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Commemorating 'Abdu'l~Baha's Visit to North America

and His Laying of the Cornerstone for the

North American Baha'i House of Worship

on May 1, 1912

Devotional Program

Auditorium of the House of Worship

9:30 a.m.

12:30 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

Archives Exhibit

Foundation Hall of the House of Worship

Description on pp. 10-13

9:30 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.

Also open: Monday, April 30

Tuesday, May 1

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. - 7 :45 p.m.

Tea and Social Space

Lawn of the Haziratu'l~Quds, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette

Gather under a tent for tea and conversation

Photos and stories to be shared

9:30 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.

Bookstore

Baha'i Home, 401 Greenleaf Avenue, Wilmette

Specialized selection of books and items

9:30 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.

Cover design hand-drawn and

colored by Bridgette Schnider

Calligraphy by Randall Dighton

Centennial Devotional Program

Y:i Bah:ilu'I~Abh:i Comp: Hooper Dunbar & Saffa Kinney / Arr: Tom Price

House of Worship Choir

Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas:

When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended,

turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this

Ancient Root.

o people of the world! When the Mystic Dove will have winged its flight from its

Sanctuary of Praise and sought its far~off goal, its hidden habitation, refer ye whatsoever

ye understand not in the Book to Him Who hath branched from this mighty Stock.

Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-'Ahd, The Book of the Covenant, in Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the

Kitab-i-Aqdas:

Although the Realm of Glory hath none of the vanities of the world, yet within the

treasury of trust and resignation We have bequeathed to Our heirs an excellent and priceless

heritage. Earthly treasures We have not bequeathed, nor have We added such cares as they

entail. By God! In earthly riches fear is hidden and peril is concealed. Consider ye and call to

mind that which the All~Merciful hath revealed in the Qur'an: 'Woe betide every slanderer

and defamer, him that layeth up riches and counteth them: Fleeting are the riches of the

world; all that perisheth and changeth is not, and hath never been, worthy of attention,

except to a recognized measure.

The aim of this Wronged One in sustaining woes and tribulations, in revealing the Holy

Verses and in demonstrating proofs hath been naught but to quench the flame of hate and

enmity, that the horizon of the hearts of men may be illumined with the light of concord and

attain real peace and tranquillity. From the dawning-place of the divine Tablet the day~star

of this utterance shineth resplendent, and it behoveth everyone to fix his gaze upon it: We

exhort you, 0 peoples of the world, to observe that which will elevate your station. Hold fast

to the fear of God and firmly adhere to what is right.

The Will of the divine Testator is this: It is incumbent upon the Aghsan, the Afnan and

My Kindred to turn, one and all, their faces towards the Most Mighty Branch. Consider

that which We have revealed in Our Most Holy Book: 'When the ocean of My presence

hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom

God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root: The object of this sacred

verse is none other except the Most Mighty Branch ['Abdu'I~Baha] . Thus have We graciously

revealed unto you Our potent Will, and I am verily the Gracious, the All~Powerfui.

1

That which is conducive to the regeneration of the world and the salvation of the

peoples and kindreds of the earth hath been sent down from the heaven of the utterance

of Him Who is the Desire of the world. Give ye a hearing ear to the counsels of the Pen

of Glory. Better is this for you than all that is on the earth. Unto this beareth witness My

glorious and wondrous Book.

All Praise Be to Thee


Words by Bah,Vu'llah, Bahd'i Prayers:

Comp: W.A. Mozart I Arr: Tom Price

All praise, 0 my God, be to Thee Who art the Source of all glory and majesty,

of greatness and honor .. ..

Bahd'u'lldh, Suriy-i-Ghusn, The Tablet of the Branch, in The World Order of Bahd'u'llah:

There hath branched from the Sadratu'l-Muntahi this sacred and glorious Being, this

Branch of Holiness; well is it with him that hath sought His shelter and abideth beneath

His shadow. Verily the Limb of the Law of God hath sprung forth from this Root which

God hath firmly implanted in the Ground of His Will, and Whose Branch hath been so

uplifted as to encompass the whole of creation. Magnified be He, therefore, for this sublime,

this blessed, this mighty, this exalted Handiwork! ... A Word hath, as a token of Our

grace, gone forth from the Most Great Tablet - a Word which God hath adorned with the

ornament of His own Self, and made it sovereign over the earth and all that is therein, and

a sign of His greatness and power among its people ... Render thanks unto God, 0 people,

for His appearance; for verily He is the most great Favor unto you, the most perfect bounty

upon you; and through Him every mouldering bone is quickened. Whoso turneth towards

Him hath turned towards God, and whoso turneth away from Him hath turned away from

My beauty, hath repudiated My Proof, and transgressed against Me. He is the Trust of

God amongst you, His charge within you, His manifestation unto you and His appearance

among His favored servants .-.. We have sent Him down in the form of a human temple.

Blest and sanctified be God Who createth whatsoever He willeth through His inviolable,

His infallible decree. They who deprive themselves of the shadow of the Branch, are lost in

the wilderness of error, are consumed by the heat of worldly desires, and are of those who

will assuredly perish.

2

Baha'u'llah, excerpts from Tablets addressed to 'Abdu'l-Baha, in The World Order of Baha'u'llah:

o Thou Who art the apple of Mine eye! My glory, the ocean of My loving-kindness,

the sun of My bounty, the heaven of My mercy rest upon Thee. We pray God to illumine

the world through Thy knowledge and wisdom, to ordain for Thee that which will gladden

Thine heart and impart consolation to Thine eyes.

We have made Thee a shelter for all mankind, a shield unto all who are in heaven and on

earth, a stronghold for whosoever hath believed in God, the Incomparable, the All-Knowing.

God grant that through Thee He may protect them, may enrich and sustain them, that He

may inspire Thee with that which shall be a wellspring of wealth unto all created things, an

ocean of bounty unto all men, and the dayspring of mercy unto all peoples.

Praise be to Him Who hath honored the Land of Ba through the presence of Him round

Whom all names revolve. All the atoms of the earth have announced unto all created things

that from behind the gate of the Prison-city there hath appeared and above its horizon there

hath shone forth the Orb of the beauty of the great, the Most Mighty Branch of God - His

ancient and immutable Mystery - proceeding on its way to another land. Sorrow, thereby,

hath enveloped this Prison-city, whilst another land rejoiceth ... Blessed, doubly blessed, is

the ground which His footsteps have trodden, the eye that hath been cheered by the beauty

of His countenance, the ear that hath been honored by hearkening to His call, the heart that

hath tasted the sweetness of His love, the breast that hath dilated through His remembrance,

the pen that hath voiced His praise, the scroll that hath borne the testimony of His writings.

Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas:

o people of the world! Build ye houses of worship throughout the lands in the name of

Him Who is the Lord of all religions. Make them as perfect as is possible in the world of

being, and adorn them with that which befitteth them, not with images and effigies. Then,

with radiance and joy, celebrate therein the praise of your Lord, the Most Compassionate.

Verily, by His remembrance the eye is cheered and the heart is filled with light.

Blessed Is the Spot


Comp: Charles Wolcott

Words by Baha'u'llah, in Baha'i Prayers:

Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city, and the heart,

and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land,

and the sea, and the island, and the meadow where mention of God hath

been made, and His praise glorified.

3

'Abdu'l-Baha, Prayer revealed to the Baha'is of the Central States, Tablets of the Divine Plan:

o Lord, my God! Praise and thanksgiving be unto Thee for Thou hast guided me to

the highway of the kingdom, suffered me to walk in this straight and far-stretching path,

illumined my eye by beholding the splendors of Thy light, inclined my ear to the melodies

of the birds of holiness from the kingdom of mysteries and attracted my heart with Thy love

among the righteous.

o Lord! Confirm me with the Holy Spirit, so that I may call in Thy Name amongst the

nations, and give the glad tidings of the manifestation of Thy kingdom amongst mankind.

o Lord! I am weak, strengthen me with Thy power and potency. My tongue falters,

suffer me to utter Thy commemoration and praise. I am lowly, honor me through admitting

me into Thy kingdom. I am remote, cause me to approach the threshold of Thy mercifulness.

o Lord! Make me a brilliant lamp, a shining star and a blessed tree, adorned with fruit, its

branches overshadowing all these regions. Verily, Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful and

Unconstrained.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Prayer revealed to the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, Tablets of the

Divine Plan:

(Soloist) 0 Thou Incomparable God! 0 Thou Lord of the Kingdom! These souls are

Thy heavenly army. Assist them and, with the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse, make

them victorious, (Reader) so that each one of them may become like unto a regiment and

conquer these countries through the love of God and the illumination of divine teachings.

o God! Be Thou their supporter and their helper, and in the wilderness, the mountain,

the valley, the forests, the prairies and the seas, be Thou their confidant - so that they may

cry out through the power of the Kingdom and the breath of the Holy Spirit.

Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty and the Omnipotent, and Thou art the Wise,

the Hearing and the Seeing.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Prayer revealed to the Baha'is of the Western States, Tablets of the Divine Plan:

o God! 0 God! This is a broken-winged bird and his flight is very slow - assist him so

that he may fly toward the apex of prosperity and salvation, wing his way with the utmost

joy and happiness throughout the illimitable space, raise his melody in Thy Supreme Name

in all the regions, exhilarate the ears with this call, and brighten the eyes by beholding the

signs of guidance.

o Lord! I am single, alone and lowly. For me there is no support save Thee, no helper ex

cept Thee and no sustainer beside Thee. Confirm me in Thy service, assist me with the cohorts

of Thy angels, make me victorious in the promotion of Thy Word and suffer me to speak out

Thy wisdom amongst Thy creatures. Verily, Thou art the helper of the weak and the defender

of the little ones, and verily Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty and the Unconstrained.

4

'Abdu'l-Baha, Prayer revealed to the Baha'is oj the Southern States, Tablets of the Divine Plan:

(Soloist) 0 my God! 0 my God! Thou seest me in my lowliness and weakness, occupied

with the greatest undertaking, determined to raise Thy word among the masses and to spread

Thy teachings among Thy peoples. (Reader) How can I succeed unless Thou assist me with

the breath of the Holy Spirit, help me to triumph by the hosts of Thy glorious kingdom,

and shower upon me Thy confirmations, which alone can change a gnat into an eagle, a drop

of water into rivers and seas, and an atom into lights and suns? 0 my Lord! Assist me with

Thy triumphant and effective might, so that my tongue may utter Thy praises and attributes

among all people and my soul overflow with the wine of Thy love and knowledge.

Thou art the Omnipotent and the Doer of whatsoever Thou willest.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Prayer revealed to the Baha'is oj the Northeastern States, Tablets of the Divine Plan,

in Baha'i Prayers, p. 212:

o Thou kind Lord! Praise be unto Thee that Thou hast shown us the highway of

guidance, opened the doors of the kingdom and manifested Thyself through the Sun of

Reality. To the blind Thou hast given sight; to the deaf Thou hast granted hearing; Thou

hast resuscitated the dead; Thou hast enriched the poor; Thou hast shown the way to those

who have gone astray; Thou hast led those with parched lips to the fountain of guidance;

Thou hast suffered the thirsty fish to reach the ocean of reality; and Thou hast invited the

wandering birds to the rose garden of grace.

o Thou Almighty! We are Thy servants and Thy poor ones; we are remote and yearn

for Thy presence, are athirst for the water of Thy fountain, are ill, longing for Thy healing.

We are walking in Thy path and have no aim or hope save the diffusion of Thy fragrance, so

that all souls may raise the cry of "0 God, guide us to the straight path:' May their eyes be

opened to behold the light, and may they be freed from the darkness of ignorance. May they

gather around the lamp of Thy guidance. May every portionless one receive a share. May the

deprived become the confidants of Thy mysteries.

o Almighty! Look upon us with the glance of mercifulness. Grant us heavenly confirma

tion. Bestow upon us the breath of the Holy Spirit, so that we may be assisted in Thy service

and, like unto brilliant stars, shine in these regions with the light of Thy guidance.

Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty, the Wise and the Seeing.

o Thou Compassionate Lord


Comp: Van Gilmer

Words by 'Abdu'I-Baha,Jrom a prayer revealed in Washington, D.C., on November 6,1912,

in The Promulgation oj Universal Peace:

o Thou compassionate Lord, Thou Who art generous and able! We are servants of

Thine sheltered beneath Thy providence. Cast Thy glance of favor upon us. Give light

to our eyes, hearing to our ears, and understanding and love to our hearts ....

5

'Abdu'l-Baha, Prayer revealed in Chicago on May 5,1912, in The Promulgation of Universal Peace:

o Thou kind Lord! Thou hast created all humanity from the same stock. Thou hast

decreed that all shall belong to the same household. In Thy Holy Presence they are all Thy

servants, and all mankind are sheltered beneath Thy Tabernacle; all have gathered together

at Thy Table of Bounty; all are illumined through the light of Thy Providence.

o God! Thou art kind to all, Thou hast provided for all, dost shelter all, conferrest life

upon all. Thou hast endowed each and all with talents and faculties, and all are submerged

in the Ocean of Thy Mercy.

o Thou kind Lord! Unite alL Let the religions agree and make the nations one, so that

they may see each other as one family and the whole earth as one home. May they all live

together in perfect harmony.

o God! Raise aloft the banner of the oneness of mankind.

o God! Establish the Most Great Peace.

Cement Thou, 0 God, the hearts together.

o Thou kind Father, God! Gladden our hearts through the fragrance of Thy love.

Brighten our eyes through the Light of Thy Guidance. Delight our ears with the melody of

Thy Word, and shelter us all in the Stronghold of Thy Providence.

Thou art the Mighty and Powerful, Thou art the Forgiving and Thou art the One Who

overlooketh the shortcomings of all mankind.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Prayer for children, Baha'i Prayers:

o Thou kind Lord! These lovely children are the handiwork of the fingers of Thy might

and the wondrous signs of Thy greatness. 0 God! Protect these children, graciously assist

them to be educated and enable them to render service to the world of humanity. 0 God!

These children are pearls, cause them to be nurtured within the shell of Thy loving-kindness.

Thou art the Bountiful, the All-Loving.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Prayer for children, Baha'i Prayers, read in various languages:

o God, guide me, protect me, make of me a shining lamp and a brilliant star. Thou art

the Mighty and the PowerfuL

6

Bahti' u'!lah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha' u'!lah:

This is the Day in which God's most excellent favors have been poured out upon men,

the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things. It is

incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences, and, with perfect

unity and peace, abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving~kindness. It

behoveth them to cleave to whatsoever will, in this Day, be conducive to the exaltation of

their stations, and to the promotion of their best interests. Happy are those whom the all~

glorious Pen was moved to remember, and blessed are those men whose names, by virtue of

Our inscrutable decree, We have preferred to conceal.

Beseech ye the one true God to grant that all men may be graciously assisted to fulfil

that which is acceptable in Our sight. Soon will the present~day order be rolled up, and a

new one spread out in its stead. Verily, thy Lord speaketh the truth, and is the Knower of

things unseen.

This is the Day whereon the Ocean of God's mercy hath been manifested unto men, the

Day in which the Day Star of His loving~kindness hath shed its radiance upon them, the Day

in which the clouds of His bountiful favor have overshadowed the whole of mankind. Now

is the time to cheer and refresh the down~cast through the invigorating breeze of love and

fellowship, and the living waters of friendliness and charity.

They who are the beloved of God, in whatever place they gather and whomsoever they

may meet, must evince, in their attitude towards God, and in the manner of their celebration

of His praise and glory, such humility and submissiveness that every atom of the dust

beneath their feet may attest the depth of their devotion.

This Is the Day Comp: Stanford E. Scriven


Words by Baha'u'!lah (above)

'Abdu'I~Baha, Prayer for America revealed in Chicago on April 30, 1912, at the public meeting con~

eluding the Convention of Bahi'i Temple Unity, in The Promulgation of Universal Peace:

o Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy

love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad~tidings. 0 God!

Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to

material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation

to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace,

to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. 0

God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it

precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal.

7

'Abdu'l-Baha, Prayer revealed at Northwestern University Hall on May 4,1912, in The Promulgation

of Universal Peace:

o Thou kind Lord! These are Thy servants who have gathered in this meeting, have

turned unto Thy kingdom and are in need of Thy bestowal and blessing. 0 Thou God!

Manifest and make evident the signs of Thy oneness which have been deposited in all the

realities of life. Reveal and unfold the virtues which Thou hast made latent and concealed in

these human realities.

o God! We are as plants, and Thy bounty is as the rain; refresh and cause these plants

to grow through Thy bestowal. We are Thy servants; free us from the fetters of material

existence. We are ignorant; make us wise. We are dead; make us alive. We are material;

endow us with spirit. We are deprived; make us the intimates of Thy mysteries. We are

needy; enrich and bless us from Thy boundless treasury. 0 God! Resuscitate us; give us

sight; give us hearing; familiarize us with the mysteries of life, so that the secrets of Thy

kingdom may become revealed to us in this world of existence and we may confess Thy

oneness. Every bestowal emanates from Thee; every benediction is Thine.

Thou art mighty. Thou art powerful. Thou art the Giver, and Thou art the Ever

Bounteous.

Baha'u'llah, excerpts from a prayer revealed in honor of 'Abdu'l-Baha, in The World Order of

Baha'u'llah:

Thou knowest, 0 my God, that I desire for Him naught except that which Thou didst

desire, and have chosen Him for no purpose save that which Thou hadst intended for Him.

Render Him victorious, therefore, through Thy hosts of earth and heaven ... Ordain, I be

seech Thee, by the ardor of My love for Thee and My yearning to manifest Thy Cause, for

Him, as well as for them that love Him, that which Thou hast destined for Thy Messengers

and the Trustees of Thy Revelation. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

Benediction Comp: Louise Waite


8

Words and music by Louise Waite, to whom 'Abdu'l-Baha gave the name Shahnaz, which is a mode

of classical Persian music. She wrote that He gave her the name "Melody" and called her "the song bird

of the New Kingdom." He wrote to her, "The musicians art is among those arts worthy of the highest

praise, and it moveth the hearts of all who grieve. Wherefore, 0 thou Shahnaz, play and sing out the

holy words of God with wondrous tones in the gatherings of the friends, that the listener may be freed

from chains of care and sorrow, and his soul may leap for joy and humble itself in prayer to the realm

of Glory." (Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha)

May God's love now hover o'er us as a dove with outstretched wings.

While His peace that flows around us to each heart sweet comfort brings.

May we now receive His spirit and its radiance shed afar.

Now and here in Love abiding in the realms of EL ABHA.

The program will close with the audio recording

of 'Abdu'l-Baha chanting prayers in Persian.

Following is the provisional English translation, reprinted from

The Baha'i World, vol. 7,1936-1938.

1

Praise be to God! that we are present in this radiant meeting and turned toward the

Kingdom of Abha. That which we behold is due to the Grace and Bounty of the Blessed

Perfection. We are atoms and He is the Sun of Reality. We are drops and He is the Greatest

Ocean. Though we are poor, yet the Treasury of the Kingdom is full of overflowing.

Though we are weak, yet the Confirmation of the Supreme Concourse is abundant.

Though we are helpless, yet our refuge and shelter is His Holiness Bahau'llah.

2

Praise be to God! His Traces are evident.

Praise be to God! His Lights are radiating.

Praise be to God! His Ocean is full of waves.

Praise be to God! His Radiance is intense.

Praise be to God! His Bestowals are abundant.

Praise be to God! His Favors are manifest.

3

Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings!

The Morn of Guidance hath dawned.


The Sun of Reality hath shown forth.


The Breeze of Favor hath wafted.


The raindrops of the Cloud of Bounty have showered.


The Sun of the Supreme Horizon hath radiated to all the world

with boundless Effulgence.


The hearts are all in the utmost purity.


It is the Splendor of His Highness Baba.


Zion is dancing.


The Kingdom of God is full of Exhilaration and Commotion.

* * * * *

9

Archives Exhibit Description Foundation Hall of the House of Worship

1. Paris photograph of 'Abdu'l-Baha, signed by Him in Philadelphia, PA 'Abdu'l-Baha gave the photograph to Martha Washington.

i 2. Two pages from Chapter 19 of the original manuscript of God Passes By, by Shoghi Effendi

"The laying, with His own hands, of the dedication stone of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, by the shore of Lake Michigan, in the vicinity

of Chicago, on the recently purchased property, and in the presence of a representative gathering of Bahais from East and West; ... His address to an audience of several hundred attending the last session of the newly-founded Bahai Temple Unity held in Chicago; ... these must rank among the outstanding functions associated with His visit to the community of the American believers, functions designed to pave the way for the erection of their central House of Worship:'

3. Tablet of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Corinne True Original translation by Ahmad Sohrab, dated March 4,

1911, "0 thou beloved Maidservant of God! Your detailed letter was perused, and from its contents it became evident that the debt of the land of the Mashrak el Azcar is clear. This news made the hearts happy and caused infinite rejoicing. Now it is hoped that the Believers of God may show magnanimity

and raise a great sum for the building so that the foundation of the Mashrak EI Azcar may be laid. And perchance, God willing the cornerstone of the Foundation will be laid by the Hands of Abdul Baha. This confirmation will descend upon the peoples of America if they will all arise and endeavor with great courage to establish union and harmony, so that every trace of differences may be uprooted and they may all become as one heart and one soul. Convey the wonderful Abha Greetings to all the Friends and the Maidservants of the Merciful:'

4. One small vial of soil from the hole dug for the Cornerstone, and photograph of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Charles Greenleaf,Jr., who is holding some of the soil

5. Tablet of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Shahnaz Waite Original translation by Ahmad Sohrab, dated September 1,

1913, "0 thou sweet-singing Shahnaz of the Bahais! The fragrant flower that thou hast sent from the land of Mashrekal-Azkar is at this very moment in my hand and I am inhaling its sweet perfume. If on Sundays you go to the ground of the Mashrekal Azkar and raise

• ;0:- the melody of the Kingdom of God for those who are ~ r'W.>O.· ~ present it is very acceptable; but you must speak to them

• ;.p o ~ ~.;...;.~

'" u..- ---t"-...J or fi--t ,//j.." k4~-11lu.:.G __ (1".6 'I

10

~;....~~ &. ~ .. .I • • ",/,'J/r&s;?; (!J{0--r

~.pi{,Yj ~U~d ''1'i:'''d~'';'~,"", with infinite kindness; and there may exist such a love

~il~ ~iit~~: ::~:~:~: !~:a:y~~fl~~c;ot:::. ;:t:~;:~hed 1J~:,:::::;;:i"':-~ from the rest of mankind, that you are overflowing with ~~g ecstasy and acclamation, and full with attraction and

joy, especially thyself; because thou hast the Harp and

lyre and art efficient in music. When the earthly music is joined with the heavenly music such happiness and acclamation became revealed in the hearts that the spirits will soar heavenward. Upon thee be Baha EI Abha!"

6. Autographed handwritten portion of the score of "The New Jerusalem'~ written by Shahnaz Waite

This piece was sung for the first time before 'Abdu'l-Bahi in Chicago by Ragina Linne.

Pen used by 'Abdu'l-Baha to write many Tablets in Chicago Pen given by 'Abdu'l-Bahi to Shahnaz Waite in the house of

Corinne True. He asked her to write the Song of the Covenant, which she did.

7. Illuminated Tablet revealed by Baha'u'llah for 'Abdu'l-Baha The Tablet was revealed while 'Abdu'l-Baha was in Beirut. An

early translation by Ali Kuli Khan: "He is God! The Greatest Branch (Most Mighty A'zam). This week no news came from you. Janabi Mustaffah and Javid and two others, from these four also we had no news. Now that Habib'ullah is intending to go there these few words are written. Everybody is in good health and are remembering you. God willing over all may you be victorious. Argument is powerful. The word is effective. Your mentioning the Cause is radiant. I gave a gift (Gaz-Persian candy) to Habib'ullah for you. Upon thee be My Glory and Might:'

8. Tablet of Ahmad The well-known Tablet of Ahmad in Arabic, which Shoghi Ef

fendi, in a letter written on his behalf, states is "invested by Baha'u'llih with a special potency and significance:' In an account of the life of Ahmad by the Hand of the Cause of God Abu'l-Qasim Faizi in Baha'i News, March-April 1967, Mr. Faizi quotes Ahmad as saying, "I received the Tablet oCThe Nightingale of Paradise and reading it again and again, I found out that my Beloved desired me to go and teach His Cause. Therefore I preferred obedience to visiting Him:' The original Tablet was given to the National Baha'i Archives in 1953 by Hand of the Cause of God VaHyu'llih Varqi, who had

received the Tablet from Jamal, the grandson of Ahmad.

9. Writing exercise by Baha'u'llah for 'Abdu'l-Baha According to a letter written on behalf of the Guardian,

this is "a specimen script of Baha'u'llih at the corner of which 'Abdu'l-Bahi has Himself written explaining that Baha'u'llih had written it especially for His ('Abdu'l-Bahi) instruction

in penmanship:'

10. Three Locks of Hair of Baha'u'llah Given by Shoghi Effendi to the North American Baha'is at

the 1938 National Convention. ''As token my gratitude to such community entrusted beloved co-worker Mrs. Collins locks Baha'u'llih's most precious hair arranged preserved by loving

hands Greatest Holy Leaf to rest beneath dome of Temple nobly raised by dearly beloved believers in American continent:' (Cable, April 27, 1938)

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11. Tablets of the Divine Plan

Tablet of the Divine Plan to the Western States, revealed April 1, 1916 Because the Turkish authorities were not allowing sealed envelopes to be mailed, due to wartime restrictions, the Tablet was sent on a postcard to

Helen Goodall, Oakland, CA. It is signed by 'Abdu'l-Baha in English and Persian. Two other postcards came with it carrying the English translation.

Tablet of the Divine Plan to the Southern States, revealed March 27, 1916 Sent on a postcard to Joseph H. Hannen, Washington DC. It is signed by 'Abdu'l-Baha in English and Persian. One other postcard came with it carrying the English translation.

Translation of the Tablet of the Divine Plan to the Southern States, revealed March 27, 1916

Tablet of the Divine Plan to the Northeastern States, revealed March 26, 1916

The Tablet was sent on a postcard to Hooper Harris, New York City, NY. It is signed by 'Abdu'l-Baha in English and Persian. Two other postcards came with it carrying the English translation.

12. Boots of 'Abdu'l-Baha, worn while in America

13. Taj of 'Abdu'l-Baha Given by 'Abdu'l-Baha to Roy Wilhelm in 1907. According

to Roy Wilhelm, "He ['Abdu'l-Baha] playfully tossed it upon my head - went down almost to my eyes. Seems to have now shrunken some. It was probably a 7 1/4 to 7 3/8:'

Prayer Beads of 'Abdu'l-Baha Given by 'Abdu'l-Baha to

Loretha Franklin Berryhill during His visit to the grave of Thornton Chase in 1912.

14. Blue and White Cup and Saucer used by 'Abdu'l-Baha

Used by 'Abdu'l-Baha at the home of Edward and Carrie Kinney, New York City,1912.

Cup and Saucer used by 'Abdu'l-Baha at the Clement and Orol Woolson residence, St. Paul, MN

Part of a tea set consisting of tea cup, cream pitcher, sugar bowl with top and two small plates. The tea set was never washed after being used by 'Abdu'l-Baha, and the tea cup still has a piece of sugar.

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15. First and Last Pages of Letter from Louis Bourgeois, architect of the Baha'i House of Worship, to Nancy Bowditch, October 3, 1928

"My Dear Sister in E1 Abha: It is some what difficult to lead you or suggest to you the real things for your talk on this Temple. I was asked on the 25 last to lecture on the Temple before the Illinois Society of Architects of which I have been just elected a member but I did this lecture with slides and drawings, details, etc. but you have no slides, no drawings. I expect that you will have to lecture from inspiration. If you are familiar with symbols it will be easier. In my architectural description I showed them that the structural lines symbolize the fundamental of religions. All religions brought a new architecture and all the structural lines of the different styles can be harmonized in one Temple but not the different styles of ornaments as the ornaments symbolize the fancy of each individual artist. This symbolizes the individual interpretation of the holy books of the world which brought so many creeds that will never be united. So I have dispensed with the ornaments of the past and use the mathematical lines of the universe which somlined [sic] lines create the most beautiful decoration. It is the work of the Great Architect of the Universe, therefore very beautiful.

The Plan of the Temple is a 9 pointed star constructed with inverted circles, which symbolize the open arms of the Glorious, inviting all the world to enter therein, the center is the door in the heart. This is about all I can suggest - every center should have slides to lecture on the Temple, for example, I show that all religions erected wonderful Temples and I have slides of the best examples of this Temple which show the evolution in architecture crowned by the Baha'i Temple which they can judge for themselves. The slides cost about $1.25 each and you can rent a lantern anywhere. Wish you the best of success. Yours in His service, Louis Bourgeois:'

16. Chair used by 'Abdu'l-Baha in Chicago, IL

The chair was at the house of Louise (Shahnaz) Waite.

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In brief, the original purpose of temples and houses of worship

is simply that of unity - places of meeting where various peoples,

different races and souls of every capacity may come together in or

der that love and agreement should be manifest between them. That

is why Baha'u'llah has commanded that a place of worship be built

for all the religionists of the world; that all religions, races and sects

may come together within its universal shelter; that the proclama

tion of the oneness of mankind shall go forth from its open courts

of holiness - the announcement that humanity is the servant of

God and that all are submerged in the ocean of His mercy. It is the

Mashriqu'l-Adhkar.

- 'Abdu' l-Baha, April 30, 1912, at the public meeting concluding the

Convention of Baha'i Temple Unity, Chicago, in

The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 65

The power which has gathered you here today notwithstanding

the cold and windy weather is, indeed, mighty and wonderful. It is the power of God, the divine favor of Baha'u'llah which has drawn

you together. We praise God that through His constraining love hu

man souls are assembled and associated in this way.

Thousands of Mashriqu'l-Adhkars, dawning points of praise

and mention of God for all religionists will be built in the East and

in the West, but this, being the first one erected in the Occident, has

great importance.

- 'Abdu'l-Baha, May 1,1912, at the Dedication of the House of Worship

grounds, Wilmette, in The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 71

The Baha'i House of Worship is dedicated to the praise of God.

The House of Worship forms the central edifice of the Mashriqu'l

Adhkar (the Dawning-place of the Praise of God), a complex which,

as it unfolds in the future, will comprise in addition to the House

of Worship a number of dependencies dedicated to social, humani

tarian, educational, and scientific pursuits. f\bdu'l-Baha describes

the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar as "one of the most vital institutions in the

World': and Shoghi Effendi indicates that it exemplifies in tangible

form the integration of "Baha'i worship and service".

- Notes to The Kidb-i-Aqdas, p. 190

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