Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-08
DEFENDS BAHA| CULT
Head of Oriental University
Answers Pastors.
SETS FORTH TEACHINGS
Polygamy One Of the Customs Most
Bitterly Opposed.
ABDUL BAHIA IS UPHELD
Attack Upon Persia and Her People
Also Strongly Re-
scented.
ABDUL BAHIA IS UPHELD


attacks Upon the Bahai movement con-
tanned In sermons by Rev. DR.. c. Ernest
smith, Rev. James NJ. Gray and Rev sr.
James S. Montgomery, formal statements
have been issued by Joseph H. Hammer,
executive secretary of the Orient-Oc
dent Unity. and by H. p Holler, presi-
dent of the Oriental University
Mr.. Hammer discussed the remarks of
Rev DIR. Smith in particular, saying, in
part:
Some of the statements made indicate
an obvious lack of familiarity with the
| subject. and in justice to all concerned
seek due publicity for statement of
tacts. Concerning matters of opinion,
there is a possibility of honest difference
and no controversy is sought: but il
seems only fair that the public should
know the true conditions.
The subject of Dr. Smiths sermon
is not only misleading, but incorrect:
Mohammedanism and Its Persian Cult.
BahaiSm. 1t would be as reasonab BILE
TO term Christianity cult Of Judaism
because 1t sprang from that ancient
of the Bahai movement and its leaders
and adherents have been most bitterly
prosecuted by the Mohammedan au-
tnorities for period of more than
European and American historians
TESTIFY. The Bahai teachings are
universal and are as essentially Chris
tan as they are Mohammedan, and as
opposed to narrow and orthodox views
In the one direction as in the other
Persia Is Defended.
ut is to the unstinted condemnation of
Persia and her people that We object
O,,~o
Just emerged from centuries of despotic
monarchy, and in bloodless revolution
has achieved the station of constitu-
should not be termed decadent! Mr.
Shuster, who has been in personal touch
with the new Persia and its leaders, tells
q different story
"A. student Of the Koran even in its
English translation, would not condemn
its teachings as sensual. anti-Christ or
necessarily favoring polygamy in any
greater sense than our own Bible, in its
Old Testament. But the Bahai teach
lngs are direct and positive upon the
subject OF pOlygamy, whatever may be
said OF the Koran. Monogamy is COM
manded, and Abdul BAHIA has practiced
TINS, though under Mohammedan law he
could take second wife and thus per-
petuate his lineage. his children by his
present wife being all daughters, and this
constituting one of the conditions Justify
ing plural marriage in the Islamic world.
Tne Koran does not tech Mohammed's
superiority to Christ. Far from It. 1t
terms Jesus the Spirit Of God and
Mohammed is The Seal of the Prophet
the descendant of Hasar and Ishmael--
ana nave there been any prophets since?
Central Place of Worship.
According to the Bahai teachings a
central place Of worship is provided, con-
shutting group of buildings. one a
temple of worship, another an orphan
age-a hospital-a college or university
home for cripples and hospice So
the noblest ideals are incorporated in
this universal basis of religion. These
iacts can readily be developed from an
examination of the literature of the
movement
THE hospitality expressed by DR.. Smith
in bidding Abdul BAHIA a godspeed back
to his own country remarkable as it Is,
becomes reminder of pathetic conditions
no country. having been ban shed from
Persia sixty years ago, and living in exile
since that time and in the political prison
OF Iurkey-Akka in Syria-for forty
cause of the fatherhood Of God and the
brotherhood of man,
can the reverend gentleman furnish a
modern parallel to this altruism? What
d CUHtidSt IS TO De 1OunQ In the words of
Archdeacon Wilberforce, In ST. Johns
Church, Westminster when the venera BILE
prelate in that supposedly conservative
country. high ecclesiastic of the Church
of England, said in welcoming Abdul
BAHIA in his own pulpit, and in the bish-
ops chair: Whatever our views we shall
| am sure, unite in welcoming a man
who has been for forty years a prisoner
for the cause of brotherhood and love-"
Replies to Others.
President Holler dealt with the state
ments which he said were attributed to
Rev. DR.. Smith. Rev. Mr.. Gray and Rev
DR.. Montgomery. He said:
These gentlemen see the great power
of Bahaism, which is to their credit But
they are not yet clear about the real
principles. nor about the true mission of
the worldwide Bahai movement There
is evidently too much fear Of the new
in their attacks.