Charles Mason Remey, Second Baha'i Guardian, Letter to Baha'i Convention April 19, 1918

                                                            Washington, D.C., April 19, 1918.

 

To the Members of the Baha'i Convention-Congress Committee of 1918.

 

Dear Friends:

 

            Very good responses are being received from the believers in various parts to whom the Committee of Investigation sent copies of the report of their findings regarding the recent violation in Chicago.  Through the study of the Revealed Words the people now seem to be  understanding the reality of the Chicago affair, so that it would seem as if we need not trouble ourselves too much over this particular matter of the Chicago violation, which now seems to be a matter of the past.  However, there is yet another phase of violation which is creeping among our people in various parts of the land in the form of different and conflicting opinions, teachings and standards regarding the Baha'i attitude toward government, war and peace.  This I feel is the next matter which the Baha'i Cause in America must face, and I am writing this letter to you in order to call to your attention certain things which I have observed, in the hope that our Convention-Congress Committee will, through prayerful consultations, be enabled to do their duty with all the necessary Baha'i spirit and wisdom possible.

            Of one thing, however, I am fearful.  I see a tendency upon the part of a few of our people to mix unseemly political situations with our spiritual problems.  Upon the one hand are those of socialistic sympathies and tendencies, who, distressed by this wholesale slaughter and destruction of human life, condemn the governments for having entered into this present war, and talk sedition.  Then, upon the other hand, there are those who feel the call of nationalism or patriotism, and sincerely believe that this is Abdu’l-Baha’s war, that this is the war of the Anti-Christ against Truth and righteousness, of the powers of evil against light and that it is the duty of every Baha'i to sustain with might and main and with his life’s force and blood, to bring this war to a successful issue.  Now, I am fearful lest we become divided because of these ideas and led away from our Baha'i field of spiritual activities.  As far as my vision goes, from my study of the Holy Words, the only safety for our Cause is for us to avoid absolutely all of these issues, and not only not allow them to be discussed in our gatherings, but be so steeped in the knowledge and spirit of the Baha'i Revelation that these conflicting thoughts will find no place whatsoever in our souls, for it is only in this condition of perfect severance that the Baha’is will be able to perform our mission to humanity.  If we allow ourselves to become stirred by this spirit of animosity and hatred now so rampant in the world we prevent ourselves from becoming the instruments of the Spirit of Truth through which the Abha Kingdom is to be realized.

           

            For a time there has been an idea abroad in the minds of some of the people in the Baha'i meetings that while the Baha'i Teaching was one definite thing, and only pure Baha'i thoughts and ideals should be voiced from the platform of our teachings and meetings, yet as individuals, in speaking outside of the meetings or in private, we can hold our own personal opinions and think as we wish as long as we do not mix these thoughts with the teachings in the name of the Cause.

            Now, to the minds of some of us, this is a fallacy.  If we are Baha’is, we do not wish to be half-way Baha’is, but rather as nearly as possible thoroughly consistent ones, according to the standard established by our beloved Abdu’l-Baha when he wrote: “Firmness in the Covenant means obedience.”

            In the Cause of Abha we are called upon to sacrifice everything in His Path.  It is easy for us to sacrifice material things, because of their tangible evidence this is easily done, but more difficult and greater is the sacrifice of the human spirit of man - -  his ideals, ambitions, likes, and dislikes -- for these are so subtle that they escape the spiritual perceptions of the majority of people.  This is, I feel, the conditions of severance to which the Baha'i body as a whole must attain in this coming convention.

            In other words, in many texts of the Holy Writings we are admonished to sacrifice our all in the Path of GOD - - personal ideas, nations, conceptions, likes and dislikes, along with things of material value.  They must all be sacrificed to the spirit and be forgotten in our knowledge of the pure Baha'i thoughts as voiced by our beloved Abdu’l-Baha.  His thoughts must become our thoughts, and we must be so severed from this world and its logic and considerations that our human spirit may become entirely consumed by the fire of the love of the Center of the Covenant.  Is this not what Baha’u’llah meant when He wrote:

            “O, Son of Man!  Distribute My possessions among My poor, that in Heaven thou mayest receive from the boundless treasure of Glory and from the stores of Eternal Bliss.  But of MY Life!  The sacrifice of the spirit is more glorious, couldst thou see with Mine Eye.”

            In this day our only refuge is in the Revealed Word of God, and to that we should cling and adhere without the addition or the subtraction of any thoughts.  His Word contains all that is necessary for us at any time, and any interpretations which we may add thereto will in the end, if not at once, bring trouble and discord.

            We can trace the working out of this principle in the past dispensations.  For instance, the early Christians made compromises with the people whom they converted, hoping thus by introducing certain foreign ideas and ceremonies to attract the people, while the result was that the pure teachings of the Christ became contaminated, and inharmony and terrible wars ensued, all of which would not have happened had the people clung only to the pure and unadulterated “Words of God”.

            Now, in this day, care should be taken not to inject into any of the spiritual teachings or Baha'i propaganda any words or thoughts emanating from any source than that of the Covenant, for even though our intention is good, the result will inevitably be undesirable.

            I am sure that there is a divine wisdom in everything which Abdu’l-Baha does, as well as the things which he does not do.  Therefore, in our spiritual work I feel that we should all follow his lead in this respect.  It is unwise for those who stand in the spiritual meetings, as Baha'i teachers, to express opinions about these political questions which are agitating the world today unless these can be substantiated from the Revealed Word.  If we can answer questions from Abdu’l-Baha’s own words, all will be well, but if we have not such definite statements upon the point in question it is undoubtedly better that we refrain from giving opinions rather than attempt to give explanations and make statements which cannot be substantiated from the Holy Utterances.

            Abdu’l-Baha is all-seeing and has a vision beyond the present day conditions.  He is ministering to the human conditions and problems of the future as well as those of the present.  When we, his followers, undertake to minister to conditions about us our only firm ground is to follow minutely the words and the spirit of his teaching.

            Though we, in our human desire may be sincere and well intentioned, if in word or spirit we deviate from that of the Center of the Covenant we become a danger to the Cause.

            Without doubt it might seem very logical from the standpoint of human reasoning in intermingle with the teachings of the Cause certain political ideas, popular and current in our land, for the pleasure of the people of that land, in the hope of attracting them to the Cause of GOD, and under certain other conditions it might seem advisable to others in another country to incorporate other human imaginings (contradictory and opposed to the first case cited for the same end of attracting the people and influencing the people to accept the Holy Cause; but would the people thus attracted really be accepting God’s Word?  They would not!  They would be attracted by the bait used, which would be that of their own thoughts and imaginings, and beyond this they would not proceed.

            If the Baha’is are going to compromise, as did the early Christians, there will be the same history repeated of heresies, divisions, troubles, and strifes without cessation.  Our duty as servants of Abdu’l-Baha is not to try to regulate or change his teachings to suit the people, but to first regulate our lives and change our habits of thought and action so that we in ourselves will become exponents of Baha'i thought, manners, and customs.  Then we shall be enabled by the divine confirmatory spiritual powers to bring others into His Kingdom.  First of all, and under all conditions we are Baha’is.  The solution of this world’s troubles and afflictions lies in remaining true to the Cause of God.  His Word Revealed is our only refuge.

            A year ago, two statements, one printed and one typed, regarding the Baha'i attitude toward government, war and peace were sent out in the name of the Baha’is of San Francisco.

            These circular letters in question contained various sentiments and statements which, so far as I am able to ascertain, have never emanated from the tongue or pen of Abdu’l-Baha, yet in the eyes of the world the contents of these communications are now on record and attributed to the Cause, inasmuch as these statements have been made under the name of one of the well-known Baha'i Assemblies. 

            I here quote a few paragraphs from these two circulars in question:

            “This statement is not intended as an indorsement [sic.] of war, but merely to outline the duty of the Baha'i citizen, since the United States, a peaceful and peace-loving country, having tried every other available means, has been compelled by by a menacing, powerful and vindictive foe to resort to war, in order that the cherished institutions of justice shall not be destroyed, and that the divine principle of human brotherhood may be possible of realization.”

In Abdu’l-Baha’s memorable message to the people of America, delivered at the Grand Hotel in Cincinnati, November 5, 1912, he said:

“When the summons of the international peace is raised by America, all the rest of the world will cry: ‘Yes, we accept!’

“The entrance of America into the war was the only possible way by which she could have raised this cry.  Otherwise, despised alike by the entente allies and the central powers for her supineness [sic.] and selfishness, and looked upon by all other neutrals as lacking in moral stamina to assert her position and her rights, this country would not even have been chosen as a neutral seat within which to consider the propositions of peace.  America, by thus deciding, has now earned for herself not only a place at the council table, when the war is over, but also the right to call upon all the nations to disarm, herself included.

“President Wilson’s war proclamation, setting forth the reasons for America’s decision, was inspired by the very spirit of this new day.  Free from any thought of vengeance or retaliation it was couched in terms which Abdu’l-Baha himself might have used, and its sound arguments should appeal to every Baha'i as absolutely just.

“Referring again to the question of exemption.  While naturally every soul has the right to decide it for himself, we earnestly request each one, before he may ask for exemption on religious grounds, to read the article on page 37 in the Literary Digest of July 7, 1917.

“How could America become the peace-maker of the nations if she refused to share in the universal sacrifice and suffering that are to bring to birth the Most Great Peace?

“Abdu’l-Baha has announced a wonderful destiny for this country, but if she play the part of the ‘slacker’ she will not be entitled to the blessings.  Likewise if the Baha'i citizens of this country nobly play their part in the general sacrifice, they will be respectfully heeded when their time comes to proclaim the glorious principles of Baha’o’llah [sic.].  But if they shirk this rare opportunity, can we expect them to be listened to with any patience when they shall attempt to preach peace to brave men who have defended them?

“When the war is over and the reconstruction begins, then the Baha’is will be given their opportunity.”

 

                                                - - - --oOo- - - - -

 

While to some uninformed minds this may all seem to be Baha'i teaching, yet to our knowledge Abdu’l-Baha has never voiced the thoughts contained in these statements, but on the contrary, He has repeatedly instructed the friends to have nothing at all to do with any political matters, and questions such as these.

Again, later (during the Summer of 1917) another official statement of a nature somewhat similar to those issued from California was made by the Executive Board of the Baha'i Temple Unity, and this was printed and circulated through the entire Baha'i world.  By now the Baha’is have had ample time in which to think over and to consider the substance of these statements, and as far as I have been able to ascertain, the spiritual majority of our people feel that these statements circulated not only have not covered the ground of the teachings upon the points under consideration, but in their statement and handling of the matter they have given erroneous impressions regarding the teaching of Abdu’l-Baha upon government, war and peace.

One dreads to think of the consequences that such a statement, made under the Baha'i name and published through the world, might bring upon Abdu’l-Baha and the Baha'is with him.  To be sure, we know that He is under special divine protection, yet not withstanding this, it does not relieve us of certain responsibilities which are ours.

            It is a very dangerous thing when people try to justify by the Baha'i Cause actions and things done from various mundane motives.  This is one of the most prevalent forms of the desecration of God’s Trust.  The atheist is better off than the one who created a false doctrine out of his own imagination and then ascribes it to God, passing it off as Revealed Truth, for the atheist at least leaves God’s place vacant, while the other would create a form of his imagination and deceive others into believing this to be of God.

            In this day of world cataclysms the faith of the Baha’is is constantly being assailed by the imaginations and false conceptions of humanity; therefore we must conserve the purity of the Revealed and Living Image of God, which the Centers of the Covenant portrays to the world, for if this, the living Word, become violated through contamination with ideas foreign to the Cause, the religion of God will be in manifest loss.

            In our recent convention of Baha’is, held in Boston, last Spring, some of the speakers were led to inject into their discourses some of their personal thoughts mingled with the teachings, which in the estimation of a number of us, detracted much from the fragrance of those gatherings.

            The real Baha’is have neither prejudice nor enmity in their hearts.  The Christ commanded the people to “render unto Caesar those things which were Caesar’s and unto God the things which were God’s”, and in like manner does Abdu’l-Baha command us to abide by the laws of the country in which we live, and to be engaged in the service of the Cause of Baha’o’llah [sic.], diffusing such a spirit of love that all prejudice between religions, nations, races, and classes of people will be transmuted into love and affection.

            Abdu’l-Baha wishes us to love enemies and friends, foreigners and our native people, all alike.  His wish is that through the love of the Kingdom we shall penetrate all hearts and lead them to the Divine Covenant of Baha’o’llah, that there they may find the light of this new divine age of peace.

            If we are touched by the spirit of antagonism, we cannot convey the spiritual bounty of God to others, for by harboring enmity we are cut off from the spiritual bounty ourselves, so that we have nothing to impart to those who are hungering for this spiritual sustenance.

            The Baha'i teaching is open and above in its spirit and teaching.  Its books and writings are circulated in several languages, so that any one wishing to look into its principles will find abundant relating to the Cause.  Therefore one questions the necessity as well as the advisability of the Baha’is either individually or collectively circulating statements which have to do with the politics of the world, for in avoiding such issues they are but carrying out Abdu’l-Baha’is instructions and this alone will shield from danger and attack, the Cause so dear to us.

            The question of the divergent and contradictory teachings now being given by the Baha’is is a matter which cannot be solved by merely being hushed up or smoothed over the surface.  It is a matter which deals with violation, and this must be eliminated from the Cause before any real spiritual work can be done.

            At the Convention in Boston this question under discussion was hushed up and kept from the people, with the inevitable consequence that now in this year’s convention we have a far greater and more serious problem before us than that of last year.  I am sure that the matter will be easily solved when we simply put aside all of our individual personal opinions and unitedly and with love in our hearts in all humility turn toward the Center of the Covenant, studying His Holy Words and supplicating to know His desire in this matter.

            Whether or not this discussion should come up at a regular session of the Convention or at an especially called meeting is a question for the committee and the board to think about and to consult, and to pray over; I feel confident that this question solved is going to bring the greatest spiritual confirmation upon all of us.

            Baha'i activities are pretty much at a standstill as far as the movement for general and broadcast teaching is concerned, and most of those with whom I have talked feel that this is due to the depleting of the spiritual forces of the Baha'i Body Spiritual caused by this particular spirit and teaching of violation of which I am now writing, for to my mind this is a far more subtle and difficult thing to perceive and to handle than the “Kirchner” or “Harmon” affairs, for in this recent business of violation in Chicago the tangible evidence was so evident that there was no mistaking the traces.

            Though we have the entire world and all of its forces against us, nevertheless the victory is with those who are firm in the Center of the Covenant, for they are protected and safe, and the divine powers of God’s Kingdom are protecting and guiding them and leading them on to victory.

            The true Baha’is are the world people of the new divine civilization, and now living in various lands and under different national governments and man-made laws.  Abdu’l-Baha tells us that we should cheerfully submit to and abide by the laws of whatsoever country we may dwell in, and not associate ourselves in any way with those working political seditions against the State, for these political intrigues do not in any way concern us -  - our mission is a spiritual one and is apart from and independent of all such matters.

            Those who are familiar with Abdu’l-Baha’s life in the Orient will recall that at all times He submitted to and abided by the laws of the country in which He lived, as He busied Himself with the affairs of the Baha'i Cause.  In speaking to the Baha’is in America, Abdu’l-Baha said:

            “My object in telling the American believers that they should not interfere in the affairs of their government is that: that they should not make any trouble, and they should not move against the opinion of the government, but obedience to the laws  and the administration of the commonwealth is necessary.”

            From Tablets of Abdu’l-Baha, Vol. II, page 342.

            Many instances of this principle of obedience to the laws of the country have come to our notice in connection with our friends in foreign lands.  In October, 1914, in speaking to George Latimer and to me of one of the Baha’is in Germany who was fighting in the German army, Abdu’l-Baha said, as I recall his words: “It is his duty to fight for his country, but he had no hatred, for in his heart there is naught but the love of God.”

            I recall, not so very long since, hearing that our people in Teheran, Persia, where large Baha'i meetings of several hundred souls were being regularly held, were suddenly ordered not to hold any more gatherings.  They did not oppose the government by breaking the law imposed upon them, but with joy and fragrance they cheerfully submitted and their gatherings were discontinued.  This did not in any way decrease their spiritual activities, for this affair created such a spiritual fire and enthusiasm among these Baha’is that greater confirmation than before descended upon that body.

            Has not the time now come in the development of the Kingdom of El Abha

In America when each and every firm soul must stand forth, freed and severed from the considerations of this world with its prejudices and animosity, and without reserve accept without qualification and uphold all of the principles of the Baha'i Cause?  I think that time is here, and I supplicate Abdu’l-Baha to give me the necessary strength and fortitude to at all times remain true to Him.

            There are a number of our people, and I am of these, who feel that the exigencies of the time require that these statements, circulated by the Unity Board and the San Francisco Assembly be recalled and corrected, and I have a plan for the spiritual accomplishment of this problem, which I trust to be able to present to the friends in this convention providing the matter comes up for discussion there.  If it is not brought up for discussion in the Convention I will try to bring it before a meeting of the executive board.  My suggestion is as follows:  That a compilation of not a part but all of the Baha'i Holy Utterances upon the subjects of government, war and peace be made and published under  a note explaining that this is the final Baha'i statement, up to date, upon these matters, and that these teachings take precedence over any and all statements made by individuals, singly or collectively, in the name of the Baha'i Cause.  This compilation could be widely circulated among our people in all parts of the country, and be given to any one desiring information upon the subject; thus all would have between two covers the entire Baha'i teaching upon these questions.

            The Kingdom of God is a spiritual state or condition resulting in the souls of the people who accept in every sense of the term “the Manifested One whom God hath sent”.  Below and beyond these great world conflicts and problems which today are devastating the earth are certain spiritual problems which, when solved, will relieve suffering humanity, and nothing short of the light of God’s truth revealed will accomplish this solution and solve the difficulty.  Therefore, let us send forth the Revealed Word to meet this difficulty.

            We Baha’is stand, as it were, at the door of the Kingdom of El Abha, bidding the people to enter.  We love the people and are distressed at their sufferings, and at times we may even respond, if we are not careful, to the bitterness of their hatred and animosity for one another, so that it is not surprising that some within the Baha'i fold are feeling the influence of the hell fires now burning so fiercely about us, but let us remember that our only salvation and refuge is in His Holy Covenant, and that the solution for these great problems is a spiritual one, and this we shall only find through severing ourselves from the world (from both the good and the bad alike) lest love or sympathy, upon one side, or hate or envy upon the other side, cause us to deviate one hair’s breadth from the spirit and the word of the Covenant.

            Has not the time come when we Baha’is in America must stand for the spiritual principles of El Abha?  In Persia our people stood for these Truths, sacrificing their lives and blood.  We should be ready to do likewise.

 

 

                                                            Humbly your fellow servant,

                                                                        in the Covenant of Abha,

                                               

                                                                        Charles Mason Remey

 

            P.S.

                        In sharing this with others, please copy in its entirety including this postscript.

 

                                                                                                                        C. M. R.