Evening star., 1909-07-11

Washington are held Friday evenings in
the Corcoran building. Before and after
their program is social converse, the
ewhole lasting nearly two hours. There is
little formality and no ritualistic service.
The committee In charge arranges in time
for some one to lead. just to start the
service. The service can hardly be called
worship. as generally understood. as it is
even less formal than the severe sim
plicity ordained by Mohammed for Islam
The leader raps for order, pronounces
''the supreme name.' and all present then
respond with the same word-".All LA -ho-
abba is most glorious" The leader
then may read from tablet of BAHIA
,,o'llah, the prophet. or he may speak brief
ly, or both: then he calls upon others.
Sometimes some special theme Is expected
to be treated, and teachers who have
travelled may be present and speak at
some length; but the addresses are usual
ly brief. If one be present who has re-
Gently returned from the prophet the
message of such one is expected and re-
ceived with words of enthusiastic ap-
proval. The meetings are always open to
remarks from any one. before closing.
when time permits. In closing all repeat
Alla-ho-abha' at signal from the
leader.
1t is not unusual. indeed, it is quite COM
mon. for. those speaking to quote from
ings, including western religious teachers.
and especially from the Christian and
Jewish sacred books. There are no coll
lections and no talk in public in any man.
ner of financial matters. A committee in
general charge makes known to the faith
full from time to time what the projects
are and indicates the probable expenses,
and all who will may give, as they wish
and what they wish. freely. for such
things as rent and printing. No one gets
any pay as teacher; all study and all
teach, according to their inclination.
The Bahai Sunday school, meeting at II
O'Clock each Sunday morning. Is conducted
much as the meeting Friday evening, ex-
cept theme is followed and classes for
children are organized and taught There
is good interest. large attendance, the ma
jority being adults. many Of them new
''adherents.' Besides the meetings Fri
day and Sunday there are feast gather
ings> the first of each Bahai month. that
is. every nineteen days These gatherings
are also very informal and are a feast of
reason and flow of SOUL" rather than a
banquet with appetiZing viands. There
are usually light Refreshments at the
close The last one held was June "a, the
first day of the seventh month. 1t was
assembled on Sheridan Circle. at the pala-
tial home Of Miss Barney, about 40 being
present. A brief report of that meeting
will illustrate, fairly, all Of these monthly
"fea StS."
1t lasted from to 1870 pm. The first
hour was spent socially. Most of those
present had attended before but further
personal acquaintance were made and
strangers introduced. Miss Barney. as
hostess. assumed direction of the infor-
NAL program at . o'clock. Several piano
selections were excellently rendered,
which received expressions of approval,
but no applause. The hostess then an
nounced that new book upon the Ba-
hal faith. translated from French and
printed in English, had just arrived, and
she called upon Mr.. Joseph Hannen to
read two selections from it. which he
did. adding some lucid comments of his
own. Next was introduced one Of the