The power which has gathered you here today notwithstanding the cold and
windy weather is, indeed, mighty and wonderful. It is the power of God,
the divine favor of Baha'u'llah which has drawn you together. We praise
God that through His constraining love human souls are assembled and
associated in this way.
Thousands of Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kars, dawning points of praise and mention
of God for all religionists will be built in the East and in the West, but
this, being the first one erected in the Occident, has great importance.
In the future there will be many here and elsewhere--in Asia, Europe, even
in Africa, New Zealand and Australia--but this edifice in Chicago is of
especial significance. It has the same importance as the
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar in I_sh_qabad, Caucasus, Russia, the first one built
there. In Persia there are many; some are houses which have been utilized
for the purpose, others are homes entirely devoted to the divine Cause,
and in some places temporary structures have been erected. In all the
cities of Persia there are Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kars, but the great dawning
point was founded in I_sh_qabad. It possesses superlative importance
because it was the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar built. All the Baha'i
friends agreed and contributed their utmost assistance and effort. The
Afnan devoted his wealth, gave all he had to it. From such a mighty and
combined effort a beautiful edifice arose. Notwithstanding their
contributions to that building, they have assisted the fund here in
Chicago as well. The Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar in I_sh_qabad is almost
completed. It is centrally located, nine avenues leading into it, nine
gardens, nine fountains; all the arrangement and construction is according
to the principle and proportion of the number nine. It is like a beautiful
bouquet. Imagine a very lofty, imposing edifice surrounded completely by
gardens of variegated flowers, with nine avenues leading through them,
nine fountains and pools of water. Such is its matchless, beautiful
design. Now they are building a hospital, a school for orphans, a home for
cripples, a hospice and a large dispensary. God willing, when it is fully
completed, it will be a paradise.
I hope the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar in Chicago will be like this. Endeavor to
have the grounds circular in shape. If possible, adjust and exchange the
plots in order to make the dimensions and boundaries circular. The
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar cannot be triangular in shape. It must be in the
form of a circle.
2 May 1912
Talk at Hotel Plaza
Chicago, Illinois