To this uplifting movement, various external factors are being added that
are tending to hasten and stimulate this process of internal regeneration
so significant in the life of renascent Persia. The multiplicity and
increasing facilities in the means of transportation and travel; the State
visit of energetic and enlightened reformers to Persia's capital; the
forthcoming and widely-advertised journey of the _Sh_ah himself to the
progressive capitals of Western Europe; the repercussion of Turkey's
astounding reforms among an essentially sensitive and receptive people;
the loud and persistent clamor of a revolting order in Russia against the
evil domination and dark plottings of all forms of religious sectarianism;
the relentless vigor with which Afghanistan's ambitious Ruler, reinforced
by the example of his gracious Consort, is pursuing his campaign of
repression against a similar order of a corrupted clergy at home--all tend
to lend their force in fostering and fashioning that public opinion which
can alone provide an enduring basis for the reform Movement destined to
usher in that golden Era craved for by the followers of the Faith in
Baha'u'llah's native land.
As a direct consequence of the birth of this new consciousness in the life
of the nation, as evidenced by these early stirrings in the minds of the
people, both high and low, meetings of an elaborate character,
unprecedented in the number of their attendants, in the tone of the public
addresses, in the undisturbed atmosphere of their proceedings, and the
general impressiveness of their organization, have been publicly held in
Tihran, under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Baha'is of Persia. Particularly significant and impressive were those that
were held in the Haziratu'l-Quds, the administrative and spiritual center
of the Faith in the Capital, on the occasion of the twin Festivals
commemorating the declaration of the Bab and the birth of 'Abdu'l-Baha, at
the chief of which no less than two thousand representative Baha'is and
non-Baha'is, leaders of public opinion, State officials and foreign
representatives were officially invited. The addresses stressing the
universality of the Teachings of the Cause, the formal and ordered
character of the proceedings so unusual a feature to a gathering of such
proportions, the mingling of the Baha'is with the recognized
representatives of progressive thought in the Capital who, by virtue of
their high office and stately appearance, lent color and weight to the
concourse of attending believers, have all contributed to enhance the
brilliance and spiritual significance of that gathering on that memorable
occasion.
Moreover, reports of a highly encouraging nature, are being continually
received from local Assemblies and individual believers, giving the names
and stating the number of influential Persians who, hitherto reluctant to
declare openly their faith in Baha'u'llah, are as a result of this
reassuring and promising state of affairs emerging from the obscurity of
their concealment and enlisting under the erected banner of Baha'u'llah.
This has served to embolden the followers of the Faith to take the
necessary steps, under the direction of their local Assemblies, for the
institution of Baha'i schools, for the holding of public gatherings, for
the establishment of Baha'i hostels, libraries and public baths, for the
construction of official headquarters for their administrative work, and
for the gradual execution among themselves, within the limits imposed upon
them by the State, of the laws and ordinances revealed in the
Kitab-i-Aqdas. Words fail me to describe the feelings of those patiently
suffering brethren of ours in that land who, with eyes dim with tears and
hearts overflowing with thanksgiving and praise, are witnessing on every
side and with increasing force the unfoldment of a Faith which they have
served so well and love so dearly. Accounts pathetic and inspiring in
their tone are being received from that steadfast and cheerful band of
exultant believers, and are being shared with the resident friends in the
Holy Land who, having had the privilege of close and continued association
with the person of 'Abdu'l-Baha, cannot but marvel at the range, the
potency and accuracy of the prophecies of their departed Master.