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Abdul-Baha relate how the Purest Branch came to his death


In reproducing the photograph of the "Purest Branch" so lovingly sent by the maid-servant of God, Fareeza Khanum, to the friends in the Occident, the following extracts from the "Life and Teachings

of Abbas Effendi" (Abdul-Baha) by Myron H. Phelps, relating how the "Purest Branch" came to his death, will be of interest:

"We were imprisoned in the barracks, without any substantial change in our manner of life, for two years. During this time none of us left the prison. One evening towards the end of the second year, my younger brother came, as was his habit, to write for his Father. But as he was not very well, and as others of the family were also ill, the Blessed Perfection (Baha'o'llah) told him to go and come later. So he went up to the flat roof of the barracks, where we were accustomed to walk, and which was our only recourse for fresh air and exercise. He was walking up and down repeating Tablets and gazing at the sky, when he stumbled, lost his balance, and fell through the opening to which the ladder from below led up. The room into which he fell had a lofty ceiling; it was the living room of the family. No one was in the room at the time, but hearing his cries, some of the family rushed in and found him in a heap on the floor with the blood pouring from his mouth.
"We took him up and laid him on his mat. He was perfectly conscious. Later the Blessed Perfection came and remained with him. The physician was sent for; he said that there was no hope.
"My brother lived for thirty hours. When he was about to pass away the Blessed Perfection said to him: 'What do you desire? Do you wish to live, or do you prefer to die? Tell me what you most wish for.' My brother replied: 'I don't care to live. I have but one wish. I want the believers to be admitted to see their Lord. If you will promise me this, it is all I ask.' The Blessed Perfection told him that it would be as he desired.
"The death of this youngest and favorite child — of a very gentle and sweet disposition — nearly broke his mother's heart. We feared for her reason. When the Blessed Perfection was told of the condition of his wife, he went to her and said: 'Your son has been taken by God that His people might be free — His life was the ransom, and you should rejoice, that you had a son so dear to give to the Cause of God.' When our mother heard these words she seemed to rally, and after that she did not shed a tear."

===
RECEPTION TO Dr. MOODY IN TEHERAN.


The following letter has recently been received from the maid-servants of God in Teheran, to the maid-servants in Washington, D. C., and other cities of the West, concerning a reception given in honor of Dr. Moody, in the house of the maid-servant, Fareeza Khanum:
HE IS GOD.

O ye sons and daughters of God!
May our lives be a sacrifice to you! In this Day the maid-servants of Baha have gathered in this house this morning and are engaged in reading the Tablets and discussing spiritual matters with Dr. Moody. She presented to us the photograph of Mrs. Henrietta Clark Wagner, which was sent for Fareeza Khanum. It gave us great happiness and pleasure when we looked upon it. Those who were present in the meeting kissed it many times, and it was as though that spiritual sister was present among us. We read Tablets and conversed until lunch time, and after the lunch the girls of the Bahai school chanted for us with a beautiful melody the Tablet of the Clarion. We missed all of you. Afterward this maid-servant of Baha and other maid-servants of the Cause of God, and some of the remnants of the martyrdoms of Yazd, served tea. After the tea Dr. Moody sang a holy commune. The meeting was overflowing with joy and fragrance, and this maid-servant read one of the Tablets of Abdul-Baha. About 4:30 p.m. the men began to come, and the grandson of the "Beloved of the Martyrs" of Isphahan was present and chanted for us a glorious Tablet with a sweet melody.
Some time ago I received a Tablet from his highness Abdul-Baha, commanding me to find some photographs of the Purest Branch, and forward them to American believers. As that photograph was very hard to find, it was obtained with great difficulty. I enclose 19 with the name and a short description. Please forward each to the particular person mentioned and acknowledge receipt. The circumstances connected with this photograph are these: That immediately after the arrival of BAHA'O'LLAH in Acca, the door of meeting was closed to all the beloved of God. His highness the Purest Branch, the brother of Abdul-Baha, begged martyrdom

from the Blessed Perfection so that at the cost of the shedding of his blood the door of meeting might become open to the servants of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful. This supplication was accepted and the Purest Branch sacrificed his life, as it is known in history, the result of which was the opening of the gates of Acca to the beilevers.
We hope that the news of America will reach us often and that you will communicate with us regularly. * * *
Upon ye be Baha, and upon everyone who is firm and steadfast in the Cause.
(Signed) FAREEZA.





1-1-3
BAHAI NEWS

BAHAI NEWS

Vol. 1 Chicago, (March 21, 1910) Baha No. 1

— PHOTO —

THE "PUREST BRANCH."

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