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"The Song of The Covenant"
The Divine Minstrel held the stringed instrument in His Hand, and preluded a melody and tune after the Persian note, and sang this Song with a loud voice, as follows:
- This is the Ancient Covenant!
- This is the One Who has the Cup in His Hand!
- This is the One Who has brought failure in the market of
the Joseph of the Merciful God!
- This is the Testament of Accord!
- This is a Covenant to hold to, and utterly detach one's self
from aught else!
- This is the cause of stopping the cries of contradiction
(made by deniers) through the Divine Mercy!
- This is the Pre-existent Covenant!
- This is the weighty Mystery!
- This is the Greatest Secret of the countenance of El-Baha
- —May my soul redeem His beloved ones!
—ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
[Extract from Tablet]
[Following its usual custom, this issue of the STAR OF THE WEST especially emphasizes "The Center of The Covenant" in the person and function of ABDUL-BAHA, inasmuch as the 26th of November is "The Feast of the Appointment of The Center of The Covenant." This subject will be continued in No. 15 issue.
—The Editors]
THE CENTER OF THE COVENANT, ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
--PHOTO--
"O ye loyal friends of the Blessed Perfection! It is hoped that through the wonderful bestowals of that Peerless Adored One, a new dynamic acclamation and stirring activity be realized amongst the divine believers so that they may obtain a boundless rejoicing and exultation through the Melody of the Kingdom of Abha, which has moved the invisible world, and arise in the delivery of the Word of God;—so that the Holy Fragrances of God may transform the East and the West into the Paradise of Abha!"
—See Tablet opposite page.
Photograph copyright, Mrs. Cabot, 1912
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. V Kowl 1, 70 (November 23, 1914) No. 14
TRUMPET CALL TO THE EAST AND WEST
TABLET FROM "THE CENTER OF THE COVENANT"
To the believers of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful!
Upon them be BAHA'O'LLAH-EL-ABHA!
East and West.
HE IS GOD!
GLORY be unto Thee, O God! for Thou hast opened the Doors of the Kingdom of Grandeur and Majesty before the faces of Thy beloved ones; overshadowed them with the wide-spreading Tree of Thy Mercifulness; stirred them into cheerfulness by the Breezes of Acceptance from the Garden of Thy Singleness and caused the downpour of pure Waters from the heaven of Thy Generosity, through which Thou didst cleanse the hearts of Thy friends.
Thou didst resuscitate the spirit of those who have arisen in Thy service with the Breaths of the Holy Spirit and reinforced them with the angels of Thy Sanctification and the unseen Cohorts from the Supreme Concourse. Verily, this was no other but a reinforcement from Thee and a fresh Confirmation on Thy part; in order that they might arise in the proclamation of Thy Word, the diffusion of Thy Fragrances, the perusal of Thy Verses, the promulgation of Thy Religion, the propagation of Thy Teachings, the universalization of Thy Grace and the strengthening of Thy Covenant. Verily, they have pitched on the apex of the world, the Tabernacle of Thy Oneness, whose cords are unbreakable, under whose shade nations and peoples shall dwell and which is glorified with the Bestowal of Thy Effulgence.
O Lord! We are weak, fortify us with Thy Power; we are prisoners, shine upon us the Light of Thy Freedom!
O God! This captive has no other protector save Thee; this afflicted one has no other guardian except Thee, and this weak soul has no other support beside Thee!
O Lord! O Lord! Grant endurance and fortitude to these broken wings and brace and steel the nerves of these suppliant birds;—so that they may soar towards the apex of prosperity, wing their way through the immensity of success to the highest station of worthiness, stretch forth their pinions to reach the loftiest point in Thy ABHA Kingdom and the apogee of grandeur in Thy Supreme Concourse: thus their eyes may be brightened by beholding the lights and their ears be charmed by listening to the singing of the mysteries!
O Lord! Assist them in the promotion of Thy Glad-tidings between the East of the world and the West thereof; inspire them to speak of Thy glorification in the congregations of fellowship and enliven them to impart the gospel of the appearance of Thy Kingdom in the zenith of the universe. Thus, through mutual attraction, hot tears might flow from their eyes, their hearts be drawn towards the refulgent Light of God, supplicating Thee, beseeching in Thy Presence, their breasts expanded by the signs of Thy Singleness and their visions clarified by perceiving the Standards of Thy Victory amongst Thy creatures.
O God! Suffer their joy to be in the glad-tiding of Thy Manifestation; their happiness in the shining forth of Thy Light; their serenity in the obtainment of Thy Favor, their health in the healing wonders of Thy Name; their life in the Breaths of the Spirit of Thy Holiness; the consolation of their hearts in the winning of Thy Bounty; their hope in the propagation of Thy Cause and their aspirations in the promotion of Thy Word.
Verily, Thou art the Confirmer, the Omnipotent, the Self-Subsistent, the Giver, the Mighty and the Most Beautiful, and verily Thou art powerful over all things.
O ye friends of Abdul-Baha! It has been sometime since correspondence and letter-writing has been postponed, because this servant of the Threshold of the Almighty—Abdul-Baha—has been travelling continually throughout the East and the West for the last four years, reminding the people of the appearance of the Manifestation of the Lord of Hosts;—so that the Occiclent might become illumined and the Orient perfumed. Therefore, in all the meetings and temples the cry of, "Ya-Baha-El-ABHA!" reached to the zenith of the Supreme Concourse and the voice of, "O my Lord the Supreme!" soared unremittingly towards the Court of His Highness the Almighty. In the temples of many a nation the Cause of the Possessor of Existence was taught and in the houses of the worship of many a religion meetings were held for announcing the Signs of the Clement Lord. In the Christian Churches the Spirit was breathed and in the Synagogues of the Jews the Gospel of the Appearance of the Lord of Hosts was proclaimed. In the Universities of Europe and America, such as the University of Oxford, England, and the Leland Stanford University in San Francisco, California, which are considered in the vanguard of educational institutions of the world, eloquent addresses were delivered. In the last mentioned university there were present one hundred and seventy-five professors and one thousand eight hundred students. Many speeches were given before the various Theosophical, Spiritualistic and Esperanto Societies, and a speech was delivered before the Open Forum in San Francisco, explaining the aim of Eastern and Western systems of philosophies. In all these churches, temples, synagogues, meetings and clubs, through the Favor and Bounty of the Blessed Perfection,* there was not found one soul who could utter a word of opposition and criticism. Every one listened most attentively to the explanation of teachings and proofs, and all expressed thanks and gratitude at the end of the
* Blessed Perfection: A title of BAHA'O'LLAH.
meetings. This was only made possible through the grace and bestowal of BAHA'O'LLAH. For under all circumstances the Sea of the Confirmation of the Kingdom of ABHA was waving high and the cry of Abdul-Baha ascended to the highest apex.
Undoubtedly you have read the contents of the American and European newspapers which are mirrors reflecting the public opinion of other nations. Verily, truth is that which is concurrently testified to by all wise men! The contents of these magazines and newspapers are the traces of the pen of the followers of Christ, the people of Moses, philosophers, professors and thinkers of the West. For example, amongst them might be mentioned, the Palo Altan, published in the town wherein the Leland Stanford University is founded, the newspapers of Oxford, Christian Commonwealth, Century, Herald, Standard, Review of Reviews, the Arabic newspapers of New York, etc., etc. The philosophers, professors and literary men have expressed their opinions concerning this Cause in these periodicals. This was again through the mercy and providence of the Blessed Perfection whose Absolute Will had ordained the promotion of the Cause of God in all parts of the world and who confirmed this servant of the Threshold in this service.
In short, although Abdul-Baha considers himself as a drop, yet this drop is connected with the Most Great Sea. Although he looks upon himself as an atom, yet this atom is related to the world-illuminating sun. As it is said: "The Originator of all these voices is the King himself;" or in other words: "It is through His assistance."
Unquestionably this physical body and human energy would have been unable to stand this constant wear and tear, and were it not for the support of the angel of Providence even the bones of this servant would have mouldered away. But the aid and help of His Highness the Desired One was the Guardian and Protector of the weak and humble Abdul-Baha. Through the many annoyances and inconveniences of the journey, physical exhaustion was produced in the nerves and the various indispositions caused poor health, but the Spirit was so energized that this great weakness and excessive feebleness disappeared in a short period of time, and ere long Abdul-Baha will be occupied again with reading and writing.
However, back of this apparent silence and interruption of all correspondence for the time being, there was hidden another wisdom. It was this: That the believers of God might walk in the foot steps of Abdul-Baha and raise such a melody and show forth such a firmness and steadfastness that the diffusion of the Fragrance of God might continue whether he does exist or not, nay, rather that all of them might roar like unto the sea and break forth into joyous songs of thanksgiving. Thus these souls who are anticipating the death or departure of this servant at the Divine Threshold might be afflicted with regret and remorse and realize that the exaltation of the Blessed Cause and the increasing majesty of the Word of God does not depend upon the existence of Abdul-Baha.
Praise be to God! How inscrutable are His ways! When His Holiness the Bab—may my life be a ransom to Him!—was martyred; the enemies vociferously cried out that this Cause was totally annihilated!
Afterwards, they witnessed the result contrary to their expectations; for with the martyrdom of His Holiness the Bab, the Word of God was promulgated more widely. Then, changing their front, they expected the departure of the Blessed Perfection, dreaming vainly that after His ascension the Blessed Tree would be uprooted. Praise be to God, that through the Bounty and Bestowal of the Blessed Perfection they were stricken with self-condemnation and grief. In a similar manner, the pretenders and Covenant-breakers are waiting the decease and the passing away of Abdul-Baha in various and divers manners; i. e., either that he may be cast to the bottom of the sea or be suspended high on a cross, either be banished to the remotest country, be imprisoned in the dark dungeon of a fortress or through manifold sickness and illness he may quit singing the Songs of Life and the Anthems of Light—that thus after him they might obtain a field for the display of their nefarious activities and the promotion of their poisonous ideas.
Alas! Alas! Vain is their imaginings. Whether Abdul-Baha does exist or not the Cause of God shall be protected and preserved from all these supposed dangers through the Power of the Kingdom of ABHA. Were the wheels of the Cause of God stopped in their onward progressive march through the setting of those two brilliant suns (The Bab and BAHA'O'LLAH)? Or is it possible that through the death of this servant of the Threshold, the Cause of God will lose its influence? Alas! Alas! Ere long you shall see them (the nakezeen) in manifest loss!
Soon after the ascension of BAHA'O'LLAH, while they were weltering in the midst of rebellion and violation, I predicted that in a short space of time you would see the nakezeen in evident deprivation! The present condition is an unmistakable assurance that that prediction has literally been fulfilled.
Therefore, rest ye assured that their present baseless surmises will be as barren and as fruitless as their past imaginings. Some have also asserted that Abdul-Baha is on the eve of bidding his last farewell to this world, that his physical energies are being depleted and drained and that ere long these complications shall put an end to his life. This is far from truth. Although in the outward estimation of the violators and defective-minded the body is weak on account of the great ordeals in the Blessed Path, yet, praise be to God, through the Providence of the Blessed Perfection the spiritual forces are in the utmost rejuvenation and strength. Thanksgiving behooveth the Lord, that now, through the blessing and benediction of BAHA'O'LLAH, even the physical energies are fully restored, divine joy obtained, the supreme glad-tidings are resplendent and ideal happiness overflowing. I hope that, in the future, letter-writing and correspondence may continue uninterruptedly.
O ye loyal friends of the Blessed Perfection! It is hoped that, through the wonderful bestowals of that Peerless Adored One, a new dynamic acclamation and stirring activity be realized amongst the divine believers so that they may obtain boundless rejoicing and exultation through the Melody of the Kingdom of ABHA, which has moved the invisible world, and arise in the delivery of the Word of God;—so that the Holy Fragrance of God may transform the East and the West into the Paradise of ABHA, the Clouds of Grace change the surface of the earth into a delectable Rose-garden and
the Breeze of Compassion give fragrance and perfume to the plain and the meadow. This state is only made possible through teaching the Cause of God, explaining the Proofs of God, demonstrating the Religion of God with divine evidences and irrefutable arguments and guiding the inhabitants of the earth to the Fountain of Reality!
Consider, that the Apostles of Christ were few in number, but because they were filled to overflowing with His Graces, and the essence of His Advice and Commandments was circulating, like unto the spirit, through their veins and arteries, to such an extent that one could find nothing else throughout their beings save His Love, and they girded up the loins of endeavor to convey the Message. Now it has become manifest what a tremendous effect and result their services produced! We must also act accordingly and follow in their footsteps.
O ye divine believers! Today any soul who is a teacher of the Cause is confirmed. The teachers are in the front rank, are favored at the Threshold of the Almighty and helped from the Kingdom of ABHA! The believers of God must exercise the utmost love, respect and consideration towards the teachers;—so that in whatever place they may enter, joy and happiness be obtained. But regarding the qualifications of the teachers, they are revealed in the Divine Tablets. They must adorn themselves with those attributes. I declare by God, beside whom there is no God, that it today a weak mosquito is characterized with the qualifications of the teachers and summons the people to the Divine Kingdom, it will become a soaring falcon of heaven and the ephemeral moth will be changed into an eagle of the apex of the Merciful; the drop will be transformed into a surging ocean and the atom will emit the brilliancy of the sun. From every part the cry of, "Where are the teachers?" is being raised, and from the Kingdom of ABHA, the voice of, "Where are the attracted ones? Where are the severed ones? Where are the righteous ones? Where are the sanctified ones?" reaches to the ear of intelligence. The inhabitants of the world have attained to a most astonishing capacity and are ready to hearken to this Call.
O ye friends of God! Show ye an effort, put ye forth an extraordinary exertion—so that this Candle may become the witness of every congregation, and this lay or strain be the Cause of happiness to every human soul.
Next spring whosoever has competency, or in other words, can provide sufficient and adequate travelling expenses for his coming and return, so that he can journey with the utmost joy and fragrance, if he asks for permission to visit the Holy Threshold, it will be granted. Now, the present conditions show the wisdom of withholding permission in the past, for during these days of general revolutions and disturbances, the pilgrims would have been obliged to suffer innumerable difficulties. Be ye admonished! O ye possessors of intelligence! Hence, it is plain that all which is written is based on a consummate wisdom.
Upon ye be Baha-El-ABHA!
Glory be unto Thee, O Thou whose Seas of Bestowals are waving and whose Breezes of Providence are wafting over all those who have arisen to
[Continued on page 218]
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; 15 cents per copy.
Note—Until further notice, distribution in the Orient is through Agents.
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. V
No. 14
MESSAGE TO THE BAHAIS OF THE WEST
"TODAY, WHOEVER IS A HERALD OF 'THE COVENANT', IS THE LIGHT OF THE REGIONS!"
MR. GEORGE LATIMER WRITES OF VISIT TO ABDUL-BAHA
To the STAR OF THE WEST:
This present trip of nine months through and culminating in our visit with Abdul-Baha in the Holy Land has brought a new realization of the Cause to Mr. Remey and myself. I feel we are entering upon a new era of progress,—one in which the Call of the Kingdom must be raised in such a manner as to reach the entire world. The method by which this can be accomplished is through the unity and attraction of the friends. We have had the letter of the Teachings and now is the time to get the Spirit of the Divine Admonitions. It is this spirit—which Abdul-Baha radiates so bountifully—that the world of humanity is crying out for in its present crisis. In considering how to reach the people through writing and speaking Abdul-Baha said, "You must be very moderate. Consider the taste of the public. This is the best policy. Moderation, moderation. You must speak and write in such a manner as not to anyone. The LORD addressed Moses and Aaron saying: When you go to Pharaoh, speak in a moderate, sweet language'."
The keynote of Abdul-Baha's Message to the American friends is to be found in the following talks given to us during our stay in Haifa, and they bring out two essentials which are so necessary for today. One—the acquiring of the spirit of harmony and happiness of the Kingdom of ABHA; the other, the giving of that spirit to the world.
He gave the following talk on Oct. 9th: "On this journey I hope that both of you will return to America with a new power, filled with the glad tidings of the Kingdom. Be ye full of joy to such an extent that in whatever meeting you enter those present may be permeated with a spirit of heavenly blessedness."
On Oct. 18th we were called into his presence about 6:30 in the evening and after a few remarks he spoke as follows: "There are many heralds in this world. Here is a herald who summons the people to the love and defense of his country, calling out at the top of his voice: 'O my country, O my beloved country!' There is a herald who blows the bugle of New Nationalism. Here is another herald who calls the people to politics, in order that he may wield great powers of state. There is another person who is a herald of literature and science. Here you find a soul who is the herald of the commercial interests and its expansion. And there is still another herald who sounds the trumpet of war and militarism. But praise be to God, that you are the heralds of the Kingdom of God. All these contending voices which are raised in the world today will ere long be silenced and hushed, but the call of the Kingdom of God will gain volume and impetus day by day. The popularity of these worldly heralds may last for a year or two, but the fame of the souls, who are the heralds of the Kingdom, is eternal for they are sounding the trumpet of celestial, Universal Peace.
Their voices will ring throughout the future centuries and will be immortal and age-abiding. Thank ye God that ye are the heralds of the Kingdom of Abha, the heralds of the Covenant of the Almighty. All other voices will be repressed but this harmonic song of the Kingdom of Peace and Truth is eternal and everlasting.
"Now, I desire to send you back to the United States. I supplicate and beseech at the Threshold of the Kingdom of ABHA that you
--PHOTO-- Abdul-Baha's handwriting—Facsimile of Tablet to American Bahais—English translation appeared in No.13 issue of the STAR OF THE WEST.
may go forth into the world with a heavenly power, with radiant hearts and with breaths imbued with the Fragrances of the Holy Spirit! May you be confirmed and assisted and may you raise such a melody and sing such a song as to stir and move the hearts of the American people. I anticipate to receive glad-news from you."
Abdul-Baha's farewell talk was given to us Oct. 19th about four in the afternoon. We were ushered into his room where he was writing the Tablet to the American friends (see facsimile herewith). On being shown this Tablet after our return a Persian scholar immediately called our attention to the firmness of the hand-writing indicating the strength and health of Abdul-Baha. Never have I seen him in better physical health and spirits and he confirmed that impression in the following talk: "One of the things that ill-wishers circulated in London is that 'I have grown old and weak and that my physical forces are on the wane, consequently some people have gained ascendancy over my mind and caused me to issue these commands.'
"My power consists of the Bestowals of the Blessed Beauty. They are all spiritual Favors given to me by BAHA'O'LLAH. From early
morning until now I have been reading and writing and I am feeling exceedingly well. Young people like you can only work three or four hours without ceasing. When in America, although I had a nervous fever, yet I attended churches, meetings, conventions, speaking and crying out at the top of my voice. Never was I attacked with a spiritual weakness or inability. In Budapest I had a high fever and a severe cold. Notwithstanding this, from six in the morning until twelve at night, I was either speaking, calling on the people, addressing meetings or writing. At nine in the evening there was a meeting on the top floor of a high building in a remote part of the city. A heavy snow was falling. It was very cold weather. I had this cold and fever, but notwithstanding
this, I went, ascended 120 steps and addressed the people for about two hours.
"In short I am sending you away. I supplicate and entreat confirmation for you; I beg strength and power for you. I hope that the confirmations of the Kingdom of ABHA may encircle you and that you may become the means of the guidance of the people. With reinforced hearts, strong resolution and heavenly assistance may you loose your tongues, deliver eloquent speeches and promote the Word of God. You have undertaken much trouble in coming here. You must be very happy; you must be very rejoiced because you have come to this Sacred Spot and worshipped at the Holy Tomb of the Bab. For many days you have associated with me and I have enjoyed your visit, and I hope that good results will issue therefrom. Today whosoever is a herald of the Covenant is the light of the Regions. In the Supreme Concourse the Heavenly Cohorts are arrayed, watching to see who will enter the arena of service of the Covenant, that they may rush forward to reinforce, to strengthen and to confer upon him triumph. In brief, be ye overflowing with joy; be ye overflowing with happiness for ye are the objects of the Favor of the Blessed Beauty. Be ye full of clamour and acclamation like unto a cup which is overflowing to the brim."
May the friends arise as never before to pass this cup of Divine Joy to the thirsty, parched world.
Faithfully in the Spirit of the Covenant,
GEORGE LATIMER.
TRUMPET CALL TO THE EAST AND WEST
(Continued from page 215)
promote Thy Word amongst mankind and are hastening towards the city of self-sacrifice with a heart overflowing with love and fidelity and a tongue eloquent with the praise of Thy ABHA Beauty!
O Lord! Confirm whoever opens his mouth in the explanation of Thy Cause; arises in the diffusion of Thy Fragrances, from whose lips flows the irresistible torrents of evidence in the elucidation of Thy Religion; waves like unto the surging of the mighty ocean; sings like unto the singing of the golden-tongued nightingale in the Garden of Thy Knowledge, and roars like unto the roaring of the lion in the Forest of Thy Favor.
O Lord! Cause them to quaff from the goblet which is filled with the Wine of Thy Guidance, exhilarate them with the intoxication of Thy Elixir, suffer them to speak of Thy most incontrovertible proofs, inspire them with irrefragable evidences and demonstrations and teach them the essences of wisdom and understanding.
Verily, thou art the Clement, Thou art the Confirmer, the Powerful, the Mighty and the Omnipotent, and verily there is no God beside the Lord of Grace and Mercy!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, September 22, 1914. "Baha'i Nest," Mount Carmel, Haifa, Syria.
OUR PERSIAN SECTION this issue contains: (1) Verses and commands of BAHA'O'LLAH regarding the station of The Center of The Covenant, Abdul-Baha, and the violators; (2) quotation from the Koran regarding the hypocrites and the violators; (3) and (4) utterances from the Blessed Tablets regarding The Covenant and the violators; (5) "The light of the moon shall become like the light of the sun," by Mirza Abul-Fazl; (6) "The Covenant Unique," from the eloquent words of Sheikh-ol-Rais; (7) "The ego of satan is the cause of his infidelity," by M. Moustafa Bagdadi.
VOICE RECORDS OF ABDUL-BAHA may be obtained from Mrs. Howard MacNutt, 935 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, N. Y., at 85 cents each, including packing and shipment via parcel post. These are disc records and can be used on various phonographs.
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No. 14
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