war, no power of kings could do this. The Kingdom is a real visible Kingdom, a real unity. This cannot be attained from books. It comes from the heart.
(Words spoken while in the presence of Abdul-Baha: Ten Days in the Light of Acca, p. 75.)
This is that whereof the Spirit (Christ) gave you tidings when he brought the truth.
(Words of Baha'o'llah: From Tablet revealed for Napoleon III.)
Say: O concourse of the Son (Christians) are ye hidden from myself because of my name? What maketh ye to doubt? Ye have called for your Lord, the Self-dependent, night and day and when he hath come from the heaven of Pre-existence, in his greatest glory, ye have not approached him, and are of the heedless. Then consider those who turned away from the Spirit (Christ) when he came to them with manifest power. How many of the Pharisees were abiding in the temples in his name, and were entreating because of his separation! But when the gate of union was opened, and the light shone forth from the day-spring of beauty, they disbelieved in God, the Exalted, the Great, and did not attain to his visitation—after having been promised thereunto in the book of Isaiah, as well as in the books of the prophets and the apostles.
Say: Surely the Father hath come, and hath fulfilled that whereunto you were promised in the Kingdom of God. This is the Word the Son veiled when he said to those around him, that at that time they could not bear it; but when the stated time was ended and the hour arrived, the Word shone forth from the horizon of the will. . . .
Say: Verily he beareth witness to me, and I bear witness to him; verily he desired naught but my person, whereunto bear witness all those just ones who know. . . . .
Say unto the priest that the Chief hath surely come! . . . .Verily the Spirit of Truth hath come to guide you into all truth. Verily he speaketh not unto you from himself; nay, but rather from before the All-knowing, the Wise.
Say: He is the one whom the Son hath glorified and hath upraised his command. Abandon that which is before you, O people of the earth! and take that which is commanded you from before the Powerful, the Faithful. Purify your ears and turn your minds to hear the sweet call which hath arisen from the direction of Sinai, the abode of your most glorious (Abha) Lord. Verily he attracts you unto a station wherein you will behold the lights of the face, which hath shone forth from this brilliant horizon. . . . .
Do you choose to be silent whilst all trees and stones are calling out with the loudest voice, "Surely the Lord hath come, the Possessor of great glory!"? . . . Say: Verily he hath surely shone forth from the direction of the orient; and his signs have appeared in the occident.
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Extract from Lawh-el-Akdas—the Most Holy Tablet. Star of the West, Vol. 4, No. 1, p. 14.)
Verily, he hath appeared in truth, and hath uttered a word whereby "all in the heavens and earth—except those whom God wished—are stunned." Faith in God, and the knowledge of him cannot be fully realized except through believing in all that hath proceeded from him (the Manifestation), and by practicing all that he hath commanded and all that is revealed in the book from the Supreme Pen.
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Tablet of Tajalleyat, p. 75.)
This is indeed the Father, whereof Isaiah gave you tidings and the Comforter whose covenant the Spirit (Christ) hath received. . . . . The perfection of the Ancient hath come by his most mighty name and hath desired to make the people enter into the most holy Kingdom, and that the sincere may see the Kingdom of God before his face . . . . Blessed is he who fulfilleth the Covenant, and woe unto him who breaketh the promise and denieth God, the knower of secrets. . . . . Advance thereunto, verily thy glorious Lord hath honored his country by his coming, thus we teach you the path whereof the Spirit (Christ) hath declared. Verily, I bear witness for him as he was indeed a witness for me; verily he said: "Come, that I may make you fishers of men," and today we say, "Come, that we may make you vivifiers of the world." Thus was the decree ordained in a Tablet written by the Pen of Command.
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Extract from Tablet revealed for the Pope.)
The promised one hath appeared in this exalted station, whereat smiled the mouths of existence—of both the seen and the unseen. O people! Avail yourselves of the day of God; verily, to meet him is indeed better unto you than that upon which the sun riseth, were ye of those who know!
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Extract from Tablet revealed for the United States.)
We have commanded you to purify your hearts from the love and detestation of those who are upon the earth, lest anything will prevent you from one direction and enforce you to another,—and this is of my greatest advice unto you in a perspicuous Tablet. He who adhereth to either the one or the other, verily he cannot know the command as it is,—unto this will bear witness every just and informed one. Ye have forgotten the promise of God, and violated his Covenant in such a manner that ye turned away from the one by whose appearance the eyes of the Unitarians were consoled. Purify your sight from the hidden and the veiled, than look to the evidences of the prophets and messengers, that ye may know the matter of God in these days wherein the promised one hath come with great sovereignty.
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Surat'ul Hykl, p. 58.)
Beware lest sovereignty prevent thee from the Sovereign; verily he hath come with his Kingdom, and all the atoms cry out, "The Lord hath come in his most great glory!" The Father hath come, and with him the Son, who crieth out in the holy valley, "Here am I, O my God, I am ready!" Mt. Sinai surroundeth the house, and the trees vociferously cry: "The Generous hath come, mounting on the clouds; blessed is he who advanceth unto him, and woe unto those who are far off." Arise among the people with this irresistible command, then summon the nations to God, the Exalted, the Great. Be not of those who call upon him by a name among his names, and when the named one comes, they turn from him and pronounce sentence against him with evident injustice. Consider, then, and remember the days wherein came the Spirit (Christ) and Herod gave judgment against him. God helped the Spirit (Christ) with the hosts of the seen and the unseen and protected him with the truth and sent him to another land as a promise on his part.
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Extract from Tablet revealed for Czar of Russia.)
O king of the earth, hear the voice of this servant. Verily, I am a man who hath believed in God and his signs, and I have sacrificed myself in his way; to this do the afflictions wherein I am—the like of which none among mankind hath borne!—testify, and my Lord the All-knowing is the witness to what I say. I have not summoned men unto aught save unto thy Lord and the Lord of the worlds. In love for him there hath come upon me that whereof the eye of creation hath not beheld the like. . . . .
O king, verily I was as (any) one among mankind slumbering upon my couch. The gales of the All-glorious passed by me and taught me the knowledge of what hath been. This thing is not from me, but from one (who is) Mighty and All-knowing. And he bade me proclaim between the earth and heaven, and for this hath there befallen me that whereat the eyes of those who know overflow with tears.
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Extract from Tablet revealed for Shah of Persia.)
O thou Temple! We have made thee a mirror for the kingdom of the names to speak of my dominion among all the creatures and summon all the people to my meeting and beauty and to be a guide to my obvious and upright path. We have elevated thy name among the servants as a bounty on our part—verily, I am the Ancient Bounty!—and adorned thee with the embroidered garment of myself and cast upon thee my Word to use the authority in the Kingdom as it pleaseth thee and to do what thou willest. We have ordained to thee the good of the heaven and earth so that no good will be granted to anyone unless he enters thy shadow, as a command on the part of thy Lord, the learned, the informed. And we have given the rod of command and the divination of authority to enable thee to distinguish the wisdom of every question. We have shown forth from thy breast the seas of knowledge and revelation in the celebration of thy Lord, the Merciful, in order that thou shouldst praise and be of the thankful. We have chosen thee from among my creatures and made thee the Manifestation of my soul to whomsoever is in heaven and earth.
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Surat'ul Hykl, p. 51.)
O people of the Son (Christians)! We have sent unto you John the Baptist (the Báb who was the precursor of Baha') another time. Verily, he crieth in the wilderness of The Beyan: "O creation of beings, make clear your eyes, the day of vision and meeting hath come nigh; and O people of the Gospel, prepare the way, for the day whereon the Lord of Glory shall come, hath
drawn nigh. Prepare yourselves to enter into the Kingdom!" Thus was the matter decreed on the part of God, the cleaver of the dawn. Hearken unto the strains which the dove of eternity hath sung upon the branches of the divine lote-tree and is vocal with the melody of, "O people of the earth! We have sent unto you him who was named John, to baptize you with water, that your bodies might be purified for the appearance of Christ, and that he (Christ) hath purified you with the fire of love and with the water of the Spirit, as preparation for these days whereon the Merciful hath willed to cleanse your bodies with the Water of Life by the hands of grace and bounty."
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Extract from Tablet revealed for the Pope.)
His Holiness the Supreme (Bab)—May my life be a ransom for him!—is the promised one of the Koran, or in other Words he is the Mahdi, the Kaem, the promised one, who was to appear after his holiness, Mohammed. The Bab was the radiant Morn of Guidance, the herald of the Beauty of Abha, the Blessed Perfection, the Sun of Reality—may my life be a sacrifice to him!
Baha'o'llah was his holiness, "Him-whom-God-shall-manifest," the promised one of all the books and epistles of his holiness, the Bab.
(Words of Abdul-Baha: Extract from Tablet revealed for American believers; translated April 19, 1914.)
Here follow some prophecies of the Bab:
"Before the twentieth year the creation of The Beyan will be perfected, and then the new advent shall take place."—(From the Book of Names.)
"In the year nine you shall apprehend all the good." (This prophecy of the Bab's in The Beyan was fulfilled by the exile of Baha'o'llah from Teheran and his arrival in the ninth year of the Bab's advent.—Note by Mirza Ali Kuli Khan.)
"I swear by the most holy essence of God—glorious and mighty is he!—that in the day of the manifestation of 'Him-whom-God-shall-manifest,' if one should hear a single verse from him and recite it, it is better than that he should recite The Beyan a thousand times."
"All the Bahá (glory) of The Beyan is 'He-whom-God-shall-manifest.' All mercy be on him who believeth, and all chastisement on him who believeth not in him."
"Verily, I am the first one who worshipped him."
"O people of The Beyan! Let neither The Beyan and whatever is therein, nor its letters, veil you from 'Him-whom-God-shall-manifest.' If he abolishes all The Beyan he is the true one, and if he appears with one single verse he is the truth."
"All the divine names and attributes revealed in The Beyan in their primary sense revolve around 'Him-whom-God shall-manifest;' and in their secondary sense around the 'Branch-extended-from-the-Ancient-Root (Abdul-Baha.).'"
(Words of the Bab, quoted by Mirza Ali Kuli Khan from The Beyan, in an address at Washington, D. C., June, 1903.)
"Today, The Beyan is in the stage of seed, but at the beginning of the manifestation of 'Him-whom-God-shall-manifest,' the ultimate perfection of The Beyan will become apparent, when he shall gather the fruits of the trees which have been planted." (p. 225.)
"The third chapter of the third Vahid. Concerning this, that The Beyan and whosoever is therein revolved around the saying of 'Him-whom-God-shall-manifest,' even as the Alif (i. e., the Gospel) and whosoever was therein revolved around the saying of Mohammed the Messenger of God, and as that which God revealed unto him at first and whosoever
was therein revolved around that which he said at the period of his later manifestation. The quintessence of this chapter is this, that the gaze of The Beyan is not extended save towards 'Him-whom-God-shall-manifest', for none but he that raised or doth raise it up, even as none but he hath sent or doth send it down. And The Beyan and such as are believers therein yearn more after him than the yearning of any lover after his beloved." (p. 348.)
"Though the ocean of woe rageth on every side, and the bolts of fate follow in quick succession, and the darkness of griefs and afflictions invade soul and body, yet is my heart brightened by the remembrance of thy countenance and my soul is as a rose-garden from the perfume of thy nature." (p. 18.)
(Words of the Bab: Quoted from A Traveller's Narrative, pages indicated. Prof. E. G. Browne, author, Cambridge, Press, publishers.)
In this day the verses of the "Mother-Book" are shining and beaming like unto the sun, and cannot be confounded with former and latter words. Verily, this wronged one doth not desire to prove his Cause through that which has appeared from others. He (God) is the All-comprehending, and all else save him is comprehended (in him). Say, O people! Read what ye possess, and we will read what we possess. By the life of God! Neither the words of all the creatures, nor that which all nations possess, is worthy of mention before (our) utterance. Whereunto testifies the one who hath spoken in all grades. Verily, he is God, the King of the day of judgment, and the Lord of the great throne! . . . .
The station of this matter is far above the station of what hath appeared and what may appear. In this day were the Point of El-Beyan (the Bab) to be present, and were he—God forbid!—to delay in acknowledging (this Cause), he would himself be judged by the blessed Word which hath descended from the dawning-place of The Beyan of His Holiness. He hath said and his saying is truth: "'He-whom-God-shall-manifest' hath the right to reject even one who is highest upon the earth!" . . . .
The "Mother-Book" is indeed revealed, and the munificent one is in the "honorable station." The "Dawn" (refers to the prophecy in the Koran concerning the new day; i. e., this Manifestation) hath indeed risen, and the people understand not. The "verses" have indeed come, and their revealer is in manifest sadness. . . . .
Ye have deprived yourselves of the sea of divine verses for a single drop, and ye have withheld yourselves from the splendors of the light of the Sun of Truth for a single mote. Who but Baha' had the power to speak before all the world? Be just, and be not of those who oppress. Through him (Baha') seas have moved, mysteries appeared, and trees have uttered: "Verily the Kingdom and the earthly world belong to God, the revealer of signs (or verses), the day-spring of manifest proofs!"
Consider the Persian Beyan of his holiness, the Precursor, and look into it with the eye of justice. Verily, he will guide you into the path. He utters in this moment that which his tongue hath formerly uttered when he was established on the throne of his Name, the Most Great.
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Words of Paradise, pp. 60-63.)
Verily, we turn our face toward the servants of God in that place, and we exhort them in the beginning of our speech (to observe) what the Point of El-Beyan hath revealed concerning this Manifestation whereby the nerves of names have quivered with fear, the idols of superstitions have fallen, and the Tongue of Grandeur hath uttered from his Supreme Horizon (saying): "In truth, the hidden treasury, the concealed mystery hath indeed appeared: he, at
whom the lips of all that was and is have smiled (with gladness). He (the Bab) hath said, and his saying is truth: 'I have indeed written an essence of his description, and it is this: "He cannot be indicated by my allusions, nor by all that is mentioned in The Beyan".'"
In this day a great banquet is celebrated in the Supreme Concourse; for all that was promised in the divine books has appeared. This is the day of the most great rejoicing! All must direct themselves to the Court of Nearness with the utmost joy, happiness, exultation and gladness, and deliver themselves from the fire of remoteness.
O people of Teheran! Take ye the cups of knowledge through the power of my greatest Name; then drink therefrom, in spite of the people of the world who have violated the Covenant of God and his Testament, denied his proof and argument, and disputed his signs which have encompassed all in the heaven and earth . . . . The Cause is manifest and clear as the sun; but the people have become as veils to themselves.
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Words of Paradise, pp. 64-66.)
I have been preceded in this very thing by Mohammed, the Messenger of God, and before him by the Spirit (Christ), and before him by the Interlocutor (Moses.)
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Extract from Tablet revealed for Napoleon III.)
(Thou art he) who hath promised all in the earth, in thy books, epistles and scriptures, concerning the manifestation of thyself and the removal of the veils of glory from thy face. This thou didst reveal unto thy beloved one (Mohammed) by whom the orb of the command dawned from the horizon of Hijaz and the light of truth dawned among thy servants, in thy words, "The day whereon mankind shall arise before the Lord of the creatures." (Koran). And before him (i. e., Mohammed), thou didst announce this unto the Interlocutor (Moses) to "lead forth thy people from darkness into light and to remind them of the days of God." (Koran). And, again, thou didst speak of this (day) unto the Spirit (Christ) and unto all thy former and latter prophets and messengers. Were there to proceed from the treasuries of thy Supreme Pen all that thou hast revealed in the mention of this most great remembrance and this thy mighty message, all the denizens of the city of knowledge and wisdom would be stunned, except whomsoever thou hast delivered through thy potency and protected through thy bounty and grace.
I testify that verily thou hast fulfilled thy Covenant and sent forth him whose manifestation was announced by thy prophets, thy chosen ones and thy servants. Verily, he hath come from the horizon of might and power with the banners of thy signs (verses) and with the standards of thy evidences, and he hath arisen before the faces through thy power and potency and summoned all men unto the exalted apex and supreme horizon in such wise that the injustice of the learned and the majesty of princes have not withheld him. He hath arisen in the most mighty steadfastness and spoken in the loftiest voice (saying), "The Giver of gifts hath indeed come, riding on the cloud; advance, O ye people of the earth, with shining faces and illumined hearts!" Blessed is whosoever attains to thy meeting, drinks the choice wine of union from the hands of thy bestowal, discovers the fragrance of thy verses, speaks in thy praise, soars in thy atmosphere and is overcome by the attraction of thy utterance, and whom thou hast caused to enter thy supreme paradise—the station of revelation and vision—before the throne of thy grandeur!
(Words of Baha'o'llah: Tablet of Ishrakat, pp. 19-21.)
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
(Isaiah 52:7.)
For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, and the Desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory [Baha, means glory], saith the Lord of hosts.
(Haggai 2:6, 7.)
O noble friends and seekers for the Kingdom of God! About sixty years ago, in the time when the fire of war and bloodshed was considered an honor to mankind, in a time when the blood of thousands of human beings stained the earth, when children were fatherless, when fathers were without sons, and mothers were weeping bitterly, with burning hearts, the loss of their children, when the darkness of inter-racial hatred and animosity seemed to cover mankind, and the heavenly light was blotted out, when the wafting of the Holy Breath of God was cut off—in that time Baha'o'llah arose like a shining star from the horizon of Persia, with the message of the light of the oneness of mankind. He brought the effulgent light of guidance to the world; he kindled the fire of love and the great reality of the True Beloved appeared. He shook and destroyed the foundations of religious and racial prejudice and of political animosity. He likened the world of humanity to a tree, and all the nations to its branches, leaves, buds and fruits. He melted and destroyed ignorant fanaticism and laid down the foundation of universal love, established the basis of the oneness of humanity and brought about in practice the equality of mankind. He declared that all were equally under the mercy and bounty of God.
Then was the door of the kingdom opened wide and the lights of heaven appeared.
Yet the whole of his life was under extreme trouble and tyranny. In Persia he was thrown into chains and into prison; and he was under the threatening of the sword. He was derided and scourged. When he was about thirty years of age he was exiled to Bagdad, and then to Constantinople, and from Constantinople to Adrianople and lastly to the prison of Acca.
Yet in the prison and under chains, he availed to spread his Cause and uplifted the banner of the oneness of humanity. Now, God be praised! We see the light of love is shining in the East and in the West; the tent of intercourse is raised in the center of the world for the drawing together of hearts and souls. The call of the Kingdom has gone all over the world! The annunciation of the world's universal peace has enlightened the world's conscience!
My hope is that by the zeal and ardor of the pure-hearted, the darkness of hatred and differences will be entirely abolished and the light of love and unity will shine more brightly; this world become a new world; things material become the mirror of the Kingdom; human hearts meet and embrace each other; the whole world become as a man's native country, and different races be counted as one race. Then disputes and differences will vanish and the divine Beloved will be revealed in the society of mankind. It is because the East and the West are illumined by the one sun, all races, nations and creeds are the servants of the one God. The whole earth is one home, and all the people are bathed in the ocean of God's mercy.
(Words of Abdul-Baha: Farewell address to English Bahais, October 1, 1911.)
