Article on Clark Talk

From The Worcester Evening Gazette–Fri, May 24, 1912–p. 8, Col. 3

BAB RELIGION’S LEADER TALKS TO CLARK STUDENTS

Abdul Baha Abbas of the Orient Also Pleads for Science

--------------

Clothed in Oriental costume of rich colors and his head ornamented by a glossy white turban, Abbas Effendi, or Abdul Baha Abbas, head of the new Bab religion recently arisen in the Orient, spoke to an audience of 500 yesterday afternoon in Clark university. He was a man of striking and stately bearing, and made a picturesque figure as he talked in his Persian robes.

He had an interpreter with him, Dr. Ameen Ullah Fareed, as he was not himself familiar with English. He was introduced by Dr. George H. Blakeslee, head of the department of history, of Clark college, who arranged for the address. The Bab, as he is known officially by his followers, said little about the religion he professes, but he was rich in praise of science and the universities, declaring that in science lay the hope of ultimate solidarity for the human race.

He said that science enables man to go beyond natural law, and it has given to the world its great array of scholars distinguished above their fellows, to whom he paid tribute. The scholar's sovereignty, he declared, is superior to that of the king. "May science proclaim the wonders of humankind," said the Bab, "may it bring about universal peace, may it cement the hearts of men together, may it make of all countries one fatherland, and may it unite all religions according to the fundamental conceptions of reality; and all religion is founded on one reality."

The Bab gave a reception in President Hall's home after his talk, and a number met him there.

----------------------

(The above is a verbatim transcript of the Gazette article, from the microfilm copy in the Worcester Public Library. It will be noted, of course, that references to 'Abdu'l-Bahá as "the Bab" are obviously based on a misunderstanding on the part of the reporter. It is well known that 'Abdu'l-Bahá always insisted that he should be called only 'Abdu'l-Baha', which may be loosely translated as "the servant of God."

Source: Clark University’s Archives and Special Collections

Department, Robert H. Goddard Library. Worcester, MA. May 18, 2011.