Bahăˇâ•Žuâ•Žllăˇh and the New
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The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era by J.E. Esslemont This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at http://www.guten- berg.org/license This is a copyrighted Project Gutenberg eBook, details below. Please follow the copyright guidelines in this file. Title: Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era Author: J.E. Esslemont Release Date: September 2006 [Ebook 19241] Language: English ***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BAHÁ’U’LLÁH AND THE NEW ERA*** Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era by J.E. 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Contents Baha'i Terms of Use . v Preface to 1937 Edition . 1 Preface to 1950 Edition . 3 Preface to 1970 Edition . 5 Introduction . 7 Chapter 1: The Glad Tidings . 9 The Greatest Event in History . 11 The Changing World . 13 The Sun of Righteousness . 15 The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh . 17 Fulfillment of Prophecies . 19 Proofs of Prophethood . 23 Difficulties of Investigation . 25 Aim of Book . 27 Chapter 2: The Báb: The Forerunner . 29 Birthplace of the New Revelation . 31 Early Life . 33 Declaration . 35 Spread of the Bábí Movement . 37 Claims of the Báb . 39 Persecution Increases . 41 Martyrdom of the Báb . 43 Tomb on Mount Carmel . 45 Writings of Báb . 47 He Whom God Shall Make Manifest . 49 Resurrection, Paradise, and Hell . 51 Social and Ethical Teachings . 53 Passion and Triumph . 55 Chapter 3: Bahá’u’lláh: The Glory of God . 57 viii Baháâuâlláh and the New Era Birth and Early Life . 59 Imprisoned as Bábí . 61 Exile to Baghdád . 63 Two Years in the Wilderness . 65 Opposition of Mullás . 67 Declaration at Ridván near Baghdád . 69 Constantinople and Adrianople . 71 Letters to Kings . 73 Imprisonment in Akká . 75 Restrictions Relaxed . 77 Prison Gates Opened . 79 Life at Bahjí . 83 Ascension . 87 Prophethood of Bahá’u’lláh . 89 His Mission . 95 His Writings . 97 The Bahá’í Spirit . 99 Chapter 4: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Servant of Bahá . 101 Birth and Childhood . 103 Youth . 105 Marriage . 107 Center of the Covenant . 109 Strict Imprisonment Renewed . 111 Turkish Commissions of Investigation . 115 Western Tours . 117 Return to Holy Land . 119 War Time at Haifa . 123 Sir ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Abbás, K.B.E. 125 Last Years . 127 The Passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá . 129 Writings and Addresses . 131 Station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá . 133 Exemplar of Bahá’í Life . 137 Chapter 5: What is a Bahá’í................. 139 Baha'i Terms of Use ix Living the Life . 141 Devotion to God . 143 Search After Truth . 145 Love of God . 147 Severance . 151 Obedience . 153 Service . 155 Teaching . 157 Courtesy and Reverence . 159 The Sin-covering Eye . 161 Humility . 163 Truthfulness and Honesty . 165 Self-Realization . 167 Chapter 6: Prayer . 169 Conversation with God . 171 The Devotional Attitude . 173 Necessity for a Mediator . 175 Prayer Indispensable and Obligatory . 177 Congregational Prayer . 179 Prayer the Language of Love . 181 Deliverance from Calamities . 183 Prayer and Natural Law . 185 Bahá’í Prayers . 187 Chapter 7: Health and Healing . 191 Body and Soul . 193 Oneness of All Life . 195 Simple Life . 197 Alcohol and Narcotics . 199 Enjoyments . 201 Cleanliness . 203 Effect of Obedience to Prophetic Commands . 205 The Prophet as Physician . 207 Healing by Nonmaterial Means . 211 The Power of the Holy Spirit . 213 x Baháâuâlláh and the New Era Attitude of the Patient . 215 The Healer . 217 How All Can Help . 219 The Golden Age . 221 Right Use of Health . 223 Chapter 8: Religious Unity . 225 Sectarianism in the Nineteenth Century . 227 The Message of Bahá’u’lláh . 229 Can Human Nature Change? . 231 First Steps Toward Unity . 233 The Problem of Authority . 235 Progressive Revelation . 237 Infallibility of the Prophets . 241 The Supreme Manifestation . 243 A New Situation . 245 Fullness of the Bahá’í Revelation . 247 The Bahá’í Covenant . 249 No Professional Priesthood . 253 Chapter 9: True Civilization . 255 Religion the Basis of Civilization . 257 Justice . 259 Government . 261 Political Freedom . 265 Rulers and Subjects . 267 Appointment and Promotion . 269 Economic Problems . 271 Public Finance . 273 Voluntary Sharing . 275 Work for All . 277 The Ethics of Wealth . 279 No Industrial Slavery . 281 Bequest and Inheritance . 283 Equality of Men and Women . 285 Women and the New Age . 289 Baha'i Terms of Use xi Methods of Violence Discarded . 291 Education . 293 Innate Differences of Nature . 295 Character Training . 297 Arts, Sciences, and Crafts . 299 Treatment of Criminals . 301 Influence of the Press . 303 Chapter 10: The Way to Peace . 305 Conflict versus Concord . 307 The Most Great Peace . 309 Religious Prejudices . 311 Racial and Patriotic Prejudices . 315 Territorial Ambitions . 317 Universal Language . 319 Universal League of Nations . 323 International Arbitration . 325 Limitation of Armaments . 327 Nonresistence . 329 Righteous Warfare . 331 Unity of East and West . 333 Chapter 11: Various Ordinances and Teachings . ..