Bibliography: #BIB00331

web link	bahai-library.com/bibliography/BIB00331
reference type	Journal Article
title	Royal Asiatic Society (Monday, April 15)
journal	The Academy : A Weekly Review of Literature, Science, and Art. (London)
year	1889
date	April 27, 1889
issue	886
volume	35
abstract	Royal Asiatic Society. - (Monday, April 15.) Sir Thomas Wade, president, in the chair. - Mr. Edward G. Browne read an account of his researches and experiences among the Bábís in Persia between the autumns of 1887 and 1888. Having stated the objects of his paper, viz. - to place some of the results of his inquiries before the public, and, by pointing out the unsatisfactory nature of our present knowledge, to induce others to devote attention to it - Mr. Browne proceeded to describe the difficulty he had experienced in finding the Bábís and gaining their confidence, until at Isfahan he accidentally met one of them, who introduced him to one of their leading men, by whose recommendations he was enabled, during the remainder of his stay in Persia, to associate on terms of intimacy with the Bábís of Shiráz, Yezd, and Kirmán. He spoke at some length of the execution, about ten years ago, of the "Martyrs of Isfahán" - two much respected merchants of that town, who suffered death for their creed; and he described a visit to their graves. In connexion with this event, sundry predictions and prophecies of Behá (the present head of the sect, who is now at Acre) were mentioned. A description of a certain Sheykh, who acts as courier between Acre and Southern Persia, and some of his adventures, was next given; after which the new writing invented by the sect, their peculiar seals, their method of salutation, and their alteration of the fast from Ramazán to the nineteen days preceding the Persian New Year's Day, or Nawrúz, were adverted to; as well as the practical limitations of the reforms intended by the Báb with regard to the abolition of the veil, the seclusion of women, and the restrictions of polygamy and divorce. The Bábís were then defended from the accusations sometimes brought against them of wine-drinking, immorality, and communism, which were shown to be generally slanders invented by their enemies. Their generosity to one another, and their readiness to associate on friendly terms with those of other creeds, whom they do not, like the majority of Shí'a Muhammadans, regard as impure, were also noticed. The different classes of minds attracted by Babiism were then described, and divided into four categories - (1) those who, having been rigorous Muhammadans, saw in the new creed a fulfilment and perfecting of the old, and who regarded the Báb as the promised, and long-expected, Imam Madhí; (2) those desirous of reform and progress; (3) mystics, who regarded Bábíism as a systematised Súfíism; and (4) enthusiasts filled with admiration for the person and character of the Báb. The latter part of the paper was devoted to a discussion of certain points in the history of the sect, concerning which different authorities disagree widely. The new materials for this investigation, consisting of certain Bábí MSS. obtained by the writer of the paper in Persia, were described and quoted. By means of these several important dates, including the birth of the Báb about A.D. 1824, were fixed. The history of the sect subsequently to the Báb's death in July, 1850, was then briefly sketched, as well as the schism which divided it, in 1866, into two parties, Behá'ís and Ezelís, of which the former are, at the present day, by far the more numerous. An account of Behá, the spiritual chief of the first-mentioned division, was then given, and the paper concluded with a chronological table of the chief events in the history of the Bábís from their origin till the present day. - An interesting discussion followed, in which Sir Fred. Goldsmid, Sir Murdoch Smith, Gen. Schindler, Gen. Maclagan, Mr. Kay, and Mr. Hyde Clarke took part.
language	English
keywords	BROWNE, EDWARD GRANVILLE; ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY; WRITINGS
pages	291
Legal note	11.

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