Bahá'ís of The Palouse Naw Rúz Program for 2012

[Music] [Video] >>Narrator: As mentioned in the video, Bahá’u’lláh and `Abdu'l-Bahá were political prisoners for most of `Abdu'l-Bahá’s life. At age 66, in 1910, He was released and immediately made plans to Visit Europe and America. >>Narrator: It is important for us to remember that `Abdu'l-Bahá is the son of the Prophet Founder of the Bahá'í Faith, Bahá'u'lláh. It is the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh that is the Source and Foundation of the Bahá'í Faith. Loved and revered by all Bahá'í’s, and lovingly referred to as "Master", `Abdu'l-Bahá’s role in the history of the Bahá'í Faith is as Protector, Interpreter, and Exemplar. His first ever public talk was given at the City Temple Church in London on September 10, 1911. - He told the congregation, "The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion." >>Narrator: This is the only genuine color photograph of Abdu’l-Bahá. It was taken in Paris in 1911. >>Narrator: The first mention of the Bahá’í Faith in the United States was at the World Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in1893. The first American Bahá'í was Thorton Chase who became a Bahá'í in 1895 after participating in a weekly study class for over a year with Ibrahim Kheiralla, a Bahá'í from Beirut. He visited 'Abdu’l-Bahá in Akka in 1907 and died in Los Angeles in September 1912, during the time of `Abdu'l-Bahá’s visit to America. 'Abdu’l-Bahá made a special point of visiting his grave on October 19, 1912. >>Narrator: Abdu'l-Bahá's journeys in America lasted 239 days between April and December 1912 visiting major metropolitan centers and a number of small towns. Most of His cross-country travels were by train, which was the most convenient form of long-distance travel at the time. >>Narrator: Today stories about `Abdu'l-Bahá's travels, the people he met, the messages he shared, have become sort of an oral tradition among the Bahá'í’s. The presentations He gave were immediately preserved by stenographers and constitute a basis of study, as well. Here are a few interesting stories of `Abdu’l-Bahá’s talks and encounters with Friends across the United States. >>Narrator: `Abdu'l-Bahá’s first public address in America was at the Church of the Ascension in New York where He spoke about the oneness of humanity. Here are excerpts from the editorial in the New York Times reporting on His presentation: >>ViviAnner Fischer [The New York Times, April 15, 1912] "It is to be our privilege this morning," said Dr. Grant, "to hear one who has come out of the East, a new and great herald of good-will, one bearing a message of love to all mankind. Abdul Baha Abbas is a master of the things of the spirit. He comes from that part of the world where men meditate, where contemplation was born. He teaches the fundamental unity of all religions -- a truth in which this congregation believes profoundly -- and we welcome here one who may help the material fervor of the Occident to gain a new peace by the infiltration of the harmonies of the Orient." Abdul Baha spoke in Persian, with Dr. Fareend interpreting a phrase at a time. Our material civilization, the Persian teacher said, has progressed greatly with the perfection of the crafts and the forward steps of material science, but our spiritual civilization, that which is based on divine morals, has declined and become degraded. We should strive, he said, to make our material civilization the purest possible medium, the most unclouded glass, through which the light of our spiritual civilization must shine. One of the things that supports a spiritual civilization is peace, he said, and the body politic is in need of universal peace, but the oneness of humanity, the human solidarity, which has been the message of all the prophets, will be achieved only through the spiritual power, for neither racial distinctions nor patriotism can further it. The oneness of humanity will come with the supremacy of the spiritual civilization, and not while, as These things Abdul Baha said in the few moments that he spoke, before he returned to his seat beside the altar. While the offering was being taken those seated near the front could see him delving amid his robes, and finally his hand emerged with a bill that found its way to the plate. >>Narrator: For three years, `Abdu'l-Bahá tirelessly addressed thousands of people - including clergymen, journalists, academics, diplomats, philosophers, suffragettes, and social reformers. He also - perhaps most importantly for Him - met with, and attended to the needs of, the poor. On April 19th He met with over 400 indigent men at the New York Bowery Mission. Here are some of the things He said to them: >>Helena Gregory [19 April 1912 Talk at Bowery Mission 227 Bowery, New York] `Abdu'l-Bahá began his presentation to the men at the Bowery by saying, "Tonight I am very happy, for I have come here to meet my friends. I consider you my relatives, my companions; and I am your comrade." He said, "You must be thankful to God that you are poor, for Jesus Christ has said, "Blessed are the poor." He never said, "Blessed are the rich." He said, too, that the Kingdom is for the poor and that it is easier for a camel to enter a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter God’s Kingdom. Therefore, you must be thankful to God that although in this world you are indigent, yet the treasures of God are within your reach; and although in the material realm you are poor, yet in the Kingdom of God you are precious." He spoke about the poverty of all the Manifestations of God, in particular Moses and Jesus Christ, drawing parallels between his audience and sufferings of God’s Prophets. `Abdu'l-Bahá said, "Bahá'u'lláh admonished all that we must be the servants of the poor, helpers of the poor, remember the sorrows of the poor, associate with them; for thereby we may inherit the Kingdom of heaven." He concluded by saying, "So, my comrades, you are following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Your lives are similar to His life; your attitude is like unto His; you resemble Him more than the rich do. Therefore, we will thank God that we have been so blessed with real riches. And in conclusion, I ask you to accept ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as your servant." At the end of this meeting, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stood at the Bowery entrance to the Mission hall, shaking hands with four or five hundred men and placing within each palm a piece of silver. >>Narrator: It seems only men were allowed into the Bowery to hear Abdu’l-Bahá speak. Here is a story about some boys who really wanted to meet Abdu’l-Bahá. >>Heather Flynn [`Abdu'l-Bahá meets with Bowery Boys, Story of the Black Rose and a box of candy] Howard Colby Ives, at the time a Unitarian Minister, describes his soul-stirring encounters with `Abdu'l-Bahá in his Book Portals to Freedom. It was the habit of Mr. Ives to visit the home of Edward and Carrie Kinney each Sunday afternoon after service at his church. During ‘Abdu'l-Bahá‘s time in New York he stayed at the Kinney home and Mr. Ives often was able to see him. One such Sunday afternoon Mr. Ives looked out the window and saw 20 to 30 boys racing up the stairs. Mrs. Kinney exclaimed in delight that she did not think they would actually come. She explained that a few days prior, as `Abdu'l-Bahá walked to the Bowery to speak, he was accompanied by a large entourage, many of them Persian, and their robes and strange hats made quite a site. Soon a large group of boys were following. Mrs. Kinney dropped behind to speak to the boys who expressed disappointment that they were not allowed into the Bowery for the talk. To accommodate them Mrs. Kinney invited them to her home to meet with `Abdu'l-Bahá in person. The boys crowded into `Abdu’l-Bahá’s room where he welcomed them with enthusiasm, smiles, laughter, and a clasping of hands and shoulders as if he was a boy himself. Among the last to enter the room was an African American boy of dark complexion about 13 years of age. He was the only African American among the group and entered the room with hesitation, evidently fearing that he might not be welcome. When `Abdu'l-Bahá saw him his face lighted up with a heavenly smile. He raised his hand in welcome and exclaimed that here was a black rose. `Abdu'l-Bahá often used the analogy of different colored flowers in the garden to explain the diversity of mankind. He said many times that we are the flowers of one garden, the leaves of one tree." The room fell silent and all eyes were upon the boy, whose face lit up with happiness and love. The other boys looked at him with new eyes. Ives ventured to say that the boy may have been called a black-many things before, but never a black rose. Mr. Ives stated that the atmosphere in the room changed. The boys glanced again and again at the African American boy with very thoughtful looks. The scene brought visions of a new world in which every soul would be recognized and treated as a child of God. Mr. Ives thought, "What would happen to New York if these boys could carry away such a keen remembrance of this experience that throughout their lives, whenever they encountered any representatives of the many races and colors to be found in that great city, they would think of them and treat them as "different colored flowers in the Garden of God." To celebrate the meeting, `Abdu'l-Bahá shared a large box of chocolates with the boys, purposely choosing the largest and darkest piece for the African American boy. He placed his arm around the boy with a radiant look, and the radiance filled the room. There can be no doubt that all the boys caught his meaning. >>Narrator: `Abdu'l-Bahá often emphasized the richness of human diversity. Children, if you look into your gift bag, I think you will find some coins and a small box of candy to remember these stories of `Abdu'l-Bahá. [GIVE AWAY TWO DOOR PRIZES] >>Narrator: `Abdu'l-Bahá arrived in Chicago on April 29. During his time in that city he gave several public talks, including one at Hull House to an audience that far exceeded the auditorium’s capacity of 750. He also spent time at the Lincoln Park Zoo and met with many groups outside his hotel. >>Narrator: His visit to Chicago is most significantly marked by the laying of the dedication stone of the Baha'i House of Worship located just outside Chicago in the city of Wilmette. `Abdu’l-Bahá stated that his father, Baha'u'llah, "...commanded that places of worship be built for all religionists of the world, that all religions, races, and sects may come together within its universal shelter; that the proclamation of the oneness of mankind shall go forth from its open courts of holiness…" >>Narrator: Corinne True, one of the first American Baha’is, rallied support of the Baha’is throughout the U.S. to have the first Baha’i House of Worship built in the Chicago area. With `Abdu’l-Bahá’s guidance she identified the eventual location of the building, on a bluff in Wilmette overlooking Lake Michigan. The Baha’is purchased the land and started gathering on the site, even before ground was broken, for prayer meetings. >>Narrator: While laying of the dedication stone is a celebrated event, the stone itself has a unique story of service, faith, and unity.... >>Emily Cook: [Cornerstone at House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois] Esther Tobin, known by her friends as Nettie, was an early Baha'i in the Chicago area. She was unable to contribute to the building of the temple monetarily and set her mind on finding a stone to mark the site. Nettie went to a local construction site where the foreman directed her to a pile of limestone blocks seen as unfit for their project. Nettie selected a large block, and over the course of two days, with the assistance of her brother and elderly neighbor, two strangers, and a paper boy, managed to transport the block via baby buggy, two street cars, and a homemade wagon, to the future temple site. In the months ahead the stone served as a focal point for Baha’i gatherings. Other stones were reportedly sent by Baha’is from around the world, including `Abdu’l-Bahá himself, yet none of these ever reached the temple grounds. It came to be that on May 1, 1912 it was Nettie's stone that `Abdu’l-Bahá called for to mark the dedication. The "stone which the builders rejected" became the cornerstone of the first Baha'i House of Worship in the Western world. By dedicating the temple with Nettie's stone `Abdu’l-Bahá admonished that "The outer edifice is a symbol of the inner, which was built on faith and in the Baha'i dispensation was dedicated to unity." After the stone was placed, and `Abdu’l-Bahá pushed the earth around it, he declared, "The Temple is already built." While most cornerstones are set in a prominent location on the outside of the building Nettie’s stone may be found in the visitor’s center, in a place of honor inside a room set aside for prayers and contemplation. >>Narrator: It was at the dedication ceremony of the laying of the cornerstone that `Abdu’l-Bahá revealed the prayer for America, which you can see on the postcards on the table by the door. There is a copy for everyone, so please take one home with you. >>Narrator: In public addresses and private conversations across the country, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá made it very clear that in the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh men and women are considered equal. He used the analogy of a bird to describe gender equality, stating, "The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly. Until womankind reaches the same degree as man, until she enjoys the same arena of activity, extraordinary attainment for humanity will not be realized." >>Narrator: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá considered this teaching to be "peculiar to the teachings on progressive subjects in sciences, arts, and religion open to all races and creeds. In 1894 she dedicated Green Acres to the ideals of peace and unity and founded the Green Acre Conferences. She raised the world’s first known peace flag - a 36-foot long banner of white with the word PEACE spelled out in green lettering. Each year the flag would raise followed by lectures and discussion that brought people from around the world together for the rest of the summer. Sarah became a Baha’i in 1900 after traveling to Palestine and meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in person. She then added the Baha’i teachings to the material offered at the Green Acre Conferences. Five talks were delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá between August 16 and 17 at Green Acre. The talks focused on investigation of truth and the Sun of Reality. He also visited both a boys’ and a girls’ camp which had pitched tents on the grounds. Being highly sociable, and an avid walker, He also went into the nearby village of Eliot and visited Today Green Acres is a historic Baha’i center of learning and continues to promote ideas such as oneness of humankind, world peace, race unity, and the equality of men and women. >>Narrator: `Abdu’l-Bahá, in appearance, was a man of medium height though to all who met Him, He gave the impression of such majesty that He seemed much taller. His beard was flowing and white; His head covering, whether a turban or tarboosh, was white also. But, meeting Him, none of these details were even noticed. It was only the spirit one felt and the outpouring love. Love filled Him and flowed out from Him to bathe and encompass everyone >>Narrator: And sometimes this great love and glory was strongly felt. There is the story of the coal miner in California who had walked many miles to meet Abdu’l-Bahá Who, of course spoke that evening as He always did through an interpreter. The coal miner became more and more impatient. Finally, unable to stand it any longer, he leaned toward the man sitting next to him. "Why does that man continually interrupt the Master?" he asked. The man explained, "Abdu’l-Bahá is speaking in Persian it must, be translated." "Translated!" the coal miner was outraged. "Nothing Abdu’l-Bahá says needs translating - anybody can understand >>Tom Haug: [This is the story of `Abdu'l-Bahá’s views on the Presidency:] In his travels, `Abdu'l-Bahá was working to build divine civilization. On the one had were the examples he gave us in how he lived his life, on the other he spoke directly on how to build a new civilization and promulgate world peace. He said civilization was of two types, material and divine. He said that philosophers founded the material, while the Prophets established the latter. He pointed out that material advancement alone is insufficient for peace. In order to establish everlasting prosperity he stated that spiritual perfection must be obtained first. Those who `Abdu'l-Bahá had praised spent their lives selflessly sacrificing for As is the case now, the year 1912 was also an election year. On the morning of October the 12th, with the election immanent, `Abdu'l-Bahá described the sort of person who should be "The president must be a man who does not insistently seek the presidency. He should be a person free from all thoughts of name and rank; rather, he should say, `I am unworthy and incapable of this position and cannot bear this great burden.' Such persons deserve the presidency. If the object is to promote the public good, then the president must be personal interests, then such a position will be injurious to humanity and not beneficial difference between material and spiritual advancement saying: "He can never find peace Later in his trip, during a conversation with Florence Khan, he also touched on the subject and humanitarian tasks to take the time to assume the Presidency." for feeding the poor in Palestine during the Turkish occupation in WWI. A Bahá’í in station is 'Abdu'l-Bahá, my name is 'Abdu'l-Bahá, my qualification is 'Abdu'l-Bahá, my praise In 1898, the first pilgrimage of American Bahá’í’s to meet 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the sent His greetings 'particularly to that one who has proved that it is possible for a camel to her mansion in Pleasanton, and on October 13th he traveled there. He spent considerable The next day Mrs. Hearst encouraged 'Abdu'l-Bahá to speak about the teachings of the Cause of the Faith and its principles. When he finished, Mrs. Hearst told stories of her time in ‘Akka. services and gave each two British guinea coins. This act of generosity and majesty "The Cause of God is sanctified from all political power and worldly affairs. Among the divine property and evincing greed toward the wealth of others, know that he is not of the people >>Narrator: Children, did you find some seeds in your gift bag? These aren’t exactly like >>Peter Vaughn [`Abdu'l-Bahá addresses the Theosophical Society in New York] and Kingdom of God. He said, "Our purpose is to show that the divine sovereignty, the shining…. Thus there have been many holy Manifestations of God. One thousand years He went on to say, "The holy Manifestations of God come into the world to dispel the darkness that his heavenly and spiritual nature may become quickened, his divine qualities awakened, traveled to all the large cities, speaking before various assemblages, proclaiming to as a noble nation, capable of every perfection. Tomorrow I am going away to Europe, and now life; and I pray that you may attain the highest station of humanity. I am greatly pleased heavenly blessings for you." "He is God! This is our last day and my last meeting with you. In a few minutes our steamer to you and invited you to realize the oneness of humanity. I have impressed upon you that all and gives life to all. In the presence of God all are His servants and His bounties globe. All nations are one family. All are the servants of one God." "fireside chat" at the home of Connie and Toney Driver, this coming Friday at 7:00 PM. and welcome to a New Year! Happy Naw-Ruz!!