tounding statement regarding Baha, but the proofs brought forward are sadly inferior to the claims set-forth, so it seems to me. Most of them are verses taken from the prophetic books of the Bible. According to this Doctor, Baha was God himself. He teaches that God did not manifest through the personality of Baha, as in the case of Jesus, but that he really was God and that He will not come again during this cycle. We are all called upon to believe this, or else for ever lose our chance of salvation. Believing it makes us the adopted children of God, and we are given the power of creation Those who die without hearing of Baha, are reincarnated and have another chance; those who have already heard do not ...... Mirza Yahya (Subh-iAzal) is scarcely spoken of, but when he is mentioned he is called Satan .... there is not the slightest reference, throughout the entire course to the development of character, and those who claim an inner guidance were part.i, cularly censured and ridiculed ...... At the last lecture the people are told, if they believe in
16 the Manifestation, to write a letter to Abbas Effendi who is a reincarnation of Jesus Christ, 'stating their belief and begging to have their names recorded in the Book of Favourites. They are informed that Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua and Daniel are reincarnated and are at Acre (Akka), the Holy place. The doctor further says that he has been sent by the Father and Jesus Christ to deliver the message concerning the Manifestation to the people of this country. He claims there are fifty-five million believers at the present time. A great mystery is made of the whole thing and the ideas are given out in minute portions, as we, it seems, are accounted slow of understanding in this country. The message or pith, as it is called, is not given until the eleventh lesson. The effect upon the people is very strange. I never knew anyone idea to create so many -different and curious impressions." In another letter she says :"There is little chance for discussion at any lecture, as the doctor has an extremely funny way of telling people who oppose his views in the class they are 'excused' ••.. At the first lecture the people are requested not to talk over what they are told with outsiders. An air of mystery is over the whole affair and
17 infinitesimal things are most erroneously magnified and the way in which some matters are minimized in order t o maximize others is truly remarkable; I mean interpretations of the English Bible .... Public talks on reincarnation, evolution and Bible interpretation are given, but the Manifestation is not taught outside the classes or in some private way. A great deal is made of visions; they are seeming Acre, Abbas Effendi, to old man at Acre, that, we are told is Joshua. reincarnated, and others of the household. " The much-made of Eleventh lesson of Dr. Khairullah imparted the following account of Bahaullah's life to the American listeners: "In 1852-1853 the Incarnation of God (Baha) appeared. He left Tehran as an exile in 1852. He was of the family of kings. Went to Baghdad to River Chebar with 7000 prophets Ezkiel (43: 3). Here he manifested himself for five days as the Lord of Hosts, having been previously shaved by a. barber (Isaiah 7: 20) after which he veiled himself; Jesus Christ (Abbas Effendi) as a boy was with him. In 1863 the Sultan invited the Manifestation to visit
18 Constantinople. At this time there were thirty thousand believers. He appeared before the Sultan who asked for proof of his divinity. Baha asked the Sultan if he believed in Muhammad. The Sultan said that he did, and Baha asked for a sign. The Sultan replied that the Quran was a proof. Baha then wrote a book larger than the Quran in six hours as a sign of his own divinity." That a man of the knowledge and learning of Dr. Khairullah should make such wild statements in a Ieoture and the educa ted Americans of this age of light and rationalism should adopt a new faith on the basis of such fictitious stories, is incomprehensible and passes all understanding. Bahaullah was never