Bibliography

The meetings with the believers were of a different character. To them his message was: "Teach Bahaism; work for the cause; spread the faith; build the Temple." With them he celebrated the Unity Feast. This has some of the features of theagapeof the ancient Church and some of the Lord's Supper. Often a variety of food is partaken, Persian pilau being a favourite. When all were seated Abdul passed through the rooms, speaking:624"Abdul Baha is now walking among you commemorating Baha Ullah. Blessed are ye who are the servants of Baha Ullah. In the utmost of love I greet each and all of you. This is like the Lord's Supper. Material food is prepared for you. The manna from heaven is present for you. May your hearts be exhilarated in the kingdom of Abha. The labours of BahaUllah have not been in vain." After the Feast, he raised his hands and pronounced his blessing upon them. This is called the 19th day Unity Feast and is celebrated at the beginning of every Bahai month. When Abdul Baha is not present the Tablets are read and praises to Baha, as to God, are chanted.One incident was the establishment of the Day of Thornton Chase as a memorial anniversary. Chase is the first American Bahai to be canonized. Abdul Baha visited his grave at Los Angeles, and ordained a saint's day in the Bahai calendar, October 19th. He said:625"This revered personage was the first Bahai believer in America. He served the cause faithfully and his services will be ever remembered throughout ages and cycles."626"He was of the blessed souls.... He witnessed the light of the kingdom of Abha and wrote proofs and evidences of the Manifestation." Thornton Chase certainly had a surprising faith in Abdul Baha.A special event was the dedication of the grounds of the Bahai Temple, the Mashrak-ul-Azkar (the Dawning-place of Praises). This took place in the midst of the Rizwan Feast, on May 1, 1912, in the presence of the Bahai Temple Unity composed of delegates from all the "spiritual assemblies" in America, convened in its fourth annual convention. A site of five acres has been purchased in the villageof Willmette, a suburb of Chicago. Abdul Baha, using a golden trowel, broke ground and others of the different races, who were present, used picks and shovels and prepared a place into which Abdul Baha put a stone. He said: "The mystery of this building is great. It cannot be unveiled yet, but its erection is the most important undertaking of this day. This Temple of God in Chicago will be to the spiritual body of the world what the inrush of the spirit is to the physical body of man, quickening it to its utmost parts and infusing a new light and power.... Its results and fruits are endless." Of the structure he said: "The Mashrak-ul-Azkar will be like a beautiful bouquet. The central lofty edifice will have nine sides, surrounded by nine avenues interlacing nine gardens where nine fountains will play. There will be nine gateways and columns, with nine arches and nine arched windows and nine caissons nine feet in diameter. Nine will also be carried out in the galleries and dome. Further, its meetings are to be held on the ninth of each month."627Thus the Bahai sacred number will be exhibited everywhere. "Behold!" exclaims the Bahai reporter. "What a priceless piece of ground is this site, dedicated by the hands of the Orb of the Covenant and blessed by his holy feet."628But in another place Abdul Baha urges them to hasten the completion of the building, complaining629"America has not been working enough for it." "Moneycomes slowly," says the treasurer; "pledges were tremendous—as big as our eyes saw at the time and afterwards we could collect630only a small proportion." After six years of strenuous pleading and effort, they have paid for the ground. The ladies evidently preferred to spend their money in jaunts to Acca, with Paris and Cairo en route, rather than to put up an extravagant temple in Chicago for 200 people who are scattered in that city—a temple in which the believers in New York and Los Angeles may never worship. The cause for haste is "to fulfill a great prophecy, that in the day of the Branch shall the temple of the Lord be built" (Zech. vi. 12). And Abdul Baha is already more than seventy. When finished, "It will have an effect on the whole world." "It will be dedicated to the worship of Baha Ullah and his words only are to be read in it."631After a sojourn of about eight months, Abdul Baha returned to England, whence he telegraphed: "Thanks to Baha Ullah, I arrived safely." As a souvenir of the visit, the American Bahais presented a silver vase to the shrine of Abdul Baha Ullah at Acca, "the Holy City." Of this Mr. Remey writes:"The Holy Tomb in which this vase is to repose (we ardently hope) for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years already contains precious offerings, vases and many wonderful things placed there by people from all over the world. Among this ever-growingcollection at the Threshold of the remains of the Earthly Tabernacle of Him who manifested forth to a dying world the very Fatherhood of the Eternal of Him, who for us is the Sublime King of Kings, must stand this silent token, as a measure of the response from the hearts made glad by this ineffable sacrifice of Him who, giving up all thoughts of self, came to us (i. e., to U. S. A.) in our need, The Centre of the Covenant, His Holiness Abdul Baha."The visit of Abdul Baha did not leave any great impression. His personality had no deep influence. He appeared conspicuous neither for intellectuality nor spirituality. Many a distinguished traveller has got hold of the public ear and heart to a greater extent. I was in Baltimore when he was there. He caused scarcely a ripple on the surface. His addresses were tame and full of platitudes. It was told me that his visit led to doubt and coldness on the part of some adherents. He was, as Canon Wilberforce said, "not an orator, nor even a preacher," practiced in public address. One of the distinguished clergymen whose pulpit he occupied said to me, "The man has no special message. He is a faker." Another liberal thinker, who has given publicity to this doctrine, after an interview, pronounced him a fraud. Some of the American disciples, especially the ladies, idolized him, even to the extent of bringing down upon them the reprobation of some English disciples. One of the latter wrote:632"There seems to be a tendency in America and elsewhere to focus too great attention onAbdul Baha rather than upon the Manifistation."What of the progress of Bahaism in America? It is making no marked progress. In some sections it seems to have gone forward, as on the Pacific coast and around New York and Washington. It has decreased in the South and in the headquarters of the movement, Chicago. The organization at Atlanta has disappeared from the list. The South will not take kindly to the advocacy by Abdul Baha of the miscegenation of the races. He recommends that efforts be made towards the intermarriage of the coloured and white races as the ideal panacea for the present estrangement.633I understand that a Washington negro has married an English Bahai woman, the courtship having occurred when both were pilgrims, and under the encouragement of Abdul Baha. Of the condition of the cause in Chicago I can speak from personal investigation. I attended the regular Sunday service in St. John's room, eighteenth floor of the Masonic Hall. It was a pleasant May day. About sixty were present—twenty men and forty women. I questioned the men and found that six of them were Bahais and fourteen, like me, were visitors. The man next to me on the right was a member of an ethical culture society that meets on the twelfth floor. I asked the man on my left to what organization he belonged. He replied, "To the kingdom of God." I inquired what was his opinion of Abbas Effendi.He pulled from his pocket a much used New Testament and pointed to the verse in Revelation which refers to the beast and said, "That is he." I conversed with several of the Bahai ladies, two of whom acted as instructors of the meeting. The Sunday-school held at an earlier hour, I learned, was a class in Esperanto. To my question as to the number of Bahais in Chicago, she replied "that Baha Ullah has told us that there must be a falling away before the triumph," from which I inferred that conditions were not prosperous. The next man, a Bahai, told me the number was about one hundred and fifty. The leader, Mrs. C. True, told me about three hundred. One of the opposing sect told me there are only sixty, while his sect has lost all organization and numbers only forty in the whole country. But if we take the number at the highest estimate given, the number is less than fifteen years ago.I go into particulars regarding this point, because there is a false impression abroad, in Europe and Asia, an impression that is carefully fostered. Take this incident. In Persia a Bahai affirmed before the crowd that one-half of Chicago was Bahai. A Bible colporteur disputed the statement and proposed to telegraph to the Mayor of Chicago and inquire, and whichever side was wrong should pay for the telegram. The Bahai declined. In distant India a similar impression is created for effect. Mr. Getsinger wrote in theJam-i-Jamseedof Bombay:634"The Bahai faith has spread in America by leaps and bounds,the number being beyond computation." Strange exaggeration, if you give it no worse name! Some such a one was no doubt interviewed by the "wayfarer" of the Continent and told him that there were one million in the United States.635But that well-informed reporter put the number at 3,000.The Star of the West(Feb. 7, 1912) says: "There are several thousand Bahais in the United States." My own conclusion is that there are 2,000 in twenty-seven organizations. In 1906 they reported to the Census 1,280 members in twenty-four organizations. Most of the members are women. (See Chap. VII.)That the Bahai propaganda has nothing special to boast of in the United States is evident when we compare its results with those of other religious fads. The Dowieites of Zion City (followers of John Dowie who claimed to be the prophet Elijah) report seventeen organizations in ten states with 5,865 members; the Crowdyites (Crowdy was a negro cook who in 1906 claimed to be a prophet) report forty-eight organizations and 1,823 members; Theosophists eighty-five and 2,336 members; Vedantists (Swamiists) four and 340 members; Spiritualists 455 with 35,056 members; Christian Scientists 638 and 85,000 members. Well may the EgyptianGazettesay: "If Bahaism has found favour in the United States, it cannot be forgotten that countless other 'religions' have become popular there which would not havebeen taken seriously in any other country in the world." Yet, aside from the Mormons, how few they number altogether.Is it not marvellous that clergy of various Protestant churches, even of the Church of England, have given the use of their edifices for its anti-Christian proselytism? Roman Catholic churches have not been open to it. And this happened not only when Abdul Baha was a guest among our people but is continued since. Surely such latitudinarianism must grieve the heart of Christ even as it shocks His faithful followers and gives boldness to those who would hurl Him from His mediatorial throne. It is unnecessary now to catalogue the various Protestant pulpits and platforms in Great Britain, and in America where, with readings from the Bahai "revelations" and flattering introductions, place was given to the "false Christ." But the disloyalty still continues. Lately a missionary was a speaker at a Woman's Foreign Missions Society and was preceded by a lady advocating Bahaism. In a late number of theStar of the West(April 9, 1914) is a picture of the St. Mark's-in-the-Bowerie Episcopal Church, New York, with a notice that an audience room had been granted in the parish house for Bahai meetings every Sunday. This was followed by a letter from Abdul Baha rejoicing in this opportunity "to promulgate the principles of Baha Ullah," and by a request for the prayers of all Bahais that "through this opened door many hearts may be turned to the 'Branch,'"i. e., Abdul Baha. Another issue contains an announcement636of the marriage at Montreal of the editor, Doctor Bagdadi, to Zeenat Khanum, both Persian Bahais of Mohammedan antecedents. The narrative declares: "The minister who officiated astonished all [even the Bahais] by reading from the Bahai writings!"The Bahais still continue to proselyte through Ethical Culture and Theosophic Societies and on the platform of peace congresses. Is it not full time that Christian people and churches should cease to give countenance to this system which is an enemy of the cross of Christ, and which has already deceived several thousands of our fellow Christians?FOOTNOTES:604"Parliament of Religions," p. 640; I. G. Kheiralla, "Beha Ullah," p. ix.605"Bab-ed-Din," by I. G. Kheiralla, pp. 9, 13, 18.606American Journal of Theology, 1902.607"Bahai Movement," p. 101;S. W., p. 38, 1914.608An open letter to the Abbab in America, by Doctor Pease.609"The Three Questions," p. 23.610"Third Call to Behais," p. 3.611Letter to M. Badi Ullah.612"Before Abraham was I am," p. 1.613S. W., Sept. 8, 1913, p. 174.614S. W., Sept. 8, 1913, p. 127.615S. W., May 17, 1914, pp. 51-52.616"Tablets," Vol. I, p. ii.617J. D. Frame, M. D.,Moslem World, 1912, p. 243.618Sec.'s Report, June, 1911; October Bulletin, 1911;S. W., May 17, 1911, July 13, 1913, Nov. 4, 1913, March and June, 1914.619The "Kitab-ul-Akdas" commands that the hair should not be allowed to grow below the level of the ear: why does not Abdul Baha keep this law?620Myron Phelps states (p. 97) that Abbas Effendi wishes no photographs of himself taken. This is certainly a mistake as years ago they were circulated in Persia and purchasable in the bazaar. The account of his posing for the motion pictures is amusing. When requested to pass before the camera, he at once replied, "Khaili khob" (very good). The Bahais present were very much upset and protested that his picture would be scattered all over the country in the movies. He replied, "Busiar khob" (still better). Later, in June, an extended motion picture was taken. The scenes were somewhat spoiled by Abdul Baha not remaining in focus and disarranging the scenario. These films, with words, are being used in the Sunday services of the Bahais and are to be used in the Orient in connection with the voice record on the Edison talking machine.621Mr. Remey said to him: "We expected an attitude of hostility towards you from the clergy and theologians. We did not expect the churches and religious societies would open their doors" (S. W., March 21, 1913, p. 18). Doctor Cadman of Brooklyn explained his inviting Abdul Baha to preach in his pulpit by saying, "Christian people can afford to be absolutely free and catholic in their extension of liberty and courtesy to other people." Yet most Christians were grieved and consider it disloyalty to Christ.622S. W., March, 1913, p. 18.623The striking lack of unity among the Bahais is evident from a Tablet of Abdul Baha written shortly before his visit to America (S. W., May 17, 1811). "In view of the differences among the friends and the lack of unity among the maid servants of the Merciful, how can Abdul Baha hasten to those parts? Is it possible? No, by God!" "Your worthless imaginations, backbiting, and faultfinding enable the Nakhazeen to spread a noose for you." The Americans could reply, "Physician, heal thyself," for the worst anger and discord have been between the brothers at Acca. And he himself continues to cry out, "Hold aloof from the violators."624S. W., Oct. 16, 1913, p. 203.625S. W., Sept. 27, 1913, p. 187.626Similar phrases addressed to his living disciples sound like flattery and appeals to their vanity, such as, "Your names will go down through the ages." "Kings and Queens will never be talked of as you will be" (S. W., Dec. 13, 1913, p. 274, etc.).627S. W., June 5, 1914.628S. W., Dec. 31, 1913, p. 272.629S. W., Aug. 1, 1913, p. 136-138.630"The Oriental Rose," p. 11, says that $5,000 have been sent from the Orient for the Temple.631"Daily Lessons," p. 17.632S. W., Dec. 11, 1911.633L. G. Gregory, "The Heavenly Vista," pp. 13, 15, 25, 31.634S. W., April 28, 1914.635TheS. W.of March 2, 1912, reported one organization in Montreal, one in Hawaii, one in England, two in Germany, viz., Stuttgart and Zuffenhausen, and one in Cape Town.636Star, May 17, 1914, p. 57.BibliographyConsulted by the Author(1)Non-Bahai WritersE. G. Browne: "The Babis of Persia,"Jour. Roy. As. Soc., July, Oct., 1889."Babi Manuscripts,"Jour. Roy. As. Soc., April, July, Oct., 1892.Art. "Babism" in "Encyclo. Brit.," "Enc. of Religion and Ethics," and "Enc. of Islam."Introductions and Appendices to translations of Babi-Bahai books."A Year Among the Persians.""Literary History of Persia."A. L. M. Nicolas: "Sayyid Ali Mohammed dit le Bab" (Biography).R. E. Speer in "Missions and Modern History," Vol. I, Chap. III, pp. 121-182, "The Religion of the Bab.""Haifa or Modern Life in Palestine," by Oliphant.Canon Sell "Babism" (Tract 1895), "Bahaism" (Tract 1912).Critical Magazine Articles.American Journal of Theology, Jan., 1902, "Mohammedan Gnosticism in America," S. K. Vatralsky.North Amer. Rev., June, 1912, J. T. Bixby; April, 1901, Prof. E. D. Ross.Outlook, June, 1901, Dr. H. H. Jessup.Open Court, June and July, 1910 and 1904, Dr. P. Carus.Moslem World, July, 1912, Dr. J. D. Frame.Mission. Rev. of World, Oct., 1911, Dr. W. A. Shedd.Oxford Magazine, May, 1892.(2)Babi or Bahai WritersBy the Bab:"Béyan Persan" (Fr.), 4 Vols, trans. by A. Nicolas.By Baha Ullah:"Akdas," MS. Trans., by I. G. Kheiralla."Ikan," "The Seven Valleys," "The Hidden Words," "Surat-ul-Hykl," "Words of Paradise," "Glad Tidings," Tablets—of the World, of Ishrakat, Tarazat, Tajallayat (Chicago).By Abdul Baha:"The Episode of the Bab or the Traveller's Narrative" (trans. by Browne)."Tablets of Abdul Baha," Vol. I; Addresses in Paris, London and America; "Some Answered Questions," recorded by L. C. Barney; Letter to the Friends in Persia, etc.; The Covenant or Will of Baha Ullah.By Persian believers:"Kitab-ul-Nuktatul Kaf," by Mirza Jani, with Introductions by Browne."New Hist. of the Bab," trans. by Browne."The Sacred Mysteries," Asadullah."School of the Prophets," Asadullah."Bahai Proofs," Abul Fazl."The Brilliant Proof," Abul Fazl."Martyrdoms in Persia in 1903," Haider Ali."Epistle to the Bahai World," Badi Ullah.By Western believers:"The Universal Religion," M. H. Dreyfus."The Bahai Revelation," Thornton Chase."Before Abraham was, I am," Thornton Chase."The Bahai Movement," C. M. Remey."Universal Principles of the Bahai Movement," and "Peace," and "The Covenant," C. M. Remey."Observations of a Bahai Traveller," C. M. Remey."A Year Among the Bahais of India and Burmah," and "Story of the Bahai Movement," Sydney Sprague."Dawn of Knowledge and the Most Great Peace," P. K. Dealy."The Revelation of Baha Ullah," Mrs. S. D. Brittingham."God's Heroes," Barney-Dreyfus."Abbas Effendi; His Life and Teaching," M. Phelps."The Oriental Rose," M. H. Ford."The Modern Social Religion," Horace Holley."Bahaism, the Religion of Brotherhood," F. K. Skrine."The Reconciliation of Races and Religions," T. K. Cheyne."Bahaism in Its Social-Economic Aspects," H. Campbell."Prayers and Communes," and "Songs of Prayer and Praise."Narratives of Pilgrims to Acca:"In Galilee," T. Chase."Unity Through Love," H. MacNutt."The Heavenly Vista," L. G. Gregory."Ten Days in the Light of Acca," Mrs. Grundy."Daily Lessons Received at Acca," Mrs. Cooper."My Visit to Abbas Effendi," Mrs. Peeke."Table Talks With Abdul Baha," G. T. Winterburn."My Visit to Acca," Mrs. Lucas."Flowers from the Rose Garden of Acca," Mrs. Finch."Notes at Acca," Mrs. True.Periodicals:The Bahai News, andThe Star of the West, from 1910 to 1915Reports and Bulletins of the Persian-American Educational Society.By Behaists:"Beha Ullah," 2 Vols, I. G. Kheiralla."Bab-ed-Din," "The Three Questions," and "Facts for Behaists," I. G. Kheiralla."Life of Baha Ullah," MS., Mohammed Javad Kasvini.By Azalis:"Call to Behaists" (Nos. I, II and III), Stenstrand.IndexAbbas Effendi (see Abdul Baha)Abdul Baha,48,68,76,86,87,98,138,147,175,191,204,239;history of,24,66,127,128,161,164,194-196 and note 3,250-259;blesses charms,110;charities criticized,255;censorship,117,146;education,25,163;imprisonment,195,197,258;intercedes for assassins,231,232;justifies Mohammed,86,147note 1;marriage,156-157,164;position,39,40,51,62,69,88,93,117,250;titles,40,93,250,251,260,261;photographs,275;quarrel with brothers,24,39,93,187-188,197,248-262;receives pilgrims,124,125(see Pilgrims);characterized,245,249,254,255,264,270;dogmatic,77;suppresses facts,184and note 7;changes documents,186,188,252;perverts facts,192,194;acts double part,197;unjust to brothers,194note 2,255;instructs in pretense,200;uses boycott,253;accused of sedition,257;threatened with death,262;covets martyrdom,258;asks government for guard,256;honoured as Christ,92,94,96,114,260;as God,95,124,251,260,282;vacant seat left for,119;teachings,24,31,32,33,41,45,56,66,71,73,77,85,88,105,118,151;advocates peace,70;allows war,74;favours Mohammed Ali Shah,138-140;refuses arbitration,256,277;visits Egypt,27;reception in London,11,12,13,163;contributor toChristian Commonwealth,12;in Europe and America,24,64,70,114,139,142,151,153;reception in U. S. A.,274;addresses,275-278;canonizes Chase,278;dedicates temple,278-279;memorial vase,280;impression made,280;aided by Christians,285;writings,24,42,115,116,178,213,273,288Abdul Karim,26,36,40;visits America,269,270Ablutions,110,120,122Abraham,34,41,88,90Abul Fazl,26,35,37,45,47,49,54,69,89,101,102,106,152,155,160,180,197,204,211,216,221,222,225,233,244,255,256,271tried,136;repudiates Babism,136,193;abuses mullahs,211;visits America,271;writings,288Acca (Acre),22,23,27,39,43,71,94,97and note 4,106,118,122,123,125,127,140,145,146,154,159,161,165,173,182,183,187,195,196,200,205,229,233,241,250-259Adam,41,114Adrianople,22,197,222,223,229Ahmad Ahsai, Sheikh,20,21,236Ahmad Qadiani (see Gulam Ahmad)Ahmad Zohrab,47Akdas (see Kitab-ul-Akdas)Alcohol, prohibited to Babis and Bahais,214;used,215Ali Allahis,20,40note 3,67,88,91note ,173Ali Kuli Khan,45,202Ali Mohammed (see Bab)American Bahais (see Bahais)American prophets,274,284Annihilation,112Arbitration,70,71,74-75Armenians,28,67,68Asad Ullah,39,249;delegate to America,271;writings,271,288Assassins, Sect of,19,91noteAssassinations, practiced in Islam,243-244Assassinations, by Bahais,43,159,172,197,228-235,241note 1,244,245 and note 1,246,270;were for the faith,232,233;so justified,242,243Azal (see Subh-i-Azal)Azalis,23,43,69note ,159,167,197,214,216,227,230,231,245,268,270Bab, the title,20Bab, The,18,35,38,47,71,73,90,91,99,126,133-135,181,260;his history,21,41,104,123,135,186,189-190,198,210,211,236,237;tomb,123,125;proof in verses,44,46;taught war,135;note forerunner of Baha,178;expected his dispensation to be long,178;books (see Bayan);concealed by Bahais,182,183;tampered with,185Babis, character,180;wars,21,71,73;persecuted,21,136;martyrs,192,193;deny faith,198;attempt to assassinate Shah,21,191,230;executed,21,191;at Bagdad,22,221-222;murderous spirit,236,237,238;sects of,68Babism, History of,44,87,133,135,193,236;

One incident was the establishment of the Day of Thornton Chase as a memorial anniversary. Chase is the first American Bahai to be canonized. Abdul Baha visited his grave at Los Angeles, and ordained a saint's day in the Bahai calendar, October 19th. He said:625"This revered personage was the first Bahai believer in America. He served the cause faithfully and his services will be ever remembered throughout ages and cycles."626"He was of the blessed souls.... He witnessed the light of the kingdom of Abha and wrote proofs and evidences of the Manifestation." Thornton Chase certainly had a surprising faith in Abdul Baha.

A special event was the dedication of the grounds of the Bahai Temple, the Mashrak-ul-Azkar (the Dawning-place of Praises). This took place in the midst of the Rizwan Feast, on May 1, 1912, in the presence of the Bahai Temple Unity composed of delegates from all the "spiritual assemblies" in America, convened in its fourth annual convention. A site of five acres has been purchased in the villageof Willmette, a suburb of Chicago. Abdul Baha, using a golden trowel, broke ground and others of the different races, who were present, used picks and shovels and prepared a place into which Abdul Baha put a stone. He said: "The mystery of this building is great. It cannot be unveiled yet, but its erection is the most important undertaking of this day. This Temple of God in Chicago will be to the spiritual body of the world what the inrush of the spirit is to the physical body of man, quickening it to its utmost parts and infusing a new light and power.... Its results and fruits are endless." Of the structure he said: "The Mashrak-ul-Azkar will be like a beautiful bouquet. The central lofty edifice will have nine sides, surrounded by nine avenues interlacing nine gardens where nine fountains will play. There will be nine gateways and columns, with nine arches and nine arched windows and nine caissons nine feet in diameter. Nine will also be carried out in the galleries and dome. Further, its meetings are to be held on the ninth of each month."627Thus the Bahai sacred number will be exhibited everywhere. "Behold!" exclaims the Bahai reporter. "What a priceless piece of ground is this site, dedicated by the hands of the Orb of the Covenant and blessed by his holy feet."628But in another place Abdul Baha urges them to hasten the completion of the building, complaining629"America has not been working enough for it." "Moneycomes slowly," says the treasurer; "pledges were tremendous—as big as our eyes saw at the time and afterwards we could collect630only a small proportion." After six years of strenuous pleading and effort, they have paid for the ground. The ladies evidently preferred to spend their money in jaunts to Acca, with Paris and Cairo en route, rather than to put up an extravagant temple in Chicago for 200 people who are scattered in that city—a temple in which the believers in New York and Los Angeles may never worship. The cause for haste is "to fulfill a great prophecy, that in the day of the Branch shall the temple of the Lord be built" (Zech. vi. 12). And Abdul Baha is already more than seventy. When finished, "It will have an effect on the whole world." "It will be dedicated to the worship of Baha Ullah and his words only are to be read in it."631

After a sojourn of about eight months, Abdul Baha returned to England, whence he telegraphed: "Thanks to Baha Ullah, I arrived safely." As a souvenir of the visit, the American Bahais presented a silver vase to the shrine of Abdul Baha Ullah at Acca, "the Holy City." Of this Mr. Remey writes:

"The Holy Tomb in which this vase is to repose (we ardently hope) for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years already contains precious offerings, vases and many wonderful things placed there by people from all over the world. Among this ever-growingcollection at the Threshold of the remains of the Earthly Tabernacle of Him who manifested forth to a dying world the very Fatherhood of the Eternal of Him, who for us is the Sublime King of Kings, must stand this silent token, as a measure of the response from the hearts made glad by this ineffable sacrifice of Him who, giving up all thoughts of self, came to us (i. e., to U. S. A.) in our need, The Centre of the Covenant, His Holiness Abdul Baha."

The visit of Abdul Baha did not leave any great impression. His personality had no deep influence. He appeared conspicuous neither for intellectuality nor spirituality. Many a distinguished traveller has got hold of the public ear and heart to a greater extent. I was in Baltimore when he was there. He caused scarcely a ripple on the surface. His addresses were tame and full of platitudes. It was told me that his visit led to doubt and coldness on the part of some adherents. He was, as Canon Wilberforce said, "not an orator, nor even a preacher," practiced in public address. One of the distinguished clergymen whose pulpit he occupied said to me, "The man has no special message. He is a faker." Another liberal thinker, who has given publicity to this doctrine, after an interview, pronounced him a fraud. Some of the American disciples, especially the ladies, idolized him, even to the extent of bringing down upon them the reprobation of some English disciples. One of the latter wrote:632"There seems to be a tendency in America and elsewhere to focus too great attention onAbdul Baha rather than upon the Manifistation."

What of the progress of Bahaism in America? It is making no marked progress. In some sections it seems to have gone forward, as on the Pacific coast and around New York and Washington. It has decreased in the South and in the headquarters of the movement, Chicago. The organization at Atlanta has disappeared from the list. The South will not take kindly to the advocacy by Abdul Baha of the miscegenation of the races. He recommends that efforts be made towards the intermarriage of the coloured and white races as the ideal panacea for the present estrangement.633

I understand that a Washington negro has married an English Bahai woman, the courtship having occurred when both were pilgrims, and under the encouragement of Abdul Baha. Of the condition of the cause in Chicago I can speak from personal investigation. I attended the regular Sunday service in St. John's room, eighteenth floor of the Masonic Hall. It was a pleasant May day. About sixty were present—twenty men and forty women. I questioned the men and found that six of them were Bahais and fourteen, like me, were visitors. The man next to me on the right was a member of an ethical culture society that meets on the twelfth floor. I asked the man on my left to what organization he belonged. He replied, "To the kingdom of God." I inquired what was his opinion of Abbas Effendi.He pulled from his pocket a much used New Testament and pointed to the verse in Revelation which refers to the beast and said, "That is he." I conversed with several of the Bahai ladies, two of whom acted as instructors of the meeting. The Sunday-school held at an earlier hour, I learned, was a class in Esperanto. To my question as to the number of Bahais in Chicago, she replied "that Baha Ullah has told us that there must be a falling away before the triumph," from which I inferred that conditions were not prosperous. The next man, a Bahai, told me the number was about one hundred and fifty. The leader, Mrs. C. True, told me about three hundred. One of the opposing sect told me there are only sixty, while his sect has lost all organization and numbers only forty in the whole country. But if we take the number at the highest estimate given, the number is less than fifteen years ago.

I go into particulars regarding this point, because there is a false impression abroad, in Europe and Asia, an impression that is carefully fostered. Take this incident. In Persia a Bahai affirmed before the crowd that one-half of Chicago was Bahai. A Bible colporteur disputed the statement and proposed to telegraph to the Mayor of Chicago and inquire, and whichever side was wrong should pay for the telegram. The Bahai declined. In distant India a similar impression is created for effect. Mr. Getsinger wrote in theJam-i-Jamseedof Bombay:634"The Bahai faith has spread in America by leaps and bounds,the number being beyond computation." Strange exaggeration, if you give it no worse name! Some such a one was no doubt interviewed by the "wayfarer" of the Continent and told him that there were one million in the United States.635But that well-informed reporter put the number at 3,000.The Star of the West(Feb. 7, 1912) says: "There are several thousand Bahais in the United States." My own conclusion is that there are 2,000 in twenty-seven organizations. In 1906 they reported to the Census 1,280 members in twenty-four organizations. Most of the members are women. (See Chap. VII.)

That the Bahai propaganda has nothing special to boast of in the United States is evident when we compare its results with those of other religious fads. The Dowieites of Zion City (followers of John Dowie who claimed to be the prophet Elijah) report seventeen organizations in ten states with 5,865 members; the Crowdyites (Crowdy was a negro cook who in 1906 claimed to be a prophet) report forty-eight organizations and 1,823 members; Theosophists eighty-five and 2,336 members; Vedantists (Swamiists) four and 340 members; Spiritualists 455 with 35,056 members; Christian Scientists 638 and 85,000 members. Well may the EgyptianGazettesay: "If Bahaism has found favour in the United States, it cannot be forgotten that countless other 'religions' have become popular there which would not havebeen taken seriously in any other country in the world." Yet, aside from the Mormons, how few they number altogether.

Is it not marvellous that clergy of various Protestant churches, even of the Church of England, have given the use of their edifices for its anti-Christian proselytism? Roman Catholic churches have not been open to it. And this happened not only when Abdul Baha was a guest among our people but is continued since. Surely such latitudinarianism must grieve the heart of Christ even as it shocks His faithful followers and gives boldness to those who would hurl Him from His mediatorial throne. It is unnecessary now to catalogue the various Protestant pulpits and platforms in Great Britain, and in America where, with readings from the Bahai "revelations" and flattering introductions, place was given to the "false Christ." But the disloyalty still continues. Lately a missionary was a speaker at a Woman's Foreign Missions Society and was preceded by a lady advocating Bahaism. In a late number of theStar of the West(April 9, 1914) is a picture of the St. Mark's-in-the-Bowerie Episcopal Church, New York, with a notice that an audience room had been granted in the parish house for Bahai meetings every Sunday. This was followed by a letter from Abdul Baha rejoicing in this opportunity "to promulgate the principles of Baha Ullah," and by a request for the prayers of all Bahais that "through this opened door many hearts may be turned to the 'Branch,'"i. e., Abdul Baha. Another issue contains an announcement636of the marriage at Montreal of the editor, Doctor Bagdadi, to Zeenat Khanum, both Persian Bahais of Mohammedan antecedents. The narrative declares: "The minister who officiated astonished all [even the Bahais] by reading from the Bahai writings!"

The Bahais still continue to proselyte through Ethical Culture and Theosophic Societies and on the platform of peace congresses. Is it not full time that Christian people and churches should cease to give countenance to this system which is an enemy of the cross of Christ, and which has already deceived several thousands of our fellow Christians?

FOOTNOTES:604"Parliament of Religions," p. 640; I. G. Kheiralla, "Beha Ullah," p. ix.605"Bab-ed-Din," by I. G. Kheiralla, pp. 9, 13, 18.606American Journal of Theology, 1902.607"Bahai Movement," p. 101;S. W., p. 38, 1914.608An open letter to the Abbab in America, by Doctor Pease.609"The Three Questions," p. 23.610"Third Call to Behais," p. 3.611Letter to M. Badi Ullah.612"Before Abraham was I am," p. 1.613S. W., Sept. 8, 1913, p. 174.614S. W., Sept. 8, 1913, p. 127.615S. W., May 17, 1914, pp. 51-52.616"Tablets," Vol. I, p. ii.617J. D. Frame, M. D.,Moslem World, 1912, p. 243.618Sec.'s Report, June, 1911; October Bulletin, 1911;S. W., May 17, 1911, July 13, 1913, Nov. 4, 1913, March and June, 1914.619The "Kitab-ul-Akdas" commands that the hair should not be allowed to grow below the level of the ear: why does not Abdul Baha keep this law?620Myron Phelps states (p. 97) that Abbas Effendi wishes no photographs of himself taken. This is certainly a mistake as years ago they were circulated in Persia and purchasable in the bazaar. The account of his posing for the motion pictures is amusing. When requested to pass before the camera, he at once replied, "Khaili khob" (very good). The Bahais present were very much upset and protested that his picture would be scattered all over the country in the movies. He replied, "Busiar khob" (still better). Later, in June, an extended motion picture was taken. The scenes were somewhat spoiled by Abdul Baha not remaining in focus and disarranging the scenario. These films, with words, are being used in the Sunday services of the Bahais and are to be used in the Orient in connection with the voice record on the Edison talking machine.621Mr. Remey said to him: "We expected an attitude of hostility towards you from the clergy and theologians. We did not expect the churches and religious societies would open their doors" (S. W., March 21, 1913, p. 18). Doctor Cadman of Brooklyn explained his inviting Abdul Baha to preach in his pulpit by saying, "Christian people can afford to be absolutely free and catholic in their extension of liberty and courtesy to other people." Yet most Christians were grieved and consider it disloyalty to Christ.622S. W., March, 1913, p. 18.623The striking lack of unity among the Bahais is evident from a Tablet of Abdul Baha written shortly before his visit to America (S. W., May 17, 1811). "In view of the differences among the friends and the lack of unity among the maid servants of the Merciful, how can Abdul Baha hasten to those parts? Is it possible? No, by God!" "Your worthless imaginations, backbiting, and faultfinding enable the Nakhazeen to spread a noose for you." The Americans could reply, "Physician, heal thyself," for the worst anger and discord have been between the brothers at Acca. And he himself continues to cry out, "Hold aloof from the violators."624S. W., Oct. 16, 1913, p. 203.625S. W., Sept. 27, 1913, p. 187.626Similar phrases addressed to his living disciples sound like flattery and appeals to their vanity, such as, "Your names will go down through the ages." "Kings and Queens will never be talked of as you will be" (S. W., Dec. 13, 1913, p. 274, etc.).627S. W., June 5, 1914.628S. W., Dec. 31, 1913, p. 272.629S. W., Aug. 1, 1913, p. 136-138.630"The Oriental Rose," p. 11, says that $5,000 have been sent from the Orient for the Temple.631"Daily Lessons," p. 17.632S. W., Dec. 11, 1911.633L. G. Gregory, "The Heavenly Vista," pp. 13, 15, 25, 31.634S. W., April 28, 1914.635TheS. W.of March 2, 1912, reported one organization in Montreal, one in Hawaii, one in England, two in Germany, viz., Stuttgart and Zuffenhausen, and one in Cape Town.636Star, May 17, 1914, p. 57.

FOOTNOTES:

604"Parliament of Religions," p. 640; I. G. Kheiralla, "Beha Ullah," p. ix.

605"Bab-ed-Din," by I. G. Kheiralla, pp. 9, 13, 18.

606American Journal of Theology, 1902.

607"Bahai Movement," p. 101;S. W., p. 38, 1914.

608An open letter to the Abbab in America, by Doctor Pease.

609"The Three Questions," p. 23.

610"Third Call to Behais," p. 3.

611Letter to M. Badi Ullah.

612"Before Abraham was I am," p. 1.

613S. W., Sept. 8, 1913, p. 174.

614S. W., Sept. 8, 1913, p. 127.

615S. W., May 17, 1914, pp. 51-52.

616"Tablets," Vol. I, p. ii.

617J. D. Frame, M. D.,Moslem World, 1912, p. 243.

618Sec.'s Report, June, 1911; October Bulletin, 1911;S. W., May 17, 1911, July 13, 1913, Nov. 4, 1913, March and June, 1914.

619The "Kitab-ul-Akdas" commands that the hair should not be allowed to grow below the level of the ear: why does not Abdul Baha keep this law?

620Myron Phelps states (p. 97) that Abbas Effendi wishes no photographs of himself taken. This is certainly a mistake as years ago they were circulated in Persia and purchasable in the bazaar. The account of his posing for the motion pictures is amusing. When requested to pass before the camera, he at once replied, "Khaili khob" (very good). The Bahais present were very much upset and protested that his picture would be scattered all over the country in the movies. He replied, "Busiar khob" (still better). Later, in June, an extended motion picture was taken. The scenes were somewhat spoiled by Abdul Baha not remaining in focus and disarranging the scenario. These films, with words, are being used in the Sunday services of the Bahais and are to be used in the Orient in connection with the voice record on the Edison talking machine.

621Mr. Remey said to him: "We expected an attitude of hostility towards you from the clergy and theologians. We did not expect the churches and religious societies would open their doors" (S. W., March 21, 1913, p. 18). Doctor Cadman of Brooklyn explained his inviting Abdul Baha to preach in his pulpit by saying, "Christian people can afford to be absolutely free and catholic in their extension of liberty and courtesy to other people." Yet most Christians were grieved and consider it disloyalty to Christ.

622S. W., March, 1913, p. 18.

623The striking lack of unity among the Bahais is evident from a Tablet of Abdul Baha written shortly before his visit to America (S. W., May 17, 1811). "In view of the differences among the friends and the lack of unity among the maid servants of the Merciful, how can Abdul Baha hasten to those parts? Is it possible? No, by God!" "Your worthless imaginations, backbiting, and faultfinding enable the Nakhazeen to spread a noose for you." The Americans could reply, "Physician, heal thyself," for the worst anger and discord have been between the brothers at Acca. And he himself continues to cry out, "Hold aloof from the violators."

624S. W., Oct. 16, 1913, p. 203.

625S. W., Sept. 27, 1913, p. 187.

626Similar phrases addressed to his living disciples sound like flattery and appeals to their vanity, such as, "Your names will go down through the ages." "Kings and Queens will never be talked of as you will be" (S. W., Dec. 13, 1913, p. 274, etc.).

627S. W., June 5, 1914.

628S. W., Dec. 31, 1913, p. 272.

629S. W., Aug. 1, 1913, p. 136-138.

630"The Oriental Rose," p. 11, says that $5,000 have been sent from the Orient for the Temple.

631"Daily Lessons," p. 17.

632S. W., Dec. 11, 1911.

633L. G. Gregory, "The Heavenly Vista," pp. 13, 15, 25, 31.

634S. W., April 28, 1914.

635TheS. W.of March 2, 1912, reported one organization in Montreal, one in Hawaii, one in England, two in Germany, viz., Stuttgart and Zuffenhausen, and one in Cape Town.

636Star, May 17, 1914, p. 57.

Consulted by the Author

(1)Non-Bahai Writers

E. G. Browne: "The Babis of Persia,"Jour. Roy. As. Soc., July, Oct., 1889."Babi Manuscripts,"Jour. Roy. As. Soc., April, July, Oct., 1892.Art. "Babism" in "Encyclo. Brit.," "Enc. of Religion and Ethics," and "Enc. of Islam."Introductions and Appendices to translations of Babi-Bahai books."A Year Among the Persians.""Literary History of Persia."A. L. M. Nicolas: "Sayyid Ali Mohammed dit le Bab" (Biography).R. E. Speer in "Missions and Modern History," Vol. I, Chap. III, pp. 121-182, "The Religion of the Bab.""Haifa or Modern Life in Palestine," by Oliphant.Canon Sell "Babism" (Tract 1895), "Bahaism" (Tract 1912).Critical Magazine Articles.American Journal of Theology, Jan., 1902, "Mohammedan Gnosticism in America," S. K. Vatralsky.North Amer. Rev., June, 1912, J. T. Bixby; April, 1901, Prof. E. D. Ross.Outlook, June, 1901, Dr. H. H. Jessup.Open Court, June and July, 1910 and 1904, Dr. P. Carus.Moslem World, July, 1912, Dr. J. D. Frame.Mission. Rev. of World, Oct., 1911, Dr. W. A. Shedd.Oxford Magazine, May, 1892.(2)Babi or Bahai WritersBy the Bab:"Béyan Persan" (Fr.), 4 Vols, trans. by A. Nicolas.By Baha Ullah:"Akdas," MS. Trans., by I. G. Kheiralla."Ikan," "The Seven Valleys," "The Hidden Words," "Surat-ul-Hykl," "Words of Paradise," "Glad Tidings," Tablets—of the World, of Ishrakat, Tarazat, Tajallayat (Chicago).By Abdul Baha:"The Episode of the Bab or the Traveller's Narrative" (trans. by Browne)."Tablets of Abdul Baha," Vol. I; Addresses in Paris, London and America; "Some Answered Questions," recorded by L. C. Barney; Letter to the Friends in Persia, etc.; The Covenant or Will of Baha Ullah.By Persian believers:"Kitab-ul-Nuktatul Kaf," by Mirza Jani, with Introductions by Browne."New Hist. of the Bab," trans. by Browne."The Sacred Mysteries," Asadullah."School of the Prophets," Asadullah."Bahai Proofs," Abul Fazl."The Brilliant Proof," Abul Fazl."Martyrdoms in Persia in 1903," Haider Ali."Epistle to the Bahai World," Badi Ullah.By Western believers:"The Universal Religion," M. H. Dreyfus."The Bahai Revelation," Thornton Chase."Before Abraham was, I am," Thornton Chase."The Bahai Movement," C. M. Remey."Universal Principles of the Bahai Movement," and "Peace," and "The Covenant," C. M. Remey."Observations of a Bahai Traveller," C. M. Remey."A Year Among the Bahais of India and Burmah," and "Story of the Bahai Movement," Sydney Sprague."Dawn of Knowledge and the Most Great Peace," P. K. Dealy."The Revelation of Baha Ullah," Mrs. S. D. Brittingham."God's Heroes," Barney-Dreyfus."Abbas Effendi; His Life and Teaching," M. Phelps."The Oriental Rose," M. H. Ford."The Modern Social Religion," Horace Holley."Bahaism, the Religion of Brotherhood," F. K. Skrine."The Reconciliation of Races and Religions," T. K. Cheyne."Bahaism in Its Social-Economic Aspects," H. Campbell."Prayers and Communes," and "Songs of Prayer and Praise."Narratives of Pilgrims to Acca:"In Galilee," T. Chase."Unity Through Love," H. MacNutt."The Heavenly Vista," L. G. Gregory."Ten Days in the Light of Acca," Mrs. Grundy."Daily Lessons Received at Acca," Mrs. Cooper."My Visit to Abbas Effendi," Mrs. Peeke."Table Talks With Abdul Baha," G. T. Winterburn."My Visit to Acca," Mrs. Lucas."Flowers from the Rose Garden of Acca," Mrs. Finch."Notes at Acca," Mrs. True.Periodicals:The Bahai News, andThe Star of the West, from 1910 to 1915Reports and Bulletins of the Persian-American Educational Society.By Behaists:"Beha Ullah," 2 Vols, I. G. Kheiralla."Bab-ed-Din," "The Three Questions," and "Facts for Behaists," I. G. Kheiralla."Life of Baha Ullah," MS., Mohammed Javad Kasvini.By Azalis:"Call to Behaists" (Nos. I, II and III), Stenstrand.

E. G. Browne: "The Babis of Persia,"Jour. Roy. As. Soc., July, Oct., 1889.

"Babi Manuscripts,"Jour. Roy. As. Soc., April, July, Oct., 1892.

Art. "Babism" in "Encyclo. Brit.," "Enc. of Religion and Ethics," and "Enc. of Islam."

Introductions and Appendices to translations of Babi-Bahai books.

"A Year Among the Persians."

"Literary History of Persia."

A. L. M. Nicolas: "Sayyid Ali Mohammed dit le Bab" (Biography).

R. E. Speer in "Missions and Modern History," Vol. I, Chap. III, pp. 121-182, "The Religion of the Bab."

"Haifa or Modern Life in Palestine," by Oliphant.

Canon Sell "Babism" (Tract 1895), "Bahaism" (Tract 1912).

Critical Magazine Articles.

American Journal of Theology, Jan., 1902, "Mohammedan Gnosticism in America," S. K. Vatralsky.

North Amer. Rev., June, 1912, J. T. Bixby; April, 1901, Prof. E. D. Ross.

Outlook, June, 1901, Dr. H. H. Jessup.

Open Court, June and July, 1910 and 1904, Dr. P. Carus.

Moslem World, July, 1912, Dr. J. D. Frame.

Mission. Rev. of World, Oct., 1911, Dr. W. A. Shedd.

Oxford Magazine, May, 1892.

(2)Babi or Bahai Writers

By the Bab:

"Béyan Persan" (Fr.), 4 Vols, trans. by A. Nicolas.

By Baha Ullah:

"Akdas," MS. Trans., by I. G. Kheiralla.

"Ikan," "The Seven Valleys," "The Hidden Words," "Surat-ul-Hykl," "Words of Paradise," "Glad Tidings," Tablets—of the World, of Ishrakat, Tarazat, Tajallayat (Chicago).

By Abdul Baha:

"The Episode of the Bab or the Traveller's Narrative" (trans. by Browne).

"Tablets of Abdul Baha," Vol. I; Addresses in Paris, London and America; "Some Answered Questions," recorded by L. C. Barney; Letter to the Friends in Persia, etc.; The Covenant or Will of Baha Ullah.

By Persian believers:

"Kitab-ul-Nuktatul Kaf," by Mirza Jani, with Introductions by Browne.

"New Hist. of the Bab," trans. by Browne.

"The Sacred Mysteries," Asadullah.

"School of the Prophets," Asadullah.

"Bahai Proofs," Abul Fazl.

"The Brilliant Proof," Abul Fazl.

"Martyrdoms in Persia in 1903," Haider Ali.

"Epistle to the Bahai World," Badi Ullah.

By Western believers:

"The Universal Religion," M. H. Dreyfus.

"The Bahai Revelation," Thornton Chase.

"Before Abraham was, I am," Thornton Chase.

"The Bahai Movement," C. M. Remey.

"Universal Principles of the Bahai Movement," and "Peace," and "The Covenant," C. M. Remey.

"Observations of a Bahai Traveller," C. M. Remey.

"A Year Among the Bahais of India and Burmah," and "Story of the Bahai Movement," Sydney Sprague.

"Dawn of Knowledge and the Most Great Peace," P. K. Dealy.

"The Revelation of Baha Ullah," Mrs. S. D. Brittingham.

"God's Heroes," Barney-Dreyfus.

"Abbas Effendi; His Life and Teaching," M. Phelps.

"The Oriental Rose," M. H. Ford.

"The Modern Social Religion," Horace Holley.

"Bahaism, the Religion of Brotherhood," F. K. Skrine.

"The Reconciliation of Races and Religions," T. K. Cheyne.

"Bahaism in Its Social-Economic Aspects," H. Campbell.

"Prayers and Communes," and "Songs of Prayer and Praise."

Narratives of Pilgrims to Acca:

"In Galilee," T. Chase.

"Unity Through Love," H. MacNutt.

"The Heavenly Vista," L. G. Gregory.

"Ten Days in the Light of Acca," Mrs. Grundy.

"Daily Lessons Received at Acca," Mrs. Cooper.

"My Visit to Abbas Effendi," Mrs. Peeke.

"Table Talks With Abdul Baha," G. T. Winterburn.

"My Visit to Acca," Mrs. Lucas.

"Flowers from the Rose Garden of Acca," Mrs. Finch.

"Notes at Acca," Mrs. True.

Periodicals:

The Bahai News, andThe Star of the West, from 1910 to 1915

Reports and Bulletins of the Persian-American Educational Society.

By Behaists:

"Beha Ullah," 2 Vols, I. G. Kheiralla.

"Bab-ed-Din," "The Three Questions," and "Facts for Behaists," I. G. Kheiralla.

"Life of Baha Ullah," MS., Mohammed Javad Kasvini.

By Azalis:

"Call to Behaists" (Nos. I, II and III), Stenstrand.

Abbas Effendi (see Abdul Baha)

Abdul Baha,48,68,76,86,87,98,138,147,175,191,204,239;

history of,24,66,127,128,161,164,194-196 and note 3,250-259;

blesses charms,110;

charities criticized,255;

censorship,117,146;

education,25,163;

imprisonment,195,197,258;

intercedes for assassins,231,232;

justifies Mohammed,86,147note 1;

marriage,156-157,164;

position,39,40,51,62,69,88,93,117,250;

titles,40,93,250,251,260,261;

photographs,275;

quarrel with brothers,24,39,93,187-188,197,248-262;

receives pilgrims,124,125(see Pilgrims);

characterized,245,249,254,255,264,270;

dogmatic,77;

suppresses facts,184and note 7;

changes documents,186,188,252;

perverts facts,192,194;

acts double part,197;

unjust to brothers,194note 2,255;

instructs in pretense,200;

uses boycott,253;

accused of sedition,257;

threatened with death,262;

covets martyrdom,258;

asks government for guard,256;

honoured as Christ,92,94,96,114,260;

as God,95,124,251,260,282;

vacant seat left for,119;

teachings,24,31,32,33,41,45,56,66,71,73,77,85,88,105,118,151;

advocates peace,70;

allows war,74;

favours Mohammed Ali Shah,138-140;

refuses arbitration,256,277;

visits Egypt,27;

reception in London,11,12,13,163;

contributor toChristian Commonwealth,12;

in Europe and America,24,64,70,114,139,142,151,153;

reception in U. S. A.,274;

addresses,275-278;

canonizes Chase,278;

dedicates temple,278-279;

memorial vase,280;

impression made,280;

aided by Christians,285;

writings,24,42,115,116,178,213,273,288

Abdul Karim,26,36,40;

visits America,269,270

Ablutions,110,120,122

Abraham,34,41,88,90

Abul Fazl,26,35,37,45,47,49,54,69,89,101,102,106,152,155,160,180,197,204,211,216,221,222,225,233,244,255,256,271

tried,136;

repudiates Babism,136,193;

abuses mullahs,211;

visits America,271;

writings,288

Acca (Acre),22,23,27,39,43,71,94,97and note 4,106,118,122,123,125,127,140,145,146,154,159,161,165,173,182,183,187,195,196,200,205,229,233,241,250-259

Adam,41,114

Adrianople,22,197,222,223,229

Ahmad Ahsai, Sheikh,20,21,236

Ahmad Qadiani (see Gulam Ahmad)

Ahmad Zohrab,47

Akdas (see Kitab-ul-Akdas)

Alcohol, prohibited to Babis and Bahais,214;

used,215

Ali Allahis,20,40note 3,67,88,91note ,173

Ali Kuli Khan,45,202

Ali Mohammed (see Bab)

American Bahais (see Bahais)

American prophets,274,284

Annihilation,112

Arbitration,70,71,74-75

Armenians,28,67,68

Asad Ullah,39,249;

delegate to America,271;

writings,271,288

Assassins, Sect of,19,91note

Assassinations, practiced in Islam,243-244

Assassinations, by Bahais,43,159,172,197,228-235,241note 1,244,

245 and note 1,246,270;

were for the faith,232,233;

so justified,242,243

Azal (see Subh-i-Azal)

Azalis,23,43,69note ,159,167,197,214,216,227,230,231,245,268,270

Bab, the title,20

Bab, The,18,35,38,47,71,73,90,91,99,126,133-135,181,260;

his history,21,41,104,123,135,186,189-190,198,210,211,236,237;

tomb,123,125;

proof in verses,44,46;

taught war,135;

note forerunner of Baha,178;

expected his dispensation to be long,178;

books (see Bayan);

concealed by Bahais,182,183;

tampered with,185

Babis, character,180;

wars,21,71,73;

persecuted,21,136;

martyrs,192,193;

deny faith,198;

attempt to assassinate Shah,21,191,230;

executed,21,191;

at Bagdad,22,221-222;

murderous spirit,236,237,238;

sects of,68

Babism, History of,44,87,133,135,193,236;

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