Evening star., 1922-01-14
BAHA| LEADERHAD
ROMANTIC CAREER
Abdul Bahia Abbas, Who Died
Recently, Won Support
Throughout World.

JERUSALEM, December 14.-The
death at Haifa, Palestine, recently, OF
Abdul BAHIA Abbas. founder of the
Bahai movement. removes from the
orient a great personality who has
long been regarded as a prophet by
thousands of followers scattered
throughout the occident as well as in
the near east.
With his death, the movement has
PASSED under the guidance of a com
mittee of nineteen, representing diff.
ferent religions and races.
Abdul BAHIA (servant of Cod was
n years old. and his career had been
romantic one. He was the exponent
Of universal movement whose aim
was the realization Of the brother.
hood of man. and 1t had gained ad-
herents in Europe, Asia and America
and in some Of these continents huge
temples had been erected for the OBJ
servance of his teachings.
NOtabIes mt Funeral.
His funeral assumed an interna.
tional aspect, at which were present
many notables, representing many
countries. Sir Herbert Samuel, high
commissioner of Palestine, was in the
procession.
AT the age of 20 Abdul BAHIA and
his father, BAHIA O'llah. were sent to
the penal colony Of Acca, in Syria
because of their radical teachings
For more than forty years he suf.
fered the vicissitudes of political
prisoner. He was liberated in 1908 al
the earnest solicitation of his fol-
lowers in all parts Of the world. Soon
after his release he started on long
journey. which took him to Europe
and America, and resulted in the
swift spreading of his message and
gospel.
While in the United States in 1912
he spoke from many Christian pulpits
and before many different organiza-
tions. schools and colleges. In 1926
he was knighted by Great Britain fol
his humanitarian work in Syria and
for his service for world peace.
Bahaism is social reform. 1t aims
at the freeing Of mankind from the
religious, social and political yokes
of the times. Among the things foI
which it stands are a universal re.
ligion, universal language, parlia-
ment of man with representatives
of international disputes, universal
education, perfect civilization
founded on simplicity and co-opera:
ton. and emphasis on the spiritua
things of life.
In this world movement were found
adherents of almost every religion
Islam, Buddhism. Hinduism. Zoroas-
trianism. Confucianism. Judaism and
Christianity. Almost every race and
country of the globe contributes ad-
herents to the organization for inter
national brotherhood.
PIlgrimages to His Home.
People came to the city of Acca
from all parts of the world to see ano
talk with Abdul BAHIA Abbas: His
home was a regular Babel. Within
it gathered peoples of all races and
creeds.
The creed of Bahaism is found ir
this statement by BAHIA Ollah, its
founder:
I'VE desire but the good of the
world and the happiness OF the ma
tions. yet they deem US a stirrer ul
of strife and sedition worthy OF BOND.
age and banishment; tnat az
nations should become one in faitf
and all men as brothers: that th'
bonds of affection and unity betweeI
; the sons of men should be strength
ened; that diversity of religion shoult
/ cease. and differences of race De an
nulled. What harm is ther'
| in this?
yet so it shall be. These fruitles'
strifes. these ruinous wars shall pas!
away, and the Most Great Peace
shall come. Is not this tha
which Christ foretold Ye
do we see your kings and rulers law
! ishing their treasures more freely OF
means for the destruction of the hu
man race than on that which woult
conducc to the happiness of mankind
| These strifes and this bloodshed ant
discord must cease. and all men be a.
one kindred and one family
Let not a man glory in this. that HI
loves his country; let him rathe!
glory in this, that he loves his kind