Japan Will Turn Ablaze! Part 1

j.a.pan Will Turn Ablaze!

by Barbara R. Sims.

INTRODUCTION

As early as 1903 and for years thereafter, 'Abdu'l-Baha urged Baha'is to travel to j.a.pan to spread the Message of Baha'u'llah. On occasion He said He Himself would like to go to j.a.pan, and also to some other countries.

In 1908 'Abdu'l-Baha wrote to an American believer, Mr. Howard Mc.n.u.tt(1), "A trip of the believers of G.o.d to the Orient is of the utmost importance and it will become the cause of great connection between the two regions... Perchance, G.o.d willing, in j.a.pan, you may lay the foundation for the Kingdom!"

In 1910 He said to the first two Baha'is to visit j.a.pan, "Blessed results will appear from the Holy Cause established in that land. I have sent your letter regarding the work in j.a.pan to Mr. Mc.n.u.tt in New York, that he may spread the word for some of the American Baha'is to go to j.a.pan, and there serve and teach the Cause. It is very good for teachers to travel, and, through the love of G.o.d, give life to the people. American Baha'is should go to Oriental countries as teachers."

The first Baha'is to make the long voyage, Mr. Howard Struven(2) and Mr.

C.M. Remey, 1909; Mme. Aurelia Bethlen, 1911; Mr. and Mrs. Dreyfus-Barney, 1914, stayed for brief periods of time and continued around the world. Dr.

George Augur and Miss Agnes Alexander both arrived in 1914-Miss Alexander shortly after Dr. Augur. They sailed to j.a.pan with the intention of residing there for some time. All these believers traveled in response to the wishes of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Besides j.a.pan, He also encouraged travel in those early days to China, India, Persia and other Asian countries.

In the Tablet of the Divine Plan written to the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, j.a.pan is mentioned six times and the j.a.panese language itself once. In those Tablets 'Abdu'l-Baha again urged travel. "How good would it be were there any possibility of a commission composed of men and women, to travel together through China and j.a.pan..."

In 1919 'Abdu'l-Baha wrote to Mr. Roy Wilhelm(3), "Attach great importance to the j.a.panese people. Mrs. Magee should continually communicate with them." And again, later in the year to the same believer, "Convey to Mr.

Nasu(4), the j.a.panese, my greeting and say:

The world of nature is darkness but the heavenly Sun dissipates by its light this darkness that prevails over the world. Likewise the world of mind and of souls is a dark one and nothing will illuminate it save the rays of the Sun of Truth. My hope therefore is that thou mayest be the cause of the s.h.i.+ning of the Divine Teachings in j.a.pan, that thou mayest vivify the dead. The people of j.a.pan are intelligent but they are in need of a leader that he may awaken them. I hope that thou mayest be the cause of their awakening and may vivify them."

To Mr. William Randall(5), in 1920, He wrote, "The a.s.sociation which has been formed for promoting the relations.h.i.+p and love between America and j.a.pan, will, G.o.d willing, be confirmed and a.s.sisted. This a.s.sociation is important. It will unquestionably, bring forth great results."

"These are His very words, that still keep ringing in my ears: 'j.a.pan will turn ablaze!'"

The t.i.tle of this book was taken from 'Abdu'l-Baha's prophecy of the spiritual future of j.a.pan as quoted by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, in his first letter to the Baha'is of j.a.pan, January 26, 1922.

We have taken the liberty of adding a few words, for the sake of continuity, and also that the reader, knowing something of the individuals and circ.u.mstances might better observe the creative power in the words of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi as reflected in the lives and actions of the recipients.

For further information on the history of the Baha'i Faith in j.a.pan, we recommend to the reader History of the Baha'i Faith in j.a.pan 19141938 by Agnes B. Alexander, and Traces That Remain, (A Pictorial History of the Early Days of the Baha'i Faith Among the j.a.panese) by Barbara R. Sims.

Barbara R. Sims Tokyo, j.a.pan 1992

PART I: THE EPOCH OF 'ABDU'L-BAHa'S MINISTRY

1: Miss Agnes B. Alexander 18751971

The year was 1913, and Miss Alexander recalls: "My only desire was to serve His Cause. The words of 'Abdu'l-Baha rang in my ears: 'I have a lamp in My Hand searching through the lands and seas to find souls who can become heralds of the Cause. Day and night I am engaged in this work.'

"I prayed that His lamp might find me. For nearly twelve years I had been privileged to a.s.sist in establis.h.i.+ng His Cause in Hawaii. Now the time had come when I was free to go forth to serve in other parts of His lands... I received a Tablet from the Master which contained the first intimation that He wished me to travel to j.a.pan. He wrote in part: 'Therefore if thou travelest toward j.a.pan unquestionably Divine confirmations shall descend upon thee.'

"Through the Divine favors all difficulties were overcome and I sailed ...

reaching j.a.pan November 1, 1914."

Between the time of her arrival and 1967 when she left for the last time, Miss Alexander spent a total of about 31 years in j.a.pan. The rest of her time was spent in Hawaii or other parts of the world teaching the Faith.

Shoghi Effendi referred to Miss Alexander as a "distinguished pioneer" and wrote the following to her regarding her role in the development of the Faith.

"Your glorious services in those remote regions of the earth (China and j.a.pan) are never to be forgotten. I ever pray on your behalf and wish you to remember the sacred interests of the Cause in far-away j.a.pan as you are that radiant herald who has raised the Call of Salvation in its very heart and to whom it owes a great debt of grat.i.tude... I never, never forget you." (January 27, 1924)

"I feel that your destiny lies in that far-off and promising country (j.a.pan) where your n.o.ble and pioneer services future generations will befittingly glorify and thankfully remember." (January 10, 1928)

Miss Alexander received thirteen Tablets from 'Abdu'l-Baha. They are quoted below.

Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Miss Agnes Alexander

[Tablet of June, 1901]

O thou maid-servant of G.o.d!

The tongues have spoken of thy attraction to G.o.d, and the pens have testified of thy burning by the Fire of the Love of G.o.d. Indeed the heart of 'Abdu'l-Baha approves of this because it feels its heat from this distant and Blessed Spot.

O maid-servant of G.o.d! By G.o.d, the Truth, the Spirit of Christ from the Supreme Concourse doth in every time and aspect announce to thee this great good-news.

Be, therefore a divine bird, proceed to thy native country, spread the wings of sanct.i.ty over those spots and sing and chant and celebrate the name of thy Lord, that thou mayest gladden the Supreme Concourse and make the seeking souls hasten unto thee as moths hasten to the lamp and thus illumine that distant country by the Light of G.o.d.

(Translated by Anton Haddad. Received in Paris, June, 1901)

[Photograph at bottom half of the page with the following caption:

"Mr. Struven became a herald of the Kingdom and traveled through the countries of China, India and j.a.pan." ('Abdu'l-Baha) Mr. Howard Struven, the first Baha'i to visit j.a.pan, is at the far left. Dr. Augur is at the far right and Miss Alexander is sitting second from left. Taken in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1909.]

[Tablet Translated January 25, 1903]

O thou bird warbling in the Garden of the Love of G.o.d!

Thank G.o.d that He has illumined thy insight, led thee unto the Fire glowing in the tree of man; caused thee to utter His Praise among the creatures and guided certain women to whom thou spoke the Word of G.o.d.