Baha’i community

He [Shoghi Effendi] explained that official members of the Baha'i community are those who confess their belief in the Bab, the Abha Beauty, and 'Abdu'l-Baha and are proud to be known as Baha'is. However, everyone should be accorded absolute freedom to choose whether to join the Baha'i community or not. However since Baha'is should not participate in politics even in their conversations, it is very important not to accept into the Faith under any circumstances those who do participate in politics. This is very important. 

- Ali-Akbar Furutan  (Notes of pilgrimage in 1941; ‘Hand of the Cause of God Furutan’, by Iran Furutan Muhajir)

Temple site on Mount Carmel

One morning Leroy Ioas drove us to see the Temple site which is situated on the very top of Mt. Carmel about two miles from the Shrine of the Báb. The site is shaped like a peninsula overlooking water on three sides. The Guardian said the Shrine of the Báb is the heart of Carmel and the Temple will be the head. The Guardian said Bahá'u'lláh stood on this site and revealed the Tablet of Carmel, with such loud ringing tones that the nuns in the Carmelite nunnery situated further below could hear Him. This site is also near the cave of Elijah. 

- Alice Dudley  (Notes of her pilgrimage during April 1957)

No Christian Civilization

The Guardian stressed many times that there has not been a Christian Civilization for centuries - only a materialistic civilization. 

- Alice Dudley  (Notes of her pilgrimage during April 1957)

May Maxwell’s health

He [‘Abdu’l-Baha] inquired after her [Mrs. Maxwell] health, and when I said that she seemed better than ever since she had become a eliever, 'Abdu'l-Bahá said:

"Some years ago when Mrs. Maxwell came to Akka, she was very weak and seriously ill, - so much so that no one could believe she would ever get well. But God healed her." 

- ‘Ali Kuli Khan (‘1906 Pilgrim Notes of Ali Kuli Khan’)

“Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is a material thing that will have great effect upon the spirits of the people.”

To have it built is most important. Some material things have spiritual effect, and the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is a material thing that will have great effect upon the spirits of the people. Not only does the building of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar have an effect upon those who build it, but upon the whole world." "In the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, services will be held every morning and the words of Baha’u’llah only are to be read. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to Helen Goodall and Ella Cooper; Star of the West, vol. 6, no. 7, July 13, 1915)

Mashriqu’l-Adhkar” is the spiritual foundation”

…its [Mashriqu’l-Adhkar] building is the most important of all things. This is the spiritual foundation, for that reason it is the most important of all foundations; from that spiritual foundation will come forth all manner of advancement and progress in the world of humanity. Therefore, how great is its importance.

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to Mason Remey during ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s first European trip; Star of the West, vol. 6, no. 7, July 13, 1915)

An indication of the greatness of this Dispensation

In this Dispensation, he [the Guardian] also told us, "Holy Book" is changed to "Most Holy Book," and "Holy Spirit" to "Most Holy Spirit." Therefore the "Greatest Name," the "Most Great Peace," and the "Most Great Dispensation." 

- Ali-Akbar Furutan  (Notes of his pilgrimage in 1941; ‘Hand of the Cause of God Furutan’, by Iran Furutan Muhajir)

Sisters of Baha’u’llah

One evening I asked the Guardian about the reference in the Gleanings to the sister of Bahá'u'lláh. He replied that some of the half-sisters of Bahá'u'lláh were loyal to Him and some disloyal. She was a loyal sister. 

- Alice Dudley  (Notes of her pilgrimage during April 1957)

House of Justice

The beloved Guardian said, Assemblies and all other Baha'i institutions should demonstrate justice and equity in all matters, since justice is the foundation of society. The Blessed Beauty ordained the "House of Justice" and not the "House of Forgiveness" or the "House of Grace." The foundation of the world and the realization of the Most Great Peace are dependent upon justice. Without justice there will be no peace, and disorder and confusion will prevail. 

- Ali-Akbar Furutan  (Notes of pilgrimage in 1941; ‘Hand of the Cause of God Furutan’, by Iran Furutan Muhajir)

Women of Iran

The Guardian spoke of the women of Iran, who had recently been given relative freedom, the chador [veil] having been abandoned by government order. He wished that "the Baha'i women would take advantage of their freedom and prepare to teach and also engage in various Baha'i activities. Before long their Western brothers and sisters would visit Iran in troops; they must be welcomed and given hospitality, and the Baha'i women of Iran must share equally in their services." He urged us to emphasize that they should follow the examples of Martha Root, May Maxwell, Keith Ransom-Kehler, and others like them. He testified to the fact that Mrs. Ransom-Kehler had sacrificed herself for the Baha'is of Iran. 

- Ali-Akbar Furutan  (Notes of pilgrimage in 1941; ‘Hand of the Cause of God Furutan’, by Iran Furutan Muhajir)

World civilization

One evening the Guardian mentioned that there had been 6,000 years of prophetic revelation to announce the coming of Bahá'u'lláh and to prepare the world for it - that there would be 500,000 years of revelation under His shadow. He stated that world civilization will not be inaugurated before another revelation or prophet appears. 

- Alice Dudley  (Notes of her pilgrimage during April 1957)

“True joy comes from the tranquility of heart, and this state comes from faith!”

Then He [‘Abdu’l-Baha] spoke at length of the "Composure of Heart," or "Tranquility of the Soul." "This", He said, "is a state of true faith which gives man such assurance and conviction of God's bounty, that all the trials and sufferings of this earth cannot affect him."

Speaking of true joy and happiness. He said in part: "If a man is not happy in his life, death is better than such a life. True joy comes from the tranquility of heart, and this state comes from faith! Praise be to God who gave us tranquility of heart! This is why we are always happy. I pray and supplicate to the Beauty of Abha to bless all the servants and maid-servants with true happiness resulting from the tranquility of heart." 

(Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Ali-Kuli Khan during his pilgrimage in 1906)

Interplanetary travels

One of the pilgrims asked the Guardian if he thought there would be interplanetary travel and he replied, "Yes, perhaps not the entire universe, but to the nearest planets." 

- Alice Dudley  (Notes of her pilgrimage during April 1957)

Why America is the cradle of the Administrative Order – and Persia the cradle of the Faith

The Guardian stated that the US was chosen the cradle of the World Order (Admin. Order) not because of its spiritual qualities but because of its corruption; the same as Persia was chosen for the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh because they, the Persians, were worse than the African savages - far more barbaric.

- Alice Dudley  (Notes of her pilgrimage during April 1957)

Marion Jack, Martha Root, Saintliness

Marion Jack is a great soul, a pride of the pioneers in the East and West; an example to all pioneers; she has preserved long and hard'. The Master called her "General Jack”. - She has the spirit of Martha Root -- a combination of heroism and saintliness. Some are either heroic or saintly. Persians aren’t all saints. They are pious but not all saintly. Martha Root combined three qualities: martyrdom, heroism, and saintliness – a unique distinction. Saintliness is very rare -- it comes from purity of motive. 

(Notes of the words of Shoghi Effendi, recorded by Ben Lavy during his pilgrimage in 1953)

Humanity’s suffering is inevitable

Suffering for mankind is inevitable. Man suffers - - he is cleansed. It is a cleansing force. 

(Notes of the words of Shoghi Effendi, recorded by Ben Lavy during his pilgrimage in 1953)

Mankind’s stage of maturity

Mankind is now approaching the stage of maturity. Maturity means, responsibility, and all men are responsible to God for their acts on earth. Great responsibility - both as individuals and as leaders of men. 

(Notes of the words of Shoghi Effendi, recorded by Ben Lavy during his pilgrimage in 1953)

Canada’s Temple ground

He [the Guardian] reminded me that Canada does not yet have its Temple grounds. I relayed to him a remark of one of the friends. This friend wondered if the Divine Hand of Providence were preventing us from finding Temple grounds because possibly we were ignoring ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s statement as quoted by Mrs. Maxwell that the Temple would be built on the slopes of Mt. Royal.

He said that ‘Abdu’l-Baha was not necessarily referring to the National Temple of Canada. He directed that if it becomes clearly impossible to find Temple grounds in Toronto, the NSA should seek property in Ottawa – not Montreal.

One evening he told us that he had just received good news. Italy had purchased its Temple land. He then said, with a smile as he turned to me, “Italy is off my list – only Canada remains on my list – my black one. I have two lists, a black one and a white one’” 

- Allan Raynor  (Notes of his pilgrimage in 1956)

The two factors influencing the progress of the Cause

Shoghi Effendi, the beloved of our hearts, said: “The progress of the Cause depends upon two factors: one is the effort of the believers; the other is God’s own ways that are independent of our efforts.” And then he continued that according to the words and warnings of the Master God’s way was through a quotidian of suffering that would force humanity to the healing and redemptive laws of Baha’u’llah. 

- Keith Ransom-Kehler  (From a letter dated 17 August 1933; Baha’i News, no. 78, October 1933)

Thornton Chase – The first Baha’i in America

There are some souls like Mary Magdalen, and Mr. Chase was one of those.

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to the friends in San Francisco, October 4, 1912, quoted by Willard Hatch; Baha’i News, no. 40, April 1930)

Future of Japan

In speaking again of Japan, 'Abdu'l-Baha said:

"Blessed results will appear from the Holy Cause established in that land.” 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Mason Remey, and Howard C. Struven while in His presence at Haifa, May 1910;  Star of the West, vol. 1, no. 11, September 27, 1910)

"In movement there is life; in immobility there is death.”

In speaking of spreading the fragrances of the Kingdom, 'Abdu'l-Baha said:

"In movement there is life; in immobility there is death. The traveling of the teachers from place to place, country to country, and from the Occident to the Orient, is one of the greatest means for sowing spiritual seeds in the souls of the people." 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Mason Remey, and Howard C. Struven while in His presence at Haifa, May 1910;  Star of the West, vol. 1, no. 11, September 27, 1910)

How to prevent sad feelings from entering one’s heart

When your heart is filled with the love of God there will be no room for sorrow. There will only be love and happiness. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha recorded by Mrs. Crockett; Star of the West, vol. 1, no. 9, August 20, 1910)

The grazing and domestic animals versus the wild and ferocious

Animals are of two kinds, one the grazing and domestic; the other the wild and ferocious. If the wild beasts are near each other for ten years, still, as soon as they find an opportunity they attack and tear one another to pieces; whereas the tame creatures show their kind feelings toward each other. The beloved of God are like the blessed birds; they are kind and merciful. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 10 May 1910, recorded by Mason Remey; Star of the West, vol. 1, no. 8, August 1, 1910)

Implications of “divine unity” among believers

[We spoke about the inhabitants of Honolulu; that many nationalities are there represented and yet all are in great harmony.]

‘Abdu’l-Baha said: "Time and place play a great influence over the conditions; when in a certain place some strangers meet, necessity requires that they should be in harmony; but our purpose is this, that the divine unity and concord may become well established among all the nations, so that they may become as one spirit in different bodies; the drops of one ocean; the fruits of one tree and the rays of the same sun.

In America, when the different people united together they were enabled to drive away the English government and establish a new government for themselves. Consider how great is the result of unity and harmony! There has never been any action performed nor any philanthropic deed achieved except through unity and concord; disagreement and dissension have always been the means of evil and corruption." 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 10 May 1910, recorded by Mason Remey; Star of the West, vol. 1, no. 8, August 1, 1910)

Concerning the death of King Edward of England

The English king, with his pomp and grandeur, used to address the sun and say: 'Thou dost never disappear from my lands' but now he is buried under the earth. Some time ago the flags at the top of the masts proclaimed the day of his ascension to the throne; but today the flags are at half mast, for he is dead. The flags and banners of the Beloved are ever waving at the top of the masts; they are never inverted; nay, rather, they go on higher day by day; in fact, theirs is the sovereignty. Without fighting forces they conquer the cities; and without taking any tribute they bestow and give freely. The kings gain their victory through bloodshed and the taking of life; whereas the Beloved of God confer life and are victorious. The sovereignty of the friends is an eternal one. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a talk, Holy Land, 10 May 1910, recorded by Mason Remey; Star of the West, vol. 1, no. 8, August 1, 1910)

Number of subjects students should be required to take at school

Question: ''The students in the schools have to study so many subjects! There are arising more and more sciences. What should be the remedy?''

‘Abdu’l-Baha: ''It is too much. One must be moderate in choosing the number of subjects. When there are too many the result is confusion. Moderation is necessary. For instance: if a man has the power to carry a load of three hundred (pounds) he no doubt would fall if we give him one thousand (pounds). He cannot bear it. The same way, one's brain must not be overburdened. For instance: students should not have more than six hours a day, lessons and preparations included. Otherwise they will not succeed. The brain becomes tired.'' 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Ann Kunz, Haifa, 1921; Star of the West, vol. 13, no. 6, September 1922)

Should Baha’u’llah’s name be included when promoting principles of the Faith?

Question: ''Should these principles be spread under the name of Baha'u'llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha, or without these names?''

‘Abdu’l-Baha: "In the beginning you should mention Baha’u’llah. They are His and are spread by ‘Abdu’l-Baha. When all the world was in disorder, when warfare was prevailing in the East and the West, Russia with Turkey, Persia with England and Afghanistan, and Garibaldi was fighting, the East was in intense darkness. There was prejudice of race and religion; national and political prejudice; the horizon was very dark. And at such a time Baha’u’llah arose and spread a set of teachings." 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Ann Kunz, Haifa, 1921; Star of the West, vol. 13, no. 6, September 1922)

Best method to help the growth of the Cause

Question: "What is the best method to spread this Cause?"

‘Abdu’l-Baha: “Explain the teachings, the principles of this Cause. Some of them were revealed fifty years ago, some sixty years ago. Fifty years ago there was no thought of universal peace and arbitration. No one spoke of the oneness of religion and science. Now many spread them in their own ways. I spread them through numerous churches and papers in America; then also in Europe. The word of God is powerful. It will come to pass.'' 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Ann Kunz, Haifa, 1921; Star of the West, vol. 13, no. 6, September 1922)