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Japan Will Turn Ablaze!
Tablets of `Abdu'l-Bahá, Letters of Shoghi
Effendi and the Universal House of Justice,
and Historical Notes About Japan
(Revised Edition)
Compiled by Barbara R. Sims
Bahá'í Publishing Trust of Japan, 1992
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(C) Copyright 1974 by Barbara R. Sims
First Edition 1974
Reprinted 1975
Revised Edition 1992
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CONTENTS
Introduction
PART I
The Epoch of `Abdu'l-Bahá's Ministry
1. Miss Agnes B. Alexander ..................................... 9
2. Dr. George J. Augur ......................................... 17
3. Mr. Kanichi Yamamoto ........................................ 20
4. Mr. Saichiro Fujita ......................................... 26
5. Tablets to Japan ............................................ 29
6. `Abdu'l-Bahá Speaks to a Japanese Audience .................. 42
7. Excerpt from a Tablet of `Abdu'l-Bahá ....................... 49
8. `Abdu'l-Bahá Meets President Naruse of Japan Women's
College ..................................................... 50
9. Excerpt from The Chosen Highway by Lady Blomfield,
Concerning `Abdu'l-Bahá and the Japanese
Diplomat (1912) ............................................. 51
PART II
Letters of Shoghi Effendi and Communications
From the Universal House of Justice
10. Letters and Cables to Miss Agnes B. Alexander,
1923-1957 ................................................... 54
11. Letters and Cable to the &Baha'is of Japan in the Early Days,
1922-1931 ................................................... 73
12. Letters and Cables to Administrative Institutions ........... 80
13. Letters to Individuals ...................................... 101
14. Shoghi Effendi Writes to Emperor Showa of Japan ............. 110
15. Message from the Universal House of Justice to the North
Pacific Oceanic Conference, Sapporo, Japan, September,
1971 ........................................................ 111
Afterword ................................................... 113
Bibliography ................................................ 114
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[Photograph with the following caption:]
Hand of the Cause Miss Agnes B. Alexander
(Circa 1900)
"Your name will forever remain associated with the rise of the
Faith and its establishment in Japan and the record of your incessant
and splendid endeavors will shed on its annals a lustre that time can
never dim." (Shoghi Effendi, June 8, 1933)
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Introduction
As early as 1903 and for years thereafter, `Abdu'l-Bahá urged
Bahá'ís to travel to Japan to spread the Message of Bahá'u'lláh. On
occasion He said He Himself would like to go to Japan, and also to
some other countries.
In 1908 `Abdu'l-Bahá wrote to an American believer, Mr.
Howard McNutt+F1, "A trip of the believers of God to the Orient is of
the utmost importance and it will become the cause of great connection
between the two regions... Perchance, God willing, in Japan,
you may lay the foundation for the Kingdom!"
In 1910 He said to the first two Bahá'ís to visit Japan, "Blessed
results will appear from the Holy Cause established in that land. I
have sent your letter regarding the work in Japan to Mr. McNutt in
New York, that he may spread the word for some of the American
Bahá'ís to go to Japan, and there serve and teach the Cause. It is
very good for teachers to travel, and, through the love of God, give
life to the people. American Bahá'ís should go to Oriental countries
as teachers."
The first Bahá'ís to make the long voyage, Mr. Howard Struven+F2
and Mr. C.M. Remey, 1909; Mme. Aurelia Bethlen, 1911; Mr.
and Mrs. Dreyfus-Barney, 1914, stayed for brief periods of time and
continued around the world. Dr. George Augur and Miss Agnes
Alexander both arrived in 1914--Miss Alexander shortly after Dr.
Augur. They sailed to Japan with the intention of residing there for
some time. All these believers traveled in response to the wishes of
`Abdu'l-Bahá. Besides Japan, He also encouraged travel in those
early days to China, India, Persia and other Asian countries.
In the Tablet of the Divine Plan written to the Bahá'ís of the
United States and Canada, Japan is mentioned six times [Ed. - pp. 41; 42 (twice); 55; 56 (twice)] and the
Japanese language itself once [Ed. p. 55]. In those Tablets `Abdu'l-Bahá again
urged travel. "How good would it be were there any possibility of a
commission composed of men and women, to travel together through
China and Japan..." [Ed. - p. 42]
In 1919 `Abdu'l-Bahá wrote to Mr. Roy Wilhelm+F1, "Attach great
importance to the Japanese people. Mrs. Magee should continually
communicate with them." And again, later in the year to the same
believer, "Convey to Mr. Nasu+F3, the Japanese, my greeting and say:
The world of nature is darkness but the heavenly Sun dissipates by
its light this darkness that prevails over the world. Likewise the world
of mind and of souls is a dark one and nothing will illuminate it save
+F1 Mr. McNutt, Mr. Wilhelm and Mr. Randall were staunch and devoted American
Bahá'ís who tried to help the Faith in Japan as it was `Abdu'l-Bahá's
wish.
+F2 Mr. Struven was designated as Herald of the Kingdom by `Abdu'l-Bahá.
+F3 Mr. Shiroshi Nasu, a professor of Tokyo Imperial University, was a friend
of Mr. Wilhelm.
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the rays of the Sun of Truth. My hope therefore is that thou mayest
be the cause of the shining of the Divine Teachings in Japan, that thou
mayest vivify the dead. The people of Japan are intelligent but they
are in need of a leader that he may awaken them. I hope that thou
mayest be the cause of their awakening and may vivify them."
To Mr. William Randall+F1, in 1920, He wrote, "The association
which has been formed for promoting the relationship and love between
America and Japan, will, God willing, be confirmed and assisted.
This association is important. It will unquestionably, bring
forth great results."
*** *** ***
"These are His very words, that still keep ringing in my ears:
`Japan will turn ablaze!'"
The title of this book was taken from `Abdu'l-Bahá's prophecy
of the spiritual future of Japan as quoted by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian
of the Bahá'í Faith, in his first letter to the Bahá'ís of Japan,
January 26, 1922.
*** *** ***
We have taken the liberty of adding a few words, for the sake of
continuity, and also that the reader, knowing something of the individuals
and circumstances might better observe the creative power in
the words of `Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi as reflected in the lives
and actions of the recipients.
For further information on the history of the Bahá'í Faith in
Japan, we recommend to the reader History of the Bahá'í Faith in
Japan 1914-1938 by Agnes B. Alexander, and Traces That Remain,
(A Pictorial History of the Early Days of the Bahá'í Faith Among the
Japanese) by Barbara R. Sims.
Barbara R. Sims
Tokyo, Japan 1992
+F1 Mr. McNutt, Mr. Wilhelm and Mr. Randall were staunch and devoted American
Bahá'ís who tried to help the Faith in Japan as it was `Abdu'l-Bahá's
wish.
Japan Will Turn Ablaze!
(Japan, Revised edition 1992)
FILENAME: JWTA.FN
FILEDATE: 1-1-95
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Part I
The Epoch of `Abdu'l-Bahá's Ministry
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[INTENTIONALLY BLANK]
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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-Bahá 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-Bahá.
They are quoted below.
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Tablets of `Abdu'l-Bahá to
Miss Agnes Alexander
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-Bahá 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-Bahá)
Mr. Howard Struven, the first Bahá'í 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.]
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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 Bahá 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)
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)
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 Bahá'u'lláh. 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)
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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)
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
Bahá'u'lláh 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)
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.
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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)
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
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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)
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)
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
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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 Abhá
greetings. I have entreated and supplicated to the Abhá 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)
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 Abhá 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 Abhá I cherish the hope that those souls will become
sublime emblems and fruitful trees in this Supreme Paradise because
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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)
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)
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 Abhá 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+F1. I have utmost love for him and
ask for him Heavenly blessings.
(November 7, 1921, Haifa. Received in Tokyo, February 14, 1922)
+F1 Mr. Roh, a Korean, had studied in the West. Returning to Korea by way of
Palestine, he met some Bahá'ís on the ship who told him of `Abdu'l-Bahá.
He met `Abdu'l-Bahá in Tiberius and was allowed several interviews by Him.
Miss Alexander met Mr. Roh in Korea. He was teaching at the Christian
College and told some of his students of the Bahá'í Faith, but he could
not commit himself to the Faith.
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2
Dr. George J. Augur
1853-1927
Dr. George Jacob Augur, a dedicated and deeply spiritual "Disciple
of `Abdu'l-Bahá"+F1 received several Tablets from `Abdu'l-Bahá.
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-Bahá's
permission he returned to Hawaii to stay in 1919.
Tablets of `Abdu'l-Bahá
to Dr. George Augur
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)
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)
+F1 Bahá'í World Vol. III, p. 84.
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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 Abhá, 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 Bahá'í in Japan. Taken in 1916.
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On August 8, 1915 `Abdu'l-Bahá'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)
+P20
3
Mr. Kanichi Yamamoto
1879-1961
Mr. Kanichi+F1 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 Bahá'ís 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
[Photograph with the following caption:]
Mr. Kanichi Yamamoto, the first Japanese Bahá'í with four of
his sons. The three oldest boys were given Persian names by `Abdu'l-Bahá.
Taken in Berkeley, California in 1920.
+F1 In the early days sometimes spelled Kwanichi.
+P21
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."
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-Bahá in Japanese.
At the time no one in the Holy Land could read Japanese. `Abdu'l-Bahá's
secretary recorded that He said, "I will turn to Bahá'u'lláh,
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-Bahá visited Oakland in 1912, Mr. Yamamoto
had the privilege of arranging a meeting for him at the Japanese
Independent Church. `Abdu'l-Bahá's talk is quoted in Ch. 6.
Tablets of `Abdu'l-Bahá to
Mr. Kanichi Yamamoto
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)
O thou who hast addressed `Abdu'l-Bahá!
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,
+P22
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+F1 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+F2, while there hath come a soul from the
remotest horizon who hath entered the Kingdom of God.
(January 1903)
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+F3. 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).
+F1 Hyacinth--the flower of knowledge.
+F2 Comparing those near at hand who disobeyed the command of Bahá'u'lláh
with the recipient of this Tablet, a Japanese.
+F3 Infinite in regard to imagination, for without the mind there would be no
imagination.
+P23
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)
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
+P24
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)
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)
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)
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.
+P25
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)
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.
+P26
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-Bahá
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-Bahá,
translated in 1913, because it contains a prediction about Mr. Fujita.
Between 1912 and 1919 there were several communications from
`Abdu'l-Bahá 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-Bahá.
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-Bahá to Mr. Saichiro Fujita
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
+P27
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)
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 Abhá 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.)
+P28
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)
After Mr. Fujita's passing the Universal House of Justice sent
out the following cable:
Dearly-loved tireless steadfast Saichiro Fujita passed to Abhá
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 Bahá'ís 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)
+P29
5
Tablets to Japan
Miss Alexander wrote in her account of the early days of the
Faith in Japan, "After `Abdu'l-Bahá'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-Bahá 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-Bahá,
was sent July, 1915 from a young student+F1 in Tokyo who wrote his
supplication in Japanese on a scroll. The following is the translation:
`O my Master `Abdu'l-Bahá!... 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-Bahá. It had come in the contents of a letter from
`Abdu'l-Bahá'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-Bahá was sent September,
1916 by a blind young Japanese+F2 who wrote in Esperanto. After
+F1 Mr. Kikutaro Fukuta
+F2 Mr. Tokujiro Torii
+P30
receiving a reply from `Abdu'l-Bahá, the second Tablet herein published,
he wrote again supplicating in English. The following words
are a portion of his supplication: `O my `Abdu'l-Bahá 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-Bahá
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 Bahá'í.
+P31
Tablets of `Abdu'l-Bahá to Japanese
and One to Koreans
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)
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
+P32
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+F1 and Mr. S. Saiki+F1. 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+F2, whose name may be ever blessed
for it is quite an appropriate one.
(December 27, 1918. Translated by Shoghi Rabbani)
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)
+F1 Mr. Daiun Inouye, a Buddhist priest became a Bahá'í and gave up the
priesthood. Mr. Sensui Saiki, a writer, was greatly attracted to the
Faith and assisted Miss Alexander by translating literature into Japanese.
+F2 The son of Mr. and Mrs. Torii. His name, Akira, means `shining light'
which the mother saw before his birth March 11, 1918.
+P33
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)
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)
O thou who art a new grown tree on the meadow of Truth!+F1 (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
+F1 Accompanying this Tablet was a Japanese translation made by Mr. Saichiro
Fujita at the command of `Abdu'l-Bahá.
+P34
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 Bahá'u'lláh, like unto
[Photograph with the following caption:]
Mr. and Mrs. Tokujiro Torii with Miss Alexander in 1916.
+P35
the sun shone forth from the horizon of the East and with radiating
splendor He illumined the Orient.
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 Bahá'u'lláh 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
+P36
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)
O thou wooer of Reality! (Mr. Tomonaga Noto+F1)
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 Bahá'u'lláh 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)
+F1 Mr. Noto was blind.
+P37
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)
O thou beloved maid-servant of God (Miss Haruko Mori)+F1
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)
O thou who art a favored servant at the Threshold of the Most High!
(Mr. Kenjiro Ono+F2)
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)
+F1 A school girl of 17 years.
+F2 Mr. Ono was blind.
+P38
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)
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 Bahá'u'lláh.
(August 19, 1920. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
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)
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
+P39
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, Bahá'u'lláh--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)
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)
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
+P40
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 Abhá
greetings to all the friends one by one.
(October 15, 1920. Translated by Azizullah Bahadur)
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 Bahá'í meeting taken in Japan. Miss
Alexander is in the back row; Miss Martha Root is in front. Mr.
Fukuta, the only other Bahá'í 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.
+P41
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)
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-Bahá'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 Abhá 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)
+P42
6
`Abdu'l-Bahá Speaks to a
Japanese Audience
Mr. Yamamoto, the first Japanese Bahá'í, arranged for `Abdu'l-Bahá
to speak at the Japanese Independent Church, in Oakland,
California. It was the only talk given by `Abdu'l-Bahá to a Japanese
audience. It was translated from Persian into English and then into
Japanese.
Talk by `Abdu'l-Bahá 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
+P43
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
+P44
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
+P45
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,
+P46
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
Bahá'u'lláh appeared upon the Persian horizon. He hoisted the banner
of the oneness of the world of humanity. He proclaimed international
+P47
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 Bahá'u'lláh, 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!
+P48
[Photograph with the following caption:]
`Abdu'l-Bahá in Oakland, California, 1912, at the home of Mrs.
Helen Goodall, an early California Bahá'í. 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-Bahá to speak before the Japanese
Independent Church in Oakland.
+P49
7
Excerpt from a Tablet of `Abdu'l-Bahá
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!+F1
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)
+F1 Addressed to Ahmad Sohrab.
+P50
8
`Abdu'l-Bahá 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-Bahá'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-Bahá and showed Him an article on the
Concordia movement in Japan which appeared in the Oriental Review.
`Abdu'l-Bahá spoke to him about the principles of the Bahá'í 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 Bahá'u'lláh is the Center of unity of the human
race and of the peace of the world.' `Abdu'l-Bahá 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)
+P51
9
Excerpt from The Chosen Highway by Lady
Blomfield, Concerning `Abdu'l-Bahá and the
Japanese Diplomat (1912)
The Japanese Ambassador to a European capital (Viscount
Arakawa--Madrid+F1) was staying at the Hotel d'Jéna. This gentleman
and his wife had been told of `Abdu'l-Bahá'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'Jéna.
`Abdu'l-Bahá 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."
+F1 Japanese Foreign Office records list Viscount Minoji Arakawa as being
Ambassador of Spain at that time. Spelling of the last name differs in the
original text.
+P52
[THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK.]
+P53
PART II
Letters of Shoghi Effendi
and Communications From
the Universal House of Justice
+P54
10
Letters and Cables to Miss Agnes B.
Alexander, 1923-1957
"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 God had endowed him."
Following are excerpts from some of the many letters written to
Miss Alexander by the Guardian, or on his behalf, which give insights,
not only into her role as a "distinguished pioneer", but also into her
relationship with the Japanese, among whom she lived for so many
years and whom she loved so dearly.
My dear sister in God,
Your letter to our very dear Shoghi Effendi was most encouraging
and created in him new hopes for the spread of `Abdu'l-Bahá's
great and noble Message after the painful calamity in Japan+F1. It was
indeed a miracle that amid a city all shaken to pieces and burned to
ashes by the wild flames, the Lord should have kept you so safe and
unscathed. We can never doubt that this is a direct proof of the mighty
task which the Lord has wanted you to take up and fulfill in that far
away East. Shoghi Effendi has always looked forward with great
expectations at the progress of the Cause in Japan to which he attaches
very great importance.
The Japanese are really progressive people and such vital
teachings which comprise the principles of the Bahá'í religion are sure
to seize their attention and arouse a deep interest in them. Your
presence in Japan was always a means of comfort to Shoghi Effendi's
heart because he fully realized the zeal and ardour with which you
+F1 The Great Kanto Earthquake of September 1923.
+P55
had taken up your work there and although Japan might now miss you,
he is sure that wherever you are you will strive to your utmost in
spreading far and near this Message of Peace to humanity. Furthermore
he hopes that you will not give up altogether your interest in
that promising country, but as long as you are away you will keep
your tender plants all fresh and green with stimulating messages to
them. These are Shoghi Effendi's earnest hopes...
(signed by Soheil Afnan)
(in the Guardian's handwriting)
With loving greetings and prayers for the success of my dearly-loved
sister, Miss A. Alexander.
Shoghi
(December 2, 1923)
In October 1923 Miss Alexander and her sister went to Beijing,
stopping on their way in Seoul, Korea. In China they joined Miss
Martha Root and had an exceedingly fruitful time. After about a three
month visit Miss Alexander left to go to her home in Hawaii. After
she reached Hawaii she received a letter from the Guardian.
My dear Bahá'í sister,
Your letter to Shoghi Effendi was very gladly received and he
was most delighted to hear of your activities in the wonderful country
of China... It is very unfortunate that you are forced to leave for the
time being your work in (Japan) but Shoghi Effendi earnestly hopes
that you will soon return and take up your blessed task.
(signed by Soheil Afnan)
(in the Guardian's handwriting)
My dear and esteemed Bahá'í sister,
Your glorious services in those remote regions of the earth 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. Fujita is with us
happy, active, and extremely helpful. His presence is such a help and
support to me in my work. I never, never forget you.
Shoghi
(January 27, 1924)
+P56
My dear Bahá'í sister,
Our dear Guardian has instructed me to acknowledge the receipt
of your welcomed letter dated June 3, 1927. He is delighted to hear
of your intended visit to Japan where he hopes and prays you will
receive your full share of confirmations from the Abhá Kingdom.
He cherishes great hopes for your future contributions to the
progress of the Cause in that far away and promising country. He
wishes you to write to him frequently of the progress of your activities
and of those whom you will interest in the Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh.
He would specially request you to prolong your stay in Japan as
the soil is exceedingly fertile and the workers are so few in number.
The hosts of the Supreme Concourse will surely aid you and assist
you in your endeavor to spread the Faith which the world needs so
vitally today.
(in the Guardian's handwriting)
Dear and precious sister:
Do not feel disheartened if you meet at first with trials and
obstacles in His Path. I will pray for their removal and will supplicate
for you Divine Guidance and strength. Your reward is indeed great
and glorious in the world to come for all your endeavors and
exemplary services to the sacred Threshold.
Shoghi
(July 16, 1927)
My dear and precious co-worker:
I cannot exaggerate the importance, nay the urgent necessity of
your return to Japan. Your place there is vacant, and the opportunities
are varied and brilliant. The few friends there have to be nursed and
assisted to renew their activity and consolidate their work. I will pray
that you will be guided by our dear Master who loved you so dearly
and wanted you so keenly to train and guide the rising generation in
Japan into the light of this Divine Revelation.
Your true brother, Shoghi
(October 12, 1927)
My dear and precious co-worker:
Though immersed in an ocean of activities and cares, I find always
the time to think of you and express to you in writing my sentiments
of love and appreciation of all you are doing for our beloved
Cause. I trust the way to Japan may open soon, and that you may
+P57
resume in that important field, the work so dear to your heart.
Your true brother, Shoghi
Please assure dear Mrs. Augur of my tenderest brotherly sympathy
in her affliction.+F1 The services of her dear husband are engraved
upon my heart. I will pray for him from the bottom of my heart at
the Beloved's Shrine.
Shoghi
(October 22, 1927)
My dear and precious sister:
I am glad that the date of your voyage to Japan is at last settled
and I hope and trust that you will be enabled to consolidate the great
work you have initiated in Japan. My prayers will accompany you
wherever you go, and I ask you to assure the loved ones in Japan of
my continued prayers for their progress and spiritual advancement.
Shoghi
(October 31, 1927)
My dear co-worker:
What a relief to lea