Part 10 (1/2)
8: 'Abdu'l-Baha Meets President Naruse of j.a.pan Women's College By Miss Agnes B. Alexander
In the spring of 1912, in Tokyo, Viscount s.h.i.+busawa, an honored banker and financier, together with President Jinzo Naruse, the founder of the first Women's College in j.a.pan, 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 j.a.pan these were translated into j.a.panese and published.
In London in 1912, 'Abdu'l-Baha's secretary recorded the following: ”A distinguished j.a.panese, 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 j.a.pan 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 j.a.pan and spread these lofty ideals.”
The prayer follows: ”O G.o.d! 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 G.o.d, 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 j.a.panese Diplomat (1912]
The j.a.panese Amba.s.sador 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 Amba.s.sador and his wife of conditions in j.a.pan, 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. G.o.d'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 G.o.d, 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.”
PART II: LETTERS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
10: Letters and Cables to Miss Agnes B. Alexander, 19231957
”The beloved Guardian continually sent reinforcements to me in his precious letters which were the joy and strength of my heart,” Miss Alexander wrote.
Aside from her own inner conviction, the main source of positive guidance and direction, during her early years in the Orient were Shoghi Effendi's letters.
Of the first personal letter she received from the Guardian (December 2, 1923) she wrote, ”The words penned by his hand at the end of the letter so affected me that for several days my heart was filled with joy and inspiration, and a realization came to me of the power with which G.o.d had endowed him.”