30

Talk at Dedication of the Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár Grounds

1 May 1912

Wilmette, Illinois

Notes by Joseph H. Hannen

The power which has gathered you here today notwithstanding the cold and windy weather is, indeed, mighty and wonderful. It is the power of God, the divine favor of Bahá’u’lláh which has drawn you together. We praise God that through His constraining love human souls are assembled and associated in this way.

Thousands of Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkárs, dawning points of praise and mention of God for all religionists will be built in the East and in the West, but this, being the first one erected in the Occident, has great importance. In the future there will be many here and elsewhere — in Asia, Europe, even in Africa, New Zealand and Australia — but this edifice in Chicago is of especial significance. It has the same importance as the Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár in ‘Is̱hqábád, Caucasus, Russia, the first one built there. In Persia there are many; some are houses which have been utilized for the purpose, others are homes entirely devoted to the divine Cause, and in some places temporary structures have been erected. In all the cities of Persia there are Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkárs, but the great dawning point was founded in ‘Is̱hqábád. It possesses superlative importance because it was the first Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár built. All the Bahá’í friends agreed and contributed their utmost assistance and effort. The Afnán devoted his wealth, gave all he had to it. From such a mighty and combined effort a beautiful edifice arose. Notwithstanding their contributions to that building, they have assisted the fund here in Chicago as well. The Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár in ‘Is̱hqábád is almost completed. It is centrally located, nine avenues leading into it, nine gardens, nine fountains; all the arrangement and construction is according to the principle and proportion of the number nine. It is like a beautiful bouquet. Imagine a very lofty, imposing edifice surrounded completely by gardens of variegated flowers, with nine avenues leading through them, nine fountains and pools of water. Such is its matchless, beautiful design. Now they are building a hospital, a school for orphans, a home for cripples, a hospice and a large dispensary. God willing, when it is fully completed, it will be a paradise.

I hope the Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár in Chicago will be like this. Endeavor to have the grounds circular in shape. If possible, adjust and[pg 72] exchange the plots in order to make the dimensions and boundaries circular. The Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár cannot be triangular in shape. It must be in the form of a circle.