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From Slavery to Celebrity
Posted By CATHY PELLETIER , CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
www.dunnvillechronicle.com THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2009
A mini portrait of Shirlee Smith shares space on a poster beside Barack Obama. A former victim of racial prejudice, Smith was profiled with the first African American President after she won third prize in a contest entitled, "What black history means to me."
She subsequently appeared on the front page of the National Post and on Global News, and has speak about triumph over adversity. "Having endured a lot of prejudice growing up," stated contest literature, "she never thought she would see the day when black history was celebrated."
A personal friend of Toronto's Mayor Hazel McCallion, Smith was invited to the Dunnville Library recently, where she shared her fascinating ancestry with the town's Baha'i community. Her grandfather, Abraham, was born into slavery in Georgia after his African mother was brought to the U. S. on the crowded hold of a slave ship.
"They put all the slaves in a pen and Mr. Hollingsworth was one of the people who was buying slaves and he bought Abraham's mother because she was pretty," said Smith. "One of the first things he did was take her to his bed, and Abraham was born."
Hollingsworth didn't provide proper shoes for his slaves to prevent their escape. "He told them that when they went to heaven, they would get shoes." Meanwhile, the slaves were constantly singing about heaven, which was code for Canada, where they hoped to escape via the Underground Railroad. "He could hear them singing in the cotton fields about getting shoes in heaven."
Smith explained how the Ojibway Indians and some white people helped Abraham escape slavery by "wading along the side of the river, and after a couple weeks they got to Canada. One of the first things he got was shoes."
Abraham promptly fell in love with one of the Ojibway who helped him. At the time, the government was giving natives a parcel of land, and Abraham received some land in Stouffville, said Smith, where he was also given permission to marry the native girl. After giving birth to six children, she died, and Abraham later fell in love with a nanny named Martha, who was part Cree and part African. They wed and had another six children before Abraham died. Their youngest daughter was Myrtle, who went to Toronto, according to Smith, "because there weren't any black boys in Stouffville, and she heard there were black men in Toronto. She met Elvin, whose parents had come from Barbados, and escaped the cruelty there towards blacks at the time." Elvin's father was a minister who had helped form the British Methodist Episcopal Church in Ontario.
Elvin and Myrtle moved to an overcrowded rooming house on Spadina Ave. in Toronto, and when Myrtle became pregnant, she announced she would give birth at the nearby Women's College Hospital, despite the fact that no black women had been allowed to do so before. When Myrtle went into labour, she knocked on the hospital's door and said, "I want to have my baby here." When staff told her to go away, she said, "Let me in, or I'm going to have my baby on the doorstep." It was January, and as her labour progressed, she began screaming, until staff took her down to the basement, where she delivered her baby.
Shirlee Smith was that baby.
"The Toronto Star took pictures and made a big deal of it," said Smith, adding that her mother also entered her in a baby contest at the CNE, in which she won second prize.
Later, Myrtle gave birth to quadruplets, of which only two survived, and Smith said she and her family spent most of their time searching for something to eat. "My mom showed me how to look through garbage pails for food," she said, adding that her dad was in the first jazz band in Toronto, "but back in those days of WWII, there wasn't a great need for a jazz band player, especially a black one."
Myrtle decided to walk from Toronto to Stouffville to ask her mother, Martha, for help. On the way, she collapsed and asked the people who found her to go find her children.
"They took us to Children's Aid and we became foster children," said Smith. "We called them Aunt Mary and Uncle Tiny, and they were one of the few black couples in Toronto who were taking foster children."
Smith and her siblings lived on DeGrassi Street, where "most people had never seen black people," she said, in those days before television. "Kids came up to me and tried to wipe the colour off my face, and the teacher sat me down in the middle of a circle and pulled out a copy of Little Black Sambo, and told the kids I was from Africa." Classmates began calling her Little Black Sambo, setting a social pattern for Smith, who endured constant racism throughout her school career.
"When I got to high school, it was even worse," she said, of Danforth Technical School. "Being a girl, and being a black girl, they thought there was something wrong with me, but I went anyway and I was the only girl and the only black student. I wanted to learn about science."
In restaurants and other public places; even at church, Smith said she wasn't exempt from blatant racism. After being spotted having lunch with a white boy by a member of her own congregation, Smith was punished the following Sunday at church. "They made me get down on my hands and knees and pray for forgiveness in front of everyone," she recalled. To top it off, "the minister made a pass at me because he figured I was a bad girl," she said, adding, "Black girls who went out with white boys were considered bad. So the next Sunday I decided to go to the white Baptist church around the corner from my house. They took their prayer books and moved to another row, because they weren't going to sit in the same row as me."
After marrying a man named Marcus and moving to his homeland of Bermuda, Smith taught English grammar in a boys' school, at a time "when Kennedy and Castro were fighting over the Bay of Pigs, and lots of Christians thought it was the end of the world, but I didn't believe it."
Then she met a man who spoke about the unity of mankind, and "he showed me pictures of people from all over the world with all different colours and textures" said Smith, adding that in 1964 she became a member of the Baha'i faith.
Now retired, Smith enjoys talking to students and teachers "about different cultures and how people don't understand we can all celebrate Christmas and other holidays together. We have to learn to love each other."
Interspersed with her story, she sang various tunes, inviting others to join her in We Are Flowers of One Garden, and Put A Little Love In Your Heart.
Further information about Smith's story is available at www.globaltvontario.com


Finally, it was the Love of God that gave to the East by Bah'u'llh, and is now sending the light of His teachings far into the West, and from Pole to Pole. Thus I exhort each of you, realizing its power and beauty, to sacrifice all your thoughts, words and actions to bring the knowledge of the Love of God into every heart.

Abdu'l-Baha
Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 230

We live in a time when God's help is crucial<o:p></o:p>

Chapter and Verse<o:p></o:p>

By Phil Wood<o:p></o:p>

As we look at the problems in the world, can there be any doubt that humankind is in dire need of guidance from our Creator?

The last century was the bloodiest in history. More people were killed than in all previous wars combined. We released the awesome power to destroy entire cities with a single explosion in a matter of minutes. We live in the shadow of this event today.<o:p></o:p>

It is possible in this town and many others like it across the country to ignore the news and live in relative peace and security. Most of us have adequate shelter, clothes and lots of food.

Worldwide, the situation is much different. We are involved in two wars, with eleven armed conflicts and millions dying of hunger. According to World Bank estimates, 1.4 billion people, 4 1/2 times the population of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>, live on less than $1.25 per day.

Can the need for new guidance, a new revelation, be seriously questioned? Some would say that all we need to do is follow the religions we already have. In this part of the world, the religion is Christianity. Where is there a model Christian community to serve as an example for a peaceful world? If it does exist, it is hidden under a bushel.

Jesus said, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword" (Matthew 10:34).

Baha'is believe that the guidance needed to bring world peace, a new revelation, has occurred through Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i faith. In a little over 150 years, the religion has grown to be the second most widely spread religion in the world. The central message is one of unity - the unity of humankind and the unity of religion.

The administrative structure of the Baha'i world community is an essential part of the revelation of Baha'u'llah and is intended to serve as a model for a future world civilization. This new revelation is the most important event in all of history. It ushers in the next stage in the social evolution of society.

The immediate response of most people I talk to about this new revelation is a rather quizzical look. Few would say it directly, but their look conveys the thought that it cannot possibly be true. If it were true, and really important, they would have heard about it on the news, or would have been told by their minister or priest.

Every new revelation has started with rejection by the established religion. Rejection is followed by persecution, imprisonment, martyrdom and finally acceptance. Christianity and Islam are the most recent examples.

Baha'is invite you to investigate the new guidance provided by Baha'u'llah.

Phil Wood has been a Baha'i since 1962 and has served on numerous local and national Baha'i councils. He may be contacted at pwood1937@gmail.com.
Monday, August 10, 2009<o:p></o:p>

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That is why His Highness the Christ said: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of the Comforter, who is sent by the Father, is come, He will guide you into all truth." Therefore, in this age of lights, specific teachings have become universal, in order that the outpouring of the Merciful One environ both the East and the West, the oneness of the kingdom of humanity become visible and the luminosity of truth enlighten the world of consciousness. The descent of the New Jerusalem is the heavenly religion which secures the prosperity of the human world and is the effulgence of the illumination of the realm of God.<o:p></o:p>

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 380)<o:p></o:p>

The Bahai Faith, Iranian Elections and Social Media <o:p></o:p>

In this Day the secrets of the earth are laid bare before the eyes of men. The pages of swiftly-appearing newspapers are indeed the mirror of the world. They reflect the deeds and the pursuits of diverse peoples and kindreds. They both reflect them and make them known. They are a mirror endowed with hearing, sight and speech. This is an amazing and potent phenomenon. However, it behoveth the writers thereof to be purged from the promptings of evil passions and desires and to be attired with the raiment of justice and equity. They should enquire into situations as much as possible and ascertain the facts, then set them in writing.<o:p></o:p>

Concerning this Wronged One, most of the things reported in the newspapers are devoid of truth. Fair speech and truthfulness, by reason of their lofty rank and position, are regarded as a sun shining above the horizon of knowledge. The waves rising from this Ocean are apparent before the eyes of the peoples of the world and the effusions of the Pen of wisdom and utterance are manifest everywhere.<o:p></o:p>

(Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 39)<o:p></o:p>

Last Friday (June 8), started out like so many beginning-of-the-weekend nightsҗI finished doing my nightly meditations and prayers, then went over to my computer for one last check my emails and Facebook/Twitter accounts. At first, I didnt notice anything different. But then I saw several people re-posted (known as ғre-tweet in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Twitter</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Land</st1:placetype></st1:place>) information on the Iranian elections. As a BahaԒi, the elections have been of particular interest to me and many other Bahais around the world, namely because there are a group of BahaҒi women and men who have been unjustly thrown into Tehrans notoriously brutal prison, the Evin Prison, for the ғcrime of being members of the BahaԒi Faith, which is spreading corruption on the earthӔ a charge that could result in the death penalty. Also, they have been charged with "espionage for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region>, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic Republic".<o:p></o:p>

There have been many Bahai arrests in recent months, which, in retrospect, could be seen as a prelude to the tumultuous events in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> over the past week. However, it has been precisely one year since the arrest of the Iranian BahaҒi leaders who formed an informal administrative body for the affairs of Bahais in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Normally, BahaҒis have a National Spiritual Assembly in their country that handles administrative duties on a national level. However, the Bahais of Iran have been without a National Spiritual Assembly since June, 1980, after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The members of the NSA disappeared, and they are presumed dead. However, since the mid 19th century, BahaҒis have been repeatedly denied their basic rights such as the right to meet and worship, have employment, own property and have education available to their children.<o:p></o:p>

Initially, my (very nave) hope was that the more moderate candidate would at least give the Bahais more consideration concerning their human rights, but I have since abandoned that hope. Despite some political differences with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, there has been no indication that Presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi would do anything but defer to the commands of the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khamenei, who is steadfast in his condemnation of the 300,000 Bahais living in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>. This was disheartening, but I was reminded that there is a time for change, and that change does not always occur on my personal timetable.<o:p></o:p>

Instead, I turned my attention to the explosion of tweetsӔ occurring on http://twitter.com/. It seemed to be the more immediate concern, and I was personally incensed by the lack of information available about the election protests. There was scarce mention on CNN, and few updates on the hourӔ, which had been the custom for not only CNN, but also MSNBC. I kept watching, hoping to see at least updated scrolling headline mention of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region> elections at the bottom of the screen. There were none. Whats happening to journalism in this country? I tweeted my thoughts to other Twitter users, who filled me in on the details of what could be called the Great American No-News (on Iran) Night.<o:p></o:p>

@2shamed YES! Twitter doing the jobs the mainstream media won't do. #iranelection #CNNfail #MSMfail<o:p></o:p>

@jimsciuttoABC: Did CNN Intl really just air pix of a water-skiing squirrel? Anyone remember 'Ron Burgundy'? Why not? Squirrels vs truth!<o:p></o:p>

Within minutes, I became aware that I was participating in something unprecedented, something even bigger than any of us tweeting who remained online tweeting until early morning could ever envision. My fellow tweeters directed me to a real-time chat called #iranelection on Tweetdeck, and it was there that I found myself reading messages from incredibly courageous Iranians deftly evading the blocks set up by their government to keep information about the protests from reaching the rest of the world. I was humbled and filled with awe as I witnessed the efforts of young Iranians who, despite their growing fears about the inevitable government suppression and rounding up of dissidents.<o:p></o:p>

(The twitter ID of the following posters has been deleted for their protection):<o:p></o:p>

ғsituation in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">tehran</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> is so worrisome. police have attacked to girls dormitory #<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">tehran</st1:city></st1:place> #iranelection<o:p></o:p>

ԓstill no working cellphones here and wireless speed is awful #iranelection<o:p></o:p>

Denying themselves food and sleep for countless hours, these young people kept streaming information, which the rest of us promptly sent out to an increasingly large Twitter audience. In between tweets, I read the various blogs like Andrew SullivanԒs and others that had contacts within <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and felt that what was happening was truly an emergence of a GLOBAL community. In spite of political differences between Iran and the West, there we werejust regular folks, ordinary American, Canadian, Mexican, British, Irish, Scottish, Danish, Swedish, Australian and only God knows how many more citizens--making heart-felt connections with people from the other side of the planet. None of us had any personal stake in re-tweeting the messages of those desperate Iranian citizens. We heard the cry, and we answered with action. After all, are we not all human beings? Who hasnגt felt the pain and frustration of being subjected to a government that is heedless of the needs of its people? Certainly, there were the usual Internet trolls throwing misinformation and sour grapes into the conversations, but the plight of the Iranians seemed to touch something intrinsic within everyonethat need to voice concerns about governmental misuse of trust and power, and to have those concerns HEARD.<o:p></o:p>

דShhhhŔ I wrote to everyone on #iranelection. ...can you hear that? It's the heartbeat of a planet in the process of change! And it sounds like...tweets!Ӕ<o:p></o:p>

Indeed, Twitter was having a historic night that could have a previously unimaginable effect on the global politics in the future. The world has suddenly become much smaller and a bit more neighborlyӔ.<o:p></o:p>

It didnt matter to me personally that some of the people protesting the elections probably dislike or mistrust BahaҒis. They believe what they have been told, and what they have been told has usually been lies, or at the very least, carefully orchestrated omissions of the facts. Most Iranians do not have the luxury of questioning their governmental officials and demanding the truth, especially if the survival of their families is at stake. It is understandable that they wouldnt mind if they escape closer scrutiny by agreeing the BahaҒis are indeed, apostates or enemies of the Islamic Republic.Ӕ It is unconscionable to me, naturally, but understandable.<o:p></o:p>

Besides, as Bahais, we are exhorted to look past self-interest, and attend to the needs of humanity. I care about and love those who would want me dead or deny me my basic human rights. ItҒs not altruism. Its having faith that God will one day put right what is wrong with the world, as soon as humanity gives up its addiction to the various distractions of living in the physical realm. It will happen. In the meantime, yes, I defend the rights of those who might not do the same for me. They are afraid, and their government has given them ample reason to fear.<o:p></o:p>

Will any of this have a direct effect on the daily lives of Iranian BahaҒis? In the short run, the answer is a definitive noӔ. In fact, most of the world remains unaware of the persecution of Bahais by the Iranian theocracy and its supporters. This, however, may change, as the world and its people have always done over the centuries.<o:p></o:p>

As much as the Iranian theocracy would like to isolate their citizens, the modern world has made this technologically impossible. There is no turning back, either, not while there are thousands of brilliant young minds in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>Ғs universities studying computer science and electrical engineering. They have proven themselves to be adept, creative masters of communications technology.<o:p></o:p>

As President Obama has said, "the world is watchingŔ.<o:p></o:p>

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www.examiner.com June 18, 2009 <o:p></o:p>

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"Work," he said unceasingly, "for the day of Universal Peace. Strive always that you may be united. Kindness and love in the path of service must be your means.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p>"I bid a loving farewell to the people of <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I am very much pleased with them. I counsel them that they may day by day strengthen the bond of love and amity to this end, -- that they may become the sympathetic embodiment of one nation. -- That they may extend themselves to a Universal Brotherhood to guard and protect the interests and rights of all the nations of the East, -- that they may unfurl the Divine Banner of justice, -- that they may treat each nation as a family composed of the individual children of God and may know that before the sight of God the rights of all are equal. For all of us are the children of one Father. God is at peace with all his children; why should they engage in strife and warfare among themselves? God is showering down kindness; why should the inhabitants of this world exchange unkindness and cruelty?"</o:p>

<o:p> "I will pray for you that you may be illumined with the Light of the Eternal." </o:p>

(Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 122)<o:p></o:p>

Why Does God Permit Evil To Exist?<o:p></o:p>

Last Tuesday, a small gathering in the Garfield Disher Room of the library examined what seems to be a rather perplexing question. The speaker, Betty Frost, affirmed that it had been a problem to many people, especially when considering terrible events such as the Holocaust; the horrifying details of warfare and personal tragedy.<o:p></o:p>

The speaker defined evil as "that which violates or leads to the violation of moral law; anything causing injury or harm". Since moral law originates from the Teachings of God through His Messengers, it may seem strange that we so often see moral law totally ignored.<o:p></o:p>

In so many religions, if not all of them, it is stated that we have been created in the image and likeness of God. In other words, we have potentially within us love, understanding, compassion, caring for others and forgiveness. So why should we see so much negativism?<o:p></o:p>

To me the answer is rather simple. In addition to receiving what we term are the "good qualities", we have also been given the priceless gift of "free will". What if we didn't have this gift? Many years ago, my young son of about six said to me: "Mummy -are we puppets. Does God move us around with string?" Fortunately we are not robots!<o:p></o:p>

For a number of people, the existence of evil is personified by Satan - usually portrayed as an evil figure complete with pitchfork and horns! We used to hear, "The Devil made me do it." absolving ourselves from all responsibilities of our actions. However, as many people now accept, and especially Baha'is, "Satan" is a symbol for the lower self or the ego which places our own needs, and desires above everything else.<o:p></o:p>

Baha'u'llah, Founder of the Baha'i Faith said: "Upon the inmost reality of every created thing He <God> shed the light of one of His names and made it a recipient of the glory of one of His names. Upon the reality of man, however, He hath focussed the radiance of all of His names and attributes and made it a mirror of His own Self. Alone of all created things man hath been singled out for so great a favor, so enduring a bounty." (GWB 65) When we think of this great gift, how can we believe that He has willed us to be evil? There is a an example close to home about this very question. As parents we strive to give our children the best -through setting an example, in helping in the development of their character and even in material gifts. Supposing a parent gives his son a Swiss army knife for use in his camping trips as a Boy Scout. Many years later, if he became furious with someone and killed him with that knife, could the parents blamed for "permitting evil?" No, they did everything possible to guide their child on the right path. It was his choice to use the knife wrongly. God gives us the example of the lives of His Messengers; helps in the development of our character through their Teachings and gives us material and spiritual gifts. If we use them in the wrong way, can we place the blame on God?<o:p></o:p>

'Abdu'l-Baha said: "In creation there is no evil all is good. Certain qualities and natures innate in some men and apparently blameworthy are not so in reality. For example, from the beginning of his life you can see in a nursing child the signs of greed, of anger and of temper. Then, it may be said, good and evil are innate in the reality of man, and this is contrary to the pure goodness of nature and creation. The answer to this is that greed, which is to ask for something more, is a praiseworthy quality provided that is used suitably. So if a man is greedy to acquire science and knowledge, or to become compassionate, generous and just it is praiseworthy. If he exercises his anger and wrath against the bloodthirsty tyrants who are like ferocious beasts, it is very praiseworthy, but if he does not use these qualities in a right way, they are blameworthy. Another explanation was given abut one of the most blameworthy attributes of man - lying. He gave an example of a Doctor vising a sick patient and comforting him by saying that he seemed better and there was hope of his recovery. This may be contrary to the truth, but it could be of help to the patient. We've probably all experienced this anomaly. How many of us in visiting a patient would say: "My goodness, you look terrible."<o:p></o:p>

A positive desire for love, joy and even ecstacy can be turned into something negative. Should we not find these feelings in everyday life, we may turn to "instant ecstacy" through drugs or alcohol. Or perhaps we continuously seek the magic of "first love" through constantly changing partners, searching for perfection. Perhaps this search is a beacon pointing us in the direction of what is termed "the seas of My <God's> loving-kindness and bounty moving within you."<o:p></o:p>

What should be our response to what we perceive as evil? I think we can derive a clue from the well-known prayer said at AA meetings: "God: Grant me the serenity to accept the things which I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Faults within ourselves we can change providing we can honestly acknowledge them, strive to overcome them and use the power of prayer to give us this strength. We cannot change the attitudes or actions of others -only try to help through example and love (and with children, guidance). What about some things we cannot change at all?<o:p></o:p>

A <st1:placename w:st="on">Hindu</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype> was set on fire in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hamilton</st1:place></st1:city> just after 9/11 by people who thought it was a Muslim Mosque and wanted to punish that religion for the action of some of its followers. Leaders in the Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Baha'i and other religions came together to talk about concrete ways they could speak out. They commissioned a poster "An Attack on One is an Attack on us All" and a few days later, another poster featuring thirteen religions, each of which had the "Golden Rule" as one of is basic teachings. They also planned to raise money to restore the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hindu</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>; and to hold some joint services in each other's place of worship.<o:p></o:p>

Baha'i Writings: "True liberty consisteth in obedience unto My <God's> commandments, little as ye know it." We have the free will to do what is considered evil -to hate, to be cruel, to be ruled by the ego. But we also have the free will to feel kindness, happiness, love, selflessness and joy by simply following His commandments.<o:p></o:p>

BETTY FROST www.dunnvillechronicle.com June 17, 2009<o:p></o:p>

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About sixty years ago Bah'u'llh appeared upon the eastern horizon. He caused love and unity to become manifest among these antagonistic peoples. He united them with the bond of love; their former hatred and animosity passed away; love and unity reigned instead. It was a dark world; it became radiant. A new springtime appeared through him, for the Sun of Truth had risen again. In the fields and meadows of human hearts variegated flowers of inner significance were blooming and the good fruits of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> became manifest.<o:p></o:p>

I have come here with this mission; that through your endeavors, through your heavenly morals, through your devoted efforts a perfect bond of unity and love may be established between the east and the west, so that the bestowals of God may descend upon all and that all may be seen to be the parts of the same tree, -- the great tree of the human family. For mankind may be likened to the branches, leaves, blossoms and fruit of that tree.<o:p></o:p>

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 219)<o:p></o:p>