e Bab's claim as Mahdi had miserably failed; so he advanced the new claim that he was the one whose advent had been promised by the Bab, and his new dispensation abrogated the law of Bab altogether, but even under this guise the movement made no headway, and Bahaullah passed away in sorrow and sadness. After Bahaullah, his eldest son, Abbas Effendi, stepped into his shoes. He proclaimed in public in America that he was the Messiah, and the son of God, and in India he proclaimed himself to be the promised Bahram, the Saviour of the Zoroastrians. But Bahaullah
Bayan, as the Bayan abrogated
14 said in explicit words in the Kitab alAqdas: "Whoseover layeth claim to a Dispensation before the completion of a full thousand year is a liar and privaricator." So, another rupture arose in the ranks of the Babi movement. But people's love of the novel and Abbas Effendi's high-sounding claim to Divinity kept them around him. had It was in 1890 A. C. that a Syrian, named I brahim George Khairullah was converted to the Bahai creed. In 1892 when he went on a business trip first to Russia and then to New York that he found that the teaching of Bahaullah found ready acceptance among the Christians of America; so he established his nnssionary centre at Chicago. In 1897 the mission was extended to New York where regular classes were held to impart instruction in the new faith. Some converts were made in different towns, and the movement, in this way, gained a foothold on the American soil. In 1898, Khairullah along with some of these converts paid a visit to Akka to see the greatest Divine Manifestation, Abbas Effendi. In New York, Dr. Khairullah held regular classes for instruction in the Bahai creed. It will be interesting to know the methods employed by him. Professor Browne who had
15 instituted a thorough research in this movement, has published in the 'Materials for the study of the Babi Religion" letters of his American correspondent, Miss A.H. She writes in her first letter: The lecturer, Dr. Khairullah, has made the most astounding 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