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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. IX Ola 1, 74 (March 2, 1919) No. 19
Letter from Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, at Cairo, Egypt, to the Bahai friends in America
Cairo, Egypt,
January 1, 1919.
To the friends in the United States of America!
My dear brothers and sisters in the Cause!
It is with great pleasure that I take up the pen to write you these few words about our experiences since our departure from the presence of Abdul-Baha. Before everything else I wish you a very happy new year, a new year full of joy and prosperity and pregnant with peace and brotherhood.
Praise be to God, that from the hour that I left Haifa with my travelling companion, Dr. Aflatoon, who is on his way to Bagdad, the confirmation of the Beloved has been descending upon us uninterruptedly.
On December 23d, in the morning, I came down from the Mountain of God for the last time. I was introduced into the presence of the Master, and up to 11 a. m. I was with him, receiving his sacred instructions. He assured me that he will pray for my help in the middle of nights and with this heavenly promise he embraced me and kissed both my cheeks, sending me into the world with a heart full of desire to serve him. At 11:30 we left Haifa on the officers' train and on our way to Toul-Karem we made friends with a number of military men, talked with them about the Cause and gave them to read, Major Tudor-Pole's article published in the Palestine News of Dec. 19th, on "Abdul-Baha." They became very much interested, and we left them to themselves, either to continue their investigation or drop it out of their lives. In Toul-Karem, the black soldiers of the West Indian Islands were most kind to us, and gave us shelter from rain and bad weather. With them we had a most profitable talk. I got the addresses of some of them, so that when I am in the United States, either Mr. Gregory or myself may travel to those islands and diffuse the fragrance of the Paradise of Abha. In the evening we slept in a train and became good friends with the two English engineers. We spoke to them a little about the Cause, and as they were working on Haifa-Toul-Karem road, we gave them the address of the Beloved to call on him.
On December 24th we were obliged to stay in Toul-Karem till afternoon, and continued our spiritual talks with our black, polite friends. One of them, Mr. Jardine from _____ was very illumined, had a good heart and knew a great deal from the Bible. The interchange of our ideas was most helpful to both of us. At 3 p. m. we left in open cars with hundreds of Indian soldiers returning home, while the rain was pouring on our heads. Those who were in our car were Mohammedans, and their treatment of us was kindly and considerate. Much we talked together about Islam and its modern aspect, leading
its adherents to a higher plane of thought. At 7 p. m. we reached Ludd, and in the midst of a great confusion, God assisted us, through the kindness of some officers, to take another train for Kantara at 10 p. m. On the train we befriended a Persian Jew from Jerusalem, who spoke our language fluently, and our talk with him was about the fulfillment of the prophecies in this great day. He became interested, and we enjoyed his orthodox views on this fascinating subject.
On December 25th, being Christmas, the soldiers had a general holiday. Our train was flying through the untrodden wilderness of sands, the wilderness in which Moses and his people lived for forty years. It is indeed a most wonderful testimony to the engineering feat and skilfulness of England, that during the war she was thus enabled to construct this double-track, broad-gauge railroad from Cairo to Toul-Karem, and now it has reached Haifa and Acca, so that a person may now travel from Haifa to Cairo in less than twenty-four hours.
A long time before our train reached Kantara, we could see the British soldiers engaged in various games. In Kantara, which is no other than a vast and populous city of tents, our baggage was carefully examined by the authorities, and through the divine confirmation we were excused from six days of long, weary quarantine. With a joyful heart we took the train for Cairo a little after 12 o'clock, and about 5:30 p. m. we entered the great station. All along the way, the crowds of people, the prosperous looking men and women, the hustle and bustle, the green, fertile fields, astonished and delighted us in turn. Indeed Egypt has not known the evils and sufferings of this devastating war. People are laughing, making lots of money, and have generally a good time. Mokattam, the Arabic daily, says that the people of Egypt have profited during this war at least £35,000,000. This is a good deal of money, and the inhabitants of Egypt have never been so prosperous in the course of their long and ancient history. Although we had sent a telegram to Agha Mohamed Taki about our arrival, yet he did not receive it in time to meet us at the station, so we went to Eden Palace Hotel to spend the evening. Here we rested awhile and because I had nothing particular to do, I strolled along the brilliantly lighted and crowded thoroughfares. After five years of calm and quiet life in Haifa, I find myself in a seething center of humanity. Everything strikes my eyes with wonder and astonishment, and I walk along the avenues like a dazed man. At last I found myself in Avenue Boulac, and at the door of Minerva Hotel. Here I called on Miss Hiscox. Her meeting gave me much pleasure. She is well, firm in the Covenant, and happy in her chosen work. Till 10 p. m. I sat with her, and our conversation was naturally about Abdul-Baha, his health and the recital of the sad events of the last four years of war.
On December 26th, so soon as we got up we hired a carriage and called on Mohamed Taki. Here we met a number of old and tried friends, such as Haji Niaz, whose eyes have become very, very dim, and Sheikh Mohyeddin, a great teacher. They were all delighted to talk with us, as we are practically the first persons coming out of Palestine and bringing the tidings of the Beloved. At noon, Mirza Abul Cassim Galestane invited us to lunch with him in a Persian restaurant. Strangely coinciding with our arrival, on this day happened the death of the 16-year-old talented daughter of Agha Sayad Ali, her name being Malakoutieh. For the last two years she was suffering from consumption, and all the resources of medicine could not stop the slow progress of the disease. In the afternoon we called on the afflicted family. The father was sad and weeping. All the members of the family were in a great anguish.
Here we met many of the friends and delivered to them Tablets and messages brought from Haifa. Then we were called upon to deliver short talks, suitable to the occasion. As they were all preparing the ways and means of her burial, Haji Niaz took us back to our hotel, and in the evening Agha Mohamad Taki invited us to a thoroughly Persian dinner. All the friends are extremely kind and are anxious to hear the news of the good health of the Beloved, the holy family and the friends.
The morning of December 27th was spent in calling at the passport offices and the preliminary arrangement of my trip to the United States, and I called on Major Tudor-Pole in Savoy Hotel, both in the morning and the evening. He is well, happy and very devoted to the Cause. His article in the Palestine News has made acquainted with the Cause many officers, and has called forth another short article by a Major, published in copy of December 26th, on "The Bahai Cause and Esperanto." Major Tudor-Pole gave me a hearty welcome and expressed his readiness to help me through the maze of officialdom in acquiring my traveling passport. All day we were entertained by a young Bahai who took us to a typically Egyptian restaurant, made us ride in a carriage and drove us through the many beautiful public parks, scattered here and there. In the evening there was a general meeting of all the believers in the Mashrekol-azkar. Detailed speeches were delivered by Doctor Aflatoon and myself. As many young Egyptian friends were present, our talks were translated into Arabic for their benefit. All of them listened with shining eyes and happy hearts. As the location of our hotel was remote from the friends, we moved to another one, near to them, called The Egyptian Club. This evening also we were entertained to dinner by Agha Mohamad Taki.
On December 28th I called on the Persian Consul General in order to get a new passport. He met the Master before the war, and knows a great deal about the Cause. He is an enthusiastic lover of Persia, and free from the narrow prejudices of many bigoted Persians. He praised the Bahais very fervently, especially Agha Mohamad Taki. "Although he is a Bahai," he said, "yet I believe as truth all that he tells me, because I know that he is essentially a good and righteous man; but there are many important Persians in this city who are Moslems, still I cannot trust them because their lives are not straight and their aims are selfish." He desired the Bahais to render a most concrete and practical service to Persia. He related to us the harrowing details of the sufferings of the Persian people during the past years of war, of the devastation and cruel havoc wrought by the great war, the laying waste and burning of villages, the hanging of many prominent citizens and the death caused by famine and starvation. He said now that the English and Americans have gained a complete victory, they are doing their utmost to relieve this dire situation. In turn I spoke about analogous subjects. He asked about the health of the Beloved and requested me to send him his sincere greeting. During the day, in all my peregrinations, Mirza Abdol Hossein, the son of Mohamad Taki, was my guide, and we called on some of the friends who have prosperous businesses in various parts of the town.
On December 29th, accompanied by my dear brother Abdol Hossein, I took my snapshot photo for the Persian and American passports, which I have to get before starting westward. In the afternoon, we called at the office of Agha Zeinel Abedin and had tea with him, and later on with Haji Niaz we visited the Persian Editor of Tchere Nama. For
(Continued on page 221)
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. 19
Nearly one hundred Tablets revealed for the Bahai friends in America
--PHOTOGRAPH--
PARVENE
Daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Bagdadi
WORD FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI, GRANDSON OF ABDUL-BAHA
Haifa, Palestine,
January 29, 1919.
To Zia M. Bagdadi, Chicago.
Dear brother in El-Abha:
Greetings and salutations! Your supplications are arriving; the news of the friends of God noted. A Tablet has been revealed for you; a telegram dispatched. So far, the Beloved (Abdul-Baha) has revealed nearly one hundred Tablets for the friends in the United States of America. Some of them have been dispatched and others will be. Convey the glad-tidings to the friends. Beloved in perfect health. Supplications and cables are pouring in constantly from morn till eve; life-giving words are revealed. From Persia, India, Japan, France, England and Switzerland, letters and telegrams are showering. The friends are ablaze and serve heartily. In the Tablets revealed, ninety-five per cent strike the chord of union and the note of absolute harmony among the friends. The Beloved declares that if the union and concord among the friends of the Merciful is strengthened and fortified, it shall, like unto a lodestone, attract Abdul-Baha to their shores. Abha greetings.
Shoghi
P. S.—Your daughter is named Parvene by the Master.
Letter from Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, at Cairo, Egypt
(Continued from page 219)
about two hours we talked about the conditions of Persia, and the possibility of its future progress, and how and in what manner and by whom the vital interests of that ancient country will be represented at the Great Conference of Nations in Paris. In his newspaper, a long article will appear by me on the internal conditions of Syria during the war. In the evening a meeting was held at the house of Agha Mohamad Taki. It was rather a memorial service in honor of the deceased Agha Sayad Javad. The Visiting Tablet revealed by the Beloved some time ago was chanted, other Tablets were read and appropriate speeches delivered. All the friends were submerged in the sea of divine grace. After this beautiful meeting, we were the guests of Agha Zeinel Abedin for dinner. About twelve other believers were also invited, and a royal feast of many delicacies (Persian dishes) was spread before us. Indeed our kind host made us ashamed of ourselves by the attention and kindness he showered upon these unworthy servants. It is of course because we come direct from the Master at this psychological moment that they surround us with so much hospitality. Otherwise we would have been alone and friendless in this great city. We are now most happy in associating day and night with these firm friends of God. They do not let us alone for one hour. We live hardly in our hotel except during the few hours of sleep. They are set aglow with the fire of the love of God, full of firmness in the Covenant, resolving to arise in teaching the Cause and spreading the sweet fragrances. There are so many young, educated Egyptian Bahais, filled with noble ideals and intent on serving the Cause of brotherhood and peace. Mahmoud Fahmy is one of them. He speaks English fluently and is a teacher in the Government school. These young, enthusiastic friends will become greatly assisted to teach the Cause in the immediate future, and I am most happy to come in contact with them and receive their inspiration in my work. We are all under the protecting shade of the Beloved. He will surely assist us to be firm in the Covenant of BAHA'O'LLAH and to call others to this high station of spirituality. All that we have to do is to trust him and live in accord with his will. This is the crown of success and the supreme aim of every Bahai. For the present I may stay in Cairo for about two weeks. The believers do not want us to leave the city sooner.
In the full expectation that I will have the joy of seeing you before long, I am, as ever,
Your faithful brother,
Ahmad Sohrab.
Bring them together again, O Lord, by the Power of Thy Covenant, and gather their dispersion by the might of Thy Promise, and unite their hearts by the dominion of Thy Love; and make them love each other so that they may sacrifice their spirits, expend their money, and scatter themselves for the love of one another.
O Lord, cause to descend upon them quietness and tranquillity! Shower upon them the clouds of Thy Mercy in great abundance, and make them to characterize themselves with the characteristics of the spiritual!
O Lord, make us firm in Thy noble command, and bestow upon us Thy Gifts through Thy Bounty, Grace and Munificence.
Verily, Thou are the Generous, the Merciful, and the Benevolent.
—ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
"Blessed is the one who has believed on Thee"
Extracts from The Visiting Tablet which all pilgrims chant in the Tomb of BAHA'O'LLAH
THE praise that appeared from Thy supreme soul and the glory (El-Baha) that dawned from Thy most glorious (El-Abha) Beauty be upon Thee, O Thou Manifestation of the Almighty, King of Immortality and Lord of whomsoever is in earth and heaven.
I testify that, by Thee was revealed the Sovereignty of God and His dominion and the greatness of God and His might, and by Thee arose the suns of eternity in the heaven of destiny and dawned the invisible Beauty from the horizon of Baha. And I testify that by a movement of Thy pen appeared the order of Kaf and Nun* (be and it is) the hidden mystery of God was manifested, creation commenced and the manifestations (prophets) were sent.
And I testify that by Thy Beauty appeared the Beauty which is worshipped and by Thy face was revealed the Face of the Desired One, and by a word of Thine a separation (differentiation) affected the creation; the sincere advanced to the lofty summit and the polytheists descended to the lowest state.
And I testify that whosoever knows Thee verily knows God, and whosoever attains Thy meeting has verily attained the meeting of God.
Therefore, blessed is the one who has believed on Thee, attained Thy good pleasure, walked about Thine abode and presented himself before Thy throne.
*Kaf (English) is the first letter of the Arabic Word "Kun" which signifies, be. Nun (English) is the last letter of the Arabic word "fayakun" which signifies, it is.—Translator.
Intercession, a special teaching of this Religion
The following was sent by Miss Ethel Rosenberg from her notes while in Acca 1904. (Extract from the Teachings of Abdul-Baha.)
THE Master said that by the mercy of God, not through His justice, the condition of those who have died in sin and unbelief can be changed. We are commanded to pray that their condition may be changed. As we have the power to pray for those souls here, so we shall have the same power in the after-life in the Kingdom. The power of this prayer of intercession is a special teaching of this religion. To pray for the dead was not given as a special religious command (of the divine Teachers) until this day of the Blessed Perfection (BAHA'O'LLAH). The grace of effective intercession is one of the perfections belonging to perfect and advanced souls, as well as to the Manifestations of God. Jesus Christ had the power of interceding for the forgiveness of his enemies when on earth, and he certainly has this power now!
Abdul-Baha never mentions the name of a dead person without saying, "May God forgive him!" or words to that effect. He says, "Followers of the prophets have also this power of praying for the forgiveness of souls; therefore we may not think that any soul is condemned to a stationary condition of suffering or loss, arising from their absolute ignorance of God. The power of effective intercession for them always exists. All the people in the other world, are they not the creatures of God? Therefore, they can progress in the other world. As they can receive light from supplication here, there they can also receive light from supplication. The rich in the other world can help the
poor, as the rich can help the poor here. In every world all are the creatures of God. They are always dependent upon Him, not independent, nor can they ever be so. While they are needful of God, the more they supplicate, the richer they become. What is their merchandise? What is their wealth? In the other world what is the means of help and assistance? It is intercession. First, undeveloped souls must gain progress through the supplications of the spiritually rich; afterwards, they can progress through their own supplications."
In Memoriam
DR. JAMES F. CARMICHAEL
--PHOTOGRAPH--
Dr James F. Carmichael passed to his true home, December 6th, 1918, at 9:00 p. m. at the home of his sister, Mrs. (Colonel) D. Spence at Brantford, Canada, after three years suffering with neuritis. While suffering terrible pains he would exclaim with a smile: "BAHA'O'LLAH and Abdul-Baha will take care of me." The Most Great Name always brought relief.
The moment he heard of the Revelation—May, 1899—he accepted and remained a firm believer under the most severe tests. The heavenly light that spread over his face as his soul took its upward flight was startling and seen by all. Strangers and friends exclaimed alike: "O see the light!" His widow and four sisters survive. He received several wonderful Tablets from Abdul-Baha. The following is an extract from a recent Tablet received by Mrs. Carmichael in answer to a supplication written by her prior to Dr. Carmichael's passing, but which was revealed after his ascension:
"Concerning what you have written about your dear husband, be thou not grieved for, praise be to God, he has attained unto everlasting life and has reaped the fruit of his existence on earth, and this is faith and the complete turning of the face toward the Kingdom of God. This is verily everlasting health; this is eternal comfort; this is heavenly exaltation and this is merciful bounty."
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, January 9, 1919, home of Abdul-Baha, Haifa, Palestine.)
Dr. Carmichael was a B. A. of Queens University, also a graduate of Osgood Hall, Toronto, Canada, as barrister and solicitor, and a graduate of Bennett's Medical College, Chicago, Ill. He was a member of the Chicago and American Medical Societies, also an I. O. O. F. and Rebekah of Chicago, Ill.
GEORGE P. PARMERTON
On April 26, 1918, Mr. Parmerton of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed from this world. He had been in poor health for several years and the last year was one of great suffering endured with heroic patience. His love for the Center of the Covenant and the Greatest Name sustained him. On Sunday evening, the Bahai friends assembled at the home and the Bahai service for the dead was beautifully conducted in all simplicity; on Monday, in Spring Grove Chapel, the Presbyterian service was given and all that was mortal laid to rest in that beautiful cemetery.
Abdul-Baha revealed the following to him:
"O thou revered beloved!
Glad tidings be unto thee for thy firmness in the strong Covenant. With uprightness thou shalt obtain great victory. Verily, thy Lord confirmeth the firm
ones in attaining to sublime stations in His Glorious Kingdom."
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Written by his own hand. Translated by Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, June 26, 1913, Chicago, Ill.)
JAMES HANBY
--PHOTOGRAPH--
"James Hanby died on board ship June 16, 1918." This brief word was received in Chicago some weeks later. We understand he was enroute to Europe enlisted to serve the Canadian overseas forces.
Mr. Hanby served the Bahai Cause in Chicago. Those who attended the Centennial Celebration of the Birth of BAHA'O'LLAH in this city will remember him especially for his activity at the banquet in the Auditorium Hotel. This was a distinctive characteristic he possessed, so much so, that before he heard of the Bahai Movement—when a press agent for well-known turf men—he was called "Busy Jimmy." He was known from coast to coast in those days, and we believe he will be long remembered for his brief but energetic service among the Bahais in Chicago.
DR. CLAUDE F. LATHROP AND GEORGE LUTHER.
Seattle, Washington,
February 7, 1919.
To the STAR OF THE WEST:
The hosts of the Supreme Concourse were stirred by the ascension of two devoted Bahai souls, Dr. Claude F. Lathrop and Mr. George Luther, on the night of December 18, 1918.
Contracting pneumonia, following in about the same day, they passed out within a few hours of each other.
Dr. Lathrop had served the Cause of BAHA'O'LLAH with tireless devotion for ten years, half of that time withstanding the keenest physical suffering. He gloried in his tests feeling that he was greatly blessed. He worked over the sick until the last, literally treading the path of martyrdom to aid suffering humanity.
His loss is keenly felt by the Seattle believers and his wife and two children have the love and sympathy of all in this sad but exalted hour.
Mr. George Luther, husband of Mrs. Laura Luther, and brother-in-law to Mrs. Mabel Geary of Seattle, and Mrs. Effie Snyder of Spokane, was an earnest, firm believer, living the life quietly but faithfully. He, with his wife, had lived for eleven years on their ranch at Omak, Wash., and were the only lights in that region. Their perseverance in sowing the seed was beautiful. His new birth into the higher Kingdom was attended by chanting and offering praises to God, raising the call of "Ya-Baha-el-Abha," till all were illumined by the presence of the spirit.
A unity funeral was held and the two brothers in El-Abha were laid side by side.
Impressive passages from the Hidden Words were read by a maid-servant and prayers were offered by one of the servants.
Real unity of the friends was attained through this double sorrow, for spiritual uplift and exultation attended the occasion, robbing it of the usual gloom. Thus "death" was made a glad tidings for all.
Charlotte Z. Gillen.
MRS. PAUL K. DEALY
On February 27th, 1919, dear, devoted, brave Mrs. Dealy was set free from the cage of her body, her blindness, and allowed to fly like a divine bird into the Kingdom of light. She
and her husband were pioneer teachers of the heavenly Cause in America. In early days their home was a center of radiance in Chicago where many first heard the divine proclamation in its majesty and splendor. Mr. Albert Windust told at Mrs, Dealy's radiant funeral how, one ever-memorable evening, he heard at their home that the promised Prince of Peace had come "in His glory," and how he went home scarcely knowing whether he was walking on earth or not. There kept ringing through his mind the thrilling new meanings the Dealys had given to the old prophetic verse: "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Mrs. Dealy became blind a number of years ago. When she met Abdul-Baha in America in 1912 he asked her what he could do for her. She said, "Oh, that I might receive my sight." The Master answered, "Your physical or spiritual sight? You can't have both." She replied: "My spiritual sight." In that one, momentous choice she revealed the heavenly desires which the Bahai teaching had brought to birth in her soul. Abdul-Baha told her the rest of her life she would see visions of the Kingdom and live ever in the unseen light. And she says it was true.
In one vision Abdul-Baha appeared at her door and offered her a basket. She ran forward, thinking to find it full of flowers. When she received it, behold it was full of stones. Abdul-Baha seeing her crestfallen face said: "Open one of the stones." She obeyed and lo, out of the opened stone there arose a ruby cup on which was engraved in letters of light the Greatest Name. "Drink the cup," the loving Master said; and then the vision vanished.
In that vision was revealed the history of her later life. She expected the Master to give her a basket of roses. He in his love gave her a basket of stones, the stones of blindness, loneliness, poverty and sorrow. But when she opened the stony grief, lo, it contained a cup as beautiful as the Holy Grail. And when she drank that cup in the Greatest Name of God, lo, it was overflowing with the water of life-eternal. Drinking from that cup of calamity she drank from a river of light. Her blindness endured for a day. That cup has given her a spiritual sight, we may believe, which will behold and proclaim the Glory of God through all the ages of eternal life.
A. R. V.
LUCELIA E. BARNES
Lucelia E. Barnes, a Bahai, passed to the divine world on September 5, 1918, age 88 years. My mother had reached her fruitage, through the divine Will and Glory of God.
Emma C. Fowler.
Mt. Vernon, New York.
ERWIN HARRIS
Son of Hooper and Gertrude Harris
Newspaper clipping:
Corp. Erwin Harris, of 157 W. 103d St., New York City, made the supreme sacrifice on October 7, 1918. Harris, who was 18, enlisted in the old 7th Regt. two years ago and saw service at the border.
Last May he left Spartansburg to go overseas with Co. D, of the 107th Inf. Last October he led his squad "over the top" in what is known as a "combat group." Harris had traveled some 1,000 yards when he was brought down by a machine gun.
He was sent to a base hospital in France suffering from wounds in the leg and back. He wrote his last letter from there on October 4th, but was removed
to Base Hospital 3, Berkshire, Eng., where he died October 7th.
[The following letters, beginning with his mother's brief note to the STAR OF THE WEST and ending with the words of Abdul-Baha in a Tablet just received, are more than a memorial to Erwin Harris, for they epitomize the supreme sacrifices of just such mothers and sons everywhere, as well as the divine comfort which goes out unto all from the Great Heart of humanity.—The Editors.]
Note from his mother:
To the STAR OF THE WEST:
Your kind letter just reached me; many thanks. I don't know what to write, so will enclose these letters and you can use your judgment. He was a sweet, wonderful boy and gave his life willingly for what he thought was right and we are very proud of him. I saved all of his letters and they bear witness that he was spiritually awakened. He would be 19 years old, April 25th, 1919. . . . . The physical separation was hard, but Abdul-Baha has healed the wound.
Hastily,
Gertrude Harris.
His letter just before embarking:
Camp Wadsworth, Spartansburg, S. C.
April 24, 1918.
My dear Mother:
Received your letter tonight, and was very glad to hear from you. I am very sorry that you do not feel well. Dear Mother, you know how to look on death. It is not as bad as it is painted. I am not afraid of death and I know that you are not. Even if you leave us, I know that you will always be with me, and some day I will be a credit to you and to the rest of them. This may sound a little hard-hearted and cold, but I do not mean it to be, it is straight from the heart. Today is your birthday, and I have not forgotten it. I can send you anything but my love. I really hope that some day I may understand the Bahai faith and that I will be able to make the rest of the world believe in it. . . . .
I have learned a lot since I have been in the army and I have met men from all walks of life. I have not gone down. I have gone up, both mentally and physically, and I believe that later on in life this will all be a great help to me. I don't drink nor smoke, and believe me, Mother, I never will, so don't worry about that (something is in me, Mother, and some day it will pop out), and you will see it whether you are on this earth or not.
We are going to leave here very soon. I think we will either go to Camp Merritt or Camp Mills and we will be there within ten days, and I will see you Mother, before I go over. . . . . .
I have not an enemy in the company and few Corporals can say that. The men in my squad will do anything for me, and that is the way it will have to be later. People will have to believe in me. I will have to make them love me. Unless they love you, you can't do anything with them, you can't make them believe in you till you make them love you, can you? I don't understand just what it is all about but I know something tells me that it is all for something wonderful.
Write to me soon.
With love,
Erwin.
His last letter to his mother:
October 4, 1918.
Dear Mother:
My last letter to you was written in a rest camp, but now I am writing from a much different place. Soon after my letter we went back up the line, and I
guess by this time you have read what we did. However, I did not do as much as I thought I would, as a machine gun got me in both my legs and in my back; each wound is marked slight, and I feel fine. Of course, I am not running around playing tag but I feel as though I could. I am at present in a hospital in France but I will soon leave here for England. I am well taken care of and want for nothing. I hope you will be able to read this poor writing . . . .
Tell Papa this: When we went over the top we went over in what they now call "line of combat groups", which is the same as our old squad column which, as he will remember, was the Corporal in the lead and the rest of his squad in single file behind him. We followed very close to our barrage. When I was hit we had gone about ten hundred yards. . . . .
You will read more in the paper than I can tell you, so I will close.
With love to all,
Erwin.
Letter from Matron, of the Hospital:
No. 3, War Hospital Wilson Road, Reading, Berkshire, England,
Oct. 8, 1918.
Dear Mrs. Harris:
Your dear son, Erwin Harris, died in this Hospital at 1:50 p. m. today.
I think this news will have reached you by telegram before you get my letter, but naturally you will want to know all I can tell you of his illness and death.
He was admitted with the men who came on Sunday last (Oct. 6th) in a convoy of wounded from France. He seemed the most ill of them all, was wounded in both legs and had a great deal of pain in the left knee. It was at once attended to by the Medical Officer, but the laddie's temperature was 105°, the knee swollen and very painful so after consultation, with the senior surgeon it was decided to have him under an anaesthetic that same evening and open the swelling. This was done and a good deal of pus which had collected in the joint was freed. His leg was put up on a more comfortable splint, he had a small injection of morphine, and said the next morning that it was a more comfortable sleep that night than he had had since being wounded.
He looked very ill all yesterday and his temperature kept above 103°. In the evening the thigh swelled rapidly and after consulting together the surgeons decided to amputate the leg early the next morning. They seemed sure that the boy had gas gangrene in the leg and this is a very deadly infection to any wound.
He spoke of you in the night and asked night Sister to write to you. This morning a little before 11 o'clock he asked me to be sure you were told all about him having to lose his leg, for by that time he knew that he was for operation. He was very bright and even looking forward to the relief it would be.
He teased Sister a little and said the other fellows would be envious that he had all her attention, whispered again to me would I be "very sure to let my Mother know." He died within an hour after returning to the ward. I feel sure nothing more could have been done here. We did all possible in the way of intervenous and inter-muscular infusion, he had pituitary extract and all the remedies to combat shock but the poison in his blood depressed the heart's action so hopelessly. The only thing that might have helped would have been an amputation before he was sent over from France. I feel so very sorry for you in this. It must be dreadfully hard to lose such a son. His companions in the ward were so fond of him—even the very seriously-ill ones would ask after "the boy from America" before telling their own troubles.
Please write and ask if there is anything more you wish to know.
With much sympathy,
Yours sincerely,
E. Hodges, Matron.
Words of Abdul-Baha
To the maid-servant of God, Sarah Gertrude Harris, New York City.—Upon her be BAHA'O'LLAH-EL-ABHA!
HE IS GOD!
O thou my beloved daughter!
Your letter dated November 13th was received. Its contents occasioned infinite grief, for it spoke of the ascension of that illumined youth. Indeed in the rose-garden of God that young man was like unto a shrub in its utmost freshness and promising good fruits. Whoever has seen him or heard him has undoubtedly been shocked and grieved at the news of his passing away.
However, although that peerless shrub has sought separation from the woods of the nether world, yet, it has appeared fully adorned and resplendent in the rose-garden of the world on-high in the Abha Paradise. That divine bird has flown away from this mortal and earthly nest, has ascended to the Kingdom of God and has been engaged in singing the sweet melodies of praise and thanksgiving on the lordly branches in the rose-garden of the Merciful. Happy is he and blessed in his abode! He has reaped the result of life and has become a fruitful tree. Grieve not therefore for his death and be not depressed.
With regard to his life insurance, act in accordance with his will. I have perused his letter and have supplicated for him from the Threshold of Oneness an exalted station . . . . .
The relatives who are here all convey to you their longing greeting.
Upon thee be BAHA'O'LLAH-EL-ABHA!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, January 28, 1919. Home of Abdul-Baha, Haifa, Palestine.)
SUPPLICATION FOR LUA GETSINGER
Haifa, December 18, 1918.
My dear brother Joseph:
This is copy of a letter and translation of Tablet about Lua. I am afraid you have not received it. Please make copies of the same and forward to various Assemblies and ask the STAR OF THE WEST to publish it in its columns.
Your faithful brother,
Ahmad Sohrab.
Home of BAHA'O'LLAH, Acca, Syria,
February 8, 1917.
My dear brothers and sisters in the Cause:
It was one afternoon of the month of September, 1916, when the Master was sojourning along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, that we received the sad news of the death of the beloved Lua. No one could believe it. When the Center of the Covenant heard about it he was deeply affected and felt more than any one of us her great loss. Since that day I have heard him more than a hundred times exclaiming with a moving voice: "What a loss! What a loss! What a loss!" In this short letter I cannot reproduce all the words he uttered about her, but I can say that all the believers mourned for her and regretted her departure most sincerely. We know full well that her purified spirit freed from the fetters of water and clay soared to the Kingdom of Glory and received the reward of her services to the Cause of God! In a Tablet revealed years ago, the Master gave her to me as a mother, and from that time on I tried always to fulfill this heavenly
pledge of sonship. She always directed my sentiments and deeds towards the heights of nobility and truthfulness. . . . . . She was a source of inspiration and consolation in all my affairs. If I desired to do something, I consulted with her, and she never failed in giving me good, elevating advice or when she travelled or I was away we corresponded together. And now that she is living in the Supreme Concourse, I feel every day her supporting mother-love and her solicitude about my welfare. From many standpoints she was a unique teacher.
Firstly, she was one of the earliest believers in America who, enkindled with the fire of God's love, travelled extensively and called the people to the Kingdom.
Secondly, she was amongst the very first pilgrims who came to Acca and received the blessings of the Master. Her verbal account of that first glorious pilgrimage was enough to convince anyone of the validity of this dispensation.
Thirdly, she was strictly speaking a disciple of the Master, taught by him and educated by him and sent out by him as an ordained teacher.
Fourthly, she travelled throughout the continents of America, Europe, Asia, and Africa to spread the Word of God and diffuse the fragrances of the flowers of truth.
Fifthly, in this Cause we have two kinds of teachers. The first are those who teach new souls and spread the Cause in new environments, the second are those who work amongst the believers. Lua belonged to the first order of teachers.
Sixthly, she taught many important souls, and her pupils, both men and women, in the United States and Canada, are numerous—pupils who are zealous and active, carrying along her work of spiritual illumination with intelligence and enthusiasm.
Seventhly, she was one of the very few souls who visited the Holy Land seven or eight times, lived in the blessed household for months at a time, and was considered as one of the members of the holy family, one of the daughters of Abdul-Baha.
Eighthly, she was the one living believer who visited the Shah of Persia years ago in Paris and interceded in behalf of the friends of his kingdom.
Ninthly, her faith in this Revelation was perfect, her heart was a treasure of the jewels of the Kingdom, her tongue was eloquent in the praise of the Lord, her consciousness mirrored forth the rays of the Sun of Reality and her aim and object was for no other than the teaching of the Cause and the glorification of truth.
On the evening of December 21st, when the believers were in the presence of the Beloved in Haifa, I begged him to reveal a Tablet of Visitation in her honor, as a celestial token of her services. A translation of it is enclosed herewith.
Hoping that all may be inspired through her self-sacrificing example, I am,
Your sincere servant,
Ahmad Sohrab.
Words of Abdul-Baha
Supplication for the attracted maid-servant of God, Lua, who ascended to the Supreme Concourse,—Upon her be greeting and praise!
HE Is GOD!
O Lord! O Lord! Verily Thy maid-servant who was attracted with the fragrances of Thy Holiness, enkindled with the fire of Thy Love, the herald of Thy Name, the spreader of Thy Signs amongst Thy people,—ascended to Thee with humility and lowliness, trusting in Thee with all her heart, liberated
from all worldly ties and attractions, hoping for Thy Universal Favor and Mercy, desiring to enter Thy radiant Presence, supplicating Thy all-encircling Bounty, and begging for the descent of Thy glorious Bestowals!
O Lord! Exalt her station, submerge her in the ocean of Thy Compassion and establish her in the midst of the Paradise of Immortality,—in the Universe of Lights, the Center of the Beatific Mysteries.
O Lord! She believed in Thee, chanted Thy verses, turned her face toward Thee with all her heart; her spirit was rejoiced through Thy glad-tidings and her soul was purified through the fire of Thy Love. Then amidst the concourse of humanity, she arose in the promotion of Thy Word, suffered every thirsty one to drink from the goblet of Thy Guidance and healed every sick one with the antidote of Thy Knowledge. In Thy Path she travelled to distant countries and remote regions and gave the good-news of Thy Kingdom throughout vast and spacious continents—until through the difficulties that she endured in Thy Path, her very flesh and bones were melted, diseases and sicknesses attacked her, her frail body failed her, her nerves and muscles weakened their functions and her heart became the target of conflicting ailments. Then while hoping for the immortal life, the eternal existence, she abandoned this mortal, ephemeral world.
O Lord! Grant her a palace in the neighborhood of Thy Most Great Mercy; cause her to dwell in the gardens of Thy paradise, the Most High; illumine her countenance with the effulgence of Thy Good-pleasure, in the Kingdom of Thy Glory; usher her into the heaven of Thy Meeting and suffer her to live everlastingly in the assemblage of transfiguration, whose refulgent lights are shining upon the world of hearts and the realm of consciousness.
Verily, Thou are the Forgiving, verily Thou art the Pardoner and verily Thou art the Merciful of the Most Merciful!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
CORRECTION
Shanghai, China, January 7, 1919.
To the STAR OF THE WEST:
Please allow me to draw your attention to the following matter. I was reading the Talk of Abdul-Baha of 26th of June, 1914, in No. 11, page 123. I refer to these phrases: "But when some Ulama enter a school their aim is leadership, to obtain fame, to gather luxuries and worldly possession. They are like the disease 'caboos' (influenza)."
As far as I know the word "caboos" means, nightmare, not influenza. So if you find it necessary, please correct it.
With Bahai love and greeting, I am faithfully yours,
Mirza Hossein Touty.
A BAHAI LIBRARY.
He who today is searching for the Abha Truth hardly realizes what a remarkable collection of Abdul-Baha's addresses, American and European, of his talks in Palestine, of stirring incidents in the history of the Cause, of compilations, there exists in print, until he has before him the bound volumes of the STAR OF THE WEST.
Volume I is a little jewel with its records of the early days of the Cause in the West and the journeys of teachers around the world.
Volume II presents glowing accounts of Abdul-Baha's first journey to Europe, the places where he spoke, the people he met, the dynamic words he uttered.
Volume III is a volume of American addresses, so comprehensive, so glorious with Abha light, that it reveals the full-orbed splendor of the Master's message to western civilization.
Volumes IV, V and VI continue publication of American and European addresses.
Volumes VII and VIII can be bound together. They contain the glorious compilations on "The Divine Art of Living" and "The Covenant of God" and a wealth of dynamic, life-giving extracts and Tablets. They form a wonderful volume for the attainment of that supreme goal, "pure and sanctified living," which alone, as the Master says, can spread the truth in this the dawn of the Day of God.
Volume IX contains the remarkable and exhaustive compilation of Mrs. Hannen on "Bahai Methods of Education" and that casket of jewels, the "Stories Children Should Know." It is also full of the latest news and Tablets from the Holy Land since the great war has ended.
The editors of the STAR OF THE WEST will be glad to prepare these volumes for the friends or have bound the copies sent in to them. Volume I comes at $2 each, Volumes II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX at $2.50 apiece. If volumes VII and VIII are bound together they will cost $4.00 for the two. If copies are sent in they will be bound for $1—all the bindings in three-fourths leather. Postage added to these prices.
YOUR CO-OPERATION PLEASE
It would be a great service if the friends would send in their renewal subscriptions to the STAR OF THE WEST without a notice being sent them as that would save our devoted sister, Miss Buikema hours of labor, and the labor though a boundless joy to her, must be done on holidays or late in the evenings after her business day is over.
Bahai News Service.
TABLE OF CONTENTS, Volume IX.
| Abdul-Baha, Fete Day of in Chicago, Jean Masson | 175 |
| Abdul-Baha, Portrait of | 138 |
| American Government, Prayer for the Confirmation of | 75 |
| BAHA'O'LLAH, The Promised One, Compilation, Mary M. Rabb | 5 |
| BAHA'O'LLAH, "Signs" of, Abdul-Baha | 32 |
| Bahai Temple Unity— | |
| Board Meeting of, Harlan F. Ober | 76 |
| Tenth Annual Convention | 20, 21, 41, 45, 75, 144 |
| Branch, The, Isaiah | 137 |
| Branch, The, Tablet of, BAHA'O'LLAH | 148 |
| Covenant, The Book of, (Kitab-el-Ah'd), BAHA'O'LLAH | 150 |
| Covenant, The Center of, Compilation | 139 |
| Chase, Thornton, Grave of, C. M. Remey | 77 |
| Education, Bahai Methods of, Compilation, Pauline A. Hannen | 81, 104, 113 |
| Esfandayar, Faithfulness of, Abdul-Baha | 38 |
| Getsinger, Lua, Supplication for | 228 |
| Holy Spirit, Power of | 40 |
| Intercession, A special teaching of this Religion | 222 |
| In Memoriam— | |
| Barnes, Lucelia | 225 |
| Carmichael, Dr. James | 223 |
| Chase, Thornton | 78 |
| Dealy, Mrs. Paul | 224 |
| Hanby, James | 224 |
| Harris, Erwin | 225 |
| Ioas, Charles | 78 |
| Lathrop, Dr. Claude | 224 |
| Lesch, George | 79 |
| Luther, George | 224 |
| In Memoriam—(continued) | |
| Parmerton, George | 223 |
| Roberts, Mrs. Sidney | 78 |
| Letter from Cairo, Egypt, Ahmad Sohrab | 217 |
| Letters from the Holy Land— | |
| Ahmad Sohrab | 141, 142, 154, 170, 179, 188, 199, 200 |
| Aziz | 178 |
| Shogh Effendi | 194, 195, 220 |
| Tudor-Pole, Major W. | 195 |
| Mashrekol-azkar— | |
| Message from Abdul-Baha | 22 |
| Report of Financial Secretary | 181 |
| Report of Treasurer | 146, 215 |
| Masson, Jean, The Bahai Movement | 3 |
| Meetings, Points for Discussion, Editorial | 172 |
| Naurooz, Feast of, Abdul-Baha | 8 |
| New Year, It is the, Abdul-Baha | 1 |
| Peace, Dawn of the Most Great, Editorial, Albert Vail | 156 |
| Prayer, Importance of, Abdul-Baha | 103, 113 |
| Prayers for Children, Abdul-Baha | 113 |
| Rizwan, Feast of at Chicago, M. M. | 42 |
| Stories— | |
| For Children, Compilation, Pauline A. Hannen | 177, 201 |
| By Abdul-Baha | 38, 39 |
| Tablet, Extract from The Visiting, BAHA'O'LLAH | 222 |
| Tablets from Abdul-Baha revealed for— | |
| Mrs. Juliet P. Addison | 197 |
| Miss Annie Boylan | 198 |
| Dr. Esslemont | 196 |
| Mrs. Helen S. Goodall and Mrs. Ella G. Cooper | 153 |
| Miss Alberta Hall | 173 |
| Mr. Joseph H. Hannen | 165 |
| Mr. Alfred E. Lunt | 141 |
| Mrs. Arthur Page | 173 |
| Mrs. Georgia Ralston | 143 |
| Mirza Ahmad Sohrab | 188 |
| Miss Juanita Storch | 171 |
| Mrs. Corinne True | 165 |
| Mr. Albert Vail | 155 |
| Mr. Roy Wilhelm | 164 |
| Mrs. Louise R. Waite | 198 |
| The Believers in Egypt | 199 |
| The Believers in Persia | 169, 200 |
| The Bahais of the United States and Canada for teaching | 159 |
| Talks in the Holy Land, Abdul-Baha | 17, 25, 105, 121-136 |
| Teaching, Abdul-Baha | 200 |
| Teaching, Compilation, Albert Vail | 161 |
| Teaching Campaign, The, A. R. V. | 181 |
| Temple, Let us Build the, Editorial, Albert Vail | 180 |
| Tudor-Pole, Major Wellesly, Diary of | 186 |
| War, The, Not an Act of God | 179 |
