Part 9 (1/2)

On Jan. 21, 1913, this glorious time had an end. He started by express train for Paris from Victoria Station. He stayed at the French capital till the middle of June, addressing (by the help of His interpreter) 'all sorts and conditions of men.' Once more Paris proved how thoroughly it deserved the t.i.tle of 'city of ideas.' During this time He visited Stuttgart, Budapest, and Vienna. At Budapest He had the great pleasure of meeting Arminius Vambery, who had become virtually a strong adherent of the cause.

Will the Master be able to visit India? He has said Himself that some magnetic personality might draw Him. Will the Brahmaists be pleased to see Him? At any rate, our beloved Master has the requisite tact. Could Indians and English be really united except by the help of the Bahais?

The following Tablet (Epistle) was addressed by the Master to the Bahais in London, who had sent Him a New Year's greeting on March 21, 1914:--

'HE IS G.o.d!

'O s.h.i.+ning Bahais! Your New Year's greeting brought infinite joy and fragrance, and became the cause of our daily rejoicing and gladness.

'Thanks be to G.o.d! that in that city which is often dark because of cloud, mist, and smoke, such bright candles (as you) are glowing, whose emanating light is G.o.d's guidance, and whose influencing warmth is as the burning Fire of the Love of G.o.d.

'This your social gathering on the Great Feast is like unto a Mother who will in future beget many Heavenly Feasts. So that all eyes may be amazed as to what effulgence the true Sun of the East has shed on the West.

'How It has changed the Occidentals into Orientals, and illumined the Western Horizon with the Luminary of the East!

'Then, in thanksgiving for this great gift, favour, and grace, rejoice ye and be exceeding glad, and engage ye in praising and sanctifying the Lord of Hosts.

'Hearken to the song of the Highest Concourse, and by the melody of Abha's Kingdom lift ye up the cry of ”Ya Baha-'ul-Abha!”

'So that Abdul Baha and all the Eastern Bahais may give themselves to praise of the Loving Lord, and cry aloud, ”Most Pure and Holy is the Lord, Who has changed the West into the East with lights of Guidance!”

'Upon you all be the Glory of the Most Glorious One!'

Alas! the brightness of the day has been darkened for the Bahai Brotherhood all over the world. Words fail me for the adequate expression of my sorrow at the adjournment of the hope of Peace. Yet the idea has been expressed, and cannot return to the Thinker void of results. The estrangement of races and religions is only the fruit of ignorance, and their reconciliation is only a question of time. _Sursum corda._

PART V

A SERIES OF ILl.u.s.tRATIVE STUDIES BEARING ON COMPARATIVE RELIGION

A SERIES OF ILl.u.s.tRATIVE STUDIES BEARING ON COMPARITIVE RELIGION

EIGHTEEN (OR, WITH THE BAB, NINETEEN) LETTERS OF THE LIVING OF THE FIRST UNITY

The Letters of the Living were the most faithful and most gifted of the disciples of the so-called Gate or Point. See _Traveller's Narrative_, Introd. p. xvi.

Babu'l Bab.

A. Muhammad Hasan, his brother.

A. Muhammad Baghir, his nephew.

A. Mulla Ali Bustani.

Janabe Mulla Khodabacksh Qutshani.

Janabe Hasan Bajastani.

Janabe A. Sayyid Hussain Yardi.

Janabe Mirza Muhammad Ruzi Khan.

Janabe Sayyd Hindi.

Janabe Mulla Mahmud Khoy.

Janabe Mulla Jalil Urumiyi.