Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1892-08-12
PERSIAN HERETICS.
"a Prosecuted SECT DRIVEN OUT
eY THE PRESENT SHAH.


Untimely Death--The Greater Beba,
Who Is an Exile from Hls Native Land.
Professor Browne, lecturer in Persian
Of the University Of Cambridge, has
written O curious book, entitled "The
Episode Of the Bab." Probably q few
people know who the Bah is, but Mr..
Brownies researches are certain to
awaken interest in the man who was the
arch hereto of Persia in the early part
of the reign of the present shah. He
died violent death at the hands Of the
government when it was learned that
the heresy that he preached threatened
the peace of the national church. His
followers live and are faithful to his
memory and teachings.
Their leaders are in exile, and Profess
sor Brownies book tells Of his extraordi-
nary exertions to see them and get their
story from their own lips. They are
scattered far and wide. Some Of them
are in Cyprus; others are in Palestine,
safe from the vengeance of the shah. All
of them would expect to lose their heads
it they showed themselves in Persia.
J Only the humble followers of the Bah
! live unmolested in their own country,
holding their meetings secretly for fear
of the persecution of the angry Mollahs.
The Bah was Mohammedan re-
former, who went to Mecca and came
back with new commentary on the
Koran. He spoke of himself as superior
to Mohammed and to all other great re-
| ligious reformers. but he announced
that greater than he was coming. That
greater one is Beha, who lives in an
earthly paradise called Behje, near
| Tyre, where Professor Browne found
him. The author says he feels quite un-
equal to the task Of conveying a vivid
imp ession of the faces and forms that
surrounded him during his visit to this
| strange retreat. He almost runs short
of adjectives when he describes the
wondrous and venerable figure of the
holy man. He says he beheld face
which he will never forget. although he
cannot describe it. The piercing eyes
seemed to read his very soul. mo need
to ask in whose presence | stood as |
bowed myself before one who is the OBJ
iect of devotion and love which kings
might envy and emperors sigh for in
vain"
| Beha's preaching is prophecy of the
most great peace" and of the brother
hood and unity of man. The brother
hood of the entire race is coming, he
predicts. Prof. Browne says Beha knows
the exact position of European affairs
and is sorry for the western nations.
He sees kings and rulers lavishing their
treasures III the purchase Of means of
destruction instead of procuring the
means of happiness. Meekness, con
cord, obedience, submission are the es-
sentials of his secret III the perfect way.
He is loved and revered by all his fol-
lowers wherever they may be. and many
message from him is read in the secret
meetings in Persia of the humble fol.
lowers of the Bah.
The Bah was not learned in the law
like the great doctors of the church
and for that reason they held him in
contempt. 1t was his habit to dispute
with them in the temples, and although
he was ignorant his wisdom put Their
knowledge to shame. They said be
proved himself an impostor because he
talked bad grammar. He showed then
that his grammar was the grammar oi
the Koran, and asked them if it was moi
better to be wrong with the prophet
than right with the rest of the world
Whenever he became too troublesome
they beat him with rods. At last the,
had him shot. A company Of infantry
was drawn up, and the Bah and one Of
his followers were placed before it al
targets. The first discharge killed tht
follower, but only broke the cords thai
t bound the prophet. He might have con
E verted his executioners then II he hat
! had time to make the most Of the situa
ton. But before he could speak tn.
second volley was fired and the Bal
died Of many wounds.
! His followers were terribly incenseG
! at the outrage, and tried to assassinat,
l the shah. It is said that he tainted will
! terror at the sight of the conspirators
) and was only saved by the timely arri
. val of his escort. For time he mad,
! Persia very unsafe for the followers o.
e the Bah. He killed their leaders, ant
= to this day those who escaped from thei
native land have never dared to return
Among the victims was the one Saliva
ton Lass of the movement, the beauti
full Kurratu 1-'Ayn, who, it is said, wa
q miracle of learning and Of every femi
nine cham. She was killed by SLOW
torture, and to the ve-y last she declares
!. Ter supreme faith in the teachings o
the Bah. The Mollahs who slew he
came near rebelling few months ag'
when their lord and master threatenet
: to interfere with the tobacco question
. in Persia. They made him tremble TO
/ his life and throne until the obnoxiou
a measures he proposed were rescinded.
Meanwhile Beha is waiting PATENT,
Z In exile, confident that the day will com
4 when his teachings will triumph in Per
sia and the leaders Of his faith can re-
!, turn to their land. New York Sun.
-----------