Chicago House of Spirituality notes: 1906
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1906

House of Spir. to Remey 1 Jan. 1906 An acknowledgment of his letter and the tablets. Yes, we agree with you, the tests are near. House of Spir. to M. Ahmad Yazdi 2 Jan. 1906 The House of Spir. is sending 300 copies of the circular and a $5.00 postal order. Please mail the letters to Asadu'llah for distribution throughout the Orient. House of Spir. to Mr. L. K. Scotford 7 Jan. 1906 Scotford lives in Chicago. They write him to thank him for helping Mr. Mazloom and son; he has employed them. This is "true Bahai spirit." Minutes of the House of Spir. 6 Jan. 1906 Mrs. Br-ham is invited to visit Chicago. They also read other letters. "It was decided that subject for discussion be chosen for each meeting in future, and that more time be devoted to spiritual matters, study of the Bible and teachings of Baha Ullah, and if it is found necessary, that another meeting be held for that express purpose." House of Spir. to Edith Hooes 2 Jan. 1906 The believers in Iowa near her are listed: Mr. J. J. Penrose, Burlington, IA. Mrs. I. M. Newton, Mt. Vernon, IA. Mrs. Sarah Rothrock, #712 S. 5th Ave., Cedar Rapids, IA. House of Spir. to I. Br-ham 17 Jan. 1906 Please come to Chicago when you are traveling teaching. Minutes of the House of Spir. 13 Jan. 1906 Discussion of whether previous publications now require `Abdu'l-Baha's approval; the House of Spir. voted 6 to 1 that they do not. Kenosha Men's Board to the House of Spir. 12 Jan. 1906 Happy New Year. Kenosha uses the term "Spiritual Assemblies" but it unclear whether they mean a community or an LSA. Kenosha is drawing up a membership list; they will send a copy to Chicago. Kenosha wants to start a Sunday school for children. On 1 Dec. 1905 Kenosha elected its Board; no changes in its membership: B. Jacobsen, chairman; L. Voelz, secretary; Mr. Howard, librarian; St. Germain, treasurer; Otto; Anderson; Benning; Bohannan; Yaeger. Nine members. Minutes of the House of Spir. 20 Jan. 1906 They read letters and study the Iqan together. Remey to Windust 15 Jan. 1906 Remey suggests that Tablets of Abdul Baha be printed on subscription basis; communities would pay for so many copies in advance. He mentions three believers who have received tablets: Mrs. Grace K. Mann (nee Grisman), 1631 East Lombard St., Baltimore, MD. Miss Grosvenor, Glen Echo, MD. Miss Noble, address unknown Minutes of the House of Spir. 27 Jan. 1906 They read their mail and studied the Iqan. Mrs. Emily Olsen to House of Spir. 20 Jan. 1906 Thank you for the beautiful funeral service for my husband, George. Messrs. Chase and A. Agnew ran it. She describes a dream she had the week before the internment (on the 9th). Mrs. Isabella M. Newton to House of Spir. 22 Jan. 1906 An acknowledgment. Minutes of the House of Spir. Sat. eve, 3 Feb. 1906 They read their mail and studied the Iqan. Mrs. Herman of Philadelphia is sick; she is a friend of Mrs. Agnew. I. Br-ham to House of Spir. Seabright, NJ, 31 Jan. 1906 I may be able to come through in March, maybe earlier. I want to stay eighteen days, and address only the believers first. I will stay with Mrs. Olsen. House of Spir. to Remey 22 Jan. 1906 Thank you for your good printing suggestion. They send a copy of their letter to the Orient in English and Persian, with an explanation of their mailing procedure, so Wash. D.C. can do the same. Please send us a copy of whatever you send out. The letter is written by Windust; Remey replies to him. Remey to Windust 29 Jan. 1906 Remey is printing a letter in English and Persian and will follow the procedure used by the House of Spir. exactly. Remey sends more tablets to the archives, too. House of Spir. to Mrs. Emily Olsen 31 Jan. 1906 Mrs. Olsen's husband's name was George. They quote the Bible, not the Hidden Words, about death ("Oh death, where is thy sting? Oh grave, where is thy victory?") Minutes of the House of Spir. 10 Feb. 1906 Mrs. Br-ham will arrive 21 Feb. Mrs. Jaxon is President of the Women's Assembly of Teaching; she wrote to propose a joint meeting. A committee to meet with the women was appointed. T. Chase was asked to write a letter about the Fast. They studied the Iqan. I. Br-ham to House of Spir. 8 Feb. 1906 Br-ham leaves Seabright, NJ, on 10 Feb. for Johnstown; then on 20 Feb. for Chicago, arriving on 21 Feb. Aimee Jaxon to House of Spir. 9 Feb. 1906 The address of the Jaxons is 2226 Jackson Blvd., Chicago. Mrs. Br-ham wrote to Mrs. True; Jaxon says "Also she writes of the `Blessed Feast of the Lord,' which the Master has commanded to be established in every Assembly (if they so desire) and for which she has detailed instructions." The Women wish a joint meeting of the "two boards" to plan a feast before the Fast begins, as `Abdu'l-Baha has commanded the Feast. Minutes of the House of Spir. 17 Feb. 1906 They read letters and studied the Iqan. Mrs. True to T. Chase (House of Spir.) 12 Feb. 1906 Mrs. True forwards Mrs. Br-ham's letter about the feast to the House of Spir. She says we must do all we can to help Mrs. Br-ham, or else we will be condemned as those who rejected Christ's disciples were; she quotes "Matt 10-15" [what chapter?]. Mrs. C. True to T. Chase (House of Spir.) copy 83 16 Feb. 1906 The New Thought group wrote and asked the Baha'is to conduct a meeting. "I have just written Mr. Boring a letter explaining as clearly as possible why as an Assembly we cannot be considered as New Thoughters but that we love every body + wish every work for unifying + harmonizing the people God speed." She adds to T. Chase: let them gather the people and then we'll lead them to the Truth. Mr. Boring to Mrs. True 15 Feb. 1906 The "Federation New Thought Committee" plans to have Sunday presentations, rotated among the different societies. T. Chase to Mrs. C. True copy 83 13 Feb. 1906 A committee of the House of Spir. met with the ladies; he lists the members; he lists the men and women present. There will be a social at the home of the Van Hofs the eve on 23 Feb.; Mrs. Br-ham will address the community there. It can become a feast, if she has time to instruct us. T. Chase to Mrs. C. True copy 83 18 Feb. 1906 The letters from Mrs. Br-ham and Mr. Boring are returned to Mrs. True. The Van Hofs are new Baha'is, but "are showing a most beautiful and Bahai spirit." But we cannot put them out by imposing Mrs. br-ham's plans on their evening; they have been planning it for three weeks. You answered Mr. Boring correctly; we cannot be seen as being "among the cults, of any religion or philosophy." The House of Spir. commends Mrs. True for her treatment of the situation. House of Spir. Circular Letter copy 83 16 Feb. 1906 It is about the Fast and was sent to nineteen places. It quotes the Aqdas about the Fast and Ayyam-i-Ha. It quotes Asadu'llah also. A copy of this also exists in the T. Chase papers, 19 Feb. 1906. The nineteen places it was sent to: Denver, Fruitvale, Tacoma, Honolulu, Muskegon, Los Ang., Oakland, Cleveland, Baltimore, West Hoboken, Anaconda [MT], Cincinnati, New York City, Wash. D.C., Philadelphia, Johnstown, NY, Kenosha, Racine, West Allis [Milwaukee]. Bahai Assembly of Wash. D.C., Circular copy 83 1 Feb. 1906 The Wash. D.C. Baha'is ask for a season of united prayer during the Fast. They will send a supplication to `Abdu'l-Baha on Naw-Ruz about it. Minutes of the House of Spir. 24 Feb. 1906 Discussion of whether or how to work with the New Thought group. Dr. Pratt, President of the New Thought Federation, was present as a guest and urged Baha'i involvement. Kenosha to House of Spir. 21 Feb. 1906 A circular letter from Kenosha to all Baha'i assemblies in USA. "This Assembly, whose number is about seventy-five, under the instruction of Mr. B. M. Jacobsen, are receiving lectures from him once a week on the teachings laid down by Baha'u'llah, (ie) the way we should live, words we should speak, the attitude we should take towards others, in order to bring about the Most Great Peace, and urging us to be ready at all times to deliver the message of God's Kingdom on earth." Minutes of the House of Spir. copy 83 3 Mar. 1906 Another circular about sending in tablets to the archives to be drafted by Windust, Another post card has been received from the 1 Sept. 1905 circular. It is from a Mr. Penrose of Kirksville, MO. He is studying osteopathy. Is he a Baha'i? It isn't at all clear; he says his "interest continues." Charles W. Kappes to G. Lesch copy 83 1 Feb. 1906 Kappes is secretary of the North Hudson Board of Counsel. He describes the formation of the body. A copy of this letter is also found in the Brittingham papers. The letter includes a copy of a tablet they received on 27 May 1903. House of Spir. to Charles W. Kappes 4 Mar. 1906 Thank you so much for your time and trouble to compile this data. Is Union the same as West Hoboken? Minutes of the House of Spir. 10 Mar. 1906 A committee of two reported a recommendation that Baha'i representatives speak at the New Thought convention in Philadelphia in the fall, but that the Faith not be listed in the program. T. Chase will write to Dr. Pratt about the decision. The minutes were compiled by Mr. George T. Ort. They plan Naw-Ruz. Mrs. Elizabeth Keller has died; they sent condolences. They discuss publishing matters and read their mail. House of Spir. (Windust) to Remey 27 Feb. 1906 "Brothers Chase, Agnew, Greenleaf, Ioas and myself, usually meet at the same dinner table every day..." [Kimball's] Fareed is translating the Ishraqat, Glad Tidings, Tarazat, and Tajalliyat. [`Abdu'l- Baha had commanded their translation in a tablet to Remey. The House of Spir. is writing Remey and telling him the job is already being done, so he won't start it himself.] Remey to House of Spir. 1 Mar. 1906 A woman is planning to have the tablets translated, not Remey. He will tell her to contact the House of Spir. directly. House of Spir. to Remey (by Windust) 6 Mar. 1906 Mirza Raffie came to the USA with `Abdu'l-Karim-i-Tihrani. He's a student at the University of Chicago. Ali Kuli Khan has also translated the Ishraqat. He's mad that Fareed did it too. The House of Spir. is trying to straighten out the matter and calm everyone down. They apologize to Remey that they initiated something `Abdu'l-Baha told him to do instead. House of Spir. to Ali Kuli Khan 6 Mar. 1906 The letter is by A. Agnew. We will publish your translation of the Ishraqat; Fareed says this is okay with him. We will pay for it too, just as we paid Fareed. Ali Kuli Khan to House of Spir. (through T. Chase) 8 Mar. 1906 Khan lists all the translations he's done; quite a few, including the Seven valleys in Persian. But the House of Spir.--or T. Chase--hadn't seemed interested. Khan is glad they now want to publish them. He asks for no remuneration, either. He will send all the translations; he sends the Seven Valleys. Mrs. True to House of Spir. 10 Mar. 1906 The Women's Assembly is writing to offer their full cooperation with the men for a successful Naw-Ruz. "The Supper of the Lord held the night before the fast, proved such a success not only as regards numbers but the Mighty Power of Unity thereby manifested that it has been suggested we celebrate the New Year feast in a similar manner and our brother and sister Mr and Mrs Jaxon have offered the liberal use of the same hall + their provisions for preparing such as cooking utensils etc..." House of Spir. (T. Chase) to Ali Kuli Khan 12 Mar. 1906 Thank you for the translation of the Seven Valleys. We have already begun the publishing process. It will be a companion volume to the Hidden Words. T. Chase stresses the importance of consultation. [Copy of letter is also in T. Chase Papers.] Remey to Windust 14 Mar. 1906 This publishing confusion shows the importance of consultation between communities: "this affair proves that there is need of more conferring [sic] and counsel between the various assemblies, for only through conferring one with another will we be able to bring all of the members of the Spiritual body of Believers into union and accord necessary for this carrying on of the Holy Work." Remey described blow-by-blow Khan's publishing plans. Miss Knobloch (her address is given) is the Wash. D.C. librarian. p. 7-12 -- The story of Haddad's translation of the Aqdas. Six copies were made. Lua Getsinger had the Arabic text and Haddad's hand translation. We need a Board of translators. Minutes of the House of Spir. 17 Mar. 1906 The Feast of Naw-Ruz will be in the hall at 70 E. Adams St. T. Chase has informed Dr. Pratt that only informal Baha'i participation in the New Thought Federation meeting is possible. Mr. Louis Keller's sister has died (see earlier entry). The House of Spir. will lease 70 East Adams St. for one year. Publications. Ali Kuli Khan to House of Spir. (T. Chase) 15 Mar. 1906 I am "fully pleased with the way you wish to handle these publications. You indeed have a perfect taste in everything pertaining to the Service of the Cause, and your taste + native wisdom is further refined and fortified by the light of consultation in which you devotedly engage before embarking on any important plan." You have received the Words of Paradise. I'm sending the Tarazat. Within a week I will send the Tablet to the World. House of Spir. of Cairo, Egypt, to House of Spir. of Chicago 3 p. Cairo, 16 Mar. 1906 The letter has two pages of text that are on spiritual matters; they don't have any news. The members of the House of Spir. of Cairo, Egypt signed the letter: Haji Mirza Hassan Khorassani Mirza Ali Muhammad Shirazi Agha Ali Reza Isphahani Nyaz Kermani Ostad Abdul Karim Esphahani Mirza Abul Kasim Esphahani Mohammed Taki Isphahani Zayn ul Abedeen Hamadani The Servant of the Covenant Mirza Assad ullah Windust (House of Spir.) to Remey 26 Mar. 1906 An update on Khan's offer of translations. [Aqdas]: "Concerning the publication of the Kitab=el=Akdas, it was the unanimous opinion of the House that great care should be taken in putting it forth, and that if you would agree to the proposition, the Master be supplicated for explicit instructions and advice regarding the matter before proceeding further. Although no authority could be given for their belief, two or three of the brothers gained the impression years ago, that the publishing of the Kitab=el=Akdas, would be considered a great event in the history of the Cause in America, and that the command to do so would be considered an especial one from our beloved Master." T. Chase got this impression from Asadu'llah. Happy Naw-Ruz. Minutes of the House of Spir. 24 Mar. 1906 Dr. Thacher fed the House of Spir. supper at 7 PM. The House of Spir. voted to sign a contract to use Lincoln Hall for one year beginning 1 May 1906. Mrs. True is sec'y of the Women's Board; she has written. The House of Spir. continued its officers for another year without an election: T. Chase, chair; A. Agnew, vice chair; Windust, librarian; C. Scheffler, treasurer; G. Lesch, secretary. The House of Spir. will write `Abdu'l-Baha about the "Feast of the Lord." George S. Swart to G. Lesch Rainier, OR. 27 Mar. 1906 He asks about the Faith; Fitz-Gerald referred him. `Abdu'l-Baha claims to be "The Lord, Jesus Christ"--Fitz-G. must be teaching this. Swart is a Bible student and is fascinated by prophecies. He believes Christ will bring a new government. He writes seven pages, all about the Bible. Swart is a German by birth; he "knows the German and Holland languages." House of Spir. to George Swart 4 Apr. 1906 The House of Spir. answers his questions and sends him literature. `Abdu'l-Baha is not the return of the personality or individuality of Christ, but He is the return of the Holy Spirit which entered Jesus. Minutes of the House of Spir. 31 Mar. 1906 The House of Spir. has received several letters from in and around Portland, OR. Other letters are discussed, and they study the Iqan. Minutes of the House of Spir. 7 Apr. 1906 The House of Spir. has received more letters. Remey has written and asked to defer action about the Aqdas until `Abdu'l-Baha replies. Fitz-Gerald to House of Spir. 22 Mar. 1906 Fitz-G. is lecturing on the Faith in Portland, OR. D. C. Herrin is distributing cards; one side gives `Abdu'l-Baha's address, the other the House of Spir.'s for more information. Fitz-G asks the House of Spir. to send Herrin the Hidden Words. House of Spir. to Fitz-Gerald 27 Mar. 1906 Chicago celebrated Naw-Ruz on Sunday, 25 Mar --"large attendance." "Have you thought that it would be a good plan to establish a Headquarters in your city, for meetings of believers, and where the Bahai literature could be kept for sale and for those who cannot buy to come and read it?" Chas. G. Regna to House of Spir. 19 Mar. 1906 A series of letters from seekers who heard of the Faith as a result of Fitz-Gerald's talks in Portland. The names of the correspondents: Chas. G. Regna; F. O. Dickey; H. B. Campbell; J. W. Crane; Mrs. E. J. Finnican; Mr. and Mrs. George B. Warren; Alice Butterworth; E. J. Hearn; Harold Swain; Mary F. Lee. House of Spir. to Mrs. C. True 27 Mar. 1906 Please do write to Lua Getsinger and invite her to visit Chicago. Mrs. Br-ham to House of Spir. Kenosha, 20 Mar. 1906 She is writing on the last day of the Fast, "so that it [the letter] may reach Chicago on `the Day the Lord hath made.'.." Kenosha will keep Naw-Ruz and the Feast tomorrow. "I have just received from Mr. MacNutt a copy of the Master's Tablet to Mr. MacNutt received during this winter in which He blesses the establishment of the Feast of the Lord, calling it `the Supper of the Lord'.." Minutes of the House of Spir. 14 Apr. 1906 They studied the Iqan together. Mr. Mazloom is seriously ill; Dr. Thacher will examine him. If he goes to the hospital, the House of Spir. will pay 10.00 per week. James F. Brittingham to House of Spir. 8 Apr. 1906 He thanks the House of Spir. for its offer to assist Mrs. Br-ham financially but declines it. Minutes of the House of Spir. 26 Apr. 1906 The studied the Iqan together, as usual, then read letters. The Sunday meeting on May 20th Dr. Pratt will speak about the sympathetic nerve. Minutes of the House of Spir. 5 May 1906 They study the Iqan, then the Seven Valleys. T. Chase read and discussed the latter. Arrangements are made for the "supper of the Lord" on Sunday, 13 May. A committee of T. Chase, C. Scheffler, and C. Ioas appointed to plan it. The Master's Birthday will be celebrated on Sunday 29 May, not on 23 May. Minutes of the House of Spir. 12 May 1906 They study the Iqan. Mrs. Morton wrote a summary of the history of the Faith in Milwaukee. A letter from Bandar-Abbas has arrived as a result of their circular letter. Ameen Fareed leaves for Akka on Monday 14 May 1906. History of the Bahai Assembly of Milwaukee, Wisconsin copy 83 [Apr. 1906] The Milwaukee, WI, community began in 1899. In 1906 it had 14 members; they are listed. Asadu'llah and Khurassani visited Milwaukee in the spring of 1901 and again in July 1901. In that same month, Khurassani and Ruhi sailed for Akka. Ali Kuli Khan visited Milwaukee later that summer [1901]. In Nov. 1901 and April 1906, I. Br-ham visited. Charlotte Morton to House of Spir. 28 Apr. 1906 Mrs. Br-ham visited and stimulated the writing of this history. [Milwaukee] "we have no dissensions among the Believers here or ever have had." Milwaukee Baha'is send their love to Chicago. Remey to Windust 21 Apr. 1906 Remey has received a letter from Beirut addressed to Chicago; a reply to their latest circular letter. The letter from Beirut is by Zia Baghdadi. It basically says hello, in four pages. Remey circular letter 30 Apr. 1906 The birthday of `Abdu'l-Baha and the declaration of the Bab are the same day; both are celebrated together "as is customary with the believers throughout the Orient." Remey sends a parchment for all to sign, return to him, and it will be mailed to `Abdu'l-Baha. He sent the supplication to : Baltimore, Boston, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Honolulu, Ithaca, Johnstown, Kenosha, Los Ang., Milwaukee, Montreal, Newark, North Hudson, New York, Oakland, Philadelphia, Racine, Sandusky, Scottsdale, and Wash. D.C. [24 communities total]. [Note: Remey probably used the same list to send out requests for census information!] House of Spir. to Mrs. Morton 1 May 1906 Mrs. I. Br-ham also encouraged Johnstown and West Hoboken to write histories. House of Spir. to Remey 2 May 1906 We received your letter, the parchment, and the letter from Beirut. Minutes of the House of Spir. 19 May 1906 They studied the Iqan for one hour. Money to send Mr. Harris to India will be collected. Mr. Sprague was present and "gave a brief account of the progress of Cause in Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia and New York." House of Spir. to `Abdu'l-Baha May 1906 Fareed carried the letter with him to Akka. "Shall we take up the study of same [Esperanto]?" House of Spir. to Nathan W. Fitz-Gerald 19 May 1906 The House of Spir. encourages Fitz-G., in very gentle language, to start a Baha'i community in Portland. Eighty-seven names were sent to him of persons who wrote the House of Spir. requesting information. Hyde Dunn was one of them. I have added the list up as follows: Portland, 62; Walla Walla, 10; Seattle, 2; other, 13; total, 87. Minutes of the House of Spir. 26 May 1906 They studied the Iqan for an hour. The Women's Assembly has asked to arrange the supper of the Lord on Sunday, 3 June. A list of those who wish to help send Mr. Harris to India will be maintained. House of Spir. to Ladies Assembly of Teaching 30 May 1906 Please organize the supper on 3 June. Minutes of the House of Spir. 2 June 1906 The House of Spir. has received a letter from the women; they will do the 3 June feast. The women have appointed a finance committee; the House of Spir. will meet with it. They study the Iqan. C. True to House of Spir. 31 May 1906 Mrs. Lesch is the secretary of the women. We will do the feast. On 30 May the Board of Officers of the women met at Mrs. True's. The women don't have a treasurer, but have a financial committee of four; Mrs. Roe (chair), Kirchner, Kendall, Van Hof. The committee wishes to meet with the House of Spir. before 10 June. Remey to Windust 28 May 1906 We had a beautiful commemoration of the night of the Master's birthday. Publishing--but nothing new. Windust to Remey 5 June 1906 The parchment was not used correctly in Chicago; maybe all signed it. Khan's tablets of Baha'u'llah will be bound together as a companion volume to the Iqan. School of the Prophets is a lengthy letter by Asadu'llah to Dr. Pratt, Fareed's instructor (and head of New Thought!). It is not being published by the Bahai Publishing Society. Mrs. Russell, Mr. A. Agnew are publishing the book in order to help with Fareed's educational expenses. Minutes of the House of Spir. 9 June 1906 Mr. Foster wishes to hold the Supper of the Lord after the one of 23 June at his home. "After due consideration it was the unanimous opinion of those present that gathering such as the Supper of the Lord were more suitable for homes rather than public halls, and that we therefore discontinue such meetings in the hall." The School of the Prophets was discussed. The House of Spir. reached an agreement with the ladies about finances. I. Br-ham to House of Spir. 11 p. Cleveland, OH, 31 May 1906 Br-ham visited "the little band of the beloved" in Minneapolis. She watered the seeds planted there "by the dear Maid-Servant of God, Miss Peterson, to whom our Chicago sister, Mrs. Gordon, gave the Cup of Eternal Life." Mrs. Haney's pupils there, Mr. Gage and Mr. Hall, were confirmed too. [From the sound of things, Minneapolis has a "little band" consisting of Hall, Gage, Peterson, and maybe a few others. A half dozen would be an outside guess for its total Baha'i membership.] "Then God turned my feet to Cleveland..." Br-ham will be there until next week. Then she moves on to northwest Pennsylvania [PA] to "serve a dear Sister..." Has Asadu'llah's book been submitted to `Abdu'l-Baha? Minutes of the House of Spir. 16 June 1906 They studied the Iqan. The next feast will be on 13 July at the Foster's. Election notice of the House of Spir. was discussed. In Sept. there will be an election. A notice should be read at every Sunday meeting. Feasts will be held in homes all summer; those wishing to host should talk to G. Lesch. Yazdi to House of Spir. 18 May 1906 Thank you for the circular letter of 12 Nov. 1905; a very delayed acknowledgment. Kenosha Men's Board to the Chicago House of Spir. 15 June 1906 Mr. Joseph St. Germain died at 4:15 on Wed. morning. The funeral will be Sat at 2:30 PM. The Machinist's Union and the Modern Workmen will furnish three pall bearers; he was a member of each. Please come. "Our Brother wa a member of our Bahai Board and is a most faithful soul." House of Spir. to Kenosha Board of Counsel 19 June 1906 Thank you for the letter about St. Germain. Our condolences. Minutes of the House of Spir. 23 June 1906 They spent their first hour studying the Iqan. A letter has arrived from True, who is in Fruitport, MI. The election procedure of the House of Spir. is considered. They must assemble a list of all male believers. Minutes of the House of Spir. 30 June 1906 Henry Goodale of Kenosha wrote to say hello. The Iqan studied as usual. Mr. A. Agnew discussed the raising of funds to send Harris to India. Mr. Woolson was present; he spoke about the teaching work in Kirkland, MO. Minutes of the House of Spir. 7 July 1906 They study the Iqan. Remey writes about a petition to the Crown Prince of Persia. Minutes of the House of Spir. copy 83 14 July 1906 200 circulars are printed and ready to mail, asking persons to send tablets to Chicago. A letter of congratulations about his upcoming India trip to be sent to Harris. The House of Spir. will supply the Sunday meetings with the questions box. Efforts will be made to encourage the development of Baha'i speakers. A letter from Kenosha arrived about children's classes. House of Spir. to Hooper Harris copy 83 19 July 1906 The letter is by T. Chase. It offers him best wishes for his trip, authorized by `Abdu'l-Baha. House of Spir. Circular copy 83 12 July 1906 It is all about the tablets they have accumulated, with a breakdown of the places they're from. A total of 383 tablets have been collected. he idea of gathering them dates back to the summer of 1904. Please send in more. They list the conditions `Abdu'l-Baha specified. Kenosha Bahai Men's Board to House of Spir. 12 July 1906 We plan to hold a Sunday school for Baha'i children. Have you any tablets or information how to do it? Please write back to us as soon as possible. A. Agnew to Howard MacNutt 13 July 1906 Mr. C. E. Sprague is now in Chicago. We need 50 copies of the Iqan. Sprague says you're almost out of copies, though. We'd like to print the Iqan; have you the plates? Minutes of the House of Spir. 21 July 1906 Dodge says send no letters to Baghdad until further notice. Minutes of the House of Spir. 29 July 1906 Three tablets have come in already as a result of the circular. They study the Iqan. Minutes of the House of Spir. 4 Aug. 1906 They discussed prayer for one hour, then read tablets. Remey to House of Spir. 31 July 1906 Your communication about obtaining tablets was read here at Wash. D.C. and Baltimore. We will cooperate fully. I'll do anything I can to help. Minutes of the House of Spir. 11 Aug. 1906 A letter from T. Chase from Small Pt., ME, 6 Aug. 1906, was received. The House of Spir. sent a letter of condolence to Mr. and Mrs. True; their son drowned in the lake. Spiritual Assembly of Ashkabad to House of Spir. of Chicago trans. Raffie 24 July 1906 Dreyfus has visited Ishqabad. House of Spir. to Mr. and Mrs. True Aug. 1906 The House of Spir.'s condolence letter. Christ Anderson to House of Spir. Minneapolis, 6 May 1906 He has moved; his new address is Minneapolis. Anderson to House of Spir. 15 Aug. 1906 Please send tablets; he describes his apartment. Anderson to House of Spir. 27 Aug. 1906 Thank you for the book. The letter is several pages long; and his spelling is horrid! House of Spir. to Kenosha Bahai Men's Board 13 Aug. 1906 The shah plans to start a Parliament in Iran. Printed copies of the opening prayer for House of Spir. meetings is mailed to Kenosha. Asadu'llah used the title "House of the Covenant" for Boards. Houses of Justice exist in Akka and Cairo also. The greatness of these bodies is being recognized by the Baha'is. Minutes of the House of Spir. 18 Aug. 1906 Various letter were sent and received. Paul K. Dealy to Albert Windust Fair Hope, AL, 19 Aug. 1906 Thank you for the news clipping about the shah wanting to establish a Parliament. Enclosed are three tablets we recently received. Please type up some copies for me also; we have no typewriters here. Winterburns to House of Spir. 18 Aug. 1906 They send in copies of tablets to them and to a Mrs. Lamb. They are happy about the news from Iran. Percy Woodworth to House of Spir. 20 Aug. 1906 Do I mean Percy Woodcock? Thank you for the clipping about Iran. Its good news. I am at Green Acre for one month. Roy Wilhelm to House of Spir. 29 Aug. 1906 Thank you for the news clipping; please send more. Kenosha Men's Bahai Board to House of Spir. 16 Aug. 1906 We want to assemble historical information, but how? Give us advice. Mrs. Br- ham encouraged us to do it. Have you any tablets about it? House of Spir. to Kenosha Men's Board 25 Aug. 1906 Mrs. Br-ham suggested to us that brief histories be assembled of the different communities. We approve heartily. She got Milwaukee, Johnstown, and West Hoboken to do it. Miss Pollock plans to assemble data for Wash. D.C. Newspaper articles recently have been heralding the beginnings of the "Most Great Peace" in Persia. Chicago Daily News, Sat. 25 Aug. 1906 An article by William Jennings Bryan in Turkey. It mentions `Abdu'l-Baha. He visited `Abdu'l-Baha in Akka and describes it. Minutes of the House of Spir. 1 Sept. 1906 The House of Spir. election is discussed. A list of all male members of the Chicago community will be given to Mrs. Russell, to be used as a ballot. She will distribute it. T. Chase to Windust copy 83 Greenacre, 27 Aug. 1906 T. Chase has been at Green Acre since Saturday; he spoke two times Sunday and once today. Stanwood Cobb is there; he says he plans to become a Baha'i. Lunt and Ober are at Green Acre also. T. Chase may be at Green Acre until Sunday. He will be back in Chicago in early Sept. Mrs. Br-ham, Mrs. Ives are here; but not MacNutt, Harris, or Getsinger. Boston Sunday Globe 5 Aug. 1906 A nice article about Green Acre, with pictures; three pages. Minutes of the House of Spir. copy 83 8 Sept. 1906 They will circulate a letter from `Abdu'l-Baha to A. Agnew, if New York approves. House of Spir. election discussed, and the procedures are outlined. Salman Ishac Hakim to House of Spir. Hamadan, 12 July 1906 His letter is a reply to the House of Spir. circular. His English is not so good, but the letter was written by a friend who is fluent. He wants to come live in America. House of Spir. to Salman Ishac Hakim 9 Sept. 1906 The House of Spir. discourages him from coming to the USA, citing the language barrier and the difficulty of medical study here. Minutes of the House of Spir. copy 83 14 Sept. 1906 They discuss the House of Spir. election and appoint tellers: Lesch and Currier. Dr. Susan Moody to House of Spir. 10 Sept. 1906 Enclosed is a letter from Mrs. Br-ham. Isabella Br-ham to Susan Moody n.d. "We are not supposed to question their [the clergy's] motives. One, a Unitarian, became a believer--Mr. Woodcock interested him, + he came out, saying to me, he rejoiced to receive a religion which had, at last, no bartering of God's Word. The 2nd Adventist fled, appalled--doubtless he `believed not'--Another Unitarian was deeply interested--a broad, beautiful man--also a couple [rationalists?] + 2 other clergy were sincere--" Pauline E. Lahill to House of Spir. 31 Aug. 1906 Please send me a copy of the Hidden Words. She's probably a seeker. Her address is 230 Wood Ave, Montreal, Canada. A George Herrin to House of Spir. 9 Sept. 1906 Thank you for the tablet from `Abdu'l-Baha. B. M. Jacobsen to House of Spir. 15 Sept. 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Redeen's youngest daughter has died;it happened Friday morning. The funeral will be Sunday. House of Spir. to Jacobsen 19 Sept. 1906 Our condolences. Broadway Magazine copy 83 Sept. 1906 An article about the Baha'i Faith in New York City. Minutes of the House of Spir. copy 83 22 Sept. 1906 The election results. Officers will be elected next week; then they'll appoint committees. The tally sheets were kept and filed. C. Scheffler and Sunderland will plan the "next nineteen day Feast or Lord's Supper." The tally sheet of the House of Spir. election is attached; it has 47 names, the 44 in the minutes plus Peter Bender, Babcock, and Bosenbecker. Spiritual Assembly of Mashhad to Spiritual Assembly of Chicago copy 86 3 p. received 25 Sept. 1906 dated 6 Aug. 1906 A reply to the circular letter of the House of Spir. At all meetings of the friends they urged us to say "Allah'u'Abha" to our western brethren. Your letter has been sent all over Khurasan. There are about 6000 believers in Khurasan, "many" believers in all towns, cities, and villages, and "organized spiritual assemblies in all the cities of Korassan." Translated by Ahmad Esphahani (Sohrab) in Wash. D.C. Minutes of the House of Spir. 29 Sept. 1906 Harris is about to leave for India and the Orient. The 27 Sept. "Feast" will be at Mrs. Camile True's; the 16 Oct. feast will be at Dr. Moody's and Mrs. Russell's. The Bahai Publishing Society needs money to put out books. In the future elections will be held on 23 May, with the new body inaugurated on 15 Sept. Officer elections will be as near to 15 Sept. as possible. The 3rd Sat. of every month all are invited to meet with the House of Spir.; "reception meetings." The House of Spir. then elected its officers; they are: T. Chase, President, 10 votes; Thacher, Vice President, 5 votes; C. Scheffler, treasurer, 11 votes; G. Lesch, recording secretary, 10 votes; A. Agnew, corresponding secretary, 9 votes; Windust, librarian, 11 votes. The nineteen day feast committee will be C. Scheffler, Sunderland, and Van Hof. Remey to House of Spir. 19 Sept. 1906 Reply to their 13 Sept. letter. [p. 1] "As I wrote to Bro. Chase the time for a Counsel Board in Washington [Wash. D.C.] does not seem to be ripe as yet so until [p. 2] this institution be established we can hardly take a rank with the N.Y. Board and the Chicago House of Spirituality--that is so far as authority in such [?] matters is concerned." [p. 5] "We have some beautiful souls amongst our people here [Wash. D.C.], and when the time comes and our Lord commands it we will form an official assembly and by then will be able to unite with you + New York in Authority..." Miss Knobloch is the Wash. D.C. librarian. Constitution of the House of Spir. copy No notes; see the document itself. "Bahai Faith" House of Spir. circular letter 6 Oct. 1906 A tablet to A. Agnew by `Abdu'l-Baha discussed. Mr. Dealy is in the first line. New York, Chicago must cooperate in publishing; and when a spiritual assembly is established in Wash. D.C. it must consult also. Minutes of the House of Spir. 6 Oct. 1906 Ober will accompany Harris to India; T. Chase has received a letter from Lunt with the news. Fairhope was devastated by a storm. A collection was taken up for the Dealys. A suggestion committee was established; Currier and Woodworth are its members. Chicago House of Spir. to Chicago Assembly copy 83 n.d. A nice letter. Women's Assembly Resolution 3 Oct. 1906 It is written on stationary of a House of Spir. member: "J. L. Sutherland Law and Collections 552 E. Sixty-Third St. Res. 6511 Ingleside Ave." It is about the purchase of a piece of land in Muskegon, MI, using the Temple fund money that the Women's Assembly has collected. The lot cost $300.00. They are buying "improved property"--does that include a house? They specify the money is coming from the Temple fund. Minutes of the House of Spir. 13 Oct. 1906 Ameen Fareed describes his trip to Akka. There is a proposal to put an article on the Faith in a New Thought magazine. The House of Spir. decides now is not the time. The House of Spir. approves the women buying the land. Arthur James to Windust 7 Oct. 1906 Tablet from `Abdu'l-Baha [I guess I mean enclosed for the archives]. James's wife, finally, is recovering from an illness. Meched [Mashhad] to House of Spir. 23 Sept. 1906 The usual two page letter that says nothing. Remey to Windust [House of Spir.] copy 83 29 Sept. 1906 About the Aqdas. Windust [for House of Spir.] to Mariam Haney 12 Oct. 1906 Thank you for arranging the translation of the Mashhad letter, and greetings. Mrs. Haney to Windust [House of Spir.] 9 Oct. 1906 Sohrab sent her the translation to send to Chicago. Please type up a copy for me. Mrs. Dealy to House of Spir. Fairhope, AL, 15 Oct. 1906 She tells a story about a man who didn't believe in God, until a storm destroyed his house. Thank you for sending us money. Minutes of the House of Spir. 20 Oct. 1906 Mrs. Dealy wrote to say thank you. T. Chase wrote the House of Spir. from Dallas, TX. He is going to Seattle and Portland. Kenosha has invited Chicago to come up for the 4 Nov. feast. The Sunday meetings will be moved up to 7:30 PM [from 8 PM?] Minutes of the House of Spir. 27 Oct. 1906 News of New York City, Cincinnati, Montreal, from believers present at the House of Spir. meeting. Letters were read. Bandar Abbas to House of Spir. received 22 Oct. 1906 Three pages of hello from a small Baha'i community in Iran. House of Spir. to the Mashhad Assembly 2 Nov. 1906 Hello. Remey to House of Spir. 26 Oct. 1906 About the "Master's Fete" on 26 Nov. Let us all write to `Abdu'l-Baha on that day. Send the letters to me, I'll forward them all together. Minutes of the House of Spir. 3 Nov. 1906 The rest of the evening was devoted to the building of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. Windust to Mirza Ahmad Esphahani (Sohrab) 28 Oct. 1906 Thank you for translating the letter from Mashhad. Esphahani (Sohrab) to Windust 31 Oct. 1906 Harris and Ober will be in Wash. D.C. on Fri., Sat., and Sun in the first week of Nov. I will be glad to translate for you. Remey to Windust copy 83 26 Oct. 1906 His reply to the 9 Oct. letter, which all loved and copied. We cannot form a body now; he doesn't say why, though. Minutes of the House of Spir. 10 Nov. 1906 The House of Spir. heard a talk by Woodcock on regeneration. Minutes of the House of Spir. 17 Nov. 1906 The Temple is discussed; Mrs. True wants the Sun. 18 Nov. meeting devoted to it, and to tablets about it. Wash. D.C. and Cincinnati support the building effort too. Andrew Hutchinson is the new librarian for the New York City Baha'is. They will hold an open meeting of the House of Spir. the third Sat. of every month. [Windust adds a note that no one came to the open meetings, so they were stopped.] Minutes of the House of Spir. 24 Nov. 1906 T. Chase described his trip. Group meetings have begun in Seattle and Portland. The money raised for the Temple in 1904 by Mrs. Waite's concert is returned to the Temple Fund, to Mrs. True. Celebration of the Master's Day is planned. True to House of Spir. 10 Nov. 1906 At the "nineteen day tea meeting" this afternoon the ladies decided to ask Mrs. True, as corresponding secretary, to write the House of Spir. to "appoint Sunday Eve Nov. 18th a Meeting to be devoted to the Temple--reading such data as they have in hand from Our Lord Abdul Baha and our esteemed teacher Mirza Assad'Ullah." True to House of Spir. copy 83 16 Nov. 1906 It is an elaboration on the previous letter. A Miss Jones has proposed a supplication to be sent all over the USA, asking for nineteen days of prayer. True states the importance of the Temple. Wash. D.C. friends are behind the Temple project. Cincinnati too. T. Chase to A. Agnew Portland, OR, 12 Nov. 1906 T. Chase will be in Denver on Thursday. "Seattle has about four or possibly five believers. Portland has somewhere about fourteen or fifteen, possibly twenty or more who are interested. Some good, loyal souls here. Fisk is alright." William Hoar to A. Agnew 14 Nov. 1906 I'm not even sure what the letter is about; its cryptic and in bad handwriting. Remey to Windust 20 Nov. 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Woodward had a baby six weeks ago. Remey hopes the day will come when "Abdul Baha may command us to establish a Committee or Council here in Washington..." [Wash. D.C.] Windust to Remey 5 p. 28 Nov. 1906 About the Temple: "THe Matter has been lying dormant, so to speak, but is now being revived." Fareed gave a talk about Ishqabad that excited all with the project. Apparently at the Master's Day celebration [or on 18 Nov.?] The parchment was then signed and sent to Remey, with this cover letter. The School of the Prophets is to be printed by the Bahai Publishing Society. `Abdu'l-Baha commanded it. It is now being prepared for the printer. Abdul=Baha A compilation on `Abdu'l-Baha's station by Remey. 19 pages long. C. True to Windust 26 Nov. 1906 "As you said last evening our mistake has been a narrow selfish one in thinking this was a Chicago Temple instead of a Temple of the Lord God Almighty to be erected by His Heavenly Hosts. It was this limitation that rendered us powerless..." True says, let us call a Temple meeting. Windust to True 29 Nov. 1906 Let us publish `Abdu'l-Baha's words and Fareed's words about the Temple. Then we'll look for a site. Minutes of the House of Spir. 1 Dec. 1906 Letters. The House of Spir. is helping take care of the Holcomb children. They are now under care of a grandmother. Greetings to `Abdu'l-Baha forwarded to Remey is attached to the minutes. Jewish Believers of Hamadan to Chicago received 5 Nov. 1906 We were Jews--now we believe in Jesus Christ and Muhammad. Hamadan to Chicago received Nov. 1906 Who are the Persian teachers in America? Send us their addresses. Mashhad to Chicago received 25 Nov. 1906 dated 20 Aug. 1906 No notes. Mashhad to Chicago received 1 Dec. 1906 dated 30 July 1906 No notes. Minutes of the House of Spir. 8 Dec. 1906 Mr. Hoar is visiting Chicago. More money is needed to send Mr. Harris to India. Chicago will raise more. Chicago has sent $10.00 for the Holcomb children. Winterburn's pilgrim notes will be published, if Kenosha and Wash. D.C. and New York approve. Mrs. A. M. Bryant to Windust Woodland Park, CO, 30 Nov. 1906 I will send you my tablets with T. Chase when he comes through Denver. Windust to Mrs. A. M. Bryant 12 Dec. 1906 T. Chase had brought your tablets with him. 437 tablets now are stored. Minutes of the House of Spir. 15 Dec. 1906 A copy of Harris to Hoar, 21 Nov. 1906, from Naples, has been sent to Chicago. Harris and Ober are on their way to India. They took the "Koenig Albert" from New York City. The House of Spir. approved the petition to be sent to all Americans about the Temple, with one modification. Hooper Harris to William Hoar copy 83 at sea, 21 Nov. 1906 Harris had many opportunities to teach the Faith on board ship; he describes them all. Madame Bethlin knew the captain of the ship; that helped. Remey to Windust 13 Dec. 1906 Fifty attended the Feast of the Master in Wash. D.C.; Baha'is and friends. Many non-Baha'is came. I'm glad to hear there's a movement on building the Temple. Four or five months ago we wrote `Abdu'l-Baha about building a Temple in Wash. D.C. We didn't know Chicago was commanded to build one. So we'll help you. Remey was in New York City for ten days. Taqi Manshadi to a believer in the USA received Chicago 13 Dec. 1906 You must build a Temple somewhere in the USA; Chicago, New York, Wash. D.C. Baku will build one next, but domestic troubles are delaying them. A copy of the letter was sent to Chicago by Remey. Circular Letter about the Temple 13 Dec. 1906 The circular is by Corinne True. It is going out with two tablets about the Temple; one is to the House of Spir., the other to True. The latter is dated as retranslated on 10 Dec. 1906. Also a third tablet to the "spiritual meeting." Minutes of the House of Spir. 22 Dec. 1906 A. Agnew is going on pilgrimage. He will take a statement about the Temple from the House of Spir. Minutes of the House of Spir. 29 Dec. 1906 A letter was sent from the University of Illinois requesting translations of writings of Baha'u'llah. Copies will be sent. The next "Nineteen Day Feast" will be on 31 Dec. 1906. Kenosha Bahai Men's Board to House of Spir. 28 Dec. 1906 We want to know all about the first Temple. Send us tablets. What city? Chicago? Who will do it? Is it a local or a national project? Will it be in the east or the west? When will it be finished? How do we raise the money? On 9 December Kenosha elected a Board for the next year: Jacobsen, Bohannan, Benning, Peter Nelson (new member), Goodale (new), Yeager, Howard (librarian), Herman Carlson (treasurer), Voelz. It took charge on 26 Dec. House of Spir. to Kenosha Men's Board 31 Dec. 1906 No city or person is designated in the tablets. No one appointed to do it by `Abdu'l- Baha. They are calling the community the "General Assembly." They used the term earlier also, about Sept. 1906. I haven't seen it any earlier. We will raise about $1500.00 in Chicago. We had thought of spending $100,000.00; now we feel something smaller will do. A. Agnew leaves for Akka on 2 Feb. He will ask for guidance. Harlan Ober to Remey 2 p. Port Said, 12 Dec. 1906 He spent four days in Akka. We go to India with three Persians. We'll spend a month in Bombay, then go to Calcutta, Rangoon, and Mandalay. Miss Barney and Mr. Dreyfus went through Persia; it had a wonderful effect. 40-60 greeted us in Akka, Miss Barney interpreted for us. She's coming to the USA in 3 weeks to one month. We saw Asadu'llah in Haifa. Hamadan to Chicago Assembly 14 Dec. 1906 Hello. Filed with the House of Spir. minutes of 23 Mar. 1907.


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