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A westerner meets Bahaullah 12/17/2007 9:44:30 AM
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Today I will relate the story of a westerner meeting Bahaullah.
The story is told in the introductory book about the Bahai Faith:" "Bahaullah and the new Era" by J.E.Esslemont
"The distinguished orientalist, the late Professor Edward G.Browne, of the University of Cambridge, visited Bahaullah at Bahji, Israel in the year 1890, and recorded his impressions as follows:-------
..... my conductor paused for a moment while I removed my shoes. Then, with a quick movement of the hand, he withdraw, and, as I passed, replaced the curtain; and found myself in a large apartment, along the upper end of which ran a low divan, while on the side opposite to the door were placed two or three chairs. Though I dimly suspected whither I was going and whom I was to behold (for no distinct intimation had been given to me), a second or two elapsed ere, with a throb of wonder and awe, I became definitely conscious that the room was not untenanted. In the corner where the divan met the wall sat a wondrous and venerable figure, crowned with a felt headdress of the kind called taj by dervishes (but of unususal height and make), round the base of which was wound a small white turban. The face of him on whom I gazed I can never forget, though I cannot describe it. Those piercing eyes seemed to read one's very soul; power and authority sat on that ample brow; while the deep lines on the forehead and face implied an age which the jetblack hair and beard flowing down in indistinguishable luxuriance almost to the waist seemed to belie.
No need to ask in whose presence I stood, as I bowed myself before one who is the object of a devotion and love which kings might envy and emperors sigh for in vain.
A mild dignified voice bade me be seated, and then continued:-' Praise be to God that thou hast attained!....Thou hast come to see a prisoner and an exile...We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; yet they deem us a stirrer up of strife and sedition worthy of bondage and banishment...That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race should be annulled -what harm is there in this?...Yes, so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come...Do not you in Europe need this also? Is not this that which Christ foretold?...Yet do we see your kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the destruction of the human race than on that which would conduce to the happiness of mankind...These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family...Let not man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind...'
Such, so far as I can recall them, were the words which, besides many others, I heard from Beha. Let those who read them consider well with themselves whether such doctrines merit death and bonds, and whether the world is more likely gain or lose by their diffusion.-"
Introduction to a Traveler's Narrative (Episode of the Bab)
Ascension
Thus simply and serenely did Bahaullah pass the evening of His life on earth until, after an attack of fever, He passed away on the 29th of May, 1892, at the age of seventyfive. Among the last tablets He revealed was His Will and Testament, which He wrote with His own hand and duly signed and sealed. Nine days after His death the seals were broken by His eldest son, (Abdu'l-Bahá), in the presence of members of the family and a few friends, and the contents of the short but remarkable document were made known. By this Will Abdu'l-Bahá was constituted His Father's representative and the Expounder of His teachings, and the family and relatives of Bahaullah and all believers were instructed to turn to Him and obey Him. By this arrangement secterianism and division were provided against and the Unity of the Cause assured.
(Bahaullah and the New Era, p 47)
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bahaullah+and+the+bahai+faith&search=Search
www.Bahai.org wwww.Bahai.us.
Bye for now
Laila
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