1: Miss Agnes B. Alexander
1875-1971
The year was 1913, and Miss Alexander recalls: "My only desire was to
serve His Cause. The words of 'Abdu'l-Baha rang in my ears: 'I have a lamp
in My Hand searching through the lands and seas to find souls who can
become heralds of the Cause. Day and night I am engaged in this work.'
"I prayed that His lamp might find me. For nearly twelve years I had been
privileged to assist in establishing His Cause in Hawaii. Now the time had
come when I was free to go forth to serve in other parts of His lands... I
received a Tablet from the Master which contained the first intimation
that He wished me to travel to Japan. He wrote in part: 'Therefore if thou
travelest toward Japan unquestionably Divine confirmations shall descend
upon thee.'
"Through the Divine favors all difficulties were overcome and I sailed ...
reaching Japan November 1, 1914."
Between the time of her arrival and 1967 when she left for the last time,
Miss Alexander spent a total of about 31 years in Japan. The rest of her
time was spent in Hawaii or other parts of the world teaching the Faith.
Shoghi Effendi referred to Miss Alexander as a "distinguished pioneer" and
wrote the following to her regarding her role in the development of the
Faith.
"Your glorious services in those remote regions of the earth (China and
Japan) are never to be forgotten. I ever pray on your behalf and wish you
to remember the sacred interests of the Cause in far-away Japan as you are
that radiant herald who has raised the Call of Salvation in its very heart
and to whom it owes a great debt of gratitude... I never, never forget
you." (January 27, 1924)
"I feel that your destiny lies in that far-off and promising country
(Japan) where your noble and pioneer services future generations will
befittingly glorify and thankfully remember." (January 10, 1928)
Miss Alexander received thirteen Tablets from 'Abdu'l-Baha. They are
quoted below.
Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Miss Agnes Alexander
[Tablet of June, 1901]
O thou maid-servant of God!
The tongues have spoken of thy attraction to God, and the pens have
testified of thy burning by the Fire of the Love of God. Indeed the heart
of 'Abdu'l-Baha approves of this because it feels its heat from this
distant and Blessed Spot.
O maid-servant of God! By God, the Truth, the Spirit of Christ from the
Supreme Concourse doth in every time and aspect announce to thee this
great good-news.
Be, therefore a divine bird, proceed to thy native country, spread the
wings of sanctity over those spots and sing and chant and celebrate the
name of thy Lord, that thou mayest gladden the Supreme Concourse and make
the seeking souls hasten unto thee as moths hasten to the lamp and thus
illumine that distant country by the Light of God.
(Translated by Anton Haddad. Received in Paris, June, 1901)
[Photograph at bottom half of the page with the following caption:
"Mr. Struven became a herald of the Kingdom and traveled through the
countries of China, India and Japan." ('Abdu'l-Baha) Mr. Howard Struven,
the first Baha'i to visit Japan, is at the far left. Dr. Augur is at the
far right and Miss Alexander is sitting second from left. Taken in
Honolulu, Hawaii in 1909.]
[Tablet Translated January 25, 1903]
O thou bird warbling in the Garden of the Love of God!
Thank God that He has illumined thy insight, led thee unto the Fire
glowing in the tree of man; caused thee to utter His Praise among the
creatures and guided certain women to whom thou spoke the Word of God.
O maid-servant of God! Verily thy Lord lighteth the lamp of Love in the
heart of whomsoever He chooseth. This is indeed the great happiness. He
confirmeth him in the service of the Supreme Vineyard.
I pray God to confirm the relatives in attaining to the Brilliant Light,
to let the light of Insight shine forth to the hearts and sights; to aid
thy friends in being illumined by the Light of El Baha and fed from the
Heavenly Table, and to make thee empty, void from the thoughts of the life
of this world and filled with the Love of thy Lord, ready for His service,
uttering His Praise and demonstrating with proofs the appearance of the
Kingdom of God.
(Translated by Mirza Ameen, Chicago, Illinois, January 25, 1903)
[Tablet Translated August 14, 1909]
O thou seeker of the Kingdom!
Thy letter was received. I prayed at the Court of Holiness to deliver thee
from the darkness of the attachment to this world, enlighten thee by the
Divine Illumination and purify the mirror of thy heart, so that the Rays
of the Sun of Truth may shine therein.
Permission is granted thee to marry Mr. W ... W ... but thou must try with
heart and soul to guide him and cause him to enter under the Shade of the
Covenant and Testament, so that ye may become united as one soul in two
bodies and be engaged in the service of the Kingdom.
(Translated by Ahmad Sohrab, Chicago, August 14, 1909. Received in
Honolulu, September 8, 1909)
[Tablet of Translated August 16, 1913]
O maid-servant of God!
Thy letter was received. Thou hast written something about Mr. Remey. In
reality that youth is the son of the Kingdom and the herald of the
appearance of Baha'u'llah. All the believers of God and the maid-servants
of the Merciful must summon the people to the Kingdom and be the means of
the guidance of their souls. They must live and conduct themselves in such
a manner so that they may become distinguished above other people in
sanctity, prayerfulness and humility. I hope that thou mayest attain to
this station and become the cause of the diffusion of the Manifest Light.
(Translated by Ahmad Sohrab, August 16, 1913, Ramleh, Egypt. Received in
Honolulu, September 15, 1913)
[Tablet Translated October 31, 1913]
O thou dear daughter!
Thy letter was received. It became the cause of infinite rejoicing for it
expressed eloquently thy faith and thy turning thy face toward the Kingdom
of God. This light of guidance which is ignited in the lamp of thy heart
must become more brilliant day by day and shed its light to all parts.
Therefore, if thou travelest toward Japan unquestionably Divine
confirmations shall descend upon thee.
Convey the utmost kindness to Mrs. ... on my behalf and say: The doors of
the Kingdom of God are open, the Call of the Lord of the Kingdom is
raised, the Bestowals of the Almighty are endless and the effulgence of
the Sun of Reality has illumined the East and the West. In such a time
patience and tranquility are not allowable. Thou must engage with infinite
joy and happiness in the mention of the Forgiving Lord.
(Translated by Ahmad Sohrab, October 31, 1913, Ramleh, Egypt. Received in
Brooklyn, New York, January 1914)
[Tablet of August 4, 1914]
O thou my dear daughter!
Thy letter was received. It imparted great happiness. Praise be to God
that that dear daughter is sacrificing herself in the path of Baha'u'llah
and enduring every difficulty.
It is now more advisable for thee to depart directly to Japan and while
there be engaged in the diffusion of the fragrances of God. From there
thou mayest return to India and from India to the Holy Land.
Today the greatest of all divine bestowals is teaching the Cause of God
for it is fraught with confirmations. Every teacher is confirmed and is
favored at the Divine Threshold. In the estimation of the Ideal King, the
army which is in the front of the battlefield is encircled with the
glances of His mercifulness and in the sight of the Divine Farmer, the
sower of the seed is accepted and favored.
I hope that thou mayest be like unto a realm conquering army and a farmer,
therefore thy voyage to Japan is preferred to everything else. Still thou
are perfectly free.
(Mount Carmel, Haifa, August 4, 1914. Received in Geneva, Switzerland,
August 22, 1914)
[Tablet Translated October 27, 1916]
O thou heavenly daughter!
Thy letter through Mr. Hannen was received from Japan; likewise the
letters of Mr. Fukuta. The contents of both letters imparted exceeding
joy, for each word was an eloquent tongue explaining the wonders of the
Love of God and elucidating the story of the attraction of the heart with
the Breaths of the Holy Spirit.
Praise be to God that thou hast become assisted to promulgate the Word of
God in Japan. Ere long this circle in Japan will be enlarged obtaining
heavenly blessings.
God says in the glorious Qur'an: "A seed, growing out of it seven ears,
and God is able to double this for whomsoever He willeth." This verse
means: Whenever the Word of Truth is proclaimed, it is like unto a seed,
which sown in a pure soil brings forth seven ears and every ear produces
one hundred kernels, and God says again that for whomsoever He desireth,
He will double this number, that is, He will make the seven hundred
kernels fourteen hundred.
Now I hope that thy call in Japan may be like unto that seed, so that it
may obtain heavenly blessing and benediction, and the souls be educated
and taught the oneness and singleness of God, the truthfulness of the
prophets and the usefulness of the Divine Teachings.
An answer is written to the letters of Mr. Fukuta and forwarded. Present
it to him.
(Translated by Ahmad Sohrab, Haifa, October 27, 1916. Received in Tokyo,
February 7, 1917)
[Tablet Translated October 30, 1916]
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
Thy letter dated July 15, 1916 was received. Its contents indicated that
thou hast organized a meeting in Japan. Consider thou what a great favor
God hast bestowed that such spiritual meetings are being held in Tokyo and
such heavenly gifts are being distributed.
God says in the Qur'an: "The example of the people of faith is like unto a
field which obtains freshness and verdancy from the rain descending from
the clouds, attaining to full fruition and finding the blessings of the
Kingdom. There is no doubt that day by day it will grow and develop and in
the end the ears of the sheaves will be laden with God's benediction
bringing forth one hundred fold."
Now, ye are the fields of the plain of Reality and are under the
protection of the educative rays of the Sun of Truth. At every moment ye
obtain a new vitality from the rain of divine bestowals and ere long ye
will produce full grown seeds which are blessed by the care and attention
of the Divine Farmer. There is no doubt that such will be the end.
Convey on my behalf the utmost longing and greeting to the friends
residing in Tokyo as well as the recently arrived travelers and say to
them: All the individuals of humanity are farmers. Every soul sows a
certain kind of seed, but at the season of the harvest there will be
gathered no result except the seeds which are sown by the believers of
God. That alone will obtain heavenly blessings. Reflect that His Holiness
Christ and His Holiness Muhammad scattered such holy seeds the fruits of
which are being gathered until now, but all the other farmers were finally
doomed to regret and disappointment.
(Translated by Ahmad Sohrab, Haifa, October 30, 1916. Received in Tokyo
February 17, 1917)
[Tablet Translated December 27, 1918]
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
Although your letter has not yet been received, yet we do answer it.
Praise be to God, that in Japan thou hast been assisted in the
accomplishment of a distinguished service. Thou hast raised the Call of
the Divine Kingdom and hast led the people to an illumined world and a
heavenly Cause. Thou hast become the cause of enlightenment and the wisher
for the education of human souls. For those regions are in sheer need of
Divine Teachings and are endowed with sufficient capability. Those souls
must be emancipated from the obscurity of blind imitations and be
illumined by the light of heavenly instructions. Whosoever arises for such
a work, divine confirmations shall assist him and the power of the Kingdom
shall be made manifest.
Effort must be exerted that the East and West may be reconciled, that the
darkness of bigotry may vanish, that the unity of mankind may be made
manifest and that East and West, like unto two longing souls, may embrace
each other in the utmost love, for all are the sheep of God and God is the
Real Shepherd and is kind to every one.
In accordance with the wish of the attracted maid servant of God to the
love of God, Mrs. Maxwell, go thou to Canada and stay there for a time and
then hasten back to Japan for in Japan you will be assisted and exalted.
Some letters are enclosed for the friends in Japan. Forward them.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, December 27, 1918. Received in
Montclair, New Jersey, March 8, 1919)
[Tablet Translated July 30, 1919]
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
Thy letters were received. The travel to Japan was in the utmost
necessity. Thou hast undoubtedly met the attracted maid servant of God,
Mrs. Maxwell before sailing to Japan, for that maid servant of God is
ablaze with the Fire of the love of God. Whosoever meets her feels from
her association the susceptibilities of the Kingdom. Her company uplifts
and develops the soul.
Thou didst well to travel to Japan for the seed thou hast sown needs
watering. Capable souls are found in Japan; the Breath of the Merciful is
necessary to stir and enliven them and to bestow a spiritual liveliness. A
blind soul is there but is in the utmost enkindlement and likewise a
priest lives there and is endowed with great capacity. I hope that thou
wilt find the doors flung open and become the cause of the guidance of
souls.
Convey on my behalf the utmost love and kindness to the maid servants of
God, Elizabeth Stevens and Maud Gaudreaux. Through the bounties and
blessings of God, I supplicate that Mr. Weirs may become attracted to the
Divine Kingdom and may be so enkindled with the love of God that he may
illumine the surrounding regions.
Of the death of Richard Potter we were made infinitely sad, but that
nightingale of the Kingdom has flown to the rose garden of the Kingdom,
and that drop returned to the limitless ocean. That wanderer has ascended
to his original abode. On his behalf I supplicate from the Threshold of
Oneness pardon and forgiveness.
Convey on my behalf to the maid servants of God, Miss Ragina Sunshine,
Mrs. Louise Smith and Louise Bosch the wonderful Abha greetings. I have
entreated and supplicated to the Abha Kingdom and have begged for those
maid servants of the Merciful unbounded blessings, that each may unloosen
an eloquent tongue and engage in the commemoration of the Beloved of the
world.
Convey to the friends of Geyserville the intensity of my love and my
spiritual attachment. At dawn I entreat at the Threshold of the
All-Knowing God and beg for them the exaltation of the Kingdom.
Remain for some days in Honolulu and then immediately hasten to Japan.
(Translated by Shoghi Rabbani, Haifa, July 30, 1919. Received in Tokyo
November 26, 1919)
[Tablet Translated June 3, 1920]
O thou who art the daughter of the Kingdom!
Thy letter has been received. Praise be unto God that in those regions the
Breezes of the Rose Garden of Abha are spreading. It is my hope that they
(those regions) would become perfumed; the Breezes of Favor would waft,
the Lights of Guidance would radiate and the Graces of the Merciful would
unveil.
Convey on my behalf respectful greetings to Mrs. Finch. I hope that you
two would in the utmost affection and union start in the service of the
Kingdom, become the cause that that dark country may become illumined and
that the Breezes of the Heavenly Rose Garden may be spread.
Convey my deepest love and affection to Mr. Torii and Mr. Inouye and Mr.
Saiki, and also to all others. Through the graces of the Beauty of Abha I
cherish the hope that those souls will become sublime emblems and fruitful
trees in this Supreme Paradise because a productive man is like unto a
tree which is fruitful and of large shadow and so he is the ornament of
the garden of Paradise.
This world, though apparently ornamented, yet its ornamentation is like
unto the freshness of the flowers on the meadow whose prosperity lasts but
for a short time, fading speedily through the heat of the sun and the
blowing of the wind. The Heavenly Trees, however, are always green, fresh,
full of blossoms and continually yielding fruits. They remain till
Eternity in perfect fineness, freshness and vigor.
Extend my great kindness and praise to the maid servant of God, Fuyo
(Yuri) Mochizuki, so that she may, with a divine power, a heavenly purpose
and Godly motive start her writing and that the Breaths of the Holy Spirit
may help her pen.
I am supplicating to God to help Mr. Fukuta progress day by day, to guide
the Japanese women to tear up the curtains of superstitions, observe
Lights of Truth, seek Eternal Life and long for everlasting Bestowals.
(Translated by Azizullah S. Bahadur, Haifa, June 3, 1920. Received in
Tokyo, July 28, 1920)
[Tablet Translated August 2, 1921]
O thou who wanderest in the divine Path!
In the path of God thou didst leave behind thy familiar country and
traveled to those distant regions, so that thou mayest spread the
Teachings of God and give the people the Glad Tidings of the Kingdom of
God. Be assured that confirmations will reach thee and thou wilt become
assisted in accomplishing a great service to the world of humanity.
Thousand tidings may reach thee!
Thy brother Ono San, also will be confirmed and with utmost joy and
happiness he will come back.
(Translated by Rouhi Afnan, Haifa, August 2, 1921)
[Tablet of November 7, 1921]
O thou who proclaimest the Kingdom of God!
Thy letter has been received and gave much joy. Praise be to God that the
confirmations of the Kingdom of Abha reached and thou becamest the cause
of guidance of the souls. It is my hope that in Korea thou wilt raise the
banner of the Greatest Guidance. Convey my utmost kindness to Mr. Roh(6) .
I have utmost love for him and ask for him Heavenly blessings.
(November 7, 1921, Haifa. Received in Tokyo, February 14, 1922)
2: Dr. George J. Augur
1853-1927
Dr. George Jacob Augur, a dedicated and deeply spiritual "Disciple of
'Abdu'l-Baha"(7) received several Tablets from 'Abdu'l-Baha. At the
Master's summons Dr. Augur left his home in Honolulu and went to Japan. He
arrived the first time in June 1914 and stayed until April 1915. He made
several other trips to Japan with his wife, Ruth, also a firm believer.
The Augurs worked closely with Miss Alexander to establish the Faith in
Japan. While there Dr. Augur lived in the Japanese style, learned Japanese
and wore the kimono. With 'Abdu'l-Baha's permission he returned to Hawaii
to stay in 1919.
Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Dr. George Augur
[Tablet Translated November 21, 1913]
O thou dear son!
From thy letter the fragrance of the rose garden of significances was
inhaled, that praise be to God, thou art assisted by the Divine
confirmations, hast found the way to the Kingdom of God and thy heart and
soul are quickened. Arise thou to perform the blessed intention thou art
holding and travel thou to Japan and lay there the foundation of the Cause
of God, that is, summon the people to the Kingdom of God. Japan has great
capacity, but there needs be a teacher who will speak by the confirmations
of the Holy Spirit. I hope thou wilt become assisted in this.
(Translated by Ahmad Sohrab, Ramleh, Egypt, November 21, 1913)
[Tablet Translated February 12, 1914]
O thou who art advancing toward the Kingdom!
Thy letter was received. It indicated, praise be to God, that in the
matter of advancing toward the Kingdom of God thou art firm and steadfast
and thou hast resolved to go to Japan to spread the Divine Teachings. This
lofty magnanimity befits praise. I hope thou mayest become confirmed
therein and in the affairs of the Kingdom thou mayest follow the
inspiration and the teachings of God and not any human suggestion. Rest
assured that thou wilt become assisted.
(Translated by Ahmad Sohrab, Haifa, February 12, 1914)
[Tablet Translated August 12, 1914]
O thou herald of the Kingdom of God!
Thy letter was received. A thousand times bravo to thy magnanimity and
exalted aim! Trusting in God and while turning thy face toward the Kingdom
of Abha, unfurl thou the divine Flag in Tokyo and cry at the top of thy
voice: "O ye people. The Sun of Reality hath appeared and flooded all
regions with its glorious light; it has upraised the Standard of Oneness
of the world of humanity and summoned all mankind to the refulgent Truth.
The cloud of Mercy is pouring, the zephyr of Providence is wafting and the
world of humanity is being stirred and moved. The Divine Spirit is
conferring eternal life, the heavenly lights are illumining the hearts,
the table of the sustenance of the Kingdom is spread and adorned with all
kinds of foods and victuals. O ye concourses of men! Awake! Awake! Become
mindful! Become mindful! Open ye the seeing eye! Unstop the hearing ear!
Hark! Hark! The soft notes of the Heavenly Music are streaming down,
ravishing the ears of the people of spiritual discernment. Ere long this
transcendent Light will wholly enlighten the East and West!"
In short, with a resounding voice, with a miraculous power, and with the
magnetism of the Love of God, teach thou the Cause of God and rest assured
that the Holy Spirit shall confirm thee.
(Translated by Ahmad Sohrab, Haifa, August 12, 1914)
[Photograph with the following caption:]
A group who were studying the Faith with Miss Alexander and Dr. Augur. He
is sitting in front. Mr. Fukuta, top left, was the first to become a
Baha'i in Japan. Taken in 1916.
[Tablet of 1919]
On August 8, 1915 'Abdu'l-Baha's secretary wrote: "Your beautiful petition
... was read to the Beloved ... as He was walking to and fro in the parlor
of the Pilgrim House. His face beamed with a heavenly smile as he heard
your name. He said: 'Write to Dr. Augur to return to Japan as soon as the
first opportunity offers itself to him. Great blessings will descend upon
the soul who teaches the Cause in that country. Its people are endowed
with great capability. Should five or six of them be thoroughly grounded
in the teachings of this Cause and attracted with its fire, great results
will be forthcoming.'"
O ye the two doves nestling in the garden of the Love of God!
Your detailed letter was received. Your services at this spot are
recognized and appreciated, particularly (your services) in Tokyo. Praise
be to God that in that region ye have been assisted in diffusing the
musk-scented perfume, and this in future is pregnant with remarkable
results. These few seeds of corn that ye have sown in that soil shall lead
to luxuriant crops, this limited number of souls will be converted into
great cohorts, nay, rather into an imposing spiritual army, and that seed,
under the Divine Direction, shall yield abundant and heavy clusters.
Praise ye God that ye have been assisted with such Divine Bounty. Ye have
sown some seeds and now watering is needed. If souls should undertake a
voyage from America or Honolulu to the land of Japan, the teachings of God
shall thereby be swiftly propagated and important consequences shall
result. You two have fulfilled your roles and have striven within the
limits of your capacity. At present ye must rest for a time; the turn of
others has arrived, that they may similarly travel to Japan, may water the
seeds that have been sown and may serve and take care of the tender
shrubs. The days of life are swiftly going by, and eventually man will be
confined into subterranean regions and his name shall perish, except those
souls who become Divine gardeners and who sow seeds in the soil of hearts.
Those shall eternally remain shining and glittering like unto stars from
the horizon of Truth.
(1919)
3: Mr. Kanichi Yamamoto
1879-1961
Mr. Kanichi(8) Yamamoto has the distinction of being the first Japanese
believer. He immigrated from Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, to Hawaii, where
he worked in the home of the family of a believer. Also living there was
one of the early Baha'is of Hawaii, Miss Elizabeth Muther.
Miss Muther wrote to a friend on September 8, 1902, "After I became a
believer I felt that sometime I might tell (Mr. Yamamoto). I prayed that
his heart might be prepared to receive the truth. Although it was a little
difficult to give him the Message because of his imperfect knowledge of
English, yet God helped me so that he understands perfectly and is
rejoicing in the Knowledge of His Truth. I have just had a little talk
with him and he told me how happy he was and that he expects to write his
letter to the Master this evening."
[Photograph with the following caption:]
Mr. Kanichi Yamamoto, the first Japanese Baha'i with four of his sons. The
three oldest boys were given Persian names by 'Abdu'l-Baha. Taken in
Berkeley, California in 1920.
Mr. Yamamoto rewrote his letter four times before he was satisfied. "He
felt that he could not write in English, so I told him that I thought it
would be all right for him to write in Japanese. I was sure the Master
would understand the spirit of his letter. Mr. Yamamoto said that although
his letter was written in Japanese, the Master fully answered him."
Mr. Yamamoto wrote other letters to 'Abdu'l-Baha in Japanese. At the time
no one in the Holy Land could read Japanese. 'Abdu'l-Baha's secretary
recorded that He said, "I will turn to Baha'u'llah, and He will tell me
what to say." He always answered Mr. Yamamoto's questions.
Mr. Yamamoto later lived in the Berkeley-Oakland area of California. When
'Abdu'l-Baha visited Oakland in 1912, Mr. Yamamoto had the privilege of
arranging a meeting for him at the Japanese Independent Church.
'Abdu'l-Baha's talk is quoted in Ch. 6.
Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Mr. Kanichi Yamamoto
[Tablet of 1902]
O thou who art attracted by the Word of God to the Kingdom of God!
Turn with the whole of thy being to God, forget aught else save God, and
supplicate God to make thee a sign of guidance in the midst of people who
are veiled from God; perchance they may be guided to the Orb of all
horizons, enter the kingdom of harmony, drink of the cup of the love of
God, rejoice at the manifestation of the Kingdom of God, taste the delight
of the mention of God, and shelter themselves in the shadow of the Tree of
Life in the midst of the Paradise of God.
This beseemeth the believers; this is the qualification of the sincere;
this is the path of the knowers; and this is the utmost aim of the
faithful.
Exert thy utmost power that thou mayest share this great bounty.
(1902)
[Tablet of January 1903]
O thou who hast addressed 'Abdu'l-Baha!
Verily, I pray my Lord to teach thee a language and writing of the Kingdom
which will satisfy thee, so as to dispense with all things; for that
spiritual writing and instructive tongue are eloquent, clear, laudable,
legible, read by the tongue and preserved in the heart. Blessed is he who
knows it in the world of man!
Know, verily, that the Ocean is waving, the Sun shining, the Stars
dawning. (Understand what I say!)
The tree will grow, the earth will send forth hyacinths(9) and give
blessings, and man will become of the heavenly angels. Feed on the light
of guidance and impart light to the people. The bird will warble melodies
unknown save by the birds of heaven; then tear asunder the veil and see
the realities of things with the eye of God. Verily, thy Lord guideth
whomsoever He willeth unto the Straight Path!
The Promised Spot will be made a racecourse for the steeds of the race of
Knowledge and the lights of the Merciful will shine upon it. The dispersed
ones will return to the Center of Gathering and the birds will return from
the meadows of the world unto the Nest of Harmony. This is a preordained
matter.
As to thee: Thou hast borne every difficulty and hardship and soon will be
rewarded by God with a good reward. He will destine to thee all that is
good, and choose for thee the manifestation of His mercy among the
servants; that they may thus see that the Sons of the Kingdom have gone
out(10), while there hath come a soul from the remotest horizon who hath
entered the Kingdom of God.
(January 1903)
[Tablet of (Date unknown)]
O thou youth of God!
Thank God that thou hast found thy way to the Radiant Kingdom, torn
asunder the veil of superstition and learned the reality of the mysteries.
All the people have formed a god in the world of thought, and that form of
their own imagination they worship; when the fact is that the imagined
form is finite and the human mind is infinite(11) . Surely the infinite is
greater than the finite, for imagination is accidental (or non-essential)
while the mind is essential; surely the essential is greater than the
accidental.
Therefore consider: All the sects and peoples worship their own thought;
they create a god in their own minds and acknowledge him to be the creator
of all things, when that form is a superstition--thus people adore and
worship imagination (or illusion).
The Essence of the Divine Entity and the Unseen of the unseen is holy
above imagination and is beyond thought. Consciousness doth not reach It.
Within the capacity of comprehension of a produced (or created) reality
that Ancient Reality cannot be contained. It is a different world; from it
there is no information; arrival thereat is impossible; attainment thereto
is prohibited and inaccessible. This much is known: It exists and Its
existence is certain and proven--but the condition is unknown.
All the philosophers and the doctors know that It is, but they were
perplexed in the comprehension of Its existence and were at last
discouraged, and in great despair they left this world. For the
comprehension of the condition and mysteries of that Reality of realities
and Mystery of mysteries there is need for another power and another
sense. That power and sense is not possessed by mankind, therefore they
have not found any information. For example: If a man possess the power of
hearing, the power of tasting, the power of smelling and the power of
feeling but no power of seeing, he cannot see. Hence, through the powers
and senses present in man the realization of the Unseen Reality, which is
pure and holy above the reach of doubts, is impossible. Other powers are
needed and other senses required. If those powers and senses are obtained,
then information can be had; otherwise, not.
As to the question of marriage, according to the law of God; First you
must select one, and then it depends upon the consent of the father and
mother. Before your selection they have no right of interference.
Endeavor as much as thou canst to acquire the English language with the
utmost eloquence and excellence, so that thou mayest be enabled to
translate the Tablets into the Japanese tongue. This is my advice.
Certainly exert thy utmost endeavor to attain this bounty.
(Date unknown)
[Tablet of August 4, 1904]
O thou who art the single one of Japan and the unique one of the extreme
Orient!
That country hath been deprived of the divine breath until this time; now,
God be praised! thou art initiated in the mysteries and conscious of the
secrets of the lights.
Thou hast been earthly, I hope that thou wilt become heavenly; thou hast
been gloomy, I desire that thou wilt become luminous. Thou wert wandering
in the wilderness, thou hast found a way to the abode of the Beloved One;
thou wert a thirsty fish, thou hast attained to the endless Ocean; thou
wert a roving bird, thou hast reached the divine Rose Garden; thou wert
spiritually sick and thou hast found real health!
Now is the time that thou shouldst entirely abandon the comfort, ease,
enjoyment and the life of this transient world, and wholly arise to guide
the people of Japan, illuminating faces, perfuming nostrils and
conquering, through the heavenly hosts and divine reinforcements, the
hearts of the people of that region.
Do not wonder at the favor and bounty of the Lord. By the favor of God,
how often a drop hath become undulating like a sea, and an atom become
shining like the sun!
The Sun of Truth hath enlightened the divine world and illumined the
universe. The rays of His grace have shone upon the East and West, and His
heat hath caused vegetation in all countries. So the lights and the heat
of the Sun of Truth being help and assistance, what more dost thou need?
Thou must warble, like the nightingale of significances, in the rose
garden so that thou mayest inspire all the birds of the meadow to chant
and to sing.
(August 4, 1904)
[Tablet of January 25, 1903]
To Miss Elizabeth Muther in Hawaii
I have written a reply to the letter of Kwanichi Yamamoto and have
enclosed it with this letter. I ask God to make him a sign of guidance and
to guide through him souls of his native land and of other people.
(January 25, 1903)
[Tablet of October 18, 1906]
To Mrs. Helen S. Goodall
The Japanese youth, K. Yamamoto should act in accord with the Law of
God--namely--he must first choose a companion (wife) for himself and then
his father and mother must sanction. If their sanction and consent is not
attained, that engagement is not completed.
He must acquire the English language well, so as to enable him to
translate the Divine Tablets into the Japanese language.
(October 18, 1906)
[Tablet Translated October 6, 1907]
To Mrs. J. D. Brittingham
Announce greetings on My behalf, to the two young Japanese (Yamamoto and
Fujita) and say: His Imperial Majesty, Mikado, became the cause of the
material progress of Japan. I hope that you may become the cause of her
spiritual development. This is the principle of progress.
Unless man makes spiritual progress in the world of spirit, intellect and
heart, he cannot gather universal results from material advancements. Now,
you must gird up the loins of endeavor, and reflect duly, so that ye may
quicken the people of Japan through the Spirit of God.
(Translated by A. Esphahani, Washington, October 6, 1907)
[Tablet Translated March 23, 1909]
To Mrs. Ella Goodall Cooper
It is written in Miss Barney's book that the human fetus is not an animal
fetus although it has gone through various and complex transformations and
metamorphosis in the womb until it has taken to itself human form and
appearance. Therefore that fetus was essentially human and the problem is
solved when we realize that it has transformed from one form to another
until it appears and manifests with the utmost beauty...
Concerning the marriage feast of the young Japanese, Kanichi Yamamoto. It
became the cause of great joy and I hope that this marriage will be
conducive to great blessings.
(Translated by A. Esphahani, March 23, 1909)
[Photograph with the following caption:]
Mr. Fujita with his niece, Kinue, in his home in Yanai, Japan in 1946.
4: Mr. Saichiro Fujita
1886-1976
Mr. Saichiro Fujita was the second Japanese to accept the Faith.
Originally from Yanai, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, he immigrated to the
United States when he was a teenager. While he was attending school in
Oakland, California in 1905 he was taught the Faith by Mrs. Kathryn
Frankland.
He received two of the Tablets quoted below from 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1906 and
1907. In 1911 he received a Tablet urging him to complete his professional
training. In 1912 Mr. Fujita had the privilege of meeting the Master and
traveling with Him in the United States. In this revised edition we have
included one more Tablet by 'Abdu'l-Baha, translated in 1913, because it
contains a prediction about Mr. Fujita.
Between 1912 and 1919 there were several communications from 'Abdu'l-Baha
urging Mr. Fujita to study various aspects of engineering and also
advising him to study flower culture. In 1919 he had completed his studies
and left for Haifa as instructed by 'Abdu'l-Baha. Mr. Fujita served in the
Holy Land until the end of his life except for the years between 1938 and
1955 which were spent in Japan.
Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Mr. Saichiro Fujita
[Tablet Translated November 10, 1906]
O thou fresh plant in the garden of the Love of God!
What thou hast written was considered. It was an evidence of following in
the Pathway of Guidance, and a proof of the attraction of the heart to the
Beauty of His Majesty, God.
Consider what bounty God has manifested for thee, whence thou art and from
whence are we. Yet, nevertheless, such a candle of love is burning in the
hearts that its light is radiating from the East to the West and from the
West extending to the East.
Rest assured thy name is registered in the Book of God, and it is hoped
that thou mayest enter the Paradise of the Kingdom and find stability; to
reach that which is the cause of the progress of the world of humanity in
the world and in the Kingdom, and with perceiving eye, attentive ear,
eloquent tongue and radiant face may serve in the Vineyard of God and
spread the Divine Glad Tidings. If thou art confirmed as thou oughtest to
be, thou wilt certainly establish an eternal Kingdom. This Kingdom is
greater than that of Mikado, for the sovereignty of the Emperor of Japan
is for numbered days, but this sovereignty is lasting and will stand unto
the Eternity of Eternities.
That sovereignty can be hidden under one handful of dust, that is when
Mikado goes beneath the handful of dust, he is entirely effaced and
erased, but this Kingdom withstands the greatest revolution of the worlds,
and will stand with perfect stability unto eternity. The former kingdom is
established by the power of the sword, burning fire, devouring, and the
shedding of blood, while this Kingdom is built upon freedom, glory,
greatness and the love of God. Consider how much difference there is
between them.
(Translated by Ameen Fareed, November 10, 1906, Chicago)
[Tablet of May 29, 1907]
O thou spiritual Youth!
Japan has made wonderful progress in material civilization, but she will
become perfect when she will also make spiritual developments and the
Power of the Kingdom become manifest in her.
One will encounter a little difficulty in the beginning of the
establishment of the Cause of God in that country, but later it will
become very easy. For the inhabitants of Japan are intelligent, sagacious,
and have the power of rapid assimilation. For the present a perfect youth
like thee is favored by the Bounty of the Kingdom, and attained to the
knowledge of the Lord of the Kingdom. Show thou forth an effort that thou
mayest finish that which is necessary in the acquisition and study of
science and art; then travel thou toward the countries of Japan; so that
thou mayest hoist the Ensign of Truth, waving upon the Apex of the Supreme
Concourse. Look thou not upon thine own capability, the Invisible Divine
Confirmations are great, and the Protection and Providence of the Beauty
of Abha is the helper and assistant. When a drop draws help from the
ocean, it is an ocean itself, and a little seed through the outpouring of
rain, the favor of the sun, and the soul-refreshing breeze will become a
tree with the utmost freshness, full of leaves, blossoms and fruits.
Therefore do not consider thy capacity and merit, but rely upon the
infinite Bounty and trust to His Highness the Almighty. Do not delay.
Undertake soon that which thou art intending.
There are prophecies concerning the Manifestation in the Buddhist books,
but they are in symbols and metaphors, and some spiritual conditions are
mentioned therein, but the leaders of religion do not understand. They
think these prophecies are material things, yet those signs are
foreshadowing spiritual occurrence.
(Revealed in Akka, May 29, 1907. Translated by Ahmad Esphahani, July 21,
1907, Washington, D.C.)
[Tablet Translated May 15, 1913]
O thou servant of God
Thy letter was received. It was an indication to the outward and inward
health and safety. Therefore it became the means of joy.
As regard to thy profession of electricity. Endeavor from every direction
that thou mayest gain perfect efficiency in it--so that I may send for thee
to come with electrical machine (automobile) and lighting plant--in order
that in the Holy Land thou mayest know how to run the electrical engines
and dynamos, how to install electrical lights through the buildings and
how to fill the batteries of the (automobile) and act (if necessary) as
chauffeur. When thou shalt learn these things then I will send for thee.
Thou wilt be confirmed to render a great service and this will become the
cause of thine everlasting glory.
(Translated by Ahmad Sohrab, May 15, 1913, Paris)
[Cable received May 10, 1976]
After Mr. Fujita's passing the Universal House of Justice sent out the
following cable:
Dearly-loved tireless steadfast Saichiro Fujita passed to Abha Kingdom
after long years service sacred threshold. His rank in vanguard first
Japanese believers. His labours World Center his dedication humility
sincerity love will forever be remembered and provide shining example to
rising generations Japanese Baha'is who will view with pride distinction
conferred upon him. Praying Holy Shrines progress his radiant soul under
loving grace his Master and Guardian both of whom he served so well.
Universal House of Justice
(Cable received May 10, 1976)
5: Tablets to Japan
Miss Alexander wrote in her account of the early days of the Faith in
Japan, "After 'Abdu'l-Baha's ascension every word He had written became a
sacred treasure. When I began collecting the Tablets He had revealed to
Japanese living in Japan, and one to Koreans, I found there were nineteen
in all." These Tablets were published in 1928, thus preserved for all
time. In the foreword to the book Miss Alexander wrote: "The following are
the Tablets which were revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha to friends residing in
Japan and Korea. There are nineteen Tablets revealed between the years
1916 and His passing in 1921. Eighteen of these Tablets were addressed to
Japanese and one to Korean friends. Seven of those to Japanese were to
school girls in Tokyo, the others, with two exceptions, were to young men,
and five of these were addressed to blind young men, three having found
the true Light of this Day.
"The first supplication by a Japanese in Japan to 'Abdu'l-Baha, was sent
July, 1915 from a young student(12) in Tokyo who wrote his supplication in
Japanese on a scroll. The following is the translation: 'O my Master
'Abdu'l-Baha!... Although I am a base and poor youth in this world, I have
been awakened and bathed in the ocean of Thy mercy and am so happy that I
pity the king and the prince who are wandering about in the dream of
temporal variance. Accept, O Master, my deep thankfulness from the bottom
of the heart. I am very sorry though, when I think of our fellow men who
take no thought of real happiness and do not rely upon the warm hand of
Thy love. O my Lord, water me forever from the fountain of Thy mercy; I
will never refuse Thy command whatsoever it may be. Forgive my sins and
allow me to awaken my fellow men.'
"In February 1917 a reply to this supplication was received in Japan from
'Abdu'l-Baha. It had come in the contents of a letter from 'Abdu'l-Baha's
secretary and had been passed by the censor. This was the first Tablet
received addressed to a Japanese resident in Japan and is the first herein
published.
"The second supplication to 'Abdu'l-Baha was sent September, 1916 by a
blind young Japanese(13) who wrote in Esperanto. After receiving a reply
from 'Abdu'l-Baha, the second Tablet herein published, he wrote again
supplicating in English. The following words are a portion of his
supplication: 'O my 'Abdu'l-Baha whose image so calm and peaceful I
dreamed of and it cannot be effaced from my heart; whose Name makes my
withered heart fresh and strong and who makes the fountain of love and
light spring up in the bottom of my heart whenever I think of Thee. Make
my heart to be always thirsty for the Fountain of Life. Make me strong
enough to be able steadily to hold Thy torch of love firm and high. I
confess to Thee that my heart sometimes withers like a flower in the day
of summer, and loses its whole strength, nevertheless, my beloved Lord,
give to me power that I can throw away every kind of prejudice and
ignorance from my heart. Make my heart as pure and fresh as green grass of
the spring pastures and let my soul grow more and more by Thy shower of
Mercy!' In answer to this blind young man's supplication, 'Abdu'l-Baha
revealed a Tablet which is the third published herein."
Most of the original Tablets were translated in Haifa and sent to the
recipients in care of Miss Alexander. One, to a group of students, was
sent in care of Mr. Torii. A search in later years located only those
Tablets addressed to Mr. Torii himself.
[Photograph with the following caption:]
Miss Yuri Mochizuki (Furukawa), the first Japanese woman to become a
Baha'i.
Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Japanese and One to Koreans
[Tablet of October 28, 1916]
O thou who art guided by the Light of Guidance! (Mr. Kikutaro Fukuta)
Thy first and second letter was received. Praise be to God that the light
of Guidance shone forth, the glass of the heart became illumined and the
darkness of ignorance dispelled. The most Great Guidance is a crown the
brilliant gems of which will shine upon the future ages and cycles. If it
is placed on the head of a servant, he will become the object of the envy
of kings, for this is an imperishable crown and everlasting sovereignty.
God says in the great Qur'an, He particularizes with His Mercy whomsoever
He desireth.
Praise be to God, that thou hast become especialized with Divine Favor and
Bounty. Thou didst become awake, beheld the lights and harkened unto the
Melody of the Supreme Concourse.
In the Glorious Gospel it is said, "Freely ye have received, freely give."
That is, you have found this Bestowal, you have paid nothing for it,
therefore give it to others without any exchange. Now with a heavenly
power, with a lordly gift, with spiritual morals, with Godlike deeds, and
with supreme glad tidings be thou engaged in the promotion of the
teachings of God in Japan. The confirmations of the Kingdom shall
encompass and the cohorts of the Realm of Might will grant triumph.
(October 28, 1916. Translated by Ahmad Sohrab)
[Tablet of December 27, 1918]
O thou possessor of a seeing heart! (Mr. Tokujiro Torii)
Although, materially speaking, thou are destitute of physical sight, yet,
praise be to God, spiritual insight is thy possession. Thy heart seeth and
thy spirit heareth. Bodily sight is subject to a thousand maladies and
ultimately and assuredly will be obscured. Thus no importance may be
attached to it. But the sight of the heart is illumined, it discerns and
discovers the Divine Kingdom and is everlasting and eternal. Praise be to
God, therefore, that the sight of thy heart is illumined, and the hearing
of thy thought responsive.
The meetings you have organized, wherein you feel heavenly emotions and
comprehend realities and significances,--that meeting is like unto the
firmament with those souls as resplendent stars shining with the light of
guidance. Happy is the soul that seeks, in this brilliant era, heavenly
teachings, and blessed is the heart which is stirred and attracted by the
love of God. At present the Sun of Truth has dawned upon the land of Japan
and the hope is that it may be illumined by heavenly teachings.
Convey on my behalf the utmost love and longing to Mr. D. Inouye(14) and
Mr. S. Saiki(15) . My hope is that those two blessed souls may shine like
unto two heavenly stars from the horizon of Japan and may be the cause of
its enlightenment. That land has acquired material civilization and
ephemeral advancement; we hope that it may acquire heavenly civilization.
Convey to thy respected wife my greetings and my message and the same to
thy young babe, Akira(16), whose name may be ever blessed for it is quite
an appropriate one.
(December 27, 1918. Translated by Shoghi Rabbani)
[Tablet of June 11, 1920]
O thou who hast turned thy attention to the Kingdom of God! (Mr. Tokujiro
Torii)
Thy letter arrived and imparted joy. Thou hast been longing to spread the
Light (the Teachings) in those regions. My wish is also that the Musk of
the love of God should be diffused in that land, and that Miss Alexander
and Mrs. Finch may conjointly strive so that the rays of the Sun of
Reality may be projected all over that country.
Whenever the means of travel is secured, thou art permitted to come. I am
supplicating God to strengthen thee and make thee grow like unto a lily in
the Garden of the Kingdom.
O faithful friend! The inhabitants of that region (Japan) are bright and
noble-minded. Through the great distance however, the musky Breeze has not
yet reached their nostrils. They know not of the rise of the Sun of
Reality upon the horizon of Persia. If you who are there be
self-sacrificing and become enkindled with the love of God, and like unto
stars shine from the horizon of Truth, that country will before long be
turned into a paradise of comfort. Japan will become illumined, and like
unto a meadow and a rose-garden will invigorate the hearts of every
assembly. Do ye strive as hard as possible in order to be attracted to the
Beauty of the Beloved of the world, and through the fire of His love
inflame that Kingdom.
(June 11, 1920. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
[Tablet of December 17, 1918]
O thou beloved daughter! (Miss Yuri Mochizuki)
Thy letter was received and was perused in the utmost joy, that, praise be
to God, in the land of Japan, the light of the love of God has appeared
resplendently and a torch such as thee, has been kindled, for thy heart
overflows with the wine of the love of God and thy spirit is ablaze. Like
unto a shrub, thou art fresh and tender, growing and flourishing through
the outpourings of the cloud of Bounty. My hope is that thou mayest soon
bud and blossom and bring forth delectable fruits.
The Real Shepherd is undoubtedly kind unto his flock and is in the utmost
of attachment, mercy and solicitude. This is only a natural fact. Rest
thou assured, therefore, that thou art always within sight and art
encompassed by tender cares.
The people of Japan are like unto a soil that has been deprived of rain
for cycles and generations and has had no share of the outpouring of rain
and even of dew. Certainly it is quite athirst. Now thou shouldst become
the divine gardener and should satisfy that thirsty soil with the water of
divine teachings, so that heavenly bounties may be poured out and the
flowers of reality and fragrant herbs of human perfections spring forth
and that land turn into a paradise of Eden.
(December 17, 1918. Translated by Shoghi Rabbani)
[Tablet of August 10, 1920]
O thou loved maid-servant of God! (Miss Yuri Mochizuki)
Do thou observe the Divine Bounty! We are in Haifa and thou in Tokyo,
nevertheless how (our) hearts have become related to one another! This is
through the power of the Kingdom which has made the East and West embrace
each other.
I feel the utmost kindness towards thee. If thou art able to write the
story of Qurratu'l-Ayn as a drama, thou art permitted to write it.
(August 10, 1920. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
[Tablet of December 9, 1920]
O thou who art a new grown tree on the meadow of Truth!(17) (Miss Yuri
Mochizuki)
Thy letter dated October 14, 1920 has been received. As it was indicative
of the susceptibilities of thy conscience it became the cause of joy.
Japan is like unto a farm whose soil is untouched. Such a soil as this has
great capacity. One seed produces a hundred-fold. Now, praise be unto God,
ye have found such a farm. Ye must develop the lands; ye must free them
from thorns and weeds; ye should scatter the seeds of the love of God
thereupon, and irrigate them with the rain of the knowledge of God. Rest
ye assured that heavenly blessing will be bestowed!
It is my hope that in that farm ye will become divine farmers. The
enlightened people of Japan are tired and disgusted with the superannuated
and putrefied blind imitations. They are assured that these blind
imitations are pure superstitions without any truth. Therefore they have
capacity to hear the Call of God. The land is untouched. We will have to
see what the divine farmers will do!
At present thou hast started a journal. It is my hope that this journal
will shine as the Star of the East. In the journal write thus:
When the horizon of the East was covered with immense darkness; when dark
clouds were predominant, and when all the heavenly stars were concealed to
the eye, His Holiness Baha'u'llah, like unto the sun shone forth from the
horizon of the East and with radiating splendor He illumined the Orient.
[Photograph with the following caption:]
Mr. and Mrs. Tokujiro Torii with Miss Alexander in 1916.
The light of the Sun of Reality consisted of heavenly teachings which were
spread in the Orient, because there the obscurities of blind imitations of
religions, sectarian, racial, political, economic and home prejudices were
in ascendancy. The darkness of these prejudices had dominated the Oriental
world to such a degree that it had blinded all the eyes and deafened all
the ears. There prevailed quarrel and strife, warfare and bloodshed.
In short, it has a long description, but I mention it briefly. When the
Sun of Truth shone forth with all might and energy, these obscure and dark
clouds dispersed and the splendid Day presented to the eye an aspect with
such freshness and beauty that the wise became astonished; the sick were
cured; the blind received sight; the deaf obtained hearing; the dumb
proved eloquent, and the dead quickened. A heavenly table was spread in
the Orient. The divine teachings like unto an unshakable edifice were
instituted.
The first principle of Baha'u'llah is independent investigation of truth,
that is, all the nations of the world have to investigate after truth
independently and turn their eyes from the moribund blind imitations of
the past ages entirely. Truth is one when it is independently
investigated, it does not accept division. Therefore the independent
investigation of truth will lead to the oneness of the world of humanity.
Another one of these teachings is the oneness of the world of humanity.
All mankind are the trees of the divine garden and the Gardener of this
orchard is the Most High, the All-Sustainer. The hand of His favor hath
planted these trees, irrigated them from the cloud of Mercy and reared
them with the energy of the Sun of Truth.
Then there remains no doubt that this heavenly Farmer (Gardener) is kind
to all these plants. This truth cannot be denied. It is shining like unto
the sun. This is the divine policy and unquestionably it is greater than
the human policy. We must follow the divine policy.
The point is this that some people are sick; some are immature and
ignorant, and some without any knowledge of their beginning and of their
end. The sick should be cured; the immature should be brought to maturity,
and the ignorant should be taught to become wise and not that enmity
should be exercised toward them.
Similarly describe fully in that journal the other teachings which thou
art acquainted with, one by one, a detailed description. For example, that
religion must be the cause of concord; that it should agree with science
and reason; that it must be a factor of progress to the world of humanity,
that it should be free from blind imitations. Another example is that all
prejudices are destructive to the foundation of the world of humanity.
Other examples are: The equality of men and women; the universalization of
knowledge (education); the creation of one universal language; justice and
righteousness; economic facilities among mankind; the need of the world of
humanity of the breaths of the Holy Spirit; the establishment of universal
peace; the institution of the Supreme Court of Arbitration; the freedom
and equality of all mankind; the brotherhood of the world of humanity, and
other teachings like these which are mentioned in the Tablets of God.
Describe all these teachings fully in the most eloquent and sweetest terms
expressive of the most charming realities and insert them in the journal.
It is my hope that thou together with Miss Alexander will be confirmed to
accomplish this service. Miss Alexander is the herald of Truth in Japan.
Rest assured that she will be confirmed and assisted.
(December 9, 1920. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
[Tablet of December 17, 1919]
O thou wooer of Reality! (Mr. Tomonaga Noto(18) )
Thy letter was received. Praise be to God, the sight of thy mind has been
opened and thou hast acquired the power of spiritual healing. Thou hast
sought and found the Truth and hast been aware of Heavenly Mysteries.
The teachings of His Holiness Baha'u'llah like unto the rays of the sun
illumined the East as well as the West, vivify the dead and unite the
various religions. They prove the Oneness of God, for they gather all
communities of the world under the pavilion of the oneness of the world of
mankind.
Consider how stirred the world is and in what a commotion are the people
of the world. Heavenly Power is needed to do away with this stir and
agitation. Otherwise, this great Cause will not be realized through human
power. Human power, no matter how strong it may be, it illumines like unto
an ignited lamp a limited space and trains a small number of souls. It is
the sun which illumines all regions, and it is the Heavenly Power which
gathers around a single spot all the sects and communities. Strive
therefore, that thou mayest serve this remarkable Power and attain unto
profitable and far reaching results.
(December 17, 1919)
[Tablet of February 1920]
O ye the honored souls! (a group of men students)
Your letter of congratulation arrived and imparted joy, because its
contents indicated that the Sun of Reality hath begun Its radiation upon
those regions. It is my hope that that region may get illumination and the
Heavenly Dawn may break forth. This will be attained through the power of
Faith in the Covenant.
Therefore we are expecting that every one of those friends may in that
country become like a brilliant and luminous candle, and so the Light of
Guidance may emanate upon the hearts.
How often it hath happened that one blessed soul hath proved to become the
cause of guidance unto a continent. I also congratulate you on (the advent
of) this Blessed Day.
(February 1920. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
[Tablet of August 10, 1920]
O thou beloved maid-servant of God (Miss Haruko Mori)(19)
Praise be unto God, that through the guidance of Miss Alexander thou
couldst hear the Call of God. Then strive as far as thou art able to
spread the Divine Teachings, so that thou mayest become distinguished with
this great Bestowal among the women of the world.
(August 10, 1920. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
[Tablet of August 10, 1920]
O thou who art a favored servant at the Threshold of the Most High! (Mr.
Kenjiro Ono(20) )
Thy letter was received. Verily, verily hast thou suffered in thy life
time. Do not thou be grieved because of the loss of thy sight. Praise be
unto God, that thy insight is keen. Do not thou lament over thy poverty,
for the Treasury of the Kingdom is thine. Do not thou worry that thou
couldst not study in the material schools, because thou hast received
lessons in the Verses of the Oneness (of God) in the Divine University.
Offer thou thanks to God that thou couldst finally attain to Truth. Then
be thou firm and steadfast so that the doors of the most Great Bestowals
may be opened unto thy face. The greatest of all questions is
steadfastness and firmness. Every tree which is firmly rooted grows.
(August 10, 1920. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
[Tablet of December 8, 1920]
O thou heavenly person! (Mr. Kenjiro Ono)
Praise be unto God, that having rent asunder the veils and having seen the
rays of the Sun of Reality, thou didst turn thine attention to the Center
of the Covenant.
Rest thou assured that thou wilt be confirmed to give sight to the blind
and hearing power to the deaf and even thou wilt give life to the dead!
(December 8, 1920. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
[Tablet of August 19, 1920]
O ye daughters of the Kingdom! (Six school girls; Otoe Murakami, Kimiko
Hagiwara, Kazu Fukusawa, Haruko Mori, Yuri Takao, and Yuri Mochizuki)
Your congratulation on the Feast has been received. Its perusal imparted
joy and happiness. Through the Bounties of the Supreme Lord do I hope that
these daughters of the Kingdom will, day by day, progress so that they
may, like unto a magnet, attract the Divine confirmations. I am always
supplicating for you that ye may attain to the Most Great Bestowal and act
and behave according to the Teachings of His Holiness Baha'u'llah.
(August 19, 1920. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
[Tablet of August 19, 1920]
O seekers for the Truth! (revealed to nine persons, eight of whom were
young men students)
Praise God that you have heard the celestial Call, seen the ray of the Sun
of Truth, followed the right Direction and reached the longed-for Home!
You have sent me your congratulations for the Feast: I was very much
gratified at your feelings and at the fact that such a tie exists now
between East and West, such friendship between different nations!
It is evident that, through your efforts, the inhabitants of those regions
are now inhaling the fragrances of Musk from the Garden of the Kingdom. In
Japan the divine proclamation will be heard as a formidable explosion, so
that those who are ready will become uplifted and illumined by the Light
of the Sun of Truth.
(August 19, 1920)
[Tablet of January 11, 1921]
O ye daughters of the Kingdom! (the previously mentioned six school girls)
The reflection of your forms (photograph) arrived in this Holy Land.
Praise be unto God, these figures are luminous. From your eyes the light
of the love of God is emanating. This picture has been taken while ye have
been in the utmost of joy and happiness. Praise ye God, that in this age
of youth ye have entered the Kingdom of God! Ye have become enlightened.
Ye have become celestial, divine and heavenly.
Through the graces of His Holiness, Baha'u'llah--may my life be sacrificed
for His friends--I cherish the hope that ye will, day by day, progress more
and more in the Kingdom of God; that each one of you will shine like unto
a brilliant star from the horizon of the supreme Guidance, thus proving to
be the cause of guidance unto others, giving sight unto their eyes,
hearing power unto their ears and quickening unto their hearts.
(January 11, 1921. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
[Tablet of September 9, 1920]
O thou blessed soul! (Miss Mikae Komatsu, who in later years was known as
Mrs. Tadako Arakawa)
Thy letter was received. It was not a letter. It was a scent bag of the
musk-deer from which the fragrance of the love of God was perceived. After
I read it, I turned to the Kingdom of the Merciful and supplicated so that
thy soul may become purified; that thy heart may be converted into a
brasier of the fire of the love of God; that in every moment thou mayest
find the Light of Truth radiating; that thou mayest kindle the lamp of
Guidance; that thou mayest seek heavenly joy and happiness, and mayest
consecrate thy life to the service of the Heavenly Father.
I feel the utmost kindness toward thee. And I pray, through the Infinite
Bounties, for a spiritual dynamic force and a heavenly blessing unto thee.
Convey to all the friends my greetings and love.
(September 9, 1920. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
[Tablet of October 15, 1920]
O thou who art seeking the Truth! (Mr. Sensui Saiki)
Thy letter has been received. Thou hast taken much pain in inventing the
new Japanese writing. Thou hast rendered a service to the world of
humanity--May God reward thee!
Today, however, there exist many kinds of writing. That which is most
necessary and is assisted by divine confirmations is the propagation of
the heavenly Call. It is this which energizes the world of existence. It
is this which bestoweth life unto the dead souls, which refresheth the
dried tree and ornamenteth it with leaves, blossoms and fruits.
Concentrate all thine energy in this that thou mayest make heavenly
progress, that thou mayest attain to the light of the Sun of Reality, that
thou mayest become the cause that the dead body of Japan may attain to
heavenly life, may be endowed with solar illumination and like unto the
moon and star it may shine forth.
This is important! Convey on my behalf the warmest Abha greetings to all
the friends one by one.
(October 15, 1920. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
[Tablet of June 1, 1921]
O thou who art devoted to Truth! (Mr. Kenkichi Futakami)
In this divine garden, thousands of fresh and verdant trees have raised
their tops to the Supreme Apex and on every tree there are thousands of
nests. Therefore, for thee, who art a bird of high flight, a nest has been
prepared. Then soar, that thou mayest attain to that nest. This is a
divine nest in the Heavenly Kingdom. Every bird that attained to this nest
learned a melody and also taught the birds of the meadows the divine
harmony which moves and enraptures the East and the West. Do thou
therefore strive with all thy heart and soul that thou mayest abide in
this nest and thrive till eternity.
(June 1, 1921. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
[Photograph with the following caption:]
The first photo of a Baha'i meeting taken in Japan. Miss Alexander is in
the back row; Miss Martha Root is in front. Mr. Fukuta, the only other
Baha'i in the group is in the front left. Behind Mr. Fukuta is Miss Ichi
Kamichika who helped Miss Alexander translate articles. Many years later
she became prominent as one of the first women elected to the Japanese
Diet (parliament). Taken in July 1915.
[Tablet of October 7, 1921]
O thou son of the Kingdom! (Mr. Kenkichi Futakami)
Thy letter has been received. The contents were indicative of spiritual
susceptibilities. I pray God that thou mayest rise above worldly
attachments and restricted thought to the realm of the Kingdom; that thou
mayest become enlightened and spiritual, be completely released from the
darkness of the material world, like unto the bud and rose mayest diffuse
fragrances in the Heavenly Rose-Garden, be confirmed by the breath of the
Holy Spirit and assisted by the Hosts of the Supreme Concourse. By deeds
and words awaken thou the unaware souls and confer upon them the spirit of
Life.
(October 7, 1921)
[Tablet of November 5, 1921]
The following Tablet was addressed to the "new friends in Korea", fifteen
names being mentioned in addition to Miss Alexander's: Sang Sun Oh, U.U.
Cuan, Kinng S. Ko, Chy Rin, Inki Hong, Pyung C. Lee, Soon Y. Lee, Wen H.
Ma, Young N. Pyeur, Chan Young Kim, Z.Y. Roe, S. Wo Kloon, S.Y. Zee, Ze
Kyung Sang, S.T. Suh. O ye heavenly sons!
Your heartfelt and sincere greetings have reached 'Abdu'l-Baha's ears and
your message gave great spiritual pleasure.
Praise be to God, that celestial light guided and led you to the Sun of
Reality, bestowed everlasting life and granted heavenly illumination. Ye
are like seedlings which have been planted by the hand of Bestowal in His
Spiritual Rose-Garden. It is my hope that through the warmth of the Sun of
Reality, the pouring down of the showers of mercy and the wafting of the
breezes of bestowal, ye may progress day by day, so that each one may
become a blessed tree, full of leaves and flowers and throw your shade
over great multitudes.
The Graces of the Kingdom of Abha are the rays of the Sun of Reality. It
illumines the earth and heaven, makes the star a shining moon, turns the
speck into a huge mountain, bestows strength to the weak, gives
everlasting healing to the sick, grants heavenly treasures to the poor,
confirms the oppressed ones to everlasting glory and turns the people of
darkness to those of light.
O heavenly friends, the doors of heaven have been opened, the lights of
God have shone forth and the heavenly Call has been raised. Summon ye all
humanity to listen to this Heavenly Call and invite them to the Celestial
World, so that they may find a new spirit and attain to a new life. In all
conditions my heart and spirit are with you.
(November 5, 1921)
6: 'Abdu'l-Baha Speaks to a Japanese Audience
Mr. Yamamoto, the first Japanese Baha'i, arranged for 'Abdu'l-Baha to
speak at the Japanese Independent Church, in Oakland, California. It was
the only talk given by 'Abdu'l-Baha to a Japanese audience. It was
translated from Persian into English and then into Japanese.
Talk by 'Abdu'l-Baha to the Japanese Independent Church, Oakland,
California, October 1912
It is a great happiness to be here this evening, especially for the reason
that the members of this Association have come from the region of the
Orient. For a long time I have entertained a desire to meet some of the
Japanese friends. That nation has achieved extraordinary progress in a
short space of time; a progress and development which have astonished the
world. Inasmuch as they have advanced in material civilization they must
assuredly possess the capacity for spiritual development. For this reason
I have an excessive longing to meet them. Praise be to God! this pleasure
is now afforded me, for here in this city I am face to face with a revered
group of the Japanese. According to report the people of the Japanese
nation are not prejudiced. They investigate reality. Wherever they find
truth they prove to be its lovers. They are not attached tenaciously to
blind imitations of ancient beliefs and dogmas. Therefore it is my great
desire to discourse with them upon a subject in order that the unity and
blending together of the nations of the east and the nations of the west
may be furthered and accomplished. In this way religious, racial and
political prejudice, particularly bias and sectarianism will be dispelled
amongst men. Any kind of prejudice is destructive to the body-politic.
When we review history from the beginning of human existence to the
present age in which we live, it is evident all war and conflict,
bloodshed and battle, every form of sedition has been due to some form of
prejudice, whether religious, racial or national, to partisan bias and
selfish prejudice of some sort. Even today we witness an upheaval in the
Balkans, a war of religious prejudice. Some years ago when I was living in
Roumelia, war broke out among the religious peoples. There was no attitude
of justice or equity whatever amongst them. They pillaged the properties
of each other, burning each other's homes and houses, slaughtering men,
women and children, imagining that such warfare and bloodshed was the
means of drawing near to God. This clearly proved that prejudice is a
destroyer of the foundations of the world of humanity whereas religion was
meant to be the cause of fellowship and agreement.
Religion must be the cause of love. Religion must be the cause of justice,
for the wisdom of the Manifestations of God is directed toward the
establishing of the bond of a love which is indissoluble. The bonds which
hold together the body-politic are not sufficient. These bonds may be
mentioned; for instance the bond of patriotism. This is evidently not a
sufficient bond, for how often it happens that people of the same nation
wage civil war amongst themselves. The bond of fellowship may be racial
but history proves this is not sufficiently strong, for tremendous wars
have broken out between peoples of the same racial lineage. Again the bond
holding men together may be political. How often it happens that the
diplomacy of nations makes a treaty of peace one day and on the morrow a
declaration of war! It is historically evident and manifest that these
bonds are not self-sufficient.
The real bond of integrity is religious in character, for religion
indicates the oneness of the world of humanity. Religion serves the world
of morality. Religion purifies the hearts. Religion impels men to achieve
praiseworthy deeds. Religion becomes the cause of love in human hearts,
for religion is a divine foundation, the foundation ever conducive to
life. The teachings of God are the source of illumination to the people of
the world. Religion is ever constructive not destructive.
The foundation of all the divine religions is one. All are based upon
reality. Reality does not admit plurality, yet amongst mankind there have
arisen differences concerning the Manifestations of God. Some have been
Zoroastrians, some are Buddhists, some Jews, Christians, Muhammadans and
so on. This has become a source of divergence whereas the teachings of the
holy souls who founded the divine religions are one in essence and
reality. All these have served the world of humanity. All have summoned
souls to peace and accord. All have proclaimed the virtues of humanity.
All have guided souls to the attainment of perfections but among the
nations certain imitations of ancestral forms of worship have arisen.
These imitations are not the foundation and essence of the divine
religions. Inasmuch as they differ from the reality and the essential
teachings of the Manifestations of God dissensions have arisen and
prejudice has developed. Religious prejudice thus becomes the cause of
warfare and battle.
If we abandon these time-worn blind imitations and investigate reality all
of us will be unified. No discord will remain; antagonism will disappear.
All will associate in fellowship. All will enjoy the cordial bonds of
friendship. The world of creation will then attain composure. The dark and
gloomy clouds of blind imitations and dogmatic variances will be scattered
and dispelled; the Sun of Reality will shine most gloriously.
Verily we should consider the divine prophets as the intermediaries, but
mankind has made use of them as causes of dissension and pretexts for
warfare and strife. In reality they were the intermediaries of love and
reconciliation. If they were not sources of love and fellowship amongst
men, then undoubtedly they were not true, for the divine wisdom and
purpose in sending the prophets was the manifestation of love in human
hearts. Therefore we must investigate reality. First of all let us
determine whether these prophets were valid or not by using rational
proofs and shining arguments, not simply quoting traditionary evidences,
because traditions are divergent and the source of dissension.
Among the holy, divine Manifestations of God was His Holiness Moses. The
sending of prophets has ever been for the training of humanity. They are
the first educators and trainers. If Moses has developed the body-politic,
there is no doubt that he was a true teacher and educator. This will be
proof and evidence that he was a prophet. We shall consider how His
Holiness was sent to despair, in the lowest degree of ignorance, and
heedlessness, degraded and under conditions of bondage. His Holiness Moses
rescued these degraded people of Israel from that state of bondage. He
raised them from that condition of ignorance, saved them from barbarism
and led them into the Holy Land. He educated them, endowed them with
sagacious instincts, made them worthy and honorable. He civilized them,
raised them to a higher plane of existence until they were enabled to
establish a national sovereignty, the great kingdom of Solomon. This
proves that His Holiness Moses was a teacher and an educator. He had
neither army nor dominion, neither did he possess wealth. It was only
through an idealistic power that he cemented them together proving that he
was a prophet of God, an educator and trainer.
Likewise must we set aside prejudice in considering other divine
educators, by investigating reality. For instance, let us take His
Holiness Christ. He achieved results greater than Moses. He educated the
body-politic, trained mighty nations. There is no doubt whatever that such
souls were prophets, for the mission of prophethood is education, and
these wondrous souls trained and educated mankind.
His Holiness Christ was a unique personage without helper or assistant.
Single and solitary he arose to train great and mighty nations; the
Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, Syrians, Chaldeans and Assyrians came under his
influence. He was able to bind together many nations, melting them
together as it were and pouring them into one mould, changing their enmity
into love, war into peace. Under his influence satanic souls became
veritable angels, tyrannical rulers became just, the human moral standard
was raised. This proves that His Holiness Christ was an educator, a
teacher and trainer of nations. If we deny this it is nought but
injustice.
Blessed souls whether Moses, Jesus, Zoroaster, Krishna, Buddha, Confucius,
or Muhammad were the cause of the illumination of the world of humanity.
How can we deny such irrefutable proof? How can we be blind to such light?
How can we dispute the validity of His Holiness Christ? This is injustice.
This is a denial of reality. Man must be just. We must set aside bias and
prejudice. We must abandon the imitations of ancestors and forefathers. We
ourselves must investigate reality and be fair in judgment.
The old nation of Persia denied all these facts, harboring the utmost
hatred and enmity toward other religious beliefs besides their own. We
have investigated reality and found that these holy souls were all sent of
God. All of them have sacrificed life, endured ordeals and tribulations in
order that they might educate us. How can such love be forgotten? The
light of Christ is evident. The candle of Buddha is shining. The star of
Moses is sparkling. The flame ignited by Zoroaster is still burning. How
can we deny them? It is injustice. It is a denial of complete evidence. If
we forsake imitations all will become united and no differences will
remain to separate us.
We entertain no prejudice against Muhammed. Outwardly the Arabian nation
was instrumental in overthrowing the Parsee dominion, the sovereignty of
Persia. Therefore the old Parsee nation manifested the utmost contempt
toward the Arabs. But we deal justly and will never abandon the standard
of fairness. The Arabians were in the utmost state of degradation. They
were blood-thirsty and barbarous, so savage and degraded that the Arabian
father often buried his own daughter alive. Consider, could any barbarian
be lower than this? The nation consisted of warring, hostile tribal
peoples inhabiting the vast Arabian peninsula, and their business
consisted in fighting and pillaging each other, making captive women and
children, killing each other. Muhammad appeared among such a people. He
educated and unified these barbarous tribes, put an end to their shedding
of blood. Through his education they reached such a degree of civilization
that they subdued and governed continents and nations. What a great
civilization was established in Spain by the Muhammadans! What a marvelous
civilization was founded in Morocco by the Moors! What a powerful
caliphate or successorship was set up in Baghdad! How much Islam served
and furthered the cause of science! Why then should we deny Muhammad? If
we deny him we awaken enmity and hatred. By our prejudice we become the
cause of war and bloodshed; for prejudice was the cause of the tremendous
storm which swept through human history for thirteen hundred years and
still continues. Even now in the Balkans a commotion is apparent,
reflecting it.
The Christian people number nearly three hundred millions and the
Muhammadans about the same. It is no small task to do away with such
numbers. And furthermore why should they be obliterated? For these are all
servants of the one God. Let us strive to establish peace between
Christians and Muhammadans. Is it not better? What is the benefit of war?
What is its fruitage? For thirteen hundred years there has been warfare
and hostility. What good result has been forthcoming? Is it not folly? Is
God pleased with it? Is His Holiness Christ pleased? Is Muhammad? It is
evident that they are not. The prophets have extolled each other to the
utmost. His Holiness Muhammad declares Christ to be the Spirit of God.
This is an explicit text of the Qur'an. He declares Christ to be the Word
of God. He has eulogized the disciples of Christ to the utmost. He has
bestowed upon Her Grace Mary, the Mother of Christ, the highest praise.
Likewise His Holiness Christ has extolled Moses. He spread broadcast the
old testament, the Torah, and caused the name of Moses to reach unto the
east and the west. The purpose is this:--that the prophets themselves have
manifested the utmost love toward each other but the nations who believe
and follow them are hostile and antagonistic among themselves.
The world was in this condition of darkness when His Holiness Baha'u'llah
appeared upon the Persian horizon. He hoisted the banner of the oneness of
the world of humanity. He proclaimed international peace. He admonished
the Persian nation to investigate reality, announced that religion must be
the cause of unity and love, that it must be the means of binding hearts
together, the cause of life and illumination. If religion becomes the
cause of enmity and bloodshed, then irreligion is to be preferred, for
religion is the remedy for every ailment, and if a remedy should become
the cause of ailment and difficulty, it is better to abandon it. Today in
Persia you will see Muhammadans, Christians, Zoroastrians, Buddhists
assembled together in the same meeting, living in accordance with the
teachings of Baha'u'llah, manifesting utmost love and accord. Rancor,
hatred, antagonism and violence have disappeared; they live as one family.
And ye, who are the people of the Orient--the Orient which has ever been
the dawning-point of lights--from whence the Sun of Reality has ever shone
forth casting its effulgence upon the West--ye therefore must become the
manifestations of lights. Ye must become brilliant lamps. Ye must shine as
stars radiating the light of love toward all mankind. May you be the cause
of love amongst the nations. Thus may the world become witness that the
Orient has ever been the dawning-point of illumination, the source of love
and reconciliation. Make peace with all the world. Love everybody; serve
everybody. All are the servants of God. God has created all. He provideth
for all. He is kind to all. Therefore must we be kind to all.
I am greatly pleased with this meeting. I am joyous and happy, for here in
these western regions I find Orientals seeking education, and who are free
from prejudice. May God assist you!
[Photograph with the following caption:]
'Abdu'l-Baha in Oakland, California, 1912, at the home of Mrs. Helen
Goodall, an early California Baha'i. Mr. Yamamoto, holding one of his
sons, can be seen in the front right. Mr. Fujita is standing between trees
at the top left. It was during those days that Mr. Yamamoto arranged for
'Abdu'l-Baha to speak before the Japanese Independent Church in Oakland.
7: Excerpt from a Tablet of 'Abdu'l-Baha
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!(21)
The International Congress of Religions was organized this year (1906) in
the capital of Japan. Many souls hastened to that empire from different
parts of the world, in order that they might talk of and discuss the
principles of their own religions, each one longing to convert that
assembly to his own religion and establish the validity of his own
particular belief. This congress had under discussion the politics of the
religions. In truth, it is a political affair and not the attraction of
the heart, faith, advancement toward God nor enkindlement with the fire of
the love of God. This congress will not produce a lasting effect, for it
is essentially politico-religious. What is effective and conducive to the
penetration of the Word of God and the attraction of hearts is the
fragrances of holiness and the divine glad-tidings, which the members of
the congress do not in the least comprehend.
Consequently, if the believers of God go to that country--not to the
congress--and through the power of the Word of God, the breath of the Holy
Spirit, the reading of the verses of Oneness and associating with the
individual inhabitants of that kingdom, undoubtedly untold and tremendous
results will be realized and the sweet fragrance of the rose-garden of
mysteries will perfume the nostrils of the people of those regions. It is
significantly useful if some of the friends of God put forth an effort and
hasten from America to those parts (Japan)...
(1906)
8: 'Abdu'l-Baha Meets President Naruse of Japan Women's College
By Miss Agnes B. Alexander
In the spring of 1912, in Tokyo, Viscount Shibusawa, an honored banker and
financier, together with President Jinzo Naruse, the founder of the first
Women's College in Japan, and Dr. Masaharu Anesaki of the Imperial
University formed a nucleus of a movement called "Concordia". Its object
was to try to find a common ground on which all nations could harmonize.
President Naruse then undertook a journey around the world in the interest
of the movement. He carried with him an autograph book in which he
collected expressions of good-will from prominent people in the different
countries he visited. On his return to Japan these were translated into
Japanese and published.
In London in 1912, 'Abdu'l-Baha's secretary recorded the following: "A
distinguished Japanese, the president of the Women's University in Tokyo,
who has been in the United States for many months, came to 'Abdu'l-Baha
and showed Him an article on the Concordia movement in Japan which
appeared in the Oriental Review. 'Abdu'l-Baha spoke to him about the
principles of the Baha'i Cause and how we are in need of Divine Power to
put these principles into practice. He said, 'Just as the sun is the
source of all light in the solar system, so today Baha'u'llah is the
Center of unity of the human race and of the peace of the world.'
'Abdu'l-Baha wrote a beautiful prayer in the autograph book and earnestly
pleaded with him to go back to Japan and spread these lofty ideals."
The prayer follows: "O God! The darkness of contention, strife and warfare
between the religions, the nations and peoples has beclouded the horizon
of Reality and hidden the heaven of Truth. The world is in need of the
light of Guidance. Therefore, O God, confer Thy favor, so that the Sun of
Reality may illumine the East and the West."
(December 30, 1912. Translated by Ahmad Sohrab)
9: Excerpt from The Chosen Highway by Lady Blomfield, Concerning
'Abdu'l-Baha and the Japanese Diplomat (1912]
The Japanese Ambassador to a European capital (Viscount Arakawa--Madrid(22)
) was staying at the Hotel d'Jena. This gentleman and his wife had been
told of 'Abdu'l-Baha's presence in Paris, and the latter was anxious to
have the privilege of meeting Him.
"I am very sad," said Her Excellency. "I must not go out this evening as
my cold is severe, and I leave early in the morning for Spain. If only
there were a possibility of seeing Him."
This was told to the Master, Who had just returned after a long, tiring
day.
"Tell the lady and her husband that, as she is unable to come to me, I
will call upon her."
Accordingly, though the hour was late, through the cold and rain He came,
with His smiling courtesy, bringing joy to us all, as we awaited Him in
the Tapestry Room of the Hotel d'Jena.
'Abdu'l-Baha talked with the Ambassador and his wife of conditions in
Japan, of the great international importance of that country, of the vast
service to mankind, of the work for the abolition of war, of the need for
improving conditions of life for the worker, of the necessity of educating
girls and boys equally.
"The religious ideal is the soul of all plans for the good of mankind.
Religion must never be used as a tool by party politicians. God's politics
are mighty, man's politics are feeble."
Speaking of religion and science, the two great wings with which the bird
of human kind is able to soar, He said: "Scientific discoveries have
increased material civilization. There is in existence a stupendous force,
as yet, happily undiscovered by man. Let us supplicate God, the Beloved,
that this force be not discovered by science until spiritual civilization
shall dominate the human mind. In the hands of men of lower nature, this
power would be able to destroy the whole earth."