This is a study of three public discourses by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá — (1) June 19, 1913 (Phelps’ “Partial Inventory” ID — ABU0231); (2) November 15, 1912 (“Partial Inventory” ID — ABU0038); and (3) December 2, 1912 (“Partial Inventory” ID — ABU0130) — which are interrelated, and are focused on identifying “new” and distinctive Bahá’í principles. On 19 June 1913, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave a talk under a tent on the rooftop of the Hotel Sultání in Port Sa‘íd, Egypt, the Persian text of which, bahai.org/r/918230707, was authenticated as authoritative by the release of an authorized partial English translation posted online on 29 August 2024, bahai.org/r/918412038. Reflecting on responses to his 1912 talks in America and Canada, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states, in part:
No talk is there in town save of the loved one’s rippling hair;
No spell abroad except her eyebrow’s curve—exquisite snare!
So resoundingly was the Divine Call raised that all ears were thrilled by it and all souls stirred. “What call is this,” minds marvelled, “that hath been so raised? What star is this, that hath thus risen in the heavens?” Some were lost in wonder, others made inquiry; still others set forth proofs and arguments. All confessed that the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh were, in truth, unparalleled, and that they constituted the spirit of this age, the illumination of this century. At most, such criticism as was voiced against them did not extend beyond the claim that similar teachings had been enunciated in the Gospel, in reply to which we said: “Among these teachings is the unity of mankind—show us in which book this is recorded. Another teaching is universal peace—in which book is this? That religion should be a cause of love and unity, otherwise it would be better to do without it—in which book is this? And that religion should be conformable with sound reason and true knowledge—in which book is this? In which book hath the equality of men and women been established? And the elimination of all forms of prejudice, whether of creed, religion, nation, politics, or race—in which book is this?” These and similar considerations we set forth in reply.
— ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá (Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks), bahai.org/r/058516914
In the original Persian, ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá sets forth this key rhetorical question, with variants:
این در کدام کتاب است؟
Ín dar kudám kitáb ast?
Literally: “This (ín) in (dar) which (kudám) book (kitáb) is (ast)?”
“In which book is this?”
A close content-based analysis and a source-critical study of this anecdotal reminiscence reveals that ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá was substantively referring primarily to two previous talks in New York. On 15 November 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was asked: “What has Bahá’u’lláh brought that we have not heard before?” (bahai.org/r/591469335.) Again, on 2 December 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was asked: “You have asked me what new principles have been revealed by Him (Bahá’u’lláh).” (bahai.org/r/322194491.)
While there is no original Persian transcript extant for the 15 November 1912 talk is extant (whereby to authenticate this discourse, as authoritative), the original Persian transcript of the 2 December 1912 speech was rediscovered and published online on 14 September 2023, bahai.org/r/787690806, over 110 years after the event.
A combined summary of the new and distinctive teachings of Bahá’u’lláh as identified by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá of the following — set forth as brief, declarative actions by the present writer in his, introductory book, Bahá’í Faith: The Basics, amazon.com/Bahai-Faith-Basics-Christopher-Buck/dp/1138346160 and routledge.com/Bahai-Faith-The-Basics/Buck/p/book/9781138346161, Chapter 3 (“Principles: Bahá’í Social Teachings”) — as follows:
1. Search for truth.
2. See humankind as one.
3. See religion as one.
4. Religions should unify.
5. Religion respects science.
6. Women and men are equal.
7. Abolish every prejudice.
8. Promote world peace.
9. Provide education for all.
10. Economic problems require spiritual solutions.
11. The Universal House of Justice is unique.
12. The special Bahá’í “Covenant” protects Bahá’í unity.
13. Adopt a universal auxiliary language.
14. Work is worship.
15. The Bahá’í Faith offers other “new principles.”
On this occasion, a studio portrait by Jacob Schloss (1857–1938), famed New York City “celebrity” photographer known for his portraits of theatrical stars and First Lady, Edith Roosevelt, was taken at the home of Bahá’í hosts, Edward B. Kinney (1863–1950) and Carrie Kinney (1878–1959), 780 West End Avenue, New York was taken, details of which are also discussed in the presentation.
Therefore, ’Abdu’l-Bahá’s 19 June 1913 talk in Port Said, Egypt, sheds new light on his prior responses, on 15 November 1912 and 2 December 1912 in New York, to questions as to what is “new” and distinctive in Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings.
A close comparison between (1) the first publication of these two key talks published in the Star the West magazine, bahai.works/Star_of_the_West/Volume_8/Issue_3, and sotwbnewsinfo.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/sotw/pdfs/SOTW_Vol04.pdf, respectively, and (2) their later, edited republication in The Promulgation of Universal Peace, bahai.org/r/245499588, and, bahai.org/r/994980111, respectively, shows that the earlier versions were probably more true to the original.
This is most evident in the 15 November 1912 talk where, in editing the text for republication in The Promulgation of Universal Peace, editor Howard MacNutt turns ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s rhetorical questions into categorical answers.
For Bahá’ís, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s approach has potentially and possibly profound implications for public discourse, considering ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s role as the “Perfect Exemplar” — not only as a paragon and paradigm of all Bahá’í virtues, but as a model for how best to present and teach the Bahá’í Faith.
— Christopher Buck, PhD, JD
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